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."

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German Woman Returns Ancient Relic to Greece After 50 Years: "Never Too Late to Do the Right Thing"

A German woman who stole the top of an ancient column from Olympia more than half a century ago has returned it to Greece, the country’s culture ministry announced on Saturday. The artifact — the capital of a limestone column measuring about 23 centimeters (nine inches) high and 33.5 centimeters (13 inches) wide — was taken decades ago from the Leonidaion, a 4th-century BCE guesthouse that once hosted VIP visitors to the ancient Olympic Games. In a statement, Greece’s culture ministry praised the woman’s “sensitivity and courage” in coming forward. “Motivated by the recent return of important antiquities from the University of Muenster to their countries of origin, she decided to hand it over to the university, with whose valuable contribution it returned to Greece and Ancient Olympia,” the ministry said. The handover took place Friday and marks the third artifact returned to Greece by the University of Muenster in recent years. In 2019, the university returned a twin-handled wine cup that had belonged to a champion of the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896. In 2024, it sent back a Roman-era marble head that had been taken from a cemetery in Thessaloniki. “This is a particularly moving moment,” said Giorgos Didaskalou, a senior official at the Greek culture ministry. “This act proves that culture and history know no borders but require cooperation, responsibility, and mutual respect.” Torben Schreiber, curator of the University of Muenster’s archaeological museum, added: “It is never too late to do the right thing, the moral and the just.” Greece has been steadily working to reclaim its cultural heritage through diplomacy rather than litigation. Its most prominent effort remains the campaign to secure the return of the Parthenon Marbles, which have been housed in the British Museum since the 19th century. For now, Greece is celebrating another small but meaningful victory — one that began with an act of personal conscience and ended with a piece of ancient Olympia finally going home.

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How Medieval Castles in Europe Are Being Transformed Into Sustainable Tourism Strongholds

Two centuries-old castles in Croatia’s Istrian region are getting a new lease on life — proving that historic preservation can go hand in hand with sustainable tourism and local job creation. In the small village of Svetvinčenat, the Morosini-Grimani Castle stands as one of the best-preserved Renaissance fortresses in Istria. Once abandoned, it now welcomes around 45,000 visitors a year and employs a dozen staff during the high season. Its restored stone walls now host everything from escape-room games and weddings to culinary tastings, concerts, and medieval-themed nights. The surrounding grounds are also used for local markets and traditional games, giving the castle a role at the center of community life once again. “The castle was here before us and we need to make sure that it remains after us,” said Matija Ljuba, the castle’s creative development manager. “And this is something that we talk about to all the guests who come here: to have fun and enjoy it, but to respect every stone.” Ljuba says sustainability is at the heart of every event and program. “When we plan events or programmes for groups, we take special care to make them sustainable,” he said. Morosini-Grimani is one of two sites renovated under the KulTERRA project, an EU-funded initiative aimed at reviving Istria’s cultural landmarks. With a budget of €3 million — 85% of it covered by the European Cohesion Policy — the project focuses on restoring historic fortresses while strengthening local economies through tourism and cultural programming. The second site, Petrapilosa Fortress, dates back to the 10th century and sits high above the village of Buzet. Its remote setting once made it a formidable stronghold — but today, that isolation poses challenges. “Perhaps in history, this isolation provided an advantage as a strategic defence position. However, today it is very, very inaccessible terrain,” said Matija Nezić, the castle’s cultural and artistic coordinator. “We don’t have good enough roads to organise bigger tour groups coming by bus as then it really becomes a problem. We are working to improve the situation.” Despite the hurdles, Petrapilosa now attracts visitors for treasure hunts, poetry readings, meditation workshops, and jazz and rock concerts — a creative mix of past and present that draws people back to the region. For archaeologist Josip Višnjić, who studied and helped restore Petrapilosa, the project highlights why cultural heritage must stay active to survive. “When we’ve restored the structures that are still preserved, if they are not in use, then soon after we will have problems again, because the structures will again collapse or be destroyed,” said Višnjić, who also teaches at the Juraj Dobrila University of Pula. “So, when you have a space that is in a condition like here in Petrapilosa, it really attracts people.” He believes that by bringing visitors back into these spaces, communities are encouraged to value and protect their history. “It’s very important that visitors start to appreciate what they have more and to think about how to preserve this heritage,” he said. Led by the Svetvinčenat Municipality in collaboration with 11 public, private, and civil partners, the KulTERRA project has done more than preserve two castles. It has turned them into living monuments — places where Istria’s history, creativity, and community spirit continue to thrive.

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Why a Walk in the Park Really Does Clear Your Head

If you’ve ever felt mentally lighter after a walk in the park, science says you’re onto something. A growing body of research shows that spending time outdoors boosts focus, memory, and mental clarity — and it works even if you don’t consider yourself a nature lover. The phenomenon first grabbed scientists’ attention in 2008, when 38 University of Michigan students were split into two groups. One walked 2.8 miles through a quiet arboretum, while the other took the same route along busy city streets. A week later, they swapped environments. Both groups showed cognitive improvement, but the nature walkers outperformed the urban group by a wide margin, with memory and attention scores rising nearly 20 percent. Follow-up studies confirmed what many people already suspected: time in green spaces helps our brains recover from fatigue. “You didn’t even need to like or enjoy the nature walk to get these cognitive benefits,” said Marc Berman, a psychology professor at the University of Chicago and author of Nature and the Mind. His work builds on what’s called attention restoration theory — the idea that our ability to concentrate is finite, and that natural settings gently recharge it by engaging the mind in a “softly fascinating” way. Newer research is beginning to explain what’s happening inside our heads. A 2024 study from the University of Utah, led by Amy McDonnell, used brainwave tracking to measure how people’s brains respond to time outdoors. “The brain came back online more efficient and stronger than ever after exposure to nature,” McDonnell said, noting that participants’ brain activity dipped into a calmer rhythm during their walks, then rebounded with sharper focus afterward. Exactly why this happens remains an open question. Some scientists point to the visual complexity of leaves and light, which keeps the eyes engaged without overstimulating the mind. Others suspect it’s the quiet, the scent of trees, or simply the absence of screens and traffic. Whatever the mechanism, experts agree that the outdoors gives our brains a kind of rest that city streets can’t match. And the benefits go beyond the mind. Green spaces can cool neighbourhoods by providing shade, reduce pollution, and even support biodiversity by welcoming pollinators. In turn, those environmental effects improve public health — lowering rates of stress-related illness and promoting cleaner air. “We’ve already seen similar studies suggest that nature is beneficial for our health, whether it’s lowering our risk of disease or improving our gut biome,” said Gloria Mark, a professor of informatics at UC Irvine. “Something about walking in nature is benefiting our attention.” So next time your brain feels foggy, skip the caffeine and head outside. You don’t need hiking boots or a scenic overlook — a few trees, a park bench, and a short stroll might be all it takes to bring your mind back online, calmer and clearer than before.

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Lego MRI Scanner Sets are Helping Reduce Anxiety In Children Undergoing Medical Treatment

In the fall of 2023, just two months after his mother finished her battle with breast cancer, 13-year-old Sam Lane began to get sick. After several rounds of testing, doctors delivered news no one wanted to hear: Sam had a rare brain and spine cancer. “They said ‘cancer,’ and before I started crying, I said, ‘Dang it, I was going to guess that, but I didn’t want it to be that bad,’” Sam recalled. At his lowest point — intubated and unable to walk — a nurse at Boston Children’s Hospital offered Sam something unexpected: a small Lego project that would help other young patients. She handed him a box containing a Lego MRI scanner set and asked for his help building it. The toy, designed to help children understand MRI procedures through play, features a miniature scanner, a patient bed that moves back and forth, and tiny medical instruments. The idea is to make an intimidating experience less frightening by turning it into something kids can touch and explore. Sam took the task seriously. “I remember sitting there saying to him, ‘Sammy, why don’t you take a break? You’ve been working at that straight for some time,’” said his mother, Christina Lane. “And he just didn’t even look at me and was like, ‘Nope, this is important... I need to help other kids.’” That set, now displayed at the hospital, is helping children prepare for their own scans — something Sam knows all too well can be scary. “An MRI machine, that’s not something that kids are seeing in school, that’s not what they’re talking about at home,” said child life specialist Laura Boegler. “Using the MRI Lego set, we’re able to show kids in a way that’s comfortable for them.” Lego, which doesn’t sell the sets commercially, has donated more than 10,000 of them to hospitals around the world. The company recently announced that over 1 million children have used the kits to learn about MRIs. A study by Lego found that 96% of healthcare professionals said the model helps reduce children’s anxiety, and nearly half reported fewer cases requiring sedation after play sessions. “We often say that play is a universal language,” said Boston Children’s child life specialist Alyssa Sachs. “Being able to touch and ask questions really helps ease anxieties and misconceptions that any kids have.” For Sam, the project did more than just distract him — it gave him purpose during treatment. “To have a little Lego buddy that they can identify with that is going through the same things that they are is really incredible,” his mother said. “As a mom, as a nurse, as a human being, to be able to support our kids during such a challenging and difficult time through play — truly, it’s essential.” Now, over a year cancer-free, Sam says he’s no longer afraid of MRIs. In fact, he has a simple ritual before each one. “I fall asleep,” he said with a smile. The Lego set he built continues to help other kids face what once terrified him — proof that even the smallest bricks can build something powerful: courage.

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This Toronto Teen Completed a 100-Kilometre Charity Walk, Raising Over $45,000

A 13-year-old girl from Toronto has spent her Thanksgiving weekend walking 100 kilometres to support a cause close to her heart — helping homeless and at-risk youth. Evangeline Link began her journey on Friday, trekking from Binbrook, Ontario, to Toronto for her fourth annual “Evangeline Walks” fundraiser. The three-day challenge raises money for Covenant House, Canada’s largest agency serving youth aged 16 to 24 who are homeless, trafficked, or at risk. Since starting the fundraiser at age 10, Evangeline has raised more than $45,000 for the charity — and inspired others to lace up alongside her. “The journey has been good, but it’s been a little hard this morning since it’s the third day in a row,” she told CP24 on Sunday. “The third day is always the hardest because it’s the in-between one. You’ve walked for two days already, but it’s not the last day yet. So you know you still have more to go.” Evangeline said the idea came to her in 2021 after one of her teachers participated in the Ride to Conquer Cancer. “That really inspired me because I wanted to do something beautiful, meaningful for other people too,” she said. Combining her love of walking with her affection for her grandparents, she decided to make the trek from their home to Toronto — and turn it into a fundraiser. At first, her parents, Ryan and Teresita Link, were hesitant about the idea of their 10-year-old daughter walking such a long distance. But once they saw her determination, they came around. In an email, they said they are “extremely proud” of Evangeline, especially for how her example has encouraged others to take part. “In times where we can find ourselves surrounded by negativity, we could all use her motivation to inspire us all,” they wrote. “She wants the youth at Covenant House to have what she knows she already has.” For Evangeline, the long hours of walking are worth it if they can help someone in need. “I did a very big step here and this took a lot of effort,” she said. “But if you don’t necessarily have that energy to do the same thing, then always do what you set your mind to — do what helps other people and what helps you.” As for what’s next, the young philanthropist has no plans to slow down. She said she intends to keep doing her annual walk for as long as she can.

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Florida Bus Driver Rescues Young Boy Walking Barefoot In The Street

A Tampa bus driver is being hailed as a hero after rescuing a barefoot young boy who was wandering alone in traffic. Barbara Baker, a driver with the Hillsborough Transit Authority, was on her usual route on August 31 when she spotted the child — dressed only in pajamas — in the middle of a busy street. “Oh my God, that’s a baby,” Baker recalled to Local 12. “My heart just dropped, and that’s what made me jump off the bus.” She immediately stopped her bus, got out, and carefully approached the boy, speaking softly to reassure him. “When I approached the baby, he looked at me and I said, ‘Come on baby, let me take you to mommy.’ So he let me pick him up,” she said. Baker carried the child to safety and stayed with him until police arrived. Officers began knocking on nearby doors to locate his family while Baker comforted the boy, keeping him calm until he was reunited with his mother. “When the police came, it’s like I almost wanted to cry because I thought about my grandbabies,” Baker said. The Hillsborough Transit Authority praised Baker’s quick thinking and compassion, calling her actions a model of care and professionalism. Community members have echoed that praise, saying her instinctive kindness likely prevented a tragedy. Thanks to her calm, decisive response, a frightened child made it home safely — and Tampa gained another everyday hero behind the wheel.

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This NFL Cheerleader Received a Surprise On-Field Proposal At a Football Game

It was more than just a win for the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday — it was a moment one cheerleader will never forget. During a break in the Colts’ 31–27 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 12, Colts cheerleader Mika was in the middle of a routine when her boyfriend, Spencer, appeared on the field. Wearing a jersey with “Marry Me” printed on the back, he walked through a tunnel of her teammates before dropping to one knee right behind her. The surprise, captured in a video shared by the Colts Cheerleaders’ Instagram page, showed Mika turning around mid-performance and gasping in disbelief. She dropped her pompoms, burst into tears, and fell to her knees before nodding yes. Spencer slipped the ring on her finger as the crowd erupted in cheers. Mika, who has spent four years on the Colts cheer team, then proudly showed off her new ring to the cameras before embracing her now-fiancé. Her fellow cheerleaders surrounded the couple in hugs and applause. “Gonna be a hard routine to beat 💙💍 Congratulations, Mika and Spencer!” the team wrote in the post’s caption. On her own Instagram, Mika called it “the most amazing day made possible by the most amazing people 💍💕.” Her teammates flooded the comments with love. “BEST DAY EVER WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!! even though you’re impossible to keep a secret from lol,” wrote fellow cheerleader MacLaine Funsch. Mika and Spencer have been together nearly two years, celebrating their first anniversary in 2024. Now, after one unforgettable halftime performance, they have another milestone to celebrate — the beginning of their life together.

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Reese Witherspoon Debuts First Novel, Aims To Inspire Young Women In Medicine

Reese Witherspoon is stepping into the literary spotlight with her first novel, "Gone Before Goodbye," written in collaboration with bestselling author Harlan Coben. The book, a thriller about Army combat surgeon Maggie McCabe, hits shelves today. During a panel discussion called "Inside the Writers' Room: Mastering Fearless Storytelling" on October 11 in Los Angeles, Witherspoon shared her motivations behind the project. She expressed hope that her new protagonist might inspire young women to pursue medical careers, similar to how Elle Woods from her "Legally Blonde" films encouraged many to consider law school. In the panel, part of Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine event named Shine Away, she explained why she’s not overly concerned about critical reception. "I'm less worried about critics," she said. "I really don't care about their thoughts, feelings or opinions because half of the stuff I've done is not well reviewed. But it means something." Her goal for the book is clear. "My biggest goal for this book is to make as many little girls as possible want to be surgeons as Elle Woods did for lawyers," she stated. Witherspoon reflected on the challenges of coauthoring a novel despite having a solid idea during the pandemic. She realized early on that she needed a partner who excelled at storytelling in novel form. Enter Harlan Coben. Initially hesitant about collaborating on novels, Coben was intrigued after hearing Witherspoon’s concept. He recalled his initial reaction: "Oh damn, that's good." The partnership resulted in a finished book and an audiobook featuring Witherspoon as Maggie McCabe alongside actor Chris Pine. Drawing inspiration from family ties in medicine, Witherspoon shared personal stories from her childhood on military bases surrounded by medical professionals—her father was a surgeon in the U.S. Army and her mother was a nurse. "Gone Before Goodbye" promises intrigue and suspense with its release just around the corner and is currently available for preorder everywhere books are sold.

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Scientists are Turning Coffee And Plastic Waste Into Eco-Friendly Carbon Capture Technology

What starts as a cup of coffee and a discarded plastic bottle could soon become a weapon against climate change. Scientists in the United Arab Emirates have patented a new technology that transforms used coffee grounds and plastic waste into a carbon-capturing material capable of trapping industrial CO₂ emissions before they reach the atmosphere. The process, developed by researchers at the University of Sharjah, blends spent coffee grounds with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) — the same plastic used in water bottles — and potassium hydroxide, a strong alkaline compound. When heated to around 600°C, the mixture produces a form of activated carbon with a high capacity to absorb carbon dioxide. “What begins with a Starbucks coffee cup and a discarded plastic water bottle can become a powerful tool in the fight against climate change,” said study leader Dr. Haif Aljomard. She called the breakthrough a “waste-to-resource” solution that is both sustainable and cost-effective. Globally, about eight million tons of coffee grounds are thrown away each year, often ending up in landfills where they emit methane and other greenhouse gases. PET plastic, meanwhile, is one of the most common sources of non-biodegradable waste. By repurposing both materials, the new method not only prevents further pollution but also creates a product that actively helps reduce emissions. “This invention repurposes two abundant waste streams — coffee and plastic — into a high-performance adsorbent,” Aljomard said. “The resulting activated carbon shows strong potential for capturing CO₂ from fossil fuel-based energy systems, contributing to the reduction of air pollution.” The patent, filed in March and published in August, outlines a detailed process for producing the activated carbon through chemical activation. Potassium hydroxide enhances the carbon’s surface area and pore structure, increasing its ability to trap gas molecules. According to co-inventor Professor Chaouki Ghenai, the innovation could have “wide-ranging potential” across industries, from gas purification and power generation to water filtration, wastewater treatment, and even swimming pool maintenance. “Transforming spent coffee grounds and plastic waste into high-quality activated carbon offers economic, social, and environmental benefits,” Ghenai said. “Through carbonisation and chemical activation, we eliminate the need to landfill these materials, protecting the environment from their harmful effects.” The researchers believe the technology represents a significant step toward cleaner industrial practices — and a reminder that the everyday waste in our kitchens and recycling bins could help tackle one of the world’s biggest challenges.

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Muppet Lookalike Chicks Just Hatched At Sanctuary in Australia

A pair of fuzzy, wide-eyed Tawny Frogmouth chicks — birds so comical they’re often compared to Muppets — have hatched at Healesville Sanctuary in Victoria, Australia. The two new arrivals are the fourth clutch for devoted parents Tiny and Kermit, who welcomed their chicks just three days apart in September. Keeper Louise Tegg says the pair has settled right back into parenting mode. “Kermit does the bulk of the work during the day,” Tegg explained. “He will sit on the nest, feeding those chicks regularly, and then mom will swap in to take care of the chicks in the afternoon. Then they do regular changeovers at night.” While the bird couple’s teamwork has impressed keepers, sanctuary staff have still had to pitch in. “Tawny Frogmouths are not the most amazing nest builders,” Tegg admitted. “They tend to just throw a few sticks together in a crosshatch and hope for the best. So, we’ve reinforced the nest to keep the chicks nice and safe.” Tiny and Kermit are keeping their fast-growing offspring well-fed with a steady diet of mealworms, cockroaches, and even the occasional Huntsman spider. Regular weight checks help ensure the chicks are developing properly and that their feathers are coming in strong. Known for their perpetually grumpy expressions, Tawny Frogmouths are often mistaken for owls because of their nocturnal habits and camouflage coloring. In reality, they belong to the nightjar family. For now, the chicks are thriving — fuzzy, bug-fed, and already charming everyone who sees them. At Healesville Sanctuary, it seems the next generation of these endearing “feather dusters” is off to a strong start.

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