Former ‘Today’ star Dr. Art Ulene attempts world-record summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro for 90th birthday
Dr. Art Ulene, a former Today show host, is attempting to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro to set a world record for the oldest person to summit the mountain on his 90th birthday. The climb marks his effort to demonstrate that significant physical achievements remain possible at an advanced age.
Cabo Verde program and its fishers have been protecting the sea for 10 years
For ten years, a program in Cabo Verde has engaged local fishers in protecting marine areas while conducting their fishing operations. Alberto Martius and his son Leandro monitor the sea while fishing off Fogo island in the archipelago.
Brit in America delightfully recaps his first 4th of July experience
A British person living in America experienced Independence Day for the first time and described it as intensely American. He expressed uncertainty about whether the events he witnessed actually occurred.
Viral Kindness Campaign Leaves Surprises on Cars of Anyone Who Took Cabs Home from the Bar
The Montana Barfairies volunteer group places $5 gift cards under windshield wipers of vehicles left at bars by people who took cabs home instead of driving drunk. The campaign rewards designated drivers and those choosing safe transportation by leaving monetary surprises on their parked vehicles.
New Indonesia roadmap aims to protect Indigenous knowledge for biodiversity
Indonesia is creating a roadmap to recognize and protect Indigenous peoples' and local communities' traditional knowledge related to biodiversity conservation. The initiative aligns with Indonesia's commitments to international frameworks governing environmental protection.
Female Rower Completes Record-Breaking Solo Journey from California to Hawaii
A solo rower completed the journey from California to Hawaii in record time, becoming the first American woman to accomplish this feat. Kelsey Pflendler also set records for being the fastest person of either sex and the youngest to complete this solo row.
Ugandan Coffee Growers Shrug Off Drought Thanks to Regenerative Agriculture
Ugandan coffee growers in the Masaka region increased robusta plant yields using regenerative agriculture techniques including mulching and cover cropping. These methods helped coffee plants produce larger, tastier yields despite droughts and erratic rainfall patterns.
Rare seed collection offers hope for last wild tree of its kind from Chile
Seeds were collected from the last wild Dendroseris neriifolia tree on Robinson Crusoe Island to prevent its extinction through cultivation trials. The tree grows precariously on a steep cliff, and all 11 species in its genus are threatened with extinction.
How the ancient art of candle making is creating a brighter future for refugees
Refugees in the US are employed making candles to earn income, practice English, and develop work experience. The program combines traditional candle-making techniques with job training and language skills development.
Himalayan pangolin emerges as distinct species, 189 years after first described
A Himalayan pangolin identified 189 years ago has now been confirmed as a distinct species separate from previously known pangolins. The animal has distinctive ears and significantly more trunk scales than any other recorded pangolin species.
As East Africa’s oceans change, coastal women build new livelihoods
Climate change and industrial fishing are depleting fish stocks across East Africa's coastline, threatening ocean-dependent livelihoods. Coastal women in Kenya are transitioning to community tourism and mangrove restoration projects as alternative income sources.
The women leading a quiet conservation revolution in a Nigerian gorilla sanctuary
A women's group in Ulom village, Nigeria operates a monthly conservation effort within a gorilla sanctuary, holding meetings that begin with prayers and choruses. The sanctuary sits in the mountainous southeastern region surrounded by dense green vegetation.
Rooftop Solar Gave Power to Pakistan When Fossil Fuels Failed– it’s Now Called a Boom
Rooftop solar panels now provide one-fifth of Pakistan's total national power supply after private investment surged due to energy shocks from fossil fuel failures. Pakistan's 150 million-plus population has increasingly relied on these solar installations when conventional power sources became unavailable.
Brazil boosts budget and number of firefighters amid strong El Niño forecast
Brazil increased wildfire spending and hired a record number of federal firefighters in anticipation of extreme drought in the Amazon. The hiring surge was prompted by forecasts of one of the strongest El Niño events in over a century.
Shell’s New Concept EV Designed to Charge in Under 10 Minutes and Run at 6 miles per kWh
A concept electric vehicle can charge in under 10 minutes and achieve 6 miles per kilowatt-hour efficiency. The Triple 10 Challenge Car uses a simplified cooling system to manage thermal loads during 175 kilowatt-hour charging.
Blind People Offered Hope of Seeing Again After Stem Cell Breakthrough Remakes Retinal Blood Vessels
Lab-grown retinal blood cells injected into mice with retinal disease integrated into damaged tissue and regenerated blood vessels, restoring retinal function. The treatment worked in a model of the leading cause of vision loss in working-age people.
€12 Million Portrait of Picasso’s ‘Golden Muse’ Recovered from Thieves After Paris Theft
A stolen Picasso painting valued at €12 million was recovered during a police raid on suspected drug dealers in Paris. The portrait depicts Marie-Therese Walter, a French model and lover of Picasso who he credited with inspiring one of his most productive creative periods.
The national dance company opening doors for young performers
A national youth dance programme is bringing together performers aged 16 to 24 from across England. These young dancers will perform on major stages through the initiative.
Surprise Audio Played at Wedding Shocks Everyone When Bride Accurately Predicts Husband’s Name as a 4-Year-old
A bride named Jordan Rosenberg accurately predicted her husband Max Creamer's name when she was four years old, with the prediction revealed through audio played at their wedding reception in May. The couple met at a Halloween party about ten years ago while attending San Diego State University.
Crow Takes to Teaching a Starving Orphan Bird How to Eat (Watch)
A featherless baby jackdaw found starving in a Nottingham field was rescued and nursed back to health. An older crow has taken the orphaned bird under its wing and teaches it how to eat.
Rare 1776 Declaration of Independence Discovered by National Archives in UK–One of Only 11 Known to Survive
A previously undiscovered 1776 printing of the Declaration of Independence was found by a volunteer at The National Archives in Kew, making it one of only 11 known copies to survive. This copy is the sole surviving edition located outside the United States.
Woman says we are ‘severely underreacting’ to octopuses, then proves she’s not wrong
Octopuses demonstrate remarkable intelligence including tool use, problem-solving abilities, and the capacity to recognize individual humans. They possess nine brains, three hearts, and blue blood containing copper-based hemocyanin instead of iron-based hemoglobin.
The Majestic ‘Gloucester Tree’ Reopens to Climbers in Australia After 3 Years of Repair
The Gloucester Tree, the world's second-tallest fire-lookout tree, reopened to climbers in Australia after closing for three years of repairs. The tree serves as a popular climbing destination and rite of passage for locals and visitors in the country's far southwest region.
Students trade lecture halls for tree canopies in hands-on forestry course
A professor learned tree-climbing skills at a workshop to teach hands-on forestry education to students. The course takes students out of lecture halls into forest canopies for direct experience with trees.
Simply Add Water to Diesel Fuel to Cut Engine Pollution by 67%–with No Loss in Efficiency
Mixing small amounts of water into diesel fuel reduces engine emissions by up to 67 percent without decreasing efficiency. A research review from Nigeria examined studies showing this water-diesel mixture approach preserves or improves engine performance.
Yet More Scrolls Burned by Vesuvius Are Decoded by AI–Revealing Insights by Unknown Stoic Philosopher
AI has decoded previously illegible text from papyrus scrolls buried by Vesuvius, including writings on Stoic philosophy by an unknown author and Book 8 from Philodemus's work On Gods. The recovered texts were made readable through advances in particle acceleration technology combined with artificial intelligence analysis.
In 1973, Karen Carpenter left Johnny Carson’s audience in awe with a virtuoso singing and drumming medley
Karen Carpenter performed a singing and drumming medley on Johnny Carson's talk show in 1973 that impressed the audience. She demonstrated virtuoso skills by simultaneously singing while playing drums during the appearance.
UK deforestation rules take step forward after a long delay
The UK government advanced delayed regulations requiring companies to conduct due diligence on commodities linked to deforestation. DEFRA announced on June 23 that new rules will force businesses in Great Britain to verify the products they sell.
New Solar Tech Makes Desalinating Seawater Cheaper Than Producing Bottled Water
A solar-powered device using nanomaterials and organic polymers absorbs 90.2% of incoming sunlight to desalinate seawater more economically than bottled water production. Chinese materials scientists created the weave-based technology to convert thermal energy into freshwater using renewable solar power.