Teachers share their sweetest gifts from students and it's a moving lesson in generosity

Some of the most precious gifts come straight from the heart. A former teacher shared an incredible story of a student's selflessness, generosity and thoughtfulness. Nine years ago, the student didn't have a Christmas gift for her, so he opened up a pack of crayons, gave her the purple one, and said "I hope you love it, I know it's your favorite color." Flex those love muscles; share stories that show you care and recognize heartfelt gestures with admiration 😊

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This 104-Year-Old Says Her Secret to a Long Life is Simple: Veggies (and Chocolate)

At 104 years old, Elizabeth Milner is still going strong—and she says the secret to her longevity might just be a mix of vegetables and chocolate. Milner, who was born in 1921 in Dundee, Scotland, celebrated her milestone birthday in December at Care UK's Kentford Manor in Newmarket, Suffolk, surrounded by family, tea, and plenty of bubbly. “Spending the day with my whole family and enjoying a lovely afternoon tea party with plenty of bubbles made it especially memorable,” she told the BBC. When asked how she’s managed to live such a long life, Milner didn’t hesitate. “Veggies and chocolate,” she said with a smile. She married her husband, Alfred, in 1944, and the couple had two children together. Decades later, she remains active in the care home, still enjoying baking, knitting, and tapestry-making. Staff at Kentford Manor said Milner is a beloved member of the community. “We were so excited to celebrate such a joyous day with Elizabeth,” said home manager Hannah Nurse. “It was wonderful to mark this tremendous milestone with her and her family.” After more than a century of living through world wars, cultural shifts, and technological revolutions, Milner’s advice for life is simple: eat your vegetables—and don’t forget to treat yourself.

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Biologists are Reviving Thousands Of American Chestnut Trees On Maine Land — Here's Why

In a surprising twist for American chestnut enthusiasts, wild trees once thought to be “functionally extinct” are showing signs of a resurgence in Maine, USA. This unexpected revival challenges the long-held belief that genetic engineering was the only path to saving this iconic species. The American chestnut tree, which was decimated by an Asian blight introduced in 1904, used to dominate forests along the U.S. East Coast and Canada. The devastation left noticeable gaps in these ecosystems, and many assumed the species could not recover naturally. However, new evidence suggests otherwise. Renowned biologist Dr. Bernd Heinrich has discovered thousands of robust chestnuts thriving on his Maine property. Over forty years ago, he purchased 25 saplings from a nursery for just $10. These trees flourished and multiplied as local wildlife spread their seeds across fields up to 1.6 kilometers away. Remarkably, none of them have shown signs of the fatal blight. “These chestnuts are really taking off,” said Heinrich, who is also a professor emeritus at the University of Vermont's Biology Department. At 85 years old, he still actively studies these trees and collected fruit samples for a recent documentary film crew. He speculates that these specimens might be resistant to the blight that devastated their ancestors. Heinrich's findings suggest natural regeneration is occurring on a larger scale than previously believed. His team has documented over a thousand healthy chestnut trees spanning three generations using GPS mapping in long-term field studies. The new short film "The Wild American Chestnut," produced by Global Justice Ecology Project, highlights Heinrich’s groundbreaking observations and discusses how climate change might be shifting the trees' viable range northward. This potential adaptation opens new possibilities for survival beyond traditional geographic limits. This development challenges efforts focused solely on genetic engineering as a solution to restoring the American chestnut population. In fact, in December 2023, The American Chestnut Foundation withdrew support for genetically engineered chestnuts after realizing the trees were genetically defective due to research errors and performed poorly in field tests. Anne Petermann, Executive Director of Global Justice Ecology Project, noted that seeing multiple generations of naturally growing robust trees contrasts with claims that biotechnology is necessary for restoration efforts. “It was stunning to see so many robust trees—three full generations growing naturally—while the efforts to engineer blight-resistant chestnuts have produced nothing but failures,” she said. As researchers continue exploring various methods for aiding this iconic tree’s recovery, Dr. Heinrich's discovery offers hope for those interested in ecological conservation through natural processes rather than relying solely on technological interventions.

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Mosques are Hosting Men's Pilates Classes, Promoting Fitness And Friendship

A TikTok video showing elderly men doing pilates in a Bradford mosque has racked up nearly two million views, drawing global attention and sparking calls for more community fitness classes like it. What started as a modest weekly workout at the Jamia Usmania mosque has quickly become something bigger. In a basement room below the main prayer hall, just after midday prayers, a group of older men swap the quiet stillness of worship for squats, glute bridges, and butterfly stretches. Some are in their 60s and 70s. A few are in their 80s. They’re not dressed in gym gear. Many wear traditional clothing. But they show up, week after week. “It’s a very unique thing for older Asian men,” said Zafar Kayani, 69, who leads the class. “They’re coming here for their spiritual health. Then getting that physical exercise and mental wellbeing, and they’re connecting with each other.” The idea for the sessions wasn’t meant to go viral. Mosque general secretary Mohammed Ilyas said the original TikTok video was just a casual upload to encourage more men to join. Instead, it exploded, drawing views from across the UK and beyond. Since then, Kayani and the mosque have been fielding messages from as far away as Malaysia and Canada from groups interested in replicating the idea. “It started from Bradford and if it goes worldwide, we believe it’s a positive thing and we’re making a change,” said Ilyas. Three mosques in Bradford now host sessions, with around 30 men attending each. The age range is wide – from 50 to 80 – and the abilities are varied. That’s the point. No special equipment. No pressure. Just movement, laughter, and community. “They feel comfortable in the environment,” Ilyas said. “They come to pray already at the mosque, and after the prayers they can just join in the class, [in] whatever they’re wearing.” Retired shopkeeper Mohammed Salim, 66, said the change in his health has been noticeable. “Before I used to feel ache[s] everywhere, all over [my] body,” he said. “But when I started walking and doing exercise, it’s much better. Recently I had the pacemaker fitted, but I don’t feel anything because I do the activity.” Tahir Butt, 74, a retired bus driver who has had both knees replaced, never imagined he’d be doing exercises like these. “I wouldn’t think of doing those exercises [before] because of my condition,” he said. “But it’s been very beneficial.” Kayani, who cracks jokes throughout the class and affectionately calls participants “men of steel,” believes the impact goes far beyond mobility. It’s about reducing social isolation, improving mental health, and even easing pressure on public services. According to UK government data published in 2024, physical activity levels among Asian men remain lower than the national average – 59.6% compared to 65.6%. Kayani sees these sessions as a small but meaningful step in reversing that. “When they start there will be aches and pains, there will be groans,” he said. “A few weeks along the line, you can see they’re doing [it] with ease. This is beneficial for the NHS. If there’s less people going to see the doctors, going to the hospital appointments, it’s less cost to them.” Still, it’s not all reps and stretches. Every session ends with a guided moment of calm. Eyes closed, deep breaths, and a bit of imagination. “Imagine you’re on holiday, somewhere hot,” Kayani tells the men. Then he snaps them out of it with a line that always gets a laugh: “Open your eyes and you’re back in wet Bradford.” But the impact lingers. It’s not just about exercise. It’s also about joy. Akhtar Malik, who manages the Bradford Youth Development Partnership, says the sessions are helping to tackle loneliness and build new friendships. “That’s the key thing – being happy, laughing – [it] gives you that motivation to keep coming, week in week out,” he said. “We provide a social platform where they can meet other people. It’s a friendship group.” The runaway success of the classes has sparked new ideas. Ilyas now wants the mosque to function as more than just a religious centre. He’s planning pilates sessions for women and new youth club offerings too. “As well as a mosque, a community hub where people can join in other activities, which were provided by the council 20 years ago but are nonexistent now – we want to make that happen again,” Ilyas said. “Make it as accessible as possible, not just for the elders, for the young generation as well, make the mosque welcoming.”

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It Looks Delicious, But Don’t Eat It: The Truth About Food in Movies

You’ve probably noticed it before: a breakfast table piled high with bacon, eggs, pancakes, fruit, muffins, and orange juice — and a kid who grabs a single piece of toast before running out the door. It’s a scene that plays out again and again in movies and TV shows, and social media users have had enough. “Never understood the American TV and movie cliché where the parents make a lavish breakfast, no one touches it,” one viewer wrote. “Maybe rich Hollywood people see this because they have employed cooks and are super-wasteful, but no normal people.” But according to people who actually work in film, it’s not laziness or a misunderstanding of family dynamics — it’s logistics. Dr. Travis Lee Clark, an art history professor at Utah Valley University, took to X (formerly Twitter) to break down the real reason behind these over-the-top, untouched feasts: it’s all movie magic. And it’s not about realism — it’s about what looks good on screen. “First, no director likes an empty table at a meal,” Clark explained. “It looks dull, and lacks visual interest. So the set dresser piles on food… often far more than would be rational at a regular meal because film is a visual medium and it’s easier to make something look good with more than less.” The result is an extravagant meal that’s not designed to be eaten. Most of it is fake or inedible after sitting under hot lights for hours, often coated in carnauba wax (yes, like the kind used on cars) to keep it looking glossy. Even the real food becomes cold, congealed, and unsafe to eat after a few takes. Then there’s the issue of continuity. Film scenes are shot multiple times and from various angles. If an actor takes a real bite of eggs or pancakes in one take, the script supervisor has to make sure they take that same bite in every take after — or risk ruining continuity. That’s hard to track, and even harder to edit around. Enter: toast. Toast is dry, shelf-stable, and visually consistent. It doesn’t wilt, leak, or change much from shot to shot. That makes it the go-to food prop for actors, who often prefer it to eating something greasy or soggy for hours. Crackers and breadsticks are other safe bets. “Toast is usually the part of the meal on set that someone can actually eat,” Clark wrote. “Also, every piece of toast looks pretty much the same, so it’s easy to restock the scene from take to take.” In some cases, actors do eat — but with help. Productions often provide spit buckets so performers can chew for the camera, then discreetly dispose of the food between takes. Actor Nick Offerman once explained, “Even if you’re eating one bite of cake, you may end up eating four pieces of cake by the time you add them all up. You learn: don’t swallow it.” There are other tricks too. On shows like Love Is Blind, shiny opaque wine glasses are used to disguise how much liquid is inside, so editors can cut scenes together out of order without giving away continuity mistakes. Chinese takeout containers are another favorite: they’re closed, opaque, and easy to reuse across multiple takes without anyone noticing the food level changing. But there are exceptions. The Sopranos, known for its lavish Italian meals, famously let the cast go all in on the food. “I was allowed to eat chicken cacciatore at 7 o’clock in the morning,” one actor said. “It was amazing. I ate a lot on the show.” In most productions though, the food is all show and no bite. The next time you see a character ignore their full plate of waffles and reach for toast instead, now you know: it’s not a snub to breakfast. It’s a survival tactic.

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Japan Just Launched Its First Floating Offshore Wind Farm in a Push Toward a Clean Energy Future

Japan has officially entered a new phase of renewable energy production with the launch of its first-ever floating offshore wind farm. The 16.8-megawatt Goto Floating Wind Farm began commercial operations on January 5, according to a press release from Toda Corporation, the firm leading the project. Located off the coast of the Goto Islands in Nagasaki Prefecture, the wind farm is a milestone in Japan’s efforts to cut emissions and strengthen energy independence. “Through the long-term operation of the wind farm, [Goto Floating Wind Farm] aims to promote renewable energy and help improve the quality of life for local communities,” Toda stated. What makes the project especially notable is its use of hybrid spar-type floater technology — a world first in commercial deployment. Kei Ushigami, Toda’s head of marine renewable energy, told AFP that the floating structure offers a stability advantage well-suited to Japan’s geography, which is frequently affected by earthquakes and typhoons. The launch comes at a critical time. According to the International Energy Agency, Japan generated nearly two-thirds of its electricity in 2024 from fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas. These sources not only contribute to climate change but also to global air pollution linked to millions of premature deaths annually. Japan has committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, which means balancing its emissions with pollution-reducing technologies and renewable energy. Projects like the Goto wind farm are key steps toward that goal. In addition to its environmental impact, the wind farm has strong local ties. Toda said domestic companies played a major role in constructing the eight turbines, and will also oversee ongoing operations and maintenance. That’s a boost for local economies — and a shift away from Japan’s heavy reliance on imported energy. Floating wind farms offer another big advantage: they allow power to be generated in deep waters where fixed-bottom turbines aren't feasible. That opens up a wide range of opportunities for an island nation like Japan, with limited land space and deep coastal shelves. With the Goto wind farm now live, Japan joins a small but growing group of countries testing floating offshore wind at scale. It’s a modest start, but a powerful symbol — both of technological innovation and the country’s shifting energy future.

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Scientists Are Listening to Worms and Ants to Measure Soil Health — And It’s Working

What does healthy soil sound like? Crackles, pops, and clicks — at least, if you’re a microphone buried in the dirt. In a groundbreaking study from Flinders University in South Australia, researchers planted tiny microphones underground to test whether the sounds of insects and invertebrates could reveal the condition of soil. And according to ecologist Jake Robinson, the answer is yes. “It’s a bit like going to the doctor,” Robinson told The Guardian. “They put a stethoscope on your chest, take a health check, listen to your beating heart. … We’re doing something similar in the soil.” The team’s research, carried out in the Adelaide Hills, captured what they call a “soil symphony” — a mix of gliding echoes from snails, the faint tapping of millipedes, and the subtle bustle of beetles, ants, and spiders. The healthier the soil, the more vibrant and complex the soundtrack. In poor soil? Just a flat hum of white noise. The researchers boosted their recordings by 20 decibels to detect the subtle movements of underground life. What they found was a clear link between acoustic diversity and biological diversity. More sound meant more life — and more life meant better soil. “It’s clear acoustic complexity and diversity of our samples are associated with soil invertebrate abundance,” Robinson said in a university release. “And it seems to be a clear reflection of soil health.” Traditionally, studying soil biodiversity has meant expensive DNA testing or labor-intensive digging and trapping. This acoustic method could be a game-changer: low-cost, non-invasive, and accessible to more people. “Restoring and monitoring soil biodiversity has never been more important,” Robinson added. He hopes the technology will soon be available to everyday conservationists, farmers, and even curious homeowners. “We’re trying to democratize it, so everyone can just buy their own little recorder and microphone.” The goal? Turn the ground beneath our feet into a kind of music — one that tells us whether we’re treating the planet right. Because if you listen closely enough, the worms are trying to tell us something.

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Volunteers Reconnect River Channel in B.C., Giving Fish a Fighting Chance

In a warming world where extinction threats loom large, small wins for nature matter more than ever. That’s why a group of volunteers in Prince George, British Columbia, is getting attention — and praise — for helping restore part of the Nechako River ecosystem. The team worked to reconnect a side channel of the river at Cottonwood Island Park, a habitat used by fish for refuge and spawning. For years, the channel would dry up periodically, leaving fish stranded and vulnerable to predators. That changed thanks to the efforts of Jesi Lauzon, a fisheries biology major at the University of Northern B.C. What started as a class project evolved into a full-fledged conservation initiative after Lauzon brought the idea to the Spruce City Wildlife Association, where she now serves as operations coordinator. “It’s been a very long process, but it’s been amazing to take something from school and have so many people help me make it actually happen,” Lauzon told CBC. “I can’t be thankful enough because I couldn’t have done it by myself.” The restored channel is expected to benefit local fish populations, including salmon, which rely on small, cool-water habitats like this one to thrive. While climate change continues to threaten wildlife across the globe — with the United Nations warning that up to one million species could face extinction — local efforts like this provide a measure of hope. They prove that when communities come together, real progress is possible. Other recent success stories include the return of bull trout to Oregon’s Klamath Basin after a 30-year restoration effort, and a dramatic revival of a long-neglected river in South London led by the South East Rivers Trust. These kinds of projects don’t just benefit wildlife. They also strengthen communities and demonstrate that local action, no matter how small, can ripple outward. In Prince George, it started with an idea — and ended with a river that flows more freely, and fish with a better chance of survival.

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The Psychology Trick That Makes People Like You More (Without You Realizing It)

Turns out, kids were onto something when they said, “It takes one to know one.” And science agrees. According to decades of psychological research, the way you talk about other people doesn’t just shape how others see them — it shapes how they see you. That’s because of a brain glitch known as Spontaneous Trait Transference (STT). Dr. Shadé Zahrai, a leadership strategist and coach, recently explained the idea in a viral TikTok. “When you describe someone's traits, people who hear unconsciously associate those same traits with you,” she said. So if you tell your coworker that your friend is warm and generous, people are likely to walk away thinking you are warm and generous. But if you’re talking trash about someone being selfish or rude, that same negativity can bounce right back. This isn’t just about gossip or good vibes — it’s how our brains work. Research going back to 1998 shows that listeners routinely assign the same traits to the person telling the story, even if it’s unintentional. Compliment someone’s kindness? People will tag you as kind. Criticize someone’s arrogance? You might come off as arrogant by association. It’s not exactly logical — our brains are just doing quick math. “As the listener processes the story, the idea of ‘rude’ becomes top of mind and is quickly attached not only to Stacey, but also to you,” psychologist Wendy L. Patrick wrote in Psychology Today. The result? Being nice doesn’t just make you seem nicer. It makes you more likable, whether you’re trying or not. It also works in reverse. The next time you feel tempted to badmouth someone, remember: what you say about others is shaping the story others tell themselves about you. So yeah — if you don’t have anything nice to say, maybe don’t say anything at all. Your likability might depend on it.

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How Two Friends Are Helping Women Take DIY Into Their Own Hands

It started with a drill and a broken shelf. Now, it’s turned into a growing movement. Electrician Sarah Bolger and event planner Justine Wortsman are behind Nail It DIY, a series of hands-on workshops in and around Reading, aimed at helping women build confidence in fixing things themselves. “It could just be something really tiny but the fact that you’ve done it yourself is such a good starting point,” said Bolger, who started teaching Wortsman simple home repairs after the two met as school mums. What began as a favour — showing Wortsman how to fix her son’s shelving unit — sparked an idea: why not help other women do the same? Since launching their taster sessions, they’ve seen a steady stream of interest. Every workshop so far has had a waiting list. “We hadn’t realised how much of a gap in the market there was,” said Wortsman. With fresh funding from Reading Borough Council, they’ll now be able to offer subsidised sessions and a few free spots too. They’ve been hosting workshops in village halls across Wokingham, Caversham, Theale, and Tilehurst, keeping the vibe low-pressure and welcoming. Attendees range from complete beginners to those with some experience under their belt. One woman came in having never touched a tool — she went home and fixed her cooker fuse. “We have all the kit, so you don’t need to bring anything,” Bolger said in a recent interview on BBC Radio Berkshire. “But if you do have things at home that you want to get your head around and you’re not sure what to do with it, then people are bringing these to our sessions.” The concept is striking a nerve not just for its practicality but for what it represents. Wortsman described the impact as “more than DIY.” “Now it makes me challenge other assumptions I make about myself,” she said. “There was never an expectation that I would know how to change a plug or put up a shelf — it just wasn’t something that was expected of me.” A recent study by Halfords suggests those expectations are changing. It found that women aged 18 to 27 are now more confident in basic DIY skills than their male peers — a shift from previous generations. Still, Bolger and Wortsman are mindful of the barriers some women face. One participant lives with early-onset arthritis but is determined to keep learning. Others have come while grieving, looking for connection and empowerment. “One of them in particular said ‘I miss all the DIY he did and I just miss him,’” Wortsman shared. There’s also a focus on mental health and neurodiversity. One attendee worried about retaining information due to ADHD, another about managing anxiety. Wortsman says part of their mission is to make sure everyone feels welcome. “I will always try to think of a way round,” she said. Bolger, who has a background in sound and lighting repair and grew up with hands-on parents, is learning as she goes, too — especially when it comes to teaching. The feedback has been a huge confidence boost. “It’s completely new for me,” she said. Their next goal is to reach younger people, especially girls, before the “I can’t do this” mindset takes hold. “Our goal is not just to level up the playing field for women, but to remove barriers in general,” Wortsman said.

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Eight-Year-Old British Explorer Calls Antarctica His “Best Place in the World”

While most kids spend their school holidays close to home, eight-year-old Yuam from Hedge End, Hampshire, has been busy ticking off bucket list destinations — including both ends of the planet. Yuam has travelled to 26 countries with his parents since he was just eight months old, and has already crossed the Arctic Circle and taken a polar plunge in Antarctica. “Taking part in the polar plunge was unforgettable,” he said. “Completing it felt like a real achievement and made me feel incredibly proud.” Now believed to be one of the youngest British travellers to visit Antarctica, Yuam described the icy continent as his favourite place so far. “I was able to see wildlife up close in its natural environment and there was a UK post office too, which was exciting,” he said. The family travels exclusively during school holidays. On recent trips to Greenland and Svalbard, Yuam said he was struck by how quickly the environment is changing. “It was surreal to see glaciers retreating,” he said. “I learnt that Antarctica experiences the midnight sun, just like Greenland, and that seeing whales in the wild, which is awesome, is surprisingly common there.” Back at school, his interests haven’t slowed down. Yuam now has his sights set on Egypt. “I want to learn more about mummies and the history of desert civilisations,” he said, adding that he’d also love to return to Antarctica, calling it “the best place in the world.” His mum Keeyu, who works for a technology company, said she and her husband were passionate travellers before Yuam was born and didn’t want to stop after starting a family. “We are very lucky that Yuam enjoys travelling as much as we do and is a great travel companion,” she said. “As parents we wanted to give him perspective and understanding of how vast the planet is and how fragile some places have become.” She added that watching Yuam absorb and reflect on his experiences has been rewarding. “We were surprised by how he listened closely to guides, noticed the movement of ice, and began to ask thoughtful questions.” And as for that icy plunge in Antarctica? “I expected him to come out cold and crying,” she said. “But he had the biggest smile.”

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