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Meet Root: The Turtle Who's Rolling Around With Help From Lego Wheels
Root, a wood turtle at the Museum of Natural History in Halifax, is rolling into hearts with his unique set of wheels. Unlike most turtles, Root is missing his right front foot, a condition that has been part of his life for over 20 years since he was brought into captivity by the Natural Resources Department. Heather McKinnon Ramshaw, the museum's animal care specialist, noticed that Root's shell was getting damaged as he moved around. "Because one leg is essentially shorter than the other one, we found that he was kind of clunking his shell down," she said. To prevent further wear on his plastron, or bottom shell, they needed a creative solution. Enter Tessa Biesterfeld, a naturalist interpreter at the museum. Inspired by a Lego exhibit in December, Biesterfeld crafted a platform with wheels using Lego pieces to elevate Root and protect his shell. Initially using medical adhesive tape and bandages to attach wheels proved cumbersome. So Biesterfeld innovated further with a removable dog harness paired with the Lego platform. "We thought that'd be so great because we know it's non-toxic," Biesterfeld explained. The setup allows for easy adjustments as Root grows or if parts need replacement. Root quickly adapted to his new mobility aid and now eagerly anticipates outings around the museum. "Now when I snap his harness on... he's ready to go," Biesterfeld said. Root's journey from Oaklawn Farm Zoo to Shubenacadie Wildlife Park and finally to Halifax has been eventful. His bold personality sometimes caused friction with other turtles, but he now finds himself thriving in his new environment. With wood turtles being a species at risk in Nova Scotia, Root’s presence at the museum is both special and educational for visitors. As McKinnon noted: "We may have him for a while, so we want to make sure
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These Cute Robots are Helping Immunocompromised Children Explore the Edinburgh Zoo
Seven-year-old Riley and five-year-old Josy didn’t need to leave their hospital rooms to see giraffes, meerkats, and penguins up close — they had a robot to do it for them. Both children, currently receiving treatment for cancer and unable to visit public places due to weakened immune systems, were recently treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of Edinburgh Zoo, thanks to a small remote-controlled AV1 robot and the UK charity SpecialEffect. The robot, part of SpecialEffect’s BubbleBusters project, was operated by each child from their home or hospital bed using a secure app on a tablet or phone. Equipped with a camera, microphone, and speaker, the AV1 allowed Riley and Josy to explore the zoo in real-time, speak to zookeepers, ask questions, and control what they saw — all without leaving their rooms. “It becomes the child’s eyes, ears, and voice,” explained the charity. Originally designed to help children attend school remotely during long periods of treatment, the robot proved just as effective at delivering a magical day out. Jaima Smith, community and discovery program officer at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), which operates Edinburgh Zoo, said it was a moment to remember. “Hearing their laughter and excitement as they explored the zoo and connected with our animals was truly heartwarming,” Smith said. “Being able to help create such a special day for these children is a huge part of why we do what we do.” Through the robot, the kids were given exclusive access to some of the zoo’s favorite residents, and learned more about their behavior, conservation, and care. From waddling penguins to towering giraffes, the animals were just a screen tap away. Paige Harvey, gaming community manager at SpecialEffect, said the visit was about much more than animal facts — it was about inclusion. “We were thrilled to be able to bring two of our young BubbleBusters to the zoo via accessible technology, highlighting the importance of inclusion while having fun and engaging in a shared love of the natural world,” Harvey said. “We can’t thank the team at Edinburgh Zoo enough for working with us to help make their dreams come true.” SpecialEffect is a UK-based charity known for helping disabled people access video games through adaptive tech. With the BubbleBusters program, they’re expanding that mission into education and play, ensuring that even the most medically vulnerable children can stay connected to joy, learning, and the wider world. For Riley and Josy, it wasn’t just a virtual visit — it was a chance to be kids again.
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Adorable 'Popcorn Kid' Steals Hearts on Jumbotron at Phoenix Suns Game
Move over, MVPs — there’s a new fan favorite in Phoenix. Three-year-old Sterling, the pint-sized Suns fan who captured America’s heart by eating popcorn bigger than his head on the Jumbotron, made his triumphant return to the arena — and once again stole the spotlight. Sterling first went viral on November 13 during the Suns-Pacers game. Seated courtside with a comically large bucket of popcorn, he was blissfully unaware of his new celebrity status until he glanced up mid-snack, flashed a shy smile, and gave the camera a tiny wave. That moment — pure, simple, and adorable — exploded online. The clip has now been viewed over 50 million times, according to the Suns. On November 21, Sterling was back at the arena for the Suns’ matchup against the Timberwolves — and this time, he was ready. “Look who’s in the house,” flashed across the screen as Sterling appeared on the Jumbotron once more, now equipped with his signature popcorn bucket and a soda nearly as big as he is. The crowd erupted as the announcer welcomed back “the cutie pie who won America’s hearts with a simple smile.” Then came the cherry on top: “Everyone in their section is also getting free popcorn!” the announcer added, sending the crowd into another round of cheers. Sterling didn’t disappoint. This time, he threw a confident wink at the camera, soaking in his encore moment as fans roared with approval. His second game day came with full VIP treatment. In a video posted by the Suns on social media, Sterling is seen getting a custom jersey and a foam finger before heading courtside to catch the pre-game warmups up close. He looked every bit the seasoned pro. His dad, who doesn’t use social media, said they didn’t realize just how viral the moment had gone until friends started texting after their trip. “We went to the game, went on vacation. And on our way home, we started getting text messages,” he said. “My wife had to create a TikTok account just to watch the video.” The flood of attention was unexpected but welcome. “So exciting, I think. Scary. Everything. But he’s been a champ,” he added. “He’s been doing really well with it.” At this point, Sterling might not fully understand his viral fame. But armed with popcorn, a smile, and a wink, he’s already a fan favorite — and a reminder that sometimes, all it takes is a kid and a snack to light up a stadium.
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Virginia Landlord Cancels Rent for the Holidays, Surprising Tenants with a Generous Gift
Twelve families in Portsmouth, Virginia, are heading into the holidays with one less thing to worry about — rent. Travis Johnson, a local landlord and owner of Homebridge Health Care Co., shocked his tenants this season by announcing their rent for both November and December would be completely waived. No strings attached. For Missy Waller, who moved into one of Johnson’s homes just three months ago, the news felt like a miracle. “It was a big relief,” she said. “It was like a bookbag of bricks off my back.” Between paying $1,400 a month in rent and helping her son through college, Waller said the gesture couldn’t have come at a better time. “Decorating and everything during the holidays can get overwhelming, so every dollar matters.” The surprise announcement came on November 13. Johnson, who has been renting homes in the area for the past eight years, said his decision to cover rent was shaped by his own experiences struggling with housing costs in the past. “I’ve been there,” he told KBTX. “And now that I’m in a position to help others, I want to pay it forward.” That motto — pay it forward — isn’t just a personal belief for Johnson. It’s part of the way he runs his business. Homebridge Health Care Co., a home renovation company, encourages everyone connected to it — from clients to employees — to look for ways to give back. And Johnson’s generosity isn’t done yet. At the time of the announcement, he still had six more homes to visit. His plan? Knock on each door himself and personally let his tenants know their December rent is free. For Waller, the gift has allowed her to focus on making her new house feel like a real home. “This just gives me breathing room,” she said. As many families brace for year-end expenses, Johnson’s gesture is a rare and powerful reminder of what a difference one person can make — especially when they show up with compassion, empathy, and an envelope that says “you’re covered.”
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A Granddaughter's TikTok Plea Gives Retired Couple Final Dance at Iconic Tower Ballroom
For Ron and Marilyn Hill, the Tower Ballroom in Blackpool isn’t just a famous venue — it’s where their love story once came to life. And this week, thanks to their granddaughter and the kindness of strangers, they got one final chance to dance together under its dazzling lights. Ron, 82, who lives with Alzheimer’s disease, is preparing to move into a care home. His granddaughter Olivia Watts wanted to give him and Marilyn, 80, one last spin on the ballroom’s iconic sprung floor — a place that holds decades of memories for the couple. She turned to TikTok for help. What she didn’t expect was how far that plea would go. “I was in tears,” Olivia said, watching the pair glide across the floor again. “My heart feels so full right now. It’s really incredible.” BBC Radio Lancashire saw her video and stepped in, contacting Kate Shane, Managing Director of Blackpool Tourism. Shane not only arranged for Ron and Marilyn to have the ballroom to themselves, she also made sure the venue’s resident organist would play live as they danced. The Tower Ballroom is a place Ron and Marilyn know well. During their years running the entertainment at Blackpool’s Empire Hotel, they would often take a break to enjoy a dance there. It was part of their rhythm, their relationship, their story. Marilyn was emotional returning to the floor. “It’s exactly the same and it’s absolutely fabulous,” she said. “It’s a beautiful, beautiful ballroom.” “To dance with Ron again was just wonderful. There are no words for it,” she added. “And this sprung floor is just fabulous.” Ron, ever the showman, smiled: “My wife was a bit nervous to dance, but I pushed her around a bit,” he joked. “This is our place.” And it didn’t stop at dancing. After their turn on the floor, Ron — a former entertainer who no longer plays piano regularly due to his dementia — was invited to sit at the Tower’s legendary Wurlitzer organ. He couldn’t resist. “That really was something,” he said after playing. “I’m really honoured to sit at it, let alone play it.” For Kate Shane, the moment was more than just a kind gesture. “It was special, really special,” she said. “They are a beautiful couple with a beautiful family.” She described the transformation as the music began. “Ron could obviously dance, he plays piano, but he’d forgotten. As soon as the organ started to play, he started to dance. Then he went and played [the organ]. It was still there, and that moment in here it came back.” The visit brought tears, laughter, and a reminder about what really matters. “We should think about that for our friends and relatives,” Shane said. “We just need to be making moments and celebrating people while we still have them.”
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Toddler Becomes First in the World to Receive Gene Therapy for Rare Disease — and It’s Working
Three-year-old Oliver Chu has become the first person in the world with Hunter syndrome to receive a groundbreaking gene therapy — and his recovery is surpassing every expectation. Born in California and diagnosed in April 2024, Oliver was just a toddler when his parents, Ricky and Jingru Chu, learned he had mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPS II), a rare and life-threatening genetic condition that causes progressive damage to the brain and body. His older brother, Skyler, had also been diagnosed with the same disease. “In severe cases, patients typically don’t survive past the age of 20,” said Ricky. “Like anybody, you look it up and you’re like, ‘Oh my goodness, is this what’s going to happen to both my sons?’” But in December, the family connected with a team at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital in the UK, who were preparing a world-first gene therapy trial. They offered Oliver a spot. Despite the emotional strain of splitting the family — Skyler remained in the U.S. to take part in a different clinical trial — the Chus didn’t hesitate. “There are very few times where your child can have a reset on life,” Ricky said. “So if you can give them that chance, then it’s just something you do.” The treatment involved removing Oliver’s stem cells, modifying them in a lab at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, and reinfusing them with a working copy of the faulty gene. The goal: to help his body produce a critical enzyme it was missing. “When those go back to Oliver, they should repopulate his bone marrow and start to produce new white blood cells,” explained Dr. Karen Buckland of the Cell and Gene Therapy Service at GOSH. “Each of these will hopefully start to produce the missing protein in his body.” Oliver received the infusion in February 2025. He was the first of five boys worldwide to undergo the treatment. Now, just months later, he’s thriving. “I’ve been waiting 20 years to see a boy like Ollie doing as well as he is,” said Dr. Simon Jones, one of the trial’s lead researchers. “It’s just so exciting.” Oliver’s parents say the change has been nothing short of life-altering. “Ollie is doing great since having the gene therapy,” said Ricky. “We have seen dramatic improvements, and he continues to grow physically and cognitively. Our hope is that he’ll continue to make his own enzymes and live a normal life without infusions.” “We’re excited for Ollie’s future,” he added. “Seeing the difference for Ollie pre-and post-transplant has made us believers.” Now the family hopes the therapy can be expanded to more children — including Skyler. “My wish upon the star is for Skyler, to be able to get the same treatment,” said Ricky. “It feels like Oliver has got a reset in his life, and I want the same thing for Skyler, even though he’s a bit older.” “Every time we talk about it I want to cry,” Jingru said. “Because it’s just so amazing.” The family says they’re “forever grateful” to the doctors and researchers who gave their son a second chance — and possibly, a full life.
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He Donated His Kidney to the Woman He Comforted 21 Years Ago After Her Son's Death
Two people brought together by a tragic loss have found hope and healing through an extraordinary act of kindness. Tim Swinburn, from Melksham in Wiltshire, first met Clare Brixey in 2004 under the worst of circumstances. Then a family liaison officer with Wiltshire Police, Swinburn had to knock on her door to deliver the devastating news that her 20-year-old son, Ashley, had died in a car crash. At the time, Brixey was already battling kidney failure and relying on dialysis to survive. Despite the heartbreak, the two stayed in touch. Now, more than two decades later, their bond has taken a remarkable turn. When Swinburn learned that Brixey’s transplanted kidney was starting to fail, he offered her one of his own — and insisted on it. “Giving the gift of life, to me it's just a human thing to do,” Swinburn said. “Anyone with a heart would give something to keep someone else alive.” The transplant took place in October at Southmead Hospital in Bristol. The four-hour surgery was successful, and both have since recovered well. Swinburn is back at work as a support worker at The Salvation Army's Swindon Booth House, and Brixey, for the first time in years, has returned to one of her greatest joys: horse-riding. She now calls Swinburn a “man in a million.” “He was my family liaison officer — the person who knocked on my door to tell me my son had been killed in a road traffic collision,” she said. “He was such a compassionate man and very easy to talk to and supportive to our family. We just seemed to gel, and we've been friends for 21 years.” The friendship has deepened over time, with both supporting each other through life’s challenges. “When my first kidney transplant started to fail, he told me, ‘You’re going to have one of mine and I won’t take no as an answer,’” she recalled. Swinburn said the decision wasn’t difficult. “Clare is one of those special people. We've joked over the years we are like siblings,” he said. “She is an amazing friend. Over my life I've had my ups and downs and she's been there for me, and vice versa.” “She kept saying ‘are you sure?’ when I knew she would do the same for me,” he added. “There was no question in my mind. To know she is out there riding her horse again, to see her out there with her granddaughter and daughter — that's the reason I did it.” The pair are now planning to raise funds for transplant-related charities, hoping their story will inspire others to consider living donation — and to support those still waiting for a second chance.
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British Gymnast Lucie Colebeck Breaks Backflipping World Record on London Rooftop
Lucie Colebeck, a former world-class tumbler from Binfield, has flipped her way into the record books — again. The 29-year-old ex-gymnast set a new Guinness World Record by completing 17 standing backflips in just 30 seconds, all while standing on the roof of London’s O2 arena. The previous record for women stood at 14 backflips, but Colebeck cleared it with room to spare. “I love a challenge and I thought, ‘It is only 30 seconds – how bad can it be?’” she said. “Adrenalin just took over and 17 came out of nowhere.” Colebeck, who began her gymnastics career at age eight with Pinewood Gymnastics Club in Wokingham, wasn’t new to world-class feats. She won medals at both the world and European championships in tumbling and later joined Cirque du Soleil as a performer after retiring from competitive sport in 2018. But this stunt — done on a cold, windy day on the curved, exposed roof of one of London’s most iconic venues — was unlike anything she’d done before. “It was actually extremely windy,” she said. “I’ve never really done backflips outside so I didn’t really think about the external factors. I knew it would be really cold and I knew the surface of the O2 would be really firm, but normally I’m used to being on a trampoline or a softer surface.” To prepare, Colebeck trained on pavements to get used to the unforgiving feel of the rooftop. Her original goal? Just 15 flips. This isn't her first brush with Guinness glory either — she previously set the record for most handsprings on a trampoline in 30 seconds. “I think to be able to do a Guinness world record in something that I love, like gymnastics, it is just really incredible,” she said.
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This Moon Sample Just Unlocked a 4.5-Billion-Year-Old Secret, Surprising Scientists
For more than half a century, it sat sealed in a helium-filled chamber — untouched, untested, and largely forgotten. But now, one tiny speck of lunar dust is rewriting what we thought we knew about the Moon’s past — and possibly its origins. The dust, part of a sample collected by Apollo 17 astronauts in 1972, contains a compound called troilite — a mix of iron and sulfur commonly found in space. But what scientists just discovered inside it is anything but common. Using modern mass spectrometry techniques, planetary scientist James Dottin and his team at Brown University analyzed the sulfur isotopes in the troilite. Their findings were unexpected. “My first thought was, ‘Holy shmolies, that can’t be right,’” Dottin said. “So we went back to make sure we had done everything properly, and we had. These are just very surprising results.” Specifically, the sulfur in some grains of the sample showed a bizarre isotopic pattern — an unusually low amount of sulfur-33, unlike anything ever seen in lunar material before. Until now, scientists assumed the Moon’s sulfur makeup closely matched Earth’s. This sample throws that theory into question. “That’s what I expected to see,” Dottin said. “But instead we saw values that are very different from anything we find on Earth.” The anomaly may hold clues that stretch back more than 4.5 billion years — potentially predating the Moon itself. There are two main explanations for the odd sulfur signature. The first is that the troilite formed on the Moon’s surface during its earliest, molten days, when it was covered in a global magma ocean. As the Moon cooled and solidified, sulfur may have evaporated under ultraviolet light, altering its isotopic signature and locking a chemical fingerprint into the rock. But the second possibility is even more dramatic. It could be a remnant from Theia — the Mars-sized body thought to have collided with Earth and helped form the Moon in the violent chaos of the early Solar System. If that’s the case, then the sulfur didn’t just come from the Moon. It came from a whole other planet. If the sulfur did originate on Theia, this would be the first direct physical evidence of leftover planetary material from that ancient crash. It also complicates one of the most widely accepted theories about the Moon’s formation — that it coalesced from a cloud of vaporized debris after the Earth-Theia impact. That kind of process should have evenly mixed all materials. But the strange sulfur signature suggests something else may have happened. “There’s just no way we would expect sulfur to be unevenly distributed if the Moon formed entirely from a big impact cloud,” Dottin said. “This suggests there may be more going on.” There’s also the question of how this ancient sulfur made it from the Moon’s surface down into the mantle, where the sample likely came from. On Earth, plate tectonics can shuffle surface material deep underground. The Moon doesn’t have tectonic plates — or so we thought. “This idea of some kind of exchange mechanism on the early Moon is exciting,” Dottin said. The findings were published in JGR Planets and have sparked renewed interest in Apollo-era samples — many of which were intentionally stored away by NASA for future study with more advanced technology. This particular grain sat undisturbed since the 1970s, waiting for the right tools to unlock its secrets. And it's not just a curious anomaly. It may be a relic of the earliest days of the Solar System — a tiny, dusty breadcrumb leading back to the chaotic birth of Earth, the Moon, and everything else. Solving the full mystery, though, will take more than one sample. Scientists say they’ll need more materials, from the Moon, Mars, and even asteroids, to paint a clearer picture. For now, this single speck of sulfur stands as a reminder that the past — especially the distant, planetary kind — is often hiding in plain sight.
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Caught in a Storm, Canadian Cub Scouts Rescue Stranded Teen Hikers
What started as a weekend camping trip turned into a real-life rescue mission for a group of Cub Scouts in British Columbia’s Golden Ears Provincial Park. Eight young scouts, aged roughly 8 to 10, were hiking the West Canyon Trail on Saturday when they came across an unexpected scene — a washed-out bridge, a rushing river swollen with rain, and three teenagers on the far bank, soaking wet and yelling for help. “They were shouting frantically,” said Luke Lunnin, the Cub Scout leader. “They were cold and clearly not prepared for the weather.” The Cub Scouts, out for a midday hike in the middle of a rainstorm, sprang into action. Lunnin called 911, then worked with the kids to gather supplies from their packs. “We came up with some rations from the kids to give to the guys and just tied it to a rock,” he told CBC News. “Some thermal blankets, hot paws, whatever we had with us, some trail mix.” The kids hurled the bundle across the river to the stranded teens, who wasted no time tearing it open. “They seemed pretty grateful,” said Lunnin. “As soon as they got that stuff, they threw it on and started munching away.” The teenagers, as it turned out, were severely underdressed for the backcountry hike. One of them wore pyjama bottoms. None had rain gear. Their packs were light and their food supplies even lighter. Rick Laing from Ridge Meadows Search and Rescue later said the situation could have taken a much darker turn. “If they had not got a signal out for assistance, they would have had a very cold, cold, uncomfortable night,” he said. “One of them was so cold it’s possible he could have succumbed to hypothermia by the next morning.” The rescued teens were eventually brought to safety after search teams reached them later that day. One of the hikers, 17-year-old Kyle Lee, admitted the group had underestimated the conditions. “We’re just so happy that we found them,” he said of the Cub Scouts. “And then we’re just really grateful that they were there.” The story has become a reminder of how quickly the outdoors can turn dangerous — and how a little preparedness can go a long way. “The weather conditions can change very rapidly,” said Brent Boulet, another search manager with Ridge Meadows SAR. “And when they do, it’s always quite, quite drastic.” Boulet emphasized the importance of carrying the “10 essentials” — items like a flashlight, food, water, first-aid supplies, and extra layers — whenever heading into the backcountry. For Lunnin and his scouts, the experience left a lasting impression. They later visited the search-and-rescue camp and got a behind-the-scenes look at how rescues are coordinated. “It’s not just about being prepared for yourself,” Lunnin said. “You might run across people along the trail, right? So having a little extra supplies couldn’t hurt — and in this case, it definitely didn’t.” It was a rescue born of preparation, quick thinking, and a few brave kids who came through when it mattered most.
Score (98)
Texas Man, 95, Sets Record As Oldest Bus Driver: 'I Don't Have No Desire To Quit'
At 95 years old, Raymond Hager isn’t slowing down. The longtime bus driver from Wichita Falls just became the oldest active driver in the world, according to Guinness World Records. But ask him about retiring, and he’ll give you a smile and a shrug. “I’ve always liked to drive – I still do,” Hager said. “And hopefully I stay safe and drive as long” as his boss and doctor allow. Hager has been driving city buses for Wichita Falls since 1998. Before that, he spent most of his life farming and working as a crop-dusting pilot. But driving’s always been part of his story. He started hauling cotton to a gin at age 14 on his family’s farm, and he never really stopped. “I get more tired at home than I do driving – honestly,” he said in an interview with local news station KFDX. “You know – if I get four or five hours of sleep at night, man, I’m ready to go.” And go he does. Every month, Hager gets a checkup to make sure he’s still fit to drive. So far, he says, his doctor has no complaints. “My doctor tells me I’m good,” he said. “So I don’t have no desire to quit.” That work ethic earned him a formal proclamation from the city on his birthday. On November 18, the same day he turned 95, Wichita Falls officials declared it “Raymond Hager Day.” “I’ll do my best to uphold and do what you’ve said of me,” he told Mayor Tim Short at the ceremony. Short called him “a shining example of lifelong purpose and passion,” and added, “Age is not a limitation – but a testament to experience, wisdom and heart.” Jenny Stevens, who oversees public transportation for the city, led the effort to get Hager’s record officially recognized. After years of service and thousands of safe trips behind the wheel, she said it was time he got the recognition he deserved. On June 1, Guinness World Records certified Hager as the world’s oldest active bus driver. Hager still remembers the moment it all sank in. “I’ve been blessed – a little country boy – to achieve something like that,” he said. He told his grandson it felt surreal. “It’s like I had a good dream. It’s hard for it to soak in yet.” While some might see his story as a symbol of the rising cost of living or a cautionary tale about delayed retirement, many others see it as a reminder that joy can come from doing what you love — for as long as you’re able to. For Hager, the job isn’t just about driving. It’s about people. He says he enjoys chatting with passengers and being out and about far more than sitting around the house. That mix of purpose and routine, he says, is what keeps him going. Asked about retirement, Hager admitted he once thought about it. That’s why the city planned its proclamation for his birthday — it was supposed to be his last day on the job. But then he changed his mind. Now, he’s not making any promises about when that day will come. “I don’t have no desire to quit,” he said. “Not yet.”