Teen Wins $250K for Space Discovery Bonanza—Could Solve Cosmic Puzzle

Matteo Paz, an 18-year-old from Pasadena, built an AI algorithm to analyze data from a NASA space telescope and discovered 1.5 million new objects in space, including black holes. He won $250,000 in the Regeneron Science Talent Search and impressed scientists with his groundbreaking work. His discoveries could help solve mysteries about the universe's expansion since the Big Bang. Paz plans to continue his research at Stanford University and potentially use his findings to study Earth's environment.

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Massive 145-Pound Dog Finds Loving Home After Winning Hearts Nationwide

Brody, the enormous rescue dog whose size drew comparisons to a “small polar bear,” has finally found his perfect match — and it’s as heartwarming as his viral fame. The six-year-old Pyrenean Mountain Dog, also known as a Great Pyrenees, captured hearts across the U.K. after Animal Concern Cumbria shared his story in December. Weighing around 145 pounds and towering at six feet tall on his hind legs, Brody quickly became a viral sensation. His gentle personality and massive appetite — he eats nearly 2.2 pounds of food daily — sparked hundreds of adoption inquiries from around the country. But it was Steve and Helen White, a couple from Cornwall, who ultimately won the chance to bring Brody home. With a half-acre garden, experience with the breed, and a house full of other animals — including chickens, a rabbit, and even a Canadian goose — they were the ideal fit. “When Wilson died, we were looking to get another Pyrenean like him,” Helen told The Packet, referring to the couple’s previous dog, who passed away in October 2025 at the age of 13. They discovered Brody’s story through a friend at the Pyrenean Mountain Dog Club of Great Britain and applied, thinking they had “no chance.” The Whites made the 440-mile round trip from St Austell to Egremont twice — first for a video home check and meet-and-greet, and then for the official adoption. After bonding with Brody on long walks through the Wasdale fells, they brought him home on January 3. Since arriving in Cornwall, Brody has embraced his new life with enthusiasm. On day one, he leapt into the duck pond and emerged covered in weeds. Since then, he’s developed a fondness for beach runs, stream paddles, and garden adventures. He’s also fitting in well with the family’s other animals. “He’s starting the year exactly where he belongs,” said Lauren Pickthall, rehoming manager at Animal Concern Cumbria. Brody now even has his own Instagram account, where fans can follow his adventures as he adjusts to life in the countryside — proving that for this gentle giant, the best chapter is just beginning.

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Heroic Lifeguards Save Man After Selfie Stunt Goes Awry

What began as a spontaneous photo opportunity nearly turned deadly for a 35-year-old man in Indianapolis, who fell through the ice of a retention pond and spent more than 20 minutes in freezing water before being rescued. According to the Indianapolis Fire Department, the man had been driving late at night when he noticed colorful lights glowing from a working fountain in the pond at Holcomb Gardens, located on the Butler University campus. Thinking it would make a great photo, he parked his car — leaving it running — and ran approximately 60 yards toward the fountain. Despite visible patches of open water and what responders described as “no ice conditions” in parts of the pond, he continued walking on the ice. When he got close to the fountain, the ice suddenly gave way beneath him. Fire officials noted that ice is always weakest near a working fountain due to the constant movement of water. The man plunged into the 10-foot-deep pond but managed to keep his upper body out of the water by pressing his arms onto the surface of the ice. Fortunately, his phone was still in his hand, and he was able to call 911. Butler University police were first to arrive and attempted to toss him a rope bag, but couldn’t pull him free. Soon after, firefighters and the department’s tactical rescue team, which is specially trained for ice rescues, arrived on scene. Two rescuers moved quickly onto the ice — one entered the freezing water to reach the victim and secured him using an ice rescue sling. Working together, the team pulled the man to safety and off the ice within minutes. The man was transported to Methodist Hospital in critical condition but has since been upgraded to stable. Fire officials estimate he spent 20 to 25 minutes in the frigid water — a length of time that could easily have been fatal. “He is extraordinarily fortunate he survived the deadly conditions he put himself in,” the department said. Officials used the close call as a warning: ice near fountains or flowing water is especially dangerous and unpredictable. The fire department urged the public to admire winter views from a safe distance and avoid putting themselves at risk for a photograph.

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Ontario Toy Builder Completes 50th Dollhouse for Sick Kids, Just Days Before His Passing

Even in his final days, Vincent Giannotti never stopped building — or giving. The Tecumseh, Ontario man, known for crafting intricate dollhouses for children with serious health conditions, died on January 28 after a five-year battle with cancer. He was 74. Giannotti had been diagnosed with Stage 4 prostate cancer during the pandemic. But instead of slowing down, he picked up his tools and began building. His goal wasn’t just to stay busy — it was to make kids smile. He completed 49 custom dollhouses over the last few years. And with the help of family and friends, he finished the 50th just before he passed. “He's always made us a part of everything he's done, like right until the final hours,” said his daughter Jackie Amaro in an interview with CBC Radio’s Windsor Morning. “But I will say it was the first time he let me use the tools,” she added with a smile. Giannotti had spent decades as a plumber and project manager. But in retirement — and facing terminal illness — he found a new calling in woodworking, pouring meticulous care into each dollhouse. “I love seeing these kids happy,” he told CBC News in 2024. “It really is better to give than receive. It's really gratifying.” His work didn’t go unnoticed. Students at an elementary school in LaSalle, Ont., were so inspired they launched a woodworking club in his honour. Vincent’s daughters, Jackie and Natalie Giannotti, say the final dollhouse project gave their father something to hold onto when things became difficult. “There was a moment where he really recognized that his days were limited,” said Natalie. “It dawned on him he could keep doing what he wanted to do, with help, and he perked right up. The smile came back, the life came back, the drive came back.” An audio recording taken shortly before his passing captured one of his final messages: “Enjoy your days, enjoy your time, enjoy everything,” he said, his oxygen tank humming softly in the background. “I always enjoyed being around everyone in my life.” “He was always intentional,” said Jackie. “Everything was with purpose. That was all the way through even his last day.” Vincent Giannotti is survived by four children and four grandchildren. His family describes him as a man full of love, joy and curiosity — someone who loved swing dancing, casinos, music, poetry, and the outdoors. “He inspired you and he valued everybody,” said Natalie. “Everyone had a job to do. Everyone was valuable.” “Vince Giannotti is love… pure love.”

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Dad’s Annual ‘Coat Pic’ with Son Becomes Viral Tradition Celebrating Fatherhood and Family

For Vance Kirkwood, what started as a spontaneous photo has become a cherished family tradition — and now, a viral celebration of fatherhood that’s touching hearts around the world. The 35-year-old Michigan dad of four is gaining widespread attention for an annual picture he takes with his eldest son, Vance Jr., now 7. The photo series began seven years ago when Vance, then a brand-new dad after years of infertility struggles, tucked his infant son into his coat while running out to the car. A friend snapped a photo of baby Vance’s head poking out, and the moment became a family favorite. “It ended up being an adorable picture that we loved and cherished,” Vance tells PEOPLE. After sharing it online, the image resonated with people — and the couple decided to recreate the photo every year. Now, the “coat pic” has become a staple in the Kirkwood household, taken every December just before Christmas. “We all know that as Christmas approaches, so does the time to take our 'coat pic,’” Vance says. Looking back on the annual photos brings out deep emotion for the proud father. “It makes me realize how much he has grown and brings to life the saying, ‘the days are long, but the years are short,’” he says. “That baby we prayed for and wanted so badly is growing up right before our eyes.” Vance and his wife Essence have since welcomed three more children — Maisyn, 10 months; Ellis, 3; and Karsyn, 5 — but it’s the father-son tradition with Vance Jr. that has become the centerpiece of their story. Vance Jr. now looks forward to the tradition as much as his dad does. “He went from being clueless about it to smiling big,” Vance says. “He looks forward to it just as much as I do.” The Kirkwoods plan to display the photos at future milestones — from graduations to Vance Jr.’s wedding — and preserve them in digital and physical albums. “The hope is that he will keep the tradition alive with his own son too,” Vance says. When Essence posted a video of her husband and son prepping for their latest photo on TikTok, it exploded. Millions of views and emotional comments poured in. “It crossed age, gender, race, and political borders,” Vance says. “It hit us all in the feels in the same way.” Essence says the reaction meant everything to their family. “Those words could not be more true,” she says of commenters praising the love and kindness visible in the photos. “Vance is truly a loving, present, active father and husband. And Vance II is genuinely a compassionate, kind, thoughtful, sweet son and brother.” “It made our hearts happy,” she adds, “to be able to provide a bit of positivity and love to so many people.”

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Mom Turns Weight Loss Into Powerlifting Passion — Now She’s Eyeing Nationals

At 4am, while most of Alice Springs is still asleep, Jessica Coombe is already at the gym. It's the only quiet moment she gets in a day packed with work, school drop-offs and parenting four kids. And it's when she's at her happiest — lifting heavy, surrounded by chalk dust and clanging metal. “I get up at 3am and I head to the gym at 4am. I spend two hours in there in my happy place, just lifting,” she said. Coombe is a powerlifter. On Saturday, she’ll compete in her first-ever meet, held hundreds of kilometres away in Bulli, south of Sydney. Her goal isn’t to win — not yet, anyway. It’s about getting a feel for competition and starting something bigger. “This meet that I'm going to is the regionals, but it opens the door for nationals and internationals,” she said. “It'd be lovely to get to nationals one day.” Her current lifting total is 270kg: an 80kg squat, 60kg bench press and 130kg deadlift. But the numbers only tell part of her story. Four years ago, Coombe weighed 220kg. A traumatic birth with her fourth child nearly cost them both their lives. Afterwards, her doctor told her to make a change. What started as a weight loss journey soon turned into something more. “I just love feeling strong,” she said. “When you're looking at the weights on the bar and they look like a lot, then you actually pick it up — it's a really good feeling.” She’s since lost 115kg, and says the physical transformation has brought a whole new lease on life. “I feel really active, energetic. I can keep up with my kids now. They love it. We go bike riding, we go to the park — it’s great.” Coombe hopes her story inspires more women, especially in Alice Springs, to pick up a barbell. She’s already invited others to train with her and dreams of one day hosting competitions in the outback town. “Come and join me. We can build up a strong community of women lifting and then maybe one day we'll have our own comps here,” she said. It’s not such a far-fetched goal. Powerlifting Australia’s Robert Wilks said it had been nearly 25 years since a sanctioned event was held in the Northern Territory — but that could soon change. “We used to have competitions in Alice Springs and Darwin somewhat sporadically, then it just faded away,” he said. “We're looking to get started in the territory mid to late this year.” According to Wilks, women are one of the sport’s fastest-growing demographics. Once only 5 per cent of members, they now make up as much as 40 per cent of Powerlifting Australia. “Powerlifting Australia wants everyone in Australia to take up the sport because it’s the most healthy thing you can do,” he said. “We particularly want women to take up the sport.” The physical benefits are well documented — improved bone density, muscular strength, and even reduced risks of chronic disease. But Coombe says the emotional and cultural strength she’s found is just as important. “Going in solo was very scary for me, but I overcame my fears,” she said. “It’s definitely different for women in the gym because you see all the men around and they’re screaming and they’re moving some really heavy weights, which can be very intimidating. “But I just want to say to all the ladies — take up the space. Don’t be ashamed. Don’t be afraid. Go up to the gym bros, they’re big teddy bears, I swear.” These days, she says her kids are her biggest cheerleaders. “They do say all the time, like, ‘Oh, my mum’s so strong’. I’m like, ‘Yeah, that’s great, but I’m not just strong in my body, I’m strong in my mind and strong in my culture as well’,” she said. “It’s been an incredible journey — and I’m definitely not done yet.”

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Returned After 36 Years, Beloved Library Book Finds Its Way Home

Most of us have misplaced a library book or returned one a few days (or weeks) late. But 36 years? That’s a record-breaker — and a heartwarming one at that. Late last year, staff at Chantilly Regional Library in Virginia received a surprise: a well-worn but intact copy of Harry the Dirty Dog — a children’s classic — returned nearly four decades after it was first checked out in 1989. Along with the book came a handwritten note from Dimitris Economou, who explained how the book had circled the globe since the day his diplomat parents borrowed it for him when he was five. “This book was checked out Nov. 6, 1989 by my parents who were diplomats based in DC at the time,” the note read. “They are now retired in Greece and I found this book on their shelves. It traveled the world and was well taken care of as you can see. And now it can find its way home.” Economou only realized the book was overdue when he pulled it off the shelf to read to his own son, now seven years old. “As we got to the end, I realized it was a library book,” he told Northern Virginia Magazine. “The moment I saw it, I felt like I had to return it. It just felt like the right thing to do.” Over the years, Harry the Dirty Dog had made stops in Syria, the Netherlands, Japan, and eventually Athens, Greece — riding out three decades of family moves before quietly landing back in its original home in Fairfax County. “We collected the book back with huge smiles,” the library posted on Facebook, sharing a photo of the returned copy and note. “Thank you to Dimitris' parents for taking such good care of our book and to Dimitris for helping the book find its way back to our shelves.” There were no fines involved — Chantilly Regional Library is now a fine-free library — so Harry simply got reshelved for the next kid to enjoy. For Ingrid Bowers, the library’s branch manager, the story underscores a simple but powerful truth. “People really care about library books,” she told The Washington Post. “And this kind of proves it.” In an age when attention spans are short and physical books can feel overlooked, the gesture reminded many of the enduring spirit of libraries — and the quiet, mutual trust that keeps them running. Public libraries offer far more than just books these days: tool libraries, language classes, museum passes, job search help. But at their heart, they remain a place built on a simple agreement — borrow something, and bring it back. Even if it takes 36 years.

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More Than 60,000 Birthday Cards Delivered to UK Girl with Cancer in Heartfelt World Record Attempt

What started as a simple birthday wish turned into a global outpouring of love — and a record-breaking moment for a young girl facing one of the toughest battles of her life. Amelia Kolpa, a seven-year-old from Rowley Regis in the UK, has spent much of her childhood in and out of hospital with neuroblastoma, a rare cancer. For her upcoming eighth birthday on March 3, she had one goal: to receive 8,000 birthday cards and break the UK record. She didn’t just beat it — she smashed it. More than 60,000 cards have now been delivered to Amelia, including many arriving in the back of three vans driven by a convoy of bikers. Hundreds of motorcyclists, including members of the Hells Angels, rode from a collection point in Stourbridge to Amelia’s home on Thursday to deliver the latest batch. “It took us probably double the time it usually would — about 40 minutes with 2,000 bikes,” said Matt Lem, one of the organisers and a Hells Angels member. “All she wanted was birthday cards.” Lem, who helped spearhead the appeal, said cards poured in from across the UK and far beyond — with some postmarked from Canada, the US, New Zealand, and Australia. “We collected 60,000, or in excess of 60,000,” he said. “It snowballed. I’m overwhelmed by the response.” Amelia's aunt, Charmaine Grace, said the family had already stored 23,000 cards from an earlier appeal and were stunned by the surge in support from around the world. “There’s so much love and support,” she said. “It’s nice to know that everyone out there is with us on this journey, and there’s still humanity in the world.” Amelia is currently receiving palliative care while awaiting a spot on a clinical trial, where she’s number 60 on the list. Despite everything, her aunt says she’s been “really smiley and happy,” and that the massive birthday card delivery lifted her spirits even more. “She’s going to open them and we’re going to do a massive collage to put on the wall to mark that we’ve done her wish again,” Grace said. “We’ve granted another wish — so thanks everyone.” What began as a hopeful request has turned into a beautiful reminder of how many people are willing to show up for a child they’ve never met — one card at a time.

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Winter Olympics 2026 Opens With Message Of Harmony Amid Global Divisions

The 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games opened with a lavish, multisite celebration of Italian culture, harmony, and music — and an emotional farewell to one of sport’s most iconic stadiums. With more than 1,200 performers across four venues, Italy put on a show as ambitious as it was elegant. The centerpiece unfolded at Milan’s 99-year-old San Siro stadium, which is scheduled to be demolished by 2032. Fittingly, the Olympic spotlight served as a grand sendoff. “The San Siro was always full of emotions,” said former AC Milan player and manager Fabio Capello earlier this week. “For me, San Siro is history. San Siro is life. San Siro is a monument.” Few would argue after Friday night’s spectacle. From a catwalk of models draped in the Italian flag to spine-tingling musical numbers, the Opening Ceremony pulled off a balancing act between tradition and forward-thinking — much like the Games themselves, which are being held across several locations, including Milan, Cortina, Livigno, and Predazzo. The ceremony’s theme, “Armonia” (Harmony), was woven through every element. From the simultaneous lighting of cauldrons in Milan’s Arco della Pace and Cortina’s Piazza Angelo Dibona, to the real-time athlete parades across four locations, organizers emphasized unity across distance, ideas, and people. Music was a driving force. Andrea Bocelli brought down the house with a powerful rendition of “Nessun Dorma,” his voice echoing through the rafters of San Siro in a moment that felt operatic in every sense. Earlier, Mariah Carey took center stage for a soaring version of “Volare” followed by “Nothing is Impossible,” delivered in full diva mode before her entourage whisked her off. In the stands, some fans were left puzzled by the gaps in San Siro’s seating arrangement, but the visuals — bright, bold, and tightly choreographed — kept most eyes on the field. The director cut seamlessly between venues, ensuring athletes marching in Cortina or Livigno received the same attention as those in Milan. The ceremony didn’t shy away from the realities of a tense global backdrop. Before the TV broadcast began, the crowd at San Siro was shown a video message from UN Secretary General António Guterres. Giovanni Malagò, president of the local organizing committee, reinforced the peace-through-sport message, saying: “At a time when so much of the world is divided by conflict, your very presence demonstrates that another world is possible. One of unity, respect and harmony.” Ukraine’s athletes drew one of the loudest cheers of the night. “Politics and sport don't exist in separate spheres,” said IOC president Kirsty Coventry earlier this week. “But our game is sport. That means keeping sport a neutral ground. A place where every athlete can compete freely, without being held back by the politics or divisions of their governments.” That sentiment may be tested over the coming weeks, especially given growing tensions in Sudan, Myanmar, Haiti and the Middle East. But on opening night, the Olympic flame — or flames, in this case — did its job: it lit up the Italian sky with hope, harmony, and a reminder of what global cooperation can still look like. For now, let the Games begin.

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UK Teen Wins $6K on Rainy Day in New Zealand With Rare Hole-in-One Shot

Eighteen-year-old Luca Walton wasn’t expecting to make headlines during his gap year trip to New Zealand. He just wanted to kill some time on a rainy day. Instead, he ended up sinking a shot that’s only been done 14 times in over three decades — and walked away with NZ$10,000 (about £4,400 or US$6,000) in prize money. The British teen from Woking, Surrey, hit a hole-in-one on a floating pontoon in Lake Taupo, a popular golf challenge located on New Zealand’s North Island. The goal? Launch a ball 104 meters (341 feet) from the lake’s edge and land it cleanly into the hole. Easy to try, almost impossible to nail. “When I won, it shocked me for the whole day — it was special,” Walton said. “When the money arrived three days later, that’s when it hit me.” Walton, who plays golf only occasionally with friends at Chobham Golf Club back home, said he never expected to win anything when he wandered into the challenge. “I had no idea what was going on,” he admitted, laughing that the staff were more excited than he was in the moment. Hole in One Lake Taupo confirmed Walton’s shot was only the 14th recorded since the attraction opened in 1993. They handed over a giant novelty cheque and let him keep the club and ball he used — both of which he’s been carrying with him ever since. “I’ve been lugging that around for the past two weeks,” he joked. After waking his dad up at 1:30 a.m. UK time to share the news, Walton now says the winnings will go toward making the rest of the trip more memorable for himself and his friends. “Now I owe it to my friends that we treat ourselves here and there,” he said. Next up: Australia, Thailand, and Vietnam — before heading home to start university. Not a bad way to break up a rainy day.

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NASA Unveils New Artemis Space Suit With Out-Of-This-World Mobility

For the first time in over half a century, astronauts are heading back toward the moon—and scientists are busy solving one of their most deceptively difficult problems: what they’ll wear when they get there. NASA’s Artemis II mission, slated to launch as early as March, will send four astronauts on a lunar flyby, bringing humans closer to the moon than they’ve been since 1972. But it's the follow-up, Artemis III, that will grab headlines. That mission plans to land astronauts on the lunar surface, kickstarting a new era of deep-space exploration. Before they can do that, they’ll need space suits that can handle the moon’s brutal extremes—and let astronauts move like never before. Forget flashy designs. A lunar suit is more like a personal spacecraft. It has to shield astronauts from cosmic radiation, extreme heat and cold, and lung-clogging moon dust. It needs to hold air, provide water for cooling and hydration, and give astronauts the mobility to work, climb, and stay out for hours. Designing a suit that can do all that—without turning its wearer into a human balloon—is one of the biggest challenges NASA faces ahead of returning to the moon. That job has been given to Axiom Space, a U.S.-based company tapped to develop NASA’s next-generation lunar suit. Their design, called the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU), was unveiled in 2024 and is currently undergoing testing. On the surface, the AxEMU resembles the bulky white suits of Apollo missions. But under the hood, it’s packed with modern technology. “It’s really pushing the limits of material science,” said Paul Spana, director of collections at the Space Center Houston museum. “There’s going to be a lot of new things introduced for the new suit that will be used for moonwalking on Artemis III.” The lunar South Pole—Artemis III’s destination—is far more challenging than the near-equatorial region Apollo astronauts explored. The terrain is steeper, the temperatures more extreme, and light and darkness can last for weeks. “This region presents unique challenges,” NASA spokesperson Victoria Ugalde said, adding that the new suit needs to work across a range of landers, rovers, and spacecraft. To survive that environment, the AxEMU offers improved temperature control and is built to resist damage from rocks and moon dust. But the real breakthrough is in how the suit moves. Apollo astronauts often struggled with their rigid suits, likening the experience to fighting against an inflated balloon. The AxEMU changes that with flexible joints that allow for kneeling, climbing, and a much broader range of motion—even enough, reportedly, to do the splits. That flexibility is key for long-term missions and new lunar goals, like building a surface outpost or a future lunar space station. But one major concern remains: weight. Axiom hasn’t said exactly how much the AxEMU weighs, but reports suggest it’s heavier than the 200-pound Apollo suits. Even with lunar gravity reducing the load to about one-sixth, the suit still feels heavy—and that’s before you add tools, samples, or portable equipment. “Weight is always a key consideration in space suit design,” Ugalde acknowledged, but NASA remains confident astronauts will be able to perform essential tasks on the moon. Dr. Mike Barratt, a NASA astronaut and physician, warned that the added weight could pose injury risks during long surface excursions. Still, the Artemis III mission will serve as a proving ground. When astronauts return, they’ll bring back firsthand data on how the AxEMU performs in one of the harshest environments in the solar system. That feedback will help engineers refine the design for future missions—not just to the moon, but eventually, Mars. “Every step builds toward NASA’s goal of a sustained human presence on the moon,” Ugalde said, “as a stepping stone to Mars.”

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