Goodable

What a heartwarming journey it has been for U.S. veterans and families making their way to Normandy on the northwest coast of France to honor the 80th anniversary of D-Day, a pivotal moment in history when the U.S. and Allied forces bravely invaded Europe during World War II back on June 6, 1944.

American Airlines went above and beyond by tracking down the last living World War II veterans, offering them flights to Normandy. On this special day earlier this week, there were only 68 heroes left who could embark on that incredible flight filled with gratitude and memories waiting to be made.

A group of remarkable individuals between ages 96 and 107 were preparing for an emotional return to a place where they once witnessed war's hardships as young adults. Before boarding their flight, these brave souls were celebrated with utmost respect.

Among those honored travelers was Jeanne Gibson at age 98 - one of three women veterans able to join this unforgettable trip. As part of the iconic "Rosie the Riveters," she played an essential role during WWII alongside millions who stepped up in support by taking crucial jobs like building war planes.

These courageous women shared stories about leaving college or stepping into unfamiliar roles at just eighteen years old - embodying resilience through challenging times. Despite all odds against them during wartime, they persevered with unwavering determination.

Women Veterans Returned to Normandy for the 80th Anniversary of D-Day

The Los Angeles Dodgers may have broken Toronto hearts with their dramatic World Series win, but their fans have turned the sting into something unexpected — kindness.

In a show of unexpected sportsmanship, Dodgers fans have donated over $30,000 to Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), transforming a fierce championship rivalry into a cross-border act of compassion.

The wave of generosity began with a simple idea. After the Dodgers beat the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7 to claim back-to-back titles, Jays fan Marcus Kim took to Reddit’s r/baseball community with a suggestion: the winning team’s supporters should donate to the losing city’s children’s hospital.

“Let’s offset the negativity generated by gamblers and enjoy the ride,” Kim wrote, referencing the online hostility and betting backlash that often follows major sporting events.

He then posted a $60 donation receipt to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles — the Blue Jays’ traditional pick when they win — and encouraged Dodgers fans to pay it forward in Toronto. The response was immediate.

Hundreds of Dodgers fans followed through, directing their money to SickKids and sharing receipts and messages of support. “Sending love from Los Angeles,” one donor wrote. Another added: “In the name of Alex Vesia. We are rivals, not enemies. Good health to you and yours. Go Dodgers.”

SickKids confirmed they received more than 400 donations from U.S.-based contributors, many with direct references to the Blue Jays, baseball, or even specific players.

“It has been a sweet surprise to see these U.S. donations come in,” said Sandra Chiovitti, director of public relations at SickKids. “So many reasons for us to smile after some tears last Saturday night.”

Some Dodgers fans donated symbolic amounts — $51, a nod to relief pitcher Alex Vesia, who stepped away from the series citing “deeply personal family matters.” The Blue Jays wore the number 51 on their hats during the series in solidarity. Vesia later revealed he was grieving the loss of his baby daughter.

The outpouring of support now marks a growing tradition. Just weeks earlier, after Toronto beat Seattle in the American League Championship, Jays fans sent donations to Seattle Children’s Hospital. Dodgers fans have now taken up the baton.

“Baseball fans turned a World Series rivalry — and heartbreaking loss — into hope for children’s health,” SickKids wrote in a post on X. “This will advance care, research and education for patients and families.”

The donations will go toward new technologies, equipment, and research at SickKids, which was recently named Newsweek’s No. 1 specialized pediatric hospital in the world for 2026.

Helen Cumberbatch, a Dodgers fan who contributed to the fundraiser, told the Toronto Star she hopes this becomes something bigger than a one-off. “I hope this movement becomes a lasting tradition,” she said.

If so, a tough loss for one city could continue to spark something far more meaningful: a win for kids everywhere.

Dodgers Fans Flood Toronto Children’s Hospital With Donations After World Series Win

Science Alert

Male dolphins off the coast of Western Australia are making waves with a surprising new look — sea sponge hats.

Researchers from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) recently captured images of Australian humpback dolphins (Sousa sahulensis) cruising through the Dampier Archipelago, each sporting a sponge perched on its head. But this isn’t just underwater accessorizing — it’s part of a flirtation ritual.

“Male humpback dolphins wear sea sponges on their heads as offerings to 'woo' females, a bit like offering a bunch of flowers,” the DBCA explained in a social media post.

The behavior has been spotted in a few specific areas along Western Australia’s coast — the Dampier Archipelago, Exmouth Gulf, and the Kimberley region further north. Dr. Hannah Raudino, a researcher involved in the study, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that the sponges come in “different shapes and sizes, different colours,” but all the sponge-wearing seems concentrated in this one corner of the world.

It’s a behavior distinct from what’s been seen in other dolphin species. Bottlenose dolphins, for instance, have been known to use sponges as tools — wedging them on their snouts to protect themselves while foraging in rough seabeds. But this headwear-as-courtship display appears to be unique to the Australian humpback dolphin.

These dolphins were only officially recognized as a distinct species in 2014 and are currently listed as vulnerable, with fewer than 10,000 adults estimated to remain in the wild. Habitat loss and coastal development — particularly tied to Western Australia’s mineral and petroleum industries — pose major threats to their survival.

“In Western Australia, and particularly the Pilbara region, habitat loss and degradation are likely the major threats to dolphins using coastal waters,” Raudino and colleagues noted in a 2023 study.

Which means that every bit of help these dolphins get in attracting a mate could be critical — even if it comes in the form of a sea sponge hat.

Whether it’s fashion or flirtation, scientists say it’s a behavior worth watching closely. Because if dolphins want to impress with a bold accessory choice, who are we to argue?

Dolphins Dazzle With Sea Sponge Hats In Western Australia To Woo Mates

Listening to music into old age may do more than lift your spirits — it could significantly reduce your risk of developing dementia.

That’s the finding from a new study out of Australia, where researchers followed nearly 11,000 adults aged 70 and older for at least three years. None had been diagnosed with dementia at the start of the study, and all were living independently in retirement communities. Participants were asked about their music habits, including how often they listened and whether they played an instrument.

Those who said they always listened to music were 39 percent less likely to develop dementia compared to those who rarely or never did. They also saw a 17 percent lower risk of developing milder cognitive impairments, and performed better on memory and general thinking tests.

Playing music also showed benefits. Participants who regularly picked up an instrument were 35 percent less likely to develop dementia. And those who did both — listening and playing — saw a 33 percent reduced risk of dementia overall, along with a 22 percent reduced risk of other cognitive decline.

“Music activities may be an accessible strategy for maintaining cognitive health in older adults,” said Emma Jaffa, a public health researcher at Monash University and lead author of the study. Still, she cautioned that the study shows a correlation, not direct causation.

The study, published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, suggests that musical engagement could be a low-cost, widely accessible form of mental stimulation — especially as populations age.

“Listening to music activates a whole range of regions across your brain,” said Joanne Ryan, the study’s senior author and a neuropsychiatric epidemiologist at Monash. “That cognitive stimulation is beneficial to help reduce your risk of dementia.”

The effect appeared strongest in participants with more years of education, particularly those with 16 years or more. For those with 12 to 15 years of education, the results were less consistent.

Even so, researchers say the message is clear: keeping music in your life — whether it’s through headphones or a piano bench — could help protect your brain as you age.

Listening To Music In Old Age Could Slash Dementia Risk By 40 Percent, Study Finds

People

Malin Akerman says turning 40 didn’t slow her down — it made her feel powerful.

Speaking at Variety’s Power of Women event in Beverly Hills, the 47-year-old actress told PEOPLE she’s stepping into her current decade with confidence and clarity. “Being in my 40s makes me feel powerful,” she said. “Life lessons [and] wisdom that only comes with years of experience.”

Akerman said one of the biggest shifts that’s come with age is learning how to stop being a people-pleaser. “Growing up, I was such a people pleaser and said yes to many, many things and didn't know how to set boundaries,” she explained. “Setting boundaries and standing in my own power and knowing that I'm worth it has really been a great lesson.”

She also shared her advice for other women: show up for each other. “Support your fellow ladies, because if you do we can rule the whole freaking world — so you know, be an ally,” she said.

Akerman credited her growth in part to the people she surrounds herself with, saying the right support system can boost self-confidence and bring out the best in everyone. That dynamic was on full display during her time filming The Hunting Wives, where she and co-star Brittany Snow supported one another through a vulnerable scene.

At the She Sees Me: The Power of Female Friendship event in October, Akerman recalled the moment before shooting their first intimate scene. Both actors, she said, were feeling the pressure of unrealistic beauty standards.

“We're so used to dissecting our own bodies and looking in the mirror and finding all the things that were wrong... and it's terrible,” Akerman said. She then turned to Snow and said, “Britt, you know what? We're beautiful. We've worked hard for these bodies. We've worked hard our whole lives and you're a beautiful person.”

She told her co-star, “Let’s just go out there and have a great time — as much as you can with all these cameramen. It's a weird time, but let’s just be in it together and support each other right now.”

Akerman described the moment as “beautiful” and credited the entire Hunting Wives cast and crew for creating a safe and encouraging atmosphere on set. “This set specifically has been so — it's been so important to have these relationships work [off screen] because of the intimacy of the relationships on screen,” she said. “There’s this support group between every take, and everyone just wants everyone to win.”

Malin Akerman Overcomes 'People-Pleaser' Tendencies, Feels Powerful in Her 40s

Science Daily

In the blistering heat of California’s Death Valley, where summer temperatures often soar past 49°C, most plants wither within hours. But one native species, Tidestromia oblongifolia, doesn’t just survive — it thrives.

Now, scientists at Michigan State University believe this desert plant could hold the key to building crops that can withstand extreme heat in a warming world. In a study published in Current Biology, researchers found that T. oblongifolia not only resists high temperatures, it grows faster in them — tripling its biomass in just 10 days under Death Valley-like conditions.

“This is the most heat-tolerant plant ever documented,” said Seung Yon “Sue” Rhee, a Research Foundation Professor at MSU’s Plant Resilience Institute.

The study’s lead author, research specialist Karine Prado, said the team struggled at first to get the seeds to germinate. “When we first brought these seeds back to the lab, we were fighting just to get them to grow,” she said. But when they replicated the desert’s searing heat and intense light in custom-built growth chambers, the plants flourished.

Unlike other species known for their heat tolerance — which stopped growing entirely under those same conditions — T. oblongifolia quickly adapted. In only two days, it recalibrated its photosynthetic “comfort zone,” efficiently producing energy even as temperatures hit 45°C.

Using a mix of genomic analysis, physiological tests, and live imaging, the team discovered how the plant reorganizes its internal machinery to beat the heat. Mitochondria, which produce energy, reposition themselves closer to chloroplasts, the site of photosynthesis. Meanwhile, the chloroplasts morph into unusual cup-like shapes never before seen in higher plants, possibly helping the plant recycle carbon dioxide more efficiently.

At the genetic level, thousands of genes rapidly adjust their activity within a day of exposure. These include genes responsible for protecting proteins, membranes, and photosynthetic systems from thermal damage. One key change is a surge in production of Rubisco activase, an enzyme that keeps photosynthesis running smoothly at high temperatures.

That kind of adaptation is increasingly relevant. Global temperatures are expected to rise by up to 5°C by the end of the century. Even now, heatwaves are reducing yields of major food crops like wheat, maize, and soybeans.

“T. oblongifolia shows us that plants have the capacity to adapt to extreme temperatures,” Rhee said. “If we can learn how to replicate those mechanisms in crops, it could transform agriculture in a hotter world.”

Until recently, most plant biology research has focused on model organisms like rice, maize, and Arabidopsis — species chosen for their ease of cultivation, not their resilience. Rhee believes that approach is due for a change.

“Desert plants have spent millions of years solving the challenges we’re only beginning to face,” she said. “We finally have the tools, such as genomics, high-resolution live imaging, and systems biology, to learn from them. What we need now is broader support to pursue this kind of research.”

Her team is already working on applying the insights from T. oblongifolia to more common food crops, looking for ways to transfer its heat-tolerance at the genetic and cellular level.

“This research doesn’t just tell us how one desert plant beats the heat,” said Prado. “It gives us a roadmap for how all plants might adapt to a changing climate.”

Desert Plant Offers Clues for Heat-Resistant Crops in a Warming World

BBC News

When David Turner had a stroke, he couldn’t speak for two months. Now, he says, “I sing and sing and sing.”

Turner is one of several stroke survivors in West Sussex who meet regularly in the small town of Cuckfield for group singing sessions — a routine that’s done more than lift spirits. For many of them, singing has literally brought their voices back.

Roughly one in three people in the UK experience aphasia after a stroke, a condition that can impact their ability to speak, read, write, or understand language. But a growing body of research suggests that music may offer a path to recovery. That’s because speech and singing are handled by different parts of the brain — and in some cases, patients can sing clearly even when they can’t talk.

“A third of stroke survivors were able to sing clearly before they could speak after their stroke,” said Tara Lakin of The Stroke Association. According to the charity’s own survey, two-thirds of survivors said singing or music had significantly improved their ability to communicate.

For Turner, singing has been a lifeline. “When I worked through the stroke, I couldn’t speak for two months,” he said. “And I come to this, and I sing and sing and sing.”

Another member of the group, Keith Denyer, said singing unlocks memories in ways everyday speech does not. “I can't remember what I had for lunch yesterday,” he said, “but I can remember the words from songs from three or four years ago.”

Experts say that’s not unusual. Singing can activate neural pathways that aren't affected by a stroke, allowing the brain to “route around” damaged areas. It also offers other benefits — building confidence, improving mood, and creating a sense of connection in group settings.

In the UK, someone has a stroke every five minutes. That adds up to around 100,000 strokes each year, and more than 1.4 million people living with the aftermath.

For some, that aftermath includes aphasia and a long, uncertain road to recovery. But for survivors like Turner and Denyer, music is more than therapy. It’s a second chance — and a way to be heard.

This Stroke Survivor Found His Voice Through Singing After Losing His Speech – Here's How

Fox News

Notre Dame Cathedral is once again bustling with life.

Less than a year out from its official reopening, the iconic Parisian landmark is drawing millions — and on pace to shatter attendance records. By August alone, the cathedral had already welcomed eight million people through its doors, and it’s projected to reach 12 million by the end of the year, with some forecasts reaching as high as 15 million.

“We are certainly the most visited monument and cathedral in France,” said Michel Picaud, president of the Friends of Notre-Dame de Paris, the nonprofit spearheading global fundraising efforts for the restoration. “We are very happy [about] that.”

The renewed energy comes in the wake of a tragedy that captured global attention. On April 15, 2019, a massive fire tore through Notre Dame’s roof and interior, causing parts of the structure to collapse and leaving one of the world’s most famous cathedrals badly scarred. The damage was extensive, requiring a years-long effort to rebuild not just the physical structure, but the spiritual and cultural center it represents.

Originally built over nearly two centuries — starting in 1163 and completed in the 14th century — Notre Dame has undergone several transformations. It was modified in the 18th century, restored again in the 19th, and now, in the 21st, it's in the middle of one of its most ambitious rebuilds yet.

Picaud, whose organization has been central to the international campaign to restore Notre Dame, said the work so far has focused on the interior. That meant replacing everything lost or damaged in the fire: a new altar, a new baptismal font, new seating, and a new reliquary for the Crown of Thorns — one of Christianity’s most revered relics.

Next comes the outside. A four-year project is now underway to restore the cathedral’s striking gothic features, including the famous flying buttresses, gargoyles, grotesques, and other intricate stonework that give Notre Dame its unmistakable silhouette.

New stained-glass windows will also be added during the exterior phase, Picaud said.

Despite the ongoing restoration, Notre Dame has resumed its role as both a place of worship and a major tourist destination. Religious services are held daily, and the cathedral is open to visitors throughout the day — though the number of people allowed inside adjusts depending on whether a service is in progress.

The tower visit, a favorite among tourists, reopened in September. Climbing its 424 steps brings visitors to the top of the 226-foot structure, offering what Picaud called a “wonderful view of Paris.” The new spire, now reaching 315 feet, adds to the breathtaking panorama.

As it nears the one-year anniversary of its grand reopening, Notre Dame isn’t just rising from the ashes — it’s thriving. And the people are coming back.

Notre Dame Cathedral Celebrates Successful Year After Reopening, Attracting Millions of Visitors

When Jessica Whited’s Harvard lab lost nearly all its government funding, the future of her groundbreaking axolotl research was suddenly in doubt.

Her team at the Harvard Stem Cell Institute had been studying the salamander famous for its almost mythical ability to regrow limbs — a trait scientists hope could one day lead to breakthroughs in human limb regeneration. But months ago, federal funding cuts left the lab in a precarious position.

Then came an unexpected lifeline — from a six-year-old in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Marianne Cullen, a bright-eyed first-grader with a deep love for axolotls, learned about the lab’s work and decided she wasn’t going to sit idly by.

“There’s more to them than just being cute,” she told CBS News. “They can grow back any limb… and there’s way other animals that need saving, but this one is my destiny to save.”

Marianne took matters into her own hands. She created a PowerPoint presentation, launched a fundraiser, and raised $1,000 for Whited’s lab.

Her parents, Kathleen and Robert Cullen, were floored — but not entirely surprised. “She said, ‘I want to raise money for axolotls,’” her dad recalled. “She took it kind of to the next level, honestly,” her mom added.

For Whited and her team, it was more than a donation. It was a jolt of energy at a time when morale was low.

“It definitely had a positive effect on everyone in the lab,” Whited said. “Everybody was just flabbergasted.”

She wasn’t exaggerating. It wasn’t the amount that struck them — it was the source. “Sometimes you know who’s fighting for you in life, and sometimes you don’t,” Whited said. “And that’s always the time when you just pause and be like, ‘Wow.’”

Since then, a federal court ruling reinstated the lab’s funding — though it’s still unclear whether that decision will hold. But whatever happens, Whited says Marianne’s gift will continue to motivate her team.

Marianne, meanwhile, remains committed. When asked why she felt responsible for the axolotls, she replied simply: “Not a lot of people get how important it is to save this animal.”

At six years old, she may be the youngest donor Harvard has ever had — but she just might be the one with the biggest heart.

Six-Year-Old Girl Saves Harvard's Axolotl Research With a Heartfelt Donation

Sunny Skyz

For nearly ten years, Staten Island’s Andy has quietly become a local icon — not for what he sells, but for how he shows up.

Six days a week, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Andy pushes his candy cart up and down Hylan Boulevard, often in challenging weather, always with a smile. Living with cerebral palsy, a condition that affects his motor skills, speech, and coordination, he still logs more than 50 hours a week, treating the sidewalk like a full-time job — and his customers like old friends.

Now, the community that Andy has inspired is giving back.

Jennifer Remauro, a Staten Island resident who says Andy reminds her of her late brother who also had cerebral palsy, launched a GoFundMe campaign to show Andy just how much he’s appreciated.

“This isn’t charity,” she wrote. “It’s an investment in someone who is truly spectacular.”

Remauro’s words struck a chord. Within days, the fundraiser surged past $30,000.

Andy has been a fixture at the intersection of Narrows Road South and Hylan Boulevard for nearly a decade. His day starts at 5:30 a.m. — loading his cart, heading to his corner, and setting up for a full day of work. It hasn’t always been easy. He’s faced robberies, bitter winters, and a pandemic that temporarily wiped out his commuter base. But he never stopped showing up.

What started as a man selling snacks became something more. Over the years, he’s built a quiet web of community — commuters who wave, kids who stop for candy, and neighbors who simply admire his resolve.

Now, Remauro wants Andy to receive something he rarely takes: a break. She hopes the money will allow him to enjoy a small vacation, treat himself, or just rest knowing how many people are rooting for him.

She plans to deliver every dollar and every message of encouragement to Andy personally before Christmas. “Your contribution is more than just money,” she wrote. “It’s a message of respect and appreciation that he will be able to read and cherish.”

After years of pushing through with quiet determination, Andy’s getting pushed forward by something else: gratitude.

Community Raises $30K To Support Candy Vendor With Cerebral Palsy Working 6 Days A Week

CNBC

Sonia Raman didn’t plan to become a professional basketball coach — let alone make history doing it.

For years, she was deep in the world of corporate law, armed with a doctorate from Boston College and a steady job at Fidelity’s risk and compliance division. Coaching was just a side passion, something she fit in during evenings at Wellesley College or over the summers. But in 2008, she took what she calls a “calculated risk” — and walked away from law to pursue coaching full time.

That leap has now landed her one of the top jobs in women’s basketball. On October 28, Raman, 51, was named head coach of the WNBA’s Seattle Storm, becoming the first Indian American head coach in league history.

“I actually really loved my day job at Fidelity,” she told CNBC, “but I think [my] passion was with coaching. Basketball just kept pulling me back in.”

That pull started in college. Raman had walked onto the Division III team at Tufts University, but a major injury sidelined her junior year. Rather than tune out, she leaned in — breaking down game film, studying opponents, and offering her teammates notes. “My love of the game started to really evolve into the lens of a coach,” she said.

After college, coaching remained in her life — sometimes youth teams, sometimes college squads — even as she pursued law school and climbed the corporate ladder. By day, she advised nonprofits on retirement plans. By night, she raced from the office to the gym, changing clothes in the car and diving into practice.

For years, that dual life worked. But when MIT offered a unique opportunity — a head coach role paired with compliance responsibilities — Raman took the plunge. The pay cut was steep, but the impact, she said, was priceless.

“I felt like I was betting on myself,” she said. “I also just felt like I was impacting people’s lives in a way that was much more fulfilling to me than anything I had done before.”

She coached 12 seasons at MIT, earning two conference coach of the year titles, before making another bold move — joining the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies in 2020 as an assistant coach. From there, she moved to the WNBA’s New York Liberty before being tapped to lead the Storm this fall.

Raman said leaving her legal career was the hardest decision she’s ever made — but one that challenged her to live by the same mindset she preaches to her players.

“If I’m going to preach a growth mindset, if I’m going to preach getting better every day and embracing failure,” she said, “then I need to live that.”

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