Good Morning! 🌞  

We ran a story about the recent announcement of Mandalorian movie. We asked you all if you were interested in it. Here are the results.

• 77% said that they watched the Mandalorian and was interested in seeing the movie.

• 6% said they watched the Mandalorian, but was NOT interested in the movie.

• 14% said they had never watched the Mandalorian but would watch the movie.

• 3% said they never watched the Mandalorian, and do NOT plan to see the movie.

Very interesting results! I had no idea were this one was going to end up, so it was quite an interesting case study. Thanks!

Science

The Sun, Like Never Seen Before

A telescope, the largest and most powerful of its kind, captured the sun's fiery surface, sunspots, boiling plasma, and quiet regions in an amazing first.

The National Science Foundation's recently released set of eight images from the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope on Maui, Hawaii, showcase the sun in incredible detail. They say these images are a crucial step in understanding the sun's magnetic field and the drivers behind solar storms.

Astronomy experts have previously emphasized the importance of the Inouye Solar Telescope in predicting space weather, which lags behind terrestrial weather predictions by 50 years or more. The telescope aims to fill the knowledge gap by studying the underlying physics of solar activity.

The recently released images represent only a small fraction of the data collected during the telescope's current operations phase. Scientists expect further groundbreaking results as the Inouye Solar Telescope continues to explore the sun.

If you want to check out the released images, you can find them here. They are absolutely stunning!

Entertainment

A Tom Cruise & Warner Bros Partnership?!

Tom Cruise has partnered with Warner Bros. Discovery to produce and develop theatrical films, as announced in a news release on Tuesday. The collaboration aims to create both original and franchise films starting this year. Warner Bros. Discovery, expressed enthusiasm about working with Cruise and stated their goal of restoring the studio's former glory. Cruise, known for his roles in iconic Warner Bros. films, shared his excitement on Instagram.

While the announcement didn't provide details on specific projects, Cruise has a history of collaborating with Warner Bros. on films like "Edge of Tomorrow" and "Top Gun: Maverick." Cruise has been a vocal advocate for the theatrical experience, encouraging audiences to support theaters amid the pandemic and the popularity of at-home streaming. Notably, his involvement in "Top Gun: Maverick" was credited by director Steven Spielberg as potentially saving the entire theatrical industry. The sequel achieved significant success, becoming the fifth highest-grossing film in North American history, earning nearly $1.5 billion worldwide since its September 2022 release.

World News

The Heart of Wildlife Conservation Through Photography

In the towns near Kruger National Park in northeast South Africa, many residents have never witnessed the country's renowned wildlife, despite their proximity to one of South Africa's largest natural reserves. Seeing this, Founder Mike Kendrick and his wife established the Wild Shots Outreach (WSO) program. Through workshops and game drives, the program introduces young South Africans to photography and conservation, providing them with the opportunity to experience wildlife firsthand in Kruger National Park and nearby areas.

Over 1,300 local residents, including Vusi Mathe, have participated in the program. Mathe, initially aspiring to be a car designer, shifted to photography after WSO's visit to his high school. He shared the significance of exposing locals to wildlife, believing it improves their ability to contribute to conservation efforts. Mathe has become a professional photographer, working with organizations like Global Conservation Corps and serving as an ambassador for Sunshine Cinema.

Melody Mnisi, another success story, now works as a nature guide in the greater Kruger Park area, passing on her skills to young South Africans through Koru Camp. Mnisi's work also focuses on empowering women, addressing the underrepresentation of female nature guides in South Africa.

Rifumo Mathebula, one of WSO's first students, became the program director in 2020 and won the Young Environmentalist of the Year Award in 2022.

While WSO has made strides in local engagement and education, Mathebula acknowledges the need for more conservation awareness in local communities. The program is expanding its reach to other African countries such as Kenya, Namibia, and Botswana.

Kendrick finds it rewarding to witness WSO alumni taking charge and contributing to conservation efforts. He highlights the increasing presence of young Africans in the conservation narrative, hoping to amplify more Black voices and photographers in the field.

Sports

Mercedes to Overhaul 2024 Car to Challenge Red Bull

Mercedes Team Principal, Toto Wolff, reveals plans for a major revamp of the 2024 car to take on Red Bull's dominance. Despite two seasons of decline, Wolff remains cautious about the team's prospects. While acknowledging the need for significant changes, he stresses the uncertainties in achieving success.

Mercedes, having secured P2 in the 2023 constructors’ championship, faces a massive point gap to Red Bull. Wolff expresses a bittersweet feeling but highlights the team's determination to compete at the front. The upcoming W15 will witness a complete overhaul, from chassis layout to weight distribution, aiming to rejuvenate the team's competitive edge.

Wolff acknowledges the challenges, stating, "If you ask me today, as always, skepticism, but that's the mentality of the team that pushes us forward, to never give up."

Despite the work ahead, Wolff remains confident in the capabilities of his drivers. Lewis Hamilton, their chief diver, has not had a win recently. But Wolff affirmed the seven-time world champion's potential to fight for championships. Saying that as long as they get him the right car he fully believes in him.

Mind Stretchers 

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The answer to yesterday’s Mind Stretcher was:
Light!

Chris Hostetler got this one correct first!

Be the first to send us the correct answer for today’s mind stretcher for a shout-out with the answer tomorrow. Just send us the answer and your name to [email protected] or reply to this email.

If you have any uplifting stories and experience you might want to share, send those over to [email protected] for the chance to be featured.