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Score (98)
Beyonce Just Made History With Her 32nd Grammy Award
Beyoncé has won the most Grammy Awards of all time, with her 32nd trophy coming at this year's ceremony. The singer made history as she won best dance/electronic album, for her euphoric dance opus Renaissance. In doing so, she overtook Hungarian-British conductor George Solti, whose record of 31 awards had stood for more than 20 years. "I'm trying not to be too emotional," said the star, accepting the prize. She went on to thank her family, including her late uncle Jonny, who helped make her stage outfits before she became famous.
Score (96)
This Lost Record Found in a Thrift Store is Reuniting a Forgotten Band After 58 Years
Marcus Pollard never gave up on the thrill of possibility. Over the years, he’d pulled countless dusty, anonymous acetate records from thrift store shelves, each one scratched, unlabeled, and likely worthless. He bought them anyway. “Because every time I go, ‘There might be something cool on that,’” he said with a grin. “And there never is.” Never—until there was. The moment he dropped the needle on his latest find, something hit him. Hard. “It instantly hit me like a brick,” Marcus recalled. The music had a raw, unpolished energy, the kind of thing that begged for answers. He felt what he later called a “visceral rush,” and he needed to know who was behind it. He played it for everyone he could think of. He scoured the internet, reached out to music historians, and posed the same question over and over: Does anyone recognize this? “I asked, ‘Anybody know this?’” he said. “And it was, ‘No. No. No. No.’” For two years, the answer was always no. Then finally, on a barely-trafficked garage band blog, he got his yes. “This guy goes, ‘Hey! That’s my record,’” Marcus said, still smiling at the memory. That guy was Norm Roth, now 77 and working as a warehouse manager. He hadn’t heard those songs in more than half a century. The record had never been released. “I’m flabbergasted,” Norm said. “I really am flabbergasted.” The band was called The Glass Cage, and back in the late 1960s, they were chasing a dream. Their songs—brimming with teenage angst and bursts of youthful exuberance—had earned them a local following big enough to take them from small-town venues to stages in the city. “What we were hoping to do was be rock stars,” Norm said, laughing. That never happened. The band eventually broke up. The single live recording of their performance—captured on that acetate disc—was misplaced, forgotten, and assumed lost for good. Until Marcus found it. Once he identified the musicians, he tracked down every surviving member of the band. Then he made a pitch: let’s bring The Glass Cage back. “I feel like everyone has done something in their life that was dismissed,” Marcus said. “And I wanted them to feel like what they created was actually important.” He wasn’t interested in nostalgia for its own sake. Marcus, a veteran music promoter, spent the next eight years restoring the damaged disc, working with audio engineers to digitally remaster the music. He designed special packaging and compiled a booklet that documented the band’s brief but vibrant role in the local music scene. Now, The Glass Cage record is finally getting the release it never had. Public launch parties are set for Vancouver and Vancouver Island. Details are available on the band’s Instagram page. For Norm, it’s not about fame anymore. “I’m not looking for accolades or super stardom. That’s long gone,” he said. “It’s just saying to the world, ‘I was here.’ And I hope they enjoy it.” All of it—one thrift store record, a rediscovered band, and a second chance at being heard—came down to one simple belief: that maybe, just maybe, this time there might be something cool on that record.

Score (97)
Personal Trainer Sets New World Record With 19 Plyometric Push-Ups In One Minute
Most people dread Mondays, especially the third one in January, often dubbed "Blue Monday." But for British fitness enthusiast Alex Goulding, it was the perfect day to flip the script—literally and figuratively. On January 19, Goulding broke the world record for the most plyometric pushups performed in 60 seconds. That’s no small feat, considering each rep involved pushing off the ground and launching himself onto raised platforms made from six stacked step-up decks. He completed 19 explosive reps in one minute, shattering the previous record of 11. Goulding timed the attempt to fall on Blue Monday, a day associated with seasonal depression, financial stress, and low motivation. “This means so much to me,” he said after Guinness confirmed the record. “I’ve put a huge amount of time into this record attempt. Most importantly, today we’ve raised a lot of money for mental health and wellbeing.” Goulding used the challenge to raise funds for Beds RCC, a charity that offers mental health support services. It’s a cause close to his heart. He’s spoken openly about struggling with his own mental health in the past and credits exercise for helping him turn things around. He first joined a gym in 2019 and hasn’t looked back since. Now a regular on the record-breaking circuit, Goulding kicked off 2026 with another achievement earlier in the month, completing 84 “Pushups to Planks” in 60 seconds on January 6. He’s also an IRONMAN competitor, so pushing limits is nothing new. But this latest feat stood out—not just for the physical challenge, but for the message behind it: that mental health deserves the same attention, effort, and care as physical fitness. And that maybe Mondays aren’t so bad after all.

Score (96)
Four-Year-Old Boy Surprises Mom by Bringing Sister to Show and Tell, Leaving Her in Tears
Four-year-old Daniel DeRoss didn’t bring a toy or a favorite book to preschool for show and tell. Instead, he brought something he was truly thankful for: his two-year-old sister, Sophia. The moment, captured on video by their mom, Stephanie DeRoss, quickly went viral on TikTok—set to ABBA’s Slipping Through My Fingers and showing Daniel proudly sitting with Sophia in front of his classmates, answering questions and hugging her closely. “Truthfully, I cried the whole time while filming them,” Stephanie told PEOPLE. “I knew this was a special moment that they’d hopefully remember forever, and also a special moment for me as a mom.” The idea came up in November when Daniel’s preschool class was asked to bring in something they were thankful for. Without hesitation, Daniel asked if he could bring his little sister. “My heart melted and I teared up instantly,” Stephanie said. She reached out to his teacher, unsure if it would even be allowed—but to her surprise, the school gave the green light. Daniel was thrilled. On the day of the presentation, he told his classmates all about Sophia: that they like to play with cars together, that yogurt is her favorite food, and that they both love sleeping in Mom’s bed. The other kids were captivated. “All the kids couldn’t get their hands up fast enough to ask questions,” Stephanie said. The DeRoss siblings share a close bond, Stephanie explained. “They have always been super lovable with the occasional fighting,” she said. “My son loves to be her protector and looks to defend her any chance he can.” Even the daily preschool drop-off has been an adjustment for Sophia. “Some days, she gets upset that he’ll be gone,” Stephanie added. The emotional response to the video caught the family off guard. “I was so surprised!” Stephanie said. “It made me happy sharing this heartfelt moment with the rest of the world.” She said the best part has been hearing from others who had similar childhood memories—being brought into a sibling’s classroom, or just witnessing that kind of sibling love. “Rich in life cause I’m their mom,” Stephanie wrote in the video’s caption. For one little boy, show and tell wasn’t just about showing something off. It was about showing love.

Score (98)
This 2-Year-Old Snooker Genius Just Set a New Guinness World Record
Jude Owens isn’t your average two-year-old. While most toddlers are learning to balance on scooters or stack blocks, Jude has already pocketed two Guinness World Records — both involving trick shots on a snooker table. The Manchester youngster pulled off a snooker double pot at just two years and 261 days old, then followed it up five weeks later with a pool bank shot at age two years and 302 days. That makes him the youngest person ever to perform either shot, and one of the youngest double record holders in Guinness World Records history. It all started at home, where his dad, Luke Owens, noticed something unusual. “I think I realised once he put the cue through his fingers and it was dead natural the way he did it,” Luke said. Given Jude’s height, bar stools were originally brought in to help him reach the table. Now, the family uses a cooking stool for better access. Despite his age, Jude’s comfort with the cue and sharp aim stood out right away. “I started playing when I was 10 and obviously Jude started playing when he was two,” Luke said. “But I’d say Jude’s got a lot more natural ability than myself.” Jude agrees. When asked who would win in a snooker match between him and his dad, he confidently replied: “Me.” Guinness World Records said Jude’s talent hasn’t gone unnoticed. He was given a special walk-out at the 2025 UK Championship and is believed to be the youngest person ever to secure a sponsorship deal in the sport. Editor-in-chief Craig Glenday praised the young star. “Record-breaking has always belonged to everyone – regardless of age,” he said. “To see someone as young as Jude display such skill, enthusiasm and determination is incredibly special. We’re thrilled to welcome him into the Guinness World Records family.” At home, Jude is not just a trick-shot prodigy. He’s also a massive Manchester United fan, reportedly “obsessed” with midfielder Bruno Fernandes. As for what’s next, even his dad isn’t sure how to top it. “I think for me, Jude’s achieved quite a lot in such a short space of time. But for him to achieve not just one, but two world records, it’s probably the pinnacle moment. How do you even beat that in life?”

Score (98)
AI Model Hits 100% Accuracy Sorting Plastics — and Could Revolutionize Recycling
A new study suggests that artificial intelligence could finally fix one of recycling’s biggest flaws: misidentifying plastics. Researchers say a deep learning model has now achieved perfect accuracy in sorting some of the most common types of plastic waste — even in tough, real-world conditions. Globally, 496 million tons of plastic are produced each year, and more than half — 267 million tons — is wasted. That’s about the weight of 3.4 million adult blue whales. In the U.S. alone, nearly 40 million tons of plastic are thrown away each year, but only 5% is actually recycled. One of the biggest bottlenecks is sorting. Different plastics — like PET, HDPE, PVC, and polypropylene — can look and feel similar, especially when they’re dirty, dyed, or contain additives. That often leads to “downcycling,” where materials are reused in lower-quality products instead of being fully recycled. To tackle that, researchers from Washington and Puerto Rico combined spectroscopy — a technique that uses light to identify materials — with convolutional neural networks (CNNs), the same kind of AI behind many image recognition tools. The model was trained on Raman scattering spectroscopy data and hit 100% accuracy in identifying six common consumer plastics. When the same model was tested using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, a method more common in industrial settings, it still scored 95% accuracy. Crucially, the AI also worked well on degraded samples and colored or additive-filled plastics, which are typically harder to sort. In real-world recycling conditions, it correctly identified marine debris, deteriorated plastic, and blended materials. "The CNN-based model's ability to effectively identify a wide array of plastic waste types and conditions represents a significant practical advancement for real-world applications," the researchers wrote in the journal Resources, Conservation, and Recycling. Current recycling facilities rely on mechanical sorting methods that are often slow, imprecise, or expensive to scale. But the team’s model requires relatively little computing power, meaning it could be integrated into high-volume sorting operations where speed and cost matter. Better sorting could go a long way. Plastic bottles can take 450 years to degrade. Straws last around 200 years. Most plastic waste ends up in landfills, oceans, or breaks down into microplastics that pollute air and soil — and eventually make their way into the human body. On top of that, the plastic industry relies heavily on fossil fuels. Producing plastic accounts for around 3% of the world’s climate pollution. And the problem keeps growing. While this AI breakthrough is a major step, the study's authors emphasize it's not a silver bullet. Reducing plastic production and use is still essential. But in tandem with other new approaches — like chemical recycling, plastic-eating microbes, and new materials that break down more easily — smarter sorting could help close the loop on the global plastic crisis.

Score (96)
Middle Schoolers Open 25-Year-Old Time Capsule — and Get a Crash Course in the Year 2000
Students at Wendover Middle School in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, got a blast from the past when they opened a time capsule sealed shut since the year 2000. Inside? A collection of magazines, toys, tech gadgets, and pop culture relics that left today's students both fascinated and a little confused. "I'm seeing a lot of magazines, especially Britney Spears. That's what I'm most interested in," said Charlotte Airgood, a student in the class of 2030. The time capsule was originally tucked behind a wall for safekeeping, surviving multiple school renovations along the way. Now, 25 years later, it’s giving today’s kids a chance to experience a completely different era. One item that especially stood out? A floppy disk. “My parents have told me about it. They ask me trivia questions about it sometimes,” student Rylan Steininger told WTAE. “This is my first time seeing it in real life.” Other throwback finds included a cassette player and stacks of early-2000s magazines — all reminders of how much has changed over a single generation. The capsule was organized by Bobbi Springer, an eighth-grade special education teacher who was on staff when it was originally created. She said the project serves a bigger purpose than just showing off old tech. “Everyone leaves something behind — and everyone matters,” she told WTAE. School officials echoed the message in a statement after the unveiling. “The time capsule brought pieces of history to life and inspired today’s students to think about how they can leave their own mark in time,” they said, calling the experience “a truly special moment for our school.”

Score (97)
Scientists Discover Enzyme That Could Be Key to Slowing Brain Aging and Alzheimer’s
A new study has identified an enzyme that may hold the key to stopping the brain’s aging process and halting the progression of Alzheimer’s disease — without damaging healthy brain cells. Researchers from the University of New Mexico and the University of Tennessee say that the enzyme, known as OTULIN, not only regulates inflammation across the body but also appears to control genes linked to neurodegeneration. Their findings, recently published in Genomic Psychiatry, suggest that blocking OTULIN could completely shut off production of tau, a protein widely believed to drive Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases. “Pathological tau is the main player for both brain aging and neurodegenerative disease,” said molecular geneticist Karthikeyan Tangavelou of the University of New Mexico. “If you stop tau synthesis by targeting OTULIN in neurons, you can restore a healthy brain and prevent brain aging.” The team conducted experiments on human tissue cultures, including neurons derived from healthy stem cells and those from donors with Alzheimer’s. In both cases, OTULIN and tau were more active in the Alzheimer’s-affected neurons. When OTULIN was blocked, tau levels dropped. When OTULIN was removed entirely, tau disappeared — with no apparent harm to the neurons. That last part is key. Many proposed Alzheimer’s treatments run into problems when trying to eliminate tau or beta-amyloid buildup, because the treatments either fail to reach their target or damage healthy cells in the process. But in this study, removing OTULIN didn’t appear to negatively affect neuron health. Still, it’s not quite ready for clinical trials. Both OTULIN and tau serve important functions elsewhere in the body, and researchers say any potential therapy would need to be carefully managed to avoid unintended effects. “We discovered OTULIN’s function in neurons,” said Tangavelou. “We don’t know how OTULIN functions in other cell types in the brain.” In addition to its role in tau production, OTULIN seems to affect dozens of other genes related to inflammation, suggesting it could also be influencing neuron stress and wear-and-tear that come with aging. The team used RNA sequencing to track these broader effects. When OTULIN was silenced, many of the genes tied to inflammation also shifted their behavior — another sign that this enzyme may be a master regulator of brain health. Scientists have long known that OTULIN helps manage cellular waste, including excess proteins like tau. But until now, its role in controlling tau production directly wasn't clear. When OTULIN malfunctions, these waste systems break down, and the toxic protein buildup associated with Alzheimer's begins to pile up. “This is a great opportunity to develop many projects for further research to reverse brain aging and have a healthy brain,” Tangavelou said. While the idea of targeting OTULIN as a therapy is still in its early days, the discovery opens a new and unexpected door in the search for more effective Alzheimer’s treatments — one that could eventually lead to interventions that prevent the disease before it starts.

Score (97)
Wayback Wednesday: How Happy Days Boosted the Popularity of the Heimlich Maneuver
Anson Williams, best known for playing Potsie Weber on Happy Days, says the iconic sitcom didn’t just deliver laughs — it helped save lives. In a Facebook post shared earlier this month, the 76-year-old actor credited the show’s success with bringing national attention to the Heimlich maneuver, the now-famous first aid technique used to help choking victims. "My Uncle, Dr. Heimlich, created the Heimlich Maneuver," Williams wrote. "Happy Days is a major reason for its success. It’s a long story, but the creators and cast of Happy Days have helped save more lives than any other program in history!" The life-saving technique was developed in 1974 by thoracic surgeon Dr. Henry J. Heimlich, Williams’ second cousin — though the actor affectionately refers to him as “uncle.” It uses abdominal thrusts to clear the airway and has become a standard part of emergency training around the world. While the medical breakthrough came from Dr. Heimlich, it was Williams who played a key role in helping to get the word out. During the show’s peak popularity in the 1970s, Williams used his Hollywood connections to help secure Heimlich an appearance on The Merv Griffin Show, bringing the maneuver into millions of American households. Williams starred on Happy Days for all 11 seasons, alongside castmates Henry Winkler, Ron Howard, and Don Most. The show, which aired from 1974 to 1984, followed a tight-knit group of friends in 1950s and 60s Midwest America and became a cultural touchstone. In a 2025 episode of the 9021OMG podcast, Williams opened up about the lifelong friendships formed during filming, crediting much of that to the late creator and producer Garry Marshall. “It's just been a wonderful friendship. And just to have that kind of friendship that many years? It's pretty unique,” Williams said. “But that has a lot to do with Garry Marshall, our mentor… he really cared about us, not just as a showrunner, but as young people because we didn't know much.” Dr. Heimlich passed away in 2016 at the age of 96. At the time of his invention, he was serving as the director of surgery at Jewish Hospital in Cincinnati. Today, the Heimlich maneuver remains one of the most well-known emergency responses in the world. As for Williams, he’s proud of how Happy Days played a part — even indirectly — in making that possible.

Score (95)
America’s Favorite Eagle Pair Lays Second Egg in Closely Watched California Nest
Millions of eagle watchers got something new to cheer about this week after Jackie the bald eagle laid a second egg at her Southern California nest — a key moment in the now-famous nesting season that’s playing out live on camera. The egg, laid Monday evening at 5:09 p.m., was announced by the nonprofit Friends of Big Bear Valley, who operate a livestream of Jackie and her mate Shadow’s nest. The group gave a precise breakdown of the timeline: “Egg #2 is here! Jackie laid the 2nd egg of the season at 17:09:24,” the organization wrote. “The process started at approximately 16:57:08.” Located in Big Bear Valley, the nest has become one of the most closely followed bald eagle habitats in the country. Thousands tune in each day to watch the birds eat, rest, defend their nest, and now, incubate eggs. But incubation doesn’t start right away. As the nonprofit explained, “Bald Eagles practice delayed incubation,” a strategy that helps the eggs hatch closer together. “Since Jackie consistently lays eggs 3 days apart, this process slows the development of the first egg(s) laid, so hatching will occur closer together,” they added. That means a third egg could still be on the way. “Only Jackie knows for sure, so we will continue to observe and see what unfolds,” the group said. The nesting season began with the first egg’s arrival on January 23. According to the livestream update, “At 16:22 cam time, Jackie showed the first signs she was in labor with her first egg. She stood up at 16:27 and laid the egg at 16:32:24 cam time.” Her mate, Shadow, returned to the nest a few minutes later. “Shadow came in briefly at 16:41:30 and saw the egg!” Since then, the pair has shared duties at the nest, including nest maintenance and food deliveries. In one update posted earlier this week, the group described how Shadow returned with food. “Shadow landed just inches from Jackie’s beak with the fish in his talons,” they wrote. “As she was thanking him with her softer vocals, she sweetly accepted it and happily ate every bite.” There have also been tense moments. “A hawk came swooping down at Jackie, in a possible attempt to knock her off the branch,” the nonprofit reported. “She fended it off using her wings and vocals and the hawk flew away.” These kinds of interactions are part of why the livestream has built such a loyal following. Viewers not only get a rare, up-close look at a bald eagle nest, but also witness the highs and lows of nesting season in real time. And for fans of Jackie and Shadow, there’s more to come. “Jackie and Shadow will take turns caring for the eggs and they should continue with nest deliveries such as fish, sticks and fluff,” Friends of Big Bear Valley wrote in an email to Fox News Digital. “We will see if Jackie lays another egg this week.” Even when the parents aren’t on the nest, there’s no need to worry. “In the coming days, you may see Jackie and Shadow stand next to or over the eggs, and they may even leave them tucked snug and safe in their nest bowls while they look on from another tree close by. It is all normal.” Jackie and Shadow’s growing fame comes as public interest in bald eagles continues to rise. Long seen as a symbol of strength and freedom, the bald eagle has been America’s national emblem since 1782. But in 2024, Congress formally codified it as the official national bird — a move that has brought even more attention to eagle conservation and nesting behavior. According to the American Eagle Foundation, bald eagles usually lay one to three eggs per year. The eggs hatch roughly 34 to 40 days after incubation begins, and both parents help keep them warm and safe. For now, eagle fans across the country — and the world — will be keeping a close watch on Jackie and Shadow’s next moves. “Thank you for being a part of Jackie & Shadow’s adventure!” Friends of Big Bear Valley wrote. “We will continue to observe and see what unfolds.”

Score (97)
Buddhist Monks Surpass Halfway Mark Of 'Peace Walk' Despite Snow And Freezing Temps
In late October, a group of 19 Buddhist monks and their canine companion set off from Fort Worth, Texas, on a 2,300-mile journey to Washington, D.C., carrying a simple message: peace, unity, and healing. They’re calling it the Peace Walk. Now more than halfway through, the monks recently crossed into North Carolina — just in time to be greeted by a powerful winter storm that blanketed the region in snow and subzero wind chills. Still, the group pressed forward. “Our walk takes us through sun and rain, dry roads and wet, through snow and heat, through noise and silence,” the monks wrote on social media. “Some days are gentle. Some days test us. Some days surprise us with unexpected beauty or unexpected difficulty.” The group’s message isn’t just something they share — it’s something they live with every step. Most days they walk barefoot or with minimal footwear. They travel light. They sleep in churches and community centers. And they move slowly, pausing for conversation, reflection, and connection wherever they go. As the storm rolled through the Southeast, the monks adjusted. Though not barefoot in the snow, they were still walking. Photos show them bundled in scarves and hats, while their dog, Aloka — recovering from surgery — was kept warm and indoors as much as possible. Local supporters provided medical care, food, and shelter. Flowers, warm meals, and even reverent bows greeted them in towns large and small. Still, the storm forced them to pause their usual lunchtime visiting hours with the public. But their presence, and message, continued to ripple outward. In Raleigh, North Carolina, Governor Josh Stein declared January 24 as “Walk For Peace Day” in their honor. “We live in a time of partisan rancor and political discord,” Stein said at the Capitol. “In our heart of hearts, we don't want to feel on guard against our neighbors. We want to come together. Thank you for reminding us of that.” The monks responded with their own account of the day, reflecting on the contrast between the biting cold and the warmth of human kindness: “Today, in these harsh conditions, surrounded by white snow and biting cold, we saw something even more clearly: the warm faces of people who care,” they wrote. “Their kindness stood out against the frozen landscape like light in the darkness, reminding us why we walk, why it matters, why we keep going.” Their reflections often feel more like poetry than blog posts, reminding readers that peace is something found not in perfect conditions, but in presence and awareness. “This is the peace that lives beneath all circumstances — steady, quiet, unshakeable,” they wrote. “It doesn’t depend on perfect weather or smooth roads. It simply asks that we show up, breathe consciously, and meet whatever comes.” The monks plan to walk through at least 10 states before reaching Washington, D.C., where they’ll gather at the U.S. Capitol and share reflections with the public. Until then, they continue — one quiet step at a time — with Aloka by their side and thousands of supporters tracking their journey online. “This journey began with hope,” they wrote, “but you have given us something greater: The lived experience of human kindness.”