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Hong Kong’s Newest Stars? Meet the Panda Cub Twins
Hong Kong residents are buzzing with excitement as they compete to name the territory's first locally-born giant panda cubs, who just turned six months old. The twin cubs were born on August 15 and reside at Ocean Park. Residents can submit name suggestions online, with the names set to be announced in the first half of this year. The pandas have already become a major attraction, drawing in visitors and boosting tourism in the city.
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Why Hikers Are Taking an Ice Cream Challenge Midway Through the Appalachian Trail
In the heart of Pennsylvania, the Appalachian Trail offers more than just scenic views and challenging hikes. At Pine Grove Furnace General Store in Gardners, hikers face a peculiar test: consuming a half-gallon (1.9 liters) of ice cream in one sitting. This quirky tradition has become a celebrated milestone for thru-hikers—those attempting to complete the entire 3,536-kilometer trail. Sam Cooper, a dairy farmer from Chapel Hill, Tennessee, recently tackled this test after hiking through rain for 11 kilometers. Nearly 40 minutes and 2,500 calories later, he finished his chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream with mixed feelings. "I don't think anybody should be doing this," Cooper said with a smile. “This is not healthy at all.” The challenge began over four decades ago and has since become a notable topic among hikers as they trek northward through Virginia and Maryland. Stephan Berens, known on the trail as Speedy, completed his black cherry and vanilla flavors in about 25 minutes after hiking 27 kilometers that day. "Such a crazy idea," he remarked with satisfaction. Zeke Meddock from North Amarillo, Texas, didn’t bother timing himself but managed to finish his chosen combination of chocolate chip cookie dough and strawberry ice cream. Recently discharged from the U.S. Army, Meddock described the physical journey on foot as liberating: “You’re basically walking away from life.” Around 50 thru-hikers have already taken on the challenge this year alone. Completing it earns them a spot on the store’s bulletin board along with their thoughts recorded in a communal notebook—a testament to both triumphs and regrets alike. For those aiming to break records, a hiker who goes by the name 'Squirt' devoured his half-gallon in less than four minutes two years ago. However, precise conditions apply: no melting beyond a few minutes under supervision by store staff. Not everyone joins in though. Bruce Thomas from Medicine Hat in Alberta passed up the ice cream in favor of breakfast sandwiches before resuming his hike. "It's early morning and I'm pretty sure I cannot do it,” he explained. Participants who succeed receive commemorative wooden spoons—a memento for enduring what some might describe as pure caloric chaos. The Appalachian Trail itself hosts multiple traditions beyond ice cream indulgence; hikers encounter unique landmarks like Virginia's confessional logbook shelter or Maine's two-hole outhouse equipped with cribbage boards.
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Not Just a Game: How the Colts Became Champions for Mental Health
Jim Irsay, the beloved owner of the Indianapolis Colts who passed away at 65 last month, was passionate about breaking down mental health barriers. His youngest daughter, Kalen Jackson, shares this mission. She has been open about her struggles with anxiety and is now leading the family’s mental health initiative called "Kicking The Stigma." This project aims to dismantle the stigma surrounding mental health disorders and increase access to essential services both in Indiana and across the United States. Since starting in 2020, the Colts have donated over $30 million to mental health nonprofits and organizations. Jackson emphasizes that changing how society views mental health is crucial for real progress. "The stigma comes from prejudice and judgment," she said. "How do we change that conversation?" Jackson hopes these efforts will lead to broader insurance coverage and better support from hospital networks and companies for their employees’ mental health needs. Jim Irsay was vocal about his struggles with alcoholism and addiction, wanting to inspire others through his journey to sobriety. Now, Jackson continues his legacy by advocating for mental health awareness. She expressed her admiration for her father’s impact: "I am so proud of the legacy he has left behind and I only hope to make him proud." Jackson will be honored by Project Healthy Minds with their first “Sports Visionary of the Year” award at the World Mental Health Day Gala on October 9 in New York. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will present her with the award at an event attended by celebrities and cultural leaders like Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Phillip Schermer, founder of Project Healthy Minds, acknowledged Jackson's influence: "It was unanimous that it should be Kalen and the Colts because they have been so committed to mental health in sports." He praised them for not just talking about it but actively working toward change. As a member of Project Healthy Minds' Board of Directors, Jackson sees her role clearly: "To connect with people and to be compassionate," she stated. In 2019, the NFL mandated that each team have a licensed behavioral health clinician on staff. The Colts went further by hiring a clinician for front-office staff and coaches as well. "I don’t have to wait to know what impact it’s going to have," said Jackson confidently.
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Score (97)
Meet The Young Innovator Revolutionizing Microchip Manufacturing To Save Our Planet
Data centers are big energy guzzlers, consuming about 460 terawatt-hours of electricity annually. This consumption is equivalent to what 153 million homes would use and could account for 3.2 percent of global emissions by 2025. But Teja Potočnik, a young Slovenian researcher, is working on a solution that might change this scenario. Potočnik has created an automated platform that integrates nanomaterials into the production of microchips. These chips are essential for powering data centers worldwide. Her innovation could lead to producing more energy-efficient chips, potentially cutting down the hefty power consumption of these digital giants. "The problem we are solving is the ever-increasing demand for faster, more efficient and more powerful microchips," said Potočnik. She highlights how her invention aids in manufacturing energy-efficient chips using nanomaterials, leading to "enormous energy savings." The European Patent Office recognized the significance of her work by awarding her a spot among the distinguished innovators at the 2025 Young Inventors Prize. As technology advances and chips shrink in size while growing in capability, manufacturers increasingly rely on materials such as graphene and carbon nanotubes. However, integrating these promising materials into large-scale production isn't easy. That's where Potočnik's invention comes in. Her creation, called LithoTag, embeds tiny markers into semiconductor wafers. This allows for precise alignment and integration of nanomaterials consistently, making it easier to transition from lab-scale research to industrial manufacturing. "The industry cares about reliability, replicability, and integration into manufacturing processes," she pointed out. For Potočnik, no matter how advanced a technology is, it's only useful if it can be produced at scale. Originally from Slovenia, Potočnik moved to the UK to study materials science and engineering. There she discovered her passion for nanomaterials. While completing her PhD at the University of Cambridge in nanofabrication, she co-founded Nanomation with support from Cambridge Enterprise. They filed a patent application and began talks with chip manufacturers. Beyond business aspirations, Potočnik's initiative also aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 9—focusing on Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure. It aims to make microelectronics more sustainable by improving scalability, which could lead to more efficient consumer devices and greener data center infrastructures. Looking forward, Potočnik hopes her tech will become standard practice in advanced electronics manufacturing. "The real advantage of our technology is that it can be applied to any material and any sort of electronic design," she explained. She also encourages fellow innovators who have daring ideas that can impact society positively: "To all the inventors who are thinking about realising their new idea," she advises them to "just have an open mind and be brave."
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This Shelter Dog Just Became a Hero After Detecting a Stranger's Medical Emergency
In Rustburg, Virginia, a shelter dog named Sienna recently turned an ordinary day into something extraordinary at an adoption event hosted by Friends of Campbell County Animal Control. While greeting visitors with her usual charm, Sienna did something unexpected and rather incredible. Without any prompting, Sienna approached a man she had never met before. Barbe Shackleford, Director of Friends of Campbell County Animal Control, described the scene: "Sienna walked over to a man, very deliberately. She had not met him before. She paused, sat down beside him, put her paw on his foot, and just sat there." What followed left everyone in awe. As Sienna began to paw at the man’s leg, his wife appeared and exclaimed that this behavior was a sign he might have an impending seizure. The man indeed has a history of seizures. Thanks to Sienna's intuitive actions, his wife could swiftly move him to their car for some much-needed rest and air conditioning. The wife later shared her amazement with the shelter volunteers since their own three dogs had never shown such sensitivity to his condition. Friends of Campbell County Animal Control took to Facebook to share the remarkable incident: "This is the kind of magic that shelter dogs carry inside them — unspoken wisdom, deep empathy, and an unfailing ability to connect with us in our most vulnerable moments." Notably, Sienna wasn’t trained for such situations; she simply sensed it. Though the family couldn’t adopt Sienna due to having three dogs already, they wanted her story out there in hopes it would help get her adopted. Following this heroic act, two adoption applications have come in for Sienna. Additionally, some generous individuals offered to cover her adoption fee.
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Ingenious Rescue: Fox Safely Lured from Seven-Storey Rooftop Using Sardines
In an unexpected rooftop rescue, the RSPCA in Surrey successfully brought a stranded fox back to safety after she found herself stuck atop a seven-storey building. This fox tale unfolded at Manor Court, Weybridge, where builders discovered the animal on the roof. She had chewed her way through a fire door but couldn't make her way back down. Officers Ben Fitzcosta and Meg Lloyd arrived on the scene with their toolkit, ready to help. Initially, they tried using a "grasper" to catch the fox. However, she was understandably spooked and poised for a potentially dangerous leap over the scaffolding. So they opted for plan B: setting up a trap with food and water. The fox wasn't easily tempted by their initial offerings. But when fresh sardines were added to the mix, it did the trick. Fitzcosta shared his relief and amusement at this turn of events. "We tried to catch her with the grasper first but she was very scared, and we feared she would jump over the scaffolding. So we left a trap out with food in it overnight and some water for her," he explained. "Unfortunately, she wasn't tempted at first, but when I replaced the food with sardines, she went straight in." Once safely in the trap, officers carried her back down to ground level for an assessment. The good news? She was healthy and unharmed despite her high-rise misadventure. With that confirmation, Fitzcosta released her nearby at a cricket club. He noted how quickly she bolted from the basket upon release—a sign of resilience after her ordeal—saying, "She shot out of the basket at such a speed I dropped my phone and missed filming the release." For those who might encounter injured or sick wildlife like this fox, the RSPCA advises against trying to handle them directly. Instead, maintaining distance is best while professionals are alerted to handle these situations.
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Whoopi Goldberg Launches Game-Changing Network to Champion Women Athletes Globally
Whoopi Goldberg is expanding her influence beyond Hollywood, this time shining a light on female athletes around the globe. Known for her achievements as an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony) winner, Goldberg has co-founded the All Women's Sports Network (AWSN), the first global sports network dedicated entirely to women's sports. Goldberg's passion for sports stems from her brother, who introduced her to various athletic activities. "He took me everywhere," she reminisces. "When I got famous, I took him everywhere. I wanted to do all the things he did." Despite her enthusiasm, she found limited opportunities for girls in sports back then. This realization sparked a desire to create a platform that champions women’s sports, an idea she's nurtured for 15 years. The journey wasn't straightforward. Goldberg faced skepticism when pitching AWSN; many dismissed the concept, suggesting there was no audience for women's sports. "Everybody I took the idea to... they patted me on the head and said no one wants to watch women's sports – but they do, I do," she recalls. AWSN isn’t restricted to U.S.-based sports alone. For Goldberg, embracing international games like cricket and field hockey is essential. She explains, "I wanted to make sure it was a global network because there is more in the world of sports than us." This international scope aims to broaden perspectives on what women can achieve in athletics. Goldberg also sees AWSN as a tool of empowerment for women worldwide. In regions where women may not have extensive rights, participating in sports can be liberating and unifying. "There are parts of the world where women don't have a lot of rights, but they do have the right to play sports," she says. She hopes that by showcasing these athletes, AWSN can attract investment and further support female participation in sports globally. While Goldberg enjoys multiple types of athletics, she's eager to see more interest in race car driving within women's sports. Her vision aligns with AWSN's diverse programming that includes everything from basketball to soccer. For those interested in tuning into AWSN's offerings, it streams on Pluto TV under Paramount Global’s umbrella, which also owns CBS News. With this new venture underway, Whoopi Goldberg is not just amplifying voices but actively changing how we view women in athletics today.
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Inside Rome's Prison Olympics: How Inmates Are Preparing for Life Beyond Bars
Rome’s Rebibbia prison recently hosted an event like no other—an initiative called the "Games of Hope." This mini-Olympics brought together inmates, magistrates and ordinary citizens in a unique sporting collaboration. The games aimed to offer a break from everyday prison life and foster an environment of trust and inclusion. Rebibbia is one of Italy's most crowded prisons, housing around 1,550 inmates. It's here that four teams made up of prisoners, penitentiary agents, magistrates, and regular citizens shared the field for various sports activities. These included football, volleyball, athletics, table tennis, table football, and chess. Despite only 28 inmates participating this time around, the event carried significant symbolic weight. It was organized by the John Paul II Foundation for Sport alongside Italy's Department of Prison Administration and the magistrates' network known as Sport and Legality. The "Games of Hope" have been hailed as a meaningful initiative within Italy’s prison system. The event debuted at Rebibbia following Pope Francis opening a Holy Door there on December 26 as part of the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope, a gesture symbolizing hope for everyone, including those incarcerated. Daniele Pasquini, president of the John Paul II Foundation for Sport, said: "Like all crazy ideas, that of the Games of Hope was born during the Paris Olympics... We thought of bringing Olympic values to where it is hardest to enter, to prison." Rebibbia itself is more than just a detention center; it's a complex facility divided into several sections accommodating about 1,927 men and 352 women. Around 13 percent of male inmates are foreign nationals. The women's section has an even higher percentage at over 40 percent. Most inmates are imprisoned for theft or fraud-related crimes; however, serious offenses like assault and murder account for about 40 percent. Drug addiction plays a significant role too; approximately 30-35 percent are behind bars due to drug-related crimes or histories influencing their choices. Overcrowding is another pressing issue in Italian prisons with more than 62,000 people housed in facilities designed for about 51,000 places nationwide. Conditions often result in limited living space and minimal access to care or activities. In light of these challenges, sport becomes more than recreation; it symbolizes hope and possibility. Giovanni Malagò from the Italian National Olympic Committee participated in a game during the event: "It was an amazing initiative... I really liked the idea of this multidisciplinary tournament." Italy faces high reoffending rates, over 60 percent, but stable employment can drastically reduce those numbers down to one percent among ex-inmates. Events like the Games offer opportunities beyond sport: they encourage responsibility and dignity through new relationships formed across societal lines.
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The Surprising Power of Gratitude: Transform Your Life at Home and Work
Alison C. Jones starts every day by listing three things she’s grateful for. It could be the simple pleasure of a fan's breeze or the emotional support from a friend. Jones, an organisational development consultant, finds this practice essential as she navigates the challenges of starting her own business while being a single mom. "When you practice gratitude, you train your brain to always look for the positive in anything," she said. "It just completely shifts everything you’re going through." In times of layoffs and economic uncertainty, practicing gratitude might help ease stress and anxiety. Some companies have noticed that employees who receive gratitude tend to be more engaged and willing to assist others. Yet, many workplaces overlook this approach despite its potential benefits. Peter Bonanno, a consultant specializing in mindfulness-based programs, suggests incorporating gratitude into workplace routines. For example, team leaders can start meetings by highlighting what went well in the past week. "Gratitude just does an enormous amount to shift people’s mindsets and the way they engage with each other," Bonanno noted. Other suggestions include managers writing handwritten thank-you notes or creating gift boxes for major life milestones like buying a home. These small actions can make a significant impact, according to Jason Lalak from Frontline Builders. "Showing appreciation doesn’t really cost anything," Lalak said. "And yet it’s rarer than it should be." Denise Wittsell, a registered nurse at Denver Health, recalls how quiet her hospital became during the pandemic when visits were restricted. Occasionally, community members would deliver snacks or handmade cards from children. "Those spontaneous recognitions were really sweet," Wittsell remembered. "It felt like there was a lot of wrapping around us, a very supportive feeling." While expressing gratitude can create a nicer work environment, it's not a substitute for improving working conditions. Jones emphasizes that gratitude should not prevent workers from advocating for fair treatment and basic needs. "It’s important not to confuse gratitude with being passive," she stated firmly. Practicing gratitude may encourage positive changes in workplace morale without replacing necessary improvements in job conditions or rights.
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How Prairie Dogs Are Secretly Helping Birds Protect Their Nests
Prairie dogs might be some of the chattiest residents in the Great Plains, and now it turns out they have an unexpected audience: long-billed curlews. Researchers from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) recently discovered that these birds listen to prairie dog calls to keep themselves safe from predators. Black-tailed prairie dogs are a type of burrowing squirrel living in large colonies across North America's grasslands. They face threats from hawks, eagles, foxes, snakes, and badgers. To survive, they've developed a sophisticated alarm system with different calls based on various types of predators. When a prairie dog sounds an alert, others either stand at attention or dive into their burrows to hide. Surprisingly, it's not just other prairie dogs that heed these warnings. Long-billed curlews, which breed in grassland areas shared with prairie dogs, also benefit from this communication network. Andrew Dreelin, the study's lead author and a research fellow with NZCBI's Migratory Bird Center and Great Plains Science Program, explains that many birds live near prairie dog towns even though they attract predators. "We suspected birds would have ways to mitigate that risk," he says. To test how curlews react to prairie dog alarms, researchers used a remote-controlled taxidermy badger called the "Badger-inator." As it moved around Montana's prairies, sometimes playing recordings of prairie dog barks and sometimes moving quietly, scientists observed how nearby curlews behaved. The results were telling. Female curlews sitting on nests quickly crouched down when they heard the barks, using the grass for camouflage and protecting their eggs. Without the warning calls, they only reacted once the fake predator got about 21 meters closer than when alerts were sounded. "You have a much higher chance of avoiding predation if you go into that cryptic posture sooner," says Holly Jones, co-author and conservation biologist at Northern Illinois University. Male curlews responded differently; they didn't change their behavior based on whether or not they heard prairie dog calls. They often make alarm calls themselves when faced with danger, but rarely mobbed the Badger-inator regardless of sound. Andy Boyce, senior author of the study and research ecologist at NZCBI, points out another interesting aspect of this relationship: "What we hadn’t realized until now is that in addition to being homebuilders," he notes about prairie dogs' role as keystone species creating habitats for others; "they might also be acting as home-security systems." This kind of interspecies eavesdropping isn't unheard of among birds listening to each other's calls for cues about food or predators. However, as Georgetown University ornithologist Emily Williams mentions (though she wasn't involved in this study), fewer examples exist showing birds listening in on mammals’ communications. Williams adds that while there may not be many documented instances yet, this doesn’t necessarily mean such interactions are rare.
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A.I. Set to Transform the National Archives Museum into a Time-Travel Experience
Visitors to the National Archives Museum in Washington, D.C. will soon have a new way to engage with history. Starting later this year, they can explore the past through an innovative exhibition called "The American Story." This isn't your typical museum experience; it's designed like a choose-your-own-adventure book but brought to life with the help of artificial intelligence. Set to open in October after a $40 million renovation, this exhibition will allow visitors to tailor their experience based on personal interests. Upon entry, they can scan a QR code and pick three subjects that pique their curiosity. As they wander through the 930-square-meter galleries, AI will curate documents related to those topics and add them to a digital folder. When visitors leave, they’ll have a personalized collection of historical records to share. Spread across several rooms, "The American Story" features digital display cases and interactive media stations. Touchable animations overlay documents housed inside the cases for a more engaging interaction. Immersive “mediascapes” present music, oral histories, photos, and videos that let visitors imagine themselves as historical figures making decisions with archival texts at hand. They'll also get insights into how these records influenced popular movies and books. Exhibits include diverse artifacts such as photographs by Ansel Adams, Thomas Edison’s patent for the light bulb, and horseshoes gifted by Elizabeth II to President George H.W. Bush in 1992. The exhibition also caters to younger audiences with a Discovery Center tailored for K-12 students and teachers. Franck Cordes from the National Archives Foundation points out that the archives hold over 13 billion records, though not all are visually captivating. This new interactive design aims to make even the most mundane-seeming documents intriguing by focusing on two million select records. “These records are the evidence of who we are as a nation,” says Cordes. “Everybody has an entry point to that.” Accessibility is key for the National Archives, which has been working steadily on digitizing its extensive library with initiatives like its Citizen Archivist program, where volunteers transcribe old handwritten documents. In anticipation of America's 250th anniversary next year, the National Archives Museum has already launched an exhibit titled "Opening the Vault." It highlights significant people and moments from U.S. history through rotating artifact displays. The current showcase focuses on George Washington and Benjamin Franklin ,with items like Washington’s Oath of Allegiance and Franklin’s postal ledger available for viewing until August 6.