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From War to Peace: This Man Turns Bullet Casings into Artwork
Thoeun Chantha is a champion of peace - using the symbols of violence to tell the world that what we really want is harmony. For more than 25 years, he has been taking brass casings from AK-47s and M16s to turn then into beautiful works of art – jewellery! The 42-year-old said he wanted to show the world "doesn't want war … we all want peace" through his creations, which he has been making for more than two decades.
Score (89)
Bride Sees Rainbow Land on Late Mother's Chair During Wedding: "She Had the Best Seat in the House"
Five months before her wedding in the Tuscan countryside, Allyson Beedy lost her mother, Mary Tjaden, to cancer. But on the day Allyson said “I do,” her mom found a way to show up anyway. As guests gathered for the October 22 ceremony at a wine farm in southern Tuscany, the weather had been touch-and-go. Severe storm warnings had loomed in the days before. But when it mattered most, the skies cleared. Then something unexpected happened: a rainbow appeared — and ended right where Mary’s chair sat. “My mom wanted to make her presence known,” Allyson told PEOPLE. “When I saw the rainbow lining up perfectly with mom's chair and then even splitting into two rainbows, I was undoubtedly in shock.” The chair, which had been set aside in Mary’s honor, sat on the grass with a canvas sign that read, “We see you in every sunrise, sunset, & within all the stars. You’re watching from the best seat in the house. I love you mom.” What made the moment even more striking was that the venue staff hadn’t been told to leave the chair outside during the transition from ceremony to cocktail hour — it simply remained, as if by fate. “It was a rare moment of supernatural timing, love, hope and a hug from the heavens all at once,” said wedding videographer Nina Calderaro, who captured the moment and shared it with the newlyweds. “Probably the most meaningful moment that I will ever capture in my career.” Mary had passed away unexpectedly in May at age 66. For Allyson, navigating the joy of her wedding alongside that grief wasn’t easy. “It has been so difficult going through celebrating the best time of my life, [while] grieving someone who was such a big part of my life,” she said. But the rainbow changed something. “This moment brought me peace that my mom is safe and is always watching over me,” Allyson said. “I think the rainbow symbolized the beauty after the storm.” Even now, she says watching the video of that moment brings her to tears. “I really tried to keep myself composed for our wedding because I was worried if I started crying, I would not stop,” she said. “I am so happy I had Nina there to capture the moment that I will forever hold close to my heart.” To Allyson, the message couldn’t have been clearer. “The rainbow was my mom telling me she was there,” she said. “She did indeed have the best seat in the house.”
Score (97)
Want to Bond With a Cat? Science Says: Blink Slowly
If you’ve ever wondered why a cat seems standoffish — or why some people seem to attract feline affection instantly — science may have the answer. And it’s simpler than you think: blink slower. Not in a “I’m sleepy” way. But in a “cat smile” way. A 2020 study published in Scientific Reports confirmed what many cat owners have long suspected: slow blinking at cats makes them more likely to trust and approach you. It’s a behavior cats use among themselves — and apparently, it works with humans too. The trick? Narrow your eyes gently, as if you’re smiling, then slowly close your eyes for a second or two. In cat language, this is a sign of friendliness and relaxation. It’s basically the feline version of a smile. Researchers from the University of Sussex ran two experiments to test this. In the first, 21 cats from 14 households were observed as their owners sat about a meter away and slow-blinked at them. The cats were significantly more likely to blink back when their humans initiated it. In the second experiment, 24 cats were approached by researchers they’d never met. Again, the scientists slow-blinked — and added a hand outstretched in greeting. Compared to a control group where the humans didn’t blink, the slow-blinkers saw more blinking back and more cats approaching them. “This is something many cat owners had already suspected, so it’s exciting to have found evidence for it,” said psychologist Karen McComb, who led the study. You’ve probably seen your own cat do it — that soft, half-closed eyes look, often followed by a slow blink. It tends to happen when they’re relaxed and content. Now, thanks to this research, you can mirror that signal to let them know you’re a friend. “And it is something you can try yourself with your own cat at home or with cats you meet in the street,” McComb said. “Try narrowing your eyes at them as you would in a relaxed smile, followed by closing your eyes for a couple of seconds. You’ll find they respond in the same way themselves, and you can start a sort of conversation.” The finding is part of a growing body of research that’s reshaping how we understand cats. While they’ve long had a reputation for being aloof, recent studies show that cats are far more socially attuned than many people give them credit for. They recognize their names. They echo the personality traits of their humans. They respond to people who are receptive to them — and might ignore people who aren’t. As psychologist Tasmin Humphrey put it, “Understanding positive ways in which cats and humans interact can enhance public understanding of cats, improve feline welfare, and tell us more about the socio-cognitive abilities of this understudied species.” It could even make things easier in places like veterinary clinics or animal shelters, where stress runs high for cats and humans alike. So if you’ve ever felt like a cat is judging you from across the room, maybe they’re just waiting for you to say hello — in their language. Try the slow blink. They might just blink back.
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After Losing His Dog, He Adopted 40 Senior Pets — And Helped Spark a New Field in Animal Care
When Steve Greig lost his 12-year-old dog Wolfgang in 2012, the grief was overwhelming. The Denver-based accountant had always loved animals, but the sudden loss left a hole he didn’t know how to fill. Months later, still deep in mourning, he went to a local shelter and asked for the oldest dog they had — the one least likely to be adopted. That day, he brought home a senior dog with cloudy eyes and stiff joints. It changed his life. Over the next decade, Greig transformed his grief into a purpose. He adopted dozens of senior dogs — nearly 40 in total — along with a few farmyard friends like Bikini the pig, Betty the chicken, and a turkey named Cranberry. Most of the animals were in the final years of their lives. Greig focused on making sure those twilight years were filled with care, attention, and dignity. “I did it originally because I was in pain from a dog that had passed away,” Greig told Good Morning America. “So I did it to kind of relieve that pain and to give the dog that had passed away … a meaning.” Greig’s story isn’t unique in its heartbreak. Roughly 86 million Americans have pets, and for many, they’re more than just companions — they’re family. The loss of a pet can hit as hard as the death of a loved one, especially when that pet has been a steady presence through major life changes. According to Healthline, people grieving a pet are up to three times more likely to experience symptoms of depression. The mourning is real, and it’s widespread. Now, a new role is emerging to support those going through it: veterinary social workers. These professionals, often trained with backgrounds in counseling and animal care, work inside clinics and animal hospitals to support clients facing some of the most difficult decisions of their lives — from emergency procedures to euthanasia. They sit beside families in waiting rooms. They offer a hand to hold. And they follow up, helping people navigate the confusing, heavy weeks after a loss. “I used to go home and genuinely wonder what happened to a client,” said Dr. Amy Heuberger, head of MedVet’s Chicago emergency department, in an interview with The New York Times. “[Now] I can take care of more animals in a shift, because I know that the clients are still getting taken care of.” The field is growing. Over 175 people have now earned veterinary social work certifications from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, the only program of its kind in the U.S. According to IndeVets, about 200 veterinary social workers are currently employed across the country. It’s a response to something that was always there — a gap between animal medicine and human grief — and it's making a difference. For many, healing comes slowly. Some pet owners, like Greig, eventually find comfort in giving another animal a home. Others might never be ready. But regardless of what comes next, the pain of that final day lingers. Under the harsh lights of a veterinary clinic, when someone is whispering one last “good boy” or “good girl” into the ear of a beloved pet, that moment can feel impossibly hard. Thanks to this new wave of professionals, more and more people will have someone there with them — to support, to listen, and to remind them they’re not alone.
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After Losing All Four Limbs, This 20-Year-Old Takes Her First Steps Again
Three years ago, Natalya Manhertz was a high school student in Atlanta, playing tennis and walking through hallways without giving it a second thought. Then, a sudden and severe strep infection nearly took her life — and cost her all four limbs. Now 20, Natalya is standing tall again, this time on prosthetic legs, reclaiming her independence one determined step at a time. At 17, what began as a routine illness quickly escalated into organ failure. Doctors at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta were forced to amputate both her arms and legs to save her life. Her recovery has been anything but quick. After surgery, Natalya spent months in the ICU, followed by a grueling rehabilitation process. Sitting up alone took eight months. “I remember in the hospital I was stiff, I could not get up,” she said in an interview with 11Alive. “It took me 8 months to sit up.” Physical therapist Debbie Bridgeman, who works closely with Natalya, said the process of learning to move again with four amputations presents a unique set of challenges. “We are working with 4 amputations and that makes a huge difference in making sure she knows where her body is in space,” Bridgeman said. “She is relying on an extreme amount of core strength.” From sitting at the edge of a mat to standing with support, Natalya’s progress has come in small but significant steps. Each milestone has been hard-earned, but she celebrates them all — especially the first time she stood on her new prosthetic legs. “I didn’t feel short. It felt good to look up and smell the air above,” she said. “I felt a little bit normal. Like this is where I’m supposed to be.” Tasks that used to be automatic — eating, getting dressed, even wiping away tears — now require effort and adaptation. But giving up isn’t in her vocabulary. “For it to be difficult to do is frustrating because I am very independent,” she said. That independence is slowly coming back. Natalya now uses forearm crutches to move around, and while full autonomy is still a goal, her drive is clear. She’s surrounded by support from her family, friends, and medical team — and grounded in her own sense of purpose. “It’s not OK to just give up,” she said. “You have to think about the positive. You are still alive and here today, and even though life might suck ass, you’ll get through it.” Through pain, exhaustion, and setbacks, Natalya keeps moving forward — one small victory at a time.
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A Custodian Just Transformed This School Into a Winter Wonderland For Students
At West Central Area South Elementary in Kensington, Minnesota, the school’s brightest light isn’t hanging from the ceiling — he’s the one putting them up. For the past decade, custodian Mark Olson has spent every Thanksgiving break transforming the school into a dazzling winter wonderland. While students are home for the holidays, Olson is stringing lights, hanging garlands, and turning the halls into something out of a Christmas movie. “When this starts, I don’t see him,” said his wife, Lisa Olson-Toms. “We don’t have Thanksgiving because this is more important.” She’s not exaggerating. For five straight days, Olson works up to 12 hours a day decorating the school. He starts prepping weeks earlier, testing bulbs in his garage and stockpiling supplies. And nearly everything — from lights to ornaments — is paid for out of his own pocket. “Everything here has been purchased by us,” said Lisa. “We can't go to Menards without getting lights or something for the school.” The idea was born out of a moment Olson never forgot. Years ago, he wished two young sisters a happy Thanksgiving as they left school. Their reply stunned him. “They told me their family didn’t do anything for Thanksgiving,” he recalled. “I said, ‘How about Christmas?’ and they said, ‘We don’t have Christmas.’” He decided then to bring Christmas to them. “I thought, well, I’m going to decorate the halls for them and give them somewhat of a Christmas,” he said. “And they walked in the door, they looked around, and they started to cry.” He’s been lighting up the school ever since — thinking of those girls every time he starts. This year’s display includes garlands that, if stretched end to end, would span three football fields. There are lights down every hallway and ornaments tucked into nearly every corner. It's enough to leave even adults speechless. “When I first heard about it, I was expecting a few lights and maybe a Christmas tree,” said Principal Caitlin Hendricks. “But this was beyond what I had anticipated. When I walked in, I stopped dead in my tracks.” It’s not just about the lights. Olson is a fixture at the school year-round, known to the kids not just as the guy who cleans the halls, but someone who cares. On the morning they returned from break, one student forgot his shoes. Olson was already digging through the bin to find a spare pair. “He puts these lights up for us,” said second-grader Ian Pasche. “Yes,” added third-grader Mayson Trinka. “He loves all the kids.” And the feeling is mutual. “You’re welcome!” Olson calls out to a student who runs past shouting thanks. Another gives him a hug. “When I get started every year, I keep thinking about those two girls,” Olson said. “I don’t have any kids. This way, every year, I have 100-some kids of my own.” This year, he had a little help from two fellow custodians, after undergoing bicep surgery over the summer. But he was determined to return in time to pull it all off. As the sun rises and the buses unload, hallway after hallway fills with wide eyes, gasps, and laughter. For some of these students, it might be the only Christmas magic they get. For Olson, it’s the reason he started — and the reason he’ll keep going. “I just wanted to give them something,” he said. And he has. Not just lights, but joy.
Score (98)
Laughter Yoga Boosts Mental And Heart Health, Experts Say
In the early morning calm of Delhi’s Lodhi Gardens, a group of adults can be seen roaring like lions, clapping in unison, and laughing — not at a joke, but just for the sake of it. They’re practicing laughter yoga, a mix of deep breathing, stretching, and voluntary giggling. And they insist it’s good for the body, mind, and spirit. “It’s a physical, mental, social and spiritual binding,” said Dr Santosh Sahi, a medical doctor and certified laughter yoga trainer who leads the sessions. Laughter yoga doesn’t rely on jokes or comedy. Instead, it uses playful movements and sounds to trigger laughter, which experts say delivers real health benefits. According to Dr Sahi, if you wait for a reason to laugh, “you will hardly find any reason to laugh.” The practice was created in 1995 by Dr Madan Kataria, a physician in Mumbai. What started as a small group of five people laughing in a park quickly swelled to more than 150 within a month. Today, laughter yoga clubs exist in over 100 countries, with both in-person and virtual sessions drawing regular participants. The idea is simple: your body can’t tell the difference between genuine and simulated laughter — so even if it starts off forced, the effects are real. "Our brain cannot differentiate between real laughter, even if it is simulated laughter," said Kataria. “Even if you laugh for the sake of laughing, you are still getting the same health benefits.” The “yoga” part comes from the breathing exercises. By combining deep breaths with movement and laughter, the practice increases oxygen intake, activates the diaphragm, and engages core muscles — all while releasing a flood of feel-good chemicals. It’s that chemical cascade that caught the attention of Dr Michael Miller, a cardiologist and professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Back in the 1990s, he started researching the impact of laughter on heart health. “We know that there is an interaction between laughter and chemicals that are released from your brain to your blood vessels to cause them to expand,” Miller said. That includes nitric oxide, a molecule that dilates blood vessels, reduces inflammation, and helps lower cholesterol — all factors that reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. Laughter also boosts endorphins, which act as natural painkillers. “We know that when one has a heart attack, it's a combination of cholesterol plaque as well as blood clot formation,” Miller said. “So for these reasons, we have good reason to believe, certainly indirectly, that having a good laugh and having a positive outlook would reduce cardiovascular disease.” For participants, the benefits go far beyond biology. Manwar Singh Rawat, a retired government officer, attends weekend laughter yoga sessions at Lodhi Gardens. For him, it’s about connection as much as health. “When I do laughter yoga, I get connected to people socially,” he said. “When I connect with people socially, the mental stress goes down. Other people also inspire us to keep doing this practice. Everyone leaves energised.” Dr Kataria’s organisation, Laughter Yoga International, now runs online sessions too — a pandemic-era shift that has stuck. People log in from different time zones to laugh together over video chat. Despite the silliness on display, Kataria believes it’s a serious solution for a serious world. “Life is serious. Death is serious. There is so much seriousness in this world. Now the time has come, we should take laughter seriously, ha ha ha ha ha,” he said.
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Neighbors Raise Over £20,000 for Hospice with Spectacular Christmas Light Display
A group of neighbours in Stoke-on-Trent have turned their street into a festive wonderland — and raised more than £20,000 for charity in the process. For the past nine years, residents of Bromsberrow Way in Meir Park have transformed their homes into a dazzling Christmas lights display, drawing crowds from across the region. This year was no exception, with “hundreds of people” coming to see the decorations each evening. “It’s become something people look forward to every year,” said Martin Collett, one of the homeowners behind the tradition. “I think I’ve got about 17,000 lights on the house this year.” The fundraising effort supports the Dougie Mac Hospice, a local charity providing care for people with life-limiting illnesses. The lights switch on at 16:30 GMT daily and stay on for four hours. The street is a full-blown festive scene — inflatable Santas, glowing reindeer perched on roofs, trees wrapped in lights, and an explosion of colours and patterns illuminating each house. Bryan Huddleston, another resident, said putting up the lights is a serious time commitment. “It’s taken me over 30 hours to put them up,” he said. “There are 4,000 lights on the main Christmas tree and 3,000 on the other.” Visitors like Skirmante Baltuseviciute, who travelled from Hanley to see the display, said it was worth the trip. “So much thought has been put into these decorations,” she said. “It is spectacular. It’s like a proper Christmas fantasy little city.” With each twinkling bulb, the street isn’t just spreading festive cheer — it’s also helping fund care for those who need it most. And for the neighbours behind the display, that’s the best gift of all.
Score (97)
Man Who Received Life-Saving Christmas Lung Transplant Honors Donor with Promise to Help Others
Ten years ago, Joe Russell was clinging to life. Born with cystic fibrosis, his lungs had deteriorated beyond repair. Doctors feared he wouldn’t survive. Then, on Christmas Eve, he received what he calls “the ultimate gift”: a life-saving lung transplant. Now 43 and living in Worthing, West Sussex, Russell has kept the vow he made to the family of the anonymous donor who saved him — to use his second chance at life for something bigger than himself. “I would use this chance for something that is more important than me,” he wrote to them after the operation. And a decade on, he’s doing just that. As part of the NHS's Hope Takes Flight campaign, Russell, an origami artist, has created a series of intricate paper aeroplanes to symbolize the passing of life from one person to another through organ donation. “It’s life where there was only death before,” he said. “It’s not about climbing Everest. It’s about the energy to walk, to talk, to see friends and make plans for the future. Everything that was gone is suddenly available. It’s a new life.” Russell had only been on the transplant list for 10 days when he got the call. Without that lung donation, he wouldn’t have made it to the new year. In the South East of England alone, 864 people are currently waiting for a transplant. Last year, 575 people in the region received one. For many, time is running out. Through his artwork and advocacy, Russell is urging more people to join the organ donor register — not just as a personal gesture of thanks, but as a call to action for others whose lives hang in the balance. “It’s about giving hope,” he said. “Not just to those waiting, but to the families of donors, too. That someone they loved could save a life — it matters.”
Score (98)
‘Ice Skating Changed My Life’: From Homelessness to Representing Great Britain
At 21, Charlie Chandler was homeless for the third time and felt his life had hit a dead end. Now 23, he has stood on an international podium wearing Great Britain’s colours, crediting ice skating with pulling him back from the brink. Chandler, originally from Brighton, said he attempted to take his own life during a period of homelessness in 2023. Today, he is a competitive figure skater, training up to 20 hours a week and dreaming of one day reaching the Olympics. “Ice skating has changed my life,” he said. “It’s taught me discipline and respect for myself.” Chandler’s journey has been marked by instability from a young age. At 13, he moved in with his grandmother after feeling pressure to come out as gay, a moment that created a rift with his family. When his grandmother died four years later, he became homeless for the first time, relying on friends’ sofas for somewhere to sleep. He later secured a private tenancy but could not keep up with the rent. Losing the flat meant returning to sofa surfing. “I really struggled with the instability,” he said. “After having my own place, it felt like a step backwards. It felt like it was never going to end.” In 2023, Chandler moved to Sheffield with his boyfriend, hoping for a fresh start. When the relationship broke down, he found himself homeless again. It was during this period that he attempted to take his own life. He was referred to Roundabout, a South Yorkshire youth homelessness charity, which helped him secure a flat where he still lives. The organisation also gave him access to counselling. “I’ve thrived as a person up in Sheffield,” Chandler said. “Down south, I’m just a shell and don’t feel appreciated. Up here, I have so much more to live for and I’m treated with respect.” Living alone, he began to feel isolated and decided to try ice skating as a way to meet people. What started as a social outlet quickly became something more. “I very quickly got addicted to it,” he said. “I wanted to do competitions.” Within two years, Chandler was competing internationally. Last month, he represented Great Britain at the Celje Ice Cup in Slovenia, where he won gold medals in both the artistic performance and free skating categories. “I wasn’t expecting a medal at all,” he said. “Even when I heard the scores, I had to check online to make sure I really had won.” He now trains mainly at Ice Sheffield while also working and studying at Doncaster College, balancing skating with everyday responsibilities. “It’s crazy to think I’ve come this far in two years,” he said. For Chandler, skating is about more than competition. He says the sport has helped him process emotions he once struggled to express. “It’s so hard for me to open up about how I feel,” he said. “But I can express who I am through my skating.” He hopes his story can show others that change is possible, even after years of hardship. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, support is available through the BBC Action Line.
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Church Hosts Unique Carol Service Welcoming Pets and Owners
A church in central London swapped solemn hymns for festive barks and tail wags this December, welcoming dogs into the pews for a one-of-a-kind carol service. Held on December 11 at St. Botolph-without-Bishopsgate, Carols for the Animals brought together more than 100 people — and 25 of their four-legged companions — for a joyful evening of music, canine cameos, and Christmas cheer. The dogs came decked out for the occasion, sporting antlers, festive jumpers, and red-and-green neckerchiefs. The event raised funds for International Animal Rescue (IAR) and featured a guest appearance by Downton Abbey actor and IAR patron Peter Egan. Live music was provided by string ensemble The Massive Violins, who led a spirited sing-along — or rather, howl-a-long — as both humans and dogs joined in the carols. St. Botolph's has long been known as an animal-friendly church. The rector’s own black Labrador, Freddie, often helps greet visitors and was on hand again to sing (or howl) along. “Everyone was welcome — especially the dogs,” said a church volunteer, laughing as one pooch tried to out-sing the choir during Silent Night. IAR President Alan Knight praised the event for raising both money and awareness. “We're driven by a simple yet powerful goal — to rescue, rehabilitate, and protect animals in need while creating lasting change for wildlife and their habitats,” he said. The event was equal parts heartwarming and hilarious, as carols were periodically interrupted by joyful barking or a shake of tinsel-covered ears. For pet lovers and their dogs, it was a chance to celebrate the season together — and maybe even make some new furry friends along the way.