Paris gives Paralympic Games a send-off for the ages

France bid farewell to the Paralympic Games with a massive electronica dance party at the Stade de France stadium, featuring top elite para athletes and a dazzling light show. The closing ceremony was filled with music, fireworks, and performances that left spectators in awe. With record ticket sales and global coverage, Paris 2024 set a new benchmark for the Paralympic Games. Organizers celebrated the success of the games while emphasizing the importance of breaking down barriers in society beyond sports.

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Tiny Marvel Returns: Harvest Mice Make a Comeback in Leeds After 50 Years

The elusive harvest mouse has made a remarkable comeback to Breary Marsh in Leeds after an absence of nearly half a century. These tiny rodents, weighing less than 8 grams, have been spotted for the first time since 1975. This discovery highlights a successful change in land management practices at the marsh. David L Preston, who works as a countryside ranger at Leeds City Council, expressed his excitement about the return of these mice. "It shows that all the work we've been doing in changing our practices has worked wonders for the natural habitat," he said. The team attributes this success to shifting their approach from mowing to traditional scything and leaving areas of wildflower meadow and wetlands untouched. Once widespread across the UK, harvest mice have seen rapid declines due to changing farming methods leading to habitat loss, according to the Mammal Society. By adapting their conservation strategies, Breary Marsh staff have created an environment conducive to supporting these diminutive creatures. Harvest mice thrive in long grasslands, reed beds, hedgerows, and woodland edges. They need thick grass with sturdy stems strong enough to support their spherical nests made from tightly woven grass. Thin or short grass does not provide adequate support for these nests. To monitor and understand how this population is spreading within Breary Marsh, a collaboration with Yorkshire Mammal Group has been established. The marsh itself is recognized as a Local Nature Reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest bordering Golden Acre Park in north Leeds.

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Paris' Olympic Cauldron is Making a Glowing Comeback This Summer

Paris is set for a spectacular sight as it welcomes back the helium-powered balloon, now known simply as the "Paris Cauldron." Originally a highlight of the Paris Olympics, this iconic floating ring will once again grace the city's skyline. It takes flight over the Tuileries Garden later today. Around 30,000 people are expected to gather for this event, which coincides with France's Fete de la Musique, a popular street music festival. The police prefecture in Paris confirmed these details. The cauldron isn't making just one appearance. From June 21 to September 14 each year for the next three years, it will lift off into the summer evening sky. Special flights are planned for Bastille Day on July 14 and to mark the anniversary of the 2024 opening ceremony on July 26. Designer Mathieu Lehanneur originally created this 30-meter-tall structure with French energy company EDF. It simulates flame without using fire through LED lights, mist jets, and high-pressure fans to create a luminous halo visible from rooftops across Paris. Although its initial stint during the Olympics was meant to be temporary, drawing over 200,000 visitors in just 40 days according to officials, plans changed. Engineers reinforced it to withstand multi-year outdoor conditions. They rebuilt its aluminum ring and tether points with stronger materials capable of handling rain, sunlight, and temperature changes throughout various seasons. The cauldron operates without flames or burners; helium provides all its lift. It's anchored in the center of the drained Tuileries pond. This return aligns with French President Emmanuel Macron's initiative to maintain Olympic spirit within Paris as it looks ahead to hosting another Games in Los Angeles come 2028.

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Inside an Indigenous Health Clinic: A Groundbreaking Model of Healing and Trust

Shirley Pien-Bérubé strolls through the Indigenous Health Centre of Tio'tia:ke in Montreal, pointing out how much the clinic has expanded since it opened in 2023. “Our services have expanded so much,” she notes, listing offerings like diabetic foot-care, optometry, physiotherapy, mental health support, and more. Right at the entrance, there's a table with sage and sweetgrass for patients to smudge or make their own medicine bundles. The center provides care in several Indigenous languages such as Inuktitut and Cree. Pien-Bérubé serves as a health navigator, helping patients through the healthcare system. She says this is just one aspect of what they offer. The clinic's mission is to bridge gaps in health outcomes for Indigenous patients, a goal outlined among Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) 94 calls to action. Many Indigenous people experience mistrust toward the healthcare system due to past discrimination. A Statistics Canada survey found about one in five Indigenous individuals reported unfair treatment from healthcare professionals within the last year. Pien-Bérubé believes her clinic creates an environment where patients feel safe and understood. “They are finally being heard — after how many centuries?” she commented. It's been ten years since the TRC released its final report highlighting discrepancies in health outcomes between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadians, citing issues like higher rates of infant mortality, diabetes, and suicide among Indigenous populations. Seven of the TRC’s calls to action focused on health improvements. Fay Virginia Desjarlais from the clinic highlights progress made but acknowledges existing gaps. “People didn’t feel safe,” she said, recounting her own experiences with discrimination in healthcare settings. A website called Indigenous Watchdog monitors progress on these calls to action; only four out of seven related to health show ongoing progress while three have stalled completely. Douglas Sinclair from Indigenous Watchdog points out that identifying and closing gaps remains hindered by limited government data access. While some new facilities emerge, like Iqaluit’s Aqqusariaq addiction treatment center providing culturally-based care in Inuktitut without necessitating travel southward, challenges persist. Kylie Aglukark from Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated hopes this model can expand across Nunavut’s regions with an Inuit-led workforce delivering services in local languages. Dr. Terri Aldred of the National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health sees moderate progress on TRC's calls around health, but stresses that projects need scaling up with sustainable funding to meet demand fully. "Indigenous people that are able to access those services will start to have a different relationship with accessing healthcare," Aldred said.

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Heroic Rescue: This Man Braved an Alligator-Infested Pond to Save His Beloved Dog

In Southport, North Carolina, Bonner Herring found himself in a life-or-death situation after hearing an unusual sound coming from his dog, Strike. On what seemed like any other morning on his family property, Herring skipped his usual check of the nearby pond. What followed was a frantic race to save Strike from an alligator. "I immediately knew what it was," Herring told WWAY 3. Hearing Strike scream and then splash into the water left no room for hesitation. Armed with just a rake, he sprinted toward the pond only to find a massive alligator had gripped Strike. This wasn’t the first time gators had shown up in the area, but this one was unexpected and much larger than others Herring had observed previously. Faced with no choice but to act, he plunged into the deep water despite not being able to touch the bottom. As he swam towards Strike, their eyes met. "He just had this look of — please do something, Daddy," said Herring. Determined not to leave without his dog, he managed to free Strike and held him under one arm as they headed back to safety. However, their ordeal wasn't over yet; the alligator resurfaced, appearing even larger than before. Against incredible odds, both man and dog made it back to shore safely. Herring rushed Strike to a friend’s veterinary clinic where X-rays revealed that his leg was broken. They were later referred to an emergency clinic in Wilmington for further treatment. It wasn’t until they reached the waiting room that the emotional toll hit Herring hard. Surrounded by strangers who offered support, he momentarily lost composure but soon regained his strength thanks to reassurance from those around him. Reflecting on this harrowing experience, Herring advised others against taking such risks: "Basically what I did is everything you don’t want to do," he admitted. He acknowledged how fortunate they were given that mature boar alligators are formidable adversaries. Despite this cautionary tale, when asked if he'd do it again for Strike's sake? There’s no question in his mind — absolutely yes.

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Mystery Fossil From Museum Basement Unveils Goblin-Like Lizard From 76 Million Years Ago

Aan overlooked container of bones at the Natural History Museum of Utah has led researchers to identify a new extinct reptile species. The 76-million-year-old fossils were initially found in 2005 at the Kaiparowits Formation in southern Utah, a site known for its rich paleontological resources. However, after their discovery, the bones ended up stored away and labeled simply as "lizard." It wasn't until Hank Woolley from the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County’s Dinosaur Institute took a closer look nearly two decades later that he recognized them as something previously undocumented. Woolley and his team have named this new species Bolg amondol. According to Woolley, "I... was like, ‘oh wow, there’s a fragmentary skeleton here.’" The creature belonged to the monstersaur group—a set of large, sharp-toothed lizards with armored skin still present in desert regions today. Bolg would have been about one to one-and-a-half meters long and had an appearance that Woolley likened to "a goblin that sprang from the rocks." The naming of Bolg draws inspiration from J.R.R. Tolkien's works. In Tolkien's Elvish language Sindarin, "Amon" means mound and "Dol" means head; these words refer to the unique bony deposits on the creature’s skull. Bolg is notably an ancestor of today’s Gila monsters—one of only two venomous lizard species known worldwide. Randall Irmis from the Natural History Museum of Utah highlighted what makes this find exciting: it provides insight into the diverse ecosystem that existed during its time. The study suggests at least three types of predatory lizards roamed what is now southern Utah during the Late Cretaceous period. Joseph Sertich from Colorado State University notes that any depiction of ancient North American forests should include these formidable lizards navigating their environment. Though Bolg is extinct now, its story serves as a reminder that even fearsome creatures are not immune to extinction pressures. Interestingly, Bolg's nearest living relative inhabits Asia's Gobi Desert. This points to historical connections between continents via land bridges like the Bering Land Bridge during past ice ages.

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1 Shot Vaccine: New Approach Promises Stronger, Longer-Lasting Immunity Against HIV

Researchers at MIT and the Scripps Research Institute have made a breakthrough with a single-dose vaccine that generates a strong immune response against HIV. By combining two powerful adjuvants—materials that boost the immune system—they've managed to significantly improve the vaccine's effectiveness in mice. Traditional vaccines often include an adjuvant like aluminum hydroxide, known as alum, which enhances the body's memory of the antigen. Alum is commonly used in vaccines for diseases such as hepatitis A and B. However, researchers found that pairing alum with another adjuvant called SMNP could make vaccines even more effective. SMNP is based on saponin, derived from the Chilean soapbark tree. It’s been shown to work better than saponin alone when paired with MPLA, a molecule promoting inflammation. This combination has already been included in an HIV vaccine currently undergoing clinical trials. In their study, published in Science Translational Medicine, the team examined how these two adjuvants worked together to enhance the immune response, focusing on B cells that produce antibodies. They used an HIV protein named MD39 as the vaccine antigen and attached it to alum particles along with SMNP. When they vaccinated mice with this formulation, they noticed something promising: the vaccine concentrated in lymph nodes and stayed there for almost a month. Lymph nodes are where B cells meet antigens and undergo mutations to create antibodies targeting specific pathogens. The presence of antigens in these nodes over several weeks allows B cells to refine their antibody production process. J. Christopher Love from MIT highlighted this approach's potential: "As a result, the B cells that are cycling in the lymph nodes are constantly being exposed to the antigen over that time period, and they get the chance to refine their solution." Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed that mice receiving both adjuvants developed a more diverse array of B cells and antibodies compared to those given just one adjuvant. This diversity increases the likelihood of generating broadly neutralizing antibodies capable of recognizing various strains of viruses like HIV. "When you think about the immune system sampling all of the possible solutions, the more chances we give it to identify an effective solution, the better," Love explained. The use of dual-adjuvant vaccines could extend beyond HIV to other viral threats like SARS-CoV-2 or influenza. According to Love, "What's potentially powerful about this approach is that you can achieve long-term exposures based on a combination of adjuvants that are already reasonably well-understood." This research received funding from institutions including the National Institutes of Health and Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

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Why This Massachusetts Cop's Unicorn Helmet Is Making Waves In Bike Safety Education

The East Bridgewater Police Department in Massachusetts is getting some well-deserved recognition for its efforts to engage with the community. Recently, officers visited Cadence Academy to educate young children on bike and summer safety. Detective Cacciatore, School Resource Officer Connor with K9 Morgan, Officer Cory McLaughlin, and Admin Micele all participated in the event. But it was Officer McLaughlin who took center stage by wearing a unicorn-themed helmet while riding a small pink bike to make the lessons memorable and fun for the kids. Earlier that day, Officer McLaughlin stopped to assist a stranded driver with a flat tire before heading to the event. Police Chief Jenkins expressed his pride, saying, “I love when I get a phone call from someone praising one of my officers. This wasn’t the first time Officer McLaughlin has stopped to help someone in need.” After helping out on the roadside, McLaughlin made it just in time for his appearance at Cadence Academy, complete with his unicorn helmet. The department shared photos of the event on Facebook, highlighting the officers' dedication to serving their community effectively and creatively.

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Yoga at Dawn: How a Zimbabwe Tavern Became an Unlikely Sanctuary for Mental Wellness

Before the sun rises over Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe, a peculiar scene unfolds inside the Socialite Bar. In a place usually associated with late-night revelry, a small group gathers in silence for a yoga session. Eyes closed and bodies poised, these participants are not here to drink but to meditate on their well-being. Yoga remains a rare practice in Zimbabwe, typically reserved for affluent suburbs. But Actions Winya, a dedicated yoga instructor, is breaking that mold by bringing it to those who might benefit the most. The economic challenges faced by residents of Chitungwiza have prompted Winya to offer free weekend classes since 2023. “Yoga is expensive,” Winya acknowledges. “But we also got humans in the ghetto. They need mental wellness.” Normally charging between $30 and $100 per month in wealthier areas, Winya's free sessions provide an oasis of calm for those grappling with economic hardship. In Zimbabwe, social issues such as drug abuse and domestic violence exacerbate mental health crises. Public health services are scarce, making traditional therapy hard to come by. This makes initiatives like Winya's all the more significant. As mellow music fills the tavern, about a dozen participants flow through yoga poses on the cold brick floor. Among them is John Mahwaya, 47, who supports his family both locally and in the countryside. For him, yoga has been life-changing: "My head was always spinning," he explains. "I thought I was losing my mind." Now he sleeps peacefully and feels more mentally balanced. The societal norms in Zimbabwe often discourage men from expressing emotions openly; toughness is prized over vulnerability. “We focus on physical fitness,” Mahwaya says, “forgetting the mind.” Edinah Makosa, 24, joined earlier this year and has already noticed positive changes in her outlook on life. Facing stressors like unemployment and relationships typical for her age group, she says yoga shifted her mindset from negative to hopeful. Despite practicing amidst township hustle—taxi drivers shouting for passengers and vendors peddling goods—the setting hardly deters participants from their quest for peace of mind. "We need a proper environment and studio," Winya admits of their humble setup. Yet for many attending these sessions at Socialite Bar every weekend morning matters less than finding solace within themselves amid life's challenges outside its doors. “We need to promote yoga in communities because everyone has a mind,” Mahwaya insists firmly before leaving another class recharged mentally if not physically rejuvenated too.

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‘Miraculous’: Manitobans who lost everything in wildfires find diamond ring during cleanup

When Erin Sliva-Banville and her husband returned to the charred remains of their home on Wendigo Road after devastating wildfires in May, hope seemed distant. Among the ashes, they never expected to find anything intact. But when a volunteer cleanup crew unearthed a diamond ring from the rubble, it felt like a miracle to Sliva-Banville. “We thought it would have melted,” she said about the ring, which was a precious gift from her best friend in Mexico. “I did lose my wedding rings, but they found that ring. That was really significant.” This heartwarming recovery was made possible by Christian Aid Ministries Canada. The national non-profit organization has four rapid response teams across the country ready to assist communities in crisis. Their efforts brought tangible relief to residents northeast of Lac du Bonnet who faced not only personal loss but also an overwhelming cleanup task. “You can see what they did,” Sliva-Banville said as she surveyed the cleared property with gratitude. “It’s a tremendous saviour to us. It was miraculous.” Just weeks earlier, her yard had been cluttered with debris and fallen trees left behind by the blaze. The organization’s field coordinator Paul Eberly explained that their goal is simple: provide hope and encouragement. “It’s a very small thing we could do to help them on to the next step,” he noted. One person who witnessed this transformation firsthand was Brad Wood, a property owner in the community. He said over a dozen team members worked tirelessly for three weeks, removing hundreds of kilograms of scrap and debris. “It’s been an insurmountable task,” Wood shared. “The gratitude by the community is just unbelievable for what they’ve done.” Despite these efforts, residents like Wood initially felt neglected by local authorities following the disaster. He hoped for more immediate assistance from the RM of Lac du Bonnet but appreciated Christian Aid Ministries stepping up when needed most. In response, RM of Lac du Bonnet Reeve Loren Schinkel clarified their position. They had applied for recovery funds and hired contractors for tree removal but faced delays due to safety concerns over carcinogens at sites like Sliva-Banville's home. “There’s all these moving parts here,” Schinkel explained while requesting patience from residents during this complex process. He emphasized that insurance companies advised caution due to environmental issues requiring specialist attention rather than municipal intervention alone. Christian Aid Ministries' involvement provided additional comfort beyond material cleanup; Lavina Harding found solace in recovering much of her family’s coin collection from her burned-down house thanks largely again through their assistance. “I must have had at least a thousand coins,” Harding recalled emotionally upon finding two-thirds salvaged despite damage: “At least I have them as memories… I’ll be able give those down my children.” As neighbors display signs reading ‘Wendigo Road Strong,’ Sliva-Banville sees renewed unity within her community amidst adversity: “The neighbors have really rallied… It will be new beginning everybody.”

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Miracle Match: How a Donor Heart Gave One Boy a New Life

John-Henry Lee, a lively seven-year-old from Cleveland, Ohio, is living proof of the transformative power of organ donation. Born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), John-Henry's life began with significant challenges. HLHS is a rare congenital condition where one side of the heart doesn't develop as it should, which meant that even before his first birthday, John-Henry underwent two major surgeries to help his heart function better. His mother, Sarah Lee, learned about his condition while pregnant and has been by his side through every medical hurdle. At just five days old, John-Henry had his first open-heart surgery. By four months, he underwent another procedure known as the Glenn procedure to improve blood circulation to his lungs. The family faced a turning point in December 2023 when John-Henry was placed on the transplant list due to heart failure. The wait was difficult; they spent Christmas, New Year’s, Easter, and even John-Henry’s sixth birthday in the hospital hoping for a new heart. Sarah recalls the moment they received news of a donor heart in May 2024: “When the transplant coordinator said they found his special heart, I immediately broke down.” Just a day later, pediatric and congenital heart surgeon Dr. Hani Najm performed John-Henry's transplant surgery at Cleveland Clinic Children’s. Post-surgery recovery wasn't smooth sailing for John-Henry. He encountered gastroparesis—a condition that affects stomach muscles and impairs digestion—and also faced transplant rejection. Dr. Gerard Boyle, his pediatric cardiologist at Cleveland Clinic Children’s, explained that these complications were unfortunate yet anticipated. They increased monitoring and started aggressive treatment for rejection as soon as it appeared. Despite these hurdles, today’s picture of health shows a different story. Now enjoying outdoor playtime with his brothers and chasing inflatable dinosaurs around their yard reflects how far he has come since those difficult days. John-Henry continues receiving follow-up care and therapy aimed at improving mobility and strength at Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital for Rehabilitation. His mother expresses immense gratitude toward everyone involved in her son’s recovery: “There are so many people who have contributed...from his care team to his family...we are forever grateful for their support.” Organ donation gave John-Henry another chance at life—something Sarah deeply appreciates: “Organ donation saved my son’s life,” she says simply but powerfully. Today marks one year since his successful heart transplant; it's an anniversary punctuated not only by improved health but also by newfound energy and joy evident in every playful step he takes outside their home in Cleveland.

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