Oxford University Is Starting a Scholarship for Ukrainian Refugees

Up to 20 refugees will be able to enrol on a one-year, full-time Masters course. Course and application fees will be waived, accommodation and meals will be covered, and they will be given a £7,500 grant to support their costs. The scholarships will be co-funded by the university and participating colleges.

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Habitat Horticulture Transforms Graffiti-Prone Walls Into Lush Pollinator Gardens

In a cityscape dominated by chain-link fences and graffiti-tagged walls, a California company is offering a striking alternative: living meadows that grow vertically. Habitat Horticulture, a firm based in Berkeley, has launched a project that replaces blank, graffiti-prone surfaces with panels of wildflowers and native grasses. Their creation, called Meadowall, is a pre-seeded, modular system that turns ordinary fences and walls into lush, colorful corridors for pollinators and pedestrians alike. The idea took root right in their own backyard. “Just down the street from Habitat Horticulture’s headquarters, a newly built fence along the greenway bike path was quickly covered in graffiti,” the company shared in a statement. Instead of repainting or ignoring it, the team saw an opportunity. They installed Meadowall panels over 1,500 square feet of fence near their Berkeley offices. Within weeks, the once-bland surface had sprouted into a living meadow. “As it grows, it transforms an ordinary walkway into a vertical meadow,” the company posted in a video. “A vital connection to nature for people and pollinators alike.” The change was more than visual. The installation created real habitat for birds, butterflies, and native bees, while also reducing urban noise and filtering dust and air pollution. According to the company, the panels lower sound pollution by an average of 15 decibels and trap harmful particulate matter from nearby traffic. “What was once a target for graffiti is now a vibrant, dynamic landscape,” the team wrote on their website. “It demonstrates how even the most utilitarian surfaces can become ecological assets.” The system is cost-effective, too. By using seeds rather than mature plants, Meadowall costs about 30 percent less to install and requires minimal maintenance. That balance of sustainability and practicality has led to growing demand in both indoor and outdoor spaces. In addition to outdoor walkways and fences, the panels have been installed in office lobbies, apartment buildings, college campuses, and even the side of a high-rise in San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood. That Tenderloin project has become a centerpiece of urban design in the area. “Straddling the corner of the building, the wall appears almost like a sentient being,” the company wrote, “contrasting the angular architecture with lush, soft plantings.” Beyond aesthetics, it helps restore green space in one of the city's densest neighborhoods. For Habitat Horticulture, the mission is part public art, part environmental commitment. “Easy to install and maintain, Meadowall offers a sustainable, visually stunning way to enhance urban spaces, communicate environmental commitment, and deter graffiti,” they say. In short: the next time you see a wall full of spray paint, imagine it blooming instead.

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Sister Act of Kindness: Whoopi Goldberg Spreads Cheer by Answering Santa Letters for Children

Whoopi Goldberg has a holiday tradition that comes straight from the heart — answering letters to Santa. The 70-year-old actress and The View co-host shared on the Behind the Table podcast that each Christmas, she quietly takes time to respond to letters kids send to Santa Claus through the U.S. Postal Service. “I just feel like everybody needs a little help, and if you can help somebody... it's why I try to do Santa at the post office,” Goldberg said. “I try to get letters and we try to answer kids' letters to Santa.” “It’s things that we can do, and it doesn’t cost a lot,” she added. “Because you want to give people the ability to do something that brings up how they see themselves.” The small but thoughtful gesture is one of the ways Goldberg gives back during the holiday season — and it’s something she’s been doing for years. The comments came during a special podcast episode celebrating her 70th birthday, which also aired as a tribute on The View. The show highlighted several of Goldberg’s favorite charities, including One Simple Wish, which supports foster children; The Heifer Project International, which combats hunger through livestock donations; and God's Love We Deliver, which provides meals to people affected by serious illness, including HIV/AIDS. Goldberg said supporting those in need is more important now than ever. “A lot of people aren’t getting what they need,” she said, pointing to rising costs of living and financial insecurity. “It’s not fair. People used to actually have savings. And people can’t hold onto their savings, because every time you turn around, somebody’s hand is out.” Even with her own milestone birthday underway, Goldberg kept the focus on others. She marked the occasion on-air with her co-hosts — all except Joy Behar, who missed her third show in a row due to a broken toe. Behar still found a way to celebrate, sending Goldberg a birthday lasagna instead. As Goldberg put it, giving doesn’t always have to be big to be meaningful. A handwritten letter can go a long way.

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Quarterback Finishes Final College Football Game After Cancer Diagnosis

Four early morning drives down US Route 52 shaped the most unlikely season of football in Minnesota this year. They started around 4 or 5 a.m. and always headed toward Rochester. Four Mondays. Four one hour rides. Three different drivers. One mission. Help Jack Curtis keep playing the game he loves. Curtis is a senior quarterback at Carleton College. He also has Stage 2 Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Anyone else in his situation would step away from the field. Doctors at the Mayo Clinic told him they knew of no college football player competing during treatment. His athletic trainer spent 16 years in the NFL and has never seen it. Chemotherapy drains strength, clouds thinking, and leaves most people stuck in bed. Curtis planned to suit up anyway. Every other Monday this fall, starting on September 8, he arrived at the Mayo Clinic for long days of tests, blood work and chemotherapy. The medication flowed through a port in his chest. By the time he left, 12 hours had passed. Early Tuesday morning, he returned for an immunotherapy shot timed precisely 19 hours after the final infusion. By Wednesday, the protective effects of his anti-nausea medication wore off and he could not leave his bed. By Thursday afternoon, he shuffled to the practice field with a lawn chair. Fridays were a little better. He sometimes threw a few passes during a walk through. And on Saturdays, he played college football. Curtis has thrown for 2,776 yards and 26 touchdowns this season. He broke two school records and ranks near the top nationally in several Division III categories. Carleton is 6 to 3 with him at quarterback. “I do not know what the word to use is,” his father, Scott Curtis, said. “Awe, I guess. Yeah. I think it is awe.” Football has been central to Curtis’ life since childhood. He grew up in Charlotte in an athletic household. His father played football and tennis. His mother, Amy, played lacrosse and field hockey. As a kid, Curtis ran the Air Raid offense in Pop Warner games. He played both sides of the ball and laughed about how he earned the nickname “Spiderman.” “I’d get run over but I’d hold onto the other guy’s jersey for dear life and drag him down,” he said. He kept that attitude through injuries, setbacks and the stressful college recruiting years. He eventually landed at Carleton, a small school far from home. It was not his first choice, but the fit turned out to be right. He became the starter as a sophomore and built a close circle of teammates who became his roommates. They cook dinners together, play Mario Kart and plan for life after graduation. Curtis hopes to pursue aerospace engineering. Cancer arrived in the middle of all of it. He felt the first lumps in the spring. They did not hurt, so he ignored them. By summer, a mass sat under his arm and the pain spread across his chest. One night he woke up with an intense stabbing sensation. He wrote letters to his parents, his girlfriend and his best friends. “I thought about life without Jack Curtis in it,” he said. Two weeks of tests brought no answers until a biopsy in Charlotte confirmed Hodgkin’s disease. The cancer had spread in his chest cavity and surrounded his heart. Curtis cried until his doctor told him it was treatable. Then he asked if he could delay treatment until after football season. “The doctors laughed at us,” Amy said. “They said, ‘We’re starting next week.’” Treatment hit him hard. He spiraled through questions about school and football and the future. But after his second round of chemo, a PET scan showed no active lymphoma cells. The cancer was not gone, but he was making progress. He burned the letters he had written on the worst night of his life. Curtis asked his doctors if he could return to Carleton and continue treatment at the Mayo Clinic. Then he asked the bigger question. Could he play? “Well,” his doctor said, “it’s not like football is going to give you more cancer.” That answer opened a door that required perfect timing and massive logistical work. Treatments had to stay exactly on schedule. Immunotherapy had to happen on Tuesday morning. The medical teams coordinated records and insurance paperwork so Curtis could focus on school and football. His parents had to decide how to support him from 1,100 miles away. Amy wanted to keep him home but knew he needed to live his life. “Denying him was not an option,” she said. Carleton’s staff took over once he returned. Head coach Tom Journell personally drove him to his first Mayo appointment. “I was like, ‘You’re going to what now?’” Journell said when Curtis told him he intended to play. Trainers tracked his hydration and monitored his nutrition. Teammates cooked meals, drove him to appointments and guarded his privacy until he chose to share his story. Curtis delivered on the field. In his second game, he threw for 478 yards and six touchdowns. Some weeks he could barely move by Thursday, but on Saturdays he found a way to perform. “You look at him and think, ‘No way,’” athletic trainer Ron Roche said. “And then he goes out there on Saturday and zings the ball around.” The season has not been perfect. He injured the index finger on his throwing hand late in the year. Against Bethel, he pulled himself out because he could not grip the ball. Carleton lost. Roche made a custom splint to give him a chance for the finale. “I would never count him out,” he said. Curtis faces radiation next. He returns to the Mayo Clinic on November 19 to map out his schedule. Starting December 1, he will go back every day for treatment. If all goes well, he will ring the bell on December 19. He does not pretend any of this has been easy. But he knows why he kept going. He wanted the ordinary things. The games with his roommates. The team dinners. The feeling of being part of something that existed long before cancer and will exist long after it. Before each game, Curtis walks to the 50 yard line, drops to his knees and flicks a football toward the end zone. He used to hit the crossbar from that distance during a family trick he practiced with his dad. Now it falls short. “I can get it there,” he said. “And that was good enough.”

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Arizona Rescue Team Airlifts Injured 57-Year-Old Hiker to Safety

A hiker was airlifted to safety after breaking her ankle on a mountain trail near Superior, Arizona, on the afternoon of November 14. The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) said their search and rescue team got a call about the 57-year-old hiker at approximately 1:30 pm, and were informed of her injury. Border Patrol Search, Trauma, and Rescue (BORSTAR) paramedics and PCSO search and rescue teams located the woman and treated her for her injuries before a helicopter hoisted her to safety. The sheriff’s office said the woman was taken to hospital in a stable condition.

A Lost Bach Piece Was Just Performed For the First Time In 320 Years

Two previously unknown organ pieces by Johann Sebastian Bach have been performed in Germany after more than three centuries. Germany's Culture Minister Wolfram Weimer described the discovery of these works as a "great moment for the world of music." The journey to this revelation started in 1992 when Peter Wollny, a noted researcher of the celebrated German composer, came across these manuscripts while cataloguing Bach's works at the Royal Library of Belgium in Brussels. The compositions, Chaconne in D minor BWV 1178 and Chaconne in G minor BWV 1179, were initially undated and unsigned. Wollny devoted three decades to confirming their authenticity. These pieces graced the air at St Thomas Church in Leipzig, where Bach himself is buried and where he served as cantor for 27 years. Dutch organist Ton Koopman had the honor of performing them, marking their first public performance in 320 years. Koopman expressed his pride, noting that the pieces are "of a very high quality" and suitable for smaller organs as well. Believed to be composed early in Bach's career during his time as an organ teacher in Arnstadt, Thuringia, these works add a significant chapter to our understanding of his early development. Wollny, now director of the Bach Archive in Leipzig, highlighted distinctive characteristics within these compositions that align with Bach's style from that period. He stated that certain stylistic features present are exclusive to Bach’s work. It's believed Salomon Günther John, one of Bach’s pupils, documented these pieces back in 1705. During the presentation event for these works, Wollny expressed strong confidence—99.99 percent sure—that they belonged to Bach. These newly attributed compositions are now officially part of the catalogue of Bach’s works. This discovery not only enriches what we know about Bach but also offers fresh material for musicians today. The addition of these pieces provides new opportunities for interpretation and performance within classical music circles.

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Life-Changing Surgery Allows Boy With Rare Condition To Experience First Sleepover

Seven-year-old William from Bath, England, is experiencing new adventures thanks to a significant surgery that has transformed his life. Born with Treacher Collins syndrome, a rare genetic condition affecting skull and facial bone growth, William faced challenges with breathing, eating, and swallowing. In May, surgeons at Bristol Children's Hospital gave him an eight-hour operation that rebuilt his jaw using bone grafts taken from his ribs. This procedure allowed him to breathe and eat on his own for the first time. Now, as he looks forward to turning eight, he can enjoy activities most kids take for granted. William’s mother, Kate, shared with BBC Radio Bristol how severe her son’s condition was from birth. "From birth he struggled to breathe and was given a tracheostomy at two weeks old," she explained. A tracheostomy involves creating an opening in the neck where a tube is inserted to assist breathing. This meant William needed someone constantly by his side who knew emergency procedures if he stopped breathing. The recent surgery has changed everything for William. Surgeons removed the tracheostomy tube and used part of his rib bone to create new jaw joints. "A frame was put into his lower jaw and we were turning these screws to try and artificially pull it forwards," said Kate about the complex procedure. With this medical breakthrough behind him, William no longer requires constant supervision by someone trained in managing emergency airway issues. Now he's eager to experience things like water slides, sleepovers, and play dates—activities many children cherish but were previously out of reach for him. "He's desperate to go down water slides and he's lined up his little besties to have sleepovers and to go on play dates," Kate shared enthusiastically. She also admitted that when William finally has his first sleepover, she probably won't sleep at all due to excitement.

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Giraffe Undergoes Successful Surgery For Rare Knee Condition

Vets at Woburn Safari Park in Bedfordshire, England, successfully completed high-risk surgery on one of their tallest residents, Sahara the Nubian giraffe. Weighing in at 500 kilograms, Sahara had been suffering from a rare knee condition known as "locking stifle," which severely limited her mobility by causing her leg to lock. Nathalie Wissink-Argilaga, the head vet at the park, described it as one of the most complex cases they've ever tackled. Due to the lack of precedent in giraffes, the veterinary team decided to adapt an equine technique to stabilize Sahara's joint. This innovative approach marked a significant step forward in treating giraffes with similar conditions. The operation wasn't straightforward. The unique anatomy of such a large animal made anesthesia particularly unpredictable. Lying down for too long could also pose risks like compromised blood circulation and other life-threatening complications. To tackle these challenges, the team prepared a deep hay bed and supported Sahara's neck with a wooden board during the procedure. They used blindfolds and earplugs to keep her calm while keepers massaged her neck to maintain circulation. The specialist team included not just vets but also an equine surgeon and an anaesthetist. Their combined expertise paid off when Sahara was quickly back on her feet after the one-hour procedure. "Following her surgery, Sahara was quickly back on her feet - a moment of joy for the dedicated veterinary and keeper teams who supported her throughout," noted Woburn Safari Park in a statement. Sahara's recovery is progressing well under careful monitoring of her movement and behavior. Thanks to this successful operation, she has returned to her familiar self with renewed confidence.

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Wildcats Set To Roam England Again After Successful Reintroduction Efforts

Wildcats might soon roam the English countryside once again. Conservationists are working on plans to reintroduce these critically endangered animals to England by 2028. The South West Wildcat Project aims to bring back 50 European wildcats to mid-Devon, where a study suggests they could thrive. These efforts follow a breeding program in Scotland designed to boost wildcat numbers. However, concerns persist about the potential threat these carnivores might pose to poultry, gamebirds, and native bird species. There is also the risk of wildcats cross-breeding with domestic cats. The Countryside Alliance warns that without addressing hybridization risks, maintaining a genetically pure wildcat population could fail. Reintroduction plans involve multiple stakeholders; the South West Wildlife Project is leading this initiative under Devon Wildlife Trust's guidance. Research conducted by the University of Exeter indicates that about 80 percent of people surveyed support the idea of reintroducing wildcats. Yet not everyone is on board. Oliver Edwards, an Exmoor farmer, voiced his concerns about possible negative impacts on existing wildlife, particularly barn owls that rely on voles for food. "They say wildcats live on voles," he said, "Well, voles are feeding my barn owls so if you reduce the vole population you are having an effect on the barn owls." Edwards believes there needs to be more consultation with farmers and landowners regarding suitable areas for reintroduction. Historically known as woodcats, European wildcats were once widespread in Great Britain until human activities and habitat loss led to their disappearance from England and Wales. Today, their last remaining population in the UK resides in Scotland’s Highlands, but is critically endangered with only around 115 individuals left. Despite a protective status since 1988, they face extinction risks within the UK. Cath Jeffs from Devon Wildlife Trust assures that her team will work closely with locals throughout this phased reintroduction process while addressing any issues raised. Measures used against other predators like foxes should suffice for managing wildcats, too. Jeffs also dismissed fears of a population explosion since wildcats live at low densities across large areas and would be monitored closely. Tim Bonner from Countryside Alliance supports well-planned reintroductions but stresses concerns over maintaining a “genetically pure” population due to hybridization threats: "Reintroducing wildcats in the south-west without addressing this issue would seem doomed." To counteract hybridization threats effectively, Devon Wildlife Trust plans collaboration with local welfare groups implementing neutering programs for feral/domestic cats near introduction zones.

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Officials Approve $7 Million Project To Tap Into Powerful Underground Energy Source

Colorado is taking significant strides in clean energy, betting big on geothermal technology to heat and cool its buildings. The Colorado Energy Office has allocated $7.3 million to kickstart four geothermal projects across the state in Denver, Colorado Springs, Vail, and Steamboat Springs. This funding is part of the Colorado Geothermal Energy Tax Credit Offering and will support three installations and a feasibility study. Geothermal energy, which harnesses heat from beneath the earth's surface, is increasingly seen as a sustainable alternative for heating and cooling needs. Unlike fossil fuels, it doesn't emit planet-warming gases, making it a cleaner energy source with a smaller environmental footprint. The Clean Air Task Force points out that reducing air pollution through geothermal development could translate into health advantages valued between $6 billion and $23 billion. This makes a compelling case for expanding geothermal technology statewide. In Vail, the project involves setting up a thermal energy network connecting the Vail Public Library with the Dobson Ice Arena. Colorado Springs School District plans to link new and old high school buildings through a similar network. Meanwhile, Denver’s Colorado Bathhouse will retrofit two 1948-era structures with geothermal systems. In Steamboat Springs, experts will conduct a feasibility study to evaluate potential applications for municipal facilities. Colorado has positioned itself as a leader in this field by previously investing $23.2 million in 40 different geothermal projects across the state. Will Toor, executive director of the Colorado Energy Office, underscored this momentum by saying, "We are seeing growing interest in geothermal heating and cooling across the state." He added that such initiatives not only help meet climate goals but also reduce energy costs while improving indoor air quality.

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Perseverance Rover Discovers Unusual Iron-Nickel Meteorite on Mars

NASA's Perseverance rover is still rolling across Mars, doing what it does best—checking out rocks. But this time, it has come across a peculiar find in the Jezero Crater. Meet Phippsaksla, an 80-centimeter-wide rock that’s turning heads at NASA. Scientists noticed something unusual about Phippsaksla right away. Its composition of iron and nickel suggests it might not be from Mars at all but could instead be a meteorite. These types of meteorites usually form from the core of large asteroids, which makes Phippsaksla a potential cosmic traveler that crash-landed on Mars long ago. Perseverance has been equipped with some high-tech gear to study Martian geology. Using one of its Mastcam-Z cameras, the rover took detailed photos of Phippsaksla from various angles. Then it got to work with its SuperCam instrument, employing lasers and spectrometers to measure the rock’s chemical makeup. The results? A significant presence of iron and nickel. While this find is exciting, it's not entirely unexpected. Scientists have found similar iron-nickel meteorites on Mars before. What’s surprising is that Perseverance hadn't encountered one until now. To confirm Phippsaksla's extraterrestrial origins, further analysis will be necessary. If confirmed as a meteorite, it would mark another milestone for Perseverance in understanding Mars’ history. One of Perseverance's standout features is its ability to collect Martian rock samples using an onboard drill. It also carries a mini-laboratory to analyze these samples directly on Mars. If NASA decides that bringing a piece of Phippsaksla back to Earth is worthwhile, they’ll need another spacecraft to retrieve it since Perseverance can't handle return trips solo. Since landing on Mars in February 2021, Perseverance has explored ancient lake beds and volcanic regions and even set records for traveling distances on another planet. While there's no end date set for its mission, this little rover seems poised to continue making groundbreaking discoveries for some time yet.

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