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Score (96)
Ed Sheeran's Surprise Gig is Shining a Spotlight on Young Talent
Ed Sheeran delighted fans with a surprise outdoor performance in Sheffield on Sunday, joining forces with TikTok star DJ AG to support TRACKS, an initiative aimed at helping young people enter the music industry. The Halifax-born singer-songwriter's appearance follows his February announcement that his foundation would fund TRACKS for three years. Young performers shared the stage with Sheeran and expressed hope that this opportunity would boost their budding careers. DJ AG, known for attracting big names to his spontaneous shows announced via social media, emphasized the importance of providing a platform for emerging talent. "It's not about me," he said. "I'm just a facilitator showcasing talent." The event also marked the release of TRACKS' new single, "Spotlight," featuring seven students from the program. Performers Max, 16, and Jayden, 13, were thrilled to be part of the experience. "It was insane," Max said. Jayden added that performing alongside established artists felt rewarding. TRACKS is a collaboration between Sheffield Music School and Sheffield Music Hub. The Ed Sheeran Foundation's funding will support youth programs in the area. Louis Barclay, TRACKS' music facilitator, noted that Sheeran's visit inspired him to back their mission. Kim Simpson, an onlooker who has followed Sheeran since his busking days, praised the event for spotlighting northern talent and engaging young musicians in Sheffield’s scene. Busker Blue Bax credited Sheeran as his inspiration for picking up guitar and loop pedal skills. "When I found out about this," he said excitedly, "I immediately rushed over." Sheffield City Council leader Tom Hunt described the three-hour gig as a testament to the city's vibrant musical heritage and potential future stars.
Score (98)
The World's First Bladder Transplant is Giving This Cancer Survivor a New Hope
In a groundbreaking medical achievement, U.S. surgeons have successfully performed the world's first human bladder transplant. The complex eight-hour procedure took place on May 4, 2025, involving the transplantation of a kidney and bladder from an organ donor into a patient who had lost these organs to kidney disease and cancer. "The kidney immediately made a large volume of urine, and the patient's kidney function improved immediately," said Dr. Nima Nassiri, a urologist at the University of California, Los Angeles. "There was no need for any dialysis after surgery, and the urine drained properly into the new bladder." The patient regained normal urination shortly after surgery—a milestone he hadn't achieved in seven years. "This surgery is a historic moment in medicine," said Dr. Inderbir Gill from the University of Southern California. "It stands to impact how we manage carefully selected patients with highly symptomatic 'terminal' bladders that are no longer functioning." Previously, patients with severely impaired bladders had limited options, often resorting to using part of their intestines as a substitute—a method fraught with complications in 80% of cases. Bladder transplants have been notoriously difficult due to the organ's complex blood vessel system deep within the abdomen. The medical team spent over four years preparing for this surgery by practicing robot-aided transplants on deceased donors still on ventilators. The recipient, Oscar Larrainzar, 41, had been dependent on dialysis for seven years after losing his kidneys and most of his bladder. Surgeons simplified the procedure by connecting some veins and arteries before implanting the donor organ. "Despite the complexity of the case, everything went according to plan," Gill noted. "The patient is doing well." Four more surgeries are planned as part of an ongoing clinical trial. If successful, larger trials may follow.
Score (98)
Every Student from This Black High School Was Accepted into College Again
Southland College Prep Charter High School in Richton Park, Illinois, celebrated a remarkable milestone as the entire Class of 2025 secured college acceptances and amassed over $50 million in scholarships. The annual “All In” celebration on May 9 highlighted the achievements of the 145-member class. In a surprise announcement, four seniors received scholarships from the Kwarteng Family Foundation. The foundation was established by sisters Sandra, Lisa, Amy, and Esther Kwarteng to honor their father, Alex. The sisters are all pursuing careers in healthcare and awarded $10,000 in scholarships to graduates of their alma mater. “Our family is a living example,” said Sandra Kwarteng. “You can do it.” The scholarship recipients include Kehinde Sowemimo (Yale University), Itohan Salami (Washington University), Dhayra Gomez (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign), and Terri Mensah (Carleton College). Sowemimo also serves as Southland’s Class of 2025 valedictorian. Dr. Alex Kwarteng encouraged students to “give back” during an emotional speech at the ceremony. In addition to these honors, three Southland seniors were accepted into five Ivy League schools: Brown University, Cornell University, Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, and Yale University. Ten seniors received full-ride scholarships to California Polytechnic State University—San Luis Obispo through a growing partnership with the school. Forty percent of Southland’s Class of 2025 were offered full-ride scholarships by colleges and universities nationwide. Two students earned more than $750,000 in scholarships through the QuestBridge National College Match Program. “Admissions to top schools are important,” said Robert Lane, Director of College Admissions. “But equally important is that every student finds a school that is right for them.”
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Score (93)
Keanu Reeves Just Surprised a Local U.K. Pub With an Unexpected Visit
Keanu Reeves, known for his down-to-earth demeanor and kindness, recently surprised staff at The Robin Hood pub in Tring, Hertfordshire. The Hollywood star, famous for roles in "The Matrix" and "John Wick," visited the quaint market town about 30 miles outside of London over a weekend in 2023. The pub's employees were taken aback when Reeves walked through their doors. Chef Scott Valentine, 18, was particularly nervous about cooking for such a high-profile guest. However, Reeves put everyone at ease with his graciousness. "He came to the bar and ordered a beer (Seafarers Ale) and just walked over to the corner," Laura Rolfe told The Mirror. "He ordered fish and chips and Nat's shepherd's pie." Valentine shared his initial apprehension with the BBC but noted that Reeves was appreciative of the meal. "It was a bit worrying because I had to cook for him, but we took it out to him and he said thank you and was really nice," Valentine said. “He came into the kitchen, shook our hands and said the food was lovely." The Robin Hood staff posted a photo on Facebook featuring Valentine alongside Reeves. “What a lovely man he was too,” they wrote. While it's unclear why Reeves visited Tring, speculation suggests he may have been working on a Disney Plus docuseries about Formula 1 racing. In 2022, it was announced that Reeves would produce a documentary about Jenson Button’s victory for Brawn GP in 2009. Reeves continues to work on various projects including upcoming sequels in the "John Wick" series and an Amazon MGM romance thriller with Sandra Bullock. Reeves' visit left everyone with warm memories of his humility—a testament to how small gestures can leave lasting impressions.
Score (98)
Blind Mom And Her Guide Dog Graduate College With Honors
Amanda Juetten, a 47-year-old mother from Tennessee, recently achieved a significant milestone by graduating magna cum laude from Tennessee Tech University. Despite being completely blind due to retinitis pigmentosa, Juetten crossed the stage with her guide dog, Colonel, by her side. Juetten's journey to higher education began nearly three decades ago but was postponed when she became a mother right after high school. After years of progressive vision loss, she found herself without the skills needed for total blindness. Determined to regain independence, she enrolled in an eight-month program at the Colorado Center for the Blind. "I thought, ‘I know blind parents make their kids’ lunches. I know blind parents go to PTA meetings. I can do this,’" Juetten said. With newfound confidence and adaptive techniques, Juetten returned to college in 2022 to pursue a degree in professional studies with a concentration in organizational leadership. She praised her instructors for their support and accessibility efforts. "The instructors were asking, ‘What are your needs? How can I make this accessible to you?’ They have been fantastic," she said. Now graduated, Juetten is advocating for greater acceptance and understanding of blindness. She plans to pursue further education in blindness rehabilitation and aims to offer services in assistive technology and Braille. "The blind need a voice," Juetten emphasized. "I want to help give people the skills to find their voice." Juetten actively participates in advocacy work and serves on the board of the National Federation of the Blind of Tennessee. Her message is clear: "You still have the same hopes and dreams... So let's find a way to do that.
Score (97)
Heroic Teamwork Saved This Curious Kitten From a Cellar Adventure
A curious kitten named William found himself at the center of a week-long rescue operation in Wisbech, England, after getting trapped in a blocked cellar. The five-month-old black kitten was first heard on May 9 behind a William Hill bookmaker shop, sparking an extensive rescue effort involving drainage companies, the fire service, the RSPCA, and concerned locals. Residents took to social media to express their worries and attempted to coax the kitten out. However, it wasn't until several drainage companies—Dyno-Rod, DALROD Cambridge, and JW Drainage Services—joined forces that progress was made. They used cameras to locate William within the ventilation pipes. Despite multiple visits from Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, freeing William proved challenging. "The kitten managed to find itself in such an awkward position that even our animal rescue equipment couldn't reach it," said a fire service spokesperson. The RSPCA described the mission as "far more complex than anyone expected." With no clear map of where the pipes led, nearby cellars were searched extensively. Eventually, it was discovered that William had ventured into an old cellar beneath the shop—a space unknown until then. After gaining permission from the shop owner to dig up part of the floor and reveal a trap door to the cellar, rescuers faced another hurdle when William darted into a wall cavity. RSPCA animal rescue officer John Woods expressed gratitude for everyone's efforts: "It's actually been so heart-warming how everyone has pulled together for rescuing William." Now safe at an RSPCA branch in Norfolk and recovering well despite being thin from his ordeal, William will eventually be rehomed.
Score (95)
Discover The Largest Anglo-Saxon Gold Coin Hoard Found Yet
A remarkable treasure trove of 7th-century gold coins has found a new home at the Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery in Norfolk, England. This collection, believed to be the largest of its kind discovered in Britain, consists of 129 coins featuring 118 different designs from 51 European mints. Unearthed by two metal detectorists in a west Norfolk field between 2014 and 2020, the hoard primarily contains Frankish tremisses. These coins were minted in the Merovingian Frankish kingdoms—regions that now encompass modern-day France, Germany, Switzerland, and the Low Countries. They are among the first coins produced in Europe following the fall of the Roman Empire and predate Anglo-Saxon England's initial gold coinage. The acquisition was made possible through funding from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, the Art Fund, and The Wolfson Foundation. Charles Bingham-Newland, chair of Friends of Norwich Museums, emphasized its significance: "The hoard will add immeasurably to our knowledge of the Anglo-Saxon period." This find is one of only eight such hoards known across Europe and marks just the third discovery within the United Kingdom. Dr. Tim Pestell, senior curator at Norwich Castle, noted its importance: "This internationally significant find reflects...the early Kingdom of East Anglia." The display coincides with the reopening of Norwich Castle's Anglo-Saxon and Viking Gallery after extensive renovations. By housing these coins at Norwich Castle Museum, they remain accessible for both researchers and visitors alike.
Score (95)
Pacers Star Haliburton Invites Heckled Fan to Game 4 in Indiana
A dedicated Indiana Pacers fan, Hans Perez, found himself in an unexpected spotlight after enduring a rough encounter on the streets of New York City. While proudly wearing a Tyrese Haliburton jersey, Perez was pelted with bags of garbage and heckled by a crowd of Knicks fans celebrating their team's recent victory over the Boston Celtics. Perez, who is also a firefighter and has been a lifelong supporter of the Pacers—evidenced by his wrist tattoo—shared his experience on "The Pat McAfee Show" Monday afternoon. During the show, he received an unexpected surprise from none other than Haliburton himself. "Everybody in our organization wants to make sure you're taken care of," Haliburton said via video call from Indianapolis. "All the team's excited to meet you. It's all we've been talking about." In response to the viral clip showing Perez's ordeal, Haliburton extended an invitation for him and a guest to attend Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals in Indianapolis next Tuesday. "I'm pretty sure we can work something out," Perez said regarding getting time off work for the game. He expressed gratitude towards Haliburton and ended with an enthusiastic "Let's Go Pacers" chant.
Score (98)
Fusion Lab Shatters Record, Doubling 2022 Energy Milestone
The National Ignition Facility (NIF) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is making waves in the world of nuclear fusion. Recently, it achieved a significant milestone by breaking its own energy yield records, according to TechCrunch. The facility managed to push its fusion yield first to 5.2 megajoules and then to an impressive 8.6 megajoules, more than doubling the energy released during its historic shot in 2022. This achievement marks a pivotal moment in fusion research, as NIF became the first facility to achieve "ignition"—a fusion reaction that generated more energy (3.15 megajoules) than the lasers put into the fuel (2.05 megajoules). Although this does not account for the 300 megajoules needed from external power sources, it highlights nuclear fusion's potential as a carbon-free and limitless energy source. Jill Hruby, under secretary for nuclear security, described it as “the first tentative steps towards a clean energy source that could revolutionize the world.” Despite these advancements, challenges remain in scaling up this technology for practical use. The NIF uses inertial confinement fusion with 192 laser beams compressing a tiny pellet to create star-like conditions inside a vacuum chamber. While experts acknowledge hurdles remain before achieving sustainable clean energy from this method, other teams are exploring magnetic confinement techniques. Fusion has long been seen as perpetually out of reach—“always 30 years away”—but recent progress suggests that perception may be changing. As global demand for clean energy solutions grows, breakthroughs like those at NIF offer hope for future developments in this promising field.
Score (94)
Experts Use 'Trojan' Strategy To Rescue Rare Species From Extinction
A rare trout species native to Colorado is making a remarkable comeback, thanks to an innovative strategy known as "Trojan trout." Efforts to restore the green lineage cutthroat trout, a rare subspecies of the Colorado River cutthroat, are showing promising results, according to Denver Water. These fish have been in decline since the mid-1800s due to human activities such as mining and logging. Invasive brook trout also outcompeted native cutthroats. At one point, fewer than 40 were counted in streams. However, a collaborative project involving Denver Water, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and the U.S. Forest Service has more than tripled those numbers. Recent counts show over 1,400 cutthroats in creeks due to years of electrofishing—a method that stuns and removes invasive fish—and dam upgrades designed to block brook trout from swimming upstream. A new method being tried for the first time in Colorado involves introducing "Trojan trout," or fish that only produce male offspring. Biologists believe this technique could naturally eliminate brook trout without harming other species. Restoring native fish like the cutthroat trout helps maintain ecosystem balance. Unlike invasive brook trout, native green lineage cutthroat evolved with an important role in local ecosystems. Losing them could disrupt food chains and impact water quality and local communities. Conservationists will continue efforts using electrofishing and "Trojan trout" while monitoring populations. Broader initiatives include restoring threatened species like bison and seabirds near Madagascar. "We're excited to be able to help out with this effort to protect the cutthroat trout," said Jason Marks, an environmental planner at Denver Water. "This project is a great example of how multiple agencies can work together.
Score (96)
Are Dogs The Unsung Heroes in Disease Detection Breakthrough?
In a groundbreaking study, scientists have discovered that dogs may hold the key to understanding valley fever, a fungal infection affecting both canines and humans in the Western United States. Valley fever, or Coccidioidomycosis, is caused by inhaling spores from the Coccidioides fungus found in moist soils across parts of the U.S., Mexico, and Central and South America. Dogs are particularly susceptible due to their digging habits, but other mammals like cattle and horses can also contract the disease. According to the University of Arizona, dogs account for most animal cases. Researchers at the University of California, Davis analyzed data from 834,899 dog blood tests over a decade. Their findings revealed that 91.5% of positive cases were in Arizona, with smaller percentages in California and other Western states. The study was published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases. Jane Sykes, lead author of the UC Davis study, emphasized monitoring non-endemic states for potential under-recognition of this emerging disease in humans. "We should be closely watching those states," she told Sierra Sun Times. Symptoms vary among individuals but can include fatigue and respiratory issues. Severe cases may lead to long-term lung problems. "Dogs are sentinels for human infections," Sykes noted. Environmental factors like droughts and heavy rainfall exacerbate valley fever risks by dispersing fungal spores into the air. Raising awareness about valley fever is crucial for reducing its impact on public health. By studying canine cases, scientists hope to better protect humans from this growing threat.