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Christine Baranski Talks About Her Beautiful Friendship With Stephen Sondheim
The 69-year-old actor is preparing to star in the new 'American Downton' She talks about her blue-collar roots, her friendship with Stephen Sondheim and the pleasures of late-career fame. ‘I wanted to go to New York and be a theatre actress, and I’m living my image of the kind of woman I wanted to be,' she says.
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A 20-Acre Land Donation is Set to Boost Conservation and Salmon Restoration Efforts in California
A 20-acre parcel of coastal land in northern California is helping fuel long-term conservation efforts—and potentially aid in the return of once-thriving salmon runs. Dr. Gabrielle Levine donated the undeveloped property, located just east of Highway 1 in Albion, to the Mendocino Land Trust (MLT). The land features wooded areas, open meadows, and sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. Though it’s now listed for sale, the proceeds will go directly toward MLT’s Albion River Fund, supporting water access, habitat protection, and outdoor recreation. The donation was first reported by Lake County News. The land is currently being listed by Tracy Wolfson of Engel & Volkers. Levine’s donation comes at a time when California’s salmon populations are in sharp decline. According to the State Water Resources Control Board, chinook, coho, and steelhead salmon in the Albion River have “decreased substantially and continue to decline.” Efforts like this one aim to reverse that. Land trusts like MLT use conservation easements and outright purchases to permanently protect natural areas. That’s part of what’s needed to stabilize and eventually restore fish populations. "Her tireless advocacy, work, and innovation continue to benefit sensitive species and habitats in Mendocino County, and MLT is thrilled to partner with her in these efforts," said Matt Franks, the land trust’s protection manager, who worked directly with Levine on the gift. The Albion River, which flows through redwood groves and coastal hills before emptying into the Pacific, supports one of the region’s small remaining fisheries. But like many of California’s waterways, it’s been hit by warming temperatures, development, and habitat loss. In a public Facebook post, Levine wrote, “It feels great to take this big step towards calling back the salmon, estuary restoration and maybe even buying the headlands! Thank you to the Mendocino Land Trust, and to my partner Dan Gates for sharing the vision!” While the land itself will not remain under conservation protection, the funds raised from its sale will help support other efforts in the watershed. That includes restoration projects, riverbank stabilization, and potential acquisitions of more ecologically sensitive lands. MLT’s broader mission includes ensuring public access to nature and protecting sources of clean water. The group has conserved more than 16,000 acres across Mendocino County since it was founded in 1976. A recent example of the success of such efforts can be seen farther north. Just one year after the removal of four dams along the Klamath River, salmon have already been spotted returning to their historical breeding grounds—an encouraging sign for the ecosystems and tribal communities that rely on them. Franks praised Levine not just for the donation but for her past efforts as well: “Mendocino Land Trust is profoundly grateful not only for Gabrielle's generous donation to support our conservation work in the Albion area but also for the stewardship and restoration work she has done on this property and more broadly.” For MLT, donations like Levine’s are key to continuing that work. With funding from the land sale, the group plans to accelerate conservation efforts in the Albion River region—a step toward safeguarding water, wildlife, and natural beauty for generations to come.
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‘Losing My Sight Saved My Life’: He Quit Alcohol And Now Wins Medals In Blind Baseball
A Liverpool man who once drank up to four bottles of vodka a day has said losing his sight was the turning point that finally helped him quit alcohol. Ray Clements said he had been an alcoholic throughout his adult life, starting with his first drink at the age of 15. By his late 40s, he said his drinking had spiralled, fuelled by the pressure of caring for his parents, periods of homelessness, and what he described as an inability to cope with everyday life. “I just struggled with normal living and drink became the solution,” he said. That changed on his 49th birthday in 2021, when he woke up with blurred vision. After several weeks of fear and heavier drinking, he booked an appointment with an optician. Further tests later confirmed he had Leber hereditary optic neuropathy, a rare genetic condition that causes rapid and severe vision loss. He was registered blind in February 2022. Looking back, Clements said there had been clear warning signs about the severity of his drinking, including regularly consuming far more alcohol than those around him. “I’d be drinking nine glasses when my friends were on three,” he said. The period after his sight deteriorated was one of the darkest. “The thought of taking my life was very prevalent,” he said, describing how alcohol use increased as he tried to cope with the diagnosis. A close friend, who had begun alcohol addiction recovery, urged him to attend group therapy. Clements said that advice saved his life. “I don’t think this friend understands how he saved my life,” he said. At his first sessions, hearing others talk openly about loneliness, addiction, and the impact on families made an immediate difference. “It felt like I’d landed home, that I was with people who understood,” he said. The physical effects of withdrawal were severe at first. “We went to a cafe and I couldn’t hold a cup without shaking. Another lad looked at me and said ‘that’ll get better’, and it did,” he said. “It takes a while for the fog and tremors to stop. But the peace that came over me and the self-worth did build.” Two days after receiving his formal diagnosis in February 2022, Clements said he woke up next to a glass of vodka and made the decision to stop drinking immediately. “I’ve been clean and sober since 17 February 2022,” he said. “It boggles my mind how, but it’s a gift.” Now 53, Clements is assisted by his guide dog, Garson, and has rebuilt his life around sport and community work. He has taken up blind baseball and goalball, a team sport designed for people with visual impairments that relies on sound and touch on a tactile court. He has gone on to win medals representing Great Britain in blind baseball. “I know it sounds weird but probably the best thing to happen to me in the past 20 years was sight loss,” he said. Beyond sport, Clements has founded an organisation called Finding the Solution, which encourages people of all abilities to take part in physical activity. He said a key aim is helping sighted parents play sports alongside children with visual impairments. He has also helped establish the Liverpool group Help, which campaigns for affordable social housing, and has spoken in parliament about housing access and inequality. While he says daily life still comes with challenges, Clements believes his perspective has fundamentally changed. “I still struggle on a daily basis,” he said. “But I now face life from a different angle.”
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One Of The Oldest WWII Veterans Just Celebrated His 105th Birthday — Here's His Secret To Longevity
Ron Thompson has been on this Earth for 105 years, but he’s not giving away any secrets on how he made it this far. The Second World War RAF veteran celebrated his milestone birthday a day early on Sunday with friends, family, and fellow residents at his care home in Braintree, Essex. Later, he joined a second party held in his honour at the local golf club. Asked what he believes is the key to such a long life, Ron smiled and said, “I’ll never tell, not tell anybody. They’ll all try and catch me up.” His daughter-in-law Lorraine Thompson offered a possible clue anyway: “He’s got his red wine which I bring him every week. He says he drinks too much of it but he still carries on – so I think that’s his secret really.” Born in London in 1921, Thompson’s early life revolved around photography. Before the war, he worked as a print developer in his father’s photography business in the East End. When his older brother Len enlisted in the Royal Air Force, Ron stepped into his brother’s role behind the camera. He had hoped to follow Len into the skies, but a failed medical exam due to a “duff ear” ruled out flying. Still determined to serve, Ron was recruited into the RAF as an engine fitter. He trained in London and was posted to RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire before being deployed overseas, spending most of his service years in India and Burma. His friend Malcolm, who recently wrote a short biography of Ron, said the wartime stories and personal history are “fascinating.” After the war, Ron returned to Thompson Photographic, the family business, which went on to become one of the country’s top photo agencies until it closed in 1970. “The firm was the official photographer for West Ham Utd and they supplied the press with pictures of celebrities,” Malcolm said. Now well into his second century of life, Ron’s sense of humour is still sharp. He proudly showed off a birthday card from King Charles III and said it was “lovely” and would go beside the one he received from Queen Elizabeth II five years earlier. But if anyone’s hoping to match his age, they won’t be getting any help from him. His lips are sealed.
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New Waste Filter Destroys ‘Forever Chemicals’ 100 Times Faster Than Current Methods, Say Scientists
A team of international researchers says it has developed a fast, effective way to remove toxic “forever chemicals” from water — and actually destroy them in the process. The method, developed by engineers at Rice University in the US, uses a layered material that combines copper and aluminum to target PFAS, a class of stubborn synthetic chemicals that don’t break down in nature. “We are excited by the potential of this one-of-a-kind LDH-based technology to transform how PFAS-contaminated water sources are treated in the near future,” said Michael Wong, a chemical engineer at Rice and co-author of the study. PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, have been used since the 1940s in everything from raincoats and carpets to non-stick pans and firefighting foam. Their chemical structure makes them incredibly resistant to heat, water, and oil — but also nearly impossible to degrade. As a result, PFAS have accumulated in water, soil, air, and even human bloodstreams. Certain PFAS, including PFOA and PFOS, have been linked to serious health problems such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and reproductive issues. And while efforts to regulate or remove them are underway, most current filtration techniques are slow, expensive, and can generate secondary waste. The new method could offer a major upgrade. It uses a material called a layered double hydroxide (LDH), which forms when copper and aluminum are mixed with nitrate. The resulting structure has a slight charge imbalance that attracts PFOA molecules — one of the most common and dangerous PFAS — and binds them tightly. “This LDH compound captured PFAS more than 1,000 times better than other materials,” said lead author Youngkun Chung, also from Rice University. “It also worked incredibly fast, removing large amounts of PFAS within minutes, about 100 times faster than commercial carbon filters.” The researchers tested their LDH filter on PFAS-contaminated water from rivers, taps, and wastewater plants. In all cases, it worked quickly and efficiently. Once the filter was full, the team cleaned and regenerated it by adding calcium carbonate and applying heat. This step broke the strong carbon-fluorine bonds that give PFAS their longevity — essentially destroying the PFOA molecules. The remaining byproduct, a fluorine-calcium compound, can be safely sent to landfill, Wong said. The research, published in Advanced Materials, is still in early stages but has shown consistent success in lab settings. The team hopes the technology can eventually be adapted for use in both drinking water and wastewater treatment plants around the world. With more than 12,000 PFAS variants still in circulation, many with unknown effects on human health, scientists say developing scalable, fast, and safe cleanup methods is becoming increasingly urgent. This one, they say, might just be a game-changer.
Score (97)
1,400-Year-Old Zapotec Tomb Unearthed in Mexico Reveals Astonishing Owl-Head Frieze
Archaeologists in Mexico have uncovered what experts are calling the most significant archaeological find in a decade: a 1,400-year-old tomb belonging to the ancient Zapotec civilization, with vividly preserved murals and carvings — including a dramatic stone owl head with a human face in its beak. Located in San Pablo Huitzo in the state of Oaxaca, the tomb dates back to the 6th or 7th century CE and was decorated with murals in vibrant green, white, blue, and red pigments. The burial chamber is believed to hold vital clues about Zapotec funerary rituals and spiritual beliefs. “This is the most significant archaeological discovery of the last decade in Mexico due to the level of preservation and the information it provides,” said President Claudia Sheinbaum during a press briefing. The most striking feature is a frieze depicting an enormous owl head — a powerful Zapotec symbol of death and the night — grasping what appears to be a man's head in its beak. According to the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), the face may represent the deceased individual entombed there. At the entrance to the burial chamber, archaeologists also found carvings of two human figures holding ceremonial objects. INAH researchers believe they could have symbolically served as guardians of the tomb. The discovery adds to growing excitement around renewed interest in the Zapotecs, a pre-Colombian people native to what is now Oaxaca. While often overshadowed in popular imagination by the Aztecs and Maya, the Zapotecs were a powerful and enduring civilization whose descendants still live in the region today, speaking the Zapotec language and preserving many cultural traditions. Mexico’s culture secretary, Claudia Curiel de Icaza, emphasized the importance of the find not just for historians and archaeologists but for the Zapotec community itself. “Zapotecs alive today will be eager to hear what the tomb and its murals and carvings will tell of their ancestors’ social organization, funerary rituals, and belief system,” she said. The tomb is currently undergoing critical conservation work. INAH says the site and its fragile artworks are vulnerable to insects, tree roots, and moisture damage from the local climate. This find comes on the heels of another major Zapotec-related revelation. A recent LiDAR survey revealed that a network of ruins near Santo Domingo Tehuantepec is, in fact, a Zapotec fortress — complete with ball courts — potentially offering a new understanding of how the Zapotecs resisted Aztec expansion to the south. Pedro Guillermo Ramón Celis, who led the LiDAR project, told researchers at McGill University that further studies of the fortress and tomb could yield insights into the Zapotecs’ defensive strategies and day-to-day life. For now, researchers and descendants alike are watching closely — not just to protect the site, but to listen to what the carvings, colors, and stone guardians of this ancient tomb might still have to say.
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Still Between the Posts at 82: Meet London’s Longest-Running Soccer Goalie
Every Sunday morning in Barnet, north London, Leo Gottesman pulls on his gloves, steps between the posts, and defies every expectation of what an 82-year-old should be doing. He’s not just playing in goal for a local six-a-side team. He’s been running the entire thing for over 40 years. “I’ve been organising the games since 1981,” he told the BBC. Back then, Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister, the first Indiana Jones movie was in cinemas, and Gottesman was already well into adulthood. He had started playing soccer again at the age of 35 and hasn’t stopped since. "I played football at school, naturally, although I wasn't a goalkeeper at the time," he said. That came later. Now, decades on, Gottesman remains a fixture at Powerleague Barnet, a local sports centre where generations of players have come and gone. Among them: his own son, who joined the matches over the years. He has had plenty of reasons to hang up his boots. Twenty-five years ago, Gottesman suffered a heart attack. His cardiologist told him to stop playing. He did—briefly. “I stopped for about two or three months,” he said. “But I love the game so much, I just had to continue.” His teammates don’t seem to mind. In fact, they’re in awe. “He’s got so much experience, his positioning is incredible and so he’s difficult to score past,” said Rex Cooper, a regular player. “Leo is a very passionate and reliable person and he's a role model for all of us.” For Gottesman, it's never been just about the game. It’s also about the camaraderie, the routine, and the joy of keeping something going that’s lasted for more than four decades. Fellow player Henry Thorpe-Spinks has been showing up on Sundays for 13 years, sometimes with his dad. “I don't know any other football game where they've got a goalkeeper who's not only that age but also has been playing for 40‑odd years and been running it,” he said. He’s not exaggerating. In addition to defending the goal, Gottesman manages all the behind-the-scenes work: confirming numbers, booking the pitch, collecting payments, even washing the kits. “I think we take him for granted to be honest,” Thorpe-Spinks said. But Gottesman is the kind of guy you don’t forget. Asked what makes a great keeper, he gave a simple answer: flexibility and anticipation. It’s not just reflexes that matter, he said, but reading the game before the ball even gets to you. After 40 years, he should know. And while others might slow down or retire, Gottesman has no such plans. The man’s heart is clearly still in it—even if it once gave him reason to pause. On any given Sunday, if you happen to be in Barnet, you’ll find him exactly where he’s been for decades. Between the posts. Still stretching, diving, shouting, and stopping shots. Still in love with the game.
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Artificial Beaver Dams Are Helping Nature Bounce Back, Study Finds
Building like a beaver might be one of the best things we can do for rivers, fish, and even drinking water. Researchers at Washington State University have reviewed more than 160 studies and found that artificial beaver dams can mimic many of the benefits that real beaver structures provide—cooling water, improving fish habitat, boosting biodiversity, and even helping fight wildfires. “It’s really a great example of how these beaver-mimicry practices can improve fish habitat and contribute to fish-population growth,” said Jonah Piovia-Scott, the study’s senior author, according to WSU Insider. The research is especially relevant in the wake of massive changes to ecosystems over the last two centuries. Beavers were nearly wiped out in North America during the 18th and 19th centuries due to fur trapping, and their populations never fully rebounded. As a result, many of the ecological functions they once provided—like slowing water flow, creating wetland habitat, and filtering pollution—have been lost. Artificial dams are now helping fill that gap. One study cited in the WSU review found that an artificial dam helped increase the population of threatened steelhead trout. The dam created cooler water temperatures in summer, reduced flooding risks, and provided shelter for fish—mimicking the impact real beavers would have had on the landscape. And the benefits go beyond fish. The U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service notes that the pools formed by these dams act like natural water filters, giving native plants a better chance to thrive. They also help water soak into the ground more efficiently, recharging groundwater and reducing the severity of droughts. The World Wildlife Fund adds that these pools can trap pollutants, improving water quality for nearby communities. Other studies have shown that beaver dams—both real and artificial—can help protect bat habitats and reduce the damage caused by floods and fires. Still, the researchers are cautious not to overstate the case. “There’s a lot of good evidence coming out,” Piovia-Scott said. “But there’s still a lot of work to be done to bridge the gap between the potential benefits and what’s actually happening on the ground.” Despite those caveats, the work is already making waves beyond academia. WSU Insider reports that Piovia-Scott’s research has led to new partnerships with tribal organizations, nonprofits, and restoration groups that are using artificial beaver dams in real-world conservation efforts.
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Emergency Crews Just Rescued a Deer From Frozen Lake in Kansas
Firefighters rescued an injured deer that had become stuck on a frozen lake in Fort Scott, Kansas, on Wednesday, January 28. Firefighters from the City of Olathe and Fort Scott Fire Departments joined forces to rescue the deer, which was stranded 100 yards from shore. Video released by the City of Olathe Fire Department (COFD) shows crews using ice rescue equipment and a pulley line to help bring the deer to shore. “The ice may look fun, but it may not be able to support your bodyweight. In just minutes, cold water submersion can be fatal,” COFD said on Facebook. “Yesterday, we helped our friends at the Fort Scott Fire Department rescue a distressed deer from icy Lake Fort Scott.” Drone footage released by the department shows the scene where the rescue took place.
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Nebraska Woman Rows Into History, Becomes the First Female to Solo Cross Atlantic in 3,000 Mile Race
Taryn Smith didn’t grow up on the coast or come from a family of ocean adventurers. Her love of open water began in Omaha, Nebraska—one of the most landlocked places in America. Now, at just 25, she’s made history by becoming the first woman to complete the World’s Toughest Row solo, a grueling 3,000-mile crossing of the Atlantic Ocean from the Canary Islands to Antigua. It started with a magazine article. Smith read about an all-female rowing team that set a world record in the Great Pacific Race in 2022. “I just remember thinking it sounded like the most amazing thing in the entire world,” she told PEOPLE. “I wanted to do something big in my 20s. I wanted to spend the rest of my life knowing that I was capable of something like this.” She quit her human resources job and committed to three years of preparation. Her grandparents had some sailing experience, but Smith had to start from scratch. She trained in the U.K., lived alone on her rowboat for weeks at a time, and learned to read the ocean like a second language. “She has always been a kid that thrives on adventure,” her mother, Shelly Smith, told Nebraska Public Media. “She just really likes that challenge.” On December 14, Smith joined 42 other teams from 20 countries at the race’s start. Unlike everyone else, she was alone in her boat. Each day, she rowed for 10 to 12 hours. Each night, she faced the vast Atlantic in total solitude. Day 27 nearly broke her. A storm was closing in. The sun had triggered hives across her skin. She hadn’t slept properly in days. “A wave would come just gushing over the deck and would literally knock me out of my shoes,” she said in an Instagram video. “It was really, really scary. I think this is the first day I felt properly terrified since being out here.” A marlin shadowed her boat for miles, circling her oars. Her body and mind were beyond exhaustion. And still, she rowed. “It’s been a really hard day, but I am really proud of the effort that I put in,” she said that evening. “I kept rowing and now it’s more comfortable to row than it is to try to sleep. I’m listening to Harry Potter. So all in all, life is good.” Smith partnered with Girls on the Run throughout the journey, raising funds for the nonprofit that helps girls in grades 3 through 8 build confidence through running and community programs. With each stroke, she embodied the message she hoped to send: big goals are worth chasing, even when they’re scary. Especially when they’re scary. On January 29, Smith rowed into Antigua’s harbor with an American flag flying behind her and a flare raised in victory. She finished in 46 days, 3 hours, and 37 minutes—days faster than even her best-case prediction. She was the first solo woman to finish. And she did it before turning 26. “Everything is more within reach than we think,” Smith said. “I hope people understand that you should take on your biggest challenges, even if it means being alone. Even if it’s scary. You can do it—and you probably won’t be alone for very long.” A few years ago, she was reading about ocean adventurers in a landlocked city. Today, she’s become one.
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These Teens Built an Igloo To Unite Their Community After an Ice Storm — Here's How It's Working
While most of the mid-Atlantic was stuck indoors after recent ice storms, two 13-year-olds in Maryland turned freezing weather into a reason to connect. Adeline Sutich and her friend Maeve Ritchotte spent hours building an igloo in front of a home that had been destroyed by fire months earlier. Their goal: to bring the community back together—one ice brick at a time. “We built an igloo to create unity in the community and bring people together,” Adeline said in a phone call with GNN. “It brought joy to all the neighbors when the snow was frustrating and very difficult to cope with.” Located on Helena Drive in the Sligo Woods neighborhood of Silver Spring, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C., the igloo became a snowy symbol of hope. “I feel like this igloo is a good representation of hope—and how things can be rebuilt,” Adeline said. The project started with a shovel and a sled. The girls carved dozens of rectangular bricks from the snow and hauled them over to the symbolic spot. As the sun dipped behind the trees, Adeline’s dad Stefan outfitted them with headlamps to finish the job in the dark. Her mom documented the build with videos and photos. Inside the igloo, they crafted seats and a table out of ice, turning it into a mini hangout for neighbors. They even left a guest book, which quickly filled with kind notes and warm memories. “I did this as a kid, too,” wrote one visitor named Melinda. “My three kids love it!” added another, Jen. “Many neighbors have come up and talked with us about the igloo and how much they’ve enjoyed it,” Adeline said. “We’ve had more visitors sign the book today!” One woman who had watched the build from her window finally stopped by the next day, under clear skies. “It brought back so many childhood memories,” she wrote. The igloo has stood not just as a snow fort, but as a gentle reminder that even after loss and hardship, rebuilding can begin in unexpected ways—sometimes with two friends, a flat shovel, and a whole lot of snow.