🦭 Newborn Seals Strike a Pose

Good morning. Our hearts were filled with joy this morning when viewing recently published photos of newborn seal pups posing for photos. Fair morning…it’s cuteness overload.

We also spotlight a bold new chapter in space exploration as Eric Schmidt funds a next-generation telescope, and celebrate London’s record-low homicide rate, offering hope for safer cities everywhere.

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—Stephanie S

Photographer Vicky Outen has captured heartwarming images of newborn grey seal pups at Donna Nook Nature Reserve on the Lincolnshire coast. Each year, hundreds of visitors come to witness the arrival of these fluffy pups, and last year saw a record 1,924 births.

The photos showcase the pups’ playful personalities, with some rolling in the grass and others giving the camera curious looks. Outen describes each pup as having its own distinct charm.

Spending time among the seals in their natural habitat is described as a rewarding and special experience.

These delightful images are sure to bring a smile and a sense of wonder to your day. Which one is your favorite? We couldn’t choose 🥹.

As a boy in Ethiopia, Mesfin Yana’s life was saved by Dr. Jim Kauten, who performed heart surgery after Mesfin was brought to the US. Years later, Mesfin became a perfusionist and now works at the Mayo Clinic.

The story comes full circle as Mesfin and Dr. Kauten reunite to volunteer together, providing life-saving surgeries for children in Ethiopia.

Mesfin also bridges cultures, translating for patients and doctors, and inspiring hope through his journey of gratitude and giving back.

Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and his wife Wendy are set to privately fund a new space telescope, Lazuli, designed to surpass the Hubble. Their philanthropic effort will also support three other observatories, advancing astronomical research.

Lazuli will feature a larger mirror and more modern instruments than Hubble, with a planned launch as early as 2028. The project is expected to cost up to half a billion dollars.

This initiative continues a long tradition of philanthropy in astronomy, promising new discoveries for generations to come.

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London has achieved its lowest homicide rate ever, with just 97 homicides last year, marking an 11-year low. The rate of 1.1 per 100,000 people is now lower than New York, Berlin, and Milan.

Officials credit targeted police work and the Violence Reduction Unit, which focuses on preventing youth crime and addressing root causes.

Efforts like increased police presence, CCTV, and new technology are helping make London safer for everyone.

🦘 Australia: Sydney’s Taronga Zoo has launched an ambitious rewilding project to restore koala and platypus populations in the wild.

🧀 Sweden: A 25-year study of 27,000 people found that eating more high-fat cheese and cream is linked to a lower risk of developing dementia.

🏡 Canada: A Nova Scotia couple donated 46 acres of land to create affordable housing for their community.

🔌 Florida: Construction has begun on a first-of-its-kind highway with a wireless charging lane, so electric cars and buses can recharge while driving.

🏞️ Chile: With help from a huge land donation, the government is creating a 150,000-hectare national park in Patagonia.

126 years ago today, Tosca by Giacomo Puccini debuted in Rome, introducing one of the most enduring operas in the repertoire. Adapted from a French stage play, Tosca tells a gripping story of love, power, and moral defiance set against political corruption. Puccini believed the drama was “born to be sung,” and he spent years fighting for the rights to transform it into an opera.

Despite cautious reviews at its premiere, audiences immediately embraced the work. It’s arias, especially E lucevan le stelle and Vissi d’arte, became staples of the operatic canon, famously performed by legends like Luciano Pavarotti and Maria Callas, who is often regarded as the definitive Tosca.

Other notable January 14 events:

1784: The American Revolutionary War formally ended with ratification of the Treaty of Paris.

1994: Bill Clinton and Boris Yeltsin signed the Kremlin Accords to de-target nuclear missiles.

2005: The first detailed images of Saturn’s moon Titan were transmitted to Earth.

2011: Tunisia’s president fled the country after mass protests sparked the Jasmine Revolution.

— Chinese Proverb

Every day brings amazing advances and uplifting moments that remind us just how wonderful the world can be. Here are five reasons why today is the best time ever to be alive:

🦋 Urban Biodiversity: Urban biodiversity parks are protecting endangered species within city limits.

🦾 Affordable Prosthetics: Low-cost prosthetic hands are giving children in developing countries a new sense of independence.

🌊 Thermal Energy: Ocean thermal energy plants are turning warm seawater into renewable electricity.

📚 Digital Libraries: Community libraries with digital hubs are bridging the gap for people without internet.

💵 Microloans: Online microloans are empowering entrepreneurs in developing regions to start businesses.

Spread a little good news, and good things come back your way.

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