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This New Mural is Celebrating a Hero Who Saved Dozens From Drowning
James Clarke, a name synonymous with heroism in early 20th-century Liverpool, is being celebrated with a mural in his honor. Known for saving dozens from drowning and teaching countless children to swim, Clarke's legacy as the first Black man to have a street named after him in Liverpool endures. Born in 1886 in British Guiana, now Guyana, Clarke stowed away on a ship to Liverpool at age 14. Adopted by an Irish family, he became a talented athlete and worked on the city's docks. His prowess in water sports led him to rescue many from canals and the River Mersey. A member of Wavertree Swimming Club, he also coached police boxing and swimming teams. Clarke's bravery earned him several medals and plaques commemorating his life-saving feats are displayed at Eldonian Village Hall and Liverpool Aquatics Centre. The Museum of Liverpool showcases his silver chain adorned with medals and a certificate from the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society for rescuing a man from West Waterloo Dock in 1911. Kay Jones, lead curator at the museum, remarked on Clarke's lasting impact: "James Clarke left an incredible legacy on the city that is still visible today." The mural by artist John Culshaw is part of Mandela8’s initiative to honor community role models. Sonia Bassey MBE of Mandela8 praised Clarke as "a true local hero." Clarke’s descendants expressed gratitude for this tribute, highlighting his resilience against racism: "His story was one of strength and perseverance."
Score (96)
Bride's Heartwarming Video of Dad's Sweet Text After Wedding Goes Viral with 6.5 Million Views
A heartwarming text message from a father to his daughter has captured the internet's attention, gathering 6.5 million views on TikTok. Just one day after her wedding, Dana Jesscari received a touching reminder from her father that he would always be there for her. The New Jersey native shared that the text wasn't unexpected. "I wasn’t surprised," Jesscari told PEOPLE. "My dad has always been somebody to do everything that he said — pick me up and be there for me." This reassuring message came just after she embarked on a new chapter in her life, reminding her of their enduring bond. In the viral video, Jesscari posted a screenshot of her dad’s message: “Remember not to be shy about calling me if you need me to pick you up at the train station or anything else. First ask your husband and if he can’t, ask me. OK?” In her caption, Jesscari expressed plans to frame the message as a reminder of his unwavering support. Jesscari and her father have maintained a strong relationship over the years. They speak almost daily, sharing conversations on topics ranging from history to travel plans. "I miss my parents more now than I thought I would," she confessed. The widespread attention from the video brought out various reactions in the comments section. Many viewers reflected on their own relationships with their parents, sparking discussions about family dynamics. Some shared sentiments of wishing for stronger connections with their fathers but feeling unsure how to initiate change. While acknowledging that familial relationships can be intricate, Jesscari encourages others not to hesitate when reaching out for support. “Don’t have any regrets," she advised. "Try to pursue that friendship versus parent-to-child and have them be needed in your life." For Jesscari’s father, being involved is a rewarding experience. "They want to feel needed because every time I need something, I feel like my parents’ eyes light up 'cause they're like, 'Oh, I get to be involved!'” she added.
Score (97)
Athens is Embracing Urban Beekeeping With Rooftop Hives, Boosting Honey Production
High above Athens, among the concrete rooftops and apartment terraces, a quiet movement is taking shape — one that hums with life. Perched on buildings with sweeping views of the Parthenon, 37-year-old Nikos Chatzilias spends his days tending to more than a million bees. What started as a personal project to make better honey has turned into a full-fledged passion — and a growing community of urban beekeepers across Greece’s capital. “I saw that it worked really well for the hives. For us, the daily contact with the bees brought us a lot of joy, and that’s why we continued,” he said. This summer alone, Chatzilias managed 30 hives spread across seven rooftops around Athens. Together, his bees produced about 500 kilograms of honey — roughly the weight of a large brown bear. Each jar is labeled by neighbourhood, and each neighbourhood’s honey tastes slightly different, depending on its mix of eucalyptus, acacia, bitter orange, or pine. Urban beekeeping isn’t new to Athens. Decades ago, many Greek families brought hives with them when they moved from rural villages to the city. But this new generation of beekeepers is doing it with purpose — not out of necessity, but as a way to reconnect with nature and strengthen local ecosystems. Chatzilias says he was always a heavy honey consumer, eating it with bread and tea every morning and using it in place of sugar in desserts. Dissatisfied with store-bought honey, he took up beekeeping classes in 2020 and turned professional soon after. Now, his rooftop colonies — including one with a view of the Acropolis — serve as both a livelihood and a statement about the potential for urban sustainability. One of his newer recruits, Aggelina Chatzistavrou, was first drawn to bees while studying at university. “I really liked the idea of having my own,” she said from her rooftop overlooking Athens. “If everyone could have a hive in an open space at their home, I believe it would change our environment in a big way.” But not everyone is as eager to share their building with thousands of bees. “There are fears along the lines of, ‘They might sting me, my children, my dog. What if I’m allergic?’” Chatzilias said. “For city people — because they have been cut off from nature for so many years — even something natural that happens can provoke fear.” The work itself isn’t easy. Hives can weigh more than 20 kilograms each, and hauling them up narrow staircases to rooftops each spring — and down again before winter — is grueling. Still, the rewards are sweet. Athens, with its year-round blooms of pollinator-friendly plants, offers a surprisingly fertile home for bees. Unlike in many cities, the mild climate allows Chatzilias to experiment with leaving his hives in place all year instead of moving them seasonally. “Even with a chaotic urban environment that we’ve created, nature, or whatever remains of it in the city, still responds and can give life,” he said. For Chatzilias and others, that’s the point. Amid Athens’ traffic and noise, their hives are proof that even a sprawling city can still buzz with the rhythms of the natural world, one rooftop at a time.
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Score (97)
A 70-Year-Old Marine Biologist is Leading Coral Reef Restoration Efforts in Colombia
At 70 years old, Colombian marine biologist Elvira Alvarado still dives into the Caribbean Sea with the same passion she had nearly half a century ago. She still remembers her first glimpse of a coral reef. “Everything was alive. And it was green and bright orange. And there were fishes. And there were huge things. And they were corals. It was astonishing,” she says. “Can you imagine paradise? It’s paradise.” For decades, Alvarado has fought to keep that paradise alive. Known as “the mother of Colombian corals,” she has dedicated her life to rescuing coral reefs off Colombia’s Caribbean coast, where pollution, disease, and rising ocean temperatures have wiped out more than half the coral since the 1970s. “I saw them dying. I saw them turning white,” she says from the island of San Andrés, where once-vibrant reefs have turned ghostly pale. Coral reefs are essential ecosystems. They provide shelter and food for about 4,000 fish species, protect coastlines from erosion, and attract divers and tourists who sustain local economies. But coral bleaching, a stress response triggered by overheated water, is devastating these habitats. “The coral are still alive, but when they are bleached and are not feeding, they start to get weaker and weaker,” explains marine biologist Juliana Vanegas, one of Alvarado’s colleagues. “And if that lasts for enough time the coral die, basically of starvation.” To help, Alvarado and her team of about a dozen divers are using an unconventional tool — in-vitro fertilization. The method, pioneered by Australian scientist Peter Harrison, involves collecting coral eggs and sperm, fertilizing them in a lab, and then transplanting the baby coral back into the ocean. Alvarado has become Colombia’s most passionate advocate for the approach. “We can’t stop what is happening,” she says, referring to climate change and the deadly Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease spreading across the Caribbean. “But we can try to replace coral that’s dying.” Her journey began in the 1960s, when as a young girl living in the United States she became fascinated by TV shows like Sea Hunt and Flipper. The ocean called to her, and when she returned to Colombia, she became one of the country’s first female marine biologists focused on coral reefs. Along the way, she met her childhood idol, ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau. “We sat down, and he was talking to me. It was a dream,” she recalls. Alvarado’s early research focused on sharks and cancer, but as coral started to vanish, she shifted her focus to reef restoration. She learned to free dive to depths of 22 meters and began experimenting with growing coral in nurseries. Timing is everything for her team. Coral spawn only once a year, about a week after the full moon, giving them just a few nights to collect eggs and sperm. On San Andrés, Alvarado leads dives to gather the material using nets and tubes placed around selected coral. One night, she surfaces with nothing. The next, she spots movement in the water and shouts with joy: “They’ve spawned!” She hurries to a small lab where she and her team mix the eggs and sperm in plastic tubs of seawater. Under the microscope, the fertilized coral look like tiny raspberries. The baby coral will spend up to a year in seaside nurseries before being transplanted to reefs. By selecting coral that have survived higher temperatures, Alvarado hopes to breed hardier generations capable of withstanding the planet’s warming oceans. “The trick,” she says, “is to regenerate coral faster than they die.” She knows the reefs will never look as they did when she first dove beneath the surface in the 1970s, but she’s optimistic. “We will have reefs that are resistant to the warming conditions,” she says. Beyond her scientific work, Alvarado has inspired a generation of Colombian marine biologists, many of them women. “She’s a very inspiring woman,” says María Fernanda Maya, who heads the Blue Indigo Foundation. “She’s the mother of coral in Colombia.” For Alvarado, that may be her greatest legacy. “When I started this, we were just three people — two students and me,” she says. “And look what we’ve got now. This will continue even after I’m dead. That’s the good thing.”
Score (96)
Why Students are Restoring an Ancient Egyptian Mummy At the University Of Lincoln
A piece of ancient history is getting a modern touch-up at the University of Lincoln. A 2,300-year-old Egyptian mummy known as Pa-Sheri has been brought to the UK for some much-needed restoration work. This mummified man has been part of the Derby Museums collection since at least 1859, after being transported from Egypt to Britain during the 19th century. X-rays revealed that Pa-Sheri experienced significant damage when he was previously unwrapped and examined. The museum's findings showed his head, pelvis, and parts of his limbs were removed. His arm bones were even rearranged into his chest cavity before his outer wrappings were reattached to conceal the damage. Ella Maude, a conservator who recently completed a graduate diploma in conservation studies, remarked on the Victorian-era fascination with such artifacts: "We don't know if it was for scientific study or there are occasionally these things called mummy unwrapping parties where it was almost for entertainment." Maude and her fellow student Ella Monteiro have been working on preserving Pa-Sheri since July, under the guidance of a senior technician. They are part of a conservation project funded by the Pilgrim Trust. Their approach focuses on minimal intervention rather than attempting to restore Pa-Sheri to an imagined original state. Pa-Sheri lived around 300 BCE during Egypt's Ptolemaic period and is encased in a cartonnage—a painted funeral mask made from plastered layers of fiber. The intricate artwork suggests that he held high social standing in ancient Luxor. Monteiro described him as "absolutely stunning," noting the hieroglyphics, illustrations, and vibrant colors that adorn his cartonnage. The students have strengthened flaking plaster and paint layers while cleaning fragile surfaces and replacing aged supports beneath Pa-Sheri’s mask. "He's very well painted," Monteiro added with admiration. Once their work wraps up this week, Pa-Sheri will return to Derby Museums. He'll be featured alongside another mummy, Pypyu, in a new exhibition exploring how Egyptian artifacts ended up in British museums like Derby's. Monteiro emphasized the importance of discussing these cultural objects' histories: "It's really important to talk about some of the objects that get brought to the UK through colonialism and occupation. Sometimes they are poorly treated here and it's important to talk about this history."
Score (97)
This Non-profit Just Gifted an Adaptive Home To an Amputee Veteran In Idaho
Christopher Byers, a former U.S. Army Staff Sergeant, now has a new adaptive home in Idaho Falls thanks to the nonprofit Homes for Our Troops. This comes after Byers lost both legs below the knee from an improvised explosive device while on his third deployment in Afghanistan. The explosion also resulted in a traumatic brain injury and tinnitus. The road to recovery was challenging. After months spent relearning how to walk, Christopher managed to maintain an active lifestyle with his five children in Idaho. However, he often relied on prosthetics for daily tasks, which caused scars and blisters. Homes for Our Troops stepped in after learning about Christopher's story. They built him a specially adapted home that boasts over 40 accessibility features, including two wheelchair-accessible bathrooms and an accessible kitchen. During the welcoming ceremony on September 27, Christopher shared some humor about his military experience. "I made it about two months in, and then my time got cut short. That’s an amputee joke," he quipped. Christopher reflected on moving to Idaho during the pandemic when people initially viewed him as an outsider from Washington. However, within six months, he felt welcomed by new neighbors and friends. Speaking at the event, Cindy Baptiste from Homes for Our Troops emphasized their commitment to veterans like Christopher. "They sacrificed their freedom and independence when they served in a dangerous part of the world for our freedom and independence," she said. Mark Byers, Christopher's father and fellow veteran, highlighted how much this new home means to his son. Living in a traditional house had its challenges—steps, narrow halls, tricky entryways—and no garage meant dealing with snow and ice without a wheelchair during winter. "Because it was easier to wear his prosthetics to get things done," Mark explained, "this often led to painful sores." The adaptive home will significantly enhance Christopher's quality of life indoors and outdoors. Mark praised Homes for Our Troops as being driven and supportive in helping veterans achieve a better standard of living.
Score (95)
Space Startup Plans To Deliver Cargo Anywhere On Earth In One Hour
In a bid to reimagine global delivery, California-based startup Inversion Space has unveiled a spacecraft designed to bring cargo from space back to Earth in under 60 minutes. The vehicle, called Arc, was introduced this week as the company’s flagship reusable space delivery capsule. At 1.2 meters wide and 2.4 meters tall, Arc is a compact, autonomous spacecraft that can carry up to 225 kilograms of cargo and survive hypersonic reentry. Inversion says the vehicle is part of a broader plan to deploy a constellation of cargo capsules parked in low Earth orbit, ready to drop to Earth at a moment’s notice. The company’s vision is bold: deliver mission-critical supplies from orbit to anywhere on the planet in less time than it takes to order a pizza. “Our first spacecraft, Ray, has completed its mission on-orbit — serving as an extremely successful testbed for validating key technologies despite not attempting re-entry,” the company said. Ray, launched in January as part of SpaceX’s Transporter-12 mission, suffered a propulsion issue in orbit that prevented its deorbit engine from igniting. Still, Inversion is confident. Arc builds on the Ray mission with improved hardware, including a deorbit engine, autonomous guidance systems, and a maneuverable parachute designed to steer the capsule back to Earth safely. It’s designed to remain in orbit for up to five years, ready to deploy when needed. Once activated, Arc would ignite its engine to slow down, reenter the atmosphere at hypersonic speeds, and land using parachutes. Inversion says this allows the vehicle to reach even remote or infrastructure-poor locations quickly. The target market is clear: military logistics. In a post on X, the company said, “Arc reshapes defense readiness by enabling access to anywhere on Earth in under an hour — allowing for the rapid delivery of mission-critical cargo and effects to austere, infrastructure-limited, or denied environments.” The goal is to make space not just a place to send things, but a place to keep them — until they’re needed on Earth. Inversion hopes the U.S. military sees value in this model, especially for delivering urgent supplies in areas where conventional delivery is too slow or impossible. Founded in 2021, Inversion is still a small outfit, with just 25 team members and an in-house approach to engineering. The company says nearly all systems on Ray were built internally. Despite its size, it plans to scale fast, aiming to build hundreds of Arc vehicles annually and establish a full constellation by 2028. The next big milestone is getting Arc into space. Inversion is targeting a launch before the end of 2026. If successful, it could be the start of a new kind of logistics — one that begins in orbit and ends wherever you need it.
Score (97)
Microchip Reunites California Dog With Owner After a 2,000-Mile Journey
When Opie, a 5-year-old corgi-shepherd mix, bolted from his California home during a summer storm, his owner feared she’d never see him again. Two months and more than 2,000 miles later, she got a phone call she could hardly believe — Opie had been found wandering outside Chicago. On Sept. 28, police in Itasca, Illinois, picked up the small, scruffy dog after spotting him near the edge of town. His collar identified him by another name, confusing officers at first, said Laura Flamion, administrator for DuPage County Animal Services. But when they scanned his microchip, the real story came out. The chip traced back to his owner in California, who was stunned when the microchip company called her. “She thought she was being pranked,” Flamion told the Los Angeles Times. “It didn’t make any sense to her that her dog could’ve ended up in Illinois.” Once the shock wore off, Opie’s owner wasted no time. Within two days, she was on the road, driving halfway across the country to pick him up. By Oct. 1, the two were reunited at DuPage County Animal Services — a happy ending to a journey no one can fully explain. “She wasted no time,” Flamion said. “I spoke to her and she made it as far as South Dakota; she’s driving back.” Exactly how Opie got from California to Illinois remains a mystery. His owner last spotted him near a gas station shortly after he ran off in July. Flamion suspects someone may have picked him up and carried him east before he escaped or was let go. What’s certain, though, is that Opie’s microchip made all the difference. “It’s a perfect reminder to keep your pet’s microchip information up to date,” Flamion said. “That’s what brought Opie home.” Now, after his cross-country odyssey, Opie is heading back to California — this time safely buckled in the car beside his owner, watching the miles roll by on his long trip home.
Score (98)
Tortoise Miraculously Survives Recycling Ordeal, Reunites With Owner
Rupert the tortoise has quite the survival story to tell. The adventurous pet was “miraculously” reunited with his owner after accidentally being put out with the recycling in Guernsey — and somehow making it through part of the sorting process completely unharmed. According to the Guernsey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA), Rupert’s ordeal began when he crawled into a recycling bag and was unknowingly collected with bottles and cans headed for Mayside Recycling. Unaware of their unexpected passenger, staff began processing the load before spotting the small tortoise moving among the materials. Fortunately, Rupert was quickly rescued and taken to the GSPCA shelter for care and observation. “We’ve seen many unusual rescues over the years, but Rupert’s story is truly remarkable,” said Steve Byrne, GSPCA manager. “It’s a miracle he came through the recycling process without injury. We’re thrilled to be sending him back to his loving owner.” After a full check-up and a few days of rest, Rupert was cleared to return home. The GSPCA shared the good news, saying his recovery was a testament to both his resilience and the sharp eyes of the recycling staff who spotted him in time. Byrne added that Rupert’s case serves as a reminder of how easily curious pets can wander into trouble. “We are always looking for loving homes for animals,” he said. “If you’re thinking about adopting, please visit our shelter or fill out an online adoption form — and always keep an eye on your pets.” The GSPCA thanked everyone involved in Rupert’s rescue, calling his safe return “a story of luck, teamwork, and one very tough tortoise.”
Score (96)
Paralympian Bride Stuns Wedding Guests by Walking Down Aisle Using Crutches
When Paralympian Suzanna Hext walked down the aisle this summer, her wedding guests couldn’t believe their eyes. The 37-year-old athlete from Cornwall, who has used a wheelchair since a horse-riding accident in 2012 left her paralysed, secretly trained for months to make the journey to the altar on crutches. Even her mother didn’t know what she was planning. “She almost passed out,” Hext said, laughing. “Everyone cheered when I reached the end — their reaction was incredible. It was a moment I will treasure forever.” Hext married her partner Gareth in July at the picturesque village church in St Just-in-Roseland. Six months pregnant at the time, she made the walk with her father by her side, using a combination of fixed-leg splints, crutches, and sheer upper-body strength. “As soon as we got engaged, I told Gareth I really wanted to be upright in some way whilst going down the aisle with my dad,” she said. “Having no feeling or functional movement from the waist down, I had to practise and practise, and I had quite a lot of help from the team at the hospital I attend.” The video she later shared on social media shows her determination paying off — each step greeted with gasps, applause, and tears. “It was the most perfect day,” Hext said. “I didn’t want it to end.” Born and raised in Cornwall, Hext’s life changed instantly when a horse she was training reared up and fell on top of her. The accident left her with severe injuries to her spine, head, pelvis, and shoulder. After years of recovery and rehabilitation, she found hope watching the 2012 Paralympics. That moment reignited her competitive spirit. Hext went on to win medals as a para equestrian before turning to swimming in 2017, where she quickly became a world champion. Now living in Calne, Wiltshire, Hext is also deaf and uses cochlear implants. Her hearing dog, Kimmy, whom she credits with “transforming” her life, had pride of place at the wedding. Between her athletic triumphs and her emotional walk down the aisle, Hext’s story is one of relentless courage — and love that quite literally lifted her to her feet.
Score (97)
Witness The Northern Lights In These 8 States Tonight
Skywatchers, get ready to look up this weekend as the northern lights are set to make another appearance. This stunning natural display, known as the aurora borealis, is caused by geomagnetic storms. These storms occur when charged particles from the sun interact with gases in Earth's atmosphere, creating waves of colorful light in the sky. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts that tonight’s auroral activity will have a Kp index of four on a scale from zero to nine. This means the lights might be visible as far south as southern Minnesota, near its border with Iowa. Recent solar activity, including minor geomagnetic storms and high-speed solar winds, has disrupted Earth's magnetic field, enhancing the visibility of this celestial event. According to NOAA's three-day forecast, auroral activity should continue through this evening and into the weekend. However, expect it to diminish by Sunday night with a Kp index dropping slightly over three for both Saturday and Sunday. Residents of Canada and Alaska will have prime viewing conditions after sunset. Meanwhile, states like Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Maine could also catch a glimpse of this spectacle. For those eager to see the northern lights firsthand, focus your attention on the northern horizon. The darker your surroundings are, the better your chances of seeing the vibrant colors emerge from what may initially seem like a faint glow. You don't need any sophisticated equipment; just find an open area away from city lights for optimal viewing. If you want to capture these magical moments on camera using your smartphone or more advanced photography gear like a DSLR or mirrorless camera is possible. Switch your smartphone to Night Mode before aiming at the sky. For those with professional cameras—use a tripod and shoot in manual mode for clear shots.