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Rare Cranes are Making a Comeback Thanks to This Protected Habitat
The critically endangered Siberian crane population has increased by nearly 50% in the past decade. Efforts to secure their migratory route between Russia and China have paid off, with numbers almost doubling to 7,000 individuals. The International Crane Foundation and partners have been working hard to protect the cranes' habitats and raise awareness about their threatened status. Despite challenges like climate change and human activities, the future looks bright for these majestic birds!
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Veteran Athletes are Shining at the 2026 Olympics, Proving Age Is Just a Number
Gus Kenworthy didn’t expect to be here again — standing at the top of a halfpipe, knees aching, heart pounding, chasing one last Olympic run. But less than a year before the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, the 34-year-old freeskier and three-time Olympian is doing just that. After retiring in 2022, Kenworthy built a vibrant life: acting gigs, fashion shoots, advocacy work. On paper, he had it all. But inside, something felt missing. “Saying anything other than, ‘I’m a professional skier,’ felt wrong,” he says. “I felt a loss of my sense of identity.” He found his spark again in a place he didn’t expect — watching Lindsey Vonn make her own comeback at age 40, returning to the World Cup podium just months after coming out of a six-year retirement. If she could do it, he thought, why not him? “To see her do that and it pay off, and her prove she’s still that girl, I was like, ‘I’m still that girl, too,’” Kenworthy says with a laugh. But he’s not joking. He’s joined by a cohort of fellow comeback athletes rewriting what’s possible — and what’s worth fighting for — in elite sports. Nick Goepper, his old teammate and Olympic medalist, is back too, this time switching from slopestyle to halfpipe. And Maddy Schaffrick, who quit snowboarding at 20, has returned at 31 to make her first Olympic team. Breaking Away, Coming Back Ten years ago, Maddy Schaffrick was a rising star in halfpipe snowboarding. But a string of knee surgeries and paralyzing anxiety forced her into early retirement. She walked away at 20 and tried to forget that snowboarding had ever been a part of her life. “I would just dissociate,” she says of her final contests. “I didn’t land a lot of runs those last few years because I felt fear.” She became a plumber’s apprentice in Steamboat Springs. A coaching job came later — at first, just a way to get a free season pass. But gradually, being around young athletes helped her heal. She saw that snowboarding could still be joyful. Over time, something shifted. She noticed there was space in the women’s field — the level of tricks hadn’t progressed as rapidly as she’d expected. Her body felt stronger. Her mindset was different. She tested the waters. In her first World Cup back — Beijing, 2024 — she finished third. “I feel like I’m finally figuring out how to be the person I’ve always wanted to be,” Schaffrick says. But her comeback hasn’t been without criticism. Some accused her of taking opportunities away from younger riders, of blurring lines as a former coach. “Their view is that what I’m doing is unethical,” she says. “But I hope I can inspire your daughter.” For Schaffrick, it’s simple: she’s answering the call of her younger self — the one who never got to see this dream through. “When I realized that my inner voice is never going to go away, but all the outside voices eventually will, that’s when I was like, ‘I can’t turn my back on this.’” The Rebirth of Nick Goepper Nick Goepper was done with slopestyle after the 2022 Games. The pressure, the image, the expectations — it was too much. He’d battled depression and gone to rehab. But he still loved skiing. So he did something radical: he switched disciplines. “To pick a similar discipline and try to master it felt like a fun project,” he says. “And that’s what I love: mastery.” Wearing jeans and a cat T-shirt, he returned to the X Games in 2025 with no sponsors and no expectations. He won silver. Later, he qualified for the Olympic team — again. “I’m not just somebody with logos all over me. I’m a real person with real values,” he says. “I want to be the awkward Midwestern kid in an emo wig talking about anxiety and depression.” Lindsey Vonn: Chasing the Finish Line One More Time Lindsey Vonn shocked the ski world when she announced her return in 2025. She had a new knee — literally, a partial replacement — and was skiing pain-free for the first time in years. Within months, she was winning again. But not everyone welcomed her comeback. Critics called her "mad." Others questioned her motives. Vonn didn’t flinch. “I’m not doing this for anyone else,” she says. “I know what I’m capable of.” Even after rupturing her ACL weeks before the Olympics, Vonn refused to step back. “What’s 90 seconds in a lifetime? It’s nothing,” she says. “As long as there’s a chance, I will try.” ‘This One’s For Me’ For Kenworthy, this comeback isn’t about medals or media attention. At his first Olympics, he was closeted. At his second, he was newly out and carrying the weight of representation. At his third, he competed for Great Britain to honor his mother. This time? “This one’s for me,” he says, wiping away tears. “I made a really deliberate choice to come back and put myself and my body on the line again. I’m proud of that.” Seven months before the Games, Schaffrick is already reflecting on what it all means. “It takes a lot of courage,” she says. “And I’m hoping we’re living in an era of courage.” Together, they’re redefining what success looks like: not just winning, but showing up fully — knees aching, fears acknowledged — and doing it anyway.
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This UPS Driver Just Rushed Into a Burning Home to Save a 101-Year-Old Woman in California
Willy Esquivel was just doing his job when he became a hero. The UPS driver was on his usual delivery route in Santa Ana, California, on January 15 when he noticed something was off. Neighbors were frantically trying to contain smoke pouring out of a nearby condo — the home of 101-year-old Ann Edwards, who lives alone. Esquivel didn’t hesitate. According to the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), he entered the smoke-filled home, found Edwards disoriented and reluctant to leave, and carried her outside to safety. “I just did what I thought was right,” Esquivel told KTLA. “At the end of the day, she’s someone’s mother, someone’s grandmother, great-grandmother.” By the time firefighters arrived, neighbors had already jumped into action as well. One used a fire extinguisher to help knock down the flames in the kitchen. Another, a roofer by trade, climbed onto the roof with a garden hose and sprayed water through the kitchen vent. A video shared by the fire department showed heavy smoke pouring out of the building. Despite the intensity of the fire, everyone made it out safely. Edwards was hospitalized as a precaution but is expected to recover fully. Her son, Rick, called Esquivel’s response “life-saving.” “I’m grateful for him sticking with her and getting her out of there,” he said. The fire department praised everyone involved: “A remarkable outcome made possible by quick action, teamwork, and people looking out for one another in a moment of need,” the OCFA wrote on X. Esquivel downplayed his role, insisting he was simply in the right place at the right time. But his actions — and those of the neighbors — were anything but ordinary. Most days, delivery drivers go unnoticed. But on that day, Esquivel’s instinct and courage made all the difference.
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A K-9 Hero Just Helped Rescue a Missing North Carolina Boy During a Snowstorm
A 13-year-old boy with special needs is home safe after going missing during a fierce snowstorm in Gastonia, North Carolina — thanks in large part to a determined police dog named Bo. The boy wandered away from his home Saturday night at the height of the storm, wearing no appropriate cold-weather gear, according to the Gastonia Police Department. Temperatures had plunged below freezing, with several inches of snow falling on top of previous accumulations. “This child was at serious risk due to the dangerously cold and snowy conditions,” the department said. Multiple local agencies launched a search. K-9 officer Bo was brought in and given an item of the child’s clothing to track his scent. Working through thick snow and freezing winds, Bo picked up the trail and began tracking. Meanwhile, officers from the police department, the Gaston County Sheriff’s Office, and emergency services crews set up a secure perimeter. Eventually, the boy wandered into that area and was spotted by EMS teams. He was cold, but unharmed. The police department credited “quick action, strong teamwork and the dedication of everyone involved” for the successful outcome — and gave special praise to Bo, who ended the night covered in snow after tracking through harsh conditions. Gastonia, a city of about 80,000 located just west of Charlotte, had been hit hard by recent winter weather. Bo’s efforts won widespread appreciation online, where the department shared a photo of the K-9 looking stoic and snow-dusted after the rescue.
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John Biever Has Photographed Every Super Bowl — And Super Bowl 60 Might Be His Last
When Super Bowl LX kicks off on February 8 at Levi’s Stadium, photographers will flood the sidelines, lenses poised to capture every hit, pass, and celebration. But only one of them will have a perfect streak: John Biever. The 74-year-old has photographed every Super Bowl since the very first one in 1967. This year’s matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots will mark his 60th — a feat no one else in the business can claim. “Coming to the 60th Super Bowl now and—‘Wow!’—I’ve been very fortunate,” said Biever, reflecting on his extraordinary run. Biever’s story starts with a different dynasty: the Green Bay Packers of the 1960s. His father, Vern Biever, was the Packers’ official team photographer and began teaching John the craft when he was just a kid. By 14, John was already on the sidelines with a professional camera. “How many kids can grab a professional camera at that age and get on the field of the championship game? Not too many,” Biever said. “But then you’ve got to come along with the goods, too, so I guess I did that eventually.” At the 1965 NFL championship, Biever snapped a black-and-white photo of Packers quarterback Bart Starr preparing to hand off the ball. The image was published in Look magazine — a huge moment for a teenager. A year later, he wandered the sidelines at the very first Super Bowl, capturing moments few others could. One of his favorite shots from that inaugural game? Vince Lombardi jogging off the field after Green Bay’s win over Kansas City. “That photo’s special because my dad is also in the picture,” Biever said. The following year brought one of football’s most legendary moments: the Ice Bowl. With the temperature at minus-13 degrees in Green Bay, Biever captured the game-winning quarterback sneak by Bart Starr. His photo — taken from the end zone — shows Starr plunging behind a wall of blockers. It remains the only photo hanging in Biever’s home. “My dad was over photographing Lombardi and Lombardi just turned and ran to the locker room. That was it,” Biever said. “He got nothing and I got the winning play of the Ice Bowl.” For three decades, Biever shot Super Bowls for Sports Illustrated, capturing generations of stars. More recently, he’s photographed the big game on assignment for the NFL. “Still photography is about the fleeting moment. That’s what John is best at capturing,” said Jamie Squire, a Getty Images veteran. “That split-second moment that lives on forever.” Now living in San Diego, Biever turns 75 just nine days after this year’s Super Bowl. He says Super Bowl LX will likely be his last — but he’s not dwelling on it. He’s focused, as always, on finding that spontaneous, unforgettable shot. “I still look forward to capturing the moment everyone will remember,” he said.
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‘Honeymoon, Shmunymoon’: Newlyweds Spend Wedding Night Rescuing Injured Bird
Most couples spend their wedding night basking in post-ceremony bliss. Erica and Bob Nash spent theirs saving a starving red kite. The couple had just tied the knot at Skipton Registry Office when a text came through from Craven Wildlife Rescue. A red kite had been spotted in distress near Wetherby, West Yorkshire. Erica, a dedicated volunteer with the charity, didn’t think twice. “We’d just got home to Colne, still grinning from the day, when the call came in from Jane, the founder at the rescue,” Erica recalled. “She said it was a long shot, but asked if anyone could get to the other side of Leeds.” Erica’s response? “Honeymoon, shmunymoon, I’m on my way!” With Bob behind the wheel and wedding chocolates for the road, the couple drove to Harrogate. There, they met a young couple who had found the injured bird and gently wrapped it in a jumper. “When I picked it up, I could feel there was no meat on its chest,” Erica said. “Its sternum was poking out. It was really, really sad to feel that.” They named the bird Duffy. Erica cradled it in her lap for the journey to Skipton, dimming the lights and covering its head with a blanket to keep it calm. Duffy was later transferred to Craven Wildlife Rescue in Horton in Ribblesdale. The bird had an old wound on one wing and was emaciated. It’s now receiving fluids, antibiotics, and pain relief. “We're praying for a happy ending,” said Erica. “Time will tell, but it's getting the best treatment that it could possibly get.” Erica said the rescue centre has been life-changing for her mental health. “I get up in the morning and I cannot wait to get there,” she said. “My life actually does feel like it revolves around the rescue, but in a good way.” The centre, which has seen a sharp rise in wildlife admissions this year, praised the Nashes’ dedication. “The rise in the number of birds has been astounding this year,” said co-founder Jane Carpenter. “Birds continue to be persecuted, poisoned, hit by cars, orphaned — and whatever we can do to help them in their hour of need, we will do it.” For Erica and Bob, their wedding night may not have been typical — but it was perfectly them.
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Meet Merlin the Therapy Sheep: How One Yorkshire Flock Is Helping People Heal
Grace Olson never expected her pet sheep to become therapists. But Merlin, a gentle Texel cross with a knack for sensing pain, had other plans. The Leeds-based therapist, who originally trained in equine-assisted therapy, was holding a session with a grieving widow when Merlin walked straight over and gently pressed his head against her knee. “She bent down to cuddle him and laughed,” Olson said. “She hadn’t even smiled for a year. It was brilliant.” That moment changed everything. Merlin kept doing it — gently approaching clients who were hurting, wordlessly offering comfort. “It was like he just knew when someone was distressed,” Olson said. “He’s like a person in a sheep’s body.” Since then, she’s expanded her flock to five sheep, who now assist her in therapy sessions with clients — many of whom are living with terminal illness. Olson says their calm presence and quiet energy help people relax, especially those who might find traditional talk therapy overwhelming. The sessions take place outdoors, surrounded by nature and the soft rustle of woolly companions. Clients stroke the sheep, sometimes just sit quietly beside them, and often open up more than they would in a clinic. Olson is now writing a book about her experience, with the hope of using its proceeds to offer therapy free of charge to people with cancer and other life-limiting conditions. What began as an unplanned interaction with a curious sheep has grown into something much deeper — a quietly powerful form of emotional support with hooves, fleece, and an uncanny sense of timing.
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‘Gorgeous and Flamboyant’: Museum Wins Award for its Unforgettable Toilets
A museum in Dorset, England, has been crowned the UK’s quirkiest lavatory stop after winning big at the 2025 Loo of the Year Awards. The Sherborne, housed in the restored 18th Century Sherborne House, picked up the Quirky Award for its “beautiful and sumptuous” toilet facilities — which have become a surprise hit with visitors. “This is exactly the sort of thing we’d love to be known for,” said chief executive Liz Gilmore. “We do have the most gorgeous and flamboyant toilets. We couldn’t be prouder.” Describing them as “an experience in themselves,” Gilmore highlighted the vivid design touches: the women’s loos are filled with tropical birds and plants, complete with red velvet furniture. The men’s feature an underwater theme with “gorgeous fish and incredible hues of colour.” The museum, which reopened in 2024 following a three-year, multi-million pound restoration, was nominated for the award by an anonymous member of the public. Gilmore sees the win as more than just a talking point. “It’s recognition of what we’re trying to do culturally — for the town, for the whole region,” she said. “Every aspect of the restoration thought about meticulous attention to detail.” The Sherborne’s toilets are free to use, whether or not visitors are exploring the museum. Now in its 38th year, the Loo of the Year Awards celebrate outstanding public toilets across the UK and Ireland, judged on accessibility, cleanliness, design, and overall user experience. The overall winner, and recipient of the coveted Golden Loo Seat Trophy, was Cardiff’s St David’s Dewi Sant shopping centre. Still, for The Sherborne, the Quirky Award might be the most memorable prize of all — and just one more reason to visit.
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Volunteer Blood Biker Honoured Posthumously with Elizabeth Emblem for Ultimate Sacrifice
Russell Curwen, a volunteer blood biker who died while delivering emergency medical samples in 2018, has been posthumously awarded the Elizabeth Emblem — a national honour given to families of public servants who die in the line of duty. The emblem, named after the late Queen Elizabeth II and first introduced in 2024, was presented during a ceremony at Kendal Town Hall on Monday. It was handed to Russell’s father, Kenny Curwen, by His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Cumbria, Alexander Scott. “Russell has never left us,” his father said during the ceremony. “You just don’t imagine you’re going to be in this position. Russell was always there and when we lost him we thought we had lost him forever — but we haven’t.” Russell, who was 49 at the time of his death, volunteered with North West Blood Bikes, a charity that transports urgent medical items such as blood and pathology samples between hospitals and labs. He died on 5 May 2018 after his motorcycle collided with a car in Lancaster while responding to an emergency call. An inquest later found that he had gone through a red light using blue lights and sirens when the crash occurred. Coroner James Newman, who issued a prevention of future deaths report, stressed that the report was not a criticism. Instead, it called for clarity around the legal framework for emergency exemptions to road traffic laws when applied to blood bike charities and similar volunteer groups. Russell’s death sparked an outpouring of support from the motorcycling community. Before his funeral, nearly 500 riders took part in a procession through Kendal to honour his service. Westmorland and Furness Council described the Elizabeth Emblem as “a permanent national tribute to Russell’s selflessness and sacrifice, and a symbol of the profound gratitude owed to him for his service.” Lee Townsend, vice chairman of North West Blood Bikes, called Russell “a great guy” who gave his time to help others. This marks only the second time the Elizabeth Emblem has been awarded in Cumbria, underscoring the significance of Curwen’s dedication and the lasting impact of his volunteer work.
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‘Mamma Cath’ Retires After 62 Years of Nursing, Just Shy of Her 80th Birthday
At 79 years old, Cath Lyon has finally clocked off — more than six decades after she first joined the NHS. Known affectionately as “Mamma Cath” by colleagues at Hull Royal Infirmary, she started her career on August 1, 1962, when she was just 16. On Monday, she officially retired from her role as a staff nurse in the emergency department, ending an extraordinary 62-year run of service. “I have loved every minute of it,” Cath said. “Just being able to help patients when they need it, even if it’s something as simple as making them a drink or fetching them a blanket.” Cath’s career began as a white cadet, balancing nursing studies with administrative tasks in the X-ray and pharmacy departments. Her first job as a staff nurse was in neurosurgery — a time she remembers fondly, especially the luxury of having a night cook who would make staff “any food you wanted.” She later became a night sister, a role that no longer exists and has since been replaced by site matrons. But for the past 20 years, she was a fixture in the emergency department, a steady and familiar presence during some of the hospital’s busiest shifts. She’s seen the NHS change dramatically over the years. “Everything was pen and paper when I first started, there were no computers,” she said. “The hospitals are also much busier than they used to be.” Asked what it takes to be a good nurse, Cath was characteristically matter-of-fact: “A good pair of hands and a good brain.” Now a grandmother of four, she said she’s looking forward to spending more time with her family. Her colleagues say she’ll be deeply missed. “Cath is the kind of nurse who becomes the heartbeat of a place,” said Matron Emma Jones. “Her legacy is stitched into the walls of the emergency department. She kept us going through the hardest nights with perfectly timed midnight snacks, and she never allowed standards to slip.” Jones called her “caring, honest and endlessly devoted,” and praised her example of “compassion with backbone, humour with authority and love for patients and colleagues that never once clocked off.” “We will miss you, Mamma Cath,” she added.
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Penny the Doberman Pinscher Wins Best in Show at Westminster's 150th Anniversary
It was a night of celebration, canine charisma, and a landmark victory at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday as a Doberman pinscher named Penny took home the top prize at the 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Penny emerged victorious after two days of competition featuring more than 2,500 dogs representing over 200 breeds. She beat out six other finalists in the Best in Show round, judged by how well each contender matched the ideal standards for their breed. Along with the trophy, ribbons, and national bragging rights, Penny now holds the distinction of winning the milestone 150th edition of Westminster — the most prestigious title in American dog shows. The final seven featured a diverse and highly competitive lineup. Alongside Penny, there was Zaida the Afghan hound, JJ the Lhasa apso, Cookie the Maltese, Graham the old English sheepdog, Cota the Chesapeake Bay retriever, and Wager the smooth fox terrier. Beyond the finalists, plenty of dogs won over the crowd with charm, quirks, and personality. Calaco, a hairless Xoloitzcuintli, strutted around the ring like he owned it. Beamer the vizsla hopped into a handler's equipment box to the audience's delight. Storm the towering Newfoundland drew laughs by leaping onto his handler mid-ring. And Oliver the golden retriever had fans cheering so loudly it drowned out the announcer. Then there was Lumpy the Pekingese, whose name alone had the crowd chanting. One breed made its Westminster debut this year: the Danish-Swedish farmdog. A small, agile working dog, the breed was officially welcomed to the show in 2026. A dog named Millie advanced to the evening round after besting her fellow farmdogs earlier in the day. For longtime enthusiasts like Brita Lemmon, who began working to establish the breed in the U.S. back in 2000, it was a proud moment. “It’s been a very exciting journey,” Lemmon said. The show also spotlighted lesser-known stories of devotion and determination. Joseph Carrero, a heavy equipment operator from Indian Springs, Nevada, walked the ring with Dezi, his 190-pound Neapolitan mastiff. Carrero had dreamed of owning a "Neo" since he was a teenager. He started showing after a breeder's encouragement, and now breeds and handles his dogs himself — all while holding down a full-time job. “It’s really hard for us to do this, but we enjoy it, and he enjoys it,” Carrero said. For Natalee Ridenhour of Royse City, Texas, the Westminster ring was a full-circle moment. Boerboels — large South African guard dogs — had once played a role in how she met her late husband. On Tuesday, she and a Boerboel named Invictus took part in the show. Though they didn’t make it past the opening round, Ridenhour was beaming. “Honestly, the big win is: You’re about the 50th person who’s gotten down in his face and loved on him,” she said as a visitor gave Invictus some well-deserved attention. But in the end, the spotlight belonged to Penny. Her win marked not just a personal triumph, but a defining moment in Westminster history — a Doberman pinscher earning top honors in the show's landmark year.