Goodable

Over 60 heroes who fought in D-Day have landed in Paris, France, for a special anniversary celebration. The vets received a warm and heartfelt hero’s welcome upon arrival at the airport, with American flags waving and cheers filling the air.

These brave men, some as old as 107 years old, were greeted by a large crowd. They even had the chance to stand proudly while The Star-Spangled Banner played in their honor. Thanks to American Airlines and The Gary Sinise Foundation's sponsorship, a total of 70 WWII veterans were able to participate in this incredible event.

“We’re honored to play a part in helping this group of heroic veterans return to Normandy,” said AA COO David Seymour enthusiastically. After enjoying a special parade held just for them at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport before heading off on their journey across the Atlantic Ocean.

During their time in France, these amazing individuals will explore Paris before making their way to Normandy where they will visit historical sites and take part in ceremonies honoring all those who served during World War II. And on June 6th - D-Day - there will be an unforgettable ceremony at Normandy American Cemetery where almost 9400 U.S servicemen rest after bravely fighting alongside French forces against German occupation.

WWII Vets Arrived In France to a Hero’s Welcome 80 Years After Fighting In D-Day

A century-old Inuvialuit kayak that has spent decades locked away in the Vatican Museums is finally going home — part of a long-awaited gesture of reconciliation between the Catholic Church and Indigenous communities in Canada.

The fragile vessel, made of driftwood and sealskin, was collected nearly 100 years ago from the Western Arctic and shipped to Rome for a Vatican world exhibition in 1925. For decades, it sat in storage, one of thousands of Indigenous artifacts held by the Church. Now, after years of pressure and quiet negotiations, it’s set to return to Canada before the end of the year.

Sources told CBC that the Vatican and the Canadian Catholic Church are finalizing an agreement to repatriate the kayak and several other Indigenous items, including a Haida Gwaii face mask, beaded moccasins, birch bark etchings, and an ivory-and-sealskin sculpture of a dog sled. The deal is being facilitated by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB).

In a statement, the CCCB said it has been “working closely with Indigenous Peoples on key issues of significance, including artifacts, many of which are currently in the care of the Vatican Museums,” and supports returning them to their “originating communities.” The formal announcement is expected soon from the Holy See.

The Vatican will transfer the artifacts to the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Quebec, where experts will verify their condition and origins. A committee of Indigenous representatives will then help determine where the items should ultimately reside.

According to a Vatican source, the handoff will be structured as a “church-to-church” donation, echoing the model used when the Vatican returned fragments of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece in 2023. This approach allows the Vatican to avoid setting a precedent for returning objects directly to governments or nations.

The kayak and other items were first sent to Rome as part of a vast ethnological exhibition organized by Pope Pius XI, who asked missionaries to collect “examples of Indigenous life” from around the world. More than 100,000 objects arrived, many taken during an era of forced conversion and cultural suppression — including the period when Catholic-run residential schools operated in Canada.

For Indigenous leaders, the return is far more than symbolic. It’s a deeply emotional act tied to survival, memory, and justice.

“Every single one of those artifacts are sacred items, crucial for the healing journey for many residential school survivors,” said Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Chief Bobby Cameron in an interview earlier this year.

Cameron’s organization, which represents Saskatchewan’s First Nations, has repeatedly urged the Vatican to return ceremonial items such as pipes and regalia. He renewed those calls this year after the election of Pope Leo XIV.

The move follows a broader shift within the Church. After Pope Francis’s 2022 visit to Canada — where he apologized for the Church’s role in residential schools — both Canadian and Vatican officials have discussed concrete steps toward reconciliation. Last year, the Vatican also formally repudiated the Doctrine of Discovery, the 15th-century edict once used to justify colonization.

Still, some academics note that many of these so-called “gifts” to the Vatican were collected under duress. McGill University art historian Gloria Bell told CBC that some may have been seized during the federal potlatch ban, which outlawed traditional ceremonies in Canada from 1885 to 1951.

The return of the fragile kayak — one of only five known to exist — is expected within weeks. For the Inuvialuit and other Indigenous communities, it’s not just the recovery of an artifact, but the restoration of a story that was taken from them.

As Cameron put it, these objects “belong to the people — and bringing them home is part of our healing.”

Vatican Museums Return Indigenous Artifacts To Canada

Twice a week, nearly every week, four longtime friends lace up their sneakers and head to Westlake Country Club in Texas for a tennis match that’s been going strong for almost 50 years.

They don’t play for points. Or titles. They play for laughs, companionship — and because, as 102-year-old Richard Baughn puts it, “We’re older than dirt but still above it.”

The foursome, all in their late 80s and 90s, has a combined age of 378 years. There’s Baughn, the oldest of the group and self-appointed “Geezer 1.” Then there’s Ed Edenburg, “Geezer 2,” who’s turning 96 soon. Dr. Mike O’Brien, at 89, is the “baby” of the group.

“This is a pretty fast crowd I run with here,” O’Brien jokes. “I’m just Junior.”

Baughn and Edenburg go back more than seven decades. “Ed and I were fighter pilots together,” Baughn said. “Seventy-two years ago, we started.”

Baughn served in World War II and later retired as a general. Now, decades removed from war zones and military life, he’s cracking jokes on the sidelines of a sunlit court with lifelong friends.

They’ve been showing up for each other — and for tennis — for nearly five decades.

And it’s not just about exercise.

“It’s great therapy for old people,” Baughn said. “Especially people my age. I just lost my wife about three years ago, and tennis helped.”

Studies have shown tennis can add nearly 10 years to your life. Baughn figures that’s good news, since, as he puts it, “we don’t really eat much healthy food… we eat preservatives.”

The court might not be the place for deep conversation — “we normally don’t have much conversation because we can’t hear,” Baughn said — but there’s no shortage of laughter.

“I hope that’s just water in there,” O’Brien teased Baughn during a break. “No Kickapoo Juice?”

And as for pickleball — the sport quickly gaining popularity among retirees — Baughn isn’t quite sold.

“Maybe when I get a little older, I might,” he deadpanned.

O’Brien, never one to miss a joke, added that a series about their tennis sessions would be perfect to help people fall asleep.

“People always say they can’t get to sleep. Put something like this on, and they’re out,” he said.

“It might entertain a nursing home,” Baughn added.

Tennis has long been one of America’s most popular sports, with more than 23 million people playing each year, according to the U.S. Tennis Association.

For this group, it’s more than just a hobby — it’s a lifeline. A weekly reminder of their shared history, of jokes that never get old, and of friendships that can last a lifetime.

Baughn even wrote a book about his time as a 19-year-old fighter pilot. It’s called The Hellish Vortex.

But out on the court, the stories aren’t about war or medals. They’re about backhands, banter, and beating the odds — one rally at a time.

102-Year-Old Tennis Player Inspires Others On The Court

CGTN

In a major breakthrough for transplant medicine, Chinese surgeons have successfully transplanted a gene-edited pig liver into a living human patient, who went on to survive 171 days — almost six months — after the operation.

The historic procedure, detailed this month in the Journal of Hepatology, represents a major step forward in solving one of medicine’s toughest challenges: the severe global shortage of donor organs.

The transplant was performed by a surgical team at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, working with researchers from Yunnan Agricultural University, who engineered the donor pig.

According to the report, the pig underwent 10 separate gene modifications. Scientists removed three genes responsible for triggering rapid antibody-mediated rejection in pigs and added seven human genes designed to improve immune compatibility and reduce the risk of blood clots.

The surgery took place on May 17, 2024, on a 71-year-old patient suffering from a liver tumor that could not be removed. Rather than replacing the patient’s original liver, the team transplanted the pig organ as an auxiliary liver — an additional organ meant to support the native liver’s function.

It was not the first attempt at a pig-to-human liver transplant in China. A month earlier, researchers at Xijing Hospital of the Air Force Medical University in Xi’an had transplanted a genetically modified pig liver into a brain-dead patient as a preclinical test.

In the Anhui case, results were promising at first. For 31 days after surgery, the patient showed no signs of acute rejection, and the pig liver functioned effectively. But on day 38, doctors discovered a serious blood-clotting condition in the small vessels of the transplanted organ, forcing its removal.

Despite the setback, the patient continued to live for several months afterward, ultimately passing away on day 171 from gastrointestinal bleeding.

While the operation did not save the patient’s life long-term, experts say it marks an extraordinary proof of concept — showing for the first time that a gene-edited pig liver can support a living human for a clinically significant period.

“This operation does not yet open the door to widespread clinical use of pig livers,” a review in the Journal of Hepatology noted. “But it does establish proof-of-concept that such grafts can function in humans.”

The achievement places xenotransplantation — the transplantation of organs between species — on firmer scientific ground. Researchers hope it could soon serve as a “bridge therapy”, keeping patients alive while they await scarce human donor organs.

As the science advances, the case underscores what may soon be possible: a future where no patient dies waiting for a transplant.

World’s First Gene-Edited Pig Liver Transplant Keeps Human Patient Alive for Nearly Six Months

Talker News

A British couple fell so deeply in love with an injured street dog in Morocco that they drove more than 5,000 miles and spent $4,000 to bring her home to the UK.

Sam and Phil Simpson, from Heswall in Merseyside, were visiting a rescue centre during their trip to Morocco when they met Naya, a five-month-old puppy who had been hit by a car. The accident shattered one of her front legs, leaving her unable to walk properly.

Despite her painful injuries, Naya tried to greet the couple, hopping determinedly on her back legs while her twisted front legs dragged beneath her. “Naya was desperately trying to come over to us when we met her,” Sam, 57, said. “She kept falling on her face, but you could just see how determined she was. Over time, she’s built up the muscles in her back legs so she can hop around. We just knew we couldn’t leave her.”

Sam, who runs a kennel facility in Wirral and has rescued animals for years, said she and her husband Phil, 52, immediately decided to adopt Naya. What followed was an international rescue mission that took months of planning.

It took three months for the puppy to get her vaccinations and travel paperwork. Then, in September, the couple and a friend, Tom Craven, set off from Heswall on a 5,000-mile round trip to Morocco to bring Naya home.

The adoption fee was just $200, but the journey itself — including fuel and accommodation — came to nearly $4,000. “To bring Naya home was quite emotional,” Sam said. “She’s so loved, she really is.”

Now safe in the UK, Naya has joined the couple’s growing family of rescues — four pugs, two sight hounds, and a Labrador. “She’s such a gentle soul and she absolutely loves meeting people,” Sam said. “As soon as she sees someone new, her tail starts wagging.”

But Naya’s journey to recovery isn’t over yet. A recent veterinary scan revealed that surgery performed in Morocco hadn’t fully healed her leg. “Her right leg was pinned back, but the pin has failed to work and the fracture is still there,” Sam explained. “At the top of the leg there’s a twisted bone that isn’t sitting in the elbow socket properly. The vet also thinks her paw is contorted, so that’s going to need a lot of physio.”

The couple has already spent thousands on Naya’s care and expect another $5,000 in surgery and rehabilitation costs. “The CT scan was nearly $2,000 alone,” Sam said. “We’ve been given a rough estimate for the bone being put back in place — it will cost between $4,000 and $5,000.”

To help cover the expenses, they’ve launched an online fundraiser. Their hope is to give Naya the chance to walk and play again. “It would be amazing to see her walk,” Sam said. “Even if we can only save one leg, it would make all the difference for her.”

For now, Naya is learning what it means to be loved and safe — something she never had on the streets. And for the Simpsons, every mile and every penny has been worth it.

Why This Couple Drove 5,000 Miles and Spent $4,000 to Rescue an Injured Puppy from Morocco

Adorable video shows Washington State Patrol (WSP) officers rescuing a frightened kitten trapped on a highway in Tacoma.

WSP received word of a kitten stuck on the southbound side of a Tacoma highway on Wednesday morning, they said in a post. After arriving on scene the officers found the kitten hiding in the nook of a concrete barrier.

Footage released by WSP shows two officers scoop the kitten off the road and drive it to the vet. According to the agency one of the officers “agreed to care for” the little feline after the vet visit.

Adorable video shows Washington State Patrol (WSP) officers rescuing a frightened kitten trapped on a highway in Tacoma.WSP received word of a kitten stuck on the southbound side of a Tacoma highway on Wednesday morning, they said in a post. After arriving on scene the officers found the kitten hiding in the nook of a concrete barrier.Footage released by WSP shows two officers scoop the kitten off the road and drive it to the vet. According to the agency one of the officers “agreed to care for” the little feline after the vet visit.

Washington State Patrol Officers Rescue Frightened Kitten From Tacoma Highway

GoodGoodGood

As floods, storms, and rising seas force more people from their homes, architects around the world are reimagining what “safe housing” means in an age of climate change.

In Sweden, one architecture firm has taken that challenge quite literally — by building a house that lifts itself off the ground.

Ulf Mejergren Architects (UMA) unveiled the Lift House, a red, storybook-style cottage mounted on a scissor lift, at the Swedish Center for Architecture and Design. What looks whimsical at first glance is actually a striking concept: a small, mobile refuge that can rise above floodwaters or unstable terrain.

“Lift House is a mobile refuge — a small house mounted on a scissor lift that can be raised when needed,” the architects said in a statement. “In an era of increasing downpours, record rainfall, and sudden weather shifts, the work explores what it means to live in a state of constant emergency. What do we choose to take with us? How do we live when the ground beneath us can no longer be trusted?”

The structure isn’t designed for permanent living, at least not yet. Instead, it’s meant to spark conversation about how architecture can adapt to environmental change — and what flexibility might look like in future homes.

The project draws on research from Linköping University, which defines three main strategies for managing risk in uncertain environments: protection, adaptation, and retreat. UMA adds a fourth idea to that framework — temporary retreat — describing Lift House as “a gesture of flexibility when the ground fails, a home that can rise, move, and offer security in motion.”

The team built the prototype from a repurposed industrial scissor lift found at the design center, highlighting sustainability and reuse as key to future-proof construction. Engineers carefully balanced the structure to account for the lift’s modest weight capacity — just 227 kilograms, or about 500 pounds.

That technical limitation makes Lift House more symbolic than practical for now. But the point, according to the designers, is to push boundaries. “Building a more resilient society demands major investment, but also the courage and willingness to think differently,” the Swedish Center for Architecture and Design said in a statement. “Municipalities, property owners, landlords, and homeowners alike may need to invest in swift, smart, and long-term solutions. What happens if we fail to act?”

In a world where weather disasters are growing faster than housing systems can adapt, Lift House offers a small but powerful reminder: resilience might start with a willingness to rise — in every sense of the word.

Swedish Architects Unveil Innovative "Lift House" for Future Climate Challenges

People

Two years ago, Zach Bauchou gave up his chance to qualify for the PGA Tour to be with his wife during the birth of their first child. This month, he finally earned that spot — with both of his kids by his side.

The 29-year-old golfer from Virginia finished the 2025 Korn Ferry Tour season ranked No. 11, securing one of 30 coveted PGA Tour cards for next season. “It sounds so cliché, but you can just never give up,” Bauchou told PGATour.com, holding his two sons after sealing his spot. “I think the best players are on the PGA Tour, so it’ll be really cool to play against the best players in the world now. I’m excited for the year for sure.”

Bauchou’s story isn’t the typical rise through golf’s ranks. In 2023, during the final round of the Korn Ferry Tour qualifying season, he walked away from competition to rush home to his wife, Victoria, who had gone into labor with their son James. He made it just in time for the birth, missing his last shot that year at making the PGA Tour.

At the time, the decision seemed like the end of the road. He finished three spots short of qualifying and began planning for a different life — one that would let him stay closer to home. “I was going to quit because of that,” he said. “It’s a lot of traveling. I feel like it educated me in a way, which was good. Even though I didn’t play well, I still got something from it... I was excited about [coaching]. I enjoyed my time in college and would have enjoyed trying to help guys get better.”

Bauchou, who was part of Oklahoma State University’s 2018 national championship team, nearly traded the tour grind for a college coaching job. But last spring, he decided to take one final shot at his dream — and everything changed.

He put together one of the best stretches of his professional career, recording four top-10 finishes and 11 top-25s through the season. Then came the breakthrough: a win at the Simmons Bank Open that vaulted him up the rankings and essentially guaranteed his PGA Tour card. “It means a lot,” he said after the victory. “It’s been a long season, and I feel like I’ve gotten better throughout, so it’s nice to show that this week and see some good results so far.”

By qualifying, Bauchou became the last member of Oklahoma State’s 2018 NCAA championship starting lineup to reach the PGA Tour — joining names like Viktor Hovland, who went on to become one of golf’s brightest stars.

“He’s incredible,” Hovland told PGATour.com. “He had some tough times after school, really struggled with the driving yips for a while. [I’m] really proud that he’s able to turn that around. He deserves to make it.”

Next season, Bauchou and Hovland will once again find themselves walking the same fairways — only now as PGA Tour competitors.

For Bauchou, who once gave up golf’s biggest opportunity for family, the reward feels that much sweeter. “You can just never give up,” he said — a lesson he’s lived as much as he’s learned.

Golfer Who Quit PGA Dream to Attend Son’s Birth Finally Earns Tour Card Two Years Later

In 2003, a third-grade boy named Charles Frey put on his best clothes and went to his teacher’s wedding. Twenty-two years later, that same teacher, Katie French, found herself doing the exact same thing—only this time, she was the guest.

Frey, who was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, says French was the first teacher who made him believe he could truly succeed. “I did not believe I could be an academic success or achieve whatever I wanted,” Frey told NBC affiliate KSDK. “But Katie French changed my belief entirely.”

Back in 2003, French was just starting her teaching career at Avery Elementary School in Webster Groves, Missouri. She invited her entire third-grade class to her wedding, a gesture that left a big impression on Frey. “She really cared about me despite the learning difficulties I had,” said Frey, now training to become a paramedic.

French remembers him vividly. “He was this tiny little guy with light blonde hair,” she told KSDK. “He was a little bit shy back then, but he could come out of his shell.” Frey even had her again the following year for fourth grade, something he said he was “very happy about.”

So when it came time for Frey’s own wedding in 2025, he decided to return the favor. His fiancée had invited three teachers who made an impact on her life, and Frey immediately thought of French.

When the invitation arrived at her home, French said she was taken aback. “I was shocked because it came to my house. Seeing that it was from a former student was really cool,” she told KSDK.

Along with the invitation, Frey included a heartfelt letter thanking her for everything she’d done for him. “It was amazing to me how much he remembered,” French said. “It feels really great.”

When the big day came, French joined Frey’s family and friends to watch him say “I do.” The two posed for a smiling photo at the reception, teacher and student reunited after more than two decades.

Now nearing retirement after more than 20 years at Avery Elementary, French says the gesture reminded her why she became a teacher in the first place. “You become like a family to your students,” she said. “You share little bits of yourself and get to know each other.”

For Frey, that connection never faded. A simple invitation closed the loop on a bond that began with kindness, belief, and a third-grade classroom in Missouri.

Former Student Invites Beloved Teacher to Wedding 22 Years After Attending Hers

BBC News

For 92-year-old Bessie Watts, a spin in a McLaren wasn’t just a thrill — it was a birthday gift that made her grandson, a devoted McLaren fan, green with envy. “He will be spitting feathers,” she laughed, “but grandma got there first.”

Watts is one of many elderly passengers who’ve been treated to luxury supercar rides thanks to Granborghini, a community initiative aimed at combating loneliness among older people.

The project was founded by 36-year-old Mark Cody from Sheffield, who was inspired to act after losing his grandmother to suicide at the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her death, he said, was the result of deep loneliness and isolation.

“My promise to her was always to take her out in a Lamborghini and the opportunity never came,” Cody said. “So I thought I’d love to be able to exist to stop someone being in the situation that my nan was in.”

The idea was simple but powerful: offer older people the chance to experience the joy, excitement, and connection that comes with a ride in a high-performance vehicle — for free.

So far, it’s working.

“We’ve had people step out of the car and say, ‘I feel like a rock star,’ or ‘I feel 20 years younger,’” Cody said. “It’s so heart-warming and overwhelming emotionally to see people’s reactions.”

The rides are made possible by a growing network of generous car owners who donate their time — and their cars — to take part. Models include Ferraris, Lamborghinis, McLarens, and other dream machines most people only ever see in movies.

“We've obviously got to balance it with the safety and speed limits,” said Cody. “But where we can, we do go up to the speed limit. The exhilaration they get from the acceleration is brilliant to see.”

Passenger Betty Tynan, 82, had her first-ever ride in a Lamborghini. “It’s made our lives, doing this,” she said. “They’ve got a good few cars here and I’m hoping to get in every one.”

Robin Gibbons, the owner of the McLaren that took Bessie for a spin, said signing up for Granborghini was an easy decision. “You buy these cars to make people smile,” he said. “And that’s the value for me.”

The initiative is about more than speed. It’s about connection — giving people a reason to get out, share a laugh, and feel alive again, even if only for a few minutes.

Cody says his late grandmother would be proud. And for the passengers, it’s a reminder that joy doesn’t have an age limit.

Man Combats Loneliness by Offering Seniors Thrilling Rides in Luxury Supercars

Smithsonian Magazine

The bears are smiling, the birds look confused, and the public is once again howling with laughter — the finalists for the 2025 Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards have been announced, and the shortlist is as brilliant as ever.

Out of nearly 10,000 entries from 108 countries, judges have selected 40 standalone photographs, 10 videos, and three photographer portfolios that capture animals at their most unintentionally hilarious. Think: a monkey mid-pratfall, an owl with impeccable side-eye, or a flamingo looking oddly... headless.

This year’s finalists include a wildly expressive range of creatures — from a grumpy turtle to a surprised squirrel — each caught in a moment that feels oddly relatable. No digital trickery allowed either: AI and image manipulation are strictly banned, making every submission a genuine, real-world shot.

“These inspiring and funny photos and videos do just that,” said co-founder Tom Sullam, a British photographer who helped launch the competition in 2015 to blend humor with conservation. “They reach people in more countries than ever before, helping us raise awareness of animal and habitat conservation — and crucially, highlight the fundamental importance of having wildlife on our planet and in our lives.”

Organized in partnership with Nikon, the competition has grown into a global phenomenon. Entry is free and open to photographers of all levels, including a Young category (up to 25 years old), a Junior category (16 and under), and a People's Choice Award based on public votes from December 10, 2025, to March 1, 2026.

This year’s overall winner — along with category winners and highly commended mentions — will be revealed at a ceremony in London on December 9. All finalists will then go on display at a free exhibition in a London art gallery from December 10 to 14.

The top prize includes a Kenyan safari and photography gear, but for many, it’s about more than just accolades. Finnish photographer Tapani Linnanmäki took last year’s People’s Choice award for his photo of a white-tailed eagle caught mid-shake, feathers flying in every direction.

And in a crossover moment between wildlife and the AI conversation, photographer Miles Astray submitted a now-famous image of a real flamingo that appeared headless — an image that fooled even AI image judges and became a top contender in an artificial intelligence art competition last year. That same image is now a Comedy Wildlife finalist.

“This competition is a celebration of joy, timing, and patience,” said Stefan Maier, senior marketing manager at Nikon Europe. “These images combine wit and wonder to celebrate nature’s character, while emphasizing the urgency of conservation.”

In keeping with that mission, the competition donates 10 percent of its net revenue each year to a conservation charity. In 2025, the chosen partner is once again the Whitley Fund for Nature, a UK-based nonprofit that supports grassroots wildlife conservation in the Global South.

So, what should the public expect from this year’s finalists?

“They’re brilliant,” said Maier. And judging from the bear with a toothy grin and a hornbill mid-squawk, that’s no exaggeration.

Public voting opens in December — and if past years are any indication, it’ll be hard to choose just one favorite.

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