A 9-Year-Old Son Saves His Father from Leukemia by Donating Stem Cells

Nick Mondek with his family after the stem cell procedure – Credit: Cedars-Sinai

A boy in California may have saved his father from a deadly returning cancer by becoming one of if not the world’s youngest stem cell donor.

9-year-old Stephen Mondek from Torrance loves playing catch with his dad, Nick, who himself loves nothing more than being a father.

In 2022 Mr. Mondek was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, and had to be treated rapidly with an injection of donor stem cells from his older brother who was a perfect genetic match.

He went into remission but the cancer came back “ferociously fast,” and Mondek’s only option was that he had to find another stem cell donor. This form of leukemia affects the blood-forming cells in the bone marrow, but an injection of stem cells can form the basis of a new immune arsenal that can locate and attack the leukemia tumors.

A search through the National Bone Marrow Registry failed to turn up a match, but remembering the case of a friend of his, Mondek went into Cedars-Sinai Cancer center in April with a question to his doctors. He was remembering the case of a friend of his who received a lifesaving stem cell donation from his 18-year-old son to cure lymphoma.

“As my doctor came in the room, I said, ‘Could a 9-year-old who’s 70 pounds give us enough stem cells?’” Mondek said to NBC Nightly News.

Ronald Paquette, the clinical director of the Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Transplant Program at Cedars-Sinai Cancer, confirmed that Stephen Mondek who turned 10 back in August, was a possible donor. A child receives half of their DNA from each parent, so Stephen would naturally be a half-match.

Reporting on the story itself, Cedars-Sinai wrote that Paquette said a half-match might make the transplant more effective. A half-matched immune system might more easily recognize and kill the cancer cells in Mondek’s bone marrow, and transplants from younger donors tend to be most successful.

“The conversation with Stephen was pretty simple,” Mondek said. “I said, ‘Hey, Buddy, Dad’s sick and they need someone to give me stem cells, and they want to know if you want to get tested to see if you can do it.’”

Stephen’s response: “When do we go?”

“I wanted to make my dad’s cancer go away, and if I was sick, I would think he would do the same thing for me,” Stephen said.

After confirming that Stephen was a suitable match, he had the procedure explained to him so that he could give his own informed consent before visiting Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children’s Hospital for the donation that required general anesthesia. The stem cells were collected via a process of blood cycling over 6 hours.

A week later, Mondek underwent pre-donation chemotherapy to suppress his own immune system before eventually receiving the stem cells. After 6 weeks in the hospital, he was back home, but not before arriving in time to watch the final inning of Stephen’s little league game.

“Stephen was very brave, and our team made sure everything went perfectly so that this young boy could help his father,” said Hoyoung Chung, DO, a critical care pediatrician at Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children’s.“He donated six million stem cells to save my life, so it’s not just an honor to call him my son, I’m proud to call him my hero,” Mondek said. A 9-Year-Old Son Saves His Father from Leukemia by Donating Stem Cells

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India clinch maiden Women’s World Cup; BCCI announces Rs 51 cr reward for team, support staff

Navi Mumbai: India’s players celebrate with the trophy during the presentation ceremony after winning the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Monday, November 3, 2025. (Photo: IANS)

New Delhi, (IANS) In a watershed moment for Indian cricket, the national women’s team etched their name in history by winning their first-ever ICC Women’s World Cup title, defeating South Africa by 52 runs in a pulsating final at the DY Patil Stadium on Sunday night.

Celebrations erupted across the country as BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia reportedly announced a ₹51 crore reward for the players and support staff, hailing the victory as a “monumental achievement that will take Indian women’s cricket to a new level.”

Meanwhile, IPL chairman Arun Dhumal lauded the team’s historic feat, drawing parallels with India’s iconic 1983 men’s World Cup triumph.

“It’s a red-letter day for Indian women’s cricket. What the men’s team achieved in 1983, the Indian women have recreated today in Mumbai. This historic triumph will give a tremendous boost to women’s cricket in the country, and I’m confident our game will now reach new heights,” Dhumal told IANS.

Earlier, batting first, India posted a commanding 298/7, powered by Shafali Verma’s fluent 87, Deepti Sharma’s composed 58, and valuable contributions from Smriti Mandhana (45) and Richa Ghosh (34). A solid 100-run opening stand between Mandhana and Verma set the platform for a big total before South Africa clawed back late to keep India just under the 300-mark.

Chasing 299, South Africa began confidently as Tazmin Brits and Laura Wolvaardt put together a brisk fifty-run opening partnership. But a sharp direct hit from Amanjot Kaur ended Brits’ stay, and from there, India seized control of the contest.

Young pacer Sree Charani struck in her first over, trapping Anneke Bosch LBW, before Shafali Verma — shining with the ball as well — produced a game-turning spell, removing Sune Luus and Marizanne Kapp in quick succession.

Deepti Sharma then delivered a dream performance, claiming 5 for 39 to crush South Africa’s middle order. Despite Wolvaardt’s fighting 101, the Proteas fell short, bundled out for 246 in 45.3 overs, as India sealed a famous 52-run victory amid roaring home support.

As the tricolour soared high and the players embraced in tears of joy, the moment marked not just a World Cup triumph — but the dawn of a new era for Indian women’s cricket.

Brief Scores:India 298/7 in 50 overs (Shafali Verma 87, Deepti Sharma 58, Richa Ghosh 34; Ayabonga Khaka 3-58) beat South Africa 246 all out in 45.3 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 101, Annerie Dercksen 35; Deepti Sharma 5-39, Shafali Verma 2-36) by 52 runs. India clinch maiden Women’s World Cup; BCCI announces Rs 51 cr reward for team, support staff | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

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Farmer Creates Massive Sunflower Trail Growing 250,000 in a Pattern Out in His Fields

Victoria Geatons explores Gloagburn Farm sunflower trail in Perthshire – SWNS

A Scottish farmer grew a quarter million sunflowers after discovering they would survive in his northern climate—and he created a massive trail in his field that has brought in visitors from as far away as Australia.

Crawford Niven first came up with the idea for a flower lined pathway three years ago—and began planning for its eventual fulfillment on his farm in Gloagburn Farm, near Perth, Scotland.

The 26-year-old admitted he was skeptical at first that sunflowers would flourish so far north. “I didn’t think they could grow in Scotland.

But the crop has gone on to thrive—and he now has 13 acres of them.

Thousands of visitors have wandered the trails on his estate, walking among the 7-foot stalks.

“It offers a photo opportunity,” said Niven. “People love it.”

“We have people come from all over.”

Last year, he created a trail in the shape of Scotland, but this time he decided to go with a more natural ‘random’ pattern.'

SWNS

Crawford, who posts farming videos on a YouTube channel, said the bloom will last about four weeks, predicting that the trail would close next week.

It takes about 30-60 minutes to walk the full trail—and there’s a kid-friendly 20-minute version with games, and free admission for children 12 and under.

“The only thing we can’t do is harvest the seeds as Scotland doesn’t have enough sunlight towards the end of the summer

.”Enjoy the drone footage from the Scottish farm below… 

Farmer Creates Massive Sunflower Trail Growing 250,000 in a Pattern Out in His Fields

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School Invests $150,000 to Help Low Income Parents, Buying New Uniforms and Laptops for Every Student

Students in Cumberland Community School – credit, Tony Kershaw / SWNS

An English school has forked over $150,000 to buy all 270 incoming students a new blazer, tie, and laptop.

Located in one of the poorest parts of London, the aid comes off the back of sustained improvements in grades and higher education attainments at the school, proving that investing in students’ futures pays off.

The headteacher of Cumberland Community School in the London borough of Newham believes the uniforms help children feel “pride” in the institution, while removing fashion-focused distractions.

According to the Children’s Society, English parents spend on average £422, about $575 a year, on school supplies. Cumberland, however, serves one of the lowest income areas of London.

“For many families at our school the cost of uniform and computer equipment is an expense they can’t afford,” said the Headteacher, Ekhlas Rahman, according to Southwest News Service.

“I have had parents in my office telling me they just can’t afford certain items. As a school we felt like we had to act. We don’t want circumstance to be prohibitive to a good education, so we decided to foot the bill for the most expensive items.”

Head Teacher Ekhlas Rahman – credit, Tony Kershaw / SWNS

Under changes to the UK’s Education Act passed last year, schools in England are meant to be helping cut costs for parents. This could be by promoting cheaper second-hand uniform options, by removing unnecessary branded items from their uniform lists, or allowing generic substitutes.

Explaining his decision to stick with the uniforms even though families could rarely afford them, Rahman said “it gives a sense of pride to the school and the students.”

“By wearing the same outfit, students can focus more on their education and less on social pressures related to fashion.”

When he first took over, he reviewed the cost of the uniform and found it prohibitive, so in observance of the changes to the Education Act, Cumberland did away with the requirements on branded items.

Additionally, for the 270 new students entering the 7th grade this scholastic year, their families were provided with a voucher for £400 ($460) for the purpose of buying uniforms and equipment.

“These are small things, but they do add up,” Rahman said. “We know families are struggling now and we want to do everything we can to help out. We are a school committed to investing in our students, so their ambitions and dreams can become a reality.”

Cumberland Community School has been ranked as the most improved in the country over a five-year period.Grades are up for 70% of all students, and many of the 15 and 16-year-olds were also awarded scholarships facilitated through the school’s Prestigious Colleges Program. School Invests $150,000 to Help Low Income Parents, Buying New Uniforms and Laptops for Every Student

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‘Mile Long Table’ in Denver Seats Thousands of Strangers to Eat and Celebrate Community Together

Mile Long Table in Denver – Credit: Longer Tables

Longer Tables, a nonprofit that believes in the power of shared meals to connect people, welcomed over 3,400 locals who signed up to sit down at the first-ever “Mile Long Table”.

The 5,280-foot long table at the Auraria Campus in downtown Denver, Colorado, served up tons of produce from local farmers, as the perfect side dish for the community on the beautiful Saturday afternoon.

“The community response to our first Mile Long Table has been overwhelmingly positive,” said Tim Jones, founder and executive director of Longer Tables. “It’s really powerful and deeply encouraging to hear guests talk about how eager and appreciative they are to connect with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

“Our goal is creating meaningful connections—and the table makes it all possible.”

Hundreds of volunteers set up and served the guests at the ‘Mile Long Table’, named as an homage to ‘the Mile High City’. (See the video below…)

One of the sponsors, Southwest Airlines, even provided 10 surprise roundtrip airline tickets to reconnect loved ones over the scrumptious feast provided by Serendipity Catering.

The airline selected ten people nominated by community members, and also covered lodging costs so they could take a seat at the table—reuniting with loved ones but also creating new friendships.

Credit: Longer Tables

Kim Evans was flown to Denver from Philadelphia to reconnect with Hannah Kahan, a longtime friend who had recently graduated from the University of Denver—and she called the experience “truly a blessing”.

Kim made new friends at the event and plans to stay in touch with her ‘tablemates’.

“The energy at the Mile Long Table was infectious,” said Lexi Muller, a senior manager at Southwest Airlines. “We believe that community is more than a place; it’s the heart of what brings us all together.”

One of the diners, Diana Samet, was “delighted” by the notion of the Mile Long Table and was thankful she attended.

“We met lots of folks and just felt a warm spirit of coming together as a community.”

Longer Tables began its mission of promoting shared meals in 2013. The organization has since hosted more than 100 gatherings in five states to ‘help cities, organizations, businesses and neighborhoods create cultures of connection and belonging’.

The organization vowed to make the ‘Mile Long Table’ for Denverites an annual event. But new tables are also in the works to celebrate the United States’ 250th birthday and Colorado’s 150th birthday—both in 2026. Learn more at longertables.org.‘Mile Long Table’ in Denver Seats Thousands of Strangers to Eat and Celebrate Community Together

WATCH some local news coverage from Denver…

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Twinkle shares picture with Akshay Kumar after ‘long day of cricket’

Mumbai, (IANS) Author-former actress Twinkle Khanna has humorously talked about her first live cricket experience as she attended the third Test between England and India.

She took to Instagram, where she posted a picture with her superstar husband Akshay Kumar. In the image, Twinkle is seen having a yogurt and lovingly looking at Akshay, who is holding a coffee mug. She also shared a glimpse of the match from the Lord's Cricket Ground, widely referred to as the Home of Cricket in UK.

For the caption, she wrote: “A quick breakfast and a long day of cricket-my first time watching 22 men chase one ball to prove they each have two. Cricket truly is a religion, and who knows… I might just become its newest devotee. I actually enjoyed all the wickets, runs, and nonstop excitement.(sic)”

Talking about the match, India were bowled out for 170 in 74.5 overs, despite a fighting effort from Ravindra Jadeja, who top-scored with 61 in the second innings. Jadeja had earlier contributed 72 runs in the first innings, continuing his fine run of form in the series.

India will now head to Manchester for the fourth Test at Old Trafford starting July 23, hoping to bounce back and level the series. With two Tests remaining, the visitors still have a chance to script a comeback—but as Ganguly’s comments suggest, their top order must deliver when it matters most.

Akshay’s latest Hindi film release is Housefull 5 directed by Tarun Mansukhani. The film features an ensemble cast including Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan, Riteish Deshmukh, Sanjay Dutt, Fardeen Khan, Shreyas Talpade, Nana Patekar, Jackie Shroff, Dino Morea, Jacqueline Fernandez, Nargis Fakhri, Chitrangada Singh, Sonam Bajwa, Soundarya Sharma, Chunky Pandey, Nikitin Dheer and Johnny Lever.

He was also seen in Telugu film Kannappa as lord Shiva. Directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh, it is based on the legend of Kannappa in Hinduism, a devotee of god Shiva. The film stars Vishnu Manchu in the title role.Akshay will next be seen in Jolly LLB 3, a black comedy legal drama film written and directed by Subhash Kapoor. It is the third installment in the Jolly LLB series and sequel to Jolly LLB 2. The film also stars Arshad Warsi, Amrita Rao, Huma Qureshi, Saurabh Shukla, and Annu Kapoor. Twinkle shares picture with Akshay Kumar after ‘long day of cricket’ | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

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Dozens of Free Summer Camps Opened By Paul Newman Give Sick Kids and Their Families ‘Serious Fun’

June marks the start of summer camps opening their doors to kids who want fun in the wild—and for children with an illness or disability, there’s a camp that provides ‘serious fun’ for those who need it most.

The legendary actor Paul Newman started it all with a single summer camp for sick kids back in 1988.

He called it the “Hole in the Wall” camp, a reference to the sharpshooting gang from his iconic Oscar-winning film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

He wanted to provide an escape for children facing serious illnesses—but one that would include their parents and siblings too—where, as Paul liked to say, families could “kick back, and raise a little hell.”

Most important of all, everything was always free.

Since then, the camps have gained a new name—SeriousFun—and have grown into a network of 30 camps across the world. In all, they have provided two million incredible experiences for kids facing medical challenges in 19 different countries.

Paul Newman with his daughter Clea – Credit: Serious Fun

Each of the 30 SeriousFun camps is fully equipped for pediatric care, with a staff that administers medication in a manner that doesn’t disrupt the fun. Camp activities include boating and swimming—but also high-end excitement like high-ropes courses and zip lines. (See the video at the bottom.) Best of all, kids love it…

“You automatically click (with everyone) because you have something in common. You’re not alone in this,” said Alex, a child with Sickle Cell Disease that has attended the SeriousFun Flying Horse Farms Camp in Ohio. “It puts a smile on so many people’s faces. It makes them feel connected. It definitely is the highlight of my year, every year.”

Clea Newman—the youngest daughter of Paul and his wife of 50 years, actress Joanne Woodward—has dedicated the last 12 years of her life to the beloved organization, working enthusiastically to continue her father’s legacy.

Clea Newman – Credit: Serious Fun

“I am so passionate about this work. Our kids and our families are just the most extraordinary people. I learn from them every day, so it’s a gift,” Clea said.

“My father believed in the importance of giving back. He always said we are committed to giving these children one hundred percent… and, in return, the joy of these kids gives back one thousand percent to everyone who works with and supports them.”

All those efforts are paying off for the kids, too. According to surveys conducted by SeriousFun, more than 80% of campers reported that their experience played a role in the development of lasting traits that they use in their everyday adolescent and adult lives. These attributes include a willingness to try new things, self-confidence, perseverance, empathy, compassion, and an appreciation for diversity.

Other benefits for families may be too great to even measure.

“It’s brought the family unit back together,” a parent at the SeriousFun camp at Barretstown in Ireland said.

“It was bringing back an element of fun that had been missing for a long time because all we’d been used to was going in and out of hospitals. It helped heal the kids’ souls. It helped us find that new normal… it’s all about maximum fun in minimum time.”

Proceeds from the Newman’s Own food brand partially fund the camp (along with corporate and private donations), so the next time you’re shopping for frozen pizza, pasta sauce, salad dressing, lemonade, or popcorn, look for Paul’s face and the slogan ‘All profits to charity’. (You can buy their products in the grocery store or on Amazon.)Now you know you’ll always be supporting a seriously fun charity. Check out the heartwarming camp in the video below… Dozens of Free Summer Camps Opened By Paul Newman Give Sick Kids and Their Families ‘Serious Fun’

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Rescued Crow Is Boy’s Best Friend, Waiting for Him to Get Home from School Every Day: ‘We’re his flock’

Otto and Russell the crow – Courtesy Lærke Luna / Instagram

Get ready to drop your jaw when you see the images that a Danish family has shared on Instagram of how a wild Eurasian crow has become part of their flock.

The crow will come and visit all of them, including the dog and the cats, but it’s for the little boy Otto whom Russell reserves the vast majority of his love—and their friendship is like nothing you’ve ever seen before.

Russell is no caged corvid. He disappears from the family’s property in Denmark often.

However, whether it’s pecking at the door, flying through the window onto the couch, or waiting for Otto on top of the house when he gets home from Kindergarten, the bird is never far away.

After finding the orphaned juvenile bird, Otto’s mom and dad were not able to find anyone in the area to rehabilitate him, so while nursing him back to health, and then into its fledging stage, the crow grew to trust the family.

Otto and Russell – Courtesy of @laerke_luna on Instagram

He’s been with them a while now, and has been nearby to welcome the couple’s second child, Hedwig, into the world.In fact, too often he tries to steal the baby’s pacifier. Rescued Crow Is Boy’s Best Friend, Waiting for Him to Get Home from School Every Day: ‘We’re his flock

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Golden Wheat Anniversary: Farmer Uses Crop Field to Create One-Mile Message for Wife of 20 Years

Jesse and Sarah 20 Years (Family photo)

A farmer in Kansas had an idea for an anniversary gift, but it was going to take eight months, one mile of land, and 65 million wheat seeds.

Jesse Blasi and his wife Sarah were set to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary this year. And he was inspired by another Kansas farmer who had planted a field of sunflowers for his wife—a story and video that GNN shared in 2023.

What if Blasi created a message in a wheat field?

He began plotting his surprise back in October. He used some modern farming methods, a John Deere Air Seeder, and two varieties of wheat to outline the message “Jesse + Sarah, 20 Years”.

He nurtured the two colors of wheat and waited for it to grow. It was a labor of love, but just like the old ‘Hall and Oates’ song, he knew it would make Sarah Smile.

“I knew it would make her smile,” Jesse told KAKE in Kansas. “That was kind-of the whole goal, to get the little grin out of her that I like.”

Jesse and Sarah met at a bar while attending Kansas State, and fate led them to the same stoplight on the way home. Their love has been going strong ever since, with a farm that’s been running for two decades and a family that includes two daughters, Reagan and Avery.

Jesse was determined to deliver his ‘golden wheat anniversary’ surprise, but had to work hard to keep it a secret when other farmers saw the message early.

Then, in early June, the couple went up over the fields in an airplane—and when she looked out the window, she saw it.

Jesse + Sarah. 20 Years.

The words were laid out in a red chaff wheat, with a lighter variety serving as the background. In all, the message is about one mile long and a half-mile wide. (Watch the video below…)

The anniversary love note should be visible over Kansas for the rest of the summer growing season—and it could linger all the way into October.

Eventually, the seasons will change and the message will fade, yet they surely will remember it forever.But Jesse insisted: “It’s all the little things that make you happy.” Golden Wheat Anniversary: Farmer Uses Crop Field to Create One-Mile Message for Wife of 20 Years

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Four-year-old Credited with Saving Her Teacher’s Life at Tennessee Daycare

The lifesaver, Kyndal Bradley – credit, family photo

4-year-old Kyndal Bradley knows how to use a phone to call her mother, but how to call 911, or even when to do so, has not been talked about.

So imagine the surprise of her mother and the teaching staff at a Tennessee daycare when, during a medical emergency, it was Kyndal who took action.

Witnesses say that the teacher at the daycare in Clarksville collapsed and suffered a seizure. She had been the only adult in the room, and while the rest of the class stood there confused, Kyndal ran to get help.

“I told the teacher,” Kyndal told local news. “I said the other teacher; she was sick”.

Paramedics on scene found out that the teacher had stopped breathing twice, and rushed her to the hospital where WSMV reports she is recovering.

Shortly after, the staff at the daycare arrived at the door of Taylor Moore, Kyndal’s mother for a deserved bit of show (off) and tell.

“They were like, ‘She’s our hero for the day,’ and I’m kind of looking like, what happened?” said Moore. “If she hadn’t have gone and got the assistance, this story could have gone a totally different way.”

“I never thought to introduce what to do if an emergency arises, so it was a shock to me to see that she knew exactly what to do in a situation like that,” Moore told WSMV over a videocall, with Kyndal in her arms smiling from ear to ear. Four-year-old Credited with Saving Her Teacher’s Life at Tennessee Daycare

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Dad Turns 1970s Private Jet into Airbnb Rental Complete with Original Cockpit–Take a PEEK Inside

credit Tamir Ali via SWNS

A man has turned a 1970s private jet into a tiny home and listed it on Airbnb.

Aviation enthusiasts are sure to love the original cockpit maintained as it was from the days it flew oil executives to and from countries and meetings.\

credit Tamir Ali via SWNS

The unique home is complete with two bedrooms, sleeps two adults and two children, and has a fully functioning kitchen, a bathroom with a shower, and outdoor seating area.

The passion project belongs to Airbnb host and antique car renovator Tamir Ali, who acquired ‘half’ of a 1970s Hawker jet in December 2023, from an acquittance who deals in oddities.

After being decommissioned in the 80s, it was cut in half and had the wings removed for ease of transport.

Ali spent seven months and nearly $120,000 transforming the jet into a rental property in Gwynedd, Wales.

“It’s awesome—when people walk in they say it’s much bigger than it seems on the outside,” said Ali. “It’s a unique experience, not many people get to sit in the cockpit of 70’s private jet.”

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The interior of the fuselage – credit Tamir Ali via SWNS

The interior of the attached cabin – credit Tamir Ali via SWNS

The restoration and renovation process included replacing the carpets with wooden floors, rewiring the electrics, and getting a custom-made door fitted. Ali then secured a location for the plane in Dolgellau and fitted a 16ft by 9ft cabin onto it to make enough space for a double bed, kitchen, and bathroom.

You can view the property here.

Reflecting on the project, Ali said that in his work restoring cars he’s always brushed up with “eccentric people—people who deal with the weird and wonderful.”

“I know a chap in Essex, who said he had something that was up my street. It was looking a bit worse for wear, the nose cone was hanging off and there was no door,” said Ali, according to SWNS. “There was lots of mold and moss inside, but I immediately envisioned what I wanted it to be.”

Available for £170 per night, “it’s a very, very cool experience.” The pet friendly property has only been on Airbnb for three weeks, but is already at 70% occupancy.“The feedback so far has been good, people seem to love it.” Dad Turns 1970s Private Jet into Airbnb Rental Complete with Original Cockpit–Take a PEEK Inside

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Girl With Cleft Lip Adopts Dog Born With the Same Feature

Kynlee Rogers, 10, with her dog – credit: Kimberly Rogers

This is Kynlee Rogers, born with a cleft lip; and her dog, Tennee, born with a cleft lip.

Rogers used to ask her mom Kimberly why she was different from other kids, a challenging thing for any parent to have to answer. She doesn’t ask anymore though, because she’s not different; just look at her dog!

From the Washington Post comes the story of a nonprofit that works to connect dogs born with craniofacial defects with the ‘craniofacial’ community, to strengthen both through common cause and love.

“Our mission is to combine the two different cleft communities: the human community and the canine community,” Lindsay Weisman, who started Cleft Rescue Unit in May 2023, told the Post. “We get puppies from across the country.”

She added that many humans with clefts adopt dogs with clefts, delighting in their shared difference.

“They love that the puppies look like them. It’s really special.”

In humans, cleft palates and lips develop in utero from a variety of environmental and genetic factors. Difficulties lay ahead for these children, without a doubt, but puppies born with the same conditions might have it even harder as they tend very strongly towards dying in infancy.

Cleft lip or palate, says Weisman, prevents a puppy from nursing properly, leading to malnutrition and death if they are not recognized and taken into veterinary care for tube feeding.

Mandy, another dog with cleft lip (right) Kynlee hugs Tennee in the airport – credit Cleft Rescue Unit

Cleft Rescue Unit works to raise awareness of the dangers to these pups and take them off the hands of breeders or owners who aren’t capable of taking care of them. Once they can eat solid food, the unit seeks to pair dogs with a human owner with the same craniofacial feature.

As it happened for Kynlee, she asked her mother one night if dogs also have cleft lips—to which her mom, feeling the lightbulb moment above her head, replied “of course they do.”

The Rogers adopted Tennee in September, and the dog has had a profound impact on Kynlee’s life. Girl With Cleft Lip Adopts Dog Born With the Same Feature

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Neighbors Celebrate 101st Birthday On the Same Day–Living Next Door to Each Other For 4 Decades

Neighbors Josie Church (L) and Anne Wallace-Hadrill outside their homes in Oxford will celebrate their 101st birthdays on April 1 – SWNS

Two longtime English neighbors are celebrating their joint 101st birthday, born on the same day in 1924.

Josie Church and Anne Wallace-Hadrill have lived side-by-side in Oxford since the 1980s, and the great-grans have celebrated their birthdays together for years.

“I think life has gone quite quickly,” said Josie. “I don’t think we’ve thought much about the time passing. It’s just passed.”

Both women threw themselves into volunteering and creative activities after their husbands died—and the women have been fast friends ever since.

“Anne was very busy when she was younger—so was I—always very productive and creative.

“She did a lot of painting and tapestry, and she was always busy, and I was always busy doing something else, somewhere else, because that’s the sort of life we live.”

Anne, studied English at St. Hilda’s College, Oxford University, and served in the Women’s Royal Naval Service as a radio mechanic during the Second World War. After graduating, she worked as a lexicographer for the Oxford English Dictionary.

“I was always interested in words. It was my trade.”

She was very proud to receive a medal for her service from the Royal Navy last year, described as “long overdue” by the representative who gave it to her.

Anne Wallace-Hadrill (R) and Josie Church – SWNS

Josie was trained in nursing for three years at Preston Royal Infirmary and remembers the introduction of the National Health Service.

“In those days,” Josie said, “You had to live (on campus) and you couldn’t get married, and it was very strict. People wouldn’t put up with that sort of life now.” Neighbors Celebrate 101st Birthday On the Same Day–Living Next Door to Each Other For 4 Decades

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The Emotional Moment Dog was Returned to Owners 7 Years After Being Stolen

RSPCA inspector Kim Walters (left), pictured with colleague Andy Cook – credit: RSPCA, supplied

An English family has been reunited with their beloved Labrador Daisy who was stolen from their front lawn 7 years ago.

Their tireless search and advocacy for their lost family member attracted the attention of British celebrity and even helped steer a law through Parliament, but the ultimate reward for the devotion to their lost dog was the chance to see her again, elderly and slightly battered, but alive and loving.

In 2017, a truck arrived in front of Rita and Philip Potter’s Norfolk house. Two men hurriedly lept out, grabbed Daisy, and stuffed her into the back—a despicable act seen by neighbors.

Ruling out the possibility that Daisy got lost in the woods somewhere, the Potters contacted the police and urged a response. An RSPCA search in Somerset—200 miles and 7 years later—has recovered a 13-year-old Daisy, who was likely the victim of an illegal pet breeding operation.

A quick microchip scan, and Daisy was on her way home.

“We kept a photograph on the mantlepiece and would look at it every day thinking of her, and where she might be,” Mrs. Potter told the BBC. “It is an absolute dream come true that the RSPCA found her and returned her to us—where she belongs—we are so, so grateful,” said Mrs Potter.

Following Daisy’s abduction, the Potters were active in the press and social media trying to ensure anyone who might have seen the dog understood where she had come from. Tom Hardy, the A-list action star from Dark Knight Rises and Inception, shared their post on his X account.

The Potters then collected 100,000 signatures on a petition for greater government action to fight pet crime. The Pet Abduction Act changed the UK sentencing guidelines, making it a criminal offense with a prison sentence of up to 5 years. Previously, pets were considered property, and abducting them was punished under the UK’s 1986 Theft Act.

During the RSPCA’s investigation, the owner agreed to turn Daisy over to the organization, explaining they had only had her for a few years and didn’t know she could have been stolen. At their facility, a microchip scan revealed Daisy’s provenance and the call to the Potters was an emotional one.

“They were obviously shocked—but elated at the same time,” said RSPCA inspector Kim Walters. “I was a bit choked from listening to them, and clearly how much they loved her, so it was great telling them that we could get her back home soon.”Now in her golden years, and with several health issues from a half-decade of maltreatment, the Potters look forward to loving, spoiling, and caring for her. The Emotional Moment Dog was Returned to Owners 7 Years After Being Stolen

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Three Children Receive ‘the Best Christmas Present Ever’ – Bionic Arms

Colette Baker, Finley Jarvis, and Zoey Pidgeon-Hampton with their new Open Bionics arms – credit: SWNS

Three children were overjoyed after receiving ‘the best Christmas present in the world’—bionic arms.

Zoey Hampton-Pigeon, Finley Jarvis, and Colette Baker were given their new ‘life-changing’ Hero Arms on December 12th thanks to the fundraising work of a woman whose own child needed a prosthetic years ago.

Sarah Lockey saw her daughter Tilly lose both hands to meningitis. Today though, Tilly is a confident young woman who wears two Hero Arms daily, who hosts, together with her mom, a fundraising campaign every year called the Big Hero 3, which selects three random children across the UK to receive a prosthetic made by the Open Bionics Foundation.

Advanced, intuitive, robust, and light, the Hero Arm is “the world’s most affordable advanced multi-grip prosthetic arm,” according to the Foundation. The Hero Arm is available in over 801 locations across the US for below-elbow amputee adults and children aged 8 and above, and all throughout the UK where it is manufactured.

This year, the Big Hero 3 campaign raised £20,000. Two other charitable foundations, along with an anonymous donor, made up the rest of the £40,000 required, allowing Finley, Colette, and Zoey to have what will probably be the best Christmas ever.

To wit, Colette’s mom Alyse said her daughter ‘screamed’ when she found out she was not only receiving a Hero Arm, but would get one before Christmas.

“For Ettie, she’s excited about being able to do things like handstands, ride her bike without an adaption, and tying her shoes,” she said. “As parents, we are excited about these things too, but also all the other ways the Hero Arm will change Ettie’s life.”

Zoey was born with a missing limb, which the family discovered during an ultrasound in the 20th week.

“When Zoey was born she saw several specialists but there are no answers about why this happened to Zoey, it’s just one of those things,” said her father Thomas.

His daughter is an active young girl and member of a gymnastics club. She goes to swimming lessons and loves trampolining, but she’s most looking forward to being able to use a jump rope.

“A Hero Arm will make such a massive difference to her independence enabling her to do all these tasks, as well as her beloved skipping, without relying on help from others.”

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The last child is Finley Jarvis—born with no hand due to his mom being involved in a serious car accident whilst carrying him.

“Finn is a happy-go-lucky boy—he is kind, fearless, and extremely switched on,” said his father Ben. “He is now 11 and about to attend Brymore Academy secondary school—an agricultural school. With this opportunity of a Big Hero Arm the possibilities for him to excel are endless.”

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Lockey said she and Tilly are hoping to do another campaign next year if any donors who want to get involved to help are interested.“It is just incredible for three children to benefit and for their families all to meet and fundraise together,” Lockey said. Three Children Receive ‘the Best Christmas Present Ever’ – Bionic Arms

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'Bound by love, happily ever after': Neeraj Chopra ties knot with Himani

New Delhi, (IANS) Two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra shared the news of his marriage with Himani in a social media post on Sunday.

"Starting a new chapter of life with my family. Grateful for every blessing that brought us to this moment together. Bound by love, happily ever after," Chopra wrote in the post on social media on Sunday.

The star athlete bagged a silver medal in the Paris Olympics last year and clinched his second consecutive medal in the Games. He became the first Indian track and field athlete to win a gold medal in the Olympics in Tokyo.

He ended his 2024 season with a second-place finish in the prestigious Diamond League Final in Brussels.

In November last year, the 27-year-old partnered with Javelin legend Jan Zelezny, who comes on board as his new coach. Zelezny, a three-time Olympic and World champion and the current world record holder, has long been an idol to Chopra."Growing up, I admired Jan’s technique and precision and spent a lot of time watching videos of him. He was the best in the sport for so many years, and I believe that working with him will be invaluable because our throwing styles are similar, and his knowledge is unmatched. It’s an honour to have Jan by my side as I push towards the next level in my career, and I can’t wait to get started,” Chopra had said during the announcement. 'Bound by love, happily ever after': Neeraj Chopra ties knot with Himani | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

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Anonymous $3.5 Million Gift to Milwaukee Art Museum Provides Free Admission for Children

The Milwaukee Art Museum’s Art:Forward Gala in 2024 – Credit: Front Room Studios and courtesy of the Milwaukee Art Museum.

Thanks to the kindness of a generous donor, children 12 and under will now be able to visit the Milwaukee Art Museum (MAM) for free.

The gift of $3.5 million was given anonymously but with instructions to establish an endowment supporting child attendance at the museum.

The donor “shared fond memories of visiting the museum with their family throughout their life” and “expressed their wish for the endowment to foster similar experiences for future generations of families,” according to the museum’s Tuesday announcement.

“This wonderful gift is a celebration of the way that philanthropy can have a significant and lasting impact for generations,” MAM chief development officer André Allaire said in the news release.

“Every day, our youngest museum visitors will be able to access, engage with, and learn from world-class exhibitions and programs free of charge thanks to the generosity of an individual who believes in the power of art to strengthen our community.”

Children ages 12 and under will have free access not only to the museum’s collections, but also its exhibitions and youth and family programs.

At the moment, MAM’s exhibitions include a collection of photography, images, and videos from American image artist Robert Longo, entitled Acceleration of History, and a collection of woodblock prints from the Baltimore-based artist, wife, mother, and educator LaToya M. Hobbs.

“Since our earliest days as an institution, the Milwaukee Art Museum has provided free educational experiences for children,” said Marcelle Polednik, the MAM director. “The endowment established from this inspirational donation will keep that tradition alive for future generations of the communities we serve.” Anonymous $3.5 Million Gift to Milwaukee Art Museum Provides Free Admission for Children

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Torn Between Volunteering and Dream of Adopting a Cat, 6-year-old Starts Poop Scooping Business

credit – @poopa.scoopa.luca

This is Luca Arpin, better known to his neighbors as “Poopa Scoopa Luca.“

His moniker is well-earned, as the 6-year-old styled himself the neighborhood’s #1 number to call for cleaning up after dogs and cats.

“People hate picking up dog poop,” said the first-grader from Warwick, Mass. Speaking with WJAR, Arpin said he has an appreciation for all things tidy, and prefers cleaning up above other activities.

His rate is $15 for one dog, or $20 for multiple dogs. He even has his own business card.

His mother says that volunteering is one of their family’s core values. She and Luca have an enduring love for animals and together have fostered 98 four-legged friends through her work at a local animal shelter.

First to fold laundry or mop a floor, Luca’s mother said that his tendencies to offer his help pro bono at the shelter slowly landed him in a predicament where he wanted to afford to permanently adopt a cat, but couldn’t afford to do so.

Asking mom how he could earn money, the two settled on that poo patrol, which he says is work he doesn’t mind at all.

“I have the coolest kid in the entire world,” said his mother proudly.

It didn’t take long for Luca to save enough money to bring ‘Pebble’ a little female kitten he decided he couldn’t live without, into the busy embrace of their home. Luca continues to work, raising money which he hopes can go to help other animals. Torn Between Volunteering and Dream of Adopting a Cat, 6-year-old Starts Poop Scooping Business

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Woman Gives Birth in Lobby of Welsh Cinema and the Daughter Now Has Free Movies for Life

Father Gareth, son Liam, mother Sarah, and their newborn Lowri wrapped in a blanket at Cinema World

Welsh news media described it as a “blockbuster” arrival at a local movie theater—no not Deadpool 2—a beautiful baby girl whose mom gave birth in the lobby.

Sarah Vincent was 39 weeks-pregnant when she went to the Cinema World in her hometown, near the capital city of Cardiff, with her 3-year-old son Liam and her parents when, 20 minutes into the screening of Sing 2, she began to feel discomfort.

Adjourning to the restroom, the discomfort grew until she had to lay down in the lobby and that’s when her water broke. The cinema staff were quickly there to help, and help they did—calling an ambulance and assembling screens to block the sight of passersby.

On the instructions of the paramedic who picked up the phone, cinemagoer Amy Screen, and the manager on duty at the cinema Jacey Howcroft, arrived to help should the baby be unwilling to wait for the ambulance.

And it’s all a good thing too, because Lowri, the newborn baby girl, did not in fact wait for the ambulance.

With Screen and Howcroft’s assistance, Lowri Miles was born 7 pounds just 10 minutes from the point at which Vincent had gone into labor.

Missing the momentous occasion, father Gareth Miles was working in Cardiff when he got a call from Vincent’s dad explaining what was happening. He rushed down to the cinema to find his baby girl waiting for him.

“The staff were great,” he said. “Jacey was the staff member who went to get Sarah’s parents from the cinema and helped with delivery, Andrew at Cineworld rang the ambulance and talked with paramedics on phone to help with the birth, the rest of the staff were great at putting up screens, also one member of the public, Amy, helped with delivery as well.”

He told Wales Online that Liam, their son, was also born extremely quickly but in a car rather than a movie theater.

“It’s one we’re never going to forget. I thought the car was bad enough, and we’ve got the cinema story to tell as well now!”Mo Williams, the General Manager of the Cinema World, said his staff were understandly proud of their teamwork during the unexpected emergency. He added that little Lowri is now an honorary Cinema World Member for life, and will never have to pay for a movie ticket as long as she lives. Woman Gives Birth in Lobby of Welsh Cinema and the Daughter Now Has Free Movies for Life

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‘World’s Most Intrepid Twins’ Break World Altitude Record Flying Over The Alps at 8,000-ft in Electric Paraglider

Ross and Hugo Turner attempting to break a record, flying a paraglider-style aircraft at 10,000ft in the French Alps – via SWNS

The ‘World’s Most Intrepid Twins’ announced they’ve broken a world record, by flying a tandem electric para-motor 8,000ft over the French Alps.

Ross and Hugo Turner, known as the Turner Twins, took the custom-made aircraft 2,438 meters high, floating over the mountains.

The British siblings have submitted the information on an application to FAI—the World Air Sports Federation—to claim a world record for tandem electric altitude.

The brothers based in Devon, England, have already set a world record while becoming the first twins to row the Atlantic Ocean.

For this recent flight, the twins had to wait months for the “perfect weather conditions.”

“It was great to get the weather we finally needed for the record and having waited months for perfect conditions we had the perfect flight,” said Hugo.

“The flight was smooth, which was surprising as we were expecting turbulent conditions, and the battery lasted much longer than we expected—probably due to the colder conditions keeping the battery cooler.”

Ross said their official observer for the record didn’t think the electric battery would be able to do it.

“He said we won’t have enough power, this won’t work. Thankfully, we proved him wrong.”

Ross and Hugo, the Turner Twins, on a para-motor flying over French Alps breaking altitude record – via SWNS

Their quest for adventure was born following a terrible auto accident in which Hugo broke his neck at age 17 and narrowly missed paralysis. In the mix of heightened emotions came a drive to follow their passion for exploration—always guided by their values and “always doing them together”.

The daring duo made headlines at age 21 when they rowed the Atlantic in just 41 days. They also helped set a world record as part of the youngest crew ever to complete that challenge.

Since then they have climbed Mt. Elbrus and they cycled 1,550 miles (2500km) across South American to reach another goal, traveling through deserts and jungles in the searing heat. The pair also used bikes to ride 2.6K across North America, cycling across mountains, desserts, and national parks.

They also attempted a hike across the Greenland and Iceland wearing kit and clothing worn by early polar explorers like Sir Ernest Shackleton.

The Turner Twins making final preparations for a world altitude record in a tandem electric paramotor – SWNS

During many of their missions they’re testing new technology, like driving the Cyberster EV car from MG Motors on a 10,000-mile drive from London to China, posting videos about their adventures in the red convertible electric sports car. ‘World’s Most Intrepid Twins’ Break World Altitude Record Flying Over The Alps at 8,000-ft in Electric Paraglider

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