Euro News

Bordeaux, France just surpassed Paris in a new ranking of the world's most beautiful cities, with Europe dominating nine out of the top 10 spots. The rankings are based on buildings that adhere to the 'golden ratio' for balanced and harmonious structures. Venice takes the lead as the most beautiful city, followed by Rome and Barcelona in second and third place respectively. Despite iconic landmarks, Paris lands at 12th place. In fifth place is the only non-European city to make the top 10: New York City.

9 Out of 10 of the World’s Most Beautiful Cities Are in Europe, Says New Ranking

BBC News

A centuries-old royal hunting ground in Essex is getting a wild new makeover — thanks in part to three pigs.

Harold's Park Wildland, a 509-acre nature reserve in Waltham Abbey, is being reimagined as a thriving ecosystem after years of failed commercial farming and Christmas tree planting. The land, once the hunting territory of King Harold Godwinson in 1066, is now the focus of a bold rewilding project led by the conservation company Nattergal.

At the heart of this effort are three Iron Age pigs — a cross between wild boar and Tamworth — that have been released to turn over the soil and mimic the natural disturbances that once shaped the British landscape. In time, they'll be joined by grazing ponies and cattle, whose movements will further help restore ecological balance and manage the area's overabundant deer population.

“Nothing is working as it should,” said site manager Tom Moat. “We’ve lost beavers, bison, herds of wild boar and big herbivores. Deer aren’t behaving naturally as a result.”

The goal, Moat explained, is to use “soft engineering” — natural processes instead of machines or chemicals — to bring the land back to life. That includes removing conifer plantations to make space for native saplings, digging ponds to restore wetlands, and carving a broad muddy trail through the woods that Moat calls an “artery of wildlife.”

“This won’t be mud for long,” he said. “The grass will come and then the flowers behind it.”

The changes are expected to benefit a wide range of species, including rare birds like nightingales and turtle doves. As the land transitions from manicured fields into scrubland and wood pasture, Moat said it’ll be exciting to see how nature takes over.

Dr Simon Lyster, chair of the Essex Local Nature Partnership, said the rewilding strategy will also help relieve pressure on other nearby parks that are struggling with too many visitors.

“Hatfield Forest used to get 100,000 visitors a year. Now it’s 600,000,” Lyster said. “Harold’s Park will help alleviate pressure from the places that are getting too much.”

He called the approach “very important” and said it has worked well elsewhere. “It creates space for wild plants, protects scrub areas — which is very good for nightingales — and you start seeing results much faster than people expect. It’s quite extraordinary how quickly nature recovers.”

Harold’s Park has been named a high-priority site in Essex’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy. The reserve will also be used as an educational space, with plans to host children from urban areas to explore the natural environment.

Peter Schwier, Essex County Council’s cabinet member for the environment, visited the site last year and said it offered something completely different.

“It will be an opportunity for anyone interested in nature and rewilding to benefit from learning a lot about it,” he said. “It’s going to be a great day out, completely different to the average of what goes on at the moment.”

If all goes to plan, the pigs will be just the beginning of Harold’s Park’s return to wild.

Three Pigs are Revitalizing a Historic Royal Hunting Ground — Here's How

Lars the reindeer might live in a field now, but he still thinks he’s part dog — and occasionally, part houseguest.

The six-month-old reindeer, raised by hand after being rejected by his mother, was brought up alongside spaniels at Angie Nelson’s farm on the border of Leicestershire and Northamptonshire. These days, he’s back living with his herd, but he still pops in to visit the dogs and drink from their water bowl like it’s the most normal thing in the world.

“He drinks from the dog’s water bowl. That’s normal for him,” said Angie. “Being in the house is normal with him.”

Lars was born on 17 May to a first-time mother named Lumi, but Angie quickly noticed something wasn’t right.

“He came to me a lot on the first day because his mum wasn’t producing enough milk,” she said. “I had to make a massive decision — either hand-rear him or let nature take its course.”

She chose the former. For two weeks, she slept beside Lars, feeding him every two hours. “My life just became him,” she said. “Knowing that he wouldn’t be alive if we hadn’t done something is quite rewarding.”

But Angie didn’t do it alone. Her spaniels played a crucial role in raising the orphaned reindeer, especially Molly — a motherly dog who had previously had puppies of her own.

“She immediately snuggled down with him,” Angie said. “So then he became part of the dog family, really.”

That bond stuck. Even now, with Lars integrated back into his reindeer herd, he still returns to the house to see his canine companions. “He’s just at home with them,” Angie said. “And he’s at home in the house.”

The decision to reintroduce him to the herd wasn’t easy. “It was like sending your child off to university,” she said. “You can’t protect them and look after them — they have to live their life.”

Lars’s return to reindeer life coincided with Angie’s wedding to her now husband, Justin Mumford, and Lars even made a special appearance in some of the wedding photos. Angie, who has owned reindeer for 18 years and hires them out for events, described Lars as “unique,” born into a “very unique set of circumstances.”

Owning reindeer, she added, is “really specialised.” But the experience with Lars has drawn national and even international attention — including a request from a German television crew to feature his story.

For now, Lars is adjusting to life as a proper reindeer. But he still comes back to visit, tail-wagging dogs and all.

“It’s nice to have him back for visits,” Angie said. “And he sees the dogs.”

Hand-Reared Reindeer Lars Finds Joy In Visits With His Canine Friends

Goodable

In a split-second decision that likely saved lives, a 43-year-old fruit seller named Ahmed al Ahmed has been hailed as a hero after tackling a gunman during a deadly shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach.

The attack, which took place during a Hanukkah celebration, killed at least 11 people and left dozens injured. Video footage from the scene shows al Ahmed sprinting toward the shooter, disarming him with his bare hands, and holding him at gunpoint until police arrived.

The dramatic clip, just 15 seconds long, quickly spread across social media. It shows al Ahmed using parked cars for cover before rushing the attacker from behind, grabbing the rifle, and taking the shooter to the ground.

Local broadcaster 7News identified al Ahmed as a bystander who happened to be in the area and had no prior experience with weapons. He was shot twice in the process and was hospitalized, with surgery scheduled for later that night. A man identifying himself as Ahmed’s cousin, Mustapha, told 7News, “He's in hospital and we don't know exactly what's going on inside… He's a hero 100 percent.”

The shooting unfolded Saturday night at Bondi Beach, during a gathering for the first night of Hanukkah. According to police, the attack was carried out by two suspects. One is dead; the other is in critical condition. Authorities also found and defused explosive devices in a nearby vehicle.

New South Wales Police have classified the attack as a terrorist incident and say it specifically targeted Australia’s Jewish community.

Al Ahmed's actions stood out in a moment of chaos, drawing praise from political leaders, media, and the public alike. Prime Minister Albanese referred to him as a “hero.”

Ahmed al Ahmed, a man with no training and nothing to gain, chose to intervene — and may have saved countless others in doing so.

Who Is Ahmed Al Ahmed, The Heroic Bystander Who Disarmed the Sydney Shooter?

In a time when the world feels heavy and grey, a growing number of women are bringing boldness back into their homes — one neon mirror or orange sofa at a time.

The trend, known as dopamine decor, has exploded on TikTok with more than 70,000 posts showcasing bright colours, quirky patterns, and playful design ideas meant to boost happiness. The idea is simple: surround yourself with things that spark joy.

For Rachel Verney, that joy came in the form of a vivid orange couch. The Surrey-based content creator has racked up over 800,000 followers by sharing videos of her colourful, budget-friendly home renovations under the name The Shoestring Home. Millions have watched her transform spaces using bold paint and second-hand furniture finds, often wrapped in clashing prints and unconventional palettes.

“It’s my happy place when I work on a project,” Verney told the BBC. “Sometimes I feel like an imposter as I’m not qualified to do the job.”

That hasn’t stopped her from turning content creation into a full-time career. Her videos, which aim to make “aesthetic accessible,” show everything from rainbow wall art to hand-painted floors, and have resonated especially with younger viewers. Not everyone loves her approach — she said there’s been “division” on Facebook about her bold interiors — but she’s not backing down.

“Everything is so gloomy and the world is a bit of a scary place at the moment,” she said. “Houses want to be joyful.”

Psychologists say there’s science behind the feel-good effect. Dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and motivation, can be triggered by vivid colours and stimulating design, said Dr Natasha Sharma, a psychologist based in Wolverhampton.

“Dopamine decor allows people to externalise their identity and boost their mood, giving a heightened sense of wellbeing,” she explained. In contrast, she said, homes dominated by grey or beige tones can lead to “feelings of emotional flatness.”

In Birmingham, artist and entrepreneur Nicola Brighton has built a business around the idea. Her company, Printed Weird, sells kitschy prints and neon-framed mirrors in unusual shapes, many of which are now stocked in stores across the UK and the US. Since 2022, her sales have jumped 62%.

“When you come home from work and you’ve had a rubbish day, you can just look at things that bring you joy and happiness,” Brighton said.

She started the business seven years ago from her mum’s spare bedroom, driven by a love of maximalist design and a desire to offer affordable pieces that spark emotion. “Through what you love, why not put that silliness on your wall? It’s an extension of your personality and will bring you joy,” she said.

But not everyone is convinced it’s a good idea — especially when it comes to selling your home. Estate agents like Paul Fox in Lincolnshire advise homeowners to stick with “timeless” neutrals, saying it helps homes sell faster. “First impressions are everything,” the agency said, “so by ensuring that the home is painted in popular colours you are likely to attract buyers.”

Still, people like Jodie Edmonds aren’t buying it.

“I’m not bothered when it comes to reselling,” she said. “People have different tastes and can change the decor.”

For her, painting the walls in joyful colours is about creating a home that feels alive. “A grey house would make me feel low,” she said. “A bright house makes me feel motivated and inspired.”

So how do you add dopamine decor without emptying your wallet?

Rachel Verney recommends starting small: cushions, rugs, and fun shower curtains are all easy entry points. She also suggests wrapping fridges in vinyl, painting radiators in rainbow shades, or upcycling charity shop finds into statement pieces. Adding plants — real or printed — can also help bring warmth to neglected corners.

“Don’t be afraid to mix colours and patterns,” Verney said. “Start with what makes you smile.”

It turns out joy might just be one bold paint choice away.

Women are Embracing 'Dopamine Decor' Trend for a Joyful Home Makeover

Good News Network

When 9-year-old Oscar Wilkins landed a role in his school’s nativity play, he was excited to tell his family he’d be playing “Elvis.” What he didn’t quite get across was that the full role was actually Elvis the Elf.

So, naturally, the Wilkins family assumed their son would be impersonating the King of Rock and Roll.

His older sister, Jade Smith, said the school’s letter simply mentioned a “sparkly Elvis costume,” and with no mention of elves, the family went straight online to find a pint-sized Graceland outfit. “We asked him if he was sure he meant Elvis and he said yes, ‘with a sparkly costume,’” Jade told Southwest News Service. “He did not mention anything about an elf.”

Oscar showed up to Penrhiwpeier Primary School in Wales in full Presley gear—complete with flared pants and rhinestones. No one corrected him. In fact, no one said anything at all.

It wasn’t until showtime, when Oscar stepped on stage for the first of two performances, that the mix-up was finally revealed. “We only found out the mistake when we were watching the show and they all walked out—out of 12 kids, they were all dressed as elves except for Oscar,” said Jade. “It was so funny.”

Rather than shy away, Oscar leaned into the role. The crowd burst out laughing, and he soaked up every second of it.

“There was no drama,” Jade said. “Oscar embraced it all and loved that people were all laughing at him. He really enjoyed all the attention.”

His parents, Stephen and Sarah Wilkins, were in the audience for both shows and found the whole thing hilarious. Even the school seemed to enjoy the surprise. “We sent him to school in the wrong costume and they all saw the funny side,” said Jade. “But did not say it was wrong.”

Despite being the odd one out, Oscar owned the stage. “You never want your child to feel awkward, but Oscar totally embraced it, and that helped us all see the funny side of it,” said Jade. “He’s still got the outfit and has now been introduced to Elvis’ music. He loves older music anyway so we can see him becoming a bit of a fan.”

Elvis the Elf may have been a misunderstanding—but for one 9-year-old, it became an unforgettable spotlight moment.

Thank you, thank you very much for reading.

Family Mix-Up Sends Boy to Christmas Nativity Show as Elvis Instead of Elf 🤣

In a small Singapore workshop, a pair of self-proclaimed tinkerers have created a global educational hit using one of Asia’s most common dining tools: the humble chopstick.

Their invention, called Stick ‘Em, is a robotics and STEAM toy set designed for children—especially those from low-income communities—to learn through play. Built around simple materials like chopsticks, geometric connectors, and basic electronics, the kits let kids build robots and other creations that can be powered using any old tablet, phone, or school computer, no matter how outdated.

The concept is simple, but the impact has been massive.

“We started Stick ‘Em because we saw that traditional STEAM education wasn’t developing true problem-solvers and was inaccessible to many students worldwide,” said founders Adam Huh Dam and Chong Ing Kai in a press release. “With backgrounds in robotics and STEAM education, we created Stick ‘Em to provide a simple, low-cost solution that empowers students to learn through play and creativity, regardless of their background.”

The project began in 2020, when Kai was trying to design a robotics kit that any family could afford. As he searched for affordable parts, he found inspiration in his own kitchen: a drawer full of unused takeaway chopsticks.

“What if we use chopsticks to build robots?” Kai told The Straits Times. “These are everywhere, and they’re strong, and easy to cut and shape.”

Photos of early prototypes—quirky little robots built out of chopsticks and colorful connectors—began circulating on social media. That’s how Adam Dam discovered the project and quickly joined forces with Kai.

Since then, Stick ‘Em has grown from a two-person side project into a 14-person team with support from Singapore’s leading institutions, including the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) and the National University of Singapore.

Today, Stick ‘Em kits are used in classrooms across 90 schools in 11 countries, including underserved areas of Southeast Asia and Africa. About 12,000 children have had access to the kits so far, with some of the most inspiring stories coming from children learning in floating schools in Malaysia’s Sabah region, orphanages in Cambodia, and schools along the military-controlled Thailand-Myanmar border.

The goal isn't just to get kids interested in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. It's to build something deeper.

“Whatever jobs exist in 20 years, the ability to think creatively, to problem-solve, and to adapt will always matter,” said the founders. And it’s those skills—resilience, creativity, and curiosity—that Stick ‘Em aims to build.

That mission earned global attention this year when Stick ‘Em won the prestigious Hult Prize for educational innovation, beating out more than 15,000 applicants.

“When our name was announced, we were in shock,” Kai and Dam said in their statement. “But we immediately thought about how this prize could help us reach more schools, empower more teachers, and provide STEAM education to more children worldwide.”

The $1 million prize is already being used to scale their reach, improve awareness, and support teachers with training and community-building resources.

“We’re excited to scale our impact,” the founders said. “This win is just the beginning.”

Stick ‘Em isn’t just a toy set—it’s a movement. One that’s putting hands-on creativity back in classrooms, one chopstick robot at a time.

Chopstick Robot Kit Brings Joy To Underfunded STEM Classes Worldwide

People

When firefighters in Fort Dodge, Iowa, raced to put out a structure fire earlier this month, their job was made easier thanks to a 9-year-old boy with a snow shovel and a big heart.

Colton Holmes had recently taken part in a community challenge posted by the Fort Dodge Fire Department after heavy snow blanketed the area. The department asked residents to help clear snow from around fire hydrants — three feet on each side — so crews could access them quickly in an emergency. As an incentive, families who shared photos of themselves doing the work were entered into a draw for a fire truck ride to school.

Colton didn’t need the prize to get involved. He just wanted to help.

"I wanted to help people out and be a hero," he told local news outlet KCCI.

The very next day, the hydrant Colton cleared was the one firefighters used to battle a structure fire.

“Given the situation, the heavy snowfall recently, time was of the essence,” Lt. Devon Schuster of the Fort Dodge Fire Department told KCCI. “Fire actually doubles in size every minute, so the fact that we didn’t have to dig out a fire hydrant saved us an immense amount of time.”

Nobody was injured in the fire, but several people and pets were displaced, according to Fox 10.

As a thank-you, the department gave Colton a challenge coin and a special patch to recognize his efforts — as well as that promised ride to school in a fire truck.

While it may have started as a community contest, Colton’s decision to pitch in ended up having a real impact. And for the firefighters of Fort Dodge, it was a reminder of how something as simple as shoveling snow can help save lives.

A 9-Year-Old Boy Helped Firefighters Save Lives by Clearing Snow from a Hydrant

Desa Kaiser, an 11-year-old from Pennsylvania, is back to doing what she loves best: dancing. Despite being paralyzed from the waist down following a car accident, Desa has found her rhythm again with the help of a specially modified wheelchair.

Last Thanksgiving was spent in a hospital for Desa after the crash left her with life-altering injuries. But now, thanks to some ingenuity and modifications to an older piece of technology, she's spinning around on the dance floor once more. Her new "dancing wheelchair" lets her move freely just like she did in ballet, jazz, and funk classes before her injury.

"It's cool to be different from other people and more unique in different ways," Desa said in an interview with CBS News 3 Philadelphia. "It’s an amazing chair that’s different from others because you can be more free in it and you can express a lot more in it."

After the accident, Desa received treatment at Shriners Children’s Hospital. She continues physical therapy there to strengthen her trunk and arms—essential for maneuvering the chair to music's beat. Maggie Reilly, a physical therapist at Shriners, expressed their goal clearly: "We wanted to bring her a chair that would allow her to dance and do what she loves." Reilly emphasized that helping children achieve their goals is a priority at Shriners.

Desa's parents are feeling grateful this year compared to last Thanksgiving. They see their daughter thriving and embracing her individuality through dance once again.

The resilient young dancer’s story illustrates how determination and creativity can overcome challenges. Her journey back to movement highlights not only personal strength but also the support systems that help individuals reach their aspirations.

Desa's story aired on CBS News, capturing how adversity has transformed into opportunity for expression and joy through dance.

Paralyzed Teen Finds Joy And Confidence With Innovative Dancing Wheelchair

Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza capped off a remarkable season by winning the 2025 Heisman Trophy on Saturday night, becoming the first player from the Hoosiers to take home college football’s most prestigious individual award.

Mendoza, 22, accepted the trophy during a nationally televised ceremony at Lincoln Center’s Appel Room in New York City. ESPN’s Chris Fowler hosted the event, with appearances by former winners Tim Tebow, Andre Ware, and Desmond Howard, along with reporters Holly Rowe and Marty Smith.

Fighting back tears, Mendoza used his acceptance speech to thank his mother, Elsa, who he called his biggest inspiration.

“Mommy, this is your trophy as much as it is mine,” he said, visibly emotional. “You’ve always been my biggest fan. You’re my light, you’re my why, you’re my biggest supporter. Your sacrifices, courage and love, those have been my first playbook and the playbook I’m going to carry by my side throughout my entire life.”

He added, “You taught me that toughness doesn’t need to be loud, it can be quiet and strong. It’s choosing hope. It’s believing in yourself when the world doesn’t give you much reason to. Together, you and I are rewriting what people think is possible.”

Mendoza’s rise has been one of the biggest stories in college football this season. He led Indiana to a surprise Big Ten championship win, and his heartfelt post-game interview quickly went viral.

Speaking to PEOPLE ahead of the Heisman ceremony, Mendoza reflected on that moment. “It was just genuine raw motion,” he said. “Maybe it was a little too much.” Still, he said he wanted to avoid sounding rehearsed. “I didn’t wanna say anything cliché, you know, like ‘everything is possible.’ So I just wanted to keep it down and keep it authentic and just give the world my real self.”

The other Heisman finalists included Jeremiyah Love from Notre Dame, Diego Pavia from Vanderbilt, and Julian Sayin from Ohio State.

The 2025 ceremony marked the 91st awarding of the Heisman Trophy, which has long been considered the ultimate prize in college football. Mendoza’s win adds a historic chapter for Indiana, a school not typically associated with the sport’s elite.

In a touching moment later in the evening, Colorado alum Travis Hunter—last year’s Heisman winner—took the stage to present the award and shared an emotional message of his own. Hunter, now a Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver after being drafted second overall earlier this year, was joined by his former college coach Deion Sanders and his wife Leanna Lenee.

“I want to say something to my father,” Hunter said. “He’s not here. But I know you’re watching on TV. Dad, I love you. All the stuff you went through, man. Now, look at your oldest son. I did it for you, man.”

He recalled how his father only made it to a couple of his high school games. “From probably two games in high school to seeing me on TV every weekend and coming to see me, man, that means so much to me.”

While Hunter passed the torch, Mendoza now takes his place in Heisman history—carrying the hopes of a university and the gratitude of a son who never forgot who helped get him there.

“This Is Your Trophy Too”: Mendoza Honors Mom in Tearful Heisman Speech

CNBC

MacKenzie Scott gave away $7.17 billion this year. That’s the headline, at least. But if you ask her, that number barely scratches the surface of what really matters.

In a personal blog post published Tuesday, the billionaire philanthropist shared her 2025 donation total — gifts to about 225 organizations — and used the announcement to spotlight the everyday acts of generosity happening across the country, far from the headlines.

“This dollar total will likely be reported in the news,” she wrote, “but any dollar amount is a vanishingly tiny fraction of the personal expressions of care being shared into communities this year.”

The latest round of donations brings her total giving since 2019 to $26.3 billion, making her one of the most prolific living philanthropists, behind only Warren Buffett and Bill Gates, according to Forbes. The publication currently estimates Scott’s net worth at $29.9 billion. She became one of the world’s richest women following her 2019 divorce from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

This year’s donations include funding for historically Black colleges and universities, and organizations working on poverty, racial injustice, and climate change. But true to her approach, Scott didn’t release a full list or breakdown of the recipients.

That, too, is deliberate. Since she began giving away her fortune, Scott has consistently avoided the top-down, high-profile playbook used by many wealthy philanthropists. Her donations are typically unrestricted — meaning nonprofits can use the money however they want — and often come as a surprise.

In a 2021 post, she explained why: “People struggling against inequities deserve center stage in stories about change they are creating. This is equally — perhaps especially — true when their work is funded by wealth.”

She reiterated that philosophy again this week, writing that her role is not to make herself the center of the story, but to “cede focus to others.”

Following her divorce, Scott signed the Giving Pledge, a public promise by some of the world’s richest people to give away the majority of their wealth during their lifetimes. She has since assembled a team of advisors to help identify high-impact organizations, particularly those “operating in communities facing high projected food insecurity, high measures of racial inequity, high local poverty rates and low access to philanthropic capital.”

In her latest blog post, Scott pointed to data from Giving USA, which reported more than $590 billion in total charitable giving across the United States in 2024. She emphasized that most of it came from ordinary people, not billionaires.

“Over 70% of Americans reported giving both labor and money to people they know, and half reported doing the same for strangers,” she wrote. “It’s easy to focus on the methods of civic participation that make news, and hard to imagine the importance of the things we do each day with our own minds and hearts.”

Scott also reflected on the support she received before she became wealthy, including a college roommate at Princeton who once lent her $1,000 so she wouldn’t have to drop out.

That roommate, Jeannie Ringo Tarkenton, later went on to found Funding U, a student loan provider focused on helping low-income students who don’t have access to co-signers.

There was also the dentist who fixed a broken tooth for free after noticing Scott trying to secure it with denture glue.

“I never forgot those gestures,” Scott wrote.

Rather than focus solely on financial contributions, she urged readers to consider civic participation in its broader forms — empathy, understanding, and forgiveness. “All of these are meaningful contributions to others,” she said.

Scott didn’t disclose how she selected this year’s recipients. But the core message of her post had little to do with dollars and more to do with values. Her philanthropy, she suggested, is just one part of a much larger, less visible story — one written every day by people helping each other in quiet, unrecognized ways.

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