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Why You're Waking Up at 3 or 4 AM and How to Stop It
Waking up at 3 or 4 a.m. with anxiety is common, but there's hope for restful nights! Our bodies naturally reduce melatonin and increase cortisol around this time, which can trigger stress. If you're already stressed, this might wake you up feeling anxious. But don't worry—there are simple strategies to help you drift back to sleep. Try making a list of tasks outside your bedroom to clear your mind, focus on your breath to relax, or have a small snack if hunger strikes. These tips can help you tackle nighttime worries and wake up refreshed!
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“My New Heart Means I Can Do What Other Kids Do”: 11-Year-Old is Raising Awareness for Organ Donation
At 11 years old, Elodie Gray is riding her bike, playing with her dogs Coco and Bhodie, and enjoying the kind of childhood most kids take for granted. But behind her easy smile is a remarkable story of survival — and a powerful message about the importance of organ donation. Elodie, from Kingswood in Bristol, underwent life-saving heart surgery as a baby after being diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition that weakens the heart muscle. Ten years later, she’s one of the faces of the NHS’s Hope Takes Flight campaign, a nationwide push to encourage organ donation and highlight the lives it can save. “Organ donation is a great thing,” Elodie said. “I wish more people could get fixed and enjoy life again.” She’s now sharing her journey as one of many transplant recipients featured in the campaign, which also includes stories from donor families. For Elodie, the message is simple but powerful: “If I hadn't got my new heart, I wouldn't be able to tell you my story.” Her father Colin, 52, says Elodie understands the gravity of her experience but lives with strength and joy. “She is very aware of what she has been through in her life so far but takes it in her stride,” he said. “Our differences in life can never be explained in words due to the severity of Elodie's journey — only to say we cherish every moment with her.” The family is calling for more open conversations around organ donation, particularly within families. “We need to continue the discussion,” Colin said. “If everyone knew their loved ones’ wishes, it would save many more lives. Most of the waiting and deaths can be avoided.” According to NHS Blood and Transplant, more than 8,000 people in the UK are currently waiting for an organ transplant — including 50 in Bristol alone. In the 2024/25 year, 463 people died while waiting, an 11% increase from the previous year. The Hope Takes Flight campaign is urging people to register their organ donation preferences on the NHS Organ Donor Register, which can guide families during difficult decisions. For Elodie, life after transplant means freedom. “My new heart means I can do things that other children do,” she said. And with that heart, she’s using her voice to help others.
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Stranger Discovers Ricki Lake's Lost Family Photos at Flea Market After L.A. Fires
Nearly a year after losing her Malibu home in the Los Angeles wildfires, Ricki Lake received a piece of her past back in the most unexpected way — thanks to a stranger at a flea market. On Sunday, December 7, artist Patty Scanlon was browsing the Pasadena Flea Market when she spotted a box of old photographs. A familiar face caught her eye. “I thought, wait a minute… that looks like Ricki Lake,” she said. It was. For $20, Scanlon unknowingly purchased a stack of Lake’s personal photos — many of them of the former talk show host with her son, Milo, when he was just a baby. “I’m still in disbelief,” Lake commented on Scanlon’s Instagram post, which showed several of the recovered photos. The next day, the two connected live on Instagram to talk about the “miracle” find — and to thank one another. “This gives you hope for humanity,” Lake said during the emotional chat. “I’m so touched and I’m overwhelmed.” Lake, 57, lost everything in the January fires that destroyed her Malibu home, including countless irreplaceable mementos and family photos. “The fact that I’m gonna get something back that I thought was lost forever makes me so happy,” she told Scanlon. “It means everything to me.” Scanlon, who uses old photographs as reference material for her artwork, said she had no idea the box contained such meaningful items when she picked it up. But once she got home and recognized Lake’s face, she began trying to get in touch. Inside the pile was an envelope addressed to Lake’s old New York City residence, which helped confirm the photos’ origin. Scanlon guessed they may have been sent to a friend years ago and ended up for sale by accident — maybe through an estate sale or house clean-out. Either way, she said, it felt like fate. “I just can’t believe the magic that is my life,” Lake said. “It just feels like there’s somebody looking out for me, because this doesn’t make any sense.” Many of the photos feature Milo, now 28, as a toddler. “Milo is gonna be so stoked to have all these,” Lake said, adding that she had been mourning the loss of childhood pictures of both her sons. She’s also mom to Owen, 24. Scanlon said she was simply glad to help. “It was a miracle,” she said. “To find the photos, buy them, and actually get them back to you — it’s amazing.” Lake called Scanlon an “angel” and said the discovery had brought warmth to what had otherwise been a painful year. “You made this year that’s been such a challenging and remarkable year… it feels so heartwarming. It’s just truly, truly heartwarming.” The two plan to meet up when Lake returns to Los Angeles, with Lake promising to take Scanlon out to dinner as a thank-you. Scanlon, meanwhile, is planning to paint Lake, now inspired by the rediscovered images. “It’s a full-circle moment,” Lake said, smiling through tears. “A real miracle.”
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Lovable Giant Dog Seeks Forever Home, Eats Over 1kg of Food Daily
Meet Brody, a six-year-old Pyrenean mountain dog with a heart as big as his stature. Weighing in at 66 kilograms and standing about 1.82 meters tall on his hind legs, he is an impressive sight. Currently residing with Animal Concern Cumbria, based in Egremont, this gentle giant is waiting for the perfect family to adopt him. Lauren Pickthall, the animal rehoming manager at the charity, describes Brody as a "lovable giant" with a sweet and gentle demeanor. Despite his massive size, she says he has an endearing goofy side that adds to his charm. However, prospective adopters should be ready for Brody's substantial appetite; he consumes over a kilogram of food each day. Pyrenean mountain dogs have historically worked as livestock guardians, protecting flocks from predators like wolves and bears. This background means Brody needs someone who understands the breed and has experience with livestock guardian dogs. "They have kind of behavioral characteristics that come along with being a working breed," Ms. Pickthall explained. Adopting Brody will require some preparation beyond understanding his breed traits. He needs ample space to lounge around comfortably—Ms. Pickthall humorously notes that whoever takes him home will need "a very large sofa because he likes his comfort and he's not willing to share." Animal Concern Cumbria expects to open applications for Brody within the week, hoping to find him a new home by the New Year. Interest in adopting him has already been high due to his unique characteristics and lovable personality. Despite her fondness for Brody, Ms. Pickthall remains pragmatic about parting ways with him once he's adopted: "I never get sad," she said. "It's always exactly what we work for from the moment they come in, so it's always joyous when dogs leave us." It's clear that finding permanent homes for animals like Brody is what drives her work at the rescue charity. As applications roll in soon, it seems likely that this charming Pyrenean mountain dog will soon find his forever home where he'll have all the love—and food—he needs.
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Women Reclaim Strength and Resilience Through Groundbreaking Fitness Program
When Daisy (Not her real name, to protect her identity) thought about joining the Women’s Empowerment Strength Training (WEST) Project, she wasn’t sure she belonged. “I was so nervous. I was worried about having to tell my story,” she said. But no one asked. And that, for her, was the turning point. “I turned up and they welcomed me without question. It was such a relief.” Now, every Tuesday at lunch, Daisy is one of about 20 women deadlifting in a Canberra gym — quietly, fiercely, and with the kind of joy that only comes from being among people who get it. The WEST Project is a free, ten-week strength training program for women who’ve experienced domestic violence. It’s designed to help survivors rebuild confidence through powerlifting, without requiring them to rehash their trauma. “We don't ask people to tell their story. If they identify, they are in,” said program coordinator and coach Johanna Tooby. That simple rule removes a major barrier. Many survivors are asked to repeat their experiences over and over when seeking help — a retraumatising process that the WEST Project avoids altogether. Daisy summed it up plainly: “No one is going to delve into things. They know we've all gone through s**t. We encourage each other but we don't need to talk about everything.” The program grew out of research by University of Canberra lecturer Erin Kelly, who was exploring the role of strength training in trauma recovery. Her interviews with female powerlifters revealed a pattern: many had past experiences of trauma, and many credited the sport with helping them heal. “They became focused on capabilities rather than their appearance,” Kelly said. “Many described how the focus on physical strength and functionality — being able to lift heavier weights, move furniture independently, for example — nurtured a sense of empowerment that challenged traditional gender expectations.” Now in its fourth year, the WEST Project runs during school terms to allow mothers and carers to attend. Some participants, like Danae, have been coming for over a year. “‘Survivor’ is a useful term, but after a while you want to move on. You want to be someone else,” she said. For Danae, dropping the barbell — literally — became a defining moment. “One of the coaches said to me, when I was worried about lifting the weight, ‘Worry about the up, not the down.’ She told me to just drop it on the ground, I didn’t have to put it down quietly.” That noise mattered. “Many people who have been in a DV situation learn to be quiet, to not take up space,” she said. “Dropping the bar and making that noise goes against that. We know it's ok here to make noise.” It’s a gym, but it’s also a sanctuary. Participants say they show up not just for the physical benefits, but for the friendships and support that come with them. “I come before work and lift. It gives me strength to do my job,” Danae said. “The friendships are as important as the lifting. You can share your achievements. If you're training on your own you can't do that, you can't turn around and say, 'Hey, did you see that?'” Kishwar, another participant, agreed. “It's the camaraderie. Everyone understands the situation you've been in. They support you,” she said. “It’s added to my box of resilience tools.” Coach Tammy, who guides the sessions, says the changes she’s seen in the women are impossible to ignore. “What I’ve noticed is the resilience in the women. It’s grown over time.” But keeping the project running isn’t guaranteed. It has funding through to the end of 2026, and both Kelly and Tooby are actively looking for ways to sustain and expand it. “We know cost is a huge barrier for these women, so we try to make it as easy as possible to get to the classes,” Kelly said. “We work with the physios at the uni and we've had some of the dieticians come in and talk about healthy eating. This gives the women more support.” For Daisy, the financial aspect is critical. “If I had to pay I am not sure I would keep coming if things got tight. It would be one of the first things to go,” she said. “I’d see it as a luxury. It’s just for me. It’s not for my kids or anyone else.” But she no longer doubts whether she belongs. “People will tell me they do powerlifting and I can say, ‘Hey, I do powerlifting too!’” she said. “They give us a program to do at home during the breaks, but it's not the same as coming here and talking to everyone. It’s giving me a place to just be me.”
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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.”