Meet Belle, The Pup Who Always Looks Like She's Surprised

Belle is an adorable mix of doberman and cattlehound who was born with a birth defect that makes her look permanently surprised. She was born with the muscles in her head stretched back, leaving her looking wide-eyed at all times. Despite her condition, Belle is a sweet and goofy dog who has won over 160,000 followers on TikTok.

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At the Edge of the Earth, King Charles Sent a Mailbox for Christmas

Mailboxes aren’t typically found in Antarctica — but now, thanks to a request from King Charles III, there’s a bright red one sitting at the bottom of the world. Installed at the British Antarctic Survey’s Rothera Station, the post box was delivered just in time for the holidays by the UK’s polar research ship, the RRS Sir David Attenborough. The station, located more than 1,800 kilometers south of the Falkland Islands, is one of the most remote places on Earth — and one of the most isolated. That’s exactly why the King asked for the mailbox to be included in this season’s supply delivery. For the small group of climate researchers and support staff who live and work there for months at a time, the mailbox offers something most of us take for granted: connection. “If you’re doing fieldwork for many months, the feeling of receiving a letter — an actual, tangible piece of paper with handwriting from friends and family — is such a lift,” said Kirsten Shaw, the station support assistant who oversees the British Antarctic Territory Post Office. “It’s a wonderful way to connect people that goes beyond what an email or text message can do.” The newly installed box features the cypher of King Charles III and now functions as one link in a long, cold postal chain. Letters leave Antarctica via the Sir David Attenborough or a British Antarctic Survey (BAS) aircraft, making their way to the Falkland Islands, and then on to a Royal Mail hub in Oxford. The reverse trip works just the same — all so that a handwritten card or note can find its way to a snowbound researcher, thousands of kilometers from the nearest city. Despite the rise of digital communication, Christmas remains one time of year when letter-writing hasn’t faded. That’s especially true in a place like Rothera, where every envelope and scribbled message carries more meaning than usual. Royal Mail red boxes have long been a symbol of Britain — found in nearly every corner of the Commonwealth, from bustling cities to overgrown roadsides. But this one might just be the most poetic: a bright red cylinder standing against Antarctica’s frozen white, waiting patiently to carry a few heartfelt words across the globe.

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Boston’s New Protected Bike Lanes Are Working — Bike Trips Are Up, Car Traffic Is Down

A citywide push to make Boston more bike-friendly is showing clear results. Thanks to the Better Bike Lanes project, daily bicycle trips are up across the city, while the number of cars on the roads is starting to fall. The infrastructure upgrade, a key part of Mayor Michelle Wu’s election platform, aimed to address longstanding calls for safer, more accessible cycling routes. Between 2023 and 2024, the city added protected bike lanes, bikeways, and new crossings throughout neighborhoods in and around Boston. By autumn 2024, most of the new infrastructure was in place — and the city set out to see whether the changes had actually made a difference. They had. In Brighton’s South Street, daily bike trips rose by 22%, a modest gain. But other areas saw much larger jumps. Boylston Street in Back Bay, for example, went from 615 to 1,127 bike trips per day — an 83% increase. The new lane there is protected by metal bollards to prevent illegal parking, making it one of the city’s safest stretches for cyclists. On Milk Street downtown, a newly built single-direction bike lane is now handling almost 200 more bikes per day than before — when cyclists had to mix with car traffic. And on Western Avenue, which runs through both Brighton and Allston, average daily bike traffic rose by 51%, with over 200 more riders counted than in previous years. While the report doesn’t definitively say how many cyclists ditched their cars for bikes, it does show a modest drop in car traffic where the new lanes were added. Near Fairfield Street, traffic fell by 9% between September 2022 and September 2024. Near Arlington Street, it dropped 14%. “This is exactly the kind of evidence-based policymaking our city needs,” said Tiffany Cogell, executive director of the Boston Cyclists Union, speaking to Mass Streets Blog. “Protected bike infrastructure works. It’s reducing crashes, improving predictability, and expanding mobility options without increasing congestion.” With Boston’s population growing and climate goals looming, city leaders hope investments like these will encourage even more people to swap four wheels for two. If the data keeps trending in the same direction, they just might.

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An Australian Zoo That Saved 7 Species Has Big Ambitions: Rewild 3,000 Acres of Land

An Australian zoo known for pulling seven native species back from the brink of extinction is setting its sights on something even bigger: rewilding a massive tract of former farmland. The Taronga Zoo Conservation Society (TZCS) announced plans to restore 3,050 acres in New South Wales, transforming the cleared land into a thriving wildlife corridor. The goal is to plant around 1 million Box-Gum tree seedlings across the Nandewar Range, part of the country’s vast Great Dividing Range, and use the regrown forest to reconnect fragmented habitats. Eventually, the land will be home again to iconic native species like platypus, koalas, spotted quolls, and the endangered regent honeyeater. “It’s about establishing the habitat and getting the ecosystem looking after itself,” said TZCS CEO Cameron Kerr. “At the right time we will assess what wildlife is coming in from outside and what wildlife we need to re-introduce.” The rewilding plan is ambitious in scale. The area is roughly 100 times larger than Taronga Zoo’s main site in Sydney Harbour, and it marks the zoo’s first major effort to regenerate such a large wild landscape since it opened the Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo on 300 acres of land. Kerr told ABC News Australia that part of the process involves monitoring how fast different species return on their own, and identifying which will need more time or support to reclaim their ancestral territory. He expects some animals may recolonize quickly once habitat conditions improve, while others could take a decade or more. TZCS is no stranger to reintroducing wildlife. Over the years, its 16 targeted breeding programs have led to the successful release of around 60,000 animals, from tadpoles to koalas. But large-scale land restoration is new ground for the organization. This latest initiative recognizes that existing forests alone are no longer enough to safeguard Australia’s unique biodiversity. Invasive predators such as foxes and feral pigs remain a serious threat, and controlling them will be essential to the project's success. Kerr said Australia has reached a turning point. “We can’t rely on what forest landscapes we have left,” he noted. “We have to actively start to restore native forests if we want these animals to survive long into the future.” If it works, the Nandewar project could serve as a blueprint for similar conservation efforts elsewhere — combining habitat restoration, species reintroduction, and long-term ecological care to give Australia's wildlife a fighting chance.

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2 Colossal Statues of an Ancient Pharaoh are Standing Again After 30 Years Of Work

Two towering statues of ancient Egyptian ruler Amenhotep III, toppled by an earthquake over a millennium ago, have been restored and unveiled in Luxor. The twin statues, each standing more than 9 metres tall, were officially revealed on Sunday following decades of painstaking archaeological work. Originally carved from alabaster in the 14th century BCE, they once stood at the entrance to Amenhotep’s mortuary temple on the Nile’s west bank. Sunday’s unveiling marks the first time the two statues have stood in their full form since being destroyed roughly 1,200 years ago. Amenhotep III, the ninth pharaoh of Egypt’s Eighteenth Dynasty, ruled during a period considered a golden age in ancient Egyptian history. So revered was he that he was worshipped as a living deity. The Colossi of Memnon — a name later given by Greek visitors — were among many massive statues erected to honour him. The alabaster giants were carved from stone sourced in Hatnub, a quarry in central Egypt known for its high-quality material. Each statue depicts Amenhotep wearing the nemes headdress, a symbol of kingship often associated with gods and pharaohs. The recent restoration is the result of more than two decades of work led by a joint Egyptian-German mission, headed by German Egyptologist Hourig Sourouzian. The team began work in the late 1990s and has since restored and documented a large number of statues and temple fragments, many of which had been reduced to rubble over the centuries. The newly reassembled colossi were pieced together from dozens of broken alabaster fragments. The right-hand statue includes a nearly complete torso and head, with a well-preserved face and even the serpent emblem still visible on the forehead. The left statue has both legs intact, but its torso and head were more heavily damaged. Egypt’s Supreme Archaeological Council confirmed that the restoration was conducted using modern scientific methods and internationally approved materials. Officials say the project respected the original nature of the stone, ensuring both historical accuracy and long-term preservation. The two figures now stand once more in front of the remains of Amenhotep’s sprawling mortuary temple, a powerful reminder of Egypt’s ancient craftsmanship — and the patience required to bring it back.

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For the First Time, Scientists Successfully Engineer Cancer-Fighting Cells Directly In Patients' Bodies

For the first time, researchers have successfully reprogrammed cancer-fighting cells inside the human body, a major step forward that could make one of today’s most advanced cancer treatments cheaper, faster, and more widely available. In two small but groundbreaking trials, scientists treated patients with multiple myeloma — a difficult-to-treat blood cancer — using a version of CAR T-cell therapy that didn’t require a lab. Instead, they delivered the treatment directly into the patients’ bodies. The results were presented this month at the American Society of Hematology’s annual meeting. Traditional CAR T-cell therapy involves removing a patient’s T-cells, genetically modifying them in a lab to recognize cancer, and then infusing them back into the body. It’s effective, but expensive and time-consuming. The process typically takes a month and must be done off-site in specialized labs. But what if that same genetic modification could happen in vivo — in the body itself? That’s exactly what the new trials tested. In the first, four patients received the experimental in-body treatment. Their T-cells were genetically edited with the CAR gene inside their bloodstream using a deactivated virus as the delivery vehicle. The edited cells then multiplied and began attacking the cancer. Two of the patients showed no signs of cancer in their bone marrow by the end of the study. The other two didn’t reach full remission, but their disease had improved significantly five months later. Yvonne Chen, a cancer immunotherapy researcher at UCLA, told Science News: “The question is no longer can you really do this. The question now is can you reach the level of efficacy that’s expected and will the safety profile meet the target.” The side effects were notable but manageable. While lab-based CAR T-cell therapy is known to cause severe flu-like symptoms — and in rare cases, can be fatal — the patients in the study experienced different reactions. They had low blood pressure, reduced oxygen levels, and some confusion, but all recovered. A second trial using a similar approach showed even more encouraging results. Four more patients, all previously considered untreatable, had no detectable cancer in their bone marrow one month after treatment. One patient remained cancer-free five months in. This group also had fewer side effects, though researchers don’t yet know why. “I think it gives us a glimpse into the future,” said Joy Ho, a hematologist at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Australia. “In vivo CAR-T for multiple myeloma is here and hopefully it will stay.” The potential impact is huge. Current CAR T-cell therapy can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and requires an aggressive chemotherapy round to clear the body’s original T-cells before the lab-grown ones are introduced. If scientists can refine the in-body method, it could eliminate the need for that step and slash costs and delays. That would open the door for many more patients to receive treatment — especially those too sick to wait the weeks it takes to produce the cells in a lab. And the implications go beyond cancer. CAR T-cell therapy is also being explored as a possible treatment for autoimmune diseases. If researchers can continue to make the in vivo version safer and more effective, it could become a game-changing tool for a wide range of conditions. For now, the trials are small and still in early stages. But for the eight patients involved — and potentially thousands more in the future — it’s a hopeful step forward.

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This Artist Finger Painted Buddy the Elf on Live TV — in Under 6 Minutes

Cody Sabol doesn’t use brushes. He doesn’t need them. The Pittsburgh-based artist paints with his fingers, and he does it faster and better than most people could with a full toolkit. This week, he took his talents to live television, appearing on Talk Pittsburgh to recreate one of the most beloved holiday characters ever — Will Ferrell’s Buddy the Elf — entirely by hand, and in real time. The result? A jaw-dropping portrait that came together in less than six minutes. No outlines, no tracing, just raw speed and talent. It started with some broad strokes, but it didn’t take long before the familiar green hat and wide-eyed expression began to take shape. By the time Sabol added the details around the eyes, there was no mistaking it: Buddy the Elf was back, and staring straight at the camera. “Painting Will Ferrell’s Elf in less than 6 minutes!! Who should I paint next!? What’s your favorite Christmas Movie!?” Sabol wrote on Instagram after the segment. “Huge thanks to my friends at @talkpittsburgh for having me!!” Fans were quick to jump in with ideas — and jokes. “Would you rather eat the dessert spaghetti or have a snowball fight with Buddy the Elf?” one asked. “Either way, you eat cotton balls and smell like beef and cheese.” Another fan dropped the classic line from the movie: “Bye Buddy, hope you find your dad!” Some had holiday suggestions for who Sabol should paint next. “Christmas Vacation. Cousin Eddie and Clark. Home Alone crew Kevin, Marv, Harry,” one commented. But the biggest praise came from a follower who compared their excitement to a certain elf’s energy level: “You know how Buddy the Elf gets excited when he finds out Santa is coming? That’s how I feel when you drop a new reel.” Sabol is no stranger to viral moments. He’s painted athletes, musicians, celebrities, and now holiday icons — all with his signature finger painting style and lightning-fast speed. But there’s something about watching Buddy the Elf appear in just a few minutes, with nothing but hands and paint, that feels a little bit like magic. Just in time for Christmas.

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A Lost Dog Was Just Reunited With Its Family After 5 Years, Thanks To a Microchip And Kind Strangers

A tiny dog named Choco is back where he belongs—curled up on the couch with the family that never stopped missing him. After vanishing from his home in Antelope, California in 2019, Choco was found this November more than 3,000 kilometers away in Detroit. It had been five years since anyone in the family had seen the little pooch. His owner, Patricia, said they searched high and low after he disappeared, but eventually had to accept he might be gone for good. Then came the phone call. “Shocked,” was how Patricia described hearing the voicemail that said Choco had been found. At first, she thought they meant a nearby city. “I called the number, ‘You’re talking about Lincoln, California, right? No, Lincoln, Michigan,’” she told CBS News. Choco had turned up chained to a fence and was taken in by the Lincoln Park Animal Shelter. When staff scanned his microchip, they found a match that led back to Patricia—more than 2,000 miles away. That’s when Helping Paws and Claws, a volunteer-run animal rescue group, stepped in. Not only did they track down Choco’s original owner, they also made sure he got home. With some help from a kind stranger named Pamela—who donated her SkyMiles to fly Choco back to California—the group arranged a flight for Penny, one of their volunteers, to bring the dog back herself. The reunion was emotional. Patricia’s family had grown in the time Choco was away, but his spot in the house, and in their hearts, had always been saved. “Microchip your dogs,” Patricia said. “With the holidays and the extreme cold, a story like mine can be your story next.” Choco’s journey remains a mystery. No one knows how he ended up in Michigan or who had him all those years. But just in time for Christmas, he made it home.

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Woman Seeks 'Guardian Angel' Who Rescued Her During Cardiac Arrest During Park Walk

Melinda Pereira has walked countless laps around Echo Lake Park in Virginia, usually to unwind during lunch or clear her head before work. But on November 5, what began as a typical stroll turned into a moment that changed — and nearly ended — her life. “Just something felt off,” Pereira recalled. Moments later, she collapsed. She doesn’t remember what happened next. The next thing she knew, she was waking up in a hospital bed. Doctors told her she had gone into cardiac arrest. First responders filled in the rest: her life was saved thanks to the quick action of a bystander — a stranger believed to be a nurse — who immediately started CPR. “I was not breathing, no pulse, and unconscious,” Pereira said. “And some guardian angel started the first steps to life-saving measures, and that’s why I’m still here today.” Though she’s never met the woman who helped her, Pereira said doctors were clear — the bystander's fast response was critical. “They said if everything hadn’t lined up the way it did, it would’ve been a different outcome,” she said. “I have the sore ribs to prove CPR was done — and that effort is why I survived.” Now in recovery, Pereira has gone back to Echo Lake Park, not just to walk — but to find the stranger who saved her. She’s hoping to reconnect and finally say thank you, face-to-face. “I just want her to know how grateful I am,” she said.

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Doggy Daycare Stages a Tail-Wagging Nativity Scene — and It’s Adorable

A dog daycare in Greater Manchester has gone all-in on Christmas cheer — by turning its pups into a full-blown Nativity cast. Staff at Pooches Playhouse in Failsworth dressed their daycare dogs in costume and set the scene in a straw-filled barn, complete with a festive backdrop. Video footage shows the dogs patiently sitting in place, each one playing a different role in the classic Christmas tableau. Cocker spaniels Maeve and Reggie starred as Mary and Joseph, while baby Jesus was played by a tiny Yorkshire Terrier named Toby, who curled up comfortably in a basket. CJ the cockapoo donned wings to become the angel, Betty the English Bulldog played the donkey, and Snoop the cockapoo posed as the shepherd. The three wise men? That honour went to Rottweiler Axel, Labrador Red, and Doberman Lilo, who each wore a crown. Niamh Knowles, a spokesperson for the daycare, said the idea came from a desire to lift spirits during the holidays. “We are always looking for fun ideas for our dogs to get involved in,” she said. “First, we had to get them in costumes, which, as you can imagine, was hard work! Once they were ready, we did some training exercises to get them to sit and stay for the photos, of course with lots of treats.” She added that all the dogs were “happy and comfortable” throughout the process, which took hours of patience and reward-based coaxing. “At this time of year, we know Christmas can be tough for some people, so we wanted this Nativity to bring a little joy and happiness to someone’s day,” she said. Judging by the reaction online, it’s doing exactly that. The video and photos have already started spreading across social media, with commenters calling the display “hilarious,” “brilliant,” and “the best thing I’ve seen this Christmas.”

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This NFL Linebacker Just Graduated With an MBA From Howard University — Here's Why

As Bobby Wagner nears a historic NFL milestone, he’s already crossed a different finish line—one that could define his future long after football. The Washington Commanders linebacker just wrapped up coursework for an MBA at Howard University. He started the 18-month business program in January 2024 and will officially graduate in May. To free up his spring, Wagner overloaded on classes this past summer, attending some in person and completing the rest online. “Sometimes when you come from playing football and go into the business world, a lot of people feel like... we skip steps or they feel like we haven't done the work,” Wagner said. “I've done the work through challenging times that most people wouldn't have done." Wagner has already dipped into the business world as a minority investor in the WNBA’s Seattle Storm, a move that signaled his long-term interests. But the degree, he said, was about more than business—it was about credibility. He wanted people to know he was serious. With just three games left in the regular season, Wagner is also within reach of becoming only the third player in NFL history to notch 2,000 career tackles, joining Ray Lewis and London Fletcher. Fletcher, now the Commanders’ radio analyst, recently spoke with Wagner about what the milestone represents. For Wagner, it’s less about personal stats and more about making those who started with him proud. “It’s been a challenging season, but I enjoy playing,” Wagner said. “I enjoy being around these guys and they make it fun.” Wagner is already considered a lock for the Hall of Fame, with 11 All-Pro selections (six first-team) and 10 Pro Bowl nods. But he’s also used his platform to challenge stereotypes around athletes and education. “From the outside world, if you do something else, then they feel like you're not focused,” he said. “And then when you retire and don't have nothing going on, they're like, 'Why you didn't do something else?'... I'm trying to break that concept. You can master the field you're in and also learn and study other things.” Wagner said the idea of furthering his education had been planted early in his career. “I was just like, 'Man, I just got here.' In my mind, I have 10 plus years,” he said. “But I had really good mentors that pushed me to understand that this game could be taken away from you at any given moment.” Rather than spend downtime on video games like many players, Wagner said he simply chose to learn. He credits Kobe Bryant as a major inspiration. “He was a guy that I felt like... all he does is basketball and nothing else,” Wagner said. “And then he retired, [and you] realized how much he wrote in his off time... poetry, piano, business, all these different things. And if somebody like that can do it, then anybody could do it.” As he stood in front of reporters wearing a Howard sweatshirt, Wagner reflected on how far he’s come from his Utah State days. “I was going to school and playing ball,” he said. “But I think being intentional about what you want is something I learned. I like education. I like education, clearly that’s why I did it.”

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