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

GoodGoodGood

What does healthy soil sound like?

Crackles, pops, and clicks — at least, if you’re a microphone buried in the dirt.

In a groundbreaking study from Flinders University in South Australia, researchers planted tiny microphones underground to test whether the sounds of insects and invertebrates could reveal the condition of soil. And according to ecologist Jake Robinson, the answer is yes.

“It’s a bit like going to the doctor,” Robinson told The Guardian. “They put a stethoscope on your chest, take a health check, listen to your beating heart. … We’re doing something similar in the soil.”

The team’s research, carried out in the Adelaide Hills, captured what they call a “soil symphony” — a mix of gliding echoes from snails, the faint tapping of millipedes, and the subtle bustle of beetles, ants, and spiders. The healthier the soil, the more vibrant and complex the soundtrack.

In poor soil? Just a flat hum of white noise.

The researchers boosted their recordings by 20 decibels to detect the subtle movements of underground life. What they found was a clear link between acoustic diversity and biological diversity. More sound meant more life — and more life meant better soil.

“It’s clear acoustic complexity and diversity of our samples are associated with soil invertebrate abundance,” Robinson said in a university release. “And it seems to be a clear reflection of soil health.”

Traditionally, studying soil biodiversity has meant expensive DNA testing or labor-intensive digging and trapping. This acoustic method could be a game-changer: low-cost, non-invasive, and accessible to more people.

“Restoring and monitoring soil biodiversity has never been more important,” Robinson added. He hopes the technology will soon be available to everyday conservationists, farmers, and even curious homeowners. “We’re trying to democratize it, so everyone can just buy their own little recorder and microphone.”

The goal? Turn the ground beneath our feet into a kind of music — one that tells us whether we’re treating the planet right.

Because if you listen closely enough, the worms are trying to tell us something.

Scientists Are Listening to Worms and Ants to Measure Soil Health — And It’s Working

The Cool Down

In a warming world where extinction threats loom large, small wins for nature matter more than ever. That’s why a group of volunteers in Prince George, British Columbia, is getting attention — and praise — for helping restore part of the Nechako River ecosystem.

The team worked to reconnect a side channel of the river at Cottonwood Island Park, a habitat used by fish for refuge and spawning. For years, the channel would dry up periodically, leaving fish stranded and vulnerable to predators.

That changed thanks to the efforts of Jesi Lauzon, a fisheries biology major at the University of Northern B.C. What started as a class project evolved into a full-fledged conservation initiative after Lauzon brought the idea to the Spruce City Wildlife Association, where she now serves as operations coordinator.

“It’s been a very long process, but it’s been amazing to take something from school and have so many people help me make it actually happen,” Lauzon told CBC. “I can’t be thankful enough because I couldn’t have done it by myself.”

The restored channel is expected to benefit local fish populations, including salmon, which rely on small, cool-water habitats like this one to thrive.

While climate change continues to threaten wildlife across the globe — with the United Nations warning that up to one million species could face extinction — local efforts like this provide a measure of hope. They prove that when communities come together, real progress is possible.

Other recent success stories include the return of bull trout to Oregon’s Klamath Basin after a 30-year restoration effort, and a dramatic revival of a long-neglected river in South London led by the South East Rivers Trust.

These kinds of projects don’t just benefit wildlife. They also strengthen communities and demonstrate that local action, no matter how small, can ripple outward.

In Prince George, it started with an idea — and ended with a river that flows more freely, and fish with a better chance of survival.

Volunteers Reconnect River Channel in B.C., Giving Fish a Fighting Chance

Upworthy

Turns out, kids were onto something when they said, “It takes one to know one.” And science agrees.

According to decades of psychological research, the way you talk about other people doesn’t just shape how others see them — it shapes how they see you. That’s because of a brain glitch known as Spontaneous Trait Transference (STT).

Dr. Shadé Zahrai, a leadership strategist and coach, recently explained the idea in a viral TikTok. “When you describe someone's traits, people who hear unconsciously associate those same traits with you,” she said.

So if you tell your coworker that your friend is warm and generous, people are likely to walk away thinking you are warm and generous. But if you’re talking trash about someone being selfish or rude, that same negativity can bounce right back.

This isn’t just about gossip or good vibes — it’s how our brains work. Research going back to 1998 shows that listeners routinely assign the same traits to the person telling the story, even if it’s unintentional. Compliment someone’s kindness? People will tag you as kind. Criticize someone’s arrogance? You might come off as arrogant by association.

It’s not exactly logical — our brains are just doing quick math. “As the listener processes the story, the idea of ‘rude’ becomes top of mind and is quickly attached not only to Stacey, but also to you,” psychologist Wendy L. Patrick wrote in Psychology Today.

The result? Being nice doesn’t just make you seem nicer. It makes you more likable, whether you’re trying or not.

It also works in reverse. The next time you feel tempted to badmouth someone, remember: what you say about others is shaping the story others tell themselves about you.

So yeah — if you don’t have anything nice to say, maybe don’t say anything at all. Your likability might depend on it.

The Psychology Trick That Makes People Like You More (Without You Realizing It)

BBC News

It started with a drill and a broken shelf. Now, it’s turned into a growing movement.

Electrician Sarah Bolger and event planner Justine Wortsman are behind Nail It DIY, a series of hands-on workshops in and around Reading, aimed at helping women build confidence in fixing things themselves.

“It could just be something really tiny but the fact that you’ve done it yourself is such a good starting point,” said Bolger, who started teaching Wortsman simple home repairs after the two met as school mums. What began as a favour — showing Wortsman how to fix her son’s shelving unit — sparked an idea: why not help other women do the same?

Since launching their taster sessions, they’ve seen a steady stream of interest. Every workshop so far has had a waiting list. “We hadn’t realised how much of a gap in the market there was,” said Wortsman. With fresh funding from Reading Borough Council, they’ll now be able to offer subsidised sessions and a few free spots too.

They’ve been hosting workshops in village halls across Wokingham, Caversham, Theale, and Tilehurst, keeping the vibe low-pressure and welcoming. Attendees range from complete beginners to those with some experience under their belt. One woman came in having never touched a tool — she went home and fixed her cooker fuse.

“We have all the kit, so you don’t need to bring anything,” Bolger said in a recent interview on BBC Radio Berkshire. “But if you do have things at home that you want to get your head around and you’re not sure what to do with it, then people are bringing these to our sessions.”

The concept is striking a nerve not just for its practicality but for what it represents. Wortsman described the impact as “more than DIY.” “Now it makes me challenge other assumptions I make about myself,” she said. “There was never an expectation that I would know how to change a plug or put up a shelf — it just wasn’t something that was expected of me.”

A recent study by Halfords suggests those expectations are changing. It found that women aged 18 to 27 are now more confident in basic DIY skills than their male peers — a shift from previous generations.

Still, Bolger and Wortsman are mindful of the barriers some women face. One participant lives with early-onset arthritis but is determined to keep learning. Others have come while grieving, looking for connection and empowerment. “One of them in particular said ‘I miss all the DIY he did and I just miss him,’” Wortsman shared.

There’s also a focus on mental health and neurodiversity. One attendee worried about retaining information due to ADHD, another about managing anxiety. Wortsman says part of their mission is to make sure everyone feels welcome. “I will always try to think of a way round,” she said.

Bolger, who has a background in sound and lighting repair and grew up with hands-on parents, is learning as she goes, too — especially when it comes to teaching. The feedback has been a huge confidence boost. “It’s completely new for me,” she said.

Their next goal is to reach younger people, especially girls, before the “I can’t do this” mindset takes hold. “Our goal is not just to level up the playing field for women, but to remove barriers in general,” Wortsman said.

How Two Friends Are Helping Women Take DIY Into Their Own Hands

While most kids spend their school holidays close to home, eight-year-old Yuam from Hedge End, Hampshire, has been busy ticking off bucket list destinations — including both ends of the planet.

Yuam has travelled to 26 countries with his parents since he was just eight months old, and has already crossed the Arctic Circle and taken a polar plunge in Antarctica. “Taking part in the polar plunge was unforgettable,” he said. “Completing it felt like a real achievement and made me feel incredibly proud.”

Now believed to be one of the youngest British travellers to visit Antarctica, Yuam described the icy continent as his favourite place so far. “I was able to see wildlife up close in its natural environment and there was a UK post office too, which was exciting,” he said.

The family travels exclusively during school holidays. On recent trips to Greenland and Svalbard, Yuam said he was struck by how quickly the environment is changing. “It was surreal to see glaciers retreating,” he said. “I learnt that Antarctica experiences the midnight sun, just like Greenland, and that seeing whales in the wild, which is awesome, is surprisingly common there.”

Back at school, his interests haven’t slowed down. Yuam now has his sights set on Egypt. “I want to learn more about mummies and the history of desert civilisations,” he said, adding that he’d also love to return to Antarctica, calling it “the best place in the world.”

His mum Keeyu, who works for a technology company, said she and her husband were passionate travellers before Yuam was born and didn’t want to stop after starting a family. “We are very lucky that Yuam enjoys travelling as much as we do and is a great travel companion,” she said. “As parents we wanted to give him perspective and understanding of how vast the planet is and how fragile some places have become.”

She added that watching Yuam absorb and reflect on his experiences has been rewarding. “We were surprised by how he listened closely to guides, noticed the movement of ice, and began to ask thoughtful questions.”

And as for that icy plunge in Antarctica? “I expected him to come out cold and crying,” she said. “But he had the biggest smile.”

Eight-Year-Old British Explorer Calls Antarctica His “Best Place in the World”

Sofia Demkiv never expected her university graduation would happen thousands of kilometres from home — or in the middle of a war. But after fleeing Ukraine with her family nearly four years ago, the 23-year-old says earning her master’s degree in the UK felt “incredibly special.”

Demkiv left Kyiv in early 2022 with her mother, aunt, sister, and brother after Russia launched its full-scale invasion. She was 19 at the time and recalled hearing explosions in the distance as the family packed up what they could. “It was an incredibly scary and stressful time,” she said. “I was just starting my adult life when suddenly we had to pack everything up and move to a new country with no idea whether we would ever return home or even whether our home would still exist.”

The family arrived in the UK in April 2022 under the government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme and eventually settled in Stoke-on-Trent. Demkiv later enrolled in a master’s program in marketing at Keele University.

This week, she graduated with distinction.

“Knowing the journey my family and I have been through, and how much heart and soul I put into my studies at Keele under such difficult circumstances, makes this moment feel incredibly special,” she said. “It’s the first time in my life I felt truly proud of my academic achievements.”

Despite the trauma of leaving her home behind, Demkiv says she’s found support and a sense of safety in the UK. “I love the UK and I'm incredibly grateful for the support we've received,” she said. “I never could have imagined this level of kindness when we arrived. It’s something I’ll remember forever and I hope one day I can repay it in some way.”

In October, she returned to Kyiv for a visit and said the mood was difficult to describe. “People have sadly become used to the situation,” she said. “While I felt scared and anxious, residents are now surprised if there isn't at least one attack a week.”

She hopes to return to Ukraine one day to raise a family, but for now, she’s staying in the UK and building her career. With graduation behind her, she’s focused on gaining more experience and pursuing a job in the financial technology sector.

This Ukrainian Refugee Just Celebrated a Special Graduation Milestone

Good News Network

A Swiss family has quietly revolutionized the farming industry with Europe’s first all-electric, solar-assisted tractor—and it’s now rolling across five countries.

Built by the Knüsel family in the canton of Schwyz, the Rigitrac SKE 40 is the product of over two decades of tractor engineering and a leap of imagination sparked by a simple observation: many farms already had solar panels on their rooftops. Why not build a tractor that could use that energy?

The idea took root in 2018 when Theres Beutler-Knüsel, one of four daughters of company founder Sepp Knüsel, was studying at the University of Dresden. She teamed up with her father to build a prototype for an electric tractor—something no one in Europe had done before.

“The development of the electric tractor was a long process with setbacks,” Beutler-Knüsel told Swiss broadcaster SRF. “When we started, many of the necessary individual parts were not yet on the market.”

The family had to work directly with suppliers to design and produce the required components from scratch. The final product, released in 2019, was a sleek, compact machine designed for real-world use—particularly for vegetable farming and snow plowing, rather than the most heavy-duty agricultural work.

The Rigitrac SKE 40 features four electric motors generating a combined 84 kilowatts of power. One motor drives the front wheels, another the rear, a third assists with starting, and a fourth supports auxiliary functions. And yes, it includes a solar panel on the roof to help extend the battery life during daylight operations.

While it’s not built to plow massive fields, it’s already proven valuable for smaller farms and tasks that require agility, precision, and lower emissions. It’s currently being sold in Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Norway, and Denmark—and even made it into the popular PC game Farming Simulator.

In 2025, the Rigitrac team won Switzerland’s Watt d’Or—or “Golden Watt”—award from the Federal Office of Energy. The prize, though symbolic and without monetary reward, gave the company a significant publicity boost.

“It’s great recognition that shows us we are on the right path,” Beutler-Knüsel said.

The business is still very much a family affair. Sepp’s wife Marlis and daughters Edith, Doris, and Ruth all work at Rigitrac AG. One runs advertising and HR, another leads sales, and a third oversees the supply chain.

Together, they’ve taken an idea born under the Swiss sun and turned it into a growing European success story. From a workshop in Schwyz to fields across the continent, this family’s invention is helping power a cleaner, smarter future for agriculture.

This Swiss Family’s Solar-Powered Tractor is Turning Heads Across Europe — Here's Why

To the beat of drums and the sound of singing, six American bison rumbled out of a trailer and onto the frozen prairie in northern Illinois, marking a historic moment 200 years in the making.

Three male and three female bison were released this week at Burlington Prairie Forest Preserve in Kane County, about 100 kilometers northwest of Chicago. The event, witnessed at sunrise by a large crowd including members of the Santee Sioux tribe, marked the return of a keystone species to its ancestral habitat.

“It’s different when you’re welcoming them back home,” said tribal elder Robert Wapahi, speaking to CBS News Chicago. “That’s their home, not mine.”

Blanketed in traditional woven shawls and modern down jackets, the Santee Sioux had gathered to welcome the animals as relatives, not just as wildlife. It was a moment charged with emotion, ceremony, and a sense of ecological restoration.

The six bison were first released into a fenced cattle enclosure, allowing them to slowly acclimate to their new home after being away for two centuries. In the spring, they’ll be moved to a larger fenced prairie area where their presence is expected to help restore the local ecosystem.

“It’s really important and awesome to see another herd that is hitting the ground in a good way,” said one attendee, as drums welcomed the trailer’s arrival.

The project is a partnership between the American Indian Center of Chicago—the oldest urban Native American cultural institution in the U.S.—and the Kane County Forest Preserve District. A designated herd manager will oversee the animals, ensuring their health and well-being as they settle in.

At one time, tens of millions of bison roamed North America. Their near-eradication in the 19th century, down to just a few thousand, devastated not only prairie ecosystems but also Indigenous communities that depended on them.

Even without widespread farming, the loss of bison changed the land. These animals shaped the prairie like beavers shape waterways. Their hooves flattened grasses and kept dominant species in check. Their shaggy coats carried seeds far and wide. Their waste fertilized the soil, and their habit of wallowing in the dirt created water-retaining pits that helped the prairie survive drought.

That kind of ecological engineering can't be easily replaced. Which is why even a small herd, like the one now in Illinois, matters.

Across the continent, bison are slowly making a comeback. Conservation groups, tribal nations, and public land managers are working together to reintroduce them where prairie still exists. Six bison may be a modest beginning, but it’s a meaningful one.

Judging by the cheers and the broad smiles from those who watched them step onto the snowy ground, the return of these animals was more than symbolic. It was deeply personal.

For the Santee Sioux and for the land itself, this wasn’t just a release. It was a reunion.

After 200 Years, Bison Return to the Illinois Prairie in a Powerful Homecoming

euronews

A massive offshore wind initiative is taking shape across Europe’s North Sea. On Friday, 10 countries formally signed the Hamburg Declaration, pledging to develop 100 gigawatts of shared offshore wind power by 2050—enough to supply electricity to roughly 143 million homes.

Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway and the United Kingdom are backing the agreement, which aims to transform the North Sea into the “world’s largest clean energy reservoir.”

It’s the biggest joint offshore wind commitment of its kind, and it comes with a hefty €9.5 billion investment and an ambition to unlock €1 trillion in capital. The plan is expected to create more than 90,000 jobs and reduce electricity production costs by 30 percent over the next 15 years.

“We’re standing up for our national interest by driving for clean energy, which can get the UK off the fossil fuel rollercoaster and give us energy sovereignty and abundance,” said UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband.

The pact marks a major acceleration in Europe’s wind energy buildout. Just three years ago, North Sea countries announced a collective target of 300GW of offshore wind by 2050 in response to Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and the energy crisis it triggered across Europe. A third of that target is now expected to come from cross-border projects.

For the first time, wind farms will be directly connected to multiple countries using a new approach called multi-purpose interconnectors, or MPIs. These cables will run under the sea and allow electricity to flow from one wind farm into more than one national grid.

That’s a change from the current system, where wind farms typically send power to just one country. According to a joint statement from RenewableUK and National Grid Ventures, the new approach will require less infrastructure, reducing the burden on coastal communities and lowering the environmental impact.

But not everyone is on board. In Norway, MPIs have stirred controversy over fears that electricity generated at sea could be sold to foreign buyers, driving up domestic prices and reducing supply. In response, some governments are now introducing rules to restrict electricity exports when domestic needs aren’t being met.

Despite the pushback, Germany’s economy minister Katherina Reiche framed the initiative as a win for jobs and long-term security. She said it offers “reliable perspectives” for the offshore sector and will help ensure “creation of value in Europe.”

The timing is pointed. The Hamburg Declaration comes just days after former U.S. President Donald Trump mocked wind power investments, calling countries that pursue them “losers.”

But the numbers suggest otherwise. Last year, wind and solar combined generated more electricity in the EU than fossil fuels for the first time. Energy experts hailed the milestone, even as they warned that outdated transmission grids remain a bottleneck for renewable growth.

That’s part of what makes the Hamburg Declaration notable—it doesn’t just boost generation, it tackles distribution too.

There’s still a long way to go. But for countries trying to move away from volatile fossil fuel markets, the North Sea may soon offer more than just fish and ferries. It could be the backbone of a new energy era.

North Sea Set to Become World’s Largest Clean Energy Hub Under Landmark Wind Pact

People

Dalton Tomberlain, a seventh-grader in Georgia, thought he was going to die.

He had been eating a burger at McClure Middle School in Cobb County when something went wrong. “I felt like a soreness in my throat, and then I just could not breathe,” Dalton said. “I thought I was going to die a little bit ... it was just scary.”

As the blockage in his throat cut off his oxygen, Dalton placed his hands around his neck—a universal sign of choking—hoping someone would notice.

Valerie Hodge did. Although she isn’t Dalton’s teacher, the middle school English teacher didn’t hesitate. “I didn't really even think, honestly,” she said. “I just kind of reacted. I saw a student who was in trouble and ... I just went into action.”

She performed the Heimlich maneuver, clearing Dalton’s airway in time.

The incident was shared in a video posted by the Cobb County School District. Dalton, safe and breathing again, said simply: “She saved my life, so it’s a big thing.”

His mother, Courtney Tomberlain, got a phone call from the school about what happened. “From what I understand, he was turning blue,” she said. “I can’t thank her enough. She took care of business and she didn’t think twice, and I don't know what the outcome could have been; it could have been a tragic situation for our family.”

Instead, Dalton was able to go home that day.

The school district’s post highlighting Hodge’s quick actions has drawn praise from the community, with parents and staff calling her a hero. But Hodge herself downplayed the title. For her, it was instinct. A student needed help. So she helped.

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