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The Latina Quinceañera Tradition Is More Alive Than Ever — but It's Not Your Abuela's Celebration
Angelica Garcia celebrated her 15th birthday with a Cinderella-themed quinceañera, complete with reggaeton dancing and elaborate photoshoots. The tradition of quinceañeras is making a comeback among Latina families, with teens opting for bigger and bolder celebrations. Party planners are seeing an increase in blowout parties featuring 'crazy hours' instead of traditional waltzes. Quinceañera photo shoots have become the highlight, capturing the essence of turning 15 in glamorous ways that reflect each girl's personality and interests.
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9-year-old twins launch Christmas Kindness Campaign to “Turn the World Into a Really Nice Place”
Twin brothers George and Stanley from York are on a mission this December — not for gifts or toys, but to spread kindness. The nine-year-olds have launched their own Christmas campaign of good deeds, aiming to complete 12 acts of kindness throughout the month. So far, they’ve volunteered at a hospice, visited a care home, collected food for people experiencing homelessness, and delivered treats and supplies to a local dog shelter. “We were watching television with Mum about volunteers and we thought how good it would be to do something like that,” Stanley said. “Just spread kindness at Christmas and help people who aren't as lucky as us.” The idea quickly became a family project. Their mother, Sophie Agar, 43, said they all sat down together to brainstorm how the boys could help others in age-appropriate ways. “So we came up with 12 acts of kindness,” she said. “They’ve already taken presents to a care home, collected food, and bought toys to donate to charity. I’m beyond proud, they’ve been amazing.” The boys aren’t doing it for attention — they’re doing it for smiles. “My favourite bit was seeing the smiles on the faces of the people in the home when they see they’ve got a present to open,” George said. “We also made Christmas decorations for people in the care home.” Stanley added: “We bought chocolates and made cards and gave them to the people in the home too. It’s probably one of the highlights of my Christmas. Any bit of kindness helps — just for one person to get something at Christmas.” George agreed, saying even small acts can make a big difference. “If you are not able to donate to charity, just show kindness, because it might inspire other people to be kind too — and then we could turn the world into a really nice place.”
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Zoo Welcomes Two Of World's Rarest Lions To Save Them From Extinction
Two young Asiatic lions have arrived at Chester Zoo in a major step to help protect one of the most endangered big cat species on Earth. Nilay, a male from Köln Zoo in Germany, and Shanti, a female from London Zoo, have been brought together as part of an international conservation breeding program aimed at preventing the species from disappearing altogether. Once introduced behind the scenes, conservationists say the pair formed an “instant connection,” showing playful behaviour and affection such as head rubbing. “The arrival of Nilay and Shanti marks an exciting new chapter in our conservation efforts to protect one of the world’s most extraordinary and endangered animals,” said Dave Hall, team manager of carnivores at Chester Zoo. “Both lions are around two years old, which means they’re full of curiosity and youthful energy,” Hall said. “They’re also at the age where they’d naturally start to leave their mother and become independent.” Now settling into an enclosure designed to resemble India’s Gir Forest — the only place Asiatic lions still roam in the wild — the pair are being closely monitored by keepers who hope they will eventually form a breeding pride. “We’re hopeful that as their bond grows stronger, we may one day have a pride again here at Chester,” Hall added. “That would be another truly special milestone for the safety-net population of Asiatic lions.” There are fewer than 900 Asiatic lions left in the wild, all confined to a single forest in western India. Conservationists say that leaves them extremely vulnerable to disease, natural disasters, and habitat loss. The species is listed as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). “These majestic cats are facing a fight for survival,” said Mark Brayshaw, head of mammals at Chester Zoo. “Their wild population is now limited to just a small pocket of forest in India — making them incredibly susceptible to threats such as poaching, disease and habitat loss.” “That’s why global conservation breeding programs are so vitally important,” he said. “By creating a safety-net population in zoos like ours, we can ensure that these incredible animals don’t disappear altogether like others in the past.” The hope, Brayshaw added, is that zoos can play a critical role alongside work being done in the wild. “At the same time, we’re part of conservation efforts in India and across Asia, where our teams are working to protect highly threatened species and the landscapes they depend upon, so they can go on to thrive long into the future.” Asiatic lions are smaller and stockier than their African relatives, with shorter manes, distinctive belly folds, and a more pronounced forelock. Their roar, however, is just as formidable — topping out at 114 decibels and carrying up to 8 kilometres. Their return to Chester Zoo marks the beginning of what staff hope will be a long-lasting and impactful chapter in the fight to preserve the species. With Nilay and Shanti, the zoo isn’t just welcoming new arrivals — it’s giving one of the planet’s most iconic predators a second chance.
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Researchers Discover New Fairy Lantern Species In a Popular Malaysian Forest Reserve
In the middle of a popular Malaysian picnic spot, a strange, pale flower peeking out from beneath a tree root has turned out to be a rare and remarkable find. Naturalist Gim Siew Tan first spotted the plant in November 2023 while walking through the Hulu Langat Forest Reserve in Selangor, Malaysia — a forest frequently visited by hikers, picnickers, and campers. Nestled in the leaf litter near a tree’s buttress, the delicate whitish-peach bloom didn’t look like much. But after collecting samples and collaborating with researchers, the team realized they had found a new species never before described by science. They’ve now named it Thismia selangorensis, after the state where it was discovered. “These kinds of discoveries aren’t always made deep in remote jungles,” said Siti-Munirah Mat Yunoh, lead author of the study from the Forest Research Institute Malaysia. “They can happen in places where people gather every day — we just have to look closely.” Thismia selangorensis belongs to a group of plants known as “fairy lanterns” — a name as magical as the plants themselves. Fairy lanterns live most of their lives hidden underground and only emerge to flower for short periods. They don’t have chlorophyll, so they can’t photosynthesize like most plants. Instead, they rely on parasitizing fungi to get nutrients, making them what scientists call mycoheterotrophic. The Selangor species was found within a small 4-square-kilometre patch of forest near the Taman Eko Rimba Sungai Chongka, a spot popular for its riverside picnic and camping areas. Since the first sighting, fewer than 20 individuals have been recorded. Researchers believe the plant is extremely rare and already at risk. Its habitat lies close to trails and riverbanks, making it vulnerable to accidental trampling and flash floods. Even though none of the subpopulations have been directly affected by nearby playgrounds or camping activities, the narrowness of its range makes it especially fragile. “Protecting Thismia selangorensis will require cooperation among researchers, the forest department, stakeholders, and the public,” said Yunoh. “Its survival depends on how carefully we tread in its habitat.” This tiny flower’s discovery is also a reminder of how little is still known about forest ecosystems, even in areas with heavy human traffic. The researchers hope the find helps raise awareness about the rich biodiversity that exists right under our noses — sometimes literally underfoot. “The most important effort now is to raise awareness about this species so the public realises that it exists — right here, in this small corner of the world, and nowhere else, at least for now,” said Yunoh. “Understanding its presence is the first step towards ensuring that this extraordinary plant is not lost before many people even know it exists.”
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Golden Retrievers Gather In Buenos Aires For World Record Attempt
Dog lovers and golden retriever enthusiasts turned a Buenos Aires park into a sea of wagging tails and golden fur on Monday, as Argentina officially set a new world record for the largest gathering of golden retrievers. The final tally: 2,397 golden retrievers — easily surpassing the previous record of 1,685. The event, held in the Palermo neighborhood, drew thousands of dogs and their humans for a joyful celebration of the beloved breed. Some pups came dressed for the occasion in soccer jerseys, ribbons, headscarves, and baseball caps. One young girl leaned out of a toy car to hand a treat to a passing dog, while others were met with hugs, kisses, and excited barks. Organizer Fausto Duperré said the turnout exceeded expectations. Among the crowd was Maximiliano Rivero, who brought his retriever Manola to take part. “It was incredible,” he said, after Manola gave him a big kiss surrounded by the furry crowd. The atmosphere was festive, chaotic, and heartwarming — and officially historic. The new record was confirmed late Monday, capping off what may have been one of the happiest days in dog-loving Argentina.
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Strangers United To Return Lost WWII Love Letters Found At Goodwill
Wendi Shaw doesn’t search for treasure, exactly. But she finds it. Every couple of months, the New Jersey resident combs through thrift shops, Goodwill lots, and online marketplaces—not for rare coins or fine china, but for something far more personal: long-lost letters. Often, they’re bundles of handwritten notes from soldiers during wartime, stuffed into boxes or old suitcases, sometimes sold by mistake or left behind in estate sales. When she finds them, Shaw does something remarkable. She reads them, preserves them, and then tries to return them to the families who lost them. She calls herself an “heirloom hunter.” “The longing, the love, the descriptions of [overseas], and military life, war stories, the culture,” she said. “Taking the train, boats and buses. I get to read the stories from the [people] who actually wrote them. To me, it’s better than any book. I’m reading a story 1st hand.” Each letter she finds is placed in a protective sleeve and binder. Then the research begins. Shaw scours online family trees, community groups, and historical records, often turning to Facebook to cast a wider net. That’s exactly how she made headlines recently, after finding a stack of letters from 1944 written by WWII Army veteran David Cox to his wife Mary. Shaw had bought the letters from ShopGoodwill and posted in the “All Things Greenville” Facebook group asking for help locating the family. “I just won/purchased this huge lot of letters from ShopGoodwill,” she wrote. “They are from 1944 WW2. I will be receiving them in about a week. I will be putting them in a binder w/plastic sleeves, reading them and try to find the family to return them.” The response was immediate. Dozens of people chimed in, hundreds shared the post, and eventually, the letters reached their rightful home. “I just assumed they were gone forever,” said David Cox’s granddaughter, Victoria Golson, in an interview with Fox Carolina. She explained that the letters had been stolen years ago from her grandparents’ home. Somehow, instead of being destroyed, they ended up in circulation and eventually found their way to Shaw. “It kind of helps bring [my grandparents] alive again,” Golson said. “We’ll have to celebrate them again.” It’s not the first time Shaw’s efforts have reunited a family with their history. In another case, she worked with NBC Bay Area to track down descendants of a San Francisco couple named Arthur and Leota Olsen. After viewers sent in tips, the letters made their way home. “They were so happy,” Shaw told NBC. “They said, ‘Tell everybody thank you so much.’ They couldn’t believe something this special from so long ago had come back to them.” Most of the time, her work doesn’t go viral. But that’s not why she does it. “Most families don’t know these items even exist,” she said. “They’re so happy to get them back. I get to give back family history.” Recently, she managed to return a WWI-era photo album from 1919 to the descendants of an Australian soldier. Old letters, especially those written during wartime, hold a kind of emotional weight that’s hard to find elsewhere. They’re raw, unfiltered, and often written in moments of uncertainty or fear—sometimes without the sender knowing whether they'd live to see their loved ones again. “Part of that mystique … lay in the waiting,” wrote Barbara Newman, a professor of Latin Language and Literature at Northwestern University. “Weeks might pass as a letter flitted slowly across land or sea, and the anxiety of anticipation heightened the joy of a longed-for reply.” In today’s world of instant messages and disappearing texts, a handwritten letter feels like a relic from another era. But to Shaw, each one is a living artifact—a voice from the past, full of emotion, longing, and life. She doesn’t do it for money. She doesn’t ask for recognition. What she gets in return are thank-you letters from people who thought those pieces of family history were lost forever. And to her, that’s enough.
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Ed Sheeran Didn't Just Surprise These Students; He Launched a Music Project to Help Young Talent Thrive
Students at Coventry Academy received an unexpected boost to their music dreams this week when Ed Sheeran made a surprise visit — his second of the year — to support young people pursuing careers in music. Sheeran stopped by the Alternative Provision Academy ahead of his performance at Coventry’s CBS Arena, checking in with students involved in his Ed Sheeran Foundation (ESF). During the visit, he also helped launch two new initiatives: Access to Music Industry and Your Voice, both aimed at giving young people tools and opportunities to break into music. The projects are part of a partnership between the Ed Sheeran Foundation, Coventry Music (a service run by Coventry City Council), and the charity St Giles Trust. The focus is on inclusion — making sure that all young people, regardless of background or ability, have a pathway into the industry. For students like Jamie, who performs under the name Jam, Sheeran’s visit was more than just a celebrity moment. “I gave him a hug and said, ‘Nice to see you again,’” he said, having met the singer earlier this year. “It was good to have Ed here because he can open up opportunities and different pathways if you do want to go into music.” Jam and others performed original music for Sheeran during his visit. “We showed him a bit of our music and he was happy with it,” he said. “He said we’ve got a lot of chances.” Louis, who goes by the artist name Hayz, met Sheeran for the first time. “He was sat there listening to our music, seeing some of our talent,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity, especially for someone like me. I like to make music, I’ve been doing it for years.” For students at Coventry Academy — many of whom have found mainstream education challenging — the visit carried extra meaning. “The stereotype isn’t amazing,” said Hayz. “But there’s hidden talent everywhere, and Sheeran noticed that.” He also spoke about how music had become an outlet. “Places like this, there’s quite a lot of kids with autism or ADHD, who need to channel their energy into other things, and music is one of the best things for it. It helped me get my head straight and calm.” Coventry City Council said the two new music schemes will help provide meaningful industry access and support creative self-expression, especially for students who may otherwise face barriers. Emma Hogg, Head of Coventry Music, said the projects aim to “put young people’s voices front and centre,” while also providing hands-on experience in music production and performance. For students like Jam and Hayz, that kind of investment — and a visit from one of the world’s biggest artists — is a powerful motivator. “He took time out of his day to come and see us and appreciate our music,” said Hayz. “It’s a great place to be, and I think he could see that.”
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“My Stoma Bag Is My Bag for Life”: How This Charity Catwalk Celebrated Confidence and Visibility
Lucy Smith Butler has always loved fashion — but after undergoing colostomy surgery in 2019, her definition of style evolved to include something far more personal: her stoma bag. “I always say my stoma bag is my bag for life. It’s my new accessory. You don’t have to hide it,” said the 27-year-old from Rochdale, Greater Manchester. Lucy was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 2017, a chronic condition that causes inflammation and painful ulcers in the bowel. After years of failed treatments, she had a colostomy, leaving her with a stoma — an opening in her stomach that collects waste into a stoma bag. Now, she’s turning her experience into empowerment. Lucy recently organised a charity catwalk show where every model had a colostomy and proudly showcased stylised stoma bag covers as part of their looks. The goal: to celebrate bodies like hers and help others feel seen, heard, and proud. “Finding people that you feel like you can trust and talk to, and people who understand, is quite hard,” she said. “Events like this are amazing for that — being in a room filled with people who understand what you’ve gone through.” What started as an idea rooted in self-expression became a night of shared joy and solidarity. Models walked the runway in outfits that embraced, rather than hid, their stoma bags. “It just makes sense to me to shine that kind of light on it, and accessorise your outfit, confidently walk down the runway, and show that you don’t have to hide it,” Lucy said. The event came just a year after Lucy underwent emergency surgery — making the night even more emotional. “The feeling is just shock. I’m so happy but I feel like it’s all going to hit me at some point and I’m just going to cry — but happy tears,” she said. “It’s just been so special tonight to feel like, okay, I did it, we’ve done it, we’re doing it. It’s not beat me.” One of the models, 25-year-old Nikita Patel, also uses a stoma bag and said taking part in the catwalk felt powerful — especially as a South Asian woman. “It can be quite isolating when you don’t get to see other people who look like you,” she said. “That’s the role model that I want to be.” She also hopes the event challenges assumptions about post-surgery life and fashion. “There’s a lot of stigma online over what you’re going to be able to wear after surgery, and what you’re not going to be able to wear,” Nikita said. “But actually, the reality is you can still wear whatever you want. And who cares if you can see your stoma popping out?” For Lucy, that’s exactly the message she wants people to take home. “I really hope that people leave here feeling like you don’t have to hide your differences,” she said. “You can celebrate your differences, no matter what they are. Whatever it is, I hope they feel confident enough to celebrate it, and own it, and be proud of it.”
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Maryland Zoo Celebrates Birth Of 8 Rare African Penguin Chicks
Eight critically endangered African penguin chicks have hatched at the Maryland Zoo, offering a small but meaningful boost to a species facing rapid population decline in the wild. The zoo announced the births on Monday, Dec. 8, noting that the penguin keepers had named the chicks after fruits and vegetables. The first two names released were Kiwi and Cayenne, with the remaining six to be revealed in the coming weeks. African penguins, native to the coasts of South Africa and Namibia, are listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Their numbers have plummeted by 90% since the early 1900s. Today, only around 52,000 remain in the wild. Despite legal protections, the threats remain urgent. Overfishing, habitat loss, oil spills, and climate change continue to batter the population. “The number of African penguins in the wild is dropping,” said Jen Kottyan, the Maryland Zoo’s bird curator. “If we can fix the issues these birds face in the wild... one day penguins from our highly managed [Species Survival Plan] could be sent to their native South Africa and Namibia to repopulate the wild colonies.” Kottyan also serves as program leader for the African Penguin Species Survival Plan (SSP), which coordinates breeding efforts across zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). The Maryland Zoo is home to the largest colony of African penguins in North America. Since 1967, the zoo has successfully hatched more than 1,000 of them. While most remain in Baltimore, others have helped establish new colonies at facilities in 35 U.S. states and Canada. The penguins at the zoo breed from mid-September to the end of February, a timeline designed to mimic their natural breeding season in southern Africa. Kottyan says every new chick matters. “Every chick hatched here is important to this species’ global survival,” she said. “We’re keeping the hope alive.”
Score (97)
Local Pub Offers "Warm Space" for Community Amid Rising Heating Costs
In the market town of Newport, Shropshire, one pub has quietly stepped up as more than just a place for pints. The Pheasant has opened its doors as a “warm space” this winter, offering heat, comfort, and conversation to locals who are struggling with rising living costs and loneliness. The idea started after licensees Emma and Ben Holmes began hearing more and more from customers about how expensive it had become to heat their homes. “We’ve genuinely heard people say how much cheaper it is to come in and have a few drinks and stay warm and speak to their friends, than stay at home and put the heating on,” Emma said. Their response was simple: make the pub a welcoming space for anyone needing warmth — no purchase required. A recent social media post from The Pheasant invited locals to come in for “warmth without worry,” adding, “We want to be somewhere you can walk into, always see a familiar face, and where it’s warm enough you don’t need to leave your coat on. Bring yourself a sandwich if you want to.” For many, it’s made a real difference. “It is my second home,” said 79-year-old Michael Tucker, a regular. “The house is empty, my wife is in a home. So I come down and get some nice company. I don’t have to have the house red hot, I just come here and it’s lovely and warm, you know, all the time.” Warm spaces like this are increasingly common across the UK, typically run by churches, libraries, or community centres. The goal is to help people reduce heating bills and avoid isolation during colder months — but seeing a pub take the initiative is still relatively rare. Rob Williams, another regular who visits most afternoons, appreciates both the warmth and the social aspect. He’s got his spot by the window — and more importantly, right next to the radiator. “It means I do not have to turn on the gas for half a day,” he said. “I am nice and warm and snug. I am interacting with people, it is good for your mental state. It is very good.” Emma Holmes agrees. “If someone lives on their own, it’s a lot to go 24 or 48 hours without speaking to anybody else,” she said. “Some of them just come in and read the newspaper with a pint, but they’re welcome to do what they want in here really.” And that kind of casual, pressure-free atmosphere seems to be exactly what people are looking for. Rob Dudley, another local, compared the pub to Cheers, the classic sitcom bar where everybody knows your name. “It is brilliant,” he said. “The beer is pretty cheap, the sport is always on, and everyone feels comfortable. The bar staff here carry the beer over to the older chaps — you don’t get that in many pubs.” Emma says the response has been heartening, but also a sign of the times. “The cost of living is going up more,” she said. “It’s something we’re hearing more when people say how warm it is in the pub.” For now, The Pheasant is doing what it can — not with a flashy campaign or a grand announcement, but with warmth, familiarity, and an open door.
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Restorer Reunites Family With Late Miner’s Lamp, Preserving Precious Legacy
In a touching story of sentiment triumphing over profit, a miner's lamp has found its way back to the family of Les Bausor, a former pit worker at Bolsover Colliery in Derbyshire. This reunion was made possible by Kev Pattison, a passionate restorer and former mining apprentice who has dedicated himself to preserving these historical artifacts. Pattison bought Bausor’s retirement lamp online in a bundle of three from an eBay seller in Bolsover. After giving it a thorough clean and polish, he was struck by the intricate engraving marking Bausor's retirement on 19 October 1983. Motivated to return the lamp to its rightful home, Pattison reached out through a Bolsover Facebook group, where he connected with Neil Bausor, Les’s grandson. “I can’t wait for him to see it actually in his hands because these are the real things,” Pattison shared with enthusiasm. For Neil Bausor, 41, this lamp represents more than just a piece of history; it's a cherished reminder of his grandfather's dedication and hard work. He plans to gift the lamp to his father for Christmas. Mining lamps hold significant meaning for those who worked underground. They were not only sources of light but also crucial safety tools that detected dangerous gases. If the flame went out unexpectedly, miners knew they needed to evacuate immediately. Pattison's relationship with mining goes back decades. He joined the National Coal Board in 1967 as an apprentice at Bilsthorpe Colliery in Nottinghamshire before moving up to become a development worker and then deputy by 1984. After leaving the industry in the 1990s, he turned his attention to buying, restoring, and selling miners’ lamps worldwide. His efforts highlight what he sees as an injustice regarding how many miners' lamps were treated when collieries closed. “A lot of the miners at most of the collieries didn’t get a lamp when they shut the pits,” Pattison explained. Instead of being distributed among workers as mementos, many lamps were discarded down mine shafts along with other debris used as landfill. Despite this disappointment, Pattison remains committed to his restoration hobby. He's made an appeal for spare parts since sourcing original components is becoming increasingly difficult. With more fittings available, he hopes to continue reuniting ex-colliers or their families with these meaningful pieces of history. Through his work and passion for preserving miners' heritage, Kev Pattison continues to make small but impactful gestures that honor those who once labored deep beneath the earth’s surface.