Lost at Sea: Girl's Message in a Bottle Finds Its Way Home After 31 Years

A Scottish woman's childhood message in a bottle has found its way back to her after three decades. Alaina Beresford, originally from Portknockie in Moray, Scotland, sent the message when she was just 12 years old. Fast forward 31 years and her note, remarkably preserved, washed up on a small Norwegian island. The story began in 1994 as part of a school project. Alaina popped her hand-written letter into an empty Moray Cup bottle—a fizzy drink popular in north-east Scotland at the time. Her teacher’s husband then dropped it into the ocean during one of his fishing trips. The message read: "Dear finder. My name is Alaina Stephen and I am 12 years of age...When you find this message, please write back with your name, hobbies, where you found the message, when, and if you could, a little information about your area." Recently discovered by Pia Brodtmann from Germany while volunteering for beach clean-up on Lisshelløya near Vega in Norway, the bottle completed its long journey across the North Sea. Pia sent a postcard to Alaina with details of her find. She wrote: "Today I found your message in a bottle...I wonder when and where your teacher's husband threw your bottle in the ocean?" Now living at her parents' original address where the postcard arrived, Alaina expressed disbelief that her letter had survived so well over such a long period. "I couldn't believe it," she said of receiving Pia's postcard. Alaina managed to track down Pia on social media and reached out to verify the contents of her letter. "I was shocked when she did," said Alaina upon seeing how legible her writing remained after all these years. Reflecting on this unexpected connection formed through time and tides, both women are keen to maintain contact. Alaina remarked on their ongoing communication: "Pia and I have been keeping in touch and hopefully we will continue to do so."

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How A 50-Year-Old Space Handshake Continues To Unite Us

On July 17, 1975, two Cold War rivals met not on Earth — but in orbit. At precisely 12:09 p.m. Eastern Time, an American Apollo spacecraft docked with a Soviet Soyuz capsule, marking the first time two crewed spacecraft from different nations had linked up in space. The Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (ASTP), as it became known, was a mission years in the making — and a symbolic turning point in the era’s tense geopolitical climate. “Soyuz and Apollo are shaking hands now!” came the call from mission control, echoed moments later by a real handshake between Soviet commander Alexei Leonov and American astronaut Thomas Stafford. “Very good to see you!” Leonov greeted in Russian. “Very happy, my friend!” Stafford replied, his Russian tinged with an Oklahoma drawl. They were soon joined by cosmonaut Valery Kubasov and astronauts Vance Brand and Deke Slayton. Over the next two days, the five men shared meals, exchanged gifts, and toured each other’s spacecraft, forging camaraderie far above the politics playing out on Earth. A Shared Meal, a Shared Mission For those 44 hours, the Apollo and Soyuz crews operated as one team. They reassembled medallions — half flown on each spacecraft — and signed what was dubbed the “Space Magna Carta,” a formal recognition of their joint mission. They also exchanged symbolic gifts: flags, commemorative plaques, and tree seeds to be planted in each country. A United Nations flag, launched aboard Soyuz and returned to Earth by Apollo, remains on display at UN headquarters in New York. At one point, Leonov handed his American colleagues squeeze tubes labeled "vodka." The contents? Cold beet soup, or borscht. “The best part of a good dinner is not what you eat, but with whom you eat,” Leonov quipped during a joint press conference from space. After a brief separation and redocking to perform a joint solar eclipse observation, the spacecraft eventually parted ways. Soyuz landed in Kazakhstan on July 21. The Apollo capsule splashed down in the Pacific three days later. From Rivalry to Partnership While discussions of follow-up missions were shelved in the years that followed, ASTP planted the seeds for decades of space cooperation. Twenty years later, in 1995, NASA’s shuttle Atlantis docked with Russia’s Mir space station — the first time Americans and Russians reunited in orbit since ASTP. That handshake, between Vladimir Dezhurov and Robert “Hoot” Gibson, launched the Shuttle-Mir program — the foundation of today’s International Space Station (ISS). Since 2000, Americans and Russians have shared the ISS continuously, working together through global upheaval, political disputes, and even war. “It made a really huge impression on me,” NASA astronaut Mike Fincke said this week. He was 8 years old during ASTP and is preparing for his fourth trip to the ISS later this month. “If the Soviet Union and United States can work together in space,” he said, “maybe we can work together here on Earth.”

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Surprising Study Reveals Dogs Might Not Judge Human Behavior as We Thought

In Kyoto, Japan, researchers have been delving into the intriguing question of whether dogs can judge human character. It's a popular belief among dog lovers that if a dog takes to you, you're probably a trustworthy person. But what does science say about this? A recent study aimed to find out. Dogs have long shared a close bond with humans, making them a focal point for research into animal cognition. While some studies show that animals like chimpanzees can assess human behavior through direct interaction or observation, findings on dogs have been inconsistent. At the Wolf Science Center in Austria, earlier research suggested that neither pack-living dogs nor wolves formed reputations of humans after interacting with them directly or indirectly. This might be because these animals had limited experience with humans. A new study has now taken another look at this issue by focusing on pet dogs with more experience around people. Researchers observed 40 pet dogs of various ages to see if they could form reputations of humans based on indirect and direct experiences. They set up an experiment where the dogs watched another dog interact with two people: one who offered food and one who didn't. After observing these interactions, the dogs were given a chance to approach the people themselves. Researchers noted their behaviors, such as which person they approached first and how closely they stayed near each individual. Surprisingly, the results showed no significant preference for the generous person over the selfish one, regardless of the dog's age or previous experiences. Hoi-Lam Jim from Kyoto University noted that "reputation formation may be more complex than previously thought," especially for animals like dogs that often cooperate closely with humans. The findings suggest that forming reputations is not as straightforward for dogs as it may be for other animals. The researchers believe methodological challenges might have influenced their results rather than an actual lack of ability in dogs. For instance, using a simple two-choice test might not fully capture how dogs evaluate human behavior. Jim mentioned that understanding these sociocognitive abilities requires more research across different dog populations and life experiences. Future studies should include a variety of dog types like free-ranging, service, and police dogs to get a broader perspective on how different backgrounds affect their ability to judge humans. While many assume dogs are natural judges of character, this study indicates there's still much we don't understand about our furry friends' perceptions. The study titled "Do dogs form reputations of humans? No effect of age after indirect and direct experience in a food-giving situation" was published in Animal Cognition on June 28, 2025.

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Arsenal Makes History with Record-Breaking Signing of Canadian Star Olivia Smith

Arsenal has just made a splash in the women's football scene by signing Canadian forward Olivia Smith from Liverpool for £1 million ($1.3 million). This record-breaking transfer fee surpasses the previous high of £900,000 (€1.08 million) that Chelsea paid for Naomi Girma earlier this year. Smith, 20, inked a four-year deal with Arsenal, as confirmed by someone close to the negotiations who requested anonymity because the full contract details remain private. "She's one of the most-talented young players in the game and has huge potential for further development here at the club," said Clare Wheatley, Arsenal's director of women's football. This deal highlights how fast spending is ramping up in women's football. Just last year, Zambia's Racheal Kundananji set a record when she joined Bay FC from Madrid CFF for €673,000 (£587,000), only to see it broken by Girma's move to Chelsea. Back in 2020, Denmark's Pernille Harder was considered expensive at €305,000 ($354,000). These numbers are still dwarfed by men's football transfers such as Neymar's €231 million ($268 million) move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017. Smith made her international debut for Canada at just 15 years old and has been making waves ever since. After a stint at Penn State University, she moved to Sporting Lisbon in 2023 and netted 16 goals in 28 appearances before transferring to Liverpool last year, where she scored nine times in 25 matches. "Olivia is an exciting young player and we believe she can make a big contribution here at Arsenal," said head coach Renee Slegers. "We've been impressed by her mentality and character." For Smith, joining Arsenal fulfills a dream. "It's my dream to compete for the biggest titles here in England and in Europe and I'm excited to get started," she said.

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Prayers Answered: A Father's Heartfelt Journey to an Oasis Concert with His Son

Reverend Huw Thomas from St Michael's Church in Flixton, Greater Manchester, found himself at the center of a heartwarming story that involved faith, luck and rock 'n' roll. The vicar and his teenage son had missed out on tickets to see Oasis at Heaton Park but still hoped for a miracle. Armed with a handmade sign, they stood outside the venue, hoping someone might have spare tickets. "I don't normally pray like this," said Reverend Thomas, "but I said to God if you get these tickets for me and my son I will give £200 to charity." His unconventional plea seemed to work when a fan offered them tickets due to a family emergency. Reverend Thomas described the experience as happening "in a totally mad way." As they held up their sign, many fans offered sympathy but couldn't provide tickets. Some even handed him bottles of vodka and cans of beer instead. Just when it seemed time was running out, one generous concertgoer stopped to offer them tickets. The vicar tried to pay for the tickets but was refused. He said, "As much as I tried to pay them, they refused - I said 'I know you have a problem, but I think God was working in the way you thought of my son in the middle of your own crisis.'" There was another hurdle: the tickets were under someone else's name. However, Reverend Thomas managed to convince both a police officer and a security guard by explaining his situation. He mentioned his role as a vicar and shared his desire for his son to enjoy the concert. For Reverend Thomas, who lost his wife eight years ago, attending the gig had special meaning. Both he and his late wife were avid Oasis fans and had passed their love for the band onto their son. "I think my wife was really looking over us," he remarked. Reflecting on the eventful night, he noted how different it felt compared to past Oasis shows he'd attended. "I've seen the band three times back in the day when there were fights breaking out," he recalled. This time around, he enjoyed seeing people his age with kids equally enthused about the music. "I had my own guardian angels on Wednesday night," Reverend Thomas said.

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Liberia's Unique Game of Baseball: A Women's Game Without Bats

On a dusty field in Monrovia, Perryline Jimmie charges toward first base to the sound of teammates cheering wildly from the sidelines. She’s just kicked a perfect pitch straight across home plate — a move that would be unremarkable in baseball, but here it’s part of something much bigger. Jimmie, 23, is a professional athlete in Liberia’s all-women’s kickball league — a sport that has grown into one of the nation’s most beloved pastimes. “In Liberia, [kickball] is our tradition,” she said. “This is why you see women playing kickball.” Since its unlikely introduction in 1964 by a Peace Corps volunteer who noticed her all-girls students were struggling with baseball bats but excelling at kicking the ball, kickball has exploded in popularity across the West African nation. Today, it’s the second-most popular sport in Liberia after football — and the only one with a professional league played exclusively by women. Played with a soccer ball and without bats, the game follows the rules of baseball but with a distinctly Liberian twist. From schoolyards to public squares, girls grow up playing the sport, and by adulthood, the most dedicated enter a formal league that dates back to the early 1990s. A Game of Peace The National Kickball League was established in 1994, as Liberia was reeling from a brutal civil war that fractured communities and left deep scars. Emmanuel Whea, the league’s current president, said the goal was never just about athletics. “We had just left the civil war, and everybody had just scattered,” Whea told local media. “Kickball was one of those sports used to bring Liberians together so they could hear peace messages.” Now in its third decade, the league has become a source of national pride — but it also reflects many of the structural challenges facing women’s sports. Despite being a women’s league, most of the coaches, referees, and officials are men. Women who want to take on leadership roles often face societal pressure. “Their husbands might have a problem with them working full-time, and for some, their relationship will not allow it,” Whea said. Fighting for Recognition For players like Saydah A. Yarbah, 29, making a career out of kickball is rewarding — but rarely profitable. After a decade in the sport, she says her income doesn’t come close to that of male athletes in Liberia. Even so, Yarbah is determined to change the game’s future. When she retires, she hopes to become one of the few women coaching professionally in the league. And while her two sons aren’t currently playing, she believes they might help introduce the sport to boys one day. “They are not going to play kickball for now,” she said with a smile. “But probably in the future, they are going to introduce kickball to men.” For now, though, the game remains proudly in the hands — and feet — of women. And when men try to join in? “They don’t know the techniques of the game,” Yarbah said. “So we always win.”

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Meet the 1,000 Canine Detectives: Dogs Join Forces to Save Ecosystems in New Study

A new study has found that ordinary pet dogs, when paired with dedicated owners, can play a critical role in fighting invasive species, a discovery that could reshape how communities tackle ecological threats. Researchers at Virginia Tech trained 182 citizen dog-handler teams across the United States to detect the egg masses of the spotted lanternfly, an invasive insect that has devastated crops and forests across 18 states since arriving from Asia in 2014. The study, led by researcher Sally Dickinson, found that citizen-trained dogs identified the lanternfly egg scent with surprising accuracy; 82% in controlled indoor tests and 61% in outdoor field trials, where environmental distractions are much higher. These numbers outperform most human-only search efforts. “There are thousands of people out there doing scent work with their dogs just for fun,” said co-author Erica Feuerbacher, a behaviorist at Virginia Tech. “What Sally’s study shows is that this can be more than a hobby. These citizen-scientists and their dogs can be a valuable resource for fighting the spread of an invasive pest.” The spotted lanternfly poses a growing threat to U.S. agriculture, especially vineyards, fruit orchards, and hardwood trees. Its egg masses are difficult to detect and are often laid on trees, stones, trailers and even cars. “Finding them is like searching for a needle in a haystack,” said study co-author Mizuho Nita. Professional detection dogs have shown success in finding these masses, but there aren’t nearly enough of them to meet demand. So the researchers turned to dog owners across the country, tapping into the rapidly growing sport of recreational scent detection. More than 1,000 people expressed interest, and participants were mailed non-hatching egg masses and training instructions. Working in local groups or at home, pet owners trained their dogs to identify the scent. Dogs that passed the indoor odor recognition moved on to the outdoor field trials. Some even went on to identify live egg masses in real-world settings. “Anytime you can stimulate your dog, it’s good for them,” said Bill Wellborn, a participant in the study. His Tibetan terrier, Pepe, was one of the dogs that passed both tests. “Pepe obviously enjoys it. And it’s a way we can take dog skills and training to help our community.” According to the researchers, 92% of the dogs that passed the tests were later able to detect live lanternfly eggs with only minimal additional training. Katie Thomas, whose pit bull mix Finch also participated, said the project gave her dog a new purpose. “Being able to do the same thing for the greater good — for citizen science — adds another layer we didn’t have before.” For Dickinson, the findings point to more than just pest detection. “This research is about empowering people to work alongside their dogs to protect the places and communities they care about,” she said. As the threat of invasive species grows in a changing climate, ordinary citizens and their four-legged companions, may become one of conservation’s most unexpected assets.

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Meet The First Shelter Dog To Sail With The US Navy: A 'Morale Boost' At Sea

A one-year-old Labrador mix named Raider is set to make history as the first full-time “morale dog” aboard a U.S. Navy ship. Rescued from a shelter earlier this year, Raider has spent the past several months undergoing specialized training to prepare for life at sea. His mission? Support the mental health and emotional well-being of active-duty Marines and sailors on the USS Makin Island. The initiative comes from Shelter to Soldier, a San Diego-based nonprofit that for more than a decade has trained rescue dogs as psychiatric service animals for U.S. veterans. Now, for the first time, one of its dogs will deploy alongside active-duty personnel. “Every single time we brought dogs to ships, the crews would say, ‘Can we take this dog with us?’” said Nicky Moore, training director at Shelter to Soldier. “And we realized — yes, we can actually do that.” Raider is now weeks away from moving into his new home on board. He’ll have his own space and rotate among a team of five trained handlers. He’s learned how to use a ship-friendly “potty patch,” wear protective booties for hot surfaces, tolerate loud noises, and even don dog goggles to protect his eyes on deck. His official title: Morale Dog. According to Shelter to Soldier, the role is designed to “support the emotional wellness, morale, and mental health of sailors and Marines.” Raider will participate in group therapy, visit service members’ families, and provide comfort during stressful moments — not through any formal medical treatment, but by being present, playful, and consistent. The program is not formally tied to the U.S. Department of Defense, but interest is growing quickly. Shelter to Soldier says it has already received requests from other ships — including the USS Boxer, where another rescue dog named Lady is now in training. “The need for mental health support among active-duty Navy service members is more urgent than ever,” the nonprofit said in a statement. “Raider’s role helps foster camaraderie, reduce operational stress, and raise awareness about wellness and behavioral health resources on board.” That support is made possible entirely through donors. Raider’s placement is privately sponsored, and his training is tailored to the unique environment of a naval ship. While morale dogs are new to shipboard life, the idea that dogs improve mental health isn’t. A growing body of research supports the benefits of animal companionship — even in virtual settings — for reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. Shelter to Soldier hopes the program will expand. For now, Raider’s next big step is settling into life aboard the Makin Island, with a deployment expected later this year. “He’s been training for this,” Moore said. “Now he gets to do what he was rescued to do — help people.”

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These New York Triplets Just Made Eagle Scout History

In a historic first, 17-year-old triplets from Long Island have all earned the rank of Eagle Scout, becoming the first known African American triplets in the United States to achieve Scouting America’s highest honor. Helaina, Henri, and Henniyah Rivers reached the milestone together, capping off years of work with a joint service project at Brightwaters Town Hall. The trio upgraded the public grounds—installing a flagpole, benches, paving stones, and planter boxes—leaving behind a tangible mark on their community. Henri was the first to join Scouting America, formerly known as the Boy Scouts. Inspired by his camping stories and merit badge adventures, his sisters joined in 2019. That same year, when the troop split by gender, Helaina and Henniyah helped launch Troop 430 for girls. The road to Eagle Scout is a demanding one. Scouts must earn at least 21 merit badges, hold leadership roles, and complete a community service project. Each of the Rivers siblings tackled a portion of the Town Hall revitalization: Henri set benches, Henniyah laid paving stones and planters, and Helaina raised a 25-foot fiberglass flagpole. “The rank of Eagle Scout is the highest rank a Scout can achieve and is a key indicator of leadership ability and good character,” said Scott Armstrong, Scouting America’s director of national media relations. “To have the Rivers triplets all earn Eagle Scout is an amazing achievement.” Brightwaters Mayor John Valdini called the project exceptional. While the town has hosted many Eagle Scout projects over the years, he said the scope of this one was too large for a single person. “They got it done together,” he said. “The community appreciated it.” Their success was also a family effort. Their father, Henri Rivers III, a former scout himself, guided them through the process. Their mother, Helen Rivers, said she never doubted they could finish. “They just needed to believe it,” she said. The triplets were also honored with the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Community Leadership Award. Sheriff Errol Toulon praised them for being role models and for “representing what service and leadership look like in action.” Now, with their Eagle Scout rank secured, the siblings are taking a break from school and scouting to focus on alpine ski racing—another space where they hope to inspire change. “Not a lot of people who look like us are out there on the slopes,” said Henniyah. “We want to help change that.” As for what comes next, the triplets are staying connected to their troop and encouraging others to reach for Eagle Scout too. “It’s hard, but it’s worth it,” said Helaina. “You come out stronger.” Their message is simple: dream big, work together, and give back.

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South African Chefs Unite on Mandela Day to Combat Hunger

In Johannesburg, chefs and volunteers have whipped up a whopping 67,000 liters of soup to honor Nelson Mandela Day. This annual event encourages people to give back for 67 minutes in tribute to Mandela's 67 years of public service. In kitchens across South Africa, cooks worked together to reach this ambitious goal. At the HTA School of Culinary Arts, the scene was bustling with activity. Chefs chopped vegetables, added legumes, and seasoned their soups with care. The cooking continued all day until the final count at 5:30 p.m. James Khoza, executive chef and chairman of Chefs with Compassion, explained the importance of quality in their creations. "I did a lentil soup with vegetables and a bit of chicken pieces inside," he said. "It's not your normal kind of soup...what we must feed people must be of that level." Nelson Mandela Day inspires acts of kindness beyond just cooking. People across South Africa volunteer by cleaning public spaces or helping at schools and hospitals. For organizations like Chefs with Compassion, it's also a call to combat food waste. Khoza emphasized that their effort is "a war against throwing away food and wasteful cooking." By rescuing excess food from farmers and shops, they ensure it nourishes those who need it. For culinary students like Tyra Nyakudya, the day holds great meaning. At 18 years old, she spent hours cutting vegetables and monitoring pots as part of her school's contribution to the collective target. Reflecting on Mandela's legacy, Tyra noted his dedication to giving back as an inspiration for the day's activities. Despite being one of Africa's top food producers, South Africa struggles with hunger issues. The 2024 National Food and Nutrition Security Survey highlights that 63.5 percent of households face food insecurity, leaving over 20 million people without enough to eat daily, while around 10 million tons of food go to waste each year. Hanneke Van Linge from Nosh Food Rescue called attention to these challenges: "There’s a lot of beautiful energy around Mandela Day specifically," she said, but urged people not to limit their involvement to just this occasion. As long as there are hungry mouths to feed and surplus food available, initiatives like this soup drive will continue making a difference in Johannesburg communities each Nelson Mandela Day.

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Heartfelt Surprise: Beloved Teacher Celebrates 20 Years of Inspiring Young Minds

David Lewin, the headteacher at Wood Farm Primary School in Oxford, received a surprise celebration for his two decades of service this week. More than 400 pupils and staff gathered to honor him with cheers of "surprise" and a fanfare from the school band. Each class presented Lewin with handmade gifts, acknowledging his long-standing commitment to the school. Lewin described the event as "almost too much," but appreciated the heartfelt words shared by his colleagues and students. "We're all busy, we're all doing different things every day, but it's lovely sometimes to hear back from people," he said. Hugh Turner, chair of the school's governors, praised Lewin's leadership. He highlighted how Lewin's personality has made Wood Farm Primary a joyful place. "I've been governor for 20 years and I've seen the school develop; it's because of David's amazing leadership skills," Turner noted. Students also expressed their admiration for Lewin. A nine-year-old described him as "a very kind person" who prioritizes others' happiness. Another student mentioned that he is motivational during difficult times and provides encouraging speeches. Reflecting on his tenure since joining in the mid-2000s, Lewin told BBC Radio Oxford that Wood Farm looks and feels different now. He cited moving into a new purpose-built building as a significant achievement during his time there. For him, being part of the school community has been a privilege, allowing him to connect with both children and their families over many years. "There are loads of great schools in Oxford, but we know secretly that we're the best," Lewin said playfully, admitting some bias in his claim.

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