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Food Banks in the UK Will Now Give Out Books Alongside Food
A new charity called Bookbanks has launched, giving away books at food banks in London and Norfolk. The program was started by writer Emily Rhodes who wanted to provide "book banks" for food bank guests across the UK. With donations from various organizations, Bookbanks is now officially a charity with plans to expand nationwide. Author events are also being held at the book banks, creating spaces for communities to connect through reading and sharing stories.
Score (97)
Flin Flon Launches Construction Of Snow Lodge To Host Winter Events
What started with a chance encounter on a Winnipeg sidewalk is now taking shape in the snow-covered woods of northern Manitoba — and it just might turn into one of Canada’s coolest winter traditions. In Flin Flon, construction is underway on a “snow lodge,” an event space built almost entirely from freshly fallen snow and ice pulled from a nearby pond. Organizers hope it could become a yearly winter destination, combining art, architecture, and community — and maybe, one day, rival the famed ice hotel in Sweden. The project is being led by a mix of architects, artists, local builders, and volunteers. Winnipeg-based architect Peter Hargraves, known for his work on the annual warming huts on the Red River, is helping steer the design. He’s no stranger to large-scale ice projects — and this one has him excited. “It gets cold here, and when it gets cold, you can do things like this that you can’t do in other places in the world,” said Hargraves. The inspiration for the project dates back to 2023, when Hargraves was showcasing ice sculptures in Winnipeg’s True North Square using blocks harvested from the Red River. A passerby struck up a conversation and insisted he connect with Crystal Kolt in Flin Flon — a longtime arts council leader known for making big ideas happen. Kolt, now working with the City of Flin Flon, took the idea and ran with it. She secured grants, sponsorships, contractors, and pulled together a team of local volunteers. “We are super excited and we think the community is really excited about it,” she said. The lodge is being built inside a campground that’s closed for the season. Nearby is the Rotary Wheel, an indoor community space that’s open year-round. But the real magic is taking shape outdoors: volunteers are cutting thick blocks of pond ice with chainsaws, hauling them up with hooks, and stacking them into place using heavy machinery. Metal forms and wooden platforms are helping shape the lodge’s structure, which will be insulated by the snow itself. “It’s going to be beautiful,” said Dave Koop, one of the builders. “I think it’ll be the Taj Mahal of the north here, absolutely.” When completed in late January, the lodge will feature a spacious main hall — what Kolt described as a “very large, elegant, sophisticated quonset” made almost entirely from ice and snow. And while the outside temperatures may plunge well below freezing, the interior is expected to stay relatively stable at around –2°C. Surrounding the lodge will be snowshoe and ski trails, illuminated for nighttime use, and a skating rink on the same pond the ice was harvested from. But it’s not just about architecture or tourism — it’s about events, art, and culture. Local restaurant owner Ainslie McIntosh-Stallard is helping plan the programming, which could include concerts, dinners, art exhibits, and cultural workshops. “We’re collaborating with local organizations like snowshoe clubs, the skiing club. We have lots of people who want to come do cultural teachings,” she said. Construction hasn’t been easy. While colder weather helps freeze materials quickly and provides a steady supply of snow and ice, it also makes working conditions more difficult for crews. Still, organizers say the effort is worth it. If this winter’s snow lodge proves successful, the dream is to scale up — not just in Flin Flon, but across northern and western Manitoba. The long-term vision includes turning the lodge into a full-scale seasonal hotel, inspired by Sweden’s Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi, where rooms, bars, and sculptures are all built from ice each year. “The idea is to populate the whole of western and northern Manitoba with these unbelievable winter engagement projects where tourism can prosper and thrive,” said Hargraves. “I’m a hard believer that it’ll outstrip summer if we do it right.” For now, the Flin Flon snow lodge is still a work in progress. But for everyone involved, it’s already proving something important — that when temperatures drop, creativity doesn’t have to hibernate.
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Amazon Driver Finds Lost Cash Outside Home, Response Goes Viral
A small act of honesty is getting big attention in Cottonwood, Arizona, thanks to an Amazon driver who quietly did the right thing — and didn’t think twice about it. Connor Drake was out making deliveries last week when he spotted a $20 bill lying on the front lawn of a home. Instead of ignoring it or pocketing it, he picked it up and tucked it safely under the package he was about to leave at the doorstep. Later that day, the homeowner, Monica Luiz, reviewed her doorbell camera footage and realized what had happened. The cash had slipped out of her pocket earlier without her noticing. Watching the footage back, she was struck by the driver’s small but thoughtful gesture. She shared the video on social media, writing: “If anyone sees this Amazon driver, please send him to contact me so I can THANK him personally for picking up $20 I dropped on my walkway and putting it under my package! His honesty and integrity didn’t go unnoticed!” It didn’t take long for the local community to recognize Drake. Luiz reached out to Amazon’s local office, and the next day, Drake returned — this time not to drop off a package, but to receive one. Luiz gave him a personal thank-you gift, the details of which Drake chose to keep private. But for her, the gesture meant more than just recovering the lost money. “I just wanted to thank him for reminding me that people like him do exist,” she said. “His honest integrity was so innocent and natural. It couldn’t have been a more authentic interaction.” What could’ve been an overlooked moment has now become a quiet reminder: integrity doesn’t always make headlines, but it still matters — even on an ordinary delivery route.
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Score (97)
Scientists Discover 20 New Underwater Calls of Hawaiian Monk Seals
Hawaiian monk seals have always been quiet celebrities of the shoreline — often spotted dozing on beaches, rarely heard. But under the waves, they’ve been having conversations no one knew about. Until now. Researchers at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa have discovered 25 different underwater vocalizations from these endangered seals — and 20 of them are entirely new to science. The team analyzed more than 4,500 hours of underwater audio collected off Hawaii’s coast using devices called SoundTraps — small titanium recorders bolted to concrete blocks on the ocean floor. What they found surprised even seasoned scientists: not just simple seal sounds, but complex combinations. “We found six basic call types, and 19 more that are made by linking those calls together without any silence in between,” said Kirby Parnell, the Ph.D. candidate who led the study. “That’s not something we typically see in seal communication.” Parnell first got curious about monk seal vocalizations during her master’s research at UC Santa Cruz. Now, her work is shedding light on how these rarely heard calls might help seals interact, find food, or even choose a mate. With only about 1,600 Hawaiian monk seals left in the wild, every piece of insight into how they live and communicate could be key to keeping them alive. “Sound is essential for long-range communication in the ocean,” explained John Terhune, a marine mammal expert and professor emeritus at the University of New Brunswick. “Vision just doesn’t travel far underwater.” Dana Jones from Hawaiian Monk Seal Preservation Ohana isn’t surprised these animals are chatty. “Most people just see them sleeping on the beach, but underwater, they’re a completely different animal.” One vocalization in particular has caught the researchers' attention — the “whine.” Parnell first noticed it while watching social media clips of monk seals foraging. She now suspects the call could be linked to hunting behavior. Next, the team plans to expand their work by placing recorders underwater for longer stretches to track how seal communication changes with the seasons, or during different behaviors like mating or feeding. But their voices may be in danger of getting drowned out. Many of the seal calls occur below one kilohertz — the same frequency range used by large ships and other human-made ocean noise. That overlap could reduce how far the calls can travel, limiting the seals' ability to find each other or coordinate in the wild. “We need to understand not just what they’re saying, but how we might be making it harder for them to be heard,” Parnell said. For now, the discovery of these calls opens up a whole new way of thinking about monk seals — not just as sleepy beachgoers, but as complex, vocal creatures with a social language we’re only beginning to understand.
Score (97)
UK Streamer Raises Over £110,800 for Alzheimer's Research, in Memory of His Dad
One of the UK’s most popular video game streamers has raised more than £110,000 for Alzheimer’s research in a single 16-hour stream — all in memory of his father. Paul, better known online as TheRunningManZ, took to YouTube and Twitch for his fifth annual charity stream, this time once again raising money for Alzheimer’s Research UK. The Suffolk-based creator, who has built a dedicated audience by playing the survival game DayZ, says his late father Albert was the driving force behind the fundraising efforts. “My dad had dementia... he was the inspiration for these streams,” Paul told BBC Radio Suffolk. “Because I stream to an audience five days a week, people know me, they know my background, they know my reasons for doing it and I do this stream once per year.” The latest stream brought in more than 364,000 views and raised £110,800. That pushes his total for the charity to around £330,000 since he started in 2021. “It’s kind of crazy to think about,” he said. “I’m very proud to be able to do it. I feel lucky that I’ve grown a following that allows me to do this.” Paul started streaming full time in 2016 and has since become one of the most viewed streamers in the country. According to Stream Charts, he’s ranked eighth in the UK for 2025. Alzheimer’s Research UK, the UK’s leading dementia research charity, praised his previous campaigns and the online community that has rallied behind them. After an earlier stream, the organization said “everyone was blown away by the support from Paul and his generous online community.” Paul said he plans to continue the annual stream tradition and is already thinking about ways to make the next one even bigger.
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Stroke Survivor Fulfills Dream of Being Santa Claus Again After Remarkable Recovery
When Brent Rasmussen collapsed in his home in December 2023, he had no idea whether he’d survive — let alone return to the job he loved most: being Santa Claus. The 79-year-old from Texas had suffered a massive cerebellar stroke, a rare and dangerous kind that affects balance and coordination. He couldn’t walk, talk, or swallow. He lay bleeding on the floor for nearly an hour before his dog started barking and alerted his wife, Tenesa, who called 911. But even then, it took doctors 19 hours to properly diagnose his stroke — too late for medication that might have helped. Rasmussen eventually needed brain surgery to remove part of his cerebellum. When he woke up, he couldn’t do any of the things that made up his everyday life — and certainly none of the things that made him Santa. “I wanted to be able to do all the things I had always done,” he told CBS News. “I worked hard my whole life, and now I couldn't even go out and do the simplest project.” His transformation into Santa had started back in 1998 when his company asked him to play the role at a holiday party. He quickly discovered a passion for it. One party turned into multiple bookings. Then full seasons. He and Tenesa eventually retired, but not from being Santa and Mrs. Claus. Over the years, they added custom costumes, handmade embroidery, and dozens of appearances — a tradition that continued for 25 years. But after his stroke, Rasmussen feared the sleigh ride was over. He had dropped 45 pounds, relied on a walker and feeding tube, and could barely speak. The deep, booming “ho ho ho” he was known for had vanished. In March 2024, he transferred to UT Southwestern Medical Center’s Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. That’s where staff asked him what he hoped to achieve. His answer came instantly: “I want to get my ho ho ho back.” That single goal changed everything. “It was the drive,” said his wife Tenesa. “That is what pushed him to do the hard work, to do the exercises, to keep trying.” His rehab team put together a multi-pronged plan: physical therapy to rebuild strength and balance, occupational therapy to regain fine motor skills, and speech therapy to help with swallowing and voice projection. The work was exhausting and progress came slowly. “He would say, ‘Why does everything have to be so hard?’” Tenesa recalled. But seven months later, by October, Rasmussen had ditched the walker and the feeding tube. He regrew his beard. He could speak clearly again, thanks to vocal exercises that helped him project his voice. Though he wasn’t yet ready for a full schedule, he made a surprise in-character appearance at UT Southwestern’s holiday party — a moment his therapist called “the culmination of all our efforts.” By December 2025, he was fully back in the red suit. He and Tenesa returned to a full schedule of holiday events, sometimes even doubling up in a day. Dressing and travel take more time now, but once he’s in the suit and the kids are lined up, the magic — and adrenaline — kicks in. Rasmussen is meticulous about making each visit meaningful. He asks each child what they want for Christmas and makes sure they know they’re on the nice list. When his voice wobbles, he leans on what he learned in therapy. “It’s a delicate balance, but it’s absolutely wonderful,” he said. Now he hopes his story can encourage other stroke survivors — not just to recover, but to dream big while doing it. “If you don't have a goal, you get up and get dressed every day and you're so exhausted by the end of that, all you want to do is just fall back on the bed,” he said. “But it gets better. Slowly, the days get longer and you're doing more, and you're feeling so happy with yourself for the progress.” “Life is not over,” he added. “You embrace it and move forward — and grab it.”
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Meteor Shower Dazzles Skywatchers Ahead Of Winter Solstice
If you're up for braving the cold, the night sky is offering a quiet but beautiful show this weekend. The Ursid meteor shower, the last of 2025, will peak overnight from December 21 to December 22. It’s not the flashiest meteor event of the year — the more dazzling Geminids stole that spotlight just a week ago — but this year’s timing makes it worth a look. The Ursids usually produce about five to ten meteors per hour, which makes the peak crucial if you want to catch them. And nature has lined things up just right. The new moon falls on December 20, so skies will be dark. The winter solstice arrives the next day, bringing the longest night of the year to the Northern Hemisphere — a perfect pairing for stargazing. The shower’s radiant point is near the constellation Ursa Minor, also known as the Little Dipper. That means it's best viewed in the Northern Hemisphere, where the constellation is visible all night long. But don’t expect all the meteors to shoot out from one point — they’ll appear across the sky, so it’s worth watching a wide patch of darkness. To see the Ursids, you'll want to find the darkest sky possible, away from city lights. Dress warmly and give your eyes at least 30 minutes to adjust — a step many people forget, but one that can make all the difference. Bring a blanket or reclining chair, lie back, and be patient. The Ursids are linked to Comet 8P/Tuttle, whose orbit leaves behind debris that Earth plows through each December. As tiny bits of dust and ice enter Earth’s atmosphere at high speed, they burn up and streak across the sky. While the Ursids don’t usually produce fireballs or long streaks like some other showers, the quiet setting this year might make the experience feel more personal — a kind of cosmic nightcap for 2025. Just keep in mind: this is a meteor shower for those who don’t mind waiting, watching, and maybe seeing just a handful of shooting stars. But sometimes, that’s all it takes to feel a little awe.
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Blue Origin Sends Person Using a Wheelchair to Space for the 1st Time
Blue Origin just made history — and Michaela "Michi" Benthaus was at the center of it. On Saturday, the private spaceflight company launched its seventh human spaceflight, sending six crew members past the Kármán line — the 100-kilometre boundary recognized internationally as the edge of space. Among them was Benthaus, an aerospace and mechatronics engineer with the European Space Agency and the first person who uses a wheelchair to cross that threshold. For Benthaus, the moment marked more than just a personal milestone. It challenged long-standing assumptions about who gets to go to space. “I am excited to show the world that also wheelchair users can go on a suborbital flight,” she told ABC News. “And I’m really happy that Blue Origin is supporting this.” The entire flight, operated aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard vehicle, lasted about 10 minutes from liftoff to landing. During that time, the crew experienced a few minutes of weightlessness before descending safely back to Earth with the help of parachutes and a retro thrust system that softened their landing in the West Texas desert. Benthaus’s inclusion didn’t require any special modifications. Blue Origin said both the launch tower — which is equipped with an elevator — and the crew capsule had been designed from the start to accommodate people with disabilities and limited mobility. Benthaus was one of six passengers on the NS-25 mission. The team nicknamed themselves the “Out of the Blue” crew. Blue Origin described them as representing “the breadth and diversity of people who can now experience spaceflight,” including engineers, scientists, teachers, and entrepreneurs. The company added: “Michi's flight is particularly meaningful, demonstrating that space is for everyone.” Her participation was made possible in part by AstroAccess, a project backed by the nonprofit SciAccess that promotes disability inclusion in human spaceflight. The group is working to lay the groundwork for future space missions that include astronauts with disabilities — a field that has historically excluded them. Benthaus’s journey to the launchpad began years ago, long before her spinal cord injury. In 2018, a mountain biking accident left her paralyzed. She said she initially feared her lifelong dream of going to space might be over. But in a Blue Origin profile video shared before the flight, she said that realization never quite came. “I think there was not like this one moment when I realized my dream of going to space was not over,” she said. What followed instead was a growing awareness of how inaccessible the world can be. “I really, really figured out how inaccessible our world still is,” she said. “And how sometimes socially excluding a wheelchair can be, even though no one is actively excluding you.” That made the moment of liftoff all the more powerful. Benthaus and her fellow crewmates — each flown as paying passengers or through sponsored seats — briefly unbuckled from their harnesses to float in microgravity before returning to their seats for descent. For a few minutes, she was unbound by gravity, one of only a handful of people in the world to ever experience that sensation. Blue Origin's New Shepard flights are suborbital — they don’t reach orbit like missions to the International Space Station, but they do go high enough to qualify as space travel under international definitions. For space tourism companies like Blue Origin, it’s part of a growing push to make spaceflight more accessible, not just to the ultra-wealthy, but to a wider, more diverse group of people. Saturday’s launch was the company’s first human mission since August 2022, and followed an uncrewed booster failure later that year that grounded flights temporarily. Now back in service, Blue Origin says it’s focused not just on routine suborbital trips, but also on setting precedents — and expanding who space is for. Benthaus, for her part, hopes she’s only the beginning.
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101-Year-Old Woman Delighted by Rolls-Royce Christmas Surprise at Her Nursing Home
A 101-year-old woman from Shropshire got the surprise of a lifetime this holiday season — a ride through her village in a Rolls-Royce, just like the one she had on her wedding day nearly eight decades ago. “I’m not used to Rolls-Royces, because I’m not a celebrity,” said Dorcus Dearne, who lives at the Cedars Nursing Home in Albrighton. “I never thought they’d make this fuss.” The special outing was the idea of Chelsie Streete, a healthcare assistant at the home, who wanted to give Ms Dearne a Christmas to remember. The two have grown close over the years, and when Ms Dearne mentioned that a Rolls-Royce had been part of her wedding, Chelsie took it to heart. “She’s the nan people wish for,” Streete said. Chelsie posted a request on Facebook to see if anyone could help make Ms Dearne’s wish come true. The response was overwhelming — more than 100 people offered to help. Among them was Richard Johnson, who volunteered his Rolls-Royce for the day, free of charge. “I’d like to think somebody would do it for my grandparents,” he said. “There’s still a bit of kindness left in the world.” Together, they took a slow, elegant drive into the village, where Ms Dearne enjoyed a cup of tea in style. Bundled up and beaming from the back seat, she told reporters: “I shall lie in bed and think about it.” Though she’s used to getting around in small cars or taxis, this was something else entirely. “I wish I could drive it,” she said with a laugh. Ms Dearne, originally from Wolverhampton, has one son and no grandchildren. Streete said their friendship has grown strong over time, and the joy on Ms Dearne’s face made every bit of effort worth it. “I wish I could take her home,” Streete said. “She really does deserve it — and it shows these things can happen.”
Score (97)
Rescuers Save Manatee With Punctured Lung From Florida Couple's Backyard Canal
A Florida couple’s quiet afternoon turned into a dramatic wildlife rescue when they discovered an injured manatee struggling in their backyard canal. Kelly and Matt Taylor, who live in Cape Coral, said they’re used to seeing manatees pass through the water behind their home. But on December 18, they immediately noticed something was wrong when their 7-year-old Pomsky started barking uncontrollably. “My dog was barking like crazy,” Kelly told local outlet WINK News. “We ran out here and saw a manatee going down the canal, but she was on the water.” The couple watched as the manatee slowly drifted down the canal, partially out of the water, and barely moving. “She was breached the whole time,” said Matt. “She was out of the water by about six inches and just wasn’t diving back down. Only about once every 30 minutes would she submerge.” They called the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), who told them the agency had been looking for this particular manatee since December 14. A rescue team, including FWC biologists, Lee County sheriff’s deputies, Cape Coral police, and staff from Mote Marine Laboratory, responded to the scene. Nearly a dozen people were involved in the rescue. Video captured by the couple shows responders using a large tarp to lift the manatee out of the water. In the background, Kelly can be heard crying out as the animal is moved to safety. “I felt sorry for her,” she later said. “She was hurt, so hopefully, hopefully they'll rehab her, and she’ll be just fine.” FWC confirmed the manatee was an adult female, about 8 feet long. According to the agency, she had injuries “consistent with a vessel interaction.” The blunt trauma caused internal damage, including a punctured lung, which left her unable to submerge. The animal was taken to ZooTampa, where she is now receiving critical care. Officials said her condition is stable. Manatees, often called “sea cows,” are a protected species in Florida and a subspecies of the West Indian manatee. They’re typically found in the state’s rivers, springs, and coastal waters. Though gentle and slow-moving, manatees are strong swimmers. They usually spend much of their time near the surface or resting on the bottom of shallow waterways, making them vulnerable to boat strikes. The rescued manatee reportedly weighed around 450 kilograms, in line with the average adult weight for her species. She is expected to remain under medical care as she recovers. Wildlife officials remind the public that anyone who sees an injured manatee should not intervene themselves, but instead call the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (888-404-3922). For the Taylors, the experience was emotional, but they’re grateful for the quick response and hopeful the manatee will recover. “She chose our backyard to stop,” Kelly said. “Maybe she knew help would come.”
Score (97)
Buddhist Monks Embark On 2,300-Mile Peace Walk Across America With A Loyal Rescue Dog
A group of Buddhist monks is walking thousands of kilometres across the United States to send a simple message: peace starts from within. The journey began in late October, when 19 monks departed Fort Worth, Texas, on foot. Their destination? Washington, D.C. By the time they arrive in February, they will have travelled nearly 3,700 kilometres over four months, crossing through at least 10 states, stopping at government buildings, and connecting with everyday Americans along the way. The monks call it the Peace Walk. “We walk not to protest,” said Bhikkhu Pannakara, the spiritual leader behind the initiative. “But to awaken the peace that already lives within each of us.” It’s not a flashy movement. There are no slogans, no placards, no chanting. The monks simply walk—barefoot, in orange robes, with walking sticks in hand and only the most essential belongings. They rely on local communities for water, food, and first aid. Sometimes they sleep in tents, sometimes on sleeping mats. Every step is intentional. Their path cuts through cities and small towns, where they’re often met with kindness. Supporters greet them with warm meals, bottles of water, and medical care for their blistered feet. Some join the walk for a few hours. Others offer prayers or take part in short meditations. The Peace Walk is organized by the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center, a Buddhist community with roots in Vietnam and a large presence in Texas. The idea, said Pannakara, is to offer a visible, physical expression of unity and compassion—particularly at a time when political and social divisions across the country feel deep. “In this journey, we have two senior monks — one from Laos who is 70 years old — and monks from Taiwan and Vietnam,” Pannakara said, according to the Star-Telegram. “Wherever we go, monks from that location will join us for two to three days.” Each stop offers a moment for dialogue. At government buildings, the group shares short speeches or silent prayers. On social media, they post reflections, livestreams, and photos from the road. In one post after the first day, the group wrote: “With hearts anchored in calmness and minds set firmly on their purpose, the monks move forward — step by step — embodying peace, resilience, and unwavering determination on their sacred path toward the White House.” Alongside them for the entire walk is an unlikely companion: a rescue dog named Aloka. Aloka first joined Pannakara and the monks on a previous walk across India. He was a stray then—thin, alone, and sick. He followed the monks for more than 100 days, through dust and monsoon rains. At one point, he was hit by a car. Another time, he got so ill they feared he wouldn’t survive. The monks tried to send him away in a truck to spare him the suffering. He jumped off and kept walking. “He’s a true hero,” Pannakara said in a video. Now, Aloka has made it to the United States. “I brought him here and he’s a U.S. citizen now,” Pannakara joked. The dog, whose name means “light” in Sanskrit, has become something of a mascot for the Peace Walk. He wears a bandana or coat on colder days. Strangers offer him treats and bowls of water. The monks, known collectively as The Sangha, take turns holding his leash. He’s even gotten a pup cup along the way. “Aloka has found peace,” the group wrote on social media. “He began as a stray in India, alone, wandering, searching. But when he saw the venerable monks on a similar journey years ago, something stirred in his heart. He chose to follow them. And they welcomed him.” Photos from the road show Aloka padding along in front of courthouses and capitol buildings, resting in parks, or napping next to the monks during meditation sessions. When he’s tired, they stop. When he’s hungry, they share their food. “He has found his home. He has found his purpose. He has found peace,” the group wrote. Now more than halfway to Washington, the monks are expected to reach the U.S. Capitol in February, where they plan to hold a public event and offer closing remarks on healing and unity. “The Walk for Peace is a simple yet meaningful reminder,” said Pannakara, “that unity and kindness begin within each of us and can radiate outward to families, communities, and society as a whole.” Supporters can follow the monks' journey online through @walkforpeaceusa and @alokathepeacedog, where daily videos and updates show not just the miles, but the moments that define them: strangers becoming friends, a country connecting step by step, and one resilient dog walking in peace.