Philippine Indigenous Communities Team Up to Re-Green Mountain, Curb Flooding

On the lush slopes of Mt. Kalatungan in the Philippines, Indigenous communities are revitalizing their land through rainforestation farming. This initiative, led by local groups like NAMAMAYUK and supported by NGOs, focuses on planting native trees alongside coffee shrubs to restore ecosystems and boost local incomes. The project not only enhances biodiversity but also mitigates flooding downstream. With a remarkable 98.8% survival rate for planted species, this community-driven effort exemplifies sustainable conservation.

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Gemini South Telescope Captures Stunning New Image Of The Butterfly Nebula

The Gemini South telescope is turning 25, and to mark the occasion, astronomers have released a stunning new image of the Butterfly Nebula, a swirling, colorful cloud of gas shaped like wings and glowing with the remnants of a dying star. Also known as NGC 6302, the nebula sits in the constellation Scorpius, between 2,500 and 3,800 light-years from Earth. At its heart is a white dwarf blazing at 250,000 degrees Celsius—the burnt-out core of a star that once resembled our own sun, only slightly bigger. That now-dead star reached the end of its life by expanding into a red giant, shedding its outer layers in a final burst of stellar drama. What was left behind became this cosmic butterfly: slower material ejected along its equator formed a dusty dark band in its center, while faster gas flowed out along the poles, creating the wings. A hot stellar wind gave those wings their final sculpting. Today, the material in the nebula glows at about 20,000 degrees Celsius, ionized by the radiation from the white dwarf. In the new image, ionized hydrogen appears red, while ionized oxygen glows blue. It’s not just beautiful—it’s also a preview. Astronomers say our own sun will meet the same fate in about 5 billion years. The anniversary image was selected as part of a student competition in Chile, where Gemini South is located. Schoolchildren picked the Butterfly Nebula to be imaged in high detail using the observatory’s 8.1-meter-wide mirror. Perched atop Cerro Pachón in the Chilean Andes, Gemini South is one half of the International Gemini Observatory. Its twin, Gemini North, sits atop Mauna Kea in Hawaii. Together, they give astronomers a nearly complete view of the night sky from both hemispheres. Operated by the U.S. National Science Foundation’s NOIRLab, the project is funded by a partnership between the United States, Brazil, Canada, Chile, and the United Kingdom. The Gemini telescopes were the vision of astronomer Fred Gillett, who died shortly after Gemini South's first light in 2000. The northern telescope now bears his name—the Frederick C. Gillett Gemini Telescope. Both observatories are equipped with advanced tools like adaptive optics and infrared cameras, allowing astronomers to peer deep into dusty regions of space and capture sharp, wide-field images of objects like the Butterfly Nebula. As Gemini South enters its second quarter-century, its team is already looking forward to even more discoveries—and more views of the universe as dramatic as this one.

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Jug Older Than Christianity to Be Returned to Cyprus After UK Auction Discovery

A tiny ceramic jug believed to be nearly 2,800 years old is being returned to Cyprus, after it was spotted at a UK auction and identified as a significant antiquity. The 7cm-tall artefact, dated to around 750 BC, was discovered during a sale at The Cotswold Auction Company in Cirencester, Gloucestershire. Once experts recognised its cultural value, the item was quickly withdrawn from auction. Marios Theocharous from the Cypriot government collected the piece—known as a "juglet" due to its small size—earlier this month as part of an ongoing repatriation effort. “This jug is significant,” said Theocharous. “It’s a piece of our collective memory.” The jug is currently being kept at the Cypriot High Commission in London, where it will remain until its return to Cyprus, where officials expect it will eventually go on display in a museum. Its return is part of a broader campaign by the Cypriot government to reclaim items that were “illegally removed” from the island in the 1960s and 70s. Many cultural artefacts were taken during a time of political unrest, and the government has spent years trying to trace and recover them. In a statement on December 3, 2024, Cypriot authorities announced that more than 100 objects had been repatriated from the UK. These included Neolithic stone stools dating as far back as the seventh millennium BC, and pottery from the Early Bronze Age, around 2,000 BC. The Cotswold Auction House said it was committed to respecting cultural heritage and fully supported the return of the jug. “As a company, we are committed to respecting the cultural heritage of other countries, as well as our own, and fully support the Cypriot government in its efforts to repatriate antiquities,” said Niall Fry, saleroom manager at the auction house. He also noted that there was no suggestion of wrongdoing on the part of the seller. “The jug may have been in the UK for decades or centuries, and they would not have been aware of its legal status in Cyprus,” he said. For Cyprus, efforts to reclaim lost heritage items continue, with authorities pursuing artefacts that represent the island’s deep and layered history—from Neolithic tools to Bronze Age ceramics and beyond.

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She’s Back: World’s Oldest Wild Bird Returns to Nest at 75

Wisdom, the world’s oldest known wild bird, is alive and nesting once again. The 75-year-old Laysan albatross has been spotted at the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, located about 2,100 kilometres northwest of Honolulu. Her arrival marks another successful return to the same site where she’s been coming for decades. “The queen returns!” the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) said in a post celebrating her return. Wisdom was first banded in 1956, during the Eisenhower administration, after laying an egg. Biologists estimate she was at least five years old at the time—the minimum breeding age for her species—making her at least 75 now. Since then, she’s returned almost every year to nest, likely producing between 50 to 60 eggs over her lifetime and successfully raising as many as 30 chicks. Last year, Wisdom laid an egg for the first time in four years and was seen feeding the chick in February. This year, she arrived slightly earlier than usual. Her current mate, a new partner she was first seen with last season, hasn’t been spotted yet. Laysan albatrosses, called mōlī in Hawaiian, typically reunite with the same mate at the same nesting site each year and lay one egg if they’re able. The species is known for its long-term pair bonds and loyalty to nesting grounds. Wisdom is one of millions of seabirds that migrate to Midway Atoll annually to breed. The refuge, part of the larger Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, is a vital habitat for over 70 percent of the world’s Laysan albatross population. Her story has become a symbol of endurance and resilience, especially for conservationists. Despite the odds of survival in the open ocean, and through threats like marine pollution and habitat loss, Wisdom continues to beat the odds year after year. “Wisdom, specifically, has been doing this since the Eisenhower administration,” USFWS noted. Her continued presence is being celebrated not just as a scientific curiosity but as a hopeful reminder of what’s possible when wildlife is protected.

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This NFL Superstar Just Lifted the Spirits of a Young Cancer Patient With a Heartwarming Sideline Meeting

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry spent part of their Thanksgiving week rolling up their sleeves — and brought their kids along to help. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited Our Big Kitchen Los Angeles (OBKLA) for a day of community service, with Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4, by their side. The family joined volunteers in preparing and packaging meals for Angelenos facing food insecurity. Photos released by their Archewell Foundation on November 26 show the two young royals helping out on the packaging line, with Archie and Lili shaping dough balls alongside their parents. Meghan captioned the moment on Instagram: "Show up, do good." Harry, 41, was seen scooping bell peppers over containers of meat and rice, while Meghan, 44, held Lili’s hand nearby. Both wore matching Archewell hats for the occasion, with Meghan in a custom apron and Harry donning an OBKLA smock. The day of service was part of Archewell’s collaboration with OBKLA, a community-run nonprofit kitchen that produces more than 70,000 meals annually for local shelters and organizations. The team’s efforts this week supported groups including Mercy Housing, the Pico Union Project, and PATH (People Assisting the Homeless). For Meghan and Harry, bringing their children along wasn’t just about helping out — it’s part of how they’re raising Archie and Lilibet to understand the value of giving back. In a June episode of the Aspire with Emma Grede podcast, Meghan talked about using their vegetable garden in Montecito as a teaching tool. “We grow a lot of veggies,” she said, “and part of what I want them to learn is — and gardening is really so great for children, ’cause it teaches them patience, teaches them to value and appreciate their food.” She said the kids start from seed and learn to watch their food grow, then decide whether they want to sell the harvest or share it. “I think that’s key for children to understand that, especially children who are very lucky to have a home that has privilege,” she said. “You need to know that, just like manners, and taking care of the things around you, there is a value on things.” Meghan has often talked about how important community is during the holidays, especially for those who don’t have family nearby. Last year, she told Marie Claire that Thanksgiving at their home is usually a low-key gathering, with her mother, Doria Ragland, often joining and the door always open for friends in need of a place to go. “I think you always make sure there’s room at the table for your friends who don’t have family, which is really key,” she said. The Duchess added that the holidays have taken on new meaning now that Archie and Lilibet are old enough to remember and participate. “Now we’re at the age where I just can’t wait to see it through their lens every year,” she said. “We’re always making sure we have something fun to do.” This week’s visit to OBKLA seems to fit that vision — a hands-on moment that’s equal parts family bonding and public service.

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Stargazers Prepare To Watch The Northern Lights In 10 States This Thanksgiving

The northern lights could make a surprise appearance this week across parts of the U.S., with forecasters predicting a moderate burst of aurora activity Wednesday and Thursday night — just in time for the holiday rush. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says a Kp index of four is expected both evenings, enough to trigger minor geomagnetic storm conditions and give skywatchers in northern states a solid shot at catching the aurora borealis. If conditions hold, people in up to ten states — including Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Maine, and Alaska — may be treated to glowing streaks of green and pink across the night sky. The best viewing window is expected between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time. The Kp index measures the strength of geomagnetic activity on a scale from zero to nine. A level four isn’t extreme, but it can still produce visible auroras when skies are dark and clear — especially in more northerly regions. “The aurora forecast is looking promising,” NOAA said, noting that brighter displays with more “motion and formations” could show up if the solar wind continues to interact with Earth’s magnetic field. The aurora borealis forms when charged particles from the sun collide with gases in Earth’s upper atmosphere, triggering bursts of light that ripple across the sky. The process is set off by geomagnetic storms, which are often fueled by solar flares or coronal mass ejections. In this case, a stream of solar wind is expected to graze Earth’s magnetosphere, just enough to stir up minor G1-level storm activity. These are the lowest level on NOAA’s geomagnetic storm scale but can still produce visible auroras under the right conditions. To see them, experts say it’s all about location and timing. You’ll want to head somewhere far from city lights, preferably on high ground with a clear view facing north. A quiet field or hilltop away from buildings and streetlights works best. Then, be patient. Auroras can appear suddenly and vanish just as quickly, so staying out for at least an hour or two improves your chances. And if you’re hoping to snap a photo? Modern smartphones can do the job surprisingly well. On iPhones, switch to Night Mode. On Androids, look for Pro Mode or adjust the exposure manually. Turn off the flash, keep the camera steady — a tripod helps — and take several shots. Some newer phones will even auto-adjust settings to highlight low-light skies. Those using a DSLR or mirrorless camera should opt for a wide-angle lens, use longer exposure times (between 5 and 30 seconds), and set ISO to somewhere between 800 and 3200, depending on how dark it is. A tripod is a must for crisp shots. For many, this week’s possible aurora show is a rare opportunity to see one of nature’s most mesmerizing phenomena without having to travel to the Arctic Circle. And with Thanksgiving travel in full swing, it could offer a quiet moment of awe before the holiday bustle kicks in. Cloud cover and light pollution will be the main obstacles. As always, clear skies are key, and conditions can change rapidly. NOAA offers real-time aurora forecasts through its Space Weather Prediction Center , where skywatchers can track live updates and check their odds of seeing the northern lights as the evening progresses. So if you’re in one of the lucky states — and willing to bundle up — it might be worth stepping outside after dark and looking up.

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New Survey Finds Over Half of Americans Have a Thanksgiving Recipe Passed Down for Generations

A new survey reveals just how deeply food and family heritage are woven into America’s Thanksgiving celebrations — with 55% of Americans saying they have a treasured family recipe passed down through the generations. Commissioned by Jennie-O and conducted by Talker Research, the poll of 5,000 adults (100 from each U.S. state) uncovered the rich cultural traditions behind Thanksgiving dishes across diverse communities. More than half of respondents said their family recipe is over 25 years old, with some guarded so closely that only the family elders know the full ingredients. Among the highlights: • 58% of African American households and 56% of Hispanic households say they keep generational recipes alive during the holiday. • Respondents shared everything from Italian fried broccoli and Cajun gumbo to Hawaiian smoked turkey and green gelatin “cranberry surprise.” • For many, these dishes are about more than flavor — 58% appreciate the nostalgia, 53% enjoy sharing them with others, and 37% are excited to pass them on to the next generation. • “I only know the main ingredient is potatoes,” said one respondent. “They’re stuffed with ingredients only the elders of the family have access to. Someday I’ll have that privilege.” Beyond taste, the recipes are a source of pride: • 29% said their favorite part is how the dish reflects their culture and heritage. • 24% said it makes them feel proud of where they come from. • 50% of Americans believe it’s important to represent their cultural background at the Thanksgiving table — a sentiment even stronger among African American (73%) and Hispanic (71%) respondents. Diversity in Thanksgiving meals is rising, too. One in 10 New Mexico residents serve carne asada, while Connecticut is most likely to feature a baked pasta dish (36%). Turkey remains king (93% of tables), but how it's cooked varies: • 76% bake • 24% in Alabama smoke • 18% of African American households fry • 14% of Hispanic households grill The average feast includes five main dishes and seven side dishes, with nearly a quarter of homes offering ten or more. Mealtime averages out to 2:54 p.m., but Iowans, Louisianans, and Mainers dig in earliest — around 1:54 p.m. “This research confirms what makes Thanksgiving so special: no two celebrations look alike,” said Jennie-O’s Kim Anderson. “These aren’t just recipes. They’re living traditions that help us share our stories with the next generation.”

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In Ohio, Otters Are Helping People Discover Yoga — and a Lot of Laughter

At a quiet farm in Shelby, Ohio, yoga class comes with a splash of mischief — and the occasional otter climbing into your lap. Westmeister Farm has become an unlikely hotspot for yoga lovers and animal enthusiasts alike, thanks to its newest offering: Go with the Flow Otter Yoga. The class pairs gentle, slow-flow yoga with two highly social Asian small-clawed otters named Harbor and Cove, who freely roam the room, climbing over mats, stealing hearts — and sometimes jewelry. “They are little treasure goblins,” said yoga instructor Trish Sextella, who leads the classes in partnership with Meta Soul Yoga. “They’ll unscrew things, unzip things. They go in pockets, up shirts, down pants. They’re very mischievous.” What started as a one-off themed class has quickly grown into a recurring event — and a surprisingly meaningful one for both humans and otters. “It opens up a door for people who may not otherwise try yoga,” Sextella told NBC affiliate WKYC. “Some people show up just for the event, and then they email me later and start doing regular classes. It’s a good way to segue that into their lives — plus the bonus of a little animal therapy.” The classes are slow-paced and accessible for all levels, with a heavy dose of joy. While students settle into poses like child’s pose or downward dog, Harbor and Cove dart around the room, sometimes mimicking stretches in what Sextella calls “little yoga poses of their own.” “They absolutely love it,” she said. “It’s stimulating for them, and they need that.” The otters, who also participate in swim sessions with guests at the farm, are highly socialized and seem to thrive in the company of humans. Still, the farm enforces a strict no-jewelry rule — because Harbor and Cove have a habit of making off with shiny things. For Sextella, the best part isn’t just the novelty. It’s the response from the people who attend. “I love seeing the genuine joy, the carefreeness, the laughter, the giggles,” she said. “For a couple of hours each month, nothing else matters. It’s super wholesome, unstaged, unfiltered — just natural, genuine joy.” Sometimes, the otters curl up for a nap mid-class, oblivious to the humans stretching around them. Other times, they’re climbing onto laps or chewing on yoga mat corners. It’s unpredictable, chaotic, and completely delightful. And people keep coming back. “We’ve had people come back a second and third time because they have such a blast,” Sextella said. “Everyone has a great time.” At Westmeister Farm, yoga is less about perfect poses and more about letting go — with a couple of very curious otters by your side.

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Teen Trains for Years, Conquers Everest’s Brutal Reality — and Carries Her Trash Down Too

At just 17 years old, Bianca Adler has already set records on one of the world’s most dangerous peaks. But even after becoming the youngest woman to summit Mt. Manaslu in Nepal, she wasn’t done. In March, Bianca and her dad left their home in Melbourne, Australia, for the ultimate challenge: Mount Everest. “I trained intensely for all these peaks and kept preparing for Everest afterward,” she told PEOPLE. “Five to six days a week, I’d do long cardio sessions on the stairmaster and spin bike, plus climbing-specific strength training.” But building strength wasn’t enough. She needed mental grit too. “My dad and I would tackle six- to eight-day hikes in the remote Australian Alps, covering 25 to 30 kilometers per day and rationing food and water,” she said. “That really trained me mentally. Pushing through discomfort became second nature.” Climbing Everest, though, also means confronting far less glamorous obstacles—like how to go to the bathroom at 8,000 meters. “At base camp and Camp 2, there’s a small tent with a barrel to squat over,” Bianca explained. “Higher up, we carry ‘wag bags’—plastic bags for waste that we bring down with us. It’s a newer rule, but it helps reduce human waste on the mountain.” The shift reflects a broader effort to clean up Everest, where overcrowding and years of neglect have left the world’s highest peak with an increasingly visible pollution problem. Trash and waste discarded at extreme altitudes pose health risks and threaten the environment of the Himalayas. Bianca, who documents her climbing journey for thousands of followers on TikTok and Instagram, says hauling your own trash is no small task—especially when you’re battling low oxygen, frigid temperatures, and physical exhaustion. “Personally, I try to leave no trace,” she said. “Everything I bring up—food wrappers, gear, batteries, oxygen bottles—comes back down with me.” The Nepalese government has begun cracking down harder. Roland Hunter, who runs The Mountain Company, told Forbes that climbers are now required to bring down at least 8 kilograms (17.6 pounds) of waste or risk forfeiting a $4,000 deposit. Government officers are stationed at base camps to ensure compliance. Human waste from lower camps is even transported in barrels down to Gorakshep, and in 2025, drones were used to airlift waste from higher camps to avoid putting more climbers at risk. Despite the intense effort it takes just to stay alive above 8,000 meters, Bianca is committed to responsible mountaineering. “Leave it better than you found it—that’s how I was raised,” she said. And even as she pushes physical boundaries, she’s also trying to reshape what people expect from elite climbers. Her viral videos don’t just show breathtaking views and summit selfies. They offer a behind-the-scenes look at the day-to-day realities of expedition life—from training with rationed supplies to sleeping in snow caves and navigating the very real challenges of high-altitude waste disposal. Bianca says she’s already planning her next climb. But for now, she hopes her Everest journey inspires more young climbers to prepare responsibly—and pack out their trash.

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A Wrong Number, a Decade of Friendship: Wanda and Jamal Celebrate 10 Thanksgivings Together

What started as a text to the wrong number has turned into one of the most beloved Thanksgiving traditions in America. Ten years ago, Arizona grandmother Wanda Dench meant to invite her grandson to Thanksgiving dinner. Instead, she accidentally texted Jamal Hinton—a high school senior she’d never met. He let her know she had the wrong number, even sent a selfie to confirm. But then Dench did something unexpected: she invited him anyway. That accidental invitation has now turned into a decade-long friendship. The pair are celebrating their 10th Thanksgiving together this week, marking a milestone in a story that’s warmed hearts across the country. “I remember like it was yesterday because it was exciting and fun, and totally unexpected,” Dench told Fox News Digital. “Meeting Jamal was the best thing ever, and I am saying that from my heart. That’s true.” For Hinton, the connection came at a pivotal time in his life. “I remember it like it was yesterday, my senior year,” he said. “I was already like the popular kid, [and] I became like the super popular kid.” But he says it was never just about the attention. “For me, the story's been a blessing since day one.” Since their first Thanksgiving together in 2016, the two have stayed close through life’s highs and lows. Hinton has moved out of Arizona and back again, and now lives in Florida. Dench has faced immense personal challenges—losing her husband and, more recently, battling breast cancer. This year is especially meaningful: Dench is officially cancer-free. “When I was diagnosed, I was a little surprised,” she said. “At my age, I thought I was past it, but obviously not.” At first, Dench wasn’t sure if she wanted to go public with her diagnosis. But friends and family encouraged her to speak out—and Hinton was one of the first to urge her to share. “Jamal goes, ‘This is a good month to do this because it's breast cancer awareness month,’” she recalled with a laugh. “I didn’t even know it was breast cancer awareness month, and I felt like I should have known that before him.” Since going public, Dench says the response has been overwhelming. “Women are thanking me for mentioning that, and they’re telling their mother or their grandmother,” she said. “I'm grateful that I got that message out there.” This year, Hinton is officially hosting Thanksgiving. The dinner will be catered in partnership with Green Giant, in celebration of the company’s 100th anniversary. And yes, Dench approves of the menu. “There isn’t one thing I don’t like,” she said. For both of them, the tradition is about far more than food. “I love the fact that she said that we have a story, and that it’s a really good feel-good story,” Hinton said. “And it comes around every single year.” What started as a mistake has turned into something lasting. A bond built on kindness, and a reminder that sometimes, the best connections really do happen by chance.

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At 25, He Gave a Kidney to a Stranger. Now He’s Encouraging Others to Do the Same

Living and diving in the Florida Keys, Nick Kolor—nicknamed “Cuda” for his love of barracuda—had every reason to coast through his mid-20s. But instead, he made a decision most people would never consider. He gave away one of his kidneys. To a stranger. “I decided it really was impossible to justify not giving up the kidney,” Kolor said. “I don’t need it. Someone else does. It was pretty straightforward.” Kolor became a non-directed living donor—meaning he didn’t know who would receive his kidney, only that someone out there desperately needed it. For him, the logic was simple: there are millions of young, healthy people walking around with two functioning kidneys. But most only ever need one. “It is a spare part,” he said. “You don’t need it. There’s no clinical necessity there.” After completing a thorough screening process, Kolor underwent surgery at Memorial Regional Hospital. When he woke up, the transplant team told him the kidney had gone to a 9-year-old boy who had been waiting three years for a match. “The surgeon came and visited pretty right after I woke up and told me it went to a 9-year-old boy,” he recalled. “It was successful, that’s all that matters.” Kolor got to meet the boy, briefly. “There was a thumbs-up exchange that we had… that was cute,” he said. For transplant surgeon Dr. Linda Chen, moments like these are reminders of what’s possible. “Altruistic donors who just are so selfless that they want to give an organ, that really touches my heart,” she said. “Because I know that there is good in this world.” Lisa Mananzan knows that same feeling from the other side. A year ago, she received a kidney from a living donor. She says the gift transformed her life. “I have a new lease on life, and I’m going to take full advantage of it,” she said. “I’m very proud of what Nick did. Just absolutely amazing.” Kolor isn’t stopping there. Inspired by his experience, he’s launched The Spare Parts Project, a grassroots effort to encourage other healthy young adults to consider becoming living kidney donors. “Donate life. Give a piece of yourself,” he said. “It’s just, it’s too easy.” To learn more about kidney donation and how to become a living donor, visit: https://www.mhs.net/services/transplant/kidney-transplant .

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