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 😊

Read More

Penny the Doberman Pinscher Wins Best in Show at Westminster's 150th Anniversary

It was a night of celebration, canine charisma, and a landmark victory at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday as a Doberman pinscher named Penny took home the top prize at the 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Penny emerged victorious after two days of competition featuring more than 2,500 dogs representing over 200 breeds. She beat out six other finalists in the Best in Show round, judged by how well each contender matched the ideal standards for their breed. Along with the trophy, ribbons, and national bragging rights, Penny now holds the distinction of winning the milestone 150th edition of Westminster — the most prestigious title in American dog shows. The final seven featured a diverse and highly competitive lineup. Alongside Penny, there was Zaida the Afghan hound, JJ the Lhasa apso, Cookie the Maltese, Graham the old English sheepdog, Cota the Chesapeake Bay retriever, and Wager the smooth fox terrier. Beyond the finalists, plenty of dogs won over the crowd with charm, quirks, and personality. Calaco, a hairless Xoloitzcuintli, strutted around the ring like he owned it. Beamer the vizsla hopped into a handler's equipment box to the audience's delight. Storm the towering Newfoundland drew laughs by leaping onto his handler mid-ring. And Oliver the golden retriever had fans cheering so loudly it drowned out the announcer. Then there was Lumpy the Pekingese, whose name alone had the crowd chanting. One breed made its Westminster debut this year: the Danish-Swedish farmdog. A small, agile working dog, the breed was officially welcomed to the show in 2026. A dog named Millie advanced to the evening round after besting her fellow farmdogs earlier in the day. For longtime enthusiasts like Brita Lemmon, who began working to establish the breed in the U.S. back in 2000, it was a proud moment. “It’s been a very exciting journey,” Lemmon said. The show also spotlighted lesser-known stories of devotion and determination. Joseph Carrero, a heavy equipment operator from Indian Springs, Nevada, walked the ring with Dezi, his 190-pound Neapolitan mastiff. Carrero had dreamed of owning a "Neo" since he was a teenager. He started showing after a breeder's encouragement, and now breeds and handles his dogs himself — all while holding down a full-time job. “It’s really hard for us to do this, but we enjoy it, and he enjoys it,” Carrero said. For Natalee Ridenhour of Royse City, Texas, the Westminster ring was a full-circle moment. Boerboels — large South African guard dogs — had once played a role in how she met her late husband. On Tuesday, she and a Boerboel named Invictus took part in the show. Though they didn’t make it past the opening round, Ridenhour was beaming. “Honestly, the big win is: You’re about the 50th person who’s gotten down in his face and loved on him,” she said as a visitor gave Invictus some well-deserved attention. But in the end, the spotlight belonged to Penny. Her win marked not just a personal triumph, but a defining moment in Westminster history — a Doberman pinscher earning top honors in the show's landmark year.

Read More

National Zoo Welcomes First Baby Elephant in Nearly 25 Years

Washington, D.C. has a new arrival — and she’s already making headlines. In the early hours of Monday morning, a baby Asian elephant was born at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, the first elephant birth at the zoo in nearly a quarter century. The 308-pound female calf arrived at 1:15 a.m. inside the Elephant Trails exhibit, with animal care and veterinary staff on hand to oversee the delivery. The newborn’s mother, 12-year-old Nhi Linh, is a first-time mom. According to the zoo, she’s doing well and has been closely bonding with her daughter since the birth. “After waiting nearly 25 years for an Asian elephant calf, this birth fills us with profound joy,” said Brandie Smith, director of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. “When you see the calf and those heartwarming interactions with the herd, I hope you’ll be inspired to help save this endangered species.” Asian elephants are classified as endangered, with fewer than 50,000 left in the wild. Habitat loss, disease, and human conflict continue to threaten their survival, making successful births like this one especially meaningful. The calf was born after a 21-month pregnancy — the longest gestation of any land mammal — and her arrival was part of a breeding plan developed through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan. The program is aimed at preserving genetically healthy populations in zoos nationwide. Nhi Linh, who was born in Rotterdam and came to D.C. in 2022, stands about 2.3 meters tall and weighs around 3,000 kilograms. She’s described by zookeepers as “go with the flow” and energetic. The father, Spike, is one of the zoo’s largest residents at 3 meters tall and 6,000 kilograms. Born in 1981, he has sired calves at other zoos, though none have survived — making this birth a first for him as well. Photos released by the zoo show the calf nestled beside her mother just hours after birth, surrounded by staff. While the public can’t see the calf just yet, officials say her debut will depend on her health, behavior, and weather conditions. In the meantime, animal lovers can help choose her name. The zoo has launched a public vote, with a $5 donation counting as a vote. All proceeds go toward elephant care and conservation. The four Vietnamese name options are: • Linh Mai, meaning "spirit blossom" • Thảo Nhi, meaning "gentle and beloved" • Tú Anh, meaning "bright and intelligent" • Tuyết, meaning "snow," in reference to a recent winter storm in D.C. Voting closes at noon on February 13, with daily updates posted online. Admission to the zoo remains free, and no special ticket will be required to visit Elephant Trails when the calf is ready for visitors. For now, the baby elephant is staying close to mom, taking her first steps into the world — and into hearts across the country.

Read More

A Teen Basketball Player is Recovering After Cardiac Arrest on the Court Thanks To Quick Action By This Trainer

A New Jersey high school basketball game turned into a life-or-death emergency when 16-year-old Tahsir Carter collapsed from sudden cardiac arrest. Thanks to a rapid response by an athletic trainer and two doctors in the crowd, Carter is alive and recovering at home. The incident happened on January 27 during a varsity game at Northern Highlands Regional High School in Allendale. Carter, a junior at Teaneck High School, had stepped off the court to get water while the game was paused for another injury. That’s when he suddenly dropped to the floor. “I heard someone say ‘Man down, need an AED,’ so I ran over there,” said Peter Koeniges, the school’s athletic trainer. By the time he arrived, two doctors who had been watching from the stands were already by Carter’s side. Koeniges immediately used his AED to deliver a shock to Carter’s heart and followed it with CPR. The quick action kept Carter alive until paramedics arrived. He was taken to Hackensack Hospital, then transferred to Mount Sinai, where doctors diagnosed him with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy — a heart condition sometimes referred to as “athlete’s heart.” It’s often undetected in young athletes and can trigger sudden cardiac arrest with no warning signs. Carter had a small defibrillator implanted last Thursday to help prevent future episodes. Just days later, he was walking again with his mother. “It’s still shocking,” Carter said. “I’m glad to be here, glad I had the support of people to help me.” His mother, Lattice Chess-Story, called the response “divine intervention.” “You couldn’t have asked for a better crew in an emergency situation,” she said. “The way they acted so fast is the reason Tahsir is still here.” She added that Carter wasn’t without oxygen for long, which made all the difference. “That makes all the difference when you revive a person,” she said. Carter credits Koeniges and the two doctors with saving his life. “I’m very grateful he was there and that he reacted quickly so I’m still here,” he said. “I plan on seeing him soon and I thank him a lot.” Koeniges emphasized the value of preparation and routine emergency drills. “Everything we did ahead of time is what made the positive outcome for this young man,” he said. “Rehearsing it as often as you can really helps.” Carter is expected to return to school in Teaneck by the second week of February. After what he’s been through, he’s now thinking about a future career in sports medicine or athletic training.

Read More

A £10 Thrift Store Find in England Turned Out to Hold 90-Year-Old Secrets

When a shopper in Salisbury, England picked up a dusty Zeiss Ikon Baby Ikonta camera for just £10 at a local thrift shop, they expected a bit of vintage flair — not a historical time capsule. The camera, built in the 1930s, came with an unexpected surprise: a roll of used film still tucked inside. Recognizing the potential value, the buyer brought the find to Ian Scott at the Salisbury Photo Centre, a local expert known for handling delicate film. It turned out to be a smart move. After careful processing, Scott uncovered a handful of remarkably well-preserved photographs. The images showed scenes from a ski trip and an outdoor luncheon, all captured decades ago and never seen until now. “With old film, you never quite know what condition it might be in or whether it has been damaged by light or dust over time. It was amazing how clearly the photos came out after so many years,” Scott said. One of the images contained signage referencing Cow & Gate, a longstanding baby food company in the UK. The business, tagged in a social media post, replied, “It’s so special to see Cow & Gate featured in memories like this. Thanks for bringing these unseen images back to life.” It’s the kind of discovery that reminds shoppers why secondhand stores hold such unique appeal. Beyond the discounts and sustainability perks, thrifted items sometimes come with lost stories — or, in this case, lost snapshots — that connect strangers across time. The lucky buyer remains unnamed, but their instinct to check inside the vintage camera ended up rescuing nearly a century’s worth of memories from permanent obscurity.

Read More

High School Students are Combatting Hunger and Food Waste by Collecting Excess Fruit for a Local Pantry

A group of high school students in Coronado, California is turning backyard fruit into lifelines for families in need — and they’re doing it one weekend at a time. The student-led effort is part of a program called Coronado Crops, now in its third year. Run by the volunteer group Emerald Keepers, the initiative asks local residents to donate excess fruit from their gardens. High school interns then pick it, box it, and deliver it to the Imperial Beach Neighborhood Center Food Pantry. “Since 2024, Coronado Crops has successfully harvested and donated more than 1,400 pounds of fresh produce,” the group wrote on Facebook. “Our goal is to double that amount this year but we need your help!” The fresh fruit donations help fill a critical need. According to the San Diego Food Bank, nearly 850,000 people in the county struggle to access three nutritious meals a day. Fresh produce — particularly ripe fruit — is one of the hardest things to come by in food banks, where non-perishable goods are more common. The program doesn’t just help families. It also helps homeowners who are overwhelmed by over-productive fruit trees. Left alone, fallen fruit attracts pests like rats or ends up in landfills, where it releases methane as it rots. It’s an easy way for residents to support both their neighbors and the planet, without spending a dime. Emerald Keepers makes the process simple. Residents can fill out a quick online form or email the group directly to schedule a weekend pickup. The interns do the rest. One commenter on the Coronado Times praised the program for returning for another year. The effort is small-scale but significant, especially in a country where more than 80 million tons of food are wasted annually, according to the nonprofit ReFED. With students stepping up to bridge the gap between local abundance and growing need, Coronado Crops is proving that a little fruit — and a few committed teenagers — can go a long way.

Read More

Creative Rescue Team Used a Drone to Drop a Flashlight to a Stranded Hiker

Rescue crews came up with an innovative solution to assist a hiker lost on one of the tallest mountains in Colorado in January. The Summit County Sheriff’s Office released this footage, which was captured by a drone equipped with thermal imaging. In the video, the hiker can be seen waving up at the drone, which then drops a flashlight to him. According to CBS Colorado, a 19-year-old hiker was stranded on Quandary Peak, located in Summit County, after he was caught in a snowstorm. It was getting dark and the hiker’s phone battery was nearly dead, which would have left him without a source of light. The sheriff’s office managed to locate the hiker and provide him with a flashlight, which assisted him in navigating down the mountain. He eventually met up with rescue teams and was reunited with his grandparents, CBS reported.

Read More

This Fuzzy Asian Elephant Calf Was Just Born, And The Public is Invited To Help Name Her

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo just got a whole lot cuter. In the early hours of February 2, a female Asian elephant calf was born at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) in Washington, D.C., marking the first elephant birth there in more than two decades. Weighing in at 308 pounds and standing 98 centimeters tall, the calf was born at 1:15 a.m. after a 21-month pregnancy. Zoo staff performed an exam shortly afterward and described her as “healthy, alert and bright-eyed.” “She was born very quickly after the signs began,” said Robbie Clark, the zoo’s elephant manager and acting curator of Elephant Trails. “I’m honestly still absorbing what happened. I haven’t slept since she was born.” The calf is the first offspring of 12-year-old Nhi Linh, who came to the zoo in 2022 as a gift from the Rotterdam Zoo in the Netherlands. Her father is Spike, a 44-year-old bull on loan from Zoo Miami since 2018. Their pairing was the result of careful planning under the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan, which aims to increase the genetic diversity of endangered animals in human care. Clark described Nhi Linh as “feisty and rambunctious,” while keepers say Spike is easygoing. Genetics, health, and temperament all played into the decision to breed the two. The newborn is not yet on public view and may remain behind the scenes for several weeks while she bonds with her mother, the herd, and animal care staff. For now, the calf and Nhi Linh are separated by a barrier, but they can hear and smell each other. Caretakers say that Nhi Linh is the only elephant responding to the calf’s calls, a promising sign. “Once we can secure that bond — and typically, the magic point is nursing — then we’ll give them a little time to learn how to orientate around each other,” Clark explained. To mark the occasion, the zoo is inviting the public to help name the calf. Through February 13 at noon, fans can vote for one of four Vietnamese names by donating at least $5 to the zoo’s Asian elephant conservation efforts. Each dollar equals one vote. The options are: Linh Mai (“spirit” + “apricot blossom,” associated with Lunar New Year) Thảo Nhi (“gentle little one”) Tú Anh (“talented and intelligent”) Tuyết (“snow,” in honor of her winter birth) The winning name will be announced later this month. This birth is a milestone for a species that needs every bit of help it can get. Fewer than 52,000 Asian elephants are left in the wild, scattered across South and Southeast Asia. They're now 10 times more endangered than African elephants, according to Peter Leimgruber, NZCBI’s director of conservation and science. “Many of the things we learn here — technologies, the science — we can directly transfer to these places [where the animals live],” Leimgruber said. Staff are already doing that, he added, from tracking hormone levels to guide breeding, to sharing tools for monitoring reproductive health and selecting genetically diverse pairs. The zoo has been monitoring Nhi Linh closely for months. In late January, staff noticed a significant drop in her progesterone levels — a key sign that labor was near. By January 25, the team began a 24/7 watch for more obvious signs, like tail flapping and abdominal contractions. Then, just after 12:30 a.m. on February 2, came a visible “bulge,” a sign the calf had entered the birth canal. Within 30 minutes, Nhi Linh’s water broke and the calf was born. The last Asian elephant born at the zoo was a male named Kandula, delivered in 2001. He left for the Oklahoma City Zoo in 2015. His mother, Shanthi, lived out her life at the National Zoo and passed away in 2020 at the age of 45. This time, it’s Nhi Linh’s turn — and so far, all signs point to her being a devoted mom once that first connection is made. “She’s alert. She’s listening,” said Clark. “And she’s the only one responding to her calf.” In a few short weeks, the zoo hopes mother and daughter will be inseparable — and ready to meet a public eager to say hello.

Read More

Could Giant Pelicans Return to British Skies? A New Plan Says Yes

The Dalmatian pelican, a massive bird with a wingspan of up to three metres, could one day return to Britain’s skies after being extinct for centuries. Nature restoration group RESTORE is studying whether it’s feasible to reintroduce the species to wetlands across England, including the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads, the Essex marshes, and the Somerset Levels. “Experts are of the view Britain is definitely worth exploring further [as to] whether the Dalmatian pelican could be reintroduced,” said Benedict MacDonald from RESTORE. Fossil records show that the species was once common in parts of Somerset, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Gloucestershire, and Yorkshire. But it disappeared from Britain during medieval times, mainly due to the draining of wetlands and hunting. “They were considered a very good source of food,” MacDonald added. The Dalmatian pelican is one of the largest flying birds in Europe. Worldwide, their population is estimated between 10,000 and 20,000, with the largest known colony found at Lake Mikri Prespa in northern Greece. For the species to survive in Britain again, it would need healthy wetlands, strong fish populations, and safe nesting areas. According to Rewilding Britain, the pelican’s return could also help drive large-scale wetland restoration, benefiting a range of wildlife and ecosystems. Giorgos Catsadorakis, chair of the pelican specialist group at the IUCN, said the return of the bird could be an important signal. “Healthy pelican populations could serve as a powerful indicator of successful wetland management,” he said. “Reflecting the care, coordination and long-term commitment needed to conserve these landscapes while supporting the many social, cultural and ecological benefits they provide.”

Read More

How This Canadian Ice Expert Delivered Italy Its Own 'Miracle On Ice' As Olympic Arena Opens

A month ago, the Milano Santagiulia hockey arena looked more like a construction site than a venue for Olympic dreams. Cranes loomed, drywall dust coated everything, and a broken-down car blocked the front entrance. Today, it holds one of the most pristine ice surfaces ever prepped for Olympic play — thanks to Don Moffatt, a 67-year-old ice master from Peterborough, Ontario. “I’ve never had a challenge like this,” Moffatt said. “I waited until the last possible second.” The job nearly broke him. Just last week, Moffatt was still unsure whether the surface would be playable. Dust and debris from the surrounding construction had crept into the rink, turning the ice grey. A test game earlier in the month was nearly a disaster. A hole opened up in the surface during the first period, forcing a mid-game repair that quickly went viral. Moffatt knew he had to start over. He shaved the surface all the way down to the refrigerant pipes and began again — layering it slowly, carefully. Then, just as his crew arrived to rebuild, construction delays struck again. The Zamboni room was flooded with muddy water. Undeterred, Moffatt pulled a 12-hour overnight shift, then returned after just two hours of sleep to paint fresh hockey markings and the Olympic logo at center ice. He followed with flood after flood until a new rink emerged. “That went just fabulously,” he said. “On Monday, I was 50-50. On Tuesday, I was more like 80-20.” Now? “I’m completely confident,” Moffatt said. “This ice is ready for the NHL.” The transformation has been nothing short of remarkable. Moffatt watched the French women’s team skate on it during practice and smiled. “It’s like a muscle. You need to break it down and then build it back stronger.” The women’s tournament opens later this week, with Czechia facing Switzerland. Despite the beautiful surface, there’s one quirk Moffatt can’t fix: the sound. Because the Santagiulia arena is actually a concert hall retrofitted for Olympic hockey, the refrigerant pipes sit on top of the concrete floor rather than embedded beneath it. That design gives the ice an unusual, almost hollow quality. “There’s nothing they’ve skated on that sounds like this,” Moffatt said. “It’s so loud. When the big guys are cutting corners, it sounds like they’re tearing the ice apart.” He plans to warn the teams. As drills buzzed and hammers echoed around the still-unfinished building, Moffatt stood in the middle of the arena, finally able to breathe. His fifth Olympics nearly broke him — but he made it. “I lost a lot of weight here,” he said, glancing up at the lights. “I somehow haven’t lost a lot of hair.” Construction workers were still wiping scuff marks from the glass and polishing counters that hadn’t existed a month ago. A brand-new scoreboard had just been installed, and a network of 60 cameras was in place to capture every angle of the action. The building might have been behind schedule, but Moffatt’s ice is ready. Forty-six years after the Americans stunned the world with a “Miracle on Ice,” Milan might be preparing for its own — with a little Canadian magic beneath their skates.

Read More

‘I Didn’t Know I Was Pregnant’: Woman Defies Odds After Childhood Cancer

Leah Cullen was 13 when she was told she’d never be able to carry a child. Doctors said the tailbone cancer she was being treated for would leave her infertile. Now 25, she’s a mom to a healthy one-year-old daughter named Aria. “I was in shock,” said Leah, from Blyth in Northumberland. “The nurse said ‘you didn’t tell me you were pregnant,’ and I said, ‘I didn’t know I was pregnant!’” In 2024, Leah had been experiencing bladder pain when a scan revealed she was already 30 weeks pregnant. She calls the moment she found out “pure joy.” Leah’s cancer treatment involved surgery and radiotherapy. It left her with long-term pain and mobility issues. She uses a wheelchair to leave the house and takes daily painkillers. But during her pregnancy, she had to stop the medication. “It was incredibly tough,” she said. “I was worried about how the drugs might affect her and at times I physically couldn’t move from the pain.” Aria was born in December 2024. She was healthy and showed no side effects from the pregnancy. Leah is now sharing her story as a spokesperson for Children with Cancer UK. The charity says 10 children are diagnosed with cancer every day in the UK. Two of those won’t survive. Of the eight who do, over half will face long-term and often life-limiting side effects. “Life after cancer is tough,” Leah said. “I struggled a lot with my mental health and at times you do feel ‘why me?’” She added: “Even at 13 I knew I wanted to have children, so to be told I couldn’t was incredibly difficult and it stayed with me.” Chief executive Gavin Maggs said: “We have to share stories like Leah’s which can help young people through their cancer journeys. We know that children can be left suffering with their mental health after cancer, but it’s important that they know they still have a life to lead.” Leah believes more open conversation could help. “You may think this is not the life I imagined growing up,” she said, “but it is a life and we’ve got to be so thankful.” “If someone had told me I’d be here with a one-year-old, I would have said that was impossible. Yet here I am, in the best place I’ve ever been. Things really can get better — not just in small ways, but in ways you never imagined.”

Read More