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

When Karen Dolva co-founded the Norwegian tech company No Isolation in 2015, her mission was clear: tackle loneliness using technology — starting with some of the most isolated people of all, children too ill to attend school.

The result was AV1, a small robot designed not to replace teachers or classmates, but to help children stay connected when illness keeps them at home, in hospital, or physically apart from their peers. Controlled remotely by the child, AV1 sits in the classroom, offering a set of “eyes” and a voice that allows them to see, hear, and even speak to their friends and teachers in real time.

"The idea was sparked by a friend of mine who had worked as a nurse on a children’s ward," Dolva told Euronews Next. "She mentioned these kids didn’t get nearly enough visitors."

That conversation lit a spark. Since then, AV1 has been deployed in classrooms across Europe, giving children with long-term illnesses or mental health challenges a way to attend school virtually — and more importantly, to feel included.

Dolva emphasized that AV1 is not a substitute for in-person education, but a bridge for those who can’t yet return. “They are not lazy, they’re ill,” she said. “There’s always the intent of going back [to school].”

The robot itself is simple and deliberately neutral. With just a head and torso, AV1 doesn't try to mimic human appearance — a conscious design choice. “We’ve followed a lot of the design principles by Pixar,” Dolva explained. “We wanted something with a lot of human feeling and expression, but without the humanoid elements.”

That neutrality matters. “We’re going to try to fit a six-year-old boy and a seventeen-year-old girl and everyone in between [in AV1], so it needs to be quite neutral,” she added.

Though AV1’s appearance is robotic, its impact is deeply human. Children can raise their hand in class via the robot, whisper to a classmate through its speaker, or simply observe — quietly included in the rhythm of school life. Its camera eyes transmit live classroom footage back to the student’s device, and the robot’s head can turn to help them follow the action.

Most AV1 units aren’t bought by families. Instead, they’re provided through partnerships between No Isolation and local governments, schools, or healthcare providers. That model helps ensure broader access and keeps the technology focused on inclusion, not profit.

Dolva’s work has taken on renewed relevance in recent years, especially as global attention around loneliness has grown. In 2023, the World Health Organization officially recognised loneliness as a global health threat. According to a 2025 WHO report, around 16 percent of people worldwide say they feel lonely — a number that’s even higher among adolescents.

Technology is emerging as a potential tool in that fight. Online gaming, artificial intelligence, virtual reality and robotic companions are increasingly seen as interventions worth exploring.

Dolva, who stepped down as CEO but remains closely connected to the company’s vision, believes strongly in what she calls “hard first impact” companies — those that take on social problems from day one. “My personal goal with all of this has been to prove that this kind of company can become very successful,” she said.

AV1 may be small and unassuming, but for the children who use it, the robot represents something enormous: connection, belonging, and the chance to be part of a world they might otherwise be missing.

A Robotics Pioneer is Championing Tech Solutions for Childhood Loneliness — Here's How

Goodable

Santa Claus made an early stop in southern Spain this year — not for children, but for gorillas.

At Bioparc Fuengirola, a group of critically endangered western lowland gorillas, including a newborn, got a special Christmas delivery as part of the park’s enrichment program. Dressed in full holiday gear, Santa entered the gorilla enclosure with a sack full of wrapped gifts, much to the curiosity of the resident primates.

Footage released by the park shows the gorillas approaching the colorful boxes, sniffing and unwrapping them with care. Inside were treats and toys, carefully selected to stimulate their senses and encourage natural behaviors like foraging and exploration.

The festive visit is part of the zoo's efforts to keep the animals engaged and mentally stimulated — and to spread a little seasonal cheer in the process.

According to staff, the gorillas responded with fascination, and the youngest member of the group stayed close to its mother while watching the action unfold. No wrapping paper was spared.

Santa Claus went on an early quest to make sure no one, including gorillas, was left without Christmas gifts.At Bioparc Fuengirola in southern Spain, a group of lowland gorillas, including a newborn, experienced the magic of Christmas.Footage released by the park shows Santa bringing gifts into the enclosure as the gorillas interact with them.

Santa Delights Gorilla Family With Early Christmas Gifts

BBC News

They were made to be eaten in emergencies, but some World War I soldiers used Army-issue biscuits for something far more human — sending messages of love and humour from the trenches.

One of the most poignant examples now sits in the Leeds Discovery Centre: a rock-hard ration biscuit from 1914, inscribed by Pte William Maxwell of the 9th Queen's Royal Lancers. Addressed to his mother, Margaret Maxwell of Meanwood in Leeds, it carries a simple but heartfelt message.

“Christmas dinner in the Army,” he wrote. “Give us this day our daily bread and please put a bit of butter on. From Max.”

It may have been the last message he ever sent. Pte Maxwell was killed in action in May 1915. His younger brother Arthur had already died months earlier, in the war’s opening weeks. William’s grave lies in Hazebrouck Communal Cemetery in northern France.

The biscuit, still wrapped in its original packaging, has outlasted the war, the soldier who wrote on it, and even the company that made it. Produced by Huntley & Palmers — the world’s largest biscuit manufacturer at the time — the biscuit was designed to be indestructible. Made of whole wheat flour and no sugar, it was part of the standard rations issued to British soldiers and could endure months in storage or transit without rotting.

According to the Imperial War Museum, these biscuits were “notoriously hard” and could “crack teeth if not first soaked in tea or water.”

Which may explain why some soldiers preferred to write on them instead.

Another biscuit from the same era, also housed in Leeds, features a drawing of a battleship and a seasonal message: “Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a bright new year.”

Kitty Ross, curator of social history at Leeds Museums and Galleries, said the biscuits offer a “very real and thought-provoking insight into life in the trenches of the First World War.”

“That they would seemingly rather have used these biscuits to share a joke with their loved ones than eat them speaks volumes about both the quality of the food and how much they must have wanted to stay in touch at a time of year when they would doubtless have felt the distance between them more keenly than ever,” she said.

The Leeds Discovery Centre allows visitors to view the biscuits on request, giving people a rare look at some of the more personal — and unusual — artefacts of the war.

Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council's executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture, called them a touching reminder of how people found ways to connect even during the harshest times.

"It's fascinating to see these different generations and their experiences of the festive season represented in our collection,” she said.

The Christmas Biscuits Soldiers Sent Instead of Letters

A window cleaner from Northamptonshire has found an unlikely route to internet fame — scrubbing grime off road signs.

Sam Brown, who works for his uncle’s window cleaning business in Wellingborough, has built a growing audience on TikTok under the name The Ginger Cleaner. In between his regular jobs, Brown films himself washing filthy road signs, and viewers can’t seem to get enough.

“People might enjoy watching it — and I enjoy recording it anyway,” he told BBC Radio Northampton.

Some of his videos have pulled in over 500,000 views, with users now suggesting new signs for him to clean. What started as a side bit of content quickly outperformed the videos of his regular day job.

“I was posting clips of my window cleaning, but I thought I’ll do the [road] signs and for some reason that got way more views,” he said.

Brown said he took inspiration from creators like The Pool Guy, who gained a following online for satisfying pool cleaning videos. Brown’s twist? Bringing that same sense of oddly satisfying cleanliness to everyday street corners.

He works across Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes, and so far, the latter has earned the title of dirtiest signs. “I try and make sure I find some [signs to clean] because I think people enjoy seeing where they’re from,” he said.

As long as it doesn’t interfere with his main job, Brown’s happy to keep going. “As long as it was me doing it and it wasn't affecting my actual work,” he added.

He’s already cleaned most of the signs in his local area and is now thinking about branching out. “I might have to venture out [of the area] soon anyway as I've most probably cleaned them all.”

And he has no plans to stop. “I enjoy it,” he said.

'Ginger Cleaner' Captivates TikTok With Road Sign Washing Videos

ABC News

Al Michaels has called nearly every kind of moment an NFL game can offer. Now, at 81, he’s hit a milestone that might never be matched: 40 seasons as the play-by-play voice of the league’s prime-time games.

When the Denver Broncos faced the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas night, it marked Michaels’ 779th NFL broadcast, according to the 506 Sports Archive.

“I mean, it’s been a fantastic ride. I mean, it’s unbelievable because it came out of nowhere back in 1986,” Michaels said. “I’m thinking 40 years, you don’t think in those terms when you’re 40 years old, but here we are. It’s hard to believe, but I am blessed and thankful.”

Except for a two-year stretch in the mid-1970s, Michaels’ career has unfolded almost entirely under the bright lights of prime time. From Monday Night Football on ABC to Sunday Night Football on NBC and now Thursday Night Football on Prime Video, he has become the voice of football in the biggest moments.

He has called 11 Super Bowls, tying Pat Summerall for the most by a play-by-play announcer.

Despite his age, Michaels hasn’t hinted at retirement. His Thursday night broadcasts with analyst Kirk Herbstreit still average nearly 15 million viewers — the highest Thursday night ratings since a regular package began in 2006. It’s also up 13% from last year and a major jump from Prime Video’s debut in 2022.

“There’s a pretty good chance if it’s a game you remember, Al called that game,” said Mark Teitelman, lead game producer for Thursday Night Football. Teitelman helped launch the “Al-Manac” segment this season, where Michaels shares personal memories from iconic games he’s called.

For Michaels, the thrill hasn’t worn off.

“We’ve all done so many big games at this point, but he truly gets excited when he has the opportunity to do a big game,” said longtime producer Fred Gaudelli, who worked with Michaels for 23 seasons. “And you can’t say that for a lot of people in our business. After a certain amount of time, you lose that fire in your belly to really do it, and he’s never lost that.”

Herbstreit, now in his fourth season beside Michaels, says he’s learned from watching him operate.

“I’ve always noticed that the bigger the moment, when you really feel urgency as a broadcaster, Al gets calmer and just waits for the right time to bring his voice to that crescendo,” he said. “I’ve just been blown away by how he does his job, how organized and prepared he is, and how much he loves it.”

Michaels has worked with eight different analysts over the years, from John Madden and Cris Collinsworth to Dan Dierdorf and Dennis Miller. His longest stretch was with Collinsworth (13 seasons), but he’s equally fond of his seven years alongside Madden — including their run from Monday Night Football into NBC’s Sunday Night Football.

Their chemistry, Michaels said, clicked right away. “By the second commercial break [of our first game], I felt it was already natural.”

He’s even nostalgic about the more unusual pairings, like the two seasons he worked with Dan Fouts and comedian Dennis Miller in the early 2000s.

“It was so different than anything else I’ve done in my entire 50-year career,” Michaels said. “It was not easy because my biggest problem was Dennis had a lot of really good lines, but if I laughed too much, I would sound like a hyena. And if I didn’t laugh, then people would say, Al hates him.”

He recalled one moment in particular from a 2000 Jets-Dolphins game, when Jets tackle Jumbo Elliott caught a touchdown pass. Miller immediately chimed in, “Couldn’t keep him down forever.”

“That was Dennis at his best,” Michaels said. “You’re just capturing a moment, saying something pithy like that. It is funny.”

Michaels started at ABC in 1976 and made his mark with baseball and Olympic coverage, including the iconic 1980 “Miracle on Ice” hockey game. He was brought to Monday Night Football in 1986, when ABC moved Frank Gifford to the analyst chair and replaced him with a more traditional play-by-play voice.

The transition to a three-man booth came in 1987 with the addition of Dierdorf, leading to an 11-season run that included three Super Bowls.

His hardest season, he said, was 2005 — the final year ABC held rights to Monday Night Football. After that year’s Super Bowl, Madden and much of the production team moved to NBC. Michaels eventually joined them, but only after a quirky trade: Disney sent him to NBC in exchange for the rights to Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, an early Walt Disney character.

Through all of it, Michaels has remained the benchmark. CBS’s Kevin Harlan, the next most prolific active announcer, sits more than 230 games behind him and would need another 13 seasons to catch up.

Asked to name a favorite game, Michaels pointed to Super Bowl 43, where the Steelers edged the Cardinals in the final seconds. Santonio Holmes’ toe-tap touchdown and James Harrison’s 100-yard interception return made for a drama-filled night — and it turned out to be Madden’s last broadcast before retirement.

As for what keeps him going, Michaels says it’s the love of the game and the people around it.

“I don’t know how [Herbstreit] does it,” he said. “He’s got gigantic energy, and he’s tremendously well prepared. We have a lot of fun. I think we have a great back-and-forth, give-and-take. It’s natural. It took a little while to become natural, but it does with anybody. And once we got going, great.”

For now, Michaels is still at the mic — steady, sharp, and showing no signs of stepping away.

Al Michaels Celebrates 40 Years of Calling NFL Games with Unwavering Passion

Science Daily

Three centuries after Carl Linnaeus set out to name every species he could find, the pace of discovery is not slowing down — it’s speeding up.

A new study led by researchers at the University of Arizona and published in Science Advances shows that scientists are now identifying more than 16,000 new species every year, the highest rate ever recorded. That includes everything from insects and fungi to plants, fish, and even new vertebrates.

“Some scientists have suggested that the pace of new species descriptions has slowed down and that this indicates that we are running out of new species to discover, but our results show the opposite,” said John Wiens, senior author of the study. “We’re finding new species at a faster rate than ever before.”

Between 2015 and 2020, researchers catalogued an average of 16,000 new species per year. Most of them were animals — especially insects and other arthropods — but also included roughly 2,500 plants and 2,000 fungi. These numbers far exceed the current estimated global extinction rate of around 10 species per year, according to a related study Wiens led earlier in 2025.

The research team analyzed data on nearly two million formally described species from all major life groups. They found that the annual discovery rate has been increasing steadily, and if current trends continue, we’re nowhere near the end of the biodiversity map. For example, while around 42,000 fish species are currently described, the study projects there could be as many as 115,000. For amphibians, the number could jump from 9,000 to more than 41,000. And for plants, the total number of species could top half a million.

The insect world, in particular, remains largely unexplored. Scientists have formally described about 1.1 million insect species, but estimates suggest the real number could be closer to 6 million — or as high as 20 million, according to earlier work by Wiens.

“Right now, most new species are identified by visible traits,” he said. But advances in molecular biology are changing that. Genetic analysis is helping uncover "cryptic" species that look alike on the outside but differ on the DNA level. This is especially promising for microorganisms like bacteria and fungi, which are harder to distinguish by sight alone.

“Right now, we know of about 2.5 million species, but the true number may be in the tens or hundreds of millions or even the low billions,” Wiens said.

Finding new species isn’t just about filling in the biological record — it’s also the first step in protecting them. “These species can’t be protected until they’re scientifically described,” Wiens said. “Documentation is the first step in conservation.”

Some discoveries also come with direct benefits for people. Medicines, biotech tools, and even materials science have all been shaped by natural products found in newly studied organisms. Weight-loss drugs like GLP-1 agonists were inspired by hormones found in Gila monsters. Painkillers and anti-cancer compounds are being developed from spider venom, snake toxins, and plant chemicals. Gecko feet have even inspired adhesive technologies.

“We’re still just scratching the surface of what these species can do for humanity,” Wiens said.

Next, the researchers aim to map where new species are being found most often — and who’s doing the discovering. One goal is to see whether biological exploration is becoming more locally driven, as researchers in biodiversity-rich countries take on a bigger role.

Even though Linnaeus launched the project 300 years ago, 15 percent of all known species have been discovered in just the last two decades.

“So much remains unknown,” said Wiens, “and each new discovery brings us closer to understanding and protecting the incredible biodiversity of life on our planet.”

Scientists Uncover Hundreds Of New Species In A Golden Age Of Discovery

A Surrey family has delivered more than 700 Christmas meals to people across the region — all cooked, packed, and sent out with the help of dozens of volunteers and a lot of heart.

Matt Gaskin and his family have been running the operation for eight years, driven by a simple goal: to “make a difference” during the holidays for people who are struggling. This year, the effort reached its biggest milestone yet — 700 meals, up from 560 in 2024.

“There are so many people out there that are struggling at the moment and it seems to be getting worse,” Gaskin told the BBC. “It’s about giving back.”

The food was donated by local businesses in Woking and Guildford, and the numbers are impressive: 40 turkeys, 1,500 pigs in blankets, 4,000 roast potatoes, and 100 kilograms each of Brussels sprouts and carrots.

About 30 volunteers helped with the preparation, chopping vegetables and boxing up meals. “There are all sorts of different people from all walks of life, which is great because it’s a real community affair,” Gaskin said. “People sit down and they talk and they chat and they get to know each other and that’s what’s great to see.”

His wife, Marta, described the atmosphere in the kitchen as emotional. “When you look at the volunteers peeling veggies today and chatting away and creating friendships — it’s very emotional,” she said.

The meals were delivered by 60 drivers to homes across Surrey, as well as Windsor, Maidenhead, and Aldershot. Each meal included Christmas crackers and a handmade card, created by students from St Thomas of Canterbury Primary School in Guildford.

Miki, the couple’s son, said the early mornings and long hours are worth it. “I don’t think anyone knows truly how many people this helps and what an impact it has on their life,” he said. “Not everyone has an opportunity to have a good Christmas, so just to make it a little bit brighter makes it all worthwhile.”

The family woke up at 2:30am on Tuesday and 3:30am on Christmas Eve to get everything ready. “Being able to see the difference it makes and seeing people smile and come together, it makes it all worthwhile in an instant,” Miki said.

Family And Volunteers Deliver Over 700 Christmas Meals To Those In Need Across Surrey

Every winter, the Bay of Biscay becomes a danger zone for dolphins — and once again, the European Commission is stepping in.

Starting in 2026, EU authorities will reintroduce a temporary winter fishing ban in the Bay, aiming to prevent the accidental deaths of dolphins and other small cetaceans. The closure will run from 22 January to 20 February and apply to all vessels over eight metres in length, which will be required to remain in port during that period.

This marks the third consecutive year for the winter ban, a move Brussels says is based on evidence that the measure works. According to data cited by the Commission, dolphin deaths in 2025 were significantly lower than in years prior to the introduction of the seasonal closures.

The problem itself is well-documented. Each winter, hundreds of dolphins wash ashore along the Atlantic coast, many with injuries consistent with fishing gear entanglement. Scientists and conservation groups, including the French observatory PELAGIS, have long been calling for stronger protections.

Fishing activity and dolphin migration patterns tend to peak at the same time, which increases the risk of accidental capture in nets — known as bycatch. In response, the EU first trialed winter closures in recent years, and the results have been encouraging enough to repeat the policy.

Still, the ban is not without consequences. Around 300 vessels will be affected, and Brussels acknowledges the economic hit that local fishers may face. To help offset the impact, affected fishers will be eligible for compensation through the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund. Member states may also provide additional national aid during the one-month shutdown.

The fishing ban isn’t the only strategy in place. The Commission will continue to require certain vessels to use acoustic deterrent devices — tools that emit sounds to keep cetaceans away from nets — throughout the year. Monitoring will also be stepped up, with more onboard observers and camera systems introduced to track how fishing operations interact with marine wildlife.

While the closures are temporary, the EU hopes the approach can offer a longer-term balance between environmental protection and economic livelihood. Reducing fishing activity at the most dangerous time for dolphins, while maintaining support for the communities that rely on fishing, is the line Brussels is trying to walk.

EU Announces Winter Fishing Ban in Bay of Biscay to Protect Dolphins

CTV News

Sandra and Les Dorgy havA Windsor couple is taking their love story global — one PokéStop at a time.

Sandra and Les Dorgy, newlyweds with a shared passion for Pokémon Go, are being featured in an international media campaign celebrating couples who met through the game. After a one-of-a-kind wedding, the pair were spotlighted by Pokémon Go officials, who sent a film crew to Windsor to capture the story of how the mobile AR game brought them together.

“It’s kind of hard to keep track of all of the wild adventures that we’ve been on,” Sandra told CTV News Windsor.

Their latest adventure took them to Japan for their honeymoon, where they joined the official Pokémon Go Fest media tour. There, their story reached even wider audiences, including a national news broadcast, a wedding magazine, and a local newspaper.

“Japan is a whole different level of intensity,” said Les, a Windsor firefighter. “Everyone there is very intense, very passionate about anime. They don’t hold back like they do in North America.”

The couple says Pokémon Go was more than a shared hobby — it was the thread that connected their lives. “Our love story, connecting through Pokémon, is a one in a million story, if not rarer,” Les said.

Following their honeymoon, the celebrations kept coming. Sandra recently graduated as a nurse practitioner and marked the occasion with a nod to the game, adding Pokémon-themed decorations to her graduation cap. She’s now officially a Pokémon Go ambassador and represented Windsor at the White Sox Pokémon Go night in Chicago.

Next up? Los Angeles. The couple is heading to another Pokémon event in February, where they expect the camera crew will pick up their story again, this time documenting their journey through “the City of Lights.”

“That’s the best part about this game,” Les said. “You get to have fun, meet new people and travel.”e taken their love story on the road, sharing it with fans of Pokémon Go around the globe. The newlyweds, who married in a unique ceremony that captured the attention of Pokémon Go officials, are now part of a documentary project exploring their shared passion for the augmented reality mobile game.

"It’s kind of hard to keep track of all of the wild adventures that we’ve been on," Sandra said. Their journey began in Windsor and continued through Japan during their honeymoon. Les, who works as a firefighter in Windsor, found Japan's enthusiasm for anime particularly striking. "Everyone there is very intense, very passionate about anime," he explained.

The couple's romance caught international media interest while they were in Japan for the Pokémon Go Fest. They were interviewed by a wedding magazine and a local newspaper and even appeared on Japan’s national news channel. "Our love story, connecting through Pokémon, is a one in a million story, if not rarer," Les said.

Their adventures didn’t stop after returning from Japan. Sandra celebrated another milestone by graduating as a nurse practitioner. To mark the occasion, she added subtle Pokémon touches to her graduation cap. Sandra has also taken on the role of Pokémon Go ambassador and recently represented Windsor at the White Sox Pokémon Go night in Chicago.

Looking ahead, Sandra and Les plan to continue their travels to Los Angeles in February for another Pokémon event. They anticipate that another camera crew will capture more moments of their epic narrative there.

“That’s the best part about this game," Les noted. "You get to have fun, meet new people and travel.

Pokémon Go Love Story Captivates Global Audience

GoodGoodGood

Lydia Brown knows exactly what it feels like to spend Christmas in a hospital bed. Now, she’s doing everything she can to make sure other kids don’t feel so alone.

The 16-year-old from Maine has spent most of her life in and out of Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor. Living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Dysautonomia, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), and other health issues, Brown became familiar with hospital walls early in life.

But for the past four years, she’s turned that experience into something extraordinary: the Lydia Project.

Each holiday season, Lydia collects and donates Christmas presents to children on the pediatric floor — the same floor she spent much of her childhood on. This year, she hit a personal milestone, delivering more than 800 gifts to patients.

“Every year, I try to make it as big as I can,” Brown told local news station WABI TV. “I donate almost anything you can think of, whether it’s needed, not needed, for fun, not for fun, anything that a family member might need or a patient.”

The gifts come from all over her community. Neighbors chip in what they can, and Lydia and her mom fill in the rest to make sure every child wakes up to something special on Christmas Day.

The idea came from her own memories. Brown remembers the small moments that brought comfort during her hospital stays — the surprise of a nurse bringing a craft project, the softness of new pajamas, or the joy of taking home a colorful water bottle.

“I think about that a lot because, I mean, I still have some of that stuff from when I was like nine,” she said.

Brown’s younger brother also spent time in the hospital, so the mission is personal on multiple levels.

Though her health prevents her from delivering the gifts in person, Lydia says just knowing she’s helping is enough.

“Coming from a person that was in that situation, it makes me happy,” she said.

This year’s delivery marked her biggest haul yet — and she’s already looking ahead to what she can do next. For updates on the Lydia Project or to support her efforts, Lydia runs a Facebook page where she shares news and ways to get involved.

“I’ve been there,” she said. “And if I can make even one kid feel a little less scared or a little more loved on Christmas, then it’s all worth it.”

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