No news is good news, goes the old saying. Because newspaper headlines and the ones which grab out attention are often about wars, individual deaths, murders, accidents robberies and scams.
Those Who Avoid Bad News
I have one friend who has a sick, elderly husband. Yet she is very active in the community. She goes to art exhibitions. But she says she doesn't read the news because it is depressing.
I, on the other hand, read the news because it is vital to me when I am travelling.
Flights Affected Worldwide
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I always remember 9/11, when I and my husband were in Singapore. A friend in Singapore phoned told me, gasping, "Turn on the news because a plane flew into a tower block in New York!"
My husband and I were busy packing to go to a conference in South Africa the next day. I am creative and easily distracted, but my husband is scientific and focused.
My husband said, 'We should get on with our packing, not waste time reading or watching the news from far away. It won't affect us, or out travel plans."
But it did affect our travel plans. Changi was badly affected. Signs did not say where to go. Finally, after an hour's wait, go to this gate. Then Change - Go to that gate.
Why? Firstly, because the planes which were supposed to land in the USA were turned back. Those planes supposed to arrive in Singapore from the USA did not reach us. Passengers, as well as planes were diverted. Planes had not enough passengers, or too many passengers, had to land at different airports.
Secondly, a nervous potential passenger, scared to fly, sent a bomb scare threat to give himself an excuse not to fly.
Security was stepped up at the airport so the opening of bags, checking of bags, questioning as to whether you packed your own bag, was increased.
People cancelled flights because their events were changed, their holiday destinations changed, meetings were cancelled.
I read the news for the bad news and for the good news.
On my travels, I read local papers to know about local events and people. When I go to another country, I read their newspapers. I need to know the bad news, dangerous roads, pickpocket hotspots.
Discount Delights
But I also want to now the good news. Restaurants which won awards. Discount stores. Free drinks with meals Tourist deals on two tours for the price of one. Free delivery to my hotel or home.
Today in the online news I see three different kinds of news story. First, war in the middle east.
Secondly, a teenager who killed his parents and siblings in the USA. I am wondering if we need to be teaching the next generation worldwide not to fight over grievances going back three generations, or even three weeks. Or are memories of old fights a warning of dangers to come?
Skyscraper Balcony & Window Falls
The last dramatic story I read was from the UK and it was about a pregnant mother of five who fell out of an open window in a skyscraper where she lived.
Five children in a skyscraper with open windows strikes me as a danger, even without a mother who has a lot on her mind, and no foresight to use birth control.
Not everybody would agree with me on the birth control issues. But I still think there is mileage in this question. Why is a family of five housed in a skyscraper where you can open and fall out of windows?
USA Hotel Window Precautions
I remember visiting a hotel in a skyscraper in American. The windows did not open, to prevent accidents.
Skyscraper Versus Ground Floor Motels And Garden Cities
We need to rethink the advantages for families of garden cities with accessible employment and shopping and health services. We need to rethink ground floor living.
Skyscraper, Balcony and Window Security
We need to rethink windows which have air vents. Maybe add bay window for views. But not windows which open wide. Consider grilles. As is done in Singapore before you can get a license to have a cat in a flat.
Photo credit - My Nikon D60 from Wikipedia. window safety grille.
In the UK a copany called Omlet makes a caat balcony run.
Alarmed Fire Escape Doors
Instead alarmed windows, and fires escape doors with alarms to prevent burglary through the fire escape and to alert residents and neighbours and caretakers and fire services when children run out or fires break out.
News At Night And Good Sleep
But that is the future. What is the message for you now? It used to be the case that the ten o'clock news was the last thing at night and people did not watch because it worried them before they tried to sleep. So the news always ended with a funny or happy story.
After reading the news last thing at night, I try to read something jolly, or watch a humorous item on YouTube.
Happy Thoughts & Plans
When travelling, I gather up free newspapers. I often don't have time to read them thoroughly when busy travelling during the day. So last thing at night I cut out the coupons for offers to chase the next day. I note these welcome thoughts and plans in my diary.
Useful Websites
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13991417/pictured-pregnant-woman-died-tower-block-fall.html
https://www.omlet.co.uk/shop/cat_products/cat_balcony_enclosure/
Please share links to posts you enjoy reading, and re-reading. See my similar post including seasonal Halloween clothes on my blog dressofthedayangela.blogspot.com
https://dressofthedayangela.blogspot.com/2024/10/what-news-at-home-and-overseas-tells-us.html
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