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Meet the Teen Who Just Became the Youngest to Run the London Marathon Barefoot
Cameron Jacobs, an 18-year-old from Salisbury, England, has set a new Guinness World Record as the youngest person to complete the London Marathon barefoot. On April 27, Cameron crossed the finish line in four hours and 31 minutes, accompanied by his mother, Polly Jacobs, a general practitioner who has been battling long COVID. The duo ran to support the National Orchestra for All, which has played a significant role in Cameron's life over the past seven years. Despite facing challenges with autism, Tourette's syndrome, and ADHD, Cameron found solace in music and running. "Music and running are two things that have always helped him," Polly said. To achieve this record-breaking feat, Cameron had to complete the marathon within five hours. He not only met this requirement but also raised £8,000 for charity. Remarkably, his feet emerged unscathed—no cuts or blisters—after running 26.2 miles on London's streets. Polly shared their strategy: "We started in the very last wave with people expected to finish nearer the seven-hour mark." She emphasized her role as a support runner rather than a competitor: "I was there as his support runner – there was nothing about it being a race for me." Cameron's journey began when he asked his father if he could run one kilometer barefoot; after being told no, he immediately ran two kilometers instead. This determination led him to apply for the Guinness World Record. Following their marathon success and meeting with His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh in May to discuss his achievements, Cameron plans to continue running with shoes, for now. The family remains grateful for the support from both the National Orchestra for All and Help for Heroes charities. Polly said, "I am so proud of him... The National Orchestra for All has really helped us as a family."
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His 42-Year Journey at NASA Changed How We See the Universe
Wade Sisler spent over four decades at NASA, where he became a key figure in science storytelling. Starting as a student photographer at Ames Research Center in California, he eventually took on the role of executive producer at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland. His career was marked by a knack for translating complex scientific data into compelling visual narratives. Sisler saw the potential of videography early on. “The fidelity of the story you could tell with pictures through video was so impactful,” he said. He transitioned from still photography to video, which allowed him to convey the awe of space missions more effectively. During the 1980s and 1990s, Sisler worked on various projects that communicated intricate research through short documentaries and educational broadcasts. One memorable assignment involved working with astronaut Mae Jemison on how frog embryos develop in microgravity aboard the space shuttle. As Sisler moved to NASA Headquarters, he helped revamp NASA TV, shifting its focus from purely mission-related content to newsworthy stories that captured public interest. A pilot project featuring the Hubble Space Telescope's images of the Eagle Nebula proved wildly successful, as it was used thousands of times across media outlets. At Goddard Space Flight Center, Sisler collaborated with scientists and artists to transform abstract data into stunning visualizations and animations. His team achieved significant success with an El Niño visualization in 1998 that enhanced public understanding of the climate phenomenon. These efforts made scientific concepts accessible and engaging for wider audiences. Sisler also played a pivotal role in forming creative partnerships that introduced NASA science into cultural arenas. Through "Cosmic Cycles," a collaboration with the National Philharmonic, he helped pair music from a live symphony with high-resolution NASA imagery, creating an experience that resonated both emotionally and intellectually. In recent years, Sisler supported projects like "Beyond the Light," an art show developed with ARTECHOUSE and James Webb Space Telescope communications lead Laura Betz. This initiative turned cutting-edge astrophysics into an immersive sensory experience within gallery spaces. Despite his many achievements, Sisler's proudest accomplishment is his work with interns at NASA Goddard’s Office of Communications. “The thing that stays with me most is seeing where our former interns have landed,” he noted. Many have gone on to lead their programs within NASA or contribute to science literacy beyond the agency. Sisler began his own career journey as an intern while studying journalism at Baylor University in Texas. His passion for visual storytelling led him to refine his skills at Rochester Institute of Technology before returning to NASA Ames. Throughout his tenure, Sisler focused on empowering others by providing mentorship and opportunities for creative freedom. As he put it: “All the interesting stuff happens at the intersections of people’s passions.”
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A Secluded Welsh Island Fort Transformed Into a Luxury Off-Grid Haven is Now Up For Sale
If seclusion is what you’re after, Thorne Island might just be the ultimate escape. Three nautical miles off the coast of Pembrokeshire in west Wales, the 2.49-acre private island is home to a fully restored 19th-century fort — and it has just been listed for sale with offers invited over £3 million ($4 million), according to Strutt & Parker. The Grade II-listed fort, originally built between 1852 and 1854 to guard against a possible Napoleonic invasion, once housed 100 soldiers. Today, it blends historic military architecture with modern luxury, sleeping up to 20 guests across five plush bedrooms, and offering features like a sea-view office, grand dining rooms, sheltered terraces, a rooftop bar, a games room, and even a helipad. Over the years, the fort’s role shifted from defense to hospitality, serving as both a hotel and a private residence. Its current owner, British tech entrepreneur Mike Conner, bought it in 2017 for £500,000 ($670,000) after spotting a YouTube video about the property. At the time, the building had no windows, no utilities, and was waterlogged. “I underestimated a lot of things,” Conner told CNN, citing the sheer challenge of installing basics like flushing toilets. The restoration required four years of work, with builders living on-site in the original barracks. Getting materials to the island was a feat in itself — 350 helicopter trips over two days were needed to ferry in everything from topsoil to heating equipment. Sandblasting the stone walls alone took six months, and moisture trapped in the granite caused flooding during early works. The £2 million-plus ($2.7 million) overhaul included £300,000 ($400,000) in renewable energy systems, solar panels, battery storage, and a biodigester, making the fort entirely off-grid. The design also ensures it can withstand the harsh salt air and storm-force winds of the Celtic Sea. Conner, who has a background in industrial design, calls the project “a healthy mid-life crisis” and now sees it as ideal for luxury retreats, celebrations, or anyone wanting complete isolation. “I’ve enjoyed the journey,” he said, “and I think I would like to find another basket case.”
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Score (96)
Victoria Mboko Shocks the Tennis World: From Unranked to Canadian Open Champion at 18
Victoria Mboko made an unforgettable mark at the Canadian Open in Montreal, turning heads with a victory that few saw coming. The 18-year-old tennis player from Canada emerged victorious against four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka in her first WTA Tour final. Until this event, she didn’t even have a photo on the Women’s Tennis Association website. Mboko's win was hard-earned. She came back from a set down to defeat Osaka 2-6, 6-4, 6-1. Her path to the title wasn't easy; it involved defeating three other former Grand Slam champions: Elena Rybakina, Coco Gauff, and Sofia Kenin. This achievement makes her the first Canadian to beat three Grand Slam champions in a single WTA Tour event during the Open Era. Her semifinal match against Rybakina was particularly intense. Mboko saved a match point and took a medical timeout due to a wrist injury before pulling off a remarkable 1-6, 7-5, 7-6(4) comeback win. With this victory, she became only the third wild card to reach the Canadian Open women's final since Monica Seles in 1995 and Simona Halep in 2015. Starting the year ranked No. 333 globally, Mboko will see her ranking skyrocket to No. 34 after this tournament. Earlier experiences include reaching her first final at the Parma Open, a WTA 125 event where she finished as runner-up. “This past two weeks have been insane,” Mboko told Reuters after her thrilling run in Montreal. "Even getting the wild card to play here … I was super happy to be playing in Montreal for the first time ever." Born on August 26, 2006, in North Carolina to parents from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mboko moved to Toronto as a child. She picked up tennis at age three thanks to her older siblings who also played. Her family remains an essential support system; she often looks for them in the stands when she's feeling nervous during matches. Sloane Stephens, winner of the US Open in 2017, sees great potential in Mboko's future prospects. Speaking with CNN Sports about seeing Mboko at this year’s French Open, Stephens said: “I want her to have all the resources she possibly can to be the best player she can be." Mboko’s strong mentality is evident both on and off the court. “I’ve been in situations where the score was tight and I kind of panicked a little bit," she admitted regarding her semifinal performance. "But I really wanted to calm myself down and just forget about last point and always focus on next.”
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Mystery Solved: Long-Lost Portrait of WWI Canadian Nurse Just Found Its Way Home
For years, a striking portrait of a young woman in a Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service uniform left historians in North Bay, Ont., guessing at her identity. Now, the mystery has been solved: she was Christena Clinton Gordon, a First World War nurse from Callander, Ont., who cared for wounded soldiers in Western Europe. “Whether they’re soldiers or nurses, they were people who dedicated their lives to serving our country,” said Natasha Wiatr, curator of the Callander Bay Heritage Museum. The painting once hung in the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #23 in North Bay before being put into storage. During a cleanup in the early 2000s, it resurfaced in poor condition. The only clue was a handwritten note on the back reading, “Toronto, Canada, May 1917.” No name, no signature. Restoration work in Ottawa and inquiries with the Canadian War Museum failed to solve the puzzle. The breakthrough came in 2008, when then-museum curator Carol Pretty noticed the uniform in the painting matched one in the museum’s own collection. By comparing it to historical photos, she confirmed the subject was Gordon. Gordon joined the Canadian Army Medical Corps in 1916, serving in hospitals in England and France until the war ended. She returned home and, in 1921, married Ken Morrison, Callander’s reeve. The Legion donated the portrait to the museum, where it now hangs alongside Gordon’s uniform and wartime photographs. “It’s giving a voice and a name and a face to somebody who dedicated part of their life to serving our country overseas,” Wiatr said. “We’re able to give it a home.” “It’s only natural that it should return home,” added Legion First Vice-President Sandra Harkness.
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Elephant Road Trip: Inside the Epic Journey of Karishma and Beth's New Beginning
Two Asian elephants have made a cross-country move as part of a major conservation breeding effort for the endangered species. Karishma, 26, and her nine-year-old daughter Elizabeth, known as Beth, left Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire for a new home at Chester Zoo in Cheshire, England. The transfer took months of preparation and involved keepers, vets, two specially equipped lorries, a 100-tonne-capacity crane, and a team of animal transport specialists. Stefan Groeneveld, section manager for elephants at Whipsnade Zoo, said cooperation between zoos is “integral to keeping a strong and healthy insurance population for animals at risk of extinction in the wild.” Asian elephant numbers are falling due to habitat loss, degradation, and poaching for ivory. The elephants travelled in custom-built, 10-tonne crates designed for comfort, with air conditioning and CCTV so drivers could monitor them during the four-hour journey. The convoy was accompanied by two of Whipsnade’s elephant keepers. Before departure, both animals were given a full health check to ensure they were fit for travel. For staff at Whipsnade, it was an emotional farewell. “It was a bittersweet day for all of the elephant keepers here when we said farewell to two of our elephants, Beth and Karishma,” Groeneveld said. “Karishma arrived at Whipsnade Zoo just over 20 years ago, and she and her daughter Beth, named after HM Queen Elizabeth II, have been much-loved members of our herd.” Whipsnade’s remaining herd — male Ming Jung, females Kaylee, Lucha, and Donna, and calf Nang Phaya — will continue contributing to the breeding programme from Bedfordshire.
Score (96)
From Pom-Poms to Pastures: Cheerleading Teen Heads to Nationals for... Sheep Judging?
Depending on the day, Tiffany Maestrale might be standing in a sheep pen sizing up a prize ram or balancing atop a human pyramid. The 17-year-old from Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula has been cheerleading for years, competing across Australia and overseas. But growing up around horses and cattle also gave her a lasting connection with animals. “We had horses and a couple of cows too, so animals have always been part of my life,” she said. Her interest in sheep began only two years ago, when she volunteered at the Pakenham agricultural show. She started out helping with ribbons and emceeing, then joined the show’s board. Her high school, Flinders Christian Community College, sealed the deal — her parents encouraged her to attend because it had a sheep show team. “I’ve ended up captaining the team for the past three years,” she said. Farm manager Tess Runting remembers meeting Tiffany as “a petite year 7 student” and being there when she helped deliver her first lamb — “something many adults never do.” Now Tiffany is mentoring other students and is part of a growing group of young female sheep judges. Cheerleading and sheep judging may seem worlds apart, but Tiffany sees parallels. As a flyer — the one thrown into the air — she’s learned about teamwork and trust. In the ring, she said, sheep “have such different personalities, so to get them to work you need to bring a clear head and calm energy.” Next month, Tiffany will compete in Adelaide at the National Young Judges Championships, representing Victoria in merino sheep and fleece judging. Agricultural Shows Australia executive officer Katie Stanley said the competitions are about more than ribbons. “They connect young people directly with the agricultural industry and help us identify the next generation of judges and leaders,” she said, adding that young women are increasingly visible in the field. “They bring fresh perspectives, strong communication skills, and confidence to everything they do.” Tiffany admits she’s less familiar with merinos but is studying hard with guidance from Runting. For her mentor, the championships are a “golden opportunity.” “Honestly, it’s pretty nerve-racking … but we’re all cheering Tiff on,” Runting said.
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From The Rolling Stones to Cardi B: Discover the College Venue That's Hosted Legends for 50 Years
On a quiet street in New Haven, tucked between Yale University buildings, a pizza place, and an ice cream shop, Toad’s Place doesn’t look like the kind of venue that’s hosted music royalty. But inside its modest two-story building, the walls tell a different story — covered in paintings and signed photos of the legends who have played there over the past 50 years. The list is staggering: The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, U2, The Ramones, Johnny Cash, Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Cardi B, B.B. King, Willie Dixon, Dizzy Gillespie, and dozens more. For a club with standing room for about 1,000 people, it’s a history most arenas would envy. Owner Brian Phelps, 71, started as the club’s manager in 1976. “I thought it would be good for a few years and then I’d be out doing something else,” he said. “And then the thing started to happen when some of the big bands started to come here.” Toad’s began in 1975 as a French restaurant opened by Mike Spoerndle, who later pivoted to music, dancing, and beer when the restaurant struggled. A Tuesday night promotion with bands and 25-cent beers drew students in, and soon the bookings began to grow. One of the early performers was Michael Bolotin — later known to the world as Michael Bolton. A turning point came in 1977, when Spoerndle met concert promoter Jim Koplik, who began bringing big-name acts to the small stage. That connection led to countless moments of music history — including Springsteen dropping in to play after a full show at the New Haven Coliseum, Billy Joel recording part of Songs in the Attic there in 1980, and a young U2 playing three times before breaking big. Then there was the night in August 1989 when a $3.01 ticket promised only a local band and a birthday party for Koplik. Midway through the night, the crowd of 700 got a shock: “Please welcome the Rolling Stones!” Mick Jagger told the packed room they’d been rehearsing for their tour and wanted to play a small club. “It was amazing!” said local musician Doug Steinschneider, who managed to catch a glimpse through a side door. Months later, Bob Dylan’s team reached out about a warmup gig. The 1990 show sold out in 18 minutes and turned into Dylan’s longest known performance — more than four hours. Over the decades, Toad’s became a crossroads for every genre. Rap shows have been some of its biggest draws, from Public Enemy and Naughty by Nature in the early ’90s to Kanye West with John Legend in 2004, Drake in 2009, and Snoop Dogg in the 2010s. Phelps, who bought the club in 1998, says the key to staying alive has been diversity: “When you have all these things, all ages, all different styles of music, and you have some dance parties to fill in where you need them… it brings enough capital in so that you can stay in business and keep moving forward.” For young local musicians, playing Toad’s means stepping onto a stage where history is literally in the air. At a recent battle of the bands, Rook Bazinet, 22, of the Hartford-based emo group Nor Fork, thought of the acts his parents had seen there — including his mom’s ’90s-era Phish show. “Me, the Stones and Bob Dylan,” he said. “I’m glad to be on that list.”
Score (96)
An Asthma Drug is Showing Promise in Preventing Food Allergy Reactions
Scientists have identified a potential new way to stop life-threatening allergic reactions before they start — and the answer may lie in a drug already on the market for asthma. Two studies published Thursday in Science describe a previously unknown biological pathway in the gut that appears to drive some symptoms of food allergies, along with evidence that the asthma drug zileuton can block this pathway in mice, preventing anaphylaxis in most cases. The first study found that a gene called DPEP1 helps regulate the release of leukotrienes in the gut. These molecules are known for triggering asthma attacks, but the new research shows they also control how many intact proteins from food cross from the gut into the bloodstream — a key step in allergic reactions. In the second study, researchers gave zileuton, which blocks leukotrienes, to peanut-allergic mice before exposing them to peanuts. The result: 95 percent of treated mice showed no signs of anaphylaxis. “If so, this could provide a treatment to prevent anaphylaxis,” said Northwestern University immunologists Adam James Williams and Stephanie Eisenbarth, who co-authored the work. Anaphylaxis is a severe and sometimes fatal allergic reaction that can occur within minutes of exposure to a trigger food. According to the 2022 U.S. Trans Survey, around 30 percent of transgender people — and a significant number of the general population — experience the effects of food allergies, though not all are life-threatening. Scientists have long puzzled over why some people with the same allergy test results develop anaphylaxis while others do not. Zileuton is already prescribed for long-term asthma control, which means its safety profile is well understood. However, the researchers caution that it is not a cure for food allergies. If human trials now under way confirm its effectiveness, the drug could potentially be taken before high-risk situations — such as eating in restaurants or traveling — to reduce the risk of severe reactions. “There are a lot of other exciting questions, like whether this pathway is regulated by things in our environment, such as changes in the microbiome induced by diet,” Williams and Eisenbarth said. If early results hold up in people, the work could lead to the first widely available medication designed to prevent anaphylaxis before it happens.
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How India's Female Skaters Are Flipping Patriarchy on Its Head
and in hand, skateboards under their arms, Asha Gond and Puti walk toward the park not just as skaters, but as symbols of a quiet revolution rolling across India. In a country where public space and freedom of movement are still contested for many women, Gond and her peers are carving out room for something new—on four wheels. Their story, and the wider rise of female skateboarding in India, is at the heart of Shred the Patriarchy, a photo series by Italian photographer Chantal Pinzi that just won the Sports category at the 2025 Sony World Photography Awards. “Against prejudice and threats, some women have rebelled, balancing on a board and transforming skateboarding into a form of resistance against the patriarchy,” said Pinzi. The series captures a community that’s defying expectations in a country where female skaters remain a rarity, and in many areas, a novelty. But Gond, now one of the most recognisable faces in India’s skateboarding scene, has never let that stop her. In 2018, she was the only woman to represent India at the World Skateboarding Championship in Nanjing, China. Her journey began in the rural village of Janwaar, Madhya Pradesh—an unlikely birthplace for a skating movement. But it was there that the construction of a skatepark transformed the community. What started as a patch of concrete quickly became a place of freedom and possibility, especially for girls like Gond. Pinzi's images document that transformation. More than just snapshots of ollies and kickflips, they show women taking up space, falling and getting back up, pushing back—literally—against deeply entrenched social norms. “Through the art of falling and getting back up, these women challenge stereotypes, fight marginalisation and reclaim public spaces in both urban and rural areas,” said Pinzi. The project is as much about resistance as it is about celebration. In a sport still male-dominated even in the West, Indian female skaters are pushing through extra layers of stigma, tradition, and limitation. And they're doing it together. The movement is still young, but it’s growing. From small villages to city corners, girls are skating through barriers one ride at a time—led by pioneers like Gond, captured in images that speak louder than words ever could.
Score (98)
No Kid Hungry: New York City Public Schools Are Distributing Free Summer Meals Across All 5 Boroughs
This summer, New York City Public Schools are making sure no child goes hungry. Teaming up with No Kid Hungry New York, they’re serving free meals throughout the city's five boroughs. From parks to pools, libraries to food trucks, these meals will be available at around 1,000 locations. Rachel Sabella, director of No Kid Hungry New York, explained the initiative's focus on both nutrition and taste. “One of the things the New York City public school does is they taste test items. So if kids don't like it, it doesn't go on the menu,” she said. This means offerings range from cheese sandwiches to chicken pasta. Haffen Park in the Baychester section of the Bronx is one such location where a food truck will provide breakfast and lunch seven days a week. The aim is simple: make sure kids have access to nutritious meals that help them grow stronger and perform better academically. “When kids have access to nutritious meals, they grow up stronger. They have higher attendance rates. They do better in school,” Sabella stated. She emphasized No Kid Hungry’s excitement about partnering with NYC schools to bring this program to every community.