Goodable

After nearly a month of determined searching, 31-year-old Micherre Fox of Manhattan, New York, struck personal gold, or rather, diamond, at Arkansas’ Crater of Diamonds State Park, unearthing a 2.30-carat white gem just hours before ending her trip.

Fox’s diamond hunt began two years ago with an unusual engagement plan: she wanted to find her own stone. “There’s something symbolic about being able to solve problems with money, but sometimes money runs out in a marriage,” she said. “You need to be willing and able to solve those problems with hard work.” Her partner supported the idea and agreed to wait.

When she learned the only public place in the world to dig for and keep any diamonds found was in Murfreesboro, Arkansas, Fox set her sights there. Fresh from graduate school and with a month-long break ahead, she prepped for two weeks before starting her three-week dig on July 8.

Most days she worked the 37.5-acre diamond search area, taking breaks to cool off in the park pool or at Diamond Springs Water Park. On July 29, her final day, she was walking along the West Drain when something glittered at her feet. At first, she thought it might be dew on a spiderweb. A nudge with her boot proved otherwise. “It was the most ‘diamond-y diamond’ I had seen,” she said.

She carried the stone straight to the Diamond Discovery Center, where staff confirmed she’d found a white, or colorless, diamond weighing more than two carats — the third-largest found at the park in 2025. “I got on my knees and cried, then started laughing,” Fox said.

The gem, about the size of a human canine tooth, has a smooth, rounded surface and metallic luster, with tiny blemishes hinting at its violent formation deep in Earth’s mantle. Fox named it the “Fox-Ballou Diamond,” combining her and her partner’s last names, and plans to set it in her engagement ring.

Assistant Superintendent Waymon Cox said her find shows that timing is as important as effort. “After weeks of hard work, Ms. Fox found her diamond sitting right on top of the ground.”

Reflecting on the experience, Fox said, “After all the research, there’s luck and there’s hard work. When you are literally picking up the dirt in your hands, no amount of research can do that for you; no amount of education can take you all the way.”

So far this year, the park has registered 366 diamonds, 11 weighing over a carat and Fox’s find may be its most personal success story yet.

After nearly a month of determined searching, 31-year-old Micherre Fox of Manhattan, New York, struck personal gold — or rather, diamond — at Arkansas’ Crater of Diamonds State Park, unearthing a 2.30-carat white gem just hours before ending her trip. Fox’s diamond hunt began two years ago with an unusual engagement plan: she wanted to find her own stone. “There’s something symbolic about being able to solve problems with money, but sometimes money runs out in a marriage,” she said. “You need to be willing and able to solve those problems with hard work.” Her partner supported the idea and agreed to wait. When she learned the only public place in the world to dig for and keep any diamonds found was in Murfreesboro, Arkansas, Fox set her sights there. Fresh from graduate school and with a month-long break ahead, she prepped for two weeks before starting her three-week dig on July 8. Most days she worked the 37.5-acre diamond search area, taking breaks to cool off in the park pool or at Diamond Springs Water Park. On July 29, her final day, she was walking along the West Drain when something glittered at her feet. At first, she thought it might be dew on a spiderweb. A nudge with her boot proved otherwise. “It was the most ‘diamond-y diamond’ I had seen,” she said. She carried the stone straight to the Diamond Discovery Center, where staff confirmed she’d found a white, or colorless, diamond weighing more than two carats — the third-largest found at the park in 2025. “I got on my knees and cried, then started laughing,” Fox said. The gem, about the size of a human canine tooth, has a smooth, rounded surface and metallic luster, with tiny blemishes hinting at its violent formation deep in Earth’s mantle. Fox named it the “Fox-Ballou Diamond,” combining her and her partner’s last names, and plans to set it in her engagement ring. Assistant Superintendent Waymon Cox said her find shows that timing is as important as effort. “After weeks of hard work, Ms. Fox found her diamond sitting right on top of the ground.” Reflecting on the experience, Fox said, “After all the research, there’s luck and there’s hard work. When you are literally picking up the dirt in your hands, no amount of research can do that for you; no amount of education can take you all the way.” So far this year, the park has registered 366 diamonds, 11 weighing over a carat — and Fox’s find may be its most personal success story yet.

Against All Odds: She Found The Perfect Engagement Diamond in This State Park Adventure

A 385-pound lion got a tooth capped at a zoo in Melbourne, Australia, recently, in a procedure that required a team of 10 just to lift him onto the operating table.

According to a press release from the Melbourne Zoo, eight-year-old lion Zuberi needed a pulp capping to fix a chipped “big fang” that likely broke on a bone.

In footage provided by the zoo, specialist animal dentist Dr David Clarke said it was a “privilege” to perform the 30-minute operation on Zuberi, noting that it was easier to work on lions than house cats because of the size of their teeth – 10 centimeters (4 inches) in length compared to one centimeter for a domestic cat.

The blue mittens sported by Zuberi during the operation were knitted by volunteers to help keep him warm during the operation, Laura Weiner, the life science manager of the zoo added in the video.

The damaged tooth had been discovered by zookeepers during a training session, the press release said.

A 385-pound lion got a tooth capped at a zoo in Melbourne, Australia, recently, in a procedure that required a team of 10 just to lift him onto the operating table.According to a press release from the Melbourne Zoo, eight-year-old lion Zuberi needed a pulp capping to fix a chipped “big fang” that likely broke on a bone.In footage provided by the zoo, specialist animal dentist Dr David Clarke said it was a “privilege” to perform the 30-minute operation on Zuberi, noting that it was easier to work on lions than house cats because of the size of their teeth – 10 centimeters (4 inches) in length compared to one centimeter for a domestic cat.The blue mittens sported by Zuberi during the operation were knitted by volunteers to help keep him warm during the operation, Laura Weiner, the life science manager of the zoo added in the video.The damaged tooth had been discovered by zookeepers during a training session, the press release said.

A Lion Just Got a New Tooth From a Local Dentist After His Fang Chipped

Yahoo

Astronomers have their eyes on an intriguing cosmic visitor, 3I/ATLAS, as it approaches the Sun. This interstellar object, believed to be a comet from beyond our solar system, has made quite an impression with its evolving appearance and perplexing characteristics.

Recent observations by comet hunter Michael Jäger and his team in Namibia during a total lunar eclipse revealed something unexpected: the comet's coma has shifted from red to green. This change could indicate a "steep rise in the production of cyanide," according to Avi Loeb, a Harvard astronomer known for his work on extraterrestrial phenomena.

As 3I/ATLAS races towards the Sun, scientists hypothesize that both cyanide and nickel production are increasing significantly. The ATLAS telescope team, which first identified the object, suggests that this "anomalous evolution" is due to changes in how sunlight scatters off the comet's surface. They believe small icy grains are altering the opacity of materials being shed by 3I/ATLAS.

While Loeb has speculated about the possibility of 3I/ATLAS being an "extraterrestrial artifact," current evidence leans more towards it being a comet, though one with unusual features. Loeb points out that carbon dioxide dominates its composition, accounting for 87 percent of its mass.

The object's orbital path adds another layer to its mystery. It ventures relatively close to Mars, Jupiter, and Venus—a trajectory not typically seen in familiar icy rocks from our solar system. For now, scientists continue to study this enigmatic visitor as it makes its way past our celestial neighborhood.

A Mysterious Object Entering Our Star System Is Changing Color

Fox News

Archaeologists digging in Oslo’s port district have unearthed thousands of leather artifacts that reveal rare details about medieval life — from the fashions of the city’s elite to the everyday shoes of its children.

The Norwegian Maritime Museum announced the discovery after teams excavated the Bjørvika area over the past winter and spring. Once underwater, the district gradually became dry land through centuries of landfill, preserving what was left behind.

In total, archaeologists recovered 2,900 objects — including about 2,700 leather items — along with roughly 3,000 animal bones that had been discarded as food waste.

“From some of the layers we investigated, we were just continuously picking bone and leather pieces,” said archaeologist Marja-Liisa P. Grue of the Norwegian Maritime Museum, speaking to Fox News Digital.

Leather rarely survives for centuries, but Oslo’s clay soil created an oxygen-poor environment that helped protect the artifacts. “The result is really well-preserved leather objects, some with clear traces of decorations, extensive repairs and so on,” Grue explained.

The items span a wide range of history. While the top layers contained goods from the 1900s, researchers found an unexpected gap of several centuries before artifacts reappeared from the 13th to 15th centuries. They are now studying why the 1600s through 1800s appear to be missing from this part of the city.

Among the most striking finds were medieval shoes, including 68 made for children. Some were as small as those worn by toddlers, yet crafted in the same styles as adult footwear. “The cutest stories are the small kids’ shoes … where we see the tiny shoes made in the same styles as the grownups, and then the shoes are refitted for use by new children as long as possible,” Grue said.

Other leather items included decorated purses, sword sheaths, belts, and bags — essential since medieval clothing lacked pockets. Many pieces showed multiple rounds of repair, a sign that medieval Osloans rarely discarded items before they were worn out.

Grue noted that the discoveries appear to have belonged to wealthier residents of the city, but they also provide insights into daily habits and resourcefulness. “This can help shed light on the fashion in the city at the time,” she said. “Yet, more interesting is the everyday material that sheds light on everyday people and their habits.”

Medieval Treasures Unearthed: Rare Shoes And Bags Found Beneath Capital City

Mongabay

Scientists in the western Brazilian Amazon have recorded the largest nesting aggregation of giant South American river turtles ever documented — a major win for conservation efforts.

Using drones to survey the Guaporé River, which forms part of the border between Brazil and Bolivia, researchers counted an estimated 41,000 adult female Podocnemis expansa nesting on a vast sandbank. The species, which can grow nearly a meter in length, is considered endangered.

“We knew it was an important area, but we didn’t have the full picture of the size,” Camila Ferrara, a turtle specialist with the Wildlife Conservation Society and co-author of the study, told Mongabay.

The count, she explained, is conservative. Five smaller nearby beaches weren’t included, and young or male turtles were not counted.

The population has been steadily rising since at least 2014, a trend Ferrara credits to Brazil’s decades-old Amazon River Turtle conservation program, which works alongside local communities.

To reach their findings, scientists tested three survey methods. On-the-ground counting produced a tally of 16,000 turtles. Drone-only counts topped 79,000, though many individuals were likely double- or triple-counted as they moved across the sand. The most reliable estimate came from a hybrid approach that combined drone surveys, on-the-ground tracking, and mathematical models accounting for turtle movement, resulting in the 41,000 figure.

The research provides vital data to track fluctuations in turtle populations, helping scientists measure threats and evaluate conservation progress.

“These populations are highly threatened by illegal commerce,” Ferrara said, noting two recent police operations in Amazonas state that seized more than 450 trafficked turtles in August 2025. “There is a huge difference between removing one or two turtles from the river to eat, and the illegal commerce.”

For Amazonian communities, turtles are more than wildlife — they are food security. Archaeological studies show turtle meat has been part of local diets for thousands of years, second only to fish some 7,000 years ago.

Ferrara warned that despite this conservation success, the threat remains urgent. “We know that if we don’t do something, these animals will disappear because in many areas their numbers are already diminishing,” she said.

The sight of tens of thousands of turtles converging on the Guaporé sandbank shows what’s possible when long-term conservation meets community partnership — but also underscores how fragile those gains remain.

Scientists Discover a Record-Breaking Nest of 41,000 Giant River Turtles in the Amazon

BBC News

Kate Jones from Plymouth has taken the powerlifting scene by storm, clinching a world championship title in Idaho, USA, after less than two years in the sport. The 49-year-old personal trainer became the Amateur World Powerlifting Congress (AWPC) champion in her age and weight class during a family vacation last August.

Jones competed in the Masters 2 under 56 kilograms category and impressed with her remarkable lifts: a 92.5-kilogram squat, a 50-kilogram bench press, and a 125-kilogram deadlift. Her journey into this competitive arena began somewhat unintentionally; she entered the U.S. competition to gain experience while enjoying time with her family.

Jones's transition from serving as a Royal Navy logistician for 22 years to becoming a personal trainer marked a significant career change. “I started getting a bit more serious about weightlifting a couple of years ago,” she shared. As her interest grew, so did her strength. "I suppose I just started lifting heavier and heavier and looking at comps and then I just went for it."

Her training regime involves four sessions a week, focusing on both physical strength and mental discipline. According to Jones, powerlifting is as much about mindset as it is about muscle. “It’s really good for the mind and mental health,” she emphasized.

For many women, especially mothers seeking their own pursuits, Jones offers some advice: "A lot of mums think of everybody else and they need something for themselves." She encourages them to explore powerlifting if they wish to feel strong—a feeling that can be transformative.

This Mom Just Accidentally Became a World Powerlifting Champ

A five-year-old cancer patient in Nebraska was delighted after hospital staff gifted him a custom-made superhero action figure created by a 3D printer from scans of his face.

Children’s Nebraska pediatric hospital said they made the toy for Grant Lawson, who has B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), “cheering him up amid hospital visits and serving as a symbol of the superhero strength he’s shown in his fight against cancer.”

The hospital said three departments – Children’s Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Child Life, and 3D Imaging and Advanced Visualization – collaborated to build Lawson the unique toy.

Video released by the hospital shows Grant wearing his own Thor costume as he opens the present. “Look at my head,” he exclaims as he shows his family the toy. “He was so excited to put it on his shelf, in his bedroom,” his mother gushes in the video.

Lawson has graduated to the long-term maintenance phase of treatment, the hospital said, and continues with chemotherapy infusions at Children’s and daily oral chemo medication as he begins kindergarten.

A five-year-old cancer patient in Nebraska was delighted after hospital staff gifted him a custom-made superhero action figure created by a 3D printer from scans of his face.Children’s Nebraska pediatric hospital said they made the toy for Grant Lawson, who has B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), “cheering him up amid hospital visits and serving as a symbol of the superhero strength he’s shown in his fight against cancer.”The hospital said three departments – Children’s Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Child Life, and 3D Imaging and Advanced Visualization – collaborated to build Lawson the unique toy.Video released by the hospital shows Grant wearing his own Thor costume as he opens the present. “Look at my head,” he exclaims as he shows his family the toy. “He was so excited to put it on his shelf, in his bedroom,” his mother gushes in the video.Lawson has graduated to the long-term maintenance phase of treatment, the hospital said, and continues with chemotherapy infusions at Children’s and daily oral chemo medication as he begins kindergarten.

5-Year-Old Cancer Patient Received a Custom-Made Thor Action Figure With His Own Face on It

ABC News

Bert Berns, the songwriter and producer behind some of the most enduring hits of the 1960s, has been inducted posthumously into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Berns, who died in 1967 at just 38, was honored Tuesday night at New York’s 54 Below cabaret club in a ceremony hosted by Paul Shaffer and Berns’ children, Brett and Cassandra. The evening featured tributes from Paul McCartney, Van Morrison, Steve Miller, and Steven Van Zandt.

It’s the latest recognition for a figure whose influence has often been overshadowed by his early death. Berns joined the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2016, but his name rarely carries the weight of the many songs he left behind.

He co-wrote “Twist and Shout,” first recorded by the Isley Brothers and later immortalized by the Beatles, and “Piece of My Heart,” which Janis Joplin turned into a rock anthem. He co-wrote and produced Solomon Burke’s “Everybody Needs Somebody to Love” and “Cry to Me,” helped deliver The Drifters’ “Under the Boardwalk,” and co-wrote The McCoys’ No. 1 hit “Hang On Sloopy.” His version of “Twist and Shout” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2010.

As a producer and label head, Berns had a sharp ear for talent. He signed a young Van Morrison to his Bang Records label, producing “Brown Eyed Girl,” and helped launch Neil Diamond’s career with “Solitary Man” and “Kentucky Woman.” Bang, founded in 1965 with Atlantic Records partners Ahmet and Nesuhi Ertegun and Jerry Wexler, also produced the Strangeloves’ “I Want Candy.” Berns later established the R&B-focused Shout Records.

“Bert Berns died so young, so tragically young, that even within the industry, only the insiders know about him. He was a phenomenal talent. The list of songs was remarkable,” Van Zandt said in an earlier interview with the Associated Press.

Berns’ career was also marked by his ability to spot potential in musicians who would shape the future of rock. He introduced guitarist Jimmy Page to the Atlantic Records team, paving the way for Led Zeppelin’s signing. After Berns’ death, the band recorded “Baby Come on Home (Tribute to Bert Berns),” which remained unreleased until 1993.

His life has been rediscovered in recent years. The 2017 documentary BANG! The Bert Berns Story and the off-Broadway jukebox musical Piece of My Heart: The Bert Berns Story have introduced his work to new audiences.

In Joel Selvin’s book Here Comes the Night: The Dark Soul of Bert Berns and the Dirty Business of Rhythm & Blues, he is described as “one of the great originals of the golden age of rhythm and blues.”

With his induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Berns’ place among the great architects of modern pop and soul music is a little less hidden.

This Legendary 1960s Hitmaker was Just Inducted Into the Songwriters Hall of Fame

CGTN

Cambodia has opened a new gateway to the skies. This week, Techo International Airport officially began operations, marking a major step forward in the country’s aviation and infrastructure ambitions.

Built in Kandal Province, just 19 kilometers from Phnom Penh, the airport covers about 2,600 hectares and is now the largest air hub in Cambodia. The project was led by Cambodia Airport Investment Co., Ltd. and constructed by China Construction Third Engineering Bureau Group Co., Ltd. (CCTEB). Work started in January 2020 and took more than five years to complete.

The scale of the construction is unprecedented for the country. The airport’s steel-structured roof spans 216 meters in width and 360 meters in length, supported by dome components weighing more than 11,000 tonnes. Engineers say it represents the largest steel-structure project in Cambodia by both volume and area.

Beyond size, the airport emphasizes sustainability. Its new energy center includes Cambodia’s largest-capacity chiller system, designed to improve efficiency in cooling operations. More than 1,000 solar panels line the facility, expected to generate up to 120 million kWh annually and cut carbon emissions by roughly 100,000 tonnes per year.

Officials hope the new airport will take pressure off Phnom Penh’s existing facilities, expand the country’s air transport capacity, and better serve the growing number of tourists. Cambodia’s economy relies heavily on tourism, and leaders believe Techo International will help position the country to compete regionally while providing long-term economic momentum.

With its scale, modern design, and environmental focus, the airport is being welcomed as a symbol of Cambodia’s development.

Cambodia's New Eco-Friendly Airport Takes Flight!

CTV News

Dory the cat has no eyes, but that hasn’t stopped her from stealing the spotlight — or a role in a Hollywood film.

The Steinbach rescue cat, already known in her community as an ambassador for the Steinbach and Area Animal Rescue, appears in the upcoming movie The Long Walk, starring Mark Hamill.

“She’s just the sweetest girl,” said her owner of nine years, Michelle Neufeld. “She constantly wants hugs, and she relies on physical touch to see the world. She’s very, very affectionate. Anytime she greets somebody, she wraps her legs around them.”

That warmth makes her an unlikely fit for a movie based on a Stephen King novel.

A friend of Neufeld’s who trains animals for film suggested Dory after learning the production needed a one-eyed or eyeless cat for a scene. Sure enough, Dory can be spotted in the trailer, perched calmly on a mailbox as the characters march past.

Filming took place in Manitoba, with Dory’s scene shot in Winkler. Although she was booked for three days, she nailed the job in one. “She did everything that they needed her to do, and they were actually shocked that she was so awesome,” Neufeld said. “Granted, her role was just sitting on a mailbox, but most cats wouldn’t just sit there idly. She was very well-behaved on set.”

The crew made sure Dory was comfortable, giving her shade between takes and plenty of affection. Cast and crew members posed for photos with her, delighted by her calm presence.

Neufeld says people are often surprised by just how capable Dory is at home, too. “You wouldn’t even think that she is blind,” she said. “She runs through my house, jumps on counters, jumps on furniture, she catches flies like you would never even think that she’s blind.”

Only occasionally does Dory bump into something out of place, like a mop bucket or vacuum cleaner. “Her senses are like super charged,” Neufeld said.

For Neufeld, the film role is another way to show off the cat’s resilience and charm. For Dory, it was just another chance to win hearts.

The Long Walk opens in theatres Friday.

A Blind Cat from Manitoba is Starring in a New Movie Starring Mark Hamill

Talker News

An elephant at a Somerset zoo has received specialist dental treatment to protect his tusks after keepers noticed a small hole during routine checks.

Uli, a young bull living at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm near Bristol, was treated by renowned wildlife dentist Peter Kertesz, who has worked with everything from lions to dolphins. The procedure involved cleaning and drilling Uli’s tusk before sealing it with resin to prevent further damage.

Head keeper Tom Lindley said the work was only possible because of the trust developed between Uli and his carers since his arrival last year. “Tusk health is vital for elephants, and we’re proud of the trust Uli has built with us since he arrived at the Zoo last year,” Lindley said. “That trust allows us to carry out this kind of important care calmly and safely. His welfare is always our highest priority, by taking preventative measures and treating potential issues early, we can avoid more serious problems further down the line.”

Uli stayed calm throughout the procedure thanks to training and a steady supply of rewards, including bananas and cabbage.

Kertesz, who leads Zoo Dent, said the procedure was successful. “Everything went extremely well. We started by smoothing the tusk down, and we then looked inside to make sure we were onto healthy dentine, the substance that makes up most of the tusk and is commonly known as ivory. We then filled it with some plastic material so no dirt can get in. It will now be fine for years.”

The team also examined Janu, an older bull elephant who recently damaged a tusk during play. His tusk was smoothed and a treatment plan was agreed between keepers and Kertesz to protect it going forward.

Both elephants live in a 20-acre enclosure, which the zoo describes as the largest habitat of its kind in northern Europe and designed to meet the highest welfare standards.

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