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These Interns Just Broke a World Record With Food Donations
A group of summer interns at a grocery store chain in Michigan recently set a new Guinness World Record for the largest word made of packaged food. The interns used 5,791 food items to spell out "SpartanNash", measuring 150 feet long and 16 feet deep. All of the food used was donated to a local nonprofit organization focused on providing food and clothing to community members in need.
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Ryan Reynolds Honored with Order of Canada: Inside the Heartfelt Ceremony and Family Celebration
Ryan Reynolds received a significant honor in Ottawa during a Canada Day ceremony this week. The Canadian actor was appointed as an Officer to the Order of Canada, a distinction recognizing individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the country. His wife, Blake Lively, was present at the event, capturing moments on her phone and sharing in the celebration. The appointment is one of Canada's highest citizenship distinctions. It acknowledges Reynolds' philanthropic efforts and initiatives aimed at increasing opportunities for under-represented groups. "His far-reaching philanthropy continues to strengthen communities nationwide," noted the Canadian government when announcing his award. Reynolds expressed gratitude for this recognition and the support he's received throughout his life. In an exclusive statement to PEOPLE after being named one of 88 new appointees on December 19, 2024, he said he "couldn’t be more emotional and proud." He added, "I’m so grateful to be a part of the ever-evolving Canadian story." Reynolds also took a moment to thank various communities across Canada that have shaped him personally. He extended his appreciation to those who help others daily without seeking recognition. In his characteristic humor, Reynolds quipped about asking if he could break his officer’s medal into thousands of pieces to share with these unsung heroes. On social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Reynolds thanked the Canadian government and promised to use his powers for good and whimsy. This playful nod references his well-known roles in films like Deadpool & Wolverine. The actor's commitment to philanthropy has been recognized previously too. In 2023, he received both the Order of British Columbia and the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television’s humanitarian award.
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Unexpected Comeback: Critically Endangered Turtles Resurface in India's Ganga River
Conservationists are keeping a close eye on the Ganga River in India, where they recently released 20 critically endangered red-crowned roofed turtles. These turtles, once plentiful across India, Bangladesh and Nepal, have seen their numbers plummet by 80 percent over the past five decades due to hunting, illegal trade, habitat loss and changes in river flow. The last known population of about 500 adult females was confined to the National Chambal Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh. In recent years, villagers in Uttar Pradesh reported spotting these rare turtles and their nests outside the sanctuary. This discovery led conservationists and authorities to believe that the turtles could thrive in other parts of the Ganga River system. In April 2025, teams moved 20 turtles from the Garheta Turtle Conservation Centre at Chambal to two different locations within the Ganga. Ten were released at the Haiderpur wetland—a Ramsar site recognized for its ecological importance—while the other ten found a new home in Meerut's forest division along the main river. The aim is to test which area offers better rehabilitation prospects for these turtles. The selection process for translocating these turtles was meticulous. Experts chose them based on health, sex, and body measurements. Each turtle now carries a transmitter that tracks its movements and behavior in real time. This approach marks a significant first; it's the initial telemetry-based monitoring effort for these creatures in this part of the Ganga River. Pawan Shantiprakash Pareek from Turtle Survival Alliance Foundation India explained how this technology provides valuable insight into how these turtles adapt to their new environment and what threats they might face. "The transmitter fitted on each turtle gives information to the scientists about which direction the turtle is moving in," Pareek told Mongabay India. An unexpected ally has joined this conservation mission—the sadhus or Hindu holy men residing along the riverbanks. They play a pivotal role by encouraging local communities to view these turtles as sacred beings deserving of protection. "People listen to these sadhus," Pareek noted. "Currently, more than 20 sadhus are helping in this work." This collaboration has already yielded positive results with a noticeable reduction in illegal activities like fishing and hunting near their ashrams.
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Lisbon Just Launched a City-Wide Reusable Cup System to Combat Plastic Waste
Lisbon is taking a stand against plastic waste by launching a city-wide reusable cup system in its nightlife and restaurant hubs. Every night, Lisbon's vibrant entertainment scene goes through about 25,000 cups. Many of these are promoted as "reusable," but until now, there was no organized way to collect and reuse them. In a groundbreaking move, Lisbon has become the first European capital to introduce a comprehensive initiative aimed at slashing plastic waste and emissions. The new system features reusable cups backed by a deposit and return model. This initiative involves collaboration between the Lisbon City Council, TOMRA, and the Association of Hotels, Restaurants and Similar Services of Portugal (AHRESP). How does it work? When you grab a drink at participating venues, you'll receive it in a reusable cup after paying a €0.60 deposit. Return the cup at one of TOMRA’s collection machines scattered across the city and get your deposit back with a simple tap using your card or phone. No registration needed. TOMRA handles everything from sanitizing to redistributing these cups. The first two return points opened on June 27 in historic kiosks located in Praça de São Paulo and Praça do Príncipe Real. Full roll-out throughout Lisbon is slated for October 2025. This comes as part of Lisbon City Council's push towards sustainability, following its 2024 regulation banning single-use plastic cups. Rui Cordeiro, councillor for Waste and Circular Economy, emphasized that this step shows Lisbon's commitment to sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics: “Lisbon is committed to leading by example, promoting sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics.” AHRESP is also playing an active role in getting local cafés, bars, and nightclubs on board with this shift toward more sustainable practices. “This initiative represents a necessary change for the HORECA sector,” said Carlos Moura, chairman of AHRESP. During the "Lisbon to Reuse" summit at MUDE (Museum of Design and Fashion), attendees got firsthand experience with how the system operates—right from beverage purchase to cup return. As October approaches, expect to see standardised "Lisbon cups" making their debut across central neighborhoods like Baixa with plans for 17 return points there alone.
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Joey ‘Jaws’ Chestnut Just Reclaimed His Title in the Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest
Joey “Jaws” Chestnut made a triumphant return to the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest, reclaiming his cherished Mustard Belt. The 41-year-old from Westfield, Indiana, devoured 70.5 hot dogs and buns in ten minutes at Coney Island, New York. While impressive, this fell short of his personal best of 76 set in 2021. Despite not beating his own record, Chestnut was all smiles as he addressed the enthusiastic crowd. "I wish I ate a couple more. Sorry guys," he said, promising fans he'd return next year. In the women’s division, Miki Sudo from Tampa, Florida, clinched her 11th title by consuming 33 hot dogs. Although she fell short of her previous year's record of 51, Sudo remained gracious. "I feel like I let the fans down a little bit," she mentioned to ESPN. She noted that the buns seemed larger this time around. This annual spectacle has attracted large crowds since it began outside the original Nathan’s Famous restaurant in 1972. This year was no different as fans donned foam hot dog hats to cheer on their favorites. Many were particularly excited to see Chestnut back in action after missing last year due to a contract dispute. Chestnut faced off against international competitors from places like Australia and Brazil but managed to outpace them all. Patrick Bertoletti from Chicago came second with 46.5 hot dogs, falling short of his previous mark of 58. Speaking with ESPN post-victory, Chestnut expressed his enthusiasm for the event. "As soon as I found out I was coming, my body — it was easy to train," he said. "I love doing it." Last year’s absence stemmed from a contractual issue with Major League Eating organizers after Chestnut signed a deal with Impossible Foods but clarified that he had never appeared in commercials for their vegan products and wished he'd been clearer about his commitments with Nathan's. Despite not competing officially last year, Chestnut still participated in an exhibition at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas where he consumed 57 hot dogs in five minutes alongside soldiers—a performance he described as "amazing." Nevertheless, he's glad to be back at Coney Island where it all started for him.
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Brother with Autism Steals the Show: Officiates Sister's Wedding After Years of Being Nonverbal
Max Cella, a young man on the autism spectrum, recently stole the show at his sister Tess's wedding. The video of him officiating the ceremony has gone viral, racking up over 800,000 views on TikTok. Tess and her groom Chris chose Max to lead their special day with humor and warmth in an outdoor setting. As a child, Max was nonverbal, making this moment particularly poignant for the family. His father, Paul Cella, shared the heartfelt moment online with the caption: “Max was nonverbal as a child and today he officiated his sister’s wedding. You can’t teach this kind of timing.” In his speech, Max introduced himself with a humorous touch that instantly won over the guests. “I’m Tess’...” he said before glancing at his notes and confirming with a grin, “brother.” Laughter filled the air when he playfully described Tess as "kind of a sourpuss" during high school—a claim she readily admitted as true. Max didn’t shy away from mentioning Tess’s past relationships either. He listed names like Sam and Elliott before declaring Chris as his favorite. “Chris over there is my favorite,” he remarked about his new brother-in-law. He added that he and Chris enjoy fast food together—“as long as we’re in shape.” He cleverly laid out some marriage rules for Tess and Chris: remain in love forever, never quarrel even once, be gentle with each other, stay fit, and always be happy. The crowd was touched by these sincere yet amusing pieces of advice from Max. Towards the end of his role as officiant, Max had the honor of pronouncing them husband and wife to cheering guests. Commenters on TikTok loved every bit of it too. One comment read: “Him name-dropping the ex-boyfriends had me cracking up hahaha.” Another person highlighted Max’s future potential: “Max is about to be booked and busy next wedding season.” The weather played its part perfectly during the ceremony too. As one commenter noted how sunlight broke through mid-vows despite forecasts predicting heavy rain earlier that day. The video has been liked 162,000 times so far with nearly 3,000 comments from viewers praising Max's performance. Dad Paul Cella responded to one comment about the symbolic sunshine saying simply: “Exactly.”
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Miraculous Reunion: Missing 5-Year-Old and Loyal Dog Found Safe in Arizona Desert
A five-year-old boy from Arizona is safe and sound after a dramatic adventure in the desert with his loyal dog. The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office confirmed on June 30 that deputies found the boy on June 22, following an intense search. The young adventurer had followed the family dog into the vast desert landscape, leading to a distressing situation for his family. According to bodycam footage released by authorities, it was his grandmother who reported him missing after she noticed he had chased after their four-legged companion. She mentioned that the dog usually returned home but hadn’t this time. Thanks to the efforts of MCSO K9 Bloodhound Piper and dedicated officers, the boy's whereabouts were quickly pinpointed. "Thanks to the quick response and dedication of our deputies, the boy was found safe with his loyal dog by his side," stated officials on Facebook. This heartwarming reunion brought relief to worried family members. Footage showed officers approaching the child as he waved at them, clearly in good spirits despite his solo venture into the wilderness. One officer greeted him warmly, saying, “Hi buddy!” before picking him up. Meanwhile, the dog was seen happily running around before being secured on a leash. The officers’ camaraderie with the child added a sense of ease to what could have been a frightening experience for someone so young. In one light-hearted moment captured on video, an officer asked if he was ready to fly before lifting him playfully off the ground. Police quickly reunited him with his tearful family. The child's mother embraced him tightly upon seeing her son safe again. Officers reassured her that both her child and their pet had remained together throughout their little escapade.
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Unveiling the Mystery: Could a Remote Island Hold Clues to Amelia Earhart's Disappearance?
A new research expedition is set to explore the mystery of Amelia Earhart's disappearance by heading to a desert island in the South Pacific. Researchers plan to visit Nikumaroro Island this November to investigate an anomaly known as the Taraia Object, which some believe could be remnants of Earhart’s plane. Amelia Earhart, celebrated for her aviation feats, vanished in 1937 while aiming to become the first woman to fly around the globe. Now, 88 years later, efforts are being made to solve what happened during her fateful flight. The Purdue Research Foundation and Archaeological Legacy Institute (ALI) announced their collaboration on July 2, 2025, coinciding with the anniversary of her disappearance. The Nikumaroro hypothesis suggests that instead of crashing into the ocean, Earhart and her navigator Fred Noonan landed on this uninhabited island. Supporting evidence includes items found near the site: a woman’s shoe, a compact case, a medicine vial, and a bottle believed to be Dr. C. H Berry's Freckle Ointment from the 1930s. According to NBC correspondent Tom Costello, these findings suggest that, "In fact, Amelia Earhart and her navigator crash-landed on this remote island." Richard Pettigrew from ALI expressed optimism about solving one of aviation's greatest mysteries: "With such a great amount of very strong evidence, we feel we have no choice but to move forward and hopefully return with proof." However, not everyone is convinced. Ric Gillespie, who has led multiple expeditions himself, remains skeptical about finding anything new at Nikumaroro. He insists previous searches have yielded nothing significant: "We’ve looked there...there’s nothing there." He argues that what some think might be part of her plane is actually just a coconut tree. Despite differing opinions among experts, Pettigrew emphasizes that spotting potential wreckage isn’t straightforward due to sediment cover and submersion underwater. If researchers do locate what they believe are pieces of Earhart's aircraft during their time on Nikumaroro from November 5-21, plans for another expedition in 2026 will aim to excavate any remaining parts.
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How AI Is Transforming Hospitals to Combat Extreme Heat and Save Lives
When a heat wave hits Boston, hospitals often see a surge in patients with dehydration, kidney or heart problems and heat-related illnesses. Mass General Brigham, a major health care system in Massachusetts, is now looking to artificial intelligence to help manage this challenge. Paul Biddinger, the chief preparedness and continuity officer at Mass General Brigham, explains that extreme heat exacerbates existing health conditions. "We’ll see a 10 percent jump of people in the emergency department," he says. The organization is developing an alert system using AI to warn patients about upcoming heat waves and offer advice on how to stay safe. In February, Mass General Brigham joined IBM's Sustainability Accelerator program. This initiative aims to use technology to help communities dealing with environmental stressors. The idea is straightforward: AI will analyze electronic health records to identify patients who may be particularly vulnerable during heat waves. These individuals will receive alerts with personalized advice on staying cool and avoiding hospital visits. Biddinger believes patients are more likely to heed warnings from their own doctors than general news broadcasts. "We think patients will pay more attention if it is their doctor," he notes. Extreme heat takes a significant toll each year in the U.S., causing about 2,300 deaths and numerous hospitalizations. As climate change increases temperatures, these numbers could rise dramatically. One estimate predicts an additional 235,000 emergency room visits each summer due to heat-related issues. Mass General Brigham also trains its medical staff on the impacts of climate change on patient health. Some patients with complex conditions are assigned case workers who discuss these risks directly with them. However, it's challenging for human staff alone to reach everyone needing such warnings. The AI tool under development might include a chatbot function for patient inquiries following alerts. Biddinger emphasizes the importance of efficiency: "Our primary care doctors are so overwhelmed these days." This AI alert system will begin as a pilot project developed over two years in collaboration with IBM. If successful, it could be shared with other hospitals nationwide as a community service tool rather than a profit-driven product. "This is not being developed as a profits-driven product," says Biddinger. Such advancements aim to support broader patient care strategies amid rising temperatures linked to climate changes impacting public health systems across various regions globally.
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Giant River Otter Makes Triumphant Return to Argentina After 40 Years
In an exciting development for wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists, a family of giant river otters has made a splash in Iberá National Park, Argentina. Released on July 1, this marks the first time these creatures have roamed freely in the country in about 40 years. Led by Rewilding Argentina, a conservation nonprofit, the reintroduction involved a breeding pair named Coco and Nima, who were relocated from different zoos in Europe. Accompanying them are their offspring, Pirú and Kyra. Now residing in Laguna Paraná within the Iberá wetlands in Corrientes Province, this family is reviving hope for a species once thought extinct in Argentina. Rewilding Argentina expressed their pride on Instagram: “This is the first time this species has been reintroduced to a place from where it had disappeared. It’s also the first time a mammal declared extinct in Argentina has been brought back.” The giant river otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) holds the title as the largest among the world's 14 otter species. These aquatic carnivores can grow up to nearly 1.8 meters long and weigh as much as 34 kilograms. Sebastián Di Martino, conservation director at Rewilding Argentina, highlighted their role: "The giant otter is the top aquatic predator in these wetlands, and its diet consists almost entirely of fish, so its presence contributes significantly to maintaining healthy ecosystems." While last seen as a family group in 1986, a lone otter was spotted in 2021 at Impenetrable National Park in Chaco Province. Experts suggested it may have traveled from Paraguay's Pantanal region. Rewilding efforts started back in 2018 with plans to breed captive otters for release. Known for their social nature, giant otters tend to thrive within extended family units. Endemic to South America, these creatures once roamed extensively from Venezuela down to Uruguay. However, hunting for fur severely impacted their numbers across much of this range. Apart from Argentina's previous extinction status, they are also considered extinct in Uruguay, while numbers remain precarious elsewhere with fewer than 100 individuals surviving across Paraguay, Ecuador and Guyana.
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How Porpoises Saved Dick Van Dyke's Life During a Surprising Surfing Adventure
Dick Van Dyke might be best known for his roles in classic films like Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, but he also has a story that sounds more like the plot of an adventure film. Years ago, while surfing at Virginia Beach, Van Dyke dozed off on his 3-meter surfboard. When he woke up, he found himself far from shore. During a 2010 appearance on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, the actor recounted his unexpected encounter. "I look around and I started paddling with the swells," he said. "I started seeing fins swimming around me, and I thought ‘I’m dead!’" It turned out those fins belonged to a pod of porpoises rather than sharks. In a surprising twist, they guided him back to land. "They pushed me all the way to shore," Van Dyke recalled. "I’m not kidding, all the way to shore." He revisited this incredible tale during a 2023 episode of the Really? no, Really? podcast. At 99 years old, Van Dyke doesn't surf anymore; he hung up his board years ago. However, he's far from inactive. Despite missing one of his regular Vandy Camp events in Malibu due to illness last June, Van Dyke continues to stay busy with various pursuits. "When you're 99 and a half years old, you have good days and bad days," said Arlene Silver, his wife. "And unfortunately, today is not a good day for him." The same event revealed another side of Van Dyke that fans might not know about—his talent as a computer animator. Silver confirmed this when she mentioned that her husband "still is" involved in animation and even has credits for it on Diagnosis: Murder. The show ran from 1993 to 2001 and featured Van Dyke as a crime-solving doctor. Van Dyke first met Silver at the SAG Awards in 2006; they married six years later in 2012. Despite his age, Van Dyke shows no signs of slowing down professionally or personally.