The snakes saved from a circus that became stars of the world's largest freshwater aquarium

As cobras salvas de circo que se tornaram estrelas do maior aquário de água doce do mundo

Two snakes living at the world's largest freshwater aquarium in Campo Grande, Brazil, are enjoying a remarkable second act after being rescued from exploitative circumstances. Capitu, an albino python, and Rachel Carson, a boa constrictor, were confiscated three years ago from a traveling circus in Amambai following a controversial performance that drew police attention. The python had been used as a prop, draped around performers and paying customers, while both animals were kept illegally — violations that resulted in significant fines and criminal charges for the circus owner. Unable to return to the wild after losing their natural defenses and becoming dependent on human care, the serpents found sanctuary at Bioparque Pantanal. There, their lives transformed completely. Capitu, named through a social media vote, stretches about 2.5 meters long. Both snakes now participate in educational programs that teach visitors about biodiversity conservation and the importance of protecting wildlife from trafficking and illegal exploitation. Their care involves a dedicated multidisciplinary team that monitors their health, provides enrichment through walks around the facility, and conducts regular medical examinations. This story offers a quiet testament to rehabilitation and purpose. What makes it meaningful is the journey from exploitation to education — two animals once treated as circus curiosities now serve as living ambassadors for wildlife protection. Recent documentation of Capitu's skin-shedding process, a sign of good health, demonstrates how far these serpents have come, turning a troubling past into an opportunity to inspire respect for the natural world.

The country confronting water scarcity with water systems abandoned hundreds of years ago

El país que confronta la escasez de agua con sistemas hídricos abandonados hace cientos de años

In 2025, a centuries-old stepped well in Alwar, India, overflowed for the first time in over three decades—a quiet triumph of tradition meeting modern crisis. The Moosi Rani Sagar baori, built in the early 19th century, had fallen into disrepair and contamination. But after restoration efforts beginning in 2021, it now holds water up to nine meters deep, rarely dropping below six even in the driest months. This stepwell is part of a growing movement across India to revive ancient water management systems that were abandoned, often only in the last two centuries. India faces a stark water challenge: home to 18% of the world's population but only 4% of its freshwater, much of it polluted. The country draws more groundwater than any other nation, and climate change is making rainfall more erratic—hotter air dries soil faster, and intense rains run off before they can seep into aquifers. Traditional structures like baori, johad, kund, and tanka were designed to slow water flow and encourage infiltration. These systems sustained rural India for over a millennium, far more effectively than modern open reservoirs, which lose significant water to evaporation. What makes this story quietly remarkable is the realization that some of the best tools for climate adaptation aren't new technologies, but old wisdom half-buried in mud. Communities across India are discovering that restoring heritage isn't just about preserving the past—it's about securing the future. These ancient structures, carved in stone and tested by centuries, are proving resilient exactly when they're needed most.

Cyborg cockroaches are trained to rescue disaster victims; see how

Baratas ciborgues são treinadas para socorrer vítimas de desastres; veja

Australian researchers have turned giant burrowing cockroaches into "cyborgs" designed to help disaster victims trapped in rubble. Scientists from the University of Queensland and the University of New South Wales equipped the insects with tiny backpacks containing miniature injection devices and cameras, with the goal of delivering basic medical aid to earthquake and collapse survivors before human rescue teams can arrive. The project uses the northern Queensland giant burrowing cockroach, considered the world's heaviest cockroach species. By implanting an electrode into the insect's nervous system, researchers can send small electrical signals that allow them to remotely guide the cockroach's movements through disaster sites. The choice of living insects over robots comes down to performance: no machine has yet matched the combination of agility, resilience, and energy efficiency that cockroaches naturally possess. Their ability to navigate complex terrain, climb walls, and move upside down makes them ideal for navigating the irregular, debris-filled spaces typical of collapsed structures. The research team acknowledges significant challenges remain before these "paraborgs" can be deployed in real emergencies, including navigation difficulties in complex terrain, signal loss within collapsed buildings, and ensuring the injection mechanism works reliably without harming victims. Still, this unusual approach highlights how nature's solutions—refined over millions of years—sometimes outperform even our most sophisticated technology, and how scientists are finding creative ways to bridge biology and engineering in service of saving lives.

Norway mourns King Harald as new era begins under Haakon VIII

Norway is in a period of national mourning following the death of King Harald V at age 89, marking the end of a 35-year reign that reshaped the country's relationship with its monarchy. Thousands of Norwegians have gathered at the Royal Palace in Oslo to pay respects to a leader many describe as a unifying figure and "grandfather to the whole nation." The king, who had been Europe's oldest reigning monarch, died in an Oslo hospital where he'd been treated since August for a condition affecting his red blood cells. King Harald was celebrated for embracing a more inclusive vision of Norwegian identity, embodying values of tolerance and openness during his decades on the throne. His accessible style and reformist approach earned him deep affection across the country, where flags now fly at half-mast and his portrait appears on buildings throughout the nation. The transition of power was immediate: his son became King Haakon VIII the moment Harald passed away, and is set to take his oath before parliament this week. This story captures a quiet but profound moment of national reflection, as Norway honors a beloved monarch while navigating the complexities of royal succession. The new king inherits a monarchy praised for its modernity yet recently shadowed by controversy, including scandals touching members of the royal family. It's a reminder that even in one of the world's most egalitarian societies, the human dimensions of leadership—warmth, continuity, and the passage of generations—still matter deeply to how communities understand themselves.

What happens if you give everyone $700? A local economy thrives

In the bustling village of Kamala in southern Malawi, 19-year-old Yonas Fote has turned a modest room into a thriving cinema, charging friends twelve cents to watch dubbed Nigerian films. His entrepreneurial venture isn't just youthful ambition—it's part of a radical experiment in rethinking how aid works. Fote is one of 230,000 adults receiving approximately $700 each through GiveDirectly's unconditional cash transfer program, the largest of its kind in the world, with no strings attached and no prescribed use for the funds. The $198 million initiative challenges traditional models of development assistance by trusting recipients to know what they need most. Rather than dictating solutions from afar, the program simply provides capital and observes what emerges. Fote's cinema represents exactly the kind of creative, locally-grounded initiative that can flourish when people have resources and agency. His business serves his community's appetite for entertainment while generating income—a modest but meaningful contribution to the local economy. This story matters because it offers a glimpse into what happens when we shift from paternalistic aid to empowerment. The results aren't grand infrastructure projects or imported solutions, but rather organic economic activity rooted in actual community needs and desires. Whether it's a makeshift cinema or another venture entirely, these cash transfers are revealing how local economies can thrive when people are trusted to make their own decisions. It's a quietly radical proposition: that sometimes the best development strategy is simply giving people the means to pursue their own ideas.

30 Years of Chabad in Berlin: More Space for Jewish Life

30 Jahre Chabad in Berlin: mehr Platz für jüdisches Leben

In a quiet corner of Berlin, a Jewish community is preparing to expand its spiritual home. The Chabad community, now marking 30 years since Rabbi Yehuda Teichtal arrived from New York, has outgrown its central synagogue in Wilmersdorf. What began with a handful of families has blossomed into a congregation of roughly 4,000 members, and the current 200-seat synagogue regularly overflows—sometimes welcoming up to 1,000 worshippers during High Holy Days. Teichtal, whose family lost dozens of relatives in the Holocaust, has built more than just physical spaces. The community now runs multiple smaller synagogues across Berlin, a Jewish campus with kindergarten and school, and even opened Germany's only Jewish refugee shelter when Ukrainian Jews fled the war. The rabbi describes himself as "orthodox and open," and that openness shapes the community's approach: regular visits from school groups, partnerships with federal police training programs, and increasingly, students from schools with large Muslim populations. "Encounter breaks down prejudice and creates tolerance," Teichtal notes, pleased that reality has exceeded expectations. This weekend's anniversary celebration will feature street festivities, live music, and a glimpse of the future—visitors can experience the planned expanded synagogue through virtual reality. The community will also begin a new Torah to be handwritten entirely in Germany. It's a story worth attention because it captures something quietly remarkable: a thriving Jewish community choosing visibility and growth in a country still reckoning with its history, building bridges through invitation rather than isolation, and betting that shared experience can soften the edges of difference.

How 'Book Queen' Dolly Parton inspired millions of children with gift of reading

Dolly Parton, who passed away this week at 80, left behind a remarkable literacy legacy that quietly transformed millions of young lives. In 1995, she launched Imagination Library to honor her father, a brilliant man whose Appalachian poverty denied him the chance to learn to read. The program's mission was simple but profound: send one free book per month to children from birth to age five, fostering a love of reading from the earliest days of life. What began in a single Tennessee county has grown into a global effort spanning the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Ireland. By 2025, Imagination Library had distributed more than 300 million books—one every 78 seconds. Parents describe the impact in deeply personal terms: a London mother who established bedtime story routines when her daughter was just months old, an Australian toddler with speech delays whose first word came after receiving a book about colors, and a Colorado boy who affectionately called Parton "The Book Queen" after falling in love with her book about emotions. Families praised not just the free access to books, but their thoughtful curation—addressing themes from emotional development to diverse family structures and identities. This story matters because it reveals how one person's quiet determination can ripple across generations and continents. Parton didn't just give children books; she gave families a reason to gather, learn, and dream together—turning what might have been a luxury into an accessible gift for all.

Elderly man receives visit from pet dog in hospital in São Paulo state: 'He became very excited,' says daughter

Idoso recebe visita de cachorra de estimação em hospital no interior de SP: 'Ficou muito animado', diz filha

An 81-year-old patient undergoing hemodialysis at a hospital in Votuporanga, Brazil, received an unexpected visitor that transformed his spirits: Sacha, his beloved dog of 15 years. The Santa Casa hospital arranged the reunion as part of an institutional program to bring comfort and joy to patients during treatment. Video footage captured the emotional moment when Sacha circled her owner's wheelchair before leaping into his lap, visibly lifting the elderly man's mood. Altair Formentao and Sacha have been inseparable companions since the death of Altair's wife a year and a half ago. Originally his late wife's dog, Sacha became deeply bonded to Altair after her passing, following him everywhere. His daughter Rosangela explained that her father had been feeling sad and in pain, facing the unexpected reality of needing dialysis. Just knowing he would see Sacha lifted his spirits immediately. The visit also reunited him with his grandson and great-granddaughter, adding to the day's joy. This story quietly illustrates how healthcare extends beyond medical procedures. The hospital's social worker noted that simple gestures like pet visits can have profound effects on patient well-being, renewing strength during difficult times. For Altair, those few minutes with his faithful companion offered something no treatment could provide: the comfort of unconditional love and the reminder that he's not alone in his struggle. It's a gentle testament to the healing power of the bonds we share with our animal companions.

Country Life: Technograzing and virtual fences on a Taranaki farm

On a century-old family farm in Taranaki, New Zealand, siblings George and Julia Hardwick-Smith are transforming traditional grazing with technology that would have seemed like science fiction to their ancestors. Their innovation centers on virtual fencing: solar-powered collars that cattle wear, which emit a beep when animals approach an invisible boundary, followed by a mild pulse if they don't turn back. It's a digital replacement for the wire fences that have shaped farming for generations. The technology has opened up parts of their 1,500-hectare property that were previously difficult to manage—steep terrain with slippery access that became nearly unreachable in winter, yet contained prime grazing land. What once required physical fence-building with "sticks and strings" now happens through an app. The system supports their "techno grazing" approach, where stock rotate through small sections daily, eating every blade of grass before moving on. This precision means better pasture health, happier animals, and nutrients recycling back into the soil where they're needed rather than concentrating around water troughs and shade trees. George, a former accountant, ran the numbers four years ago and found the returns "massive" compared to traditional methods. This story offers a quietly remarkable glimpse at how farming is evolving—not away from tradition, but deeper into it. The Hardwick-Smiths are using cutting-edge technology to practice more attentive animal husbandry, the kind their great-grandparents might have aspired to if they'd had the tools. It's a reminder that innovation and stewardship can work hand-in-hand, and that sometimes the best way to honor the past is to farm smarter, not just harder.

In photos: the Norwegian people's farewell to King Harald amid tears and floral tributes

En fotos: la despedida del pueblo noruego al rey Harald entre lágrimas y ofrendas florales

Norway gathered to mourn the passing of King Harald V, who died at age 89. The images emerging from Oslo capture a nation united in quiet grief, as crowds assembled at the Royal Palace square to pay their respects to a beloved monarch who had reigned for decades. The scene outside the palace was one of collective sorrow and reverence. Floral tributes and Norwegian flags steadily accumulated as mourners approached, some standing in silence, others visibly moved to tears. The Oslo Cathedral also became a focal point for grieving citizens, opening a book of condolences for the public to share their memories and messages. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre joined the tributes, laying his own bouquet among the growing memorial and delivering a televised address in which he spoke of the nation being "united in pain and gratitude," emphasizing that Harald's legacy would endure. This story matters because it captures something increasingly rare: a genuine outpouring of public affection for a head of state. The photographs document not just the end of a reign, but the visible emotional connection between a people and their king—a reminder that some leaders still manage to transcend their ceremonial roles and touch the hearts of those they serve. In an age of cynicism about institutions, Norway's tears tell a different story.

Hà Đình Đức, guardian of Hanoi’s legendary turtle, died at 86

A chance encounter in 1991 transformed zoologist Hà Đình Đức into the devoted guardian of one of the world's rarest creatures. Walking past Hồ Gươm, the small lake at Hanoi's center, Đức witnessed a giant softshell turtle surface—a moment he described as creating an "invisible bond" that changed his life. For the next twenty-five years, he photographed the turtle, tracked its appearances, and became known throughout the city as "Professor Turtle" or "Đức Rùa." For Đức, this wasn't merely about studying a critically endangered species. The turtle embodied a fifteenth-century legend in which a golden turtle reclaimed a magical sword from the rebel leader Lê Lợi after he drove Ming forces from Vietnam, giving the lake its name: Hồ Hoàn Kiếm, the Lake of the Returned Sword. The turtle's presence made ancient myth tangible, serving as the lake's "soul." This conviction drove Đức to challenge development plans he believed threatened the creature, insisting scientists had a responsibility to consider the animal's welfare. When the elderly turtle fell ill in 2011, Đức kept vigil at the lakeside daily. Its death in 2016 was a profound loss, yet he continued his work, searching Vietnam for related turtles and speaking out against threats to the lake. Đức's story captures something quietly remarkable about devotion—how a single moment of connection can anchor a life's work, and how caring for one creature can mean safeguarding the stories and places that give a community meaning. He died in August 2024 at eighty-six, having spent three decades as caretaker to both a living animal and the legend it carried.

Japan's controversial World War II heroes: a kamikaze pilot testifies

Les héros controversés de la Seconde Guerre mondiale au Japon : un pilote kamikaze témoigne

At the end of World War II, as American forces advanced across the Pacific, Japan launched a desperate final strategy: kamikaze attacks. Thousands of young pilots, averaging just 21 years old, were ordered to crash explosive-laden planes into enemy warships. Nearly 4,000 Japanese pilots died in these missions, killing around 7,000 Allied sailors. While wartime propaganda portrayed them as heroes eager to die for the emperor, survivors describe a more complicated reality—young men prepared for death, many of whom had little choice in their fate. Kunitake Toriya is among the last living kamikaze pilots. In 1945, he received his suicide mission orders and trained for months, but Japan surrendered before his deployment. Captured by Soviet forces, he spent nearly two years in captivity before returning home. Today, museums across Japan preserve the memory of these pilots, including thousands of letters written before their final flights—though these documents were often shaped by military censorship and imperial propaganda. More than 80 years later, the legacy of the kamikaze remains deeply divisive in Japan. Some view these pilots as patriots who died for their country; others see them as symbols of militarism and an era when individual lives were sacrificed for the state. As Japan increases its defense budget and strengthens its military capabilities, debates about this history have resurfaced. This story offers a quiet window into how nations grapple with difficult pasts—and how the echoes of war continue to shape conversations across generations.

Partial lunar eclipse is captured by residents in the Campinas region; see PHOTOS

Eclipse lunar parcial é registrado por moradores na região de Campinas; veja FOTOS

Residents across Brazil's Campinas region stepped outside during the night of March 27–28 to witness a partial lunar eclipse, capturing photographs and videos as Earth's shadow crept across the Moon's surface. The celestial event reached its peak at 1:13 a.m., when 96% of the lunar surface was obscured by our planet's shadow—a near-total eclipse that offered a dramatic view for those willing to stay up late. The phenomenon was visible throughout Brazil and much of the Western Hemisphere, including all of South and Central America, large portions of North America, and parts of western Europe and Africa. In the Campinas area of São Paulo state, a television cinematographer and residents from nearby towns like Amparo, Mogi Guaçu, and Mogi Mirim documented the gradual darkening and the Moon's subtle color shifts as it passed through Earth's umbra. This story offers a gentle reminder of the quiet wonder that unfolds above us, often unnoticed in our busy lives. A partial lunar eclipse requires no special equipment to enjoy—just clear skies and a willingness to look up. The community response, with people across multiple towns sharing their images, speaks to our enduring fascination with celestial events and the way they can unite observers across vast distances in a single, shared moment of cosmic choreography.

Japan's 4 Golden Rules for Making Its Cities More Livable

Las 4 reglas de oro de Japón para hacer más habitables sus ciudades

Japan's cities consistently rank among the world's most livable, and the secret lies not in flashy skyscrapers but in thoughtful design choices that smooth the friction of daily life. In the 2026 Global Liveability Index, Osaka placed seventh and Tokyo tenth, making Japan the only Asian country with two cities in the top ten. Residents and urban planning experts point to intentional decisions that prioritize accessibility and human-scale infrastructure—ramps that serve wheelchair users, parents with strollers, elderly residents, and travelers with luggage alike. At the heart of Japanese urban design are the shotengai, covered shopping streets lined with independent businesses where owners often live above their shops. These walkable corridors host grocers, clinics, cafés, and affordable stores within a few flat, sheltered blocks, creating natural gathering places for all ages. American expat Patrick Lydon, who traded his car for a bicycle after moving to Osaka, describes how even grocery shopping became a pleasant social ritual that connects neighbors. The human-scale design—marked by the aroma of fried croquettes, easy transit access, and a sense of safety—echoes the charm of America's historic Main Streets. What makes this story quietly remarkable is its reminder that great cities aren't built around cars or monuments, but around the rhythms of everyday life. Japan's approach shows that livability emerges when design serves everyone—children, seniors, and people with disabilities navigating the same welcoming streets. It's a lesson in how small, intentional choices can transform urban living into something genuinely communal and humane.

Norway's King Harald dies aged 89

Norway's King Harald V has died at age 89 after being hospitalized for a rare blood condition, marking the end of a 35-year reign that transformed the Norwegian monarchy. The king, who was Norway's first monarch born on Norwegian soil since the 14th Century, passed away peacefully at Oslo's national hospital, with family members having visited in his final hours and citizens laying flowers at the palace in tribute. Harald's legacy is defined by his modernization of royal tradition and his deeply personal connection to the Norwegian people. He famously broke with centuries of custom by marrying Sonja Haraldsen, a commoner and businessman's daughter, after telling his father he would remain single if forbidden the match. Their 58-year marriage set a precedent that allowed his own children to also marry outside royal circles. During pivotal moments—most notably after the devastating 2011 attacks in Oslo and Utøya—Harald served as a calming, unifying voice, urging Norwegians not to let fear prevail. Royal observers describe him as down-to-earth and beloved, earning him the affectionate title of the "People's King." This story resonates because it captures how one person can reshape an ancient institution through quiet authenticity. Harald's willingness to show emotion, humor, and vulnerability made the monarchy feel accessible and human. His son Haakon, now 53, assumes the throne at a time when the family has faced both health struggles and personal controversies, but Harald's decades of steady, compassionate leadership have left a template for what it means to serve with genuine warmth in a changing world.

People freed after spending day stuck between slips on State Highway 6

A powerful winter storm swept across New Zealand's South Island, trapping two cars and their occupants between more than 20 landslips on State Highway 6 near Wānaka. The stranded travelers spent an entire chilly day waiting for rescue, with one person bundling up to watch Lord of the Rings trilogy to pass the time. Road contractors eventually cleared a path through the debris, allowing both vehicles—one stuck at each end of the affected section—to drive out safely, reportedly in good spirits despite their ordeal. The storm brought dramatic impacts across the region, dumping over 300 millimeters of rain in Franz Josef and more than 20 centimeters of snow elsewhere. In Queenstown's Fernhill area, a blocked culvert created a cascading waterfall that tore through six properties. Resident Debra Clarke, who has lived in her home for 36 years, described water gushing like a river through her garden and into her house around midnight, leaving an inch of silt throughout. She and 44 others were evacuated to temporary accommodation, with firefighters responding to 16 flooding emergencies across multiple communities. Clarke's freshly landscaped garden was destroyed, and her cat went missing in the chaos. This story captures both the dramatic power of nature and the quiet resilience of people caught in its path—from the movie-watching patience of stranded motorists to neighbors helping clear flooded streets. It's a reminder of how quickly weather can transform familiar landscapes and the human capacity to find calm, even humor, while waiting out forces beyond our control.

‘Nature thrives when given a chance’: restored Cheshire wetland now a haven for rare grebe

A former industrial dumping ground in Cheshire has been transformed into Britain's most important breeding site for the black-necked grebe, a rare waterbird distinguished by glossy plumage and golden feather tufts behind ruby-red eyes. Woolston Eyes, once a repository for dredgings from the Manchester Ship Canal, now hosts an astonishing 64% of the country's breeding population of these elegant birds. Since 2021, the RSPB and Woolston Eyes Conservation Group have carefully restored the site, creating a mosaic of freshwater pools, reedbeds, and nesting islands designed to attract black-headed gulls—neighbors the grebes prefer for protection from predators. The transformation has been swift and dramatic: four pairs bred successfully in 2023, raising 15 young. By 2025, that number had surged to 35 pairs, with 29 nesting on the newly restored wetland. The site's management includes a crucial rotation system, moving water between areas to prevent wetlands from maturing too much, which would cause the grebes to abandon them. This adaptive approach also supports other rare species, including willow tits and grasshopper warblers. This story offers a quiet but powerful reminder that thoughtful conservation can yield remarkable results in surprisingly short order. The rapid recovery at Woolston Eyes demonstrates not only the resilience of nature when given appropriate conditions, but also the value of understanding a species' specific needs—from companion gulls to the right stage of wetland maturity. It's a testament to what's possible when industrial scars are reimagined as ecological opportunities.

Yayoi Kusama, Japanese visual artist, dies at 97

Yayoi Kusama, artista plástica japonesa, morre aos 97 anos

Yayoi Kusama, the celebrated Japanese artist known for transforming her childhood hallucinations into mesmerizing polka dots, giant pumpkins, and infinite mirrored spaces, has died in Tokyo at age 97. Born in 1929 in Matsumoto, Japan, Kusama moved to New York as a young woman after rejecting an arranged marriage, bringing her bold paintings, sculptures, and performances to a world that would eventually embrace her vision wholeheartedly. Kusama's work emerged from a deeply personal place—she channeled her mental health struggles into art that was both intimate and universal. Her obsessive patterns and immersive installations invited viewers to lose themselves while simultaneously finding connection. In 1973, she returned to Japan and four years later voluntarily admitted herself to a psychiatric hospital, where she continued creating prolifically. Her partnership with a major luxury brand and exhibitions in the world's leading galleries cemented her status as one of contemporary art's most important figures. A 2013–2014 exhibition in Brazil drew over 1.7 million visitors across three cities. Today, three of Kusama's installations live permanently at Instituto Inhotim in Brazil, where visitors experience her signature immersion: 750 metal spheres reflecting on water, a room transformed by 20,000 glowing dots that evoke both constellations and intimacy, and lanterns creating infinite reflections that bring unexpected peace. Kusama once said she hoped that even after her death, people would understand her creations' purpose—her hope, her passion, and her desire to bring love to humanity. In spaces that feel simultaneously vast and personal, her legacy continues to invite us in.

Hamish Chimanlal, Tonga's taekwondo star, strikes gold in South Korea

A young athlete from Tonga is making waves in the world of taekwondo, bringing home gold from an international competition while sharing his island nation with competitors who'd never heard of it. Hamish Chimanlal, a university student in Auckland of Indian and Fijian descent, recently won the Senior Male 2 Knife-Hand Breaking division at the Kimunyong Cup in South Korea—a tournament that drew representatives from 61 countries. Chimanlal's journey began at age seven in Nuku'alofa, inspired by kung fu movies and classmates practicing martial arts. What started as childhood fascination has evolved into serious pursuit: he's now completed his International Taekwondo Master Course while competing at the highest levels. The hand-breaking discipline he won gold in involves stacking bricks and breaking through them—a test of precision, power, and nerve. Though he'd broken bricks before, competing was entirely new, and he describes the experience as surreal, managing his nerves in such a significant setting before successfully completing his break. Beyond the medal itself, Chimanlal finds meaning in representing Tonga on the world stage. He relishes the conversations that follow when fellow competitors ask about the unfamiliar flag he carries, giving him opportunities to introduce his home country to people who've never encountered it. His mother, watching proudly from Nuku'alofa, sees his achievement as inspiration for everyone who knows him—a childhood dream realized. This story quietly reminds us that athletic excellence often travels from unexpected places, and that sports can be as much about cultural exchange as competition.

Missing dog rescued from cliff face around volcanic crater lake

In the South Australian city of Mount Gambier, a dog named Tyson spent nearly a week stranded on a narrow ledge 100 meters down the steep cliffs surrounding Blue Lake, a striking body of water nestled in a volcanic crater. Locals had reported hearing barking for days, but the sheer, treacherous terrain made locating the source nearly impossible. Tyson's owners, the Camilleri family, had already been searching desperately after both their dogs went missing; one had been found earlier in the week, but hope for Tyson was fading until SA Water crews spotted him from a boat on the lake. What followed was a multi-hour rescue effort involving the Metropolitan Fire Service, the State Emergency Service, specialized rope systems, and a drone. Firefighter Joel Van Eeten was lowered down the cliffs—navigating sections with 30-degree inclines and sheer 20- to 30-meter drops—to reach the frightened dog. Once there, he spent several minutes earning Tyson's trust before securing him in a harness designed for humans and beginning the careful 30-minute haul back up. Despite his ordeal, Tyson emerged remarkably uninjured, though noticeably thinner from days without food or water. This story is a quiet testament to the dedication of emergency services and the resilience of one very lucky dog. It's also a reminder of how communities rally around moments of shared compassion, turning what could have been a tragedy into a heartfelt reunion that left rescue crews and the Camilleri family alike moved and grateful.

Rural school students create unusual band with guitar, horn and a robot in MS

Alunos de escola rural criam banda inusitada com violão, berrante e um robô em MS

At a rural school in the Eldorado 2 settlement in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, four high school students built a robot that performs a beloved regional classic. Their creation plays "Trem do Pantanal" — a song celebrating the Pantanal wetlands — on a keyboard, accompanied by live guitar and traditional instruments. The project, named PantaBox, earned recognition at the regional round of the Brazilian Robotics Olympiad in Campo Grande, impressing judges and fellow competitors alike. The idea took root after their school received technology kits and training from the state education department. Students José Henrique, Lucas Guilherme, Diogo Maciel, and Nicolas Wendell wanted to honor their regional culture and musician Almir Sater. Over two weeks, they synchronized controller boards and converted musical notes into digital commands, carefully timing motor movements to match the song's original rhythm. The technical challenge was substantial: each note had to be precisely timed, with no programming embedded in the keyboard itself — the robot had to physically press the keys at exactly the right moments. This project illuminates how technology and tradition can harmonize in unexpected settings. For a rural community often overlooked in conversations about innovation, the students' achievement demonstrates that curiosity and dedication transcend geography. Their work brought visibility to rural education and proved that young people from agricultural settlements can compete — and excel — on the same stage as students from urban centers. It's a quietly powerful reminder that remarkable ideas can emerge from anywhere when students are given tools, encouragement, and the freedom to celebrate their own cultural roots.

Images of the hypnotic universe of dots and mirrors created by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama

Las imágenes del hipnótico universo de puntos y espejos que creó la artista japonesa Yayoi Kusama

Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, who passed away at 97 in Tokyo, left behind a mesmerizing legacy of polka dots, mirrors, and infinite reflections that captivated millions worldwide. Her immersive installations transformed galleries into otherworldly experiences, using brilliant colors, patterns, and reflective surfaces to create the illusion of endlessness. Kusama became one of the rare artists whose work transcended the art world to reach mass audiences, drawing crowds from New York to London to Sydney. Kusama traced her signature dots back to childhood hallucinations of spots and lights, visions she channeled into her art beginning in the 1960s as part of the pop art movement. Her career reached new heights after representing Japan at the Venice Biennale in the 1990s, leading to exhibitions at prestigious venues like New York's Museum of Modern Art and London's Tate Modern. Her 2012 Tate retrospective and subsequent Infinity Mirror Rooms installation proved so popular it was extended multiple times. In one memorable 2017 exhibition at Washington's Hirshhorn Museum, visitors themselves placed over 800,000 polka dot stickers throughout a white room and even on their own faces. Kusama's story carries a quiet poignancy: she voluntarily lived in a psychiatric hospital for decades, yet never stopped creating. According to the official announcement of her death, she continued painting "until her final days without ever putting down her brush," exploring eternal love and the eternal soul. Her commitment to transforming personal struggle into joyful, accessible art that invited participation and wonder makes her legacy not just visually striking, but deeply human.

Meta’s $18bn settlement: How social platforms will change for child users

Meta has agreed to an $18 billion settlement with 48 US states in a landmark case that accused the social media giant of designing Instagram and Facebook to be addictive and harmful to children. The lawsuit, first filed in 2023, alleged that Meta encouraged addictive behavior, failed to verify users' ages, allowed children to bypass parental controls, and inadequately protected young users from harmful content. The states also accused Meta of violating children's privacy laws by collecting data from users under 13 without proper parental consent. Under the settlement terms, Meta will introduce significant changes for users under 18, including night curfews and two-hour daily usage limits on Instagram and Facebook. The company denied wrongdoing but agreed to settle after evidence suggested it knew its platforms harmed children's mental health. The $18 billion will be paid over ten years—a relatively small sum compared to Meta's $201 billion revenue in 2025. Individual states will receive varying amounts, with California potentially receiving $2.2 billion and New York $1.1 billion, some of which will fund children's mental health services. This settlement follows earlier losses for Meta, including a $375 million verdict in New Mexico. This story matters because it represents one of the most significant regulatory actions against a social media company over child safety, potentially setting a precedent for how platforms operate globally. While the settlement introduces new protections, it notably doesn't require Meta to end personalized recommendations or targeted advertising, leaving some experts questioning whether the changes go far enough to truly protect young users from the features that made these platforms concerning in the first place.

What caused the avalanche and 3 other questions about the disaster that left hundreds dead and missing in Nepal and Tibet

Qué causó la avalancha y otras 3 preguntas sobre la catástrofe que dejó cientos de muertos y desaparecidos en Nepal y Tíbet

A massive glacial collapse in the border region between Nepal and Tibet has claimed more than 350 lives and left hundreds missing, sending a devastating wave of mud, ice, and rock through mountain communities. What initially appeared to be an earthquake turned out to be something different: the U.S. Geological Survey confirmed that seismic readings actually captured a glacier collapse and debris flow, not tectonic activity. The surge swept through the Nuwakot region, overwhelming buildings, roads, and a multi-story border checkpoint along the Trishuli River, with further flooding expected downstream as debris clogs river systems. Scientists are now piecing together what triggered the collapse. Climate change is accelerating glacial melt across the Hindu Kush-Himalaya range, and experts believe warming permafrost—which helps hold mountain slopes together—may have played a role. Water from rainfall or melting ice may have destabilized the terrain, setting off a chain reaction. Researchers are analyzing satellite imagery and recent precipitation data to reconstruct the sequence of events and assess whether glacial lakes emptied suddenly or rivers became dammed by debris. This tragedy highlights both the power of natural forces in high mountain regions and the growing influence of a warming climate on landscapes once locked in ice. While such events cannot be entirely prevented, scientists emphasize that their impacts can be reduced through monitoring and early warning systems. The story is a sobering reminder of how environmental changes in remote places can have immediate, human consequences—and why understanding these shifts matters for vulnerable communities living in their shadow.

Man who attacked nun on CCTV in Jerusalem acquitted on grounds of mental health

A Jerusalem court has acquitted a man who violently attacked a French nun in the Old City, ruling that he was experiencing a psychotic episode and not criminally responsible for his actions. The April incident, captured on CCTV, showed Yona Schreiber pushing and kicking the nun, who struck her head on stone and sustained facial and leg injuries. Following psychiatric evaluation, the court ordered Schreiber committed to a psychiatric hospital for up to six years rather than pursuing criminal charges. The assault drew immediate international condemnation, with French officials and church leaders calling it sectarian violence. Israel's foreign ministry denounced the attack as contrary to the country's stated values of religious freedom and coexistence. Yet the incident fits within a troubling pattern: religious Jews have increasingly spat at and harassed Christian clergy and pilgrims in Jerusalem's Old City, while church properties face vandalization and disputes over settler encroachment. A 2025 report from the Rossing Center, which promotes interfaith dialogue, documents a "recent surge in overt animosity towards Christianity," linking it to deepening polarization and ultra-nationalist political trends. This story matters because it highlights the fragile state of religious coexistence in one of the world's most spiritually significant places. While the court's psychiatric finding addresses one individual's culpability, the broader context reveals tensions that threaten the ancient city's character as a space of shared sacred geography. The case raises questions about how communities preserve mutual respect and safety when mental health crises intersect with rising sectarian hostility.

How decoding beluga whales’ chitchat may save them – and teach us more about ourselves

In the fog-shrouded waters of Canada's high Arctic, researcher Valeria Vergara sits in a tent listening through headphones to the underwater world of beluga whales. What she hears is a cacophony of clicks, whistles, and trills—the constant chatter that allows these social creatures to stay connected in murky, dim waters where visibility is poor. That moment of sitting blind in fog while surrounded by whale voices gave Vergara a profound insight: belugas live in a kind of perpetual visual fog too, relying on sound as the fabric of their lives. Vergara's research has revealed charming parallels between whale and human communication. Baby belugas, like human toddlers, must learn their repertoire over two to three years, babbling clumsily before mastering their pod's distinctive calls. One of their first accomplishments is developing an "acoustic name tag" to identify themselves. But there's a concerning catch: infant calls travel only a fraction of the distance that adult calls do—making them eighteen times more vulnerable to being drowned out by boat noise. When separated in large pods, baby belugas may become permanently lost from their mothers, unable to make themselves heard over human-generated sound. This research has already made a difference. In 2018, Canadian authorities closed key beluga gathering areas to boats, giving those "faint, tentative" baby voices a better chance of being heard. The story is a quiet reminder that listening—truly listening—can reveal not just the hidden lives of other species, but also surprisingly simple ways humans can help protect them in an increasingly noisy ocean.

Satellite proliferation puts astronomical observations at risk, study shows

Proliferação de satélites põe em risco observações astronômicas, mostra estudo

As satellite constellations multiply overhead, astronomers are sounding a quiet alarm about the future of cosmic observation. A new study from the European Southern Observatory examines what happens when tens of thousands—or even millions—of satellites cross the field of view of Earth's most powerful telescopes, leaving bright streaks across images of the night sky. The research, conducted at Chile's Paranal Observatory in the Atacama Desert, used simulations to model the impact of proposed satellite launches. Currently, about 15,000 satellites orbit Earth, but plans are underway to deploy more than 1.7 million additional ones, driven largely by internet services like SpaceX's Starlink and Amazon's Project Kuiper. Astronomer Olivier Hainaut explains that each satellite trail obscures a small portion of a telescope's view. One streak might be manageable, but as numbers climb into the hundreds of thousands, the cumulative effect could deprive some observatories of most of their data. The study found that 100,000 satellites would create a tolerable level of interference, but 300,000 could prove seriously disruptive. This story matters because it illuminates an emerging tension between two worthy goals: expanding global internet access and preserving humanity's window into deep space. The researchers emphasize that satellite internet services offer real benefits, particularly for underserved regions, and don't advocate abandoning them. Instead, they're calling for balance—a conversation about how technological progress and scientific discovery might coexist. The challenge, Hainaut notes, is that satellites are already launching while researchers are still assessing the consequences, making this a race between innovation and understanding.

China’s Tianmu Mountain reserve tackles modern conservation amid religious tradition

On Tianmu Mountain in eastern China, ancient religious traditions and modern conservation science are finding common ground. For over a millennium, Buddhist, Daoist, and Confucian beliefs have shaped local attitudes toward the forest, with temples once enforcing strict rules against harming trees and wildlife. Now, following a dramatic expansion in 2025, the area has become the 54,700-hectare Tianmushan-Qingliangfeng UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve—China's first expansion of its kind—and state regulations provide the formal legal framework for protection. Known as the "kingdom of big trees," the reserve shelters thousands of species, including endangered ginkgo trees, Chinese pangolins, and the rare Tianmu ironwood. What makes this conservation effort particularly noteworthy is its co-management approach: local communities helped develop the ten-year management plan, and residents in the transition zone's 41 villages hold decision-making power over ecotourism and sustainable development. This collaboration aims to resolve longstanding tensions, including a 2001 lawsuit over land-use restrictions. Park authorities and religious institutions are now encouraging younger generations to pursue ecotourism careers rather than traditional farming, aligning economic livelihoods with environmental health. Meanwhile, the reserve faces contemporary challenges like pine wilt disease and climate-driven shifts in forest composition. This story offers a quietly hopeful model for conservation: honoring the past while adapting to present needs. The belief that "every tree, flower, and bird carries a spirit" has kept the mountain thriving for centuries, and that spiritual foundation now supports a modern framework where protection and prosperity might grow together.

Yayoi Kusama, Japanese artist who turned hallucinations into art, dies at 97

Yayoi Kusama, the Japanese avant-garde artist who transformed her lifelong hallucinations into mesmerizing art, has died at 97. Known for her obsessive polka dots, whimsical pumpkin motifs, and immersive "infinity rooms" — mirrored spaces that project patterns endlessly — Kusama painted until her final days in August 2025. Her studio announced she "never set aside her brush," continuing her exploration of love and the eternal soul through her work. Born in 1929 in Matsumoto City, Kusama experienced visual and auditory hallucinations from childhood, hearing flowers speak and seeing dots everywhere. She left Japan at 27 for New York, where she quickly entered the avant-garde scene alongside Andy Warhol and other icons. Her work spanned painted canvases, phallic soft sculptures she called "Accumulations," anti-war "Happenings" in the 1960s, and bold guerrilla installations like her uninvited 1966 appearance at the Venice Biennale, where she sold mirrored balls for two dollars each. Around 1977, she voluntarily entered a mental hospital in Japan, living there for decades while commuting daily to her studio. Art, she wrote, was the only method that relieved her pain and anxiety. Kusama's global influence reached a remarkable peak in Australia, where a 2024–2025 retrospective at Melbourne's National Gallery of Victoria became the most visited exhibition in the country's history, drawing over 500,000 people. Her ability to channel mental illness into joyful, participatory art that invites wonder rather than pity makes her story quietly extraordinary — a testament to resilience, creativity, and the transformative power of embracing one's unique vision.

Caramel-colored dog entertains by playing with garbage collector and disrupting work; video

Cachorro caramelo diverte ao brincar com coletor de lixo e atrapalhar o trabalho; vídeo

In the central Brazilian city of Anápolis, a heartwarming friendship has captured social media attention between a garbage collector and a spirited caramel-colored dog named Jaquim. Vanderlan José de Carvalho, who has worked collecting trash for 26 years, began filming his unusual work companion after noticing how the playful pup transforms his daily route into moments of joy. Jaquim has made a habit of dragging garbage bags and playfully interfering with the collection process, behavior charming enough that Vanderlan felt compelled to share it with the world. The daily encounter happens in the Jaiara neighborhood, where Jaquim lives with his owner. The dog has learned to recognize the sound of the approaching garbage truck and, according to Vanderlan, will scratch at his gate asking to be let out in time to greet the collection crew. Video footage shows Jaquim trotting ahead of the workers and attempting to grab the trash bags, all while remaining gentle and affectionate. Despite his mischievous antics during work hours, neighbors report that he sits calmly and offers his paw to children. Vanderlan, known since childhood as "Mazzaropi" for his good humor, says he's grown deeply attached to his four-legged friend and worries when the dog isn't there to greet him. This story offers a gentle reminder of the unexpected connections that can brighten everyday routines. What started as simple documentation of an unusual work companion has resonated with tens of millions of viewers across social media platforms, suggesting that people everywhere recognize something quietly remarkable in the bond between a dedicated worker and a playful dog who turns ordinary garbage collection into something worth celebrating.

Pancreatic cancer pill that made doctors cry is approved in the USA

Pílula contra câncer de pâncreas que fez médicos chorarem é aprovada nos EUA

A new pill for pancreatic cancer has received accelerated approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, less than three months after its clinical trial results moved oncologists to tears and a standing ovation at the world's largest cancer conference. The drug, daraxonrasib (marketed as Rasonque), targets a protein called RAS that drives tumor growth—a target researchers had struggled to reach for decades. The approval offers hope for adults with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma who have already undergone at least one treatment or cannot tolerate combination therapies. The excitement stems from results of a rigorous phase 3 trial involving 500 patients. Those taking the once-daily pill lived a median of 13.2 months compared to 6.6 months for those on conventional chemotherapy—effectively doubling survival time. The risk of death dropped by 60 percent, and the time before the disease progressed also doubled. Perhaps equally remarkable, more than 31 percent of patients experienced measurable tumor shrinkage, and only 1.2 percent had to stop treatment due to side effects, compared to over 11 percent in the chemotherapy group. These results were so robust that researchers declared the drug should become the new standard of care for second-line treatment. This story matters because pancreatic cancer has long been one of the most difficult cancers to treat, and breakthroughs have been rare. The drug's ability to target a previously "undruggable" protein, combined with its tolerability and meaningful extension of life, represents a genuine shift in what's possible. For patients facing one of oncology's toughest diagnoses, the approval offers not just time, but time with better quality of life—a quietly profound achievement in cancer care.

How the water stations that attract jaguars, maned wolves and other cerrado animals work in Tocantins

Como funcionam os bebedouros que atraem onças-pintadas, lobo-guará e outros animais do cerrado no TO

In the cerrado region of Tocantins, Brazil, a simple intervention is offering wildlife a lifeline during the hot, dry season. Three water stations installed in April have become gathering spots for an impressive array of animals, from jaguars and maned wolves to owls and doves. Camera traps positioned nearby have captured intimate glimpses of creatures coming to drink, revealing the vital role these modest reservoirs play in the landscape. The water stations, installed in a compensatory planting area in Cariri do Tocantins, are relatively simple: shallow basins about ten inches deep and roughly four feet long. Environmental service teams clean and refill them every two weeks. Yet their impact extends far beyond their size. In May alone, cameras recorded two jaguars approaching the water, a maned wolf stopping to hydrate, and various birds including the distinctive seriema, barn owls, and turkey vultures. The initiative, run by a logistics company with support from an environmental services firm, goes beyond simply providing water—researchers are using the footage to map visitation patterns, species diversity, and animal behavior over time. This story quietly illustrates how targeted conservation efforts can support biodiversity in working landscapes. The cerrado, one of South America's most threatened ecosystems, faces increasing pressure from development and climate extremes. These water stations represent a thoughtful response: a low-tech solution that acknowledges wildlife needs while gathering valuable data. For readers, it's a reminder that conservation doesn't always require grand gestures—sometimes what matters most is understanding what creatures need to survive and simply providing it.

Para swimming champion matched by her dog in gold medal winning feats

Jenna Jones, a 25-year-old Para swimmer from Australia, shares an unusual distinction with her Australian shepherd, Luna: both are gold medalists in their respective sports. While Jones recently claimed her first major individual title at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in the women's 100-meter S13 freestyle, Luna competes alongside her owner in rally, a sport that tests canine obedience and agility. The pair's bond extends beyond the medal podium, with Jones describing Luna as her best friend who shares her personality. Jones's journey in swimming began early, serving as a lifeline after she was diagnosed with a rare degenerative eye disease in kindergarten. Sport gave her confidence, taught her to trust her body, and provided independence she might not have otherwise gained. Now a decade into her international career—having made her Paralympic debut at fifteen in Rio—Jones is preparing for the Para Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in California, buoyed by her recent Commonwealth Games success. As one of the team's senior members, she's particularly excited to mentor the many rookies making their debuts. Balancing her swimming career with university studies toward a counseling degree isn't easy, but Jones remains grateful for the opportunities and friendships sport has brought her. What makes this story quietly remarkable is how it illuminates the role athletics can play beyond competition—building confidence, fostering independence, and creating lasting connections. Jones's reflection on her 13-year-old self breaking national records captures something universal: the hope that our younger selves would be proud of who we've become.

Police dog who helped seize more than 3 tons of drugs receives tribute after dying in Tocantins

Cão da PM que ajudou a apreender mais de 3 toneladas de drogas recebe homenagem após morrer no TO

A police dog named Raio, a pitbull who served with Brazil's Military Police in Tocantins, has been honored following his death from health complications. During his years of active service with the Tactical Force K9 unit, Raio helped seize more than three tons of illegal drugs, assisted in searches through forested areas, and participated in the capture of suspects. His career was marked by versatility—he was trained in narcotics and weapons detection, search and rescue operations, and even took part in community outreach with children and elderly residents. After his retirement, Raio was adopted by federal highway police officer João Eudes Duarte Neves, a handler he had worked alongside during joint operations. The two had formed a strong bond through their collaboration, and Raio spent his final five years living as a family pet, playing with the officer's children and enjoying a quieter life. Though he had pre-existing health issues that required ongoing treatment, his condition eventually worsened, and he stopped eating in his final days. Upon his death, fellow officers gave Raio a final salute and buried him at the police kennel where he had worked, with plans to build a memorial in his honor. This story offers a tender glimpse into the working lives of service animals and the deep connections they forge with their human partners—a reminder that behind remarkable professional contributions often lie relationships of loyalty, care, and quiet devotion that extend well beyond duty.

Historic train rides now offered every weekend in Sorocaba

Passeios de trem histórico passam a ser realizados todo fim de semana em Sorocaba

The city of Sorocaba, Brazil, has launched a new weekly tradition that combines leisure with living history. Every weekend, residents and visitors can now board a historic train that retraces the route once traveled by factory workers in this industrial heartland, known in its heyday as the "Manchester Paulista" for its textile prowess. The Workers' Train of Sorocabana departs from Paula Souza Station on Saturday and Sunday mornings, pulled by a 1948 diesel locomotive or occasionally by steam locomotive No. 58, affectionately called "Maria-Fumaça" (Smoke Mary). The four-kilometer round trip follows the old streetcar line to Vila Assis Station, bringing passengers back to an era when these rails were lifelines for the laborers who powered Sorocaba's mills. The experience includes a guided tour of the Textile Museum in Vila Hortência, housed in remnants of the Santa Maria Factory, which opened its doors in 1892 and shaped the region's identity for generations. This is more than nostalgia on rails. The Railway Preservation Movement behind the project channels all ticket revenue directly into restoring and maintaining historic rail heritage that might otherwise rust into obscurity. For families looking for an outing that teaches while it entertains, and for a city reconnecting with the industrial roots that defined it, these weekend journeys offer something quietly vital: a chance to ride through history while helping to preserve it for those who will come after.

A teacher’s slap, student’s death revive India’s corporal punishment debate

The death of six-year-old Pranay Teja in Visakhapatnam, India, has reignited debate over corporal punishment in schools. Security footage shows the kindergarten student being slapped by his teacher for allegedly not completing homework. He collapsed immediately and was pronounced dead at a hospital shortly after. His family reports that physical punishment was common at the private school, and authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. Corporal punishment has been illegal in Indian schools since 2010, when the Right to Education Act explicitly banned physical punishment and mental harassment of children. Additional laws protect children's dignity and criminalize cruelty by those in their care. Yet the practice persists, particularly in schools serving poor, rural, and marginalized communities. A 2018 study found that nearly 80 percent of low-income schoolchildren surveyed near New Delhi reported being beaten multiple times weekly, with many parents approving of the practice. Legal experts point to weak enforcement as a core problem—while the law prohibits corporal punishment, it doesn't create strong criminal penalties, and complaints are often buried by school administrators who pressure families to settle quietly. This story matters because it exposes the troubling gap between India's legal protections for children and classroom realities. Despite clear prohibitions and court rulings affirming children's rights to dignity, the normalization of hitting students—especially among vulnerable populations—continues largely unchecked. Pranay Teja's death is a stark reminder that laws alone cannot protect children when enforcement remains inadequate and cultural acceptance of physical discipline persists across institutions and homes alike.

Scientists discover 149 new deep-sea species at remote Indian Ocean seamounts

In one of the ocean's least explored regions, scientists have discovered a treasure trove of life on seamounts near Australia's remote Christmas and Cocos islands. An international expedition surveyed the deep Indian Ocean seafloor down to depths of more than 5,400 meters, identifying 149 species previously unknown to science—including black corals, sea worms, peculiar fish, and even a parasitic barnacle. At one site dubbed "The Shark Tooth Graveyard," researchers uncovered roughly 1,000 shark teeth spanning more than 22 million years of evolutionary history. The expedition required a week-long voyage just to reach the isolated islands, situated between Australia and Sri Lanka. Once there, the team mapped and explored 22 volcanic seamounts—underwater mountains that rise at least 1,000 meters from the ocean floor. These ancient formations, some up to 120 million years old, interrupt deep-sea currents and create nutrient-rich oases that support remarkable biodiversity. The researchers surveyed environments that are perpetually cold, dark, and under crushing pressure, where food is scarce and survival demands extraordinary adaptation. They even discovered a volcanic caldera at 3,000 meters depth, playfully naming it "The Eye of Sauron" for its resemblance to Tolkien's fictional landmark. This research matters because the Indian Ocean, despite covering a fifth of global ocean area, remains far less studied than the Pacific or Atlantic—particularly its deep-sea ecosystems. As these fragile environments face mounting threats from warming waters, pollution, overfishing, and the prospect of deep-sea mining, understanding what lives there becomes increasingly urgent. The expedition offers a rare glimpse into an alien world that exists beneath familiar waters, revealing just how much of our own planet remains wonderfully, mysteriously unknown.

Brewery operating in church basement revives recipe from over 130 years ago

Cervejaria que funciona em porão de igreja resgata receita de mais de 130 anos

In the basement of a historic convent in Juiz de Fora, Brazil, a brewery has recreated a beer recipe that's more than 130 years old. The Hofbauer Brewery, run by Redemptorist missionaries, recently welcomed experts from Belgium and the Netherlands to help resurrect a brewing tradition that began in the late 1800s. The recipe was discovered in the Netherlands by Belgian historian Henri Reuchlin, who traveled to Brazil to witness the special production firsthand. The brewing took place in the cellar of the Church of Glória's convent, where some of the equipment—brought from Europe in the early 1900s—is still in use today. Founded in 1894 by Dutch priests, the brewery has maintained its craft for generations, producing about 350 liters per batch four times a year. The recent batch yielded roughly 600 liters, though this particular beer won't be sold; it's reserved exclusively for the religious community. Meanwhile, the brewery's regular production supports social projects, with all proceeds going to charitable works maintained by the institution. This story offers a quiet glimpse into how tradition, faith, and craft can intertwine across centuries and continents. The brewery has recently begun competing in festivals, earning four medals in 2025 including gold in a regional competition and bronze at an international festival in Peru. Visitors can tour the operation on Saturdays, enjoying tastings in a space where history is quite literally still fermenting. It's a reminder that some of the most meaningful innovations are actually careful acts of preservation—keeping alive skills and recipes that connect us to those who came before.

Putting slugs on the map: farmers pioneer precision crop protection

British farmers are pioneering a clever new approach to protecting their crops from slugs, one of agriculture's most persistent pests. A three-year research project led by the British On-Farm Innovation Network has developed a digital mapping tool that predicts exactly where slugs are most likely to attack, allowing farmers to apply pesticides with surgical precision rather than treating entire fields. The innovation emerged from an unusual collaboration: twenty-eight farmers worked as field researchers, setting traps and gathering data about where slugs congregated in their fields. This hands-on monitoring, combined with soil sampling and computer modeling, created maps that farmers can now use for free to identify vulnerable 'slug hotspots.' When paired with automated pellet applicators, the system has enabled pilot participants to cut their use of slug pellets by half on average. If adopted widely across Britain's arable industry, researchers estimate it could save farmers six million pounds annually while significantly reducing pesticide use. Meanwhile, scientists at the John Innes Centre have been working on another front, identifying regions of the wheat genome linked to natural slug resistance. This story quietly challenges assumptions about who can contribute to scientific research. As project founder Tom Allen-Stevens points out, farmers proved themselves highly capable field researchers, and the collaboration demonstrated that those who know the land best deserve more recognition for their expertise. In an era seeking more sustainable agricultural practices, this farmer-scientist partnership offers a model for reducing chemical use while protecting both crops and livelihoods—a practical solution born from respecting local knowledge and pairing it with innovation.

'Overwhelming response': Thousands gather across New Zealand to celebrate Onam

Across New Zealand, thousands of people from Kerala gathered in recent weeks to celebrate Onam, the South Indian state's beloved ten-day harvest festival. From Auckland to Dunedin, communities came together to share traditional vegetarian feasts, create intricate flower arrangements called pookkalam, and enjoy cultural performances that honor the mythical King Mahabali, who legend says returns to Kerala during this time each year. The celebrations took on special significance in unexpected places. At Auckland's Middlemore Hospital, healthcare workers and their families marked Onam during one of the country's most challenging winters for medical staff. More than 100 people attended, finding moments of connection amid demanding schedules. In Wellington, what began as a modest gathering for healthcare workers grew into an event drawing over 1,000 attendees, reflecting both the size of Kerala's diaspora in New Zealand—with some 500 healthcare workers from the state at Wellington Hospital alone—and the festival's magnetic pull across communities. This story offers a quiet glimpse into how immigrant communities sustain cultural memory while building new roots. Onam's emphasis on togetherness, equality, and cross-cultural celebration translates beautifully to New Zealand's multicultural landscape, where festivals become more than nostalgia—they're acts of community-building that enrich everyone involved. The overwhelming turnout at events across both islands suggests these gatherings fulfill a deep need for connection, especially for those working in high-pressure professions far from home.

Founders once linked to Bezos project pitch AI that models physics, not language

Two researchers who were once considered to lead a Jeff Bezos-backed initiative have emerged with their own venture, offering a fresh take on artificial intelligence. Anima Anandkumar and Benedikt Jenik have founded Accelerated Understanding, a company that has developed an AI model designed not for language processing, but for understanding physics. What sets their work apart is scale. In testing, their model successfully processed 5 trillion pieces of data in a single prompt—roughly 5 million times the capacity of leading language models from companies like Anthropic and Google. To put that in perspective, it's akin to absorbing Tolstoy's epic "War and Peace" 5 million times over in one go. The technical achievement addresses a fundamental challenge: handling datasets so enormous that a single computer might struggle under the weight. By focusing on physics rather than language, the duo is carving out a niche that could prove essential for scientific modeling, simulations, and research that demand processing vast amounts of numerical and spatial information. This story is worth attention because it highlights a quieter frontier in the AI boom. While much of the public conversation centers on chatbots and text generation, Anandkumar and Jenik remind us that artificial intelligence has profound applications beyond words—in the invisible structures that govern the physical world. Their work suggests that the next wave of breakthroughs may come not from models that mimic human conversation, but from those that help us understand the universe itself.

Singer Tami Neilson says Dolly Parton's death 'hurts so deeply'

The music world is mourning the loss of Dolly Parton, who died Tuesday at her home in Nashville at age 80. The country music legend, who rose from humble beginnings to become one of America's most beloved and philanthropic stars, left an indelible mark on artists and fans worldwide. New Zealand country singer Tami Neilson, an eight-time winner of Aotearoa's Best Country Music Artist award, shared an emotional tribute that captures Parton's far-reaching influence. Neilson's earliest musical memory involves her father playing Parton's albums and telling her young daughter that if she wanted to be a singer, she should aspire to be like Dolly—someone universally loved who "can do everything." That childhood moment at the turntable planted a seed that grew throughout Neilson's career. Watching Parton perform at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry inspired her own dreams, and thirty years later, Neilson herself performed on that same historic stage. What makes this story quietly powerful is how it illustrates the ripple effect of authentic artistry. Neilson credits Parton with giving her "permission" to be bold, to embrace rhinestones and big hair, and to be unapologetically herself as a woman in music. Beyond the sequins and showmanship, Parton modeled something deeper: how to be simultaneously kind and strong, joyful yet unbending. In a world that often feels divided, Parton represented a rare constant—someone who, as Neilson's father predicted, truly seemed to be loved by everyone. This tribute reminds us that great artists don't just create music; they create permission for others to shine.

How Dolly Parton fostered child literacy as a tribute to her dad

Dolly Parton, who passed away this week at 80, leaves behind a remarkable legacy that extends far beyond her music. Growing up as one of twelve children in the poverty of East Tennessee, Parton was inspired by her father—a man she considered brilliant but who never learned to read after leaving school young to support his family. Determined to ensure other children wouldn't face the same barriers, she launched the Dolly Parton Imagination Library in 1995, initially serving underprivileged kids in her home county. The program's approach is elegantly simple: every registered child from birth to age five receives a free, age-appropriate book each month delivered to their home. What began as a local initiative has grown into an international movement spanning the US, UK, Ireland, Canada, and Australia, where it arrived in 2013. To date, the Imagination Library has gifted 332 million books worldwide, including over 2 million to Australian children. Regional selection committees ensure cultural relevance, incorporating Indigenous authors and locally resonant stories. The program's impact is more than anecdotal. A 2025 international study examining data from 86,000 families found that enrolled children were nine times more likely to be read to four or more days weekly, and the initiative significantly narrowed early literacy gaps that often persist through primary school. For Parton, this wasn't about statistics—it was about planting seeds of dreams through books, just as she'd dreamed herself out of the Smoky Mountains. This story reminds us how one person's tribute to a parent can ripple across continents, quietly reshaping countless childhoods.

Storing carbon in sea could have huge potential for fighting climate change - report

A new report from New Zealand's Royal Society explores the emerging field of marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) — using the ocean to capture and store atmospheric CO2 — as a potential tool in the fight against climate change. With emissions reductions alone no longer sufficient to meet the 1.5°C warming limit outlined in the Paris Agreement, scientists are looking beyond land-based solutions like forestry to the vast potential of the sea. The techniques range from restoring coastal blue carbon habitats like mangroves and salt marshes to more experimental approaches that alter ocean chemistry to boost carbon absorption. However, the report emphasizes that mCDR is still in its infancy. Significant uncertainties remain about effectiveness, scalability, longevity of carbon storage, costs, and potential environmental side effects. New Zealand's current regulations, developed before these technologies emerged, offer minimal oversight beyond prohibitions on marine dumping and placement of matter. At least one company is already advocating for regulatory changes to enable larger-scale research and commercial operations. The report stresses that any adoption would require robust monitoring, verification, extensive research, and public dialogue — developed in partnership with Pacific neighbors. Climate researcher Tim Naish cautions that while carbon removal may be necessary, it risks creating a "moral hazard" that discourages emissions cuts at their source. Continuous removal efforts would be needed as long as emissions continue, which could prove financially and environmentally expensive. This story matters because it highlights a careful tension: the ocean may hold real climate solutions, but the urgency to explore new technologies shouldn't overshadow the fundamental work of reducing emissions in the first place.

Digital navigators bridge divide for older Australians

In the small Western Australian town of Balingup, where the median age is 58, a quiet crisis is unfolding as essential services move online. Wendy Trow, 72, has become her 85-year-old sister Marjorie's lifeline to the digital world, helping her navigate everything from government aged care portals to banking after their local branch stopped accepting cheques. Marjorie, a former nurse who managed her life capably for decades, now depends on her sister for financial transactions she once handled independently. Without this help, she believes she would already be in an aged care facility. The situation in Balingup reflects a broader national challenge. Data from the Australian Digital Inclusion Index reveals that more than 65 percent of Australians over 75 are digitally excluded, along with disproportionate numbers of Indigenous Australians, people with disabilities, and those in regional areas. Trow has organized a small volunteer group to help other older residents access online services, though she worries about the weight of this responsibility and the lack of formal training. Patricia Sparrow, head of the Council on the Ageing Australia, emphasizes that digital exclusion isn't merely a generational issue that will resolve with time—some people will always struggle with digital platforms, and new vulnerabilities emerge as technology evolves. This story matters because it reveals the human cost of efficiency. As institutions pursue digital-first strategies, they risk leaving behind capable, independent people whose only barrier is the medium itself. The grassroots solution emerging in Balingup—neighbors helping neighbors—is heartening but unsustainable as a national strategy, highlighting the need for hybrid systems that preserve dignity and autonomy for all.

Cameras capture maned wolf and jaguar at watering stations installed in Tocantins cerrado

Câmeras flagram lobo-guará e onça-pintada em bebedouros instalados no cerrado do TO

In the cerrado scrublands of Tocantins, Brazil, a simple act of conservation is revealing the hidden richness of one of the world's most threatened ecosystems. Three watering stations installed in an environmental recovery area have become unlikely stages for wildlife, captured on camera as jaguars, maned wolves, deer, owls, armadillos, and dozens of bird species stop by to drink and cool off in the dry season. The containers were set up in April 2026 as part of a compensatory planting project, maintained every two weeks by environmental service teams who clean and refill them. Throughout May, the cameras documented a parade of visitors: two jaguars approached on the 27th, while days earlier a maned wolf—a long-legged, fox-like canid native to South America—paused for hydration. Birds including barn owls, red-crested cardinals, vultures, and seriemas also made appearances, each species following its own rhythm and need. What makes this story quietly remarkable is how a modest intervention—water in a recovering landscape—can become a meeting place for biodiversity. The footage not only confirms that native species are returning to rehabilitated areas, but also offers researchers valuable data on visitation patterns and animal behavior over time. It's a reminder that conservation doesn't always require grand gestures; sometimes it's as fundamental as ensuring that wild creatures have a drink when they need one, and paying attention to who shows up.

Chinese robot Tiangong clocks sub-9-second 100 metres in Beijing

A humanoid robot named Tiangong Ultra has run 100 meters in 8.86 seconds at the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, beating Usain Bolt's human world record of 9.58 seconds by more than seven-tenths of a second. The achievement marks a remarkable leap in robotics development — just a year ago, the same robot completed the distance in 21.50 seconds, showcasing the rapid pace of improvement in the field. Developed by the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center, Tiangong Ultra is part of a broader ecosystem where more than 2,000 robots from 666 teams are competing in everything from sprinting to football to industrial tasks. The robot's finish was dramatic: it struck a crash mat at the end of the race and collapsed with a small fire appearing in its torso from the impact. Engineers at the event note that witnessing these machines in motion is startling in person, offering a visceral sense of how far robotics has advanced. China has designated humanoid robotics a strategic industry, with backing from major tech companies like Baidu and Xiaomi. This story offers a window into a field that's evolving faster than most might expect. While robots surpassing human athletic records might sound like science fiction, the reality is unfolding at competitions that blend sport, engineering, and national ambition. It's a reminder that the line between human capability and machine performance continues to shift in surprising ways, raising questions about what comes next as these technologies move from competitive arenas into everyday applications.

Could Shellfish Farming Fix Florida’s Algal Bloom Problem?

Florida's coastal waters have been increasingly choked by toxic algal blooms—thick green mats that smell of rotten eggs, block sunlight, and kill marine life. The most notorious variety, red tide, turned nearly 1,000 miles of coastline a bloody hue in 2018, killing wildlife and costing the state $2.7 billion in lost tourism. The problem is fueled by nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizers washing into waterways, and it's getting worse as waters warm and coastal development increases. Enter an unlikely cleanup crew: clams and oysters. These humble bivalves are natural water filters, with a single adult oyster capable of scrubbing more than 50 gallons of water daily, removing excess nitrogen, bacteria, and algae in the process. Researchers like Ashley Smyth, a coastal biogeochemist at the University of Florida, see shellfish farming as a promising two-pronged solution—both restoring wild oyster reefs that have been decimated by overharvesting and expanding commercial shellfish operations. Programs in regions like the Chesapeake Bay have already shown success with "nutrient credit trading," where oyster farmers can sell credits based on the nitrogen their crops remove from the water. This story offers a rare glimpse of environmental problem-solving that doesn't require high-tech intervention or massive infrastructure—just working with nature's own systems. It's a reminder that sometimes the most effective solutions are the ones that have been quietly filtering our waters all along, and that supporting them might be as simple as growing more of what we already love to eat.

DNA analysis of Asiatic wild dogs scat in India reveals wild prey preference

In the forests of central India, researchers have discovered something reassuring about one of Asia's most endangered predators. Asiatic wild dogs, or dholes, are sticking to their natural diet of wild prey even in areas where domestic livestock graze nearby. The finding offers important clues for conserving a species that has lost roughly 80% of its historic range, with only 1,000 to 2,000 adults remaining worldwide. Scientists from India's National Centre for Biological Sciences and the Maharashtra Forest Department collected small samples of dhole scat in the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve and used DNA metabarcoding to identify what the animals had been eating. This technique extracts genetic material from feces and matches it against a vast species database, eliminating the observer bias that can affect traditional methods of examining prey hairs under a microscope. The analysis revealed that dholes feed almost exclusively on wild herbivores like sambar deer, wild pigs, and chital, with livestock making up only a negligible portion of their diet across seasons and locations. The research suggests that maintaining healthy populations of wild prey is essential for dhole conservation, though ecologists caution that boosting herbivore numbers isn't simple. Wild deer and pigs often raid crops, potentially creating new tensions between wildlife and farming communities. As one researcher noted, conservation should never come at the expense of people who share the landscape with these animals. This study offers a quiet reminder that protecting endangered predators means thinking carefully about entire ecosystems and the human communities woven into them.

Father completes 5 km pushing son with disability in adapted bicycle and moves audience; watch

Pai percorre 5 km empurrando filho com deficiência em bicicleta adaptada e emociona público; assista

A father and son crossed the finish line together at a 5-kilometer inclusion race in northern Brazil, capturing hearts with a moment that speaks to both parental love and the meaning of genuine participation. Roney Lustosa de Freitas pushed his four-year-old son Ravi in an adapted bicycle through the course, while the boy—born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus—chatted excitedly, asked if they were almost done, and urged his father to go faster. The crowd's applause at the finish line was captured on video, and the family was surprised when the clip resonated far beyond their small town. Roney, a public servant, had taken up running to manage anxiety, but the activity gained deeper significance once Ravi joined him. The boy has undergone multiple surgeries since birth, including placement of a shunt to manage fluid on the brain, and receives ongoing care across several medical specialties. His mother, Mariana, paused her career in education to coordinate his treatments and says the family has relied on donations to access intensive therapies. She founded a social media page documenting their journey, emphasizing that true inclusion means more than rhetoric—it means creating space for people with disabilities to be present, visible, and fully engaged in life's experiences. This story is a quiet reminder that participation matters. It's not about overcoming for the sake of inspiration, but about a child experiencing the thrill of competition, the rhythm of movement, and the normalcy of a Saturday morning race—alongside a father determined to show him that every space is his to claim.