Scroll For More
Score (97)
This Hero Rolled Out His Own Marathon, Raising Spirits And Funds For Charity
Kalem Bennett, a determined 20-year-old from Hull, England, is set to embark on his own marathon journey—200 miles away from the London Marathon he initially hoped to join. Despite being accepted for the prestigious event, Bennett had to withdraw after not meeting the required times for racing wheelchair competitors. Undeterred, Bennett will host his own "Hullathon" this Sunday. Starting from his home in Sproatley, East Yorkshire, he plans to complete the 26-mile course around East Park in Hull. "It's not just an event where you can train for two weeks and then you're prepared," Bennett said. "My training has been tough and takes a lot of dedication, but I'm feeling ready for it now." Family and supporters will cheer him on as he tackles this personal challenge. Bennett is raising funds for the Tigers Trust, a charity linked to Hull City that supports young adults and children through sports programs. So far, he's raised thousands of pounds for the cause. "It helps young adults and children and also helps all to feel included in sport and the community," he explained. Bennett spent three months training using facilities provided by the trust. Although missing out on this year's London Marathon was disappointing, he says he remains optimistic about competing in 2026.
Score (96)
Why Short, Brisk Walks Might Be the Secret to a Longer Life
Walking faster might just be the simple key to extending your life, according to a recent study. Researchers from Vanderbilt University examined data from nearly 80,000 adults across 12 US states over around 17 years. They found that a daily brisk walk of at least 15 minutes significantly reduces mortality risk, especially from heart-related issues. The study's sample is notable for its diversity. It includes predominantly low-income and Black individuals, groups often missing in similar research due to limited access to safe walking environments. Lead researcher Wei Zheng explains that walking quickly for as little as a quarter of an hour each day is linked to a nearly 20 percent reduction in total mortality. On the other hand, more than three hours of leisurely walking showed only a modest decrease in risk. So what counts as fast walking? Think of climbing stairs or pacing briskly during an exercise routine. In contrast, slow walking involves activities like strolling with your dog or ambling around at work. While the study stops short of proving cause and effect, the lowered risk suggests a clear link between aerobic activity and improved heart health. Fast walking makes your heart work harder, which strengthens cardiovascular health and helps maintain a healthy weight. Zheng points out that while we know daily walks are good for us, less is documented about how pace affects mortality, especially among low-income and Black/African-American populations. Walking remains one of the easiest exercises available: no special gear needed and it fits seamlessly into daily routines. "Public health campaigns and community-based programs can emphasize the importance and availability of fast walking," says Lili Liu from Vanderbilt University, suggesting resources could help encourage this practice across communities. For those looking to improve their health prospects without hitting the gym hard, picking up the pace on regular walks appears promising. The findings were shared in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine.
Score (99)
Coldplay's Green Revolution: How Their Latest Tour Slashed Carbon Emissions by Over 50%
Coldplay says it has cut direct carbon emissions by 59% on its current world tour compared to its 2016–17 stadium tour, thanks to an ambitious range of environmental initiatives, and some help from the fans. The band’s Music of the Spheres tour has doubled as a large-scale sustainability experiment, showing what’s possible when a major global act puts the climate at the center of its planning. Verified by the MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative, the emissions drop comes from a mix of clean energy, smarter logistics, and audience engagement. “We’d like to thank everyone who’s come to a show and helped charge the show batteries on the power bikes and kinetic dance floors,” the band said in a statement. “As a band, and as an industry, we’re a long way from where we need to be on this. But we’re grateful for everyone’s help so far.” Concerts on the tour are powered by a mix of renewable sources. That includes solar panels installed backstage and a world-first rechargeable show battery built in collaboration with BMW, using recycled i3 car batteries. The battery charges before the show and keeps things running without relying on fossil fuels. There’s also help from the fans. At each stadium, kinetic floors and energy bikes convert crowd movement into electricity. While symbolic in scale, they double as an educational tool—and a way for fans to be part of the solution. The tour has also switched to renewable diesel made from hydrotreated vegetable oil, while stages are constructed from lightweight, reusable materials like recycled steel. Even the LED wristbands handed out to the audience are designed to be compostable or reused. Backstage, logistics giant DHL has played a major role in reducing emissions, especially from transport. According to the company, over 80 percent of the tour’s CO₂ emissions originally came from air transport of equipment. To bring that number down, DHL introduced a carbon intelligence system that tracks the tour’s emissions in real-time and finds ways to improve. The company’s GoGreen Plus initiative allowed air freight carriers to purchase Sustainable Aviation Fuel, reducing fuel life-cycle emissions by 85 percent per flight. Trucks used for overland transport ran on sustainable fuel as well. In 2024 alone, 151 million people attended nearly 55,000 events worldwide through Live Nation’s platforms, according to the company. That volume of travel, staging, and energy use adds up. Coldplay’s tour is one of the highest-profile examples of how large events are rethinking their environmental impact. Coldplay has pledged to go beyond carbon neutrality by funding projects that remove more CO₂ from the atmosphere than the tour emits. That includes investing in reforestation, rewilding, soil regeneration, conservation, and carbon capture. Their offsetting efforts follow the Oxford Principles for net-zero aligned carbon offsetting. Coldplay also wants fans to be part of the sustainability effort. Working with SAP, the band launched a free app that shows low-carbon ways to get to venues, rewarding fans who take greener options with discounts. At shows, refillable water stations are offered to cut plastic waste, and merchandise is made from recycled or organic materials. For every ticket sold, a tree is planted—more than 7 million so far, according to the band. “We salute everyone who’s making efforts to push things in the right direction,” Coldplay said. The band acknowledges there’s still progress to make, but the tour stands out as a real-time example of how a global operation can rethink its footprint—and bring fans along for the ride.
Get even more good news on the free app!
Score (97)
A Groundbreaking Gene Therapy Could Make Him the First in Louisiana to Beat Sickle Cell Disease
In New Orleans, Daniel Cressy is stepping into uncharted territory with the hope of making history. At just 22 years old, Daniel could become the first person in Louisiana to be cured of sickle cell disease using a cutting-edge gene therapy. This breakthrough could not only change his life but also pave the way for others suffering from this condition. For Daniel, who dreams of flying high as a pilot one day, the stakes are personal. His aspiration to earn a pilot’s license hinges on being completely free from sickle cell disease. On Wednesday, he took an important step toward that goal at Manning Family Children’s Hospital. There, he began the first of two intensive six-hour sessions to collect his stem cells. WWLTV reports that these collected cells will travel overseas for genetic editing. Scientists aim to correct the genetic defect causing his red blood cells to take on an abnormal, sickle shape. Once edited, these cells will return to Daniel's body with the hope that they start producing healthy red blood cells. “Honestly, it’s a relief,” said Daniel regarding the process. “It’s been a long time coming, and this is such a big step. We’re just hoping they collect enough cells so the process can move forward quickly.” Currently, bone marrow transplants are the only long-term treatment option for sickle cell disease patients who have a suitable donor match. Unfortunately, not everyone has this option available due to difficulties in finding close genetic matches. This innovative gene therapy provides an alternative path for many patients who had few options before. Manning Family Children’s Hospital stands out as the only facility in Louisiana offering both bone marrow transplants and gene therapy treatments specifically targeting children and young adults up to their early 20s. Daniel's case represents more than hope; it symbolizes progress in medical science and offers new possibilities for those living with this debilitating disease.
Score (98)
Miraculous Underground Rescue: Dog Survives Four Days Trapped Beneath Earth
A terrier named Sherlock is safely back home after spending four days trapped underground in a disused badger sett near Carlisle, sparking a dramatic rescue effort that drew in drones, firefighters, search dogs, and volunteers. Sherlock vanished while chasing a rabbit during a walk with his owner, Mandy McGrath, in Ridgeway Woods near Brampton. When she couldn’t find him, she called her husband Mike, who joined the search and launched what would become a days-long rescue operation. “The hardest thing to deal with was that you've got this little thing who's entirely dependent on you to help them and take care of them,” Mike McGrath said. “I was unable to do any of that for those four days and it's absolutely heartbreaking.” At first, friends helped scan the area where Sherlock’s tracker last pinged. Drones and dogs were used to search above ground, but there was no sign of the terrier. A local vet later confirmed the badger sett was inactive — a legal requirement before firefighters could begin digging. Even with thermal imaging cameras, the fire service struggled to detect the dog. But on the third day, gamekeepers’ dogs equipped with trackers suggested Sherlock might be close. A hole was dug near his last known location, and while it didn’t lead directly to him, it allowed precious airflow into the tunnels just a few feet away. “Had that not been done, we might have been too late because of the tightness of the hole,” said Mr McGrath, who suspects Sherlock got stuck while chasing a rabbit and couldn’t back out through the sandy soil. Claustrophobia made the ordeal especially distressing for the couple. “I wasn’t sleeping well. I know my wife wasn’t sleeping well,” he added. The breakthrough came thanks to Gordon Bottomley, a volunteer from Middlesbrough with the Fell and Moorland Terrier Club. Using his trained terrier Shrek, Bottomley was able to locate and extricate Sherlock from 1.8 meters (6 feet) underground. “To see someone’s beloved pet come out and their reaction — the grin was from ear to ear,” Bottomley said. “The terrier is the only dog that will go below ground and seek out vermin and that’s why, over hundreds of years, they’ve been bred for that purpose.” The McGraths, who have had Sherlock for four and a half years, were overwhelmed by the support they received — both from friends across the world and from local residents who joined the search. “It’s extraordinary,” Mike said. “You suddenly find out just how interested people are in helping, particularly those who’ve got dogs and are familiar with the kind of feelings you might have.”
Score (96)
The Surprising Trick Emotional Intelligence Experts Use to Stay Calm After Criticism
It’s your annual performance review. You walk in confident, knowing you’ve worked hard and hit your goals. Your boss starts off with a compliment—but then follows it with a sharp piece of criticism. Even though she ends with something nice, it’s that one piece of negative feedback that stays with you, echoing in your head long after the meeting ends. You feel a rush of heat. Your pulse quickens. Maybe your stomach drops. And now you have to respond. But what do you say? According to emotional intelligence expert Justin Bariso, the answer is: don’t say much. Not right away. “Thanks for expressing your thoughts. Please give me a day or so to process this, and I’ll respond,” Bariso writes. It’s a simple line, but it buys you something essential—time. Bariso, author of EQ Applied: The Real-World Guide to Emotional Intelligence, says it’s a mistake to respond immediately when you’re emotionally flooded. The discomfort and defensiveness you feel aren’t just in your head. They’re happening in your brain. “When you receive negative feedback and you’re tempted to say something you’ll regret, it’s because your first emotion is your emotional reaction,” Bariso explains. That reaction is controlled by the amygdala, the part of your brain that processes fear and stress. “It jumps into action when you feel attacked.” But with a bit of time, the amygdala settles down. Your logical brain catches up. And what felt like a personal attack may start to look more like something useful. “Just giving yourself a day to process the feedback helps you to see it much differently. Instead of seeing it as hurtful, you can now see it as helpful,” Bariso says. This isn’t about avoiding hard truths or pretending criticism doesn’t sting. It’s about responding rather than reacting—a distinction that matters when emotions are high. And it applies far beyond the workplace. Bariso says his “wait-a-day” approach works in all kinds of situations: relationships, hobbies, even casual conversations. “You’ll transform that feedback into something valuable,” he says, “and that’ll make you better at just about everything.” Psychologist Lisa Marie Bobby agrees. Writing at Growing Self, she points out that our brains are wired to react quickly to perceived threats—not just physical ones like a charging bear, but emotional ones too. “Thinking takes time,” Bobby writes. “And when a bear is charging at you, you don’t have time to ponder how the bear might be feeling. You just leap to your feet and run to safety.” The same wiring kicks in when we feel threatened by criticism. That defensive feeling isn’t a flaw—it’s a survival reflex. But while it’s helpful in the wild, it can backfire in the boardroom or a personal conversation. That’s why giving yourself time matters so much. Once your body no longer feels like it’s being chased, you’re better able to make thoughtful, strategic decisions. That includes how you respond to someone who just gave you difficult feedback. It also gives you the opportunity to reflect: Is there truth in what they said? Is there something you can learn or do differently? Even if the delivery wasn’t perfect, is the message worth considering? Ultimately, a well-timed pause shows maturity and emotional intelligence—traits that are highly valued in any professional or personal relationship. So next time you get hit with negative feedback and feel the urge to fire back or shut down, try saying this instead: Thanks for your thoughts. I’d like a day or so to think it over before I respond. You’ll come back calmer, more prepared—and more in control.
Score (95)
“I Choose Joy”: 22-Year-Old Rings Hospital Bell After Losing Her Legs in a Boating Accident
Just a few months ago, Hannah Smith was lying in a hospital bed, wondering if she’d survive. This week, she rang the ceremonial bell at a South Florida rehab hospital, surrounded by tears, cheers, and pride. “It’s just a big win,” said the 22-year-old from Tennessee. “A couple of months ago, I couldn’t even imagine this moment after my accident. It’s a huge motivation to keep going.” Smith, a recent graduate of Miles College in Alabama, was vacationing in the Bahamas on May 12 to celebrate her graduation when a boating excursion turned tragic. During a stop at port, she was struck by the boat’s propellers. “When we stopped at a port in the Bahamas, I went on an excursion and, unfortunately, the boat propellers kind of dismembered my legs,” she said. One leg was amputated on the island. She was then airlifted to Miami, where she underwent multiple surgeries and months of intense rehab at Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital in Cutler Bay. “I traded my legs for my life,” she said. Despite the trauma, Smith chose not to dwell on loss. Instead, she pushed through three hours of physical therapy each day, relearning basic tasks and celebrating every gain—no matter how small. “I’m very proud of myself—being able to do my own hygiene, get around, and transfer,” she said. “The next step is continuing outpatient therapy and preparing for my prosthetics.” Her recovery hasn’t just been physical. It’s been deeply emotional and, at times, spiritual. “It’s up to you if you’re going to be happy or sad or mad every day,” Smith said. “I choose joy.” That mindset has carried her through some of the hardest days of her life. But she’s quick to say she didn’t do it alone. “Besides God, definitely my parents,” she said. “They’ve pulled me out of some really dark moments. I wouldn’t be this positive without them.” Now, as she begins outpatient therapy and gets fitted for prosthetics, her family has launched a GoFundMe page to help cover the ongoing costs of her recovery. With her family cheering her on, Smith climbed into the front seat of the car after her bell-ringing ceremony—an everyday act that, not long ago, felt impossibly far away. “It’s a big deal,” she said. Smith’s journey is far from over. But for now, she’s focusing on the progress she’s made, not the pain she’s endured. And as for how she’s choosing to live each day going forward? With joy.
Score (92)
How Unwanted Plushies Are Finding New Homes and Spreading Joy
In Stevenage, England, Jo Sorrell is on a mission to change the way people see stuffed animals. The 58-year-old owner of Cardies, a local card shop, has launched the Preloved Plushy Project in an effort to breathe new life into discarded plush toys. The idea struck her after noticing how many cuddly toys were being abandoned or sent to charity shops, where they often ended up in the bin if they were too worn out. "I was seeing some going to charity shops, and because they were marked or grubby, the charity shops couldn't do anything with them and had to throw them away," Sorrell told the BBC. As someone who values recycling and upcycling, she saw an opportunity. "One man's rubbish is another man's treasure," she added. Sorrell has developed her own method for restoring these stuffed creatures to nearly-new conditions. Many people make the mistake of simply washing a teddy bear, which leaves it matted and worn-looking. Instead, Sorrell washes each toy carefully and lets it dry completely before using a special brush designed for dogs to restore its fluffiness. "I've got labradors, and there's a specific dog brush with very fine pins that teases the undercoat," she explained. "It's a slicker brush and it does a similar thing with the cuddly toys." Her efforts have already found success among locals looking for specific characters or just something special for their children. "We had a couple of lads come in and their mum said they were looking for Super Mario characters," Sorrell recounted. After digging through a large sack of freshly washed toys, they found two Super Marios waiting to be claimed. The project also connects with people through social media. One woman reached out about finding an Eeyore toy for the young people she works with. By chance, an Eeyore appeared in one of their donation bags shortly thereafter. Sorrell’s goal is not only to brighten up her community but also to inspire others beyond Stevenage to adopt similar initiatives. She believes there is potential in presenting these toys differently, making them appealing rather than sad figures tucked away in corners. "I'm keen that other people should take this idea up and see cuddly toys in a different light," Sorrell said. Her passion for giving these plushies another chance at love reflects her broader commitment to sustainability and creative reuse. With more people like Jo Sorrell leading such projects, perhaps fewer soft toys will end up discarded before their time is truly up.
Score (97)
New Service Offers Lifeline to Parents Facing ICU Trauma: A Groundbreaking Approach to Healing
Charlotte Creevy knows firsthand the emotional whirlwind of seeing a child in intensive care. Her son Seth was only two weeks old when he stopped breathing and had to be rushed to intensive care at a London hospital. "What kept going through my mind was, 'Is he going to live or die?'" she recalls. Seth had contracted three viruses and needed respiratory support, but after three weeks in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington last October, he recovered and went home. For parents like Charlotte, the trauma doesn’t end when their child leaves the hospital. Now, thanks to a new service from the charity Cosmic, there's dedicated help available. This innovative support is being rolled out at St Mary's Hospital to assist parents grappling with the aftermath of such intense experiences. "It was awful," Charlotte remembers about her time in the ICU. "I would cry because it was hard not knowing what would happen to Seth." She also dealt with physical recovery from an emergency C-section and guilt over being away from her other children. "Adding to it all, I was feeling guilty that my other two children were away from their mum," she explains. Susannah Forland, chief executive of Cosmic, highlights how trauma can sneak up on parents even after leaving the hospital. "Things like the beeping of a fridge can trigger trauma or flashbacks," she says. The impact can linger long after families return home. According to Forland, their service aims to bridge that gap between hospital and home during one of life's most emotionally vulnerable times. Research conducted at St Mary's found that early intervention can significantly reduce symptoms of PTSD and other long-term mental health issues among parents post-discharge from intensive care. Dr Simon Nadel, a consultant in pediatric intensive care involved in this research, notes that surviving intensive care is just part of what parents face; they often embark on an emotional marathon afterward. He points out that 75-80 percent of parents develop PTSD after their children are discharged from intensive care units. Charlotte's experience echoes these findings; even after leaving the hospital, anxiety loomed large whenever any of her kids fell ill. She credits Cosmic for connecting her with a psychologist who helped her process her emotions: "Cosmic put me in touch with a psychologist so I could start to process some of the emotional stuff going on." Following a successful pilot program, Cosmic is now permanently funding and delivering this post-PICU service. It includes providing parents with informational booklets filled with coping strategies, follow-up phone calls by trained staff, and ongoing counseling referrals as needed.
Score (97)
The New Way to Say Goodbye: How Grief Raves Are Transforming Mourning
The Southbank Centre in London recently hosted a unique event known as a "grief rave." This gathering, held on Sunday, brought together individuals who have experienced the loss of a loved one. The event combined music, movement, and memory to help participants process their bereavement. Millicent Blackwood attended the grief rave in honor of her mother, who passed away nearly four years ago. Reflecting on her mother's love for dancing while cooking Sunday roasts, Blackwood saw the event as a fitting tribute. "When I heard on the radio there was this grief rave," she explained, "what better way to represent my mum and celebrate her life." The grief rave concept was developed over three years ago by Annie Frost Nicholson and Carlie Attridge. Attridge, who also established The Loss Project to support people through grief, shared her personal motivation: "I lost a friend few years ago. She was an old-school nineties raver, and I remember her every year by dancing to her favorite rave tune." The goal was simple—to create a space where people could express their individual grief while collectively dancing together. According to Attridge, this creates a sense of joy and hope. A key feature of the event is the Fandango Discoteca. This small soundproof pod allows visitors to be alone with their thoughts and emotions while listening to music that reminds them of their departed loved ones. Here, they can grieve privately yet meaningfully. Emma Spearing attended in memory of her twin sister Charli, who died over ten years ago. She finds spaces like these crucial for remembering Charli's influence in her life. "It took me 10 years to find out who I am without being part of a pair," she told BBC London. Comparing their relationship to Batman and Robin—with Charli as Batman—Spearing emphasized how these memories continue shaping those left behind. "The person that dies doesn't leave us," she said. "Their story doesn't end when they die. We keep writing their stories." Spearing believes events like this allow participants to renew connections with those they've lost through music and shared experiences. By bringing cherished memories into focus through dance and song, attendees celebrate not just the lives lived but also the impact those lives continue having on theirs today.
Score (96)
Pitching Through Adversity: How Cancer Survivor Nic Enright Saved a Game and Inspired Millions
Nic Enright got the final outs in a tight extra-inning win Monday night, but the moment meant more than just a statistic. The Cleveland Guardians reliever notched his first career MLB save in a 7–6 victory over the New York Mets — a personal milestone that comes nearly two years after being diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma. “He was almost crying on the field just now,” said Guardians manager Stephen Vogt. “If you read his story, it’s pretty inspirational.” Enright gave up an unearned run in the 10th inning but held on to seal the win, retiring Luis Torrens on a deep fly to right to end the game. The ball from that final out is already set aside, along with his uniform, hat, and a copy of the lineup card. “Really, really cool,” Enright said at his locker afterward. “These last couple of years, especially, I’ve gone through a lot of adversity and just everything that’s gone on. And so for me, it’s being able to reflect on those in these moments. I think that helps being able to slow the game down. Because it hasn’t exactly been a red-carpet rollout for my career trajectory.” Cleveland drafted Enright in the 20th round back in 2019 out of Virginia Tech. Then, in December 2022 — just 15 days after the Miami Marlins selected him in the Rule 5 draft — he was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma. “I made the decision when I was diagnosed in 2022 with Hodgkin lymphoma that I wasn’t going to let that define my life and dictate how I was going to go about my life,” he said. “It’s something where, for anyone else who is going through anything similar, [it shows] I haven’t just holed up in my house and felt sorry for myself this whole time.” After four rounds of immunotherapy, Enright began a rehab stint in 2023 and made nine minor league appearances for the Marlins. Eventually designated for assignment, he returned to Cleveland in May of that year. A shoulder injury limited him the rest of the season, but in 16 appearances for Triple-A Columbus, he posted a 1.06 ERA. He finally made his big league debut this May. Since then, he’s been a reliable arm in a Guardians bullpen that’s seen some upheaval. All-Star closer Emmanuel Clase is currently on paid leave due to a sports gambling investigation, leaving the Guardians to patch together the late innings with different arms. On Monday, Hunter Gaddis pitched the eighth, Cade Smith handled the ninth, and Enright got the call for the 10th with a two-run lead. He allowed a two-out RBI single to Brett Baty before inducing a long fly ball from Torrens that right fielder Nolan Jones chased down near the wall. “I definitely held my breath as I saw Nolan kind of keep running,” Enright said. “But I had faith. As he kind of got closer to the wall, I realized it was losing steam.” Back in the clubhouse, teammates celebrated the moment. “I was so happy, oh, I was going nuts in here,” said starting pitcher Slade Cecconi. “I was going absolutely berserk. He came in running up the stairs, smile on his face.” Enright has one final round of treatment scheduled for November. In the meantime, he’s become a dependable piece of Cleveland’s relief corps, posting a 2.01 ERA through 19 appearances. He thanked his wife, parents, and extended family for supporting him through his recovery and return to the mound. And in a quiet moment amid the beer-soaked celebration, he acknowledged just how far he’s come. “It's being able to reflect on those [moments],” he said. “That’s what helps slow the game down.”