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Firefighters and Good Samaritans Just Rescued a Goose Stuck in Wet Sand
A group of Good Samaritans attempted to save a Canada goose that was stuck in the wet sand along the edge of Lake Michigan at Indiana Dunes State Park, but were unsuccessful. A call was made to the Porter Volunteer Firefighters, Inc. who came to the Chesterton, Indiana, site and used a hose to melt away the ice that bound it to the ground. The goose was safely removed and transported to a local licensed wildlife rehabilitation and veterinarian’s facility for treatment.
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Photographer Captures Rare "Elve" Lightning Phenomenon Over Italian Alps
A rare and ghostly ring of red light briefly lit up the skies over northern Italy earlier this month—and one lucky photographer was ready. Valter Binotto, an experienced skywatcher from the town of Possagno in the Italian Alps, captured the dazzling atmospheric phenomenon known as an elve on the night of November 17. It appeared as a giant red disc hovering above the horizon, lasting only a fraction of a second—but it was enough for Binotto’s camera to catch the spectacle in action. Elves, which stand for “Emission of Light and Very Low Frequency perturbations due to Electromagnetic Pulse Sources,” are among the most elusive forms of upper-atmospheric lightning. They form high above thunderstorms—up to 100 miles (160 kilometers) above the ground—when an extremely powerful lightning bolt sends an electromagnetic pulse racing into the ionosphere. That pulse causes a rapid expansion of ionized air, producing a disk-shaped flash of red light that can grow up to 480 kilometers wide. They’re almost impossible to spot with the naked eye, but Binotto had set up his gear specifically to try and catch another rare form of lightning called sprites. When he pointed his camera at a relatively clear patch of sky above a distant storm, he didn’t get the sprites—but he got something even more unusual. “I didn’t capture any sprites, but fortunately, I managed to capture this elve!” he told Space.com via email. Binotto used a Sony A7S camera with a 20mm f/1.8 lens, ISO set to 51,200, and recorded video at 25 frames per second. The resulting image is taken from one frame of that video. According to Spaceweather.com, the elve was triggered by a powerful lightning strike in a storm about 300 kilometers away near Vernazza. That strike carried an immense -303 kiloamperes of current—roughly 10 times stronger than the average lightning bolt. (The minus sign indicates the polarity, not a negative value.) The energy from that strike produced an intense electromagnetic pulse, which lit up the ionosphere like a ripple in a pond—except this ripple was more than 300 kilometers across. This isn’t Binotto’s first brush with the phenomenon. He also photographed an elve in March 2023, again from his home in Possagno. That image showed an even more detailed view of the red ring’s structure as it spread across the night sky. Elves were only confirmed by scientists in 1990 and remain difficult to study, in part because of how fast they occur. Unlike lightning bolts that streak downward from the clouds, elves flash outward and upward, creating fleeting halos of light too fast for the human eye to process in real time. But thanks to high-speed cameras and skywatchers like Binotto, we’re now getting rare glimpses of just how dramatic Earth's upper atmosphere can be.
Score (98)
These Young Innovators Are Building a Robot To Tackle Reforestation Challenges In Portugal
Growing up near the forests outside Lisbon, Marta Bernardino and Sebastião Mendonça never imagined their childhood sanctuary would one day be reduced to ashes. But over the years, the two 19-year-olds watched as wildfires scorched the Portuguese landscape, stripping hillsides bare and threatening rural communities that depend on forests for food, water, and cultural identity. That loss led them to create Trovador—a six-legged autonomous robot designed to replant trees in the places humans can’t reach. “We built worlds in that forest. It was our playground, our sanctuary,” Bernardino said. “But it kept disappearing before our eyes.” Portugal’s wildfire problem Portugal is no stranger to wildfires. According to a 2024 study by atmospheric scientist Carlos C. DaCamara, over 1.2 million acres have burned across the mainland between 1980 and 2023—more than half of the country’s territory. In 2017 alone, wildfires wiped out 32,000 acres of forest cover, the most recorded in a single year. More than 60 percent of Portugal’s forests lie on steep slopes, where traditional reforestation methods—like tractors or manual crews—are either ineffective or too dangerous. Tractors compact soil and damage underground ecosystems. Volunteers can’t safely navigate the terrain. And aerial drone seed drops, while increasingly popular, come with their own flaws: they often waste seeds and result in survival rates below 20 percent for some species. “The soil is too damaged and the fires too frequent for nature to heal on its own,” Bernardino said. “And the terrain itself has become the enemy.” The birth of Trovador In 2023, the two high school students set out to solve the problem themselves. They started with a €15 ($17) prototype built from recycled parts. What they created was a six-legged robot capable of climbing 45-degree slopes, dodging boulders, and planting tree saplings directly into the ground. That early version planted 28 percent faster than human crews and achieved a 90 percent survival rate—with no follow-up care required. Unlike drones that scatter seeds with low precision, Trovador carries saplings on its back and places each one individually using a three-step dig-place-tamp sequence. It uses AI and sensors to assess soil pH and moisture in real time, skipping over dry ground and targeting the micro-niches most likely to support new life. Built-in depth cameras map terrain and obstacles, while a cloud connection uploads GPS coordinates, soil data, and battery status for remote monitoring. One robot can plant up to 200 trees per hour, with minimal soil disturbance. “We designed it to solve everything that’s broken about current reforestation tools,” said Bernardino. Recognition and momentum The response to Trovador was swift. The project earned a spot as a top finalist in National Geographic’s 2024 Slingshot Challenge and received a $10,000 grant. It also caught the attention of Europe’s robotics community, making Bernardino and Mendonça the youngest ever recipients of the continent’s top sustainability award in the field. Landscape architect Miguel Jerónimo, who coordinates rewilding projects at Portugal’s Group for Studies on Spatial Planning and the Environment, sees promise in the invention. “It’s an innovative project with potential,” he said. “The concept of a six-legged robot moving across steep slopes and dense vegetation offers a practical framework for reforestation in hard-to-reach areas.” But he cautioned that turning an experimental prototype into a field-ready product would require more testing—especially in Portugal’s rugged, humid, and densely vegetated forests. “Durability, ease of maintenance, and cost will be key,” Jerónimo added. From prototype to platform Bernardino and Mendonça are already thinking ahead. Rather than selling the robots outright, their plan is to offer Trovador as a service—providing “trees-in-the-ground” for clients ranging from local governments to NGOs and insurers. Clients would be able to draw a polygon on an app, choose native species, and get a quote. With reduced labor costs and better survival rates, Bernardino says the robot could be up to six times cheaper than manual crews and four times more cost-effective than drones. Field trials in Lisbon over the summer helped the team refine the robot’s performance. Now, they’re focused on building a minimum viable product and scaling up. By 2026, the two hope Trovador will be ready for deployment in large-scale restoration projects, starting in Portugal and potentially expanding to other regions facing similar challenges. “The climate models are clear,” Bernardino said. “We need to restore millions of hectares of forest this decade. That means reforestation that’s fast, precise, audit-ready, and scalable. That’s what we’re building.”
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Score (96)
In Belgium and Beyond, Random Citizens Are Now Helping Run the Government — And It’s Working
In a small German-speaking corner of Belgium, a quiet democratic experiment is making big waves. Back in 2019, the regional parliament of Ostbelgien — a community of just 80,000 residents tucked near the borders of Germany and Luxembourg — launched a bold idea: hand over part of the policy-making process to ordinary people, randomly selected, with no political experience. They called it the Ostbelgien Model. Six years later, that experiment is being hailed as a breakthrough in participatory democracy — and inspiring copycats across Europe. At its core, the Ostbelgien Model is simple. Every year, 1,500 invitations go out to randomly chosen locals. From those who say yes, about 30 people are selected to form a Citizens’ Assembly. They meet once a week for two months, are paid €155 per day, and dive deep into a policy issue — education, housing, healthcare. With the help of independent experts and a trained moderator, they develop policy recommendations and submit them directly to the regional parliament. The kicker? While lawmakers aren’t obligated to adopt the proposals, they are required to formally consider them. And they’ve done more than just listen. The citizen-led panels have successfully pushed policies like: Loosening requirements for low-income housing Boosting financial incentives for young people to enter the nursing profession Banning cell phones in middle and high schools “If we want citizens to have more confidence in politicians, we, as politicians, have to give more confidence to the citizens,” said Ostbelgien’s minister-president, Oliver Paasch. The model has been so successful that it’s catching on in places far beyond Belgium’s borders. In 2021, Paris launched its own Citizens’ Assembly, directly inspired by Ostbelgien. The 100-member group now helps shape the city’s budget priorities, propose new legislation, and evaluate existing policies. Their first major act? A citizen-drafted bill to combat homelessness. It called for more emergency shelters, expanded social services for youth under 25, and structural reforms to tackle housing insecurity across the French capital. “The politicians were very impressed by the capacity of the citizens,” said Elian Belon, who runs the Paris assembly. “They questioned, ‘Can citizens really do better than them on a subject they’ve worked on for years?’” Apparently, the answer is: yes — or at least, differently. Critics might argue that randomly chosen citizens can’t rival experts or elected officials, but supporters see it another way. These assemblies, they say, reflect everyday life and everyday concerns — and give people a real reason to believe in democracy again. “In a time when trust between citizens and government is faltering, these new institutions embody the potential of democratic renewal,” said Claudia Chwalisz, one of the architects of the Ostbelgien Model. That renewal might be happening one small region at a time. Ostbelgien may be the smallest legislative area in the EU, but it’s proving that size isn’t everything — and that real participation isn’t just possible, it’s powerful. As Chwalisz puts it: “If more citizens demand this kind of change… another democratic system is possible.”
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These Cute Robots are Helping Immunocompromised Children Explore the Edinburgh Zoo
Seven-year-old Riley and five-year-old Josy didn’t need to leave their hospital rooms to see giraffes, meerkats, and penguins up close — they had a robot to do it for them. Both children, currently receiving treatment for cancer and unable to visit public places due to weakened immune systems, were recently treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of Edinburgh Zoo, thanks to a small remote-controlled AV1 robot and the UK charity SpecialEffect. The robot, part of SpecialEffect’s BubbleBusters project, was operated by each child from their home or hospital bed using a secure app on a tablet or phone. Equipped with a camera, microphone, and speaker, the AV1 allowed Riley and Josy to explore the zoo in real-time, speak to zookeepers, ask questions, and control what they saw — all without leaving their rooms. “It becomes the child’s eyes, ears, and voice,” explained the charity. Originally designed to help children attend school remotely during long periods of treatment, the robot proved just as effective at delivering a magical day out. Jaima Smith, community and discovery program officer at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), which operates Edinburgh Zoo, said it was a moment to remember. “Hearing their laughter and excitement as they explored the zoo and connected with our animals was truly heartwarming,” Smith said. “Being able to help create such a special day for these children is a huge part of why we do what we do.” Through the robot, the kids were given exclusive access to some of the zoo’s favorite residents, and learned more about their behavior, conservation, and care. From waddling penguins to towering giraffes, the animals were just a screen tap away. Paige Harvey, gaming community manager at SpecialEffect, said the visit was about much more than animal facts — it was about inclusion. “We were thrilled to be able to bring two of our young BubbleBusters to the zoo via accessible technology, highlighting the importance of inclusion while having fun and engaging in a shared love of the natural world,” Harvey said. “We can’t thank the team at Edinburgh Zoo enough for working with us to help make their dreams come true.” SpecialEffect is a UK-based charity known for helping disabled people access video games through adaptive tech. With the BubbleBusters program, they’re expanding that mission into education and play, ensuring that even the most medically vulnerable children can stay connected to joy, learning, and the wider world. For Riley and Josy, it wasn’t just a virtual visit — it was a chance to be kids again.
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Adorable 'Popcorn Kid' Steals Hearts on Jumbotron at Phoenix Suns Game
Move over, MVPs — there’s a new fan favorite in Phoenix. Three-year-old Sterling, the pint-sized Suns fan who captured America’s heart by eating popcorn bigger than his head on the Jumbotron, made his triumphant return to the arena — and once again stole the spotlight. Sterling first went viral on November 13 during the Suns-Pacers game. Seated courtside with a comically large bucket of popcorn, he was blissfully unaware of his new celebrity status until he glanced up mid-snack, flashed a shy smile, and gave the camera a tiny wave. That moment — pure, simple, and adorable — exploded online. The clip has now been viewed over 50 million times, according to the Suns. On November 21, Sterling was back at the arena for the Suns’ matchup against the Timberwolves — and this time, he was ready. “Look who’s in the house,” flashed across the screen as Sterling appeared on the Jumbotron once more, now equipped with his signature popcorn bucket and a soda nearly as big as he is. The crowd erupted as the announcer welcomed back “the cutie pie who won America’s hearts with a simple smile.” Then came the cherry on top: “Everyone in their section is also getting free popcorn!” the announcer added, sending the crowd into another round of cheers. Sterling didn’t disappoint. This time, he threw a confident wink at the camera, soaking in his encore moment as fans roared with approval. His second game day came with full VIP treatment. In a video posted by the Suns on social media, Sterling is seen getting a custom jersey and a foam finger before heading courtside to catch the pre-game warmups up close. He looked every bit the seasoned pro. His dad, who doesn’t use social media, said they didn’t realize just how viral the moment had gone until friends started texting after their trip. “We went to the game, went on vacation. And on our way home, we started getting text messages,” he said. “My wife had to create a TikTok account just to watch the video.” The flood of attention was unexpected but welcome. “So exciting, I think. Scary. Everything. But he’s been a champ,” he added. “He’s been doing really well with it.” At this point, Sterling might not fully understand his viral fame. But armed with popcorn, a smile, and a wink, he’s already a fan favorite — and a reminder that sometimes, all it takes is a kid and a snack to light up a stadium.
Score (97)
Virginia Landlord Cancels Rent for the Holidays, Surprising Tenants with a Generous Gift
Twelve families in Portsmouth, Virginia, are heading into the holidays with one less thing to worry about — rent. Travis Johnson, a local landlord and owner of Homebridge Health Care Co., shocked his tenants this season by announcing their rent for both November and December would be completely waived. No strings attached. For Missy Waller, who moved into one of Johnson’s homes just three months ago, the news felt like a miracle. “It was a big relief,” she said. “It was like a bookbag of bricks off my back.” Between paying $1,400 a month in rent and helping her son through college, Waller said the gesture couldn’t have come at a better time. “Decorating and everything during the holidays can get overwhelming, so every dollar matters.” The surprise announcement came on November 13. Johnson, who has been renting homes in the area for the past eight years, said his decision to cover rent was shaped by his own experiences struggling with housing costs in the past. “I’ve been there,” he told KBTX. “And now that I’m in a position to help others, I want to pay it forward.” That motto — pay it forward — isn’t just a personal belief for Johnson. It’s part of the way he runs his business. Homebridge Health Care Co., a home renovation company, encourages everyone connected to it — from clients to employees — to look for ways to give back. And Johnson’s generosity isn’t done yet. At the time of the announcement, he still had six more homes to visit. His plan? Knock on each door himself and personally let his tenants know their December rent is free. For Waller, the gift has allowed her to focus on making her new house feel like a real home. “This just gives me breathing room,” she said. As many families brace for year-end expenses, Johnson’s gesture is a rare and powerful reminder of what a difference one person can make — especially when they show up with compassion, empathy, and an envelope that says “you’re covered.”
Score (97)
A Granddaughter's TikTok Plea Gives Retired Couple Final Dance at Iconic Tower Ballroom
For Ron and Marilyn Hill, the Tower Ballroom in Blackpool isn’t just a famous venue — it’s where their love story once came to life. And this week, thanks to their granddaughter and the kindness of strangers, they got one final chance to dance together under its dazzling lights. Ron, 82, who lives with Alzheimer’s disease, is preparing to move into a care home. His granddaughter Olivia Watts wanted to give him and Marilyn, 80, one last spin on the ballroom’s iconic sprung floor — a place that holds decades of memories for the couple. She turned to TikTok for help. What she didn’t expect was how far that plea would go. “I was in tears,” Olivia said, watching the pair glide across the floor again. “My heart feels so full right now. It’s really incredible.” BBC Radio Lancashire saw her video and stepped in, contacting Kate Shane, Managing Director of Blackpool Tourism. Shane not only arranged for Ron and Marilyn to have the ballroom to themselves, she also made sure the venue’s resident organist would play live as they danced. The Tower Ballroom is a place Ron and Marilyn know well. During their years running the entertainment at Blackpool’s Empire Hotel, they would often take a break to enjoy a dance there. It was part of their rhythm, their relationship, their story. Marilyn was emotional returning to the floor. “It’s exactly the same and it’s absolutely fabulous,” she said. “It’s a beautiful, beautiful ballroom.” “To dance with Ron again was just wonderful. There are no words for it,” she added. “And this sprung floor is just fabulous.” Ron, ever the showman, smiled: “My wife was a bit nervous to dance, but I pushed her around a bit,” he joked. “This is our place.” And it didn’t stop at dancing. After their turn on the floor, Ron — a former entertainer who no longer plays piano regularly due to his dementia — was invited to sit at the Tower’s legendary Wurlitzer organ. He couldn’t resist. “That really was something,” he said after playing. “I’m really honoured to sit at it, let alone play it.” For Kate Shane, the moment was more than just a kind gesture. “It was special, really special,” she said. “They are a beautiful couple with a beautiful family.” She described the transformation as the music began. “Ron could obviously dance, he plays piano, but he’d forgotten. As soon as the organ started to play, he started to dance. Then he went and played [the organ]. It was still there, and that moment in here it came back.” The visit brought tears, laughter, and a reminder about what really matters. “We should think about that for our friends and relatives,” Shane said. “We just need to be making moments and celebrating people while we still have them.”
Score (97)
Toddler Becomes First in the World to Receive Gene Therapy for Rare Disease — and It’s Working
Three-year-old Oliver Chu has become the first person in the world with Hunter syndrome to receive a groundbreaking gene therapy — and his recovery is surpassing every expectation. Born in California and diagnosed in April 2024, Oliver was just a toddler when his parents, Ricky and Jingru Chu, learned he had mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPS II), a rare and life-threatening genetic condition that causes progressive damage to the brain and body. His older brother, Skyler, had also been diagnosed with the same disease. “In severe cases, patients typically don’t survive past the age of 20,” said Ricky. “Like anybody, you look it up and you’re like, ‘Oh my goodness, is this what’s going to happen to both my sons?’” But in December, the family connected with a team at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital in the UK, who were preparing a world-first gene therapy trial. They offered Oliver a spot. Despite the emotional strain of splitting the family — Skyler remained in the U.S. to take part in a different clinical trial — the Chus didn’t hesitate. “There are very few times where your child can have a reset on life,” Ricky said. “So if you can give them that chance, then it’s just something you do.” The treatment involved removing Oliver’s stem cells, modifying them in a lab at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, and reinfusing them with a working copy of the faulty gene. The goal: to help his body produce a critical enzyme it was missing. “When those go back to Oliver, they should repopulate his bone marrow and start to produce new white blood cells,” explained Dr. Karen Buckland of the Cell and Gene Therapy Service at GOSH. “Each of these will hopefully start to produce the missing protein in his body.” Oliver received the infusion in February 2025. He was the first of five boys worldwide to undergo the treatment. Now, just months later, he’s thriving. “I’ve been waiting 20 years to see a boy like Ollie doing as well as he is,” said Dr. Simon Jones, one of the trial’s lead researchers. “It’s just so exciting.” Oliver’s parents say the change has been nothing short of life-altering. “Ollie is doing great since having the gene therapy,” said Ricky. “We have seen dramatic improvements, and he continues to grow physically and cognitively. Our hope is that he’ll continue to make his own enzymes and live a normal life without infusions.” “We’re excited for Ollie’s future,” he added. “Seeing the difference for Ollie pre-and post-transplant has made us believers.” Now the family hopes the therapy can be expanded to more children — including Skyler. “My wish upon the star is for Skyler, to be able to get the same treatment,” said Ricky. “It feels like Oliver has got a reset in his life, and I want the same thing for Skyler, even though he’s a bit older.” “Every time we talk about it I want to cry,” Jingru said. “Because it’s just so amazing.” The family says they’re “forever grateful” to the doctors and researchers who gave their son a second chance — and possibly, a full life.
Score (97)
He Donated His Kidney to the Woman He Comforted 21 Years Ago After Her Son's Death
Two people brought together by a tragic loss have found hope and healing through an extraordinary act of kindness. Tim Swinburn, from Melksham in Wiltshire, first met Clare Brixey in 2004 under the worst of circumstances. Then a family liaison officer with Wiltshire Police, Swinburn had to knock on her door to deliver the devastating news that her 20-year-old son, Ashley, had died in a car crash. At the time, Brixey was already battling kidney failure and relying on dialysis to survive. Despite the heartbreak, the two stayed in touch. Now, more than two decades later, their bond has taken a remarkable turn. When Swinburn learned that Brixey’s transplanted kidney was starting to fail, he offered her one of his own — and insisted on it. “Giving the gift of life, to me it's just a human thing to do,” Swinburn said. “Anyone with a heart would give something to keep someone else alive.” The transplant took place in October at Southmead Hospital in Bristol. The four-hour surgery was successful, and both have since recovered well. Swinburn is back at work as a support worker at The Salvation Army's Swindon Booth House, and Brixey, for the first time in years, has returned to one of her greatest joys: horse-riding. She now calls Swinburn a “man in a million.” “He was my family liaison officer — the person who knocked on my door to tell me my son had been killed in a road traffic collision,” she said. “He was such a compassionate man and very easy to talk to and supportive to our family. We just seemed to gel, and we've been friends for 21 years.” The friendship has deepened over time, with both supporting each other through life’s challenges. “When my first kidney transplant started to fail, he told me, ‘You’re going to have one of mine and I won’t take no as an answer,’” she recalled. Swinburn said the decision wasn’t difficult. “Clare is one of those special people. We've joked over the years we are like siblings,” he said. “She is an amazing friend. Over my life I've had my ups and downs and she's been there for me, and vice versa.” “She kept saying ‘are you sure?’ when I knew she would do the same for me,” he added. “There was no question in my mind. To know she is out there riding her horse again, to see her out there with her granddaughter and daughter — that's the reason I did it.” The pair are now planning to raise funds for transplant-related charities, hoping their story will inspire others to consider living donation — and to support those still waiting for a second chance.
Score (98)
British Gymnast Lucie Colebeck Breaks Backflipping World Record on London Rooftop
Lucie Colebeck, a former world-class tumbler from Binfield, has flipped her way into the record books — again. The 29-year-old ex-gymnast set a new Guinness World Record by completing 17 standing backflips in just 30 seconds, all while standing on the roof of London’s O2 arena. The previous record for women stood at 14 backflips, but Colebeck cleared it with room to spare. “I love a challenge and I thought, ‘It is only 30 seconds – how bad can it be?’” she said. “Adrenalin just took over and 17 came out of nowhere.” Colebeck, who began her gymnastics career at age eight with Pinewood Gymnastics Club in Wokingham, wasn’t new to world-class feats. She won medals at both the world and European championships in tumbling and later joined Cirque du Soleil as a performer after retiring from competitive sport in 2018. But this stunt — done on a cold, windy day on the curved, exposed roof of one of London’s most iconic venues — was unlike anything she’d done before. “It was actually extremely windy,” she said. “I’ve never really done backflips outside so I didn’t really think about the external factors. I knew it would be really cold and I knew the surface of the O2 would be really firm, but normally I’m used to being on a trampoline or a softer surface.” To prepare, Colebeck trained on pavements to get used to the unforgiving feel of the rooftop. Her original goal? Just 15 flips. This isn't her first brush with Guinness glory either — she previously set the record for most handsprings on a trampoline in 30 seconds. “I think to be able to do a Guinness world record in something that I love, like gymnastics, it is just really incredible,” she said.