Egypt's 'Lost Golden City' is Still Revealing Ancient Treasure Left Behind

In a stunning twist of fate, the ancient city of So’oud Aten in Egypt holds secrets that are finally being unearthed by archeologists. Over 3,300 years ago, Pharaoh Akhenaten commanded his people to abandon their homes and move to a new city in an effort to change their religious practices. This mass exodus left behind a treasure trove of artifacts, including jewelry, pottery, and even children's toys. Exclusive access granted to NBC News revealed the ongoing discoveries at this site dubbed the "lost golden city." Archeologists have found evidence of a high standard of living for artisans and craftsmen, with surprising amenities like showers inside houses. The uncovering of administrative buildings and religious symbols hint at the daily life and beliefs of the ancient residents. The city's location near Luxor places it in the midst of historical monuments from royal Egypt. Egyptologist Zawi Hawass believes that So’oud Aten provides valuable insights into the past, showcasing a snapshot in time frozen by the sudden departure of its inhabitants. As more pieces of this ancient puzzle are revealed, experts like Salima Ikram marvel at the preserved scenes of daily life left behind by these long-gone citizens. The legacy of Akhenaten's religious revolution lives on through these discoveries, shedding light on a pivotal moment in history. The story of So’oud Aten continues to captivate researchers and visitors alike as they piece together the mysteries hidden within its walls.

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Heroic Rescue: A Stranded Dolphin was Freed Thanks to This Daring Team

A dolphin found stranded in a lagoon in Bluffton, South Carolina, was rescued by a team of firefighters and wildlife volunteers. The dolphin, known by locals as Lucky, likely entered the body of water during high tide and became trapped when waters receded, local media said. Lucky was spotted in a shallow tidal lagoon inside the Hampton Lake community on July 12 by a passerby, who contacted a neighbor familiar with wildlife response. Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network (LMMN), together with the Bluffton fire department and other volunteers, carefully rescued the dolphin and carried her “about 75 feet over debris and fallen trees.” “After a quick health check she was determined to be a seven-foot female known to local researchers at USC Bluffton as Lucky,” LMMN said. “She’s regularly seen in the May River.” Lucky was successfully released into deeper water from a private dock around 6 pm. “This was a textbook example of interagency teamwork and calm under pressure,” LMMN Executive Director Lauren Rust said. “From our trained responders to the Bluffton firefighters and helpful community members, everyone played a vital role in ensuring Lucky’s safe return home.”

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A 700-Year-Old Cathedral Finds Its New Voice With a Modern Organ Installation

The historic St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague is about to get a fresh musical upgrade with the near completion of a new organ installation. This grand cathedral, which has stood for over 700 years as the largest temple in the Czech Republic, will soon have an instrument worthy of its stature. An international team is hard at work on scaffolding above the main entrance inside the cathedral, carefully fitting some of the last remaining pipes into place. The project is set to wrap up by late August, with voicing and tuning scheduled to continue through the end of the year. According to officials, the public will get their first chance to hear this new organ on June 15 next year during the feast of St. Vitus. This impressive organ boasts around 6,000 pipes that vary significantly in length, from a minuscule 7 millimeters up to a towering 7 meters. It features four manuals and was crafted in El Papiol near Barcelona by Gerhard Grenzing's workshop. Grenzing, a reputable German organ builder, has created nearly 140 organs and refurbished more than 90 historical instruments worldwide. Once completed in Spain, crews disassembled the organ and transported it piece by piece via trucks to Prague. The importance of St. Vitus Cathedral extends beyond its religious functions; it's deeply connected to Czech history as the coronation and burial site of Czech kings and as home to the Czech crown jewels. Notably, this was also where Vaclav Havel's funeral Mass was held on December 23, 2011. The previous organ installed in the early 1930s proved inadequate for such a monumental space and suffered frequent breakdowns. During World War II and throughout over four decades of communist rule, interest in repairing or replacing it waned. The push for a new organ began in earnest in 2017 with an enthusiastic crowdfunding campaign that raised over 109 million Czech crowns ($5.2 million), covering about 98 percent of what was needed for this ambitious project.

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Astronomers Capture First-Ever Glimpse of a Planet Forming Around Its Star

For the first time, astronomers believe they may have photographed a planet in the act of forming — a process that, until now, has remained theoretical despite decades of indirect evidence. The potential discovery, published this week in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, centers on a protoplanetary disk roughly 440 light-years away in the binary star system HD 135344AB. Using the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Chile, researchers captured a single image at one wavelength that appears to show an object embedded within the swirling disk of gas and dust — a possible newborn planet. “We have only one image [in] only one wavelength,” said Francesco Maio, a doctoral researcher at the University of Florence and lead author of the study. “We have three images where we don’t see this object. So we need to understand the properties of these candidate protoplanets.” The object, if confirmed, is estimated to be roughly twice the size of Jupiter and orbits its host star (HD 135344B) at a distance similar to that of Neptune from our Sun. What makes the finding particularly compelling is that this object appears to sit right at the base of a spiral arm — a distinctive feature believed to be carved into the disk by the gravitational influence of a forming planet. Maio used a vivid analogy to describe the scene: “The disk is like a cappuccino. The planet is like a spoon in the cappuccino. And when you move the spoon inside the cappuccino, you start to form spirals.” Those spirals have been observed many times before, but the source — the “spoon” — has never been directly spotted. “This is an interesting observation,” said Hanno Rein, an exoplanet researcher at the University of Toronto who was not involved in the study. “What’s usually missing is the object that is actually creating those spiral arms… This team here seems to have found one strong candidate.” The disk had been imaged before by another team using a different tool — SPHERE, a high-contrast instrument also attached to the VLT, designed to block out the light of the host star to better detect surrounding objects. That team didn’t detect any planets. But the ERIS instrument used in this latest study operates at a different wavelength, allowing astronomers to see what might have previously been hidden. Adding to the intrigue is that HD 135344B’s twin star, HD 135344A, has no visible protoplanetary disk, despite being roughly the same age. “We don’t know why two very similar stars evolved together as two different systems,” Maio said. In a curious twist, recent observations found a massive planet — around 10 times the mass of Jupiter — orbiting the star that doesn't have a disk. The differences between these two stars could shed light on how environmental factors affect planet formation. As for the current find, more data is needed. Future observations using different wavelengths and instruments will be crucial in confirming whether the object is truly a planet in the act of forming — or something else entirely. But if it is what researchers suspect, it would be a historic moment: the first direct glimpse of a planet in its cosmic cradle.

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Students Revolutionize Space Gear: Inside NASA's Thrilling Design Challenge

NASA's latest adventure in tech innovation wrapped up with a bang at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. More than 100 students from 12 U.S. universities rolled up their sleeves for the NASA Spacesuit User Interface Technologies for Students (SUITS) challenge. The focus was on creating user interface designs that could reshape future spacesuits and rovers. The "rock yard," a simulated Moon and Mars surface, served as their testing ground. Students tackled the humid Texan weather and swarms of mosquitoes to trial their cutting-edge ideas. Geraldo Cisneros, the tech team lead, praised this year's SUITS challenge as "a complete success." He highlighted how it allowed NASA to evaluate software designs that could influence human-centered Artemis missions. "My favorite part of the challenge was watching how the students responded to obstacles and setbacks," he said. The week wasn't just about testing; it also featured guest speakers and facility tours. Swastik Patel from Purdue University expressed his excitement: “All of the teams really enjoyed being here, seeing NASA facilities, and developing their knowledge.” He noted how camaraderie among participants helped them navigate challenges. By week's end, each team presented its projects to experts including NASA astronaut Deniz Burnham and Flight Director Garrett Hehn. These presentations showcased technical achievements along with teamwork and problem-solving skills. The feedback offered fresh insights for refining ideas, with Burnham noting, “The students did such a great job.” Awards capped off the event, recognizing standout contributions. Team JARVIS from Purdue University and Indiana State University snagged the Innovation Award for their inventive approach. Team Selene from Midwestern State University earned the Pay it Forward Award for community education efforts. Maggie Schoonover from Wichita State University received the Artemis Educator Award for her exceptional guidance. Jamie Semple, NASA Activity Manager, emphasized that this challenge is crucial for fostering skills needed in STEM careers linked to NASA’s missions. Students worked on proposals, design tasks, AI utilization and mission operation solutions that connect directly to future Artemis missions.

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Forgotten Pay Phones Make a Comeback: Engineer Brings Free Calls to Remote Areas

In the hills of rural Vermont, where cell service can vanish for miles, one electrical engineer is reviving an old-school solution: pay phones. Patrick Schlott, a full-time engineer at electric airplane company BETA Technologies, has spent years restoring old technology in his spare time. But it wasn’t until he moved to North Tunbridge, Vermont, that he realized his hobby could be a lifeline for his community. “I realized, wow, there’s no cell service for 10 miles in either direction,” he said. “The community could really benefit from something like this.” With that in mind, Schlott approached Mike and Lois Gross, owners of the North Tunbridge General Store, and asked if he could install a restored pay phone outside their shop. It would be free to use, cost the store nothing, and serve anyone in need. “Everyone’s pretty surprised, and they’re like, ‘Is that a real pay phone? Does that really work?’” said Mike Gross. “And I’m like, ‘Yeah, but it doesn’t cost any money now.’ We’ve had people use it that broke down. It’s a great thing because service is so spotty in Vermont.” Since that first installation, Schlott has added two more public phones — one outside the Latham Library in Thetford and another inside an informational booth off I-89 in Randolph. More are on the way, including one planned for the Brownell Library in Essex. “All the other phones so far have been people reaching out, which is pretty cool,” Schlott said. The setup is simple. Schlott buys old pay phones — usually between $100 and $500 — from flea markets, auctions, or online sellers, and refurbishes them in his basement. A small device converts an internet phone line into the analog signal the pay phones need. No coins, no phone cards — just pick up and dial. Each phone costs Schlott about $2–$3 per month for the line, and under $5 a month for calls. He covers the costs himself — for now — and even serves as a kind of 21st-century operator. Dialing zero from one of his phones rings his personal cellphone. An app lets him manage calls without revealing his number. The Latham Library location has been the busiest. In five months, users have made 370 calls, many of them from students who don’t have cellphones but need to call home for rides. “It does make me feel safer if the kids are out and about,” said local resident Hannah McClain, who frequents the North Tunbridge General Store. “If they had an emergency up this way, they could stop and use this. I think these are a great service.” Schlott hopes to continue expanding the project, though he acknowledges he may eventually need support to maintain it. Still, he sees something lasting — and meaningful — in these humble relics of the past. “It’s cool to see something retro that has that old-school appeal but also works,” he said. “To actually hear it ring, to pick it up and have a dial tone — I think there’s real power in that. And I don’t think they should end up in a landfill. They should be recycled and put to good use.”

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Venus Williams Defies Age, Triumphs in Comeback Match at 45

Venus Williams is back on the tennis court, and she means business. At 45, she's not just playing; she's winning. On Tuesday night at the DC Open, Williams beat Peyton Stearns, a player 22 years her junior, with a score of 6-3, 6-4. This victory makes her the second-oldest woman to win a tour-level singles match in professional tennis. Williams' return to singles competition comes after more than a year-long hiatus due to health issues. She had surgery to remove uterine fibroids and hadn't played since March 2024. Her last singles win was in August 2023 in Cincinnati. Until recently, the WTA Tour listed her as "inactive." Reflecting on her journey back to competitive form, Williams admitted there were doubts along the way. "Each week that I was training," she said, "I was like, 'Oh my God, I don't know if I'm good enough yet.' And then there would be weeks where I would leap forward." The only woman older than Williams to have won a tour-level singles match is Martina Navratilova at Wimbledon in 2004 when she was 47. The crowd in Washington showed up for Williams; their support was palpable throughout the match. Fans cheered as she demonstrated skills reminiscent of her Grand Slam-winning days—she has seven titles in singles and 14 in women's doubles with her sister Serena Williams. Stearns acknowledged Williams' performance, saying, "She played some ball tonight... Her serves were just on fire." Despite showing signs of rustiness early on, Williams regained momentum quickly. However, closing out the match required persistence; she needed six match points before finally securing victory with a powerful serve that Stearns couldn't return effectively. Afterward, an elated Williams expressed gratitude for being able to compete again while maintaining focus on staying healthy: "I'm just constantly praying for good health so that way I could have an opportunity to play with good health."

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Mrbeast and Mark Rober's Bold Plan: $40M to Bring Clean Water to Millions

YouTube sensation MrBeast, also known as Jimmy Donaldson, and fellow YouTuber Mark Rober have announced a new philanthropic campaign aimed at providing access to clean water for millions. The duo, who previously led successful initiatives like #TeamTrees and #TeamSeas, are now focusing on raising $40 million through their latest project, #TeamWater. The goal is ambitious: provide two million people with clean water for decades. To achieve this, they plan to rally content creators from across YouTube to promote the cause throughout August 2025. In a video message sent exclusively to creators but available on YouTube, MrBeast stated, “Starting August 1st throughout the entire month, we need you to upload a video to your channel where you promote and educate your audience on #TeamWater.” He urged viewers to donate via teamwater.org. Mark Rober emphasized the importance of clean water in the video, saying, “Clean water is the most fundamental thing that people need to survive and thrive.” The planned fundraising effort will support WaterAid, a nonprofit organization working in 22 countries to provide clean water and sanitation facilities. With an estimated reach of over one billion people through their combined subscriber bases and participating creators like Hank Green and Gordon Ramsay, MrBeast and Rober hope for significant engagement. Creators are encouraged to integrate campaign messages into their content creatively—whether by showcasing cool water technology or incorporating themes into gaming videos. The urgency of the issue is highlighted on a dedicated webpage for #TeamWater. It notes how climate change affects water accessibility through droughts and contamination. However, it also stresses that smart systems and support can overcome these challenges. MrBeast's commitment to environmental causes is not new. Following his success with the #TeamSeas campaign in removing trash from oceans and waterways, he launched the "Water Is Life" campaign through Beast Philanthropy in 2023. This initiative funded 109 freshwater wells across several African countries, benefiting over 250,000 people. This upcoming campaign has been in planning for some time. On August 29, 2024, Beast Holdings LLC filed a trademark for #TeamWater with the intent to promote access to clean water. Such efforts align with MrBeast’s track record of using his platform for philanthropy while engaging younger audiences, often hard to reach by traditional charity models. Despite facing some backlash over other projects like his "Beast Games" competition show on Amazon due to production conditions, Donaldson remains committed to leveraging his influence for good causes. Similarly motivated is Mark Rober, who told Curly Tales recently: “We’ve already changed oceans and forests; now we’re focusing on water.”

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A Rare Comet And Milky Way Mix in a Dazzling Night Sky Photo

Miguel Claro, a professional photographer and science communicator from Lisbon, Portugal, is renowned for his striking images of the night sky. With roles as a European Southern Observatory Photo Ambassador and the official astrophotographer for the Dark Sky Alqueva Reserve, Claro has made a name for himself in creating "Skyscapes" that beautifully capture the connection between Earth and its celestial backdrop. Last summer presented an exciting opportunity for Claro when comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-Atlas made its appearance in the northern skies. Over several nights, he set out to photograph this cosmic visitor. On the final night of his project, Claro captured a mesmerizing time-lapse video that showcased the comet streaking across the starry expanse above the Dark Sky Alqueva territory in Portugal. The timing couldn't have been better; with no moonlight to interfere, both the Milky Way and the comet were clearly visible against the dark winter night sky. This encounter was particularly special because C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-Atlas won't be returning to our part of space for another 80,000 years. Claro's work doesn't just stop at capturing these stunning images. He offers fine art prints of his photographs, available in various sizes and formats through his online gallery. "I hope you enjoy it as much as I do," he says about his work. For those interested in supporting him or owning a piece of celestial art for their homes, purchasing one of these prints is an option.

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Rugby Ball Embarks on Epic 470-Mile Journey, Lands in Denmark

A rugby ball from the Rockcliff Rugby Club in Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, has made an unexpected international splash. The ball, initially left for families to enjoy on Longsands Beach, ended up traveling more than 750 kilometers across the North Sea to Denmark. The club's chair, Andrew Sugden, expressed a mix of surprise and amusement at the ball's adventure. "Clearly, on this occasion somebody's chosen to hoof it into the sea, which we'd rather they didn't do," he said, noting that while unintended, it became "a great story." The ball had been placed in a toy bin by two young players from the club—Benjamin and Alexander—on June 15. Just over a month later, it was found by Bernd Terbeek and his son Hauke during their holiday fishing trip in Lønstrup. Mr. Terbeek recounted how his son spotted the ball bobbing in the waves before they retrieved it. Curious about its origins, Mr. Terbeek researched Whitley Bay Rockcliff and was astonished by the distance it had traveled. "We were surprised about the distance the ball had managed to drift across the North Sea," Mr. Terbeek shared. He mentioned that his family plans to keep the ball as a keepsake and will continue following Rockcliff Rugby Club’s activities. Back home in North Tyneside, Rockcliff Rugby Club isn't just about quirky stories of wayward balls; it's about community engagement and growing interest in rugby. With around 650 players spanning adult teams, youth squads, and even walking rugby for seniors, the club aims for inclusivity. Andrew Sugden emphasized their ongoing mission: "You need teams to play against and you constantly need people who just enjoy the sport." Whether new players or fans wanting to soak up the club atmosphere join them matters less than fostering a love for rugby itself. As for Mr. Terbeek and his family in Germany keeping tabs on their newfound English connection? It seems this floating piece of sporting equipment has forged more than just a cross-sea link; it's sparked international camaraderie too.

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Meet River-Lucia: The Inspiring 7-Year-Old Redefining Life After Amputation

Seven-year-old River-Lucia zips around her garden in Cheadle like any other energetic kid—running, sliding, laughing. She doesn’t slow down, and neither does her mum, Leia, who regularly films her daughter for their Instagram page. What sets River-Lucia apart is that ten months ago, she had her left leg amputated below the knee. Diagnosed with fibular hemimelia, a rare condition where part or all of the fibula bone in the lower leg is missing, River-Lucia had faced challenges from birth. Leia found out during her 20-week scan. "In this world we are all born different. We all look different," Leia said. She wants other parents to know that a diagnosis like this isn’t the end of the world. “Parents might find it hard to understand and think that the child's going to be treated different or not able to fit in a mainstream school. They can, and looking at River-Lucia's page you can see she's just normal like any other kid.” Families like Leia’s are typically referred to the Specialised Ability Centre in Wythenshawe, Greater Manchester, one of the largest facilities in the country for children and adults needing prosthetic limbs or orthotic support. Although the majority of patients are adults, around 150 children pass through its doors each year, often from the time they’re born. “We see patients at pre-natal, we see expectant mothers… and then right after the child is born they will be seen by us,” said centre manager Lara Littler. “We will support that family through the emotional side, the physical side, the development aspects, all the way through.” In River-Lucia’s case, the treatment options came down to repeated leg-lengthening surgeries—painful and risky—or amputation. The surgeries would have required her to wear an external cage for months at a time. Leia said the choice was heartbreaking. “It was the most difficult decision of our lives,” she said. “We could have done it earlier when she was a baby but we held back as we wanted to see how her foot would grow.” They waited until River-Lucia was old enough to understand. They showed her pictures. They introduced her to other children with similar experiences. When given the options, she didn’t hesitate. “She said ‘amputation’ straight away,” Leia said. The surgery took place last September, when River-Lucia was six. The emotional weight hit hard. “You can prepare yourself all you like but until you're actually there… it was all questions going on in my head, I couldn't sleep, it was ‘are we making the right decision? are we going to regret this?’” But the results were immediate. River-Lucia was more mobile, more confident, and more independent. “You just saw her character come out,” Leia said. “She’s not at my side anymore, she’s not needing me for help. She must just feel so much more confident in this leg.” Her prosthetic limb is covered in images of lions—a symbol of courage. Her bedroom is filled with affirmation posters. Even her dolls wear prosthetic limbs. “We do have struggles at home getting from A-B and sometimes we do need the wheelchair,” Leia said. “But eight times out of 10 she's doing what other kids can do.” Shannon Hughes, a prosthetist who works closely with children, said these kinds of journeys can be overwhelming for families at first. “It's really important that you involve the child and let them know that they get to make decisions too,” Hughes said. “Often you're working alongside the whole family. Not knowing the future is kind of scary for most parents, but if you don't know anyone else who has a limb absence like your child then it's hard to know what the future might look like.” That’s exactly why Leia created their Instagram account; to show that the future can be bright. River-Lucia, now a self-proclaimed “fibular hemimelia warrior,” is clear about her favourite things: “Swimming, climbing, riding my bike, and running.” “She’s just giving it her all,” Leia said. “Everything she’s doing, she’s just giving it her all.”

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