Here’s a roundup of some of the stories that have captured Life & Soul Magazine’s attention this week:

1. Scientists discover coral reef taller than the Empire State Building – The enormous detached underwater structure, located in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, is the first such discovery in a century, Cnet reports.

2. Aesop ventures into sustainable fashion with Raeburn –Australian skin and beauty care label Aesop has partnered with sustainable fashion and circular conscious brand, Raeburn, according to New Straits Times. The first joint venture, which will drop in January, has been created with post-Covid-19 customer needs in mind and will speak to the brands’ shared principles around practicality, functionality and purpose.

3. The Circular Economy, taking elevator pitches to new heights – and getting in the Christmas Spirit – Euronews’ Business Line meets Rotor Deconstruction, a Belgian company inspired by the circular economy that transforms construction waste into desirable products in an effort to cut waste and reduce imports.

4. Matthew McConaughey almost quit acting to become a wildlife guide – Matthew McConaughey considered quitting acting to take up a new career as a wildlife guide. On the latest instalment of The Oprah Conversation on Apple TV+, the Oscar winner shared that he almost called it quits for real while he was trying to break out of the movie genre, revealing he “dabbled with thinking about other careers”, Film News writes.

5. Material Revolutions: Shirts Made from Shellfish, Biodegradable Rum Bottles and Reusable Fast Food Containers – In the age of consumption, sustainability innovations can help shift cultural habits and protect dwindling natural resources. Improvements in source materials, product durability and end-of-life disposal procedures can create consumer products that are better for the Earth throughout their lifecycles. Three recent advancements hope to make a difference, EcoWatch reports.

6. Churails: Why a feminist detective show was banned in Pakistan – A new Pakistani web series called Churails has created an uproar in the country for its bold subject matter and depiction of its female leads. The 10-episode series features a group of women from diverse backgrounds who get together to start a secret detective agency called Churails – the Urdu word for “witch”, BBC reports. 

7. ‘Sand pumpkins’ crafted on Co Antrim beach to mark Halloween – Pumpkins have been crafted out of sand along a beach in Co Antrim as people find alternative ways to mark Halloween during the Covid-19 pandemic, The Irish News writes.

Rosa Medea is Life & Soul Magazine’s Chief. She writes about lifestyle including sustainable and green living.