Street Art is Transforming this Abandoned Italian Town Into a Viral Tourist Hotspot

In the heart of Italy's Puglia region, Stornara is defying the odds and breathing new life into its community. Once teetering on the brink of becoming a ghost town, Stornara now welcomes thousands of tourists each year, drawn by its vibrant street art scene. Local artist Lino Lombardi spearheaded this transformation when he launched Stramurales in 2017, an annual festival that invites artists from around the world to paint murals across the town. The initiative took off in 2018 with six murals and has since expanded to over 140 pieces that celebrate local culture and history. Themes for these artworks range from Stornara’s agricultural heritage to migration stories and are selected by resident votes. Stornara, like many small Italian towns, faced population decline as younger generations moved to urban areas for better opportunities. However, thanks to Stramurales, tourism revenue has surged by 25 percent since 2020. Eight new businesses have opened their doors, including restaurants and bed-and-breakfasts, providing a boost to the local economy. Antonio Maglione owns a café in Stornara and was considering closing before the festival revitalized his business. "Suddenly, there were loads of people turning up with cameras and guidebooks," he said. "The murals saved my business, but more than that, they saved our community." Rita Gensano returned to Stornara in 2017 after living in Turin for two decades. Initially disheartened by what she saw as a dying town, she is now thrilled with how it has transformed. “When I first returned it felt like a sacrifice,” Gensano explained. “But actually it has become something extraordinary which I have been fortunate to be a part of.” Stramurales has even caught the attention of other struggling towns looking for similar rejuvenation strategies. Lombardi reflects on this unexpected role: "Our community has painted itself back to life, one wall at a time," he said. “At first, people thought I was crazy, but I couldn’t just watch the town fade away.” This year's Stramurales will include artists from across Europe and is set to take place throughout July. As young families begin moving back into Stornara and its population starts growing again, it's clear that art can indeed inspire change, one mural at a time.

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Opera Star Revives Philadelphia's Iconic Wanamaker Organ With Dazzling Performances

In Philadelphia, a legendary musical instrument is getting a second chance at life. The Wanamaker Organ, housed in the historic Wanamaker Building, recently faced an uncertain future when Macy's closed its store there earlier this year. But thanks to Anthony Roth Costanzo, a renowned countertenor and the new head of Opera Philadelphia, this iconic organ may soon fill the air with music once again. Costanzo has secured $1 million in funding and is planning a series of public performances to celebrate the organ. These events will include opera, ballet, theater, and drag shows, set to take place before renovations transform the building into a mixed-use space. The first event kicks off on Sunday, September 7. "John Wanamaker envisioned this Grand Court as a meeting point for arts and commerce," Costanzo explained in an interview with The Associated Press. "He installed the world's largest pipe organ here for that reason." Originally crafted for the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis, the organ was moved to Philadelphia by John Wanamaker in 1909. To ensure it filled his grand emporium next to City Hall with sound, he employed 40 pipe makers to expand it further. Its rich history includes performances by conductor Leopold Anthony Stokowski and the Philadelphia Orchestra before massive audiences. With Macy's merchandise cleared out, the acoustics are now akin to those found in great cathedrals. "The organ is now in perfect cathedral acoustic condition," Costanzo noted. TF Cornerstone has taken over ownership of the building and plans to integrate art and culture into their development strategy. They aim to balance these cultural activities with retail spaces on lower floors and office and residential areas above. "The challenge is coordinating organ music in the grand atrium while accommodating various uses on upper floors," said Jon McMillan from TF Cornerstone. Local civic groups have also jumped on board; they announced efforts Friday to fundraise for bringing back a cherished holiday light show that once attracted families annually. Costanzo believes introducing art where people naturally gather can boost enthusiasm for cultural experiences while fostering community connections. "This space holds deep emotional significance for Philadelphia," he said. "I want them to come to Wanamaker and discover something they've never seen before.

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Grandma Transforms Grandson's Doodles Into Stunning Art—and Inspires Others to Do the Same

What started as a personal art experiment for Heidi Matherne has turned into a business that helps families turn their kids’ colorful scribbles into keepsakes. Matherne, 53, a collage artist from Louisiana, was working on an abstract piece when she had an idea: instead of adding her own drawing of her grandson, why not use his real artwork? “I thought it would have made the piece so much more meaningful if I would have used his artwork in the collage,” she told People. That idea became Kiddeaux Collages, a series of custom works that preserve children’s drawings and paintings. At first, she made pieces for friends and family. Then she posted a reveal video on TikTok. By the next day, 300,000 people had watched it. “All my followers are so supportive,” she said. “When I get hundreds of comments that say, ‘your work is beautiful,’ ‘great idea,’ ‘I love what you do,’ I can’t help but feel like this difficult career of being an artist is worth it.” How the collages come together Families send in stacks of their kids’ drawings. Matherne selects key pieces from different stages of childhood, arranges them into a design, and glues them onto birch panels. “I know it may look like I just randomly glue pieces down without much thought, but a great deal of thought goes into where each piece will work best,” she said. She even converts draft layouts into black and white to check balance and values before anything is glued permanently. Throughout the process, she sends photos to clients for feedback. One recent project came from a California mom who wanted to surprise her husband with a collage using the art of their 3½-year-old twins. “These little ones’ artwork created the coolest abstract piece, and everyone was happy,” Matherne said. From doubt to purpose Before dedicating herself to art, Matherne worked as a nail technician, a dental office coordinator, and a history teacher. “For a long time, I didn’t believe I was good enough to call myself an artist,” she said. “If I could go back in time, I would devote myself to art, because it was what I always wanted to do in some way, shape or form.” She says her favorite part now is showing the finished piece to the kids whose drawings inspired it. “When they recognize their own artwork, their faces light up, and the storytelling begins,” she said. Matherne is planning an online course later this year to show families how to make collages of their own. “Our babies grow so fast,” she said. “I feel privileged and honored to be a part of preserving a little bit of childhood to display on the walls of someone’s home.”

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AI is Breathing New Life Into Japan's Ancient Nishijinori Weaving Tradition

In Kyoto’s Nishijin district, where giant looms still pound out silk patterns as they have for centuries, a new kind of collaborator has arrived: artificial intelligence. Nishijinori, the centuries-old weaving style used to make elaborate kimono fabric, faces an uncertain future as fewer Japanese people buy or wear kimonos. Hironori Fukuoka, a fourth-generation weaver, says that survival now depends on innovation. “I want to leave to legacy what my father has left for me,” Fukuoka said in his shop, Fukuoka Weaving. “I’ve been pondering how the art of Nishijinori can stay relevant to the needs of today.” To do that, he’s partnering with Sony Computer Science Laboratories (Sony CSL). Together, they’ve built an AI system that generates new patterns by analyzing thousands of existing Nishijinori designs. The AI doesn’t weave fabric and doesn’t replace the artist. Instead, it suggests possible new designs in seconds—something that would take a human months of trial and error. Fukuoka and his team then evaluate, modify, and weave these ideas by hand using traditional looms. One AI-generated design that caught his eye reinterpreted a classic angular motif with a leaf-inspired structure, an approach he says no human would have considered. The resulting kimono, in soft green, blends tradition with a hint of algorithmic surprise. Not all the suggestions work. “Some of AI’s ideas are interesting but simply off,” Fukuoka admitted. But the technology’s speed and ability to experiment have impressed him. Sony CSL sees the project as a way to combine tradition and innovation. “Human life gets truly enriched only if it has both what’s newly innovated and what never changes,” said Jun Rekimoto, Sony CSL’s chief science officer. Researchers emphasize that the AI is an assistant, not a creative director. It handles the time-consuming digital work, leaving the final aesthetic choices to artisans. The move comes as demand for kimonos continues to decline. Once an everyday garment, kimonos are now expensive, difficult to wear, and often only rented for special occasions. Nishijinori kimonos can sell for up to 1 million yen ($6,700). Beyond AI, Fukuoka is also exploring ways to adapt the intricate weaving techniques to new fields, such as ultra-strong materials for fishing rods and aircraft. For now, in a city that still carries the air of its Heian-era past, Kyoto’s old looms are experimenting with a future in which tradition is supported—not replaced—by machine learning.

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This Trailblazer is Taking the Helm of Afghan Women's Refugee Soccer Team in a Historic Move

Former Scotland international Pauline Hamill has been named head coach of the newly created Afghan women’s refugee football team, FIFA announced Friday. The squad, which was formally approved in May under FIFA’s Strategy for Action for Afghan Women’s Football, is made up of Afghan players who have fled the country and now hold refugee status abroad. Hamill, who earned 141 caps for Scotland and has coached the country’s under-17 and under-19 teams as well as Saudi Arabia’s women’s U-20 side, called the role “unique.” “Every player involved has a story to tell about their personal journey in football, and it's incredible to be part of something that shows them that their dream and ambitions in football still exist,” she said in FIFA’s statement. “They've had to leave their country, they've been displaced as refugees, and now all of a sudden there's this amazing opportunity to come together in this project.” FIFA says the team will begin with three talent-identification camps to form a squad that can play international friendlies. The first year will operate as a pilot program to assess the project’s long-term viability. Afghanistan has not fielded a women’s national team in an official match since 2018. After the Taliban’s return to power, the Afghan Football Federation stopped supporting women’s football, banning women’s sports altogether. FIFA regulations require a team to be recognized by a national federation before it can compete officially. The refugee team will exist outside that structure for now, giving displaced Afghan players a rare chance to play together on the international stage.

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San Diego Comic-Con 2025: Day 1's Most Dazzling Cosplay Revealed

San Diego Comic-Con is back, and the first day of the 2025 convention set the tone: crowded halls, major pop culture reveals, and fans turning up in their best cosplay. Opening night highlights included buzz around Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, Toxic Avenger, and South Park, but as always, it was the fans who stole the spotlight. Costumes ranged from Marvel heroes and Star Wars favorites to imaginative mash-ups like Harley Quinn-inspired cats. Panels and booths filled quickly as the four-day celebration of comics, movies, television, and gaming kicked off. For many, the real spectacle was outside the panels, where elaborate costumes brought fictional worlds to life on the convention floor. Day 1’s energy suggests another huge year for Comic-Con, with more announcements and cosplay to come throughout the weekend.

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Why This Bay Area Man Swapped His Phd for a Mission to Help the Homeless

For more than a decade, Vincent Pannizzo has been a lifeline for people living on the streets of the East Bay. His nonprofit, Mission for the Homeless, serves more than 100 unhoused people every day with food, clothing, blankets, tents, and sometimes a ride to the hospital. Pannizzo wasn’t always focused on homelessness. “I was a graduate student at UC Berkeley studying ancient history. I really didn’t care much for the homeless,” he told CBS News Bay Area. That changed after he began reading the Bible. “I was really surprised at what I found in there about caring for people,” he said. Feeling called to act, he left his PhD program and dedicated his life to helping those without shelter. Today he drives from Fremont to El Cerrito daily, bringing donated groceries, checking on people’s health, and helping them get off the streets when he can. His nonprofit also rents several homes where 10 formerly unhoused people now live. Eric, one of the residents, said Pannizzo saved him during a dark night. “He saved me the night I was in the rain, very depressed,” he said. “Put himself out to put me in. It’s crazy. He made me happy.” In fact, Pannizzo sleeps in a tent outside the very houses he rents for others, giving up his own bed so they can have one. “We have limited space. And I’m perfectly comfortable in a tent,” he said. Pannizzo’s work began in 2012 and hasn’t slowed. “God does love them, and I want to bring the light and love of Christ to them,” he said. His work has come at a cost—his wife left years ago, taking their young son to the East Coast—but Pannizzo remains committed. Looking ahead, he hopes to secure corporate sponsorships to buy more houses and expand his mission. As one Oakland woman he regularly checks on said: “Somebody paying attention to me. That matters.”

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This Homeowner Transformed An Old TV Into A Stunning Work Of Art

An old TV set has found a new lease on life, thanks to a creative homeowner who shared their project on Reddit. The vintage television has been transformed into a chic drinks cabinet, sparking admiration from the online upcycling community. The original post in the r/upcycling subreddit showcased the retro box TV complete with its screen and dials. But instead of filling up space in a landfill, this relic from the past now serves as a functional piece of furniture. The user removed the outdated tube screen and electronics, but wisely kept the knobs and dials that add to its nostalgic charm. They also swapped out the short legs for longer, slender wire ones, enhancing its retro appeal. Upcycling is not just about giving old items a fresh purpose; it’s an effective way to combat waste. In the U.S., there are 3,000 landfills covering roughly 728,000 hectares of land. That’s about 1.8 million acres used solely for our garbage, according to data from the University of Colorado. Beyond taking up space, landfills contribute significantly to pollution through landfill gas emissions. Methane makes up half of this gas and is 84 percent more efficient at trapping heat in our atmosphere than carbon dioxide. By repurposing items like this TV set, individuals can help curb landfill growth and reduce these harmful emissions. The Reddit post received enthusiastic responses from users who were impressed by the clever reuse of an old item. Comments ranged from simple admiration like "So amazing!" to appreciation for its aesthetic transformation: "Looks great! The new legs are a tremendous improvement giving it a cool, retro look!" Another commenter saw potential beyond drinks storage: "This is very cool," they said. "I want to find one for a cat bed."

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Happy Gilmore 2: Adam Sandler Tees Up with Sports Legends for a Star-Studded Sequel

Happy Gilmore 2" is hitting the screens, and it's bringing back some familiar faces from the original film. Adam Sandler, Christopher McDonald, and Julie Bowen return to their iconic roles in this much-anticipated sequel. But they're not alone. This time, the movie features cameos from a host of sports legends across different fields. Golf enthusiasts will be thrilled to see appearances by some of the sport's biggest names. Jack Nicklaus, with his record 18 major championships, has a playful moment in the film involving a mix-up with Arnold Palmer. John Daly lives in Sandler's basement and plays an important role in family scenes that director Kyle Newacheck highlights as key components of the movie. The golf lineup doesn't end there. Current stars like Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler make appearances too. Scheffler even joins fresh off winning the 2025 Open Championship. Other golfers such as Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Brooks Koepka, and Nelly Korda bring authenticity and flair to "Happy Gilmore 2." Even Paige Spiranac appears as a sporting goods store employee. Football fans will spot Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce showing off his comedic chops as a server. Reggie Bush also makes an appearance, nodding to his standout college football career at USC. Basketball gets its share of representation with Kelsey Plum and Boban Marjanovic. Plum brings her expertise from winning two WNBA championships while Marjanovic pays tribute to Richard Kiel's character from the original film. Pro wrestling adds more flavor to the mix with Bad Bunny playing Happy's caddie alongside Becky Lynch and Nikki Garcia. Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF), wrestler in All Elite Wrestling (AEW), injects some heel energy typical of professional wrestling. With such a diverse range of athletes making appearances, "Happy Gilmore 2" taps into nostalgia while showcasing current sports stars in unexpected roles.

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Uber Eats' Bold Move: Battery Swaps For Electric Mopeds Aim To Transform Delivery In London

Uber Eats is making a significant shift towards sustainability by encouraging its drivers to switch from gas-powered vehicles to electric ones. The company has launched a pilot program in London aimed at delivery drivers who use mopeds. Instead of waiting for their vehicle batteries to charge, these drivers can now swap out a depleted battery for one that's fully charged, allowing them to continue their deliveries without delay. Graziano Milone, a leader in this project, emphasized the company's mission: "Our … mission: to improve urban e-mobility by making it simpler, more sustainable, and more affordable while enhancing the quality of work for many users by optimizing efficiency." This initiative isn't just limited to London. Uber Eats is also testing systems in Boston and Phoenix designed to improve access to charging stations for various electric vehicle types. These programs use digital tools to provide city planners with data on how many charging stations are necessary, advocating for increased accessibility. Rebecca Tinucci, Uber's head of global sustainability, highlighted the benefits of reliable access to charging facilities: "Reliable, accessible charging will help accelerate economic opportunity for thousands of drivers and create healthier communities in the process." Switching to an electric vehicle can lead to savings on fuel and maintenance costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Additionally, Earth.org reports that electric vehicles contribute less pollution compared to traditional gas-powered cars.

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Canoers Saved a Drowning Foal and Reunited It with Its Mother in a Wild River Rescue

Two students from the University of Calgary found themselves in an unexpected rescue mission while canoeing down Alberta's Kananaskis River. Anna Gleig and Ava Haddad, both studying environmental science, were enjoying a peaceful afternoon on the water when they stumbled upon a trapped foal struggling to stay afloat. As they paddled under a highway bridge, their path was blocked by a horse standing in the river. It quickly became apparent that the horse was trying to reach its foal, which was caught against the concrete side of a bridge support. The young animal could barely keep its head above water. Gleig and Haddad decided to intervene. They maneuvered their canoe to scare away the mother horse temporarily, making it safer for them to approach the foal. With Gleig’s experience as a former lifeguard and Haddad's determination, they swam over to help. Gleig supported the foal while Haddad pushed it toward safety. “He didn’t fight back against us,” Haddad told CBS News. “He just let us take him, so that worked out really well.” With considerable effort, they managed to get the 40-kilogram foal onto the riverbank. However, another challenge awaited them—its mother had disappeared. Under the midday sun, they waited at a safe distance for her return but she never came back. Every time they attempted to leave, the foal would follow them into the water again, needing further rescuing each time. Realizing they couldn't just leave it there alone, Gleig ingeniously placed her life-jacket on the foal and lifted him into their canoe. Surprisingly calm and exhausted from his ordeal, he even dozed off during their journey. After about 20 minutes of paddling with their new passenger onboard, Gleig and Haddad made contact with someone from a local First Nations community who recognized which horse herd the foal belonged to. The man arrived promptly and transported the foal in his pickup truck back home. By day's end Gleig and Haddad received word that their little rescue had been successfully reunited with its mother.

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