We have a wealth of information at our fingertips. Every day we are bombarded with news, facts, images, and stories. So much so that it’s near-impossible to consume it all. Sometimes, we miss some of the most interesting content while delving into our daily feeds.
But did you know… there’s a Facebook page filled with Things You Don’t Know? With more than 7.5 million followers, it must be doing something right. Here, you won’t only find fun facts and feel-good stories. It’s a mixture of the good, the bad, and the most bizarre happenings in the world around us. A gallery of images with captions that give you just the right amount of information to understand the background and context.
Bored Panda has put together a list of the best posts for you to scroll through when you feel the need to learn more than what you already know. Close your other tabs, get comfortable, and keep scrolling. We also take a look at how news organizations decide what to prioritize, and where most of us prefer to get our info from. You'll find that between the images.
#1
From football icon to political provocateur. Eric Cantona proposes a law the world is debating.
Eric Cantona is sparking debate with a radical demand. The former Manchester United star says presidents should be sent to the front line if they start a war instead of sending young people to fight for them. He made the statement on the French talk show "Clique," calling for an international law to enforce it.
His words are a direct challenge to political leaders who decide on conflicts from the safety of their offices while others pay the price. Cantona believes there would be far fewer wars if the people in charge had to fight them themselves.
For some it is common sense, for others pure provocation.
Eric Cantona is sparking debate with a radical demand. The former Manchester United star says presidents should be sent to the front line if they start a war instead of sending young people to fight for them. He made the statement on the French talk show "Clique," calling for an international law to enforce it.
His words are a direct challenge to political leaders who decide on conflicts from the safety of their offices while others pay the price. Cantona believes there would be far fewer wars if the people in charge had to fight them themselves.
For some it is common sense, for others pure provocation.
Report
102points
Have you ever wondered why news organizations report some things but not others? While it may seem like we are only fed bad news, that’s not always the case. Many newsrooms follow a journalistic concept called news judgment.
“That’s the blanket term for the many decisions a team of journalists make throughout any given day,” explains The Globe and Mail site. “Through informed and continuing discussions within the newsroom, they must decide which events constitute breaking news, what is most relevant for their particular audience and which stories should be given the most prominence.”
Often, unfortunately, negative news does dominate, but the day’s diary is often a mix of urgent, important, and engaging stories. And while journalists get a lot of flak for projecting their own bias into what they report, research has found that their sense of what’s news and why is deeply connected to their audience’s opinion.
"When journalists think about what’s news and how it should be covered, they’re thinking on behalf of a public, and to do that they need a sense of what that public thinks," explain the media experts at Nieman Lab.
#2
They called it an elephant baby boom. 140 calves born in one park, including rare twins.
Amboseli National Park in Kenya, sitting at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, has recorded one of the biggest elephant baby booms ever documented. In a single year, 140 calves were born, including rare twins, a powerful sign that conservation efforts are paying off.
Heavy rainfall created ideal conditions for breeding, while reduced poaching and fewer tourists during lockdowns gave elephants the space to thrive. Kenya's overall elephant population has more than doubled since 1989, rising from 16,000 to over 34,000.
Every newborn calf is proof that when nature is protected, it gives back.
Amboseli National Park in Kenya, sitting at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, has recorded one of the biggest elephant baby booms ever documented. In a single year, 140 calves were born, including rare twins, a powerful sign that conservation efforts are paying off.
Heavy rainfall created ideal conditions for breeding, while reduced poaching and fewer tourists during lockdowns gave elephants the space to thrive. Kenya's overall elephant population has more than doubled since 1989, rising from 16,000 to over 34,000.
Every newborn calf is proof that when nature is protected, it gives back.
Report
95points
#3
Did you know 22 African countries are building a wall of trees across the entire continent to stop the Sahara from spreading?
More than 22 African countries are building the Great Green Wall — an 8,000 km belt of restored land stretching from Senegal in the west to Djibouti in the east, designed to stop the Sahara Desert from advancing south. Launched by the African Union in 2007, it is one of the most ambitious environmental projects in human history.
The goal is to restore 100 million hectares of degraded land, sequester 250 million tons of carbon, and create 10 million jobs by 2030. So far, roughly 18 million hectares have been restored and 3 million jobs created. Ethiopia has planted over 5.5 billion seedlings. Nigeria has restored nearly 5 million hectares. More than $14 billion has been pledged by international donors. But researchers warn that progress is behind schedule, much of the funding hasn't reached the ground level, and survival rates for planted trees remain a challenge, especially in conflict zones like Mali and Chad.
The project has evolved from a simple tree-planting effort into a mosaic of farmland, grassland, and reforested land that supports local communities with food, income, and water access. It's not just about stopping a desert. It's about keeping millions of people from losing their land, their livelihoods, and their future.
More than 22 African countries are building the Great Green Wall — an 8,000 km belt of restored land stretching from Senegal in the west to Djibouti in the east, designed to stop the Sahara Desert from advancing south. Launched by the African Union in 2007, it is one of the most ambitious environmental projects in human history.
The goal is to restore 100 million hectares of degraded land, sequester 250 million tons of carbon, and create 10 million jobs by 2030. So far, roughly 18 million hectares have been restored and 3 million jobs created. Ethiopia has planted over 5.5 billion seedlings. Nigeria has restored nearly 5 million hectares. More than $14 billion has been pledged by international donors. But researchers warn that progress is behind schedule, much of the funding hasn't reached the ground level, and survival rates for planted trees remain a challenge, especially in conflict zones like Mali and Chad.
The project has evolved from a simple tree-planting effort into a mosaic of farmland, grassland, and reforested land that supports local communities with food, income, and water access. It's not just about stopping a desert. It's about keeping millions of people from losing their land, their livelihoods, and their future.
Things You Don't Know
Report90points
“Impact” is one of the most important factors when it comes to deciding newsworthiness.
The Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications at the University of Nebraska describes it like this: “Imagine researchers have found a cost-effective solution to a common problem. The more people affected, the greater the news interest.”
Proximity is also important. A news outlet is more likely to report on matters that impact its particular audience or the community it serves. So, a house robbery in a small remote town in Madagascar may not make it onto an American national television news broadcast—unless perhaps the homeowners were from the United States.
#4
This is what happens when a country decides to protect young people from influencer marketing.
France became the first country in the world to pass a comprehensive law regulating influencer marketing. The law, passed unanimously by parliament, bans influencers from promoting cosmetic surgery, nicotine products, certain medical devices, and extreme diet products. It also requires that all retouched or filtered images used in paid promotions be clearly labeled as such throughout the entire post.
Violations carry penalties of up to two years in prison and fines of up to €300,000. Before the law was passed, an investigation found that 6 out of 10 French influencers were not following existing advertising disclosure rules. On the same day the law took effect, France's consumer protection agency sanctioned six influencers for deceptive practices including undisclosed partnerships and promotion of cosmetic injections.
The law applies to French influencers and to foreign influencers targeting French audiences.
France became the first country in the world to pass a comprehensive law regulating influencer marketing. The law, passed unanimously by parliament, bans influencers from promoting cosmetic surgery, nicotine products, certain medical devices, and extreme diet products. It also requires that all retouched or filtered images used in paid promotions be clearly labeled as such throughout the entire post.
Violations carry penalties of up to two years in prison and fines of up to €300,000. Before the law was passed, an investigation found that 6 out of 10 French influencers were not following existing advertising disclosure rules. On the same day the law took effect, France's consumer protection agency sanctioned six influencers for deceptive practices including undisclosed partnerships and promotion of cosmetic injections.
The law applies to French influencers and to foreign influencers targeting French audiences.
Report
87points
#5
His classmates refused to sign his yearbook. So he signed it himself: "Hope you make some more friends. — Brody Ridder." The next day, 100 h**h schoolers showed up.
Brody Ridder was 12 years old when he brought his yearbook to school at the Academy of Charter Schools in Westminster, Colorado, hoping his classmates would sign it. They refused. By the end of the day, only two classmates and two teachers had written anything. Brody, who had been bullied throughout the school year, signed his own yearbook with a message to himself: "Hope you make some more friends. — Brody Ridder."
His mother posted a photo of the page on a private Facebook group for parents at the school. When 11th-grader Joanna Cooper saw a screenshot, she texted her friends immediately: "We're going to sign his yearbook, because no kid deserves to feel like that." She wasn't the only one. Simone Lightfoot, who had been bullied at the same age, said: "If I could do one little thing to help this kid feel better, I'd be more than willing to." The next morning, more than 100 older students walked into Brody's sixth-grade classroom looking for him. "Where's Brody at? We're here to sign your yearbook, bud." They played rock, paper, scissors to decide who would go first. They wrote paragraphs, left phone numbers, and filled every page with messages of encouragement. Then something unexpected happened — the kids in Brody's own class got up and started signing too.
Brody said it "made me feel better as a person. I don't know how to explain it." His mother said: "It made me feel like there's hope for humanity." The story went viral. Actor Paul Rudd later sent Brody a handwritten note and a signed Ant-Man helmet. Cooper, the 11th-grader who organized the visit, planned a schoolwide yearbook signing for the following year so no student would ever face an empty book again.
Brody Ridder was 12 years old when he brought his yearbook to school at the Academy of Charter Schools in Westminster, Colorado, hoping his classmates would sign it. They refused. By the end of the day, only two classmates and two teachers had written anything. Brody, who had been bullied throughout the school year, signed his own yearbook with a message to himself: "Hope you make some more friends. — Brody Ridder."
His mother posted a photo of the page on a private Facebook group for parents at the school. When 11th-grader Joanna Cooper saw a screenshot, she texted her friends immediately: "We're going to sign his yearbook, because no kid deserves to feel like that." She wasn't the only one. Simone Lightfoot, who had been bullied at the same age, said: "If I could do one little thing to help this kid feel better, I'd be more than willing to." The next morning, more than 100 older students walked into Brody's sixth-grade classroom looking for him. "Where's Brody at? We're here to sign your yearbook, bud." They played rock, paper, scissors to decide who would go first. They wrote paragraphs, left phone numbers, and filled every page with messages of encouragement. Then something unexpected happened — the kids in Brody's own class got up and started signing too.
Brody said it "made me feel better as a person. I don't know how to explain it." His mother said: "It made me feel like there's hope for humanity." The story went viral. Actor Paul Rudd later sent Brody a handwritten note and a signed Ant-Man helmet. Cooper, the 11th-grader who organized the visit, planned a schoolwide yearbook signing for the following year so no student would ever face an empty book again.
Report
82points
#6
Wales is making it illegal for politicians to lie. Why isn't every country doing this?
Wales is on track to become the first place in the world to make it a criminal offense for politicians to deliberately lie during election campaigns. A bill passed its first stage in the Senedd, the Welsh Parliament, and is now in the amendment phase. If fully passed, politicians or candidates who knowingly make false statements to influence voters could be disqualified from holding office.
The law was championed by Adam Price, former leader of Plaid Cymru, who has pushed for it since the Iraq War. Only 9% of UK voters trust politicians to tell the truth, a 40-year low. Supporters argue the law brings politics in line with other professions where lying has real consequences. Critics warn it could discourage open debate and punish honest mistakes.
The bill would not take effect until the 2030 Welsh election at the earliest.
Wales is on track to become the first place in the world to make it a criminal offense for politicians to deliberately lie during election campaigns. A bill passed its first stage in the Senedd, the Welsh Parliament, and is now in the amendment phase. If fully passed, politicians or candidates who knowingly make false statements to influence voters could be disqualified from holding office.
The law was championed by Adam Price, former leader of Plaid Cymru, who has pushed for it since the Iraq War. Only 9% of UK voters trust politicians to tell the truth, a 40-year low. Supporters argue the law brings politics in line with other professions where lying has real consequences. Critics warn it could discourage open debate and punish honest mistakes.
The bill would not take effect until the 2030 Welsh election at the earliest.
Report
80points
But as senior producer at AJ+ Arabic, Mohammed Shazly explains, many digital platforms tend to take a bit of a different stance.
"In my opinion, the influence that digital platforms refer to has a fickle meaning that aims to create swirls of interaction with news. The aim is to attract the largest number of followers possible and achieve the highest number of interactions," writes Shazly. "Impact, on the other hand, has a more rigid meaning which refers to change; to bring about change, even a minor one."
#7
Ohio just set the bar by making it a felony to harm any cat or dog.
The Ohio Supreme Court ruled 7 to 0 that the state's felony animal cruelty law, known as Goddard's Law, applies to all cats and dogs regardless of whether they have an owner. The law is named after D**k Goddard, a beloved Cleveland weatherman and animal rights advocate. Before the ruling, an appeals court found that only pets receiving care qualified for felony protection, meaning harming a stray was only a misdemeanor.
The case began when Alonzo Kyles poured bleach on a stray kitten in a Cleveland apartment basement in 2021. He was convicted and sentenced to nine months but the conviction was overturned on appeal. The Humane Society, Alley Cat Allies, the Cleveland Animal Protective League, and the Animal Legal Defense Fund all filed briefs urging the Supreme Court to reverse.
The ruling makes Ohio one of the strongest states in America for animal protection law.
The Ohio Supreme Court ruled 7 to 0 that the state's felony animal cruelty law, known as Goddard's Law, applies to all cats and dogs regardless of whether they have an owner. The law is named after D**k Goddard, a beloved Cleveland weatherman and animal rights advocate. Before the ruling, an appeals court found that only pets receiving care qualified for felony protection, meaning harming a stray was only a misdemeanor.
The case began when Alonzo Kyles poured bleach on a stray kitten in a Cleveland apartment basement in 2021. He was convicted and sentenced to nine months but the conviction was overturned on appeal. The Humane Society, Alley Cat Allies, the Cleveland Animal Protective League, and the Animal Legal Defense Fund all filed briefs urging the Supreme Court to reverse.
The ruling makes Ohio one of the strongest states in America for animal protection law.
Report
77points
#8
Nobody asked them to help. Nobody organized it. Strangers just stepped forward, one by one, and linked arms. Ten years later, their city made sure nobody forgets.
In 2016, a dog fell into the Sayran Reservoir in Almaty, Kazakhstan, trapped by the steep concrete walls. A young man climbed down to help but couldn't get back up. Both were stranded. Then, without anyone organizing it, strangers stepped forward one by one, linked arms, and formed a human chain. Together, they pulled the man and the dog to safety. Someone filmed it. The video went viral — 15 million views on the Daily Mail's Facebook page alone, and millions more across other platforms. International news outlets covered it worldwide.
Ten years later, on March 18, 2026, the city of Almaty unveiled a bronze sculpture at the exact spot where it happened, on the embankment of the Sayran Reservoir near the Ulken River. Called "Unity," the installation was created by Yerbosyn Meldibekov, a Kazakh artist whose work has been exhibited in Antwerp, Hong Kong, and Singapore. The figures are depicted holding each other's arms, forming the same chain that saved a life a decade earlier. The project was funded by private donors and approved by the city's Department of Public Space Development.
One detail makes the sculpture unlike any other monument: the last figure's hand extends beyond the railing, reaching outward — so that any passerby can grab it and become part of the chain. It was designed that way on purpose. The city said the goal was to transform a viral moment into a permanent urban message: "This story is about people who did not walk away. It reminds us of what we are here for — to help and support one another."
In 2016, a dog fell into the Sayran Reservoir in Almaty, Kazakhstan, trapped by the steep concrete walls. A young man climbed down to help but couldn't get back up. Both were stranded. Then, without anyone organizing it, strangers stepped forward one by one, linked arms, and formed a human chain. Together, they pulled the man and the dog to safety. Someone filmed it. The video went viral — 15 million views on the Daily Mail's Facebook page alone, and millions more across other platforms. International news outlets covered it worldwide.
Ten years later, on March 18, 2026, the city of Almaty unveiled a bronze sculpture at the exact spot where it happened, on the embankment of the Sayran Reservoir near the Ulken River. Called "Unity," the installation was created by Yerbosyn Meldibekov, a Kazakh artist whose work has been exhibited in Antwerp, Hong Kong, and Singapore. The figures are depicted holding each other's arms, forming the same chain that saved a life a decade earlier. The project was funded by private donors and approved by the city's Department of Public Space Development.
One detail makes the sculpture unlike any other monument: the last figure's hand extends beyond the railing, reaching outward — so that any passerby can grab it and become part of the chain. It was designed that way on purpose. The city said the goal was to transform a viral moment into a permanent urban message: "This story is about people who did not walk away. It reminds us of what we are here for — to help and support one another."
Report
71points
#9
You think heroes need weapons, badges, or training. These two had bikes and the refusal to look away.
5-year-old Jocelyn Rojas was playing in her grandmother's front yard in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, when a man lured her into his car by offering ice cream. She vanished. For two hours, police and neighbors searched the area on foot. An Amber Alert was about to be issued. Then 15-year-old Temar Boggs and his friend Chris Garcia jumped on their bikes.
About half a mile away, they spotted a girl matching Jocelyn's description inside a sedan driven by an elderly man. They started following. Every time the driver turned down a side street, the boys followed. Every time he doubled back, they stayed on him. For 15 minutes, two teenagers on bicycles chased a car through the streets of Lancaster. The driver realized he couldn't shake them. He stopped, pushed the girl out, and drove off.
Jocelyn ran to Temar and said five words: "I just want my mom." He brought her home. Her mother later said: "It's amazing that teenagers put their lives in danger to make sure my child was okay."
5-year-old Jocelyn Rojas was playing in her grandmother's front yard in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, when a man lured her into his car by offering ice cream. She vanished. For two hours, police and neighbors searched the area on foot. An Amber Alert was about to be issued. Then 15-year-old Temar Boggs and his friend Chris Garcia jumped on their bikes.
About half a mile away, they spotted a girl matching Jocelyn's description inside a sedan driven by an elderly man. They started following. Every time the driver turned down a side street, the boys followed. Every time he doubled back, they stayed on him. For 15 minutes, two teenagers on bicycles chased a car through the streets of Lancaster. The driver realized he couldn't shake them. He stopped, pushed the girl out, and drove off.
Jocelyn ran to Temar and said five words: "I just want my mom." He brought her home. Her mother later said: "It's amazing that teenagers put their lives in danger to make sure my child was okay."
Report
63points
Nowadays, many Americans are getting their news from digital platforms. Pew Research Center reveals that social media plays a crucial role, particularly for younger adults.
"Overall, about half of U.S. adults (53%) say they at least sometimes get news from social media," notes Pew's 2025 Social Media and News Fact Sheet. "Facebook and YouTube outpace all other social media sites as places where Americans regularly get news: 38% of U.S. adults say they regularly get news on Facebook, and 35% say the same about YouTube."
Around 20% of those surveyed said Instagram was their regular source of news, while the same percentage cited TikTok as their go-to. 12% depended on X, formerly known as Twitter. A mere 2% said Truth Social and Bluesky.
#10
"It's the story of humanity, not Black history." The man making history refused to let it be divided.
Victor Glover is now on his way to the Moon as pilot of NASA's Artemis II mission — the first crewed flight beyond low-Earth orbit since Apollo 17 in 1972. He's the first Black astronaut to make the journey. Crewmate Christina Koch is the first woman. Jeremy Hansen is the first non-American.
Before liftoff, Glover was asked about the significance of those firsts. His answer went viral. He said he loves that "young brown boys and girls" can look at him and see themselves in the mission. But he also said he hopes one day the world won't need to frame accomplishments by race or gender. "It's the story of humanity," he said. "Not Black history, not women's history."
The clip has been shared widely on both sides. Conservatives praised it as a rejection of identity politics. Others pointed out that Glover wasn't dismissing representation — he was calling for a future where it's no longer necessary to highlight.
Victor Glover is now on his way to the Moon as pilot of NASA's Artemis II mission — the first crewed flight beyond low-Earth orbit since Apollo 17 in 1972. He's the first Black astronaut to make the journey. Crewmate Christina Koch is the first woman. Jeremy Hansen is the first non-American.
Before liftoff, Glover was asked about the significance of those firsts. His answer went viral. He said he loves that "young brown boys and girls" can look at him and see themselves in the mission. But he also said he hopes one day the world won't need to frame accomplishments by race or gender. "It's the story of humanity," he said. "Not Black history, not women's history."
The clip has been shared widely on both sides. Conservatives praised it as a rejection of identity politics. Others pointed out that Glover wasn't dismissing representation — he was calling for a future where it's no longer necessary to highlight.
Report
60points
#11
A 15-year-old boy with cancer had one regret: he'd miss his graduation photo. His classmates walked 2 km to the hospital. He died the next morning.
Ren Junjie was 15 years old and dying of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in a hospital in Sichuan Province, China. He was bedridden, on oxygen, and too weak to move. He told his family he had one regret — he wouldn't be in his class graduation photo.
When his classmates found out, more than 60 students and teachers from Yilong Middle School walked 2 kilometers from the school to the hospital, carrying benches with them. Six of Ren's male classmates wheeled his hospital bed into the courtyard. He was wearing his school uniform and an oxygen mask. They placed him in the center of the photo. His classmates brought him letters, flowers, and a basketball signed by all of them. "I wish you could get better and come back to us," one student wrote. They told him they'd see him in h**h school.
Ren passed away at 4 AM the next morning, one month before his 16th birthday. His father said he was deeply moved that more than 60 classmates came — all voluntarily. The photo went viral across Chinese social media, reaching over 8 million people. One comment read: "In the last group photo of his life, surrounding him were the best classmates and teachers in the world."
The graduation photo was taken on May 17, 2025. Ren died on May 18.
Ren Junjie was 15 years old and dying of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in a hospital in Sichuan Province, China. He was bedridden, on oxygen, and too weak to move. He told his family he had one regret — he wouldn't be in his class graduation photo.
When his classmates found out, more than 60 students and teachers from Yilong Middle School walked 2 kilometers from the school to the hospital, carrying benches with them. Six of Ren's male classmates wheeled his hospital bed into the courtyard. He was wearing his school uniform and an oxygen mask. They placed him in the center of the photo. His classmates brought him letters, flowers, and a basketball signed by all of them. "I wish you could get better and come back to us," one student wrote. They told him they'd see him in h**h school.
Ren passed away at 4 AM the next morning, one month before his 16th birthday. His father said he was deeply moved that more than 60 classmates came — all voluntarily. The photo went viral across Chinese social media, reaching over 8 million people. One comment read: "In the last group photo of his life, surrounding him were the best classmates and teachers in the world."
The graduation photo was taken on May 17, 2025. Ren died on May 18.
Report
59points
#12
This dog has a higher rank than most rookies. He's a Police Inspector. His job: protecting kids on their way to school.
Mamesuke, a 5-year-old Shiba Inu, has been officially reappointed as a police officer at the Yokkaichi Minami Police Station in Mie Prefecture, Japan, for another year. The ceremony took place on April 3, 2026, where the station chief presented an official certificate. Mamesuke holds the honorary rank of Police Inspector.
Active since 2023, his duties include patrolling school routes, participating in traffic safety campaigns, and raising awareness about fraud prevention, particularly scams targeting elderly residents. His next scheduled appearance is April 9, when he will conduct a morning street safety patrol at a school intersection in Yokkaichi.
Mamesuke is part of a broader trend in Japan, where mascots and unconventional public figures are used to promote community safety and local engagement. The Mie Prefecture Police confirmed the appointment on X, where the post gained widespread attention.
Mamesuke, a 5-year-old Shiba Inu, has been officially reappointed as a police officer at the Yokkaichi Minami Police Station in Mie Prefecture, Japan, for another year. The ceremony took place on April 3, 2026, where the station chief presented an official certificate. Mamesuke holds the honorary rank of Police Inspector.
Active since 2023, his duties include patrolling school routes, participating in traffic safety campaigns, and raising awareness about fraud prevention, particularly scams targeting elderly residents. His next scheduled appearance is April 9, when he will conduct a morning street safety patrol at a school intersection in Yokkaichi.
Mamesuke is part of a broader trend in Japan, where mascots and unconventional public figures are used to promote community safety and local engagement. The Mie Prefecture Police confirmed the appointment on X, where the post gained widespread attention.
Report
58points
In 2025, Gallup revealed that Americans’ confidence in the mass media has edged down to a new low. Only 28% of people polled expressed a “great deal” or “fair amount” of trust in newspapers, television and radio to report the news fully, accurately and fairly. That figure stood at 31% in 2024 and 40% in 2020.
"Meanwhile, seven in 10 U.S. adults now say they have 'not very much' confidence (36%) or 'none at all' (34%)," notes Gallup.
#13
He was found starving outside a chapel. Now he sits at the altar in a custom robe and never misses a service.
A stray dog named Johnny wandered up to the Chapel of Santa Ana and São Joaquim in Barretos, Brazil, around 2021. He was skinny, sick, and had signs of abuse. Father Luiz Paulo Soares took him in, fed him, and nursed him back to health. From that day on, Johnny never left. He started following the priest everywhere, including to the altar during mass.
Father Luiz had a small red and white robe made for him, and Johnny became the parish's official "cãoroinha," a Portuguese wordplay combining the words for dog and altar server. He attends every mass, procession, wedding, and baptism. When the church bell rings, he runs back from wherever he is in the neighborhood. Parishioners say he walks between the pews during services, quietly asking for pets.
Father Luiz also cares for 15 other rescued street dogs at the parish.
A stray dog named Johnny wandered up to the Chapel of Santa Ana and São Joaquim in Barretos, Brazil, around 2021. He was skinny, sick, and had signs of abuse. Father Luiz Paulo Soares took him in, fed him, and nursed him back to health. From that day on, Johnny never left. He started following the priest everywhere, including to the altar during mass.
Father Luiz had a small red and white robe made for him, and Johnny became the parish's official "cãoroinha," a Portuguese wordplay combining the words for dog and altar server. He attends every mass, procession, wedding, and baptism. When the church bell rings, he runs back from wherever he is in the neighborhood. Parishioners say he walks between the pews during services, quietly asking for pets.
Father Luiz also cares for 15 other rescued street dogs at the parish.
Report
57points
#14
He did not call the fire department first. He grabbed a wet shirt, covered his face, and ran straight into the flames.
On March 24, 2026, a fire broke out on the second floor of a six-story building in a narrow alley on Linh Nam Street in Hanoi. Seven people were trapped inside, including elderly residents and young children. Thick smoke blocked the exits and cries for help could be heard from the street.
Nguyen Le Tu, a 20-year-old engineering physics student at Hanoi University of Science and Technology, was walking nearby when he heard the screaming. Without any protective gear, he climbed onto the roof, used a hammer to break through the corrugated metal, and helped pull five of the seven victims to safety. A neighbor helped rescue the others.
The next morning, he called his mother and simply told her he had fallen. He later explained he did not want her to worry.
On March 24, 2026, a fire broke out on the second floor of a six-story building in a narrow alley on Linh Nam Street in Hanoi. Seven people were trapped inside, including elderly residents and young children. Thick smoke blocked the exits and cries for help could be heard from the street.
Nguyen Le Tu, a 20-year-old engineering physics student at Hanoi University of Science and Technology, was walking nearby when he heard the screaming. Without any protective gear, he climbed onto the roof, used a hammer to break through the corrugated metal, and helped pull five of the seven victims to safety. A neighbor helped rescue the others.
The next morning, he called his mother and simply told her he had fallen. He later explained he did not want her to worry.
Report
54points
#15
Critics said opposing the Iran war meant supporting Iran. Then Pedro Sánchez brought up the Pope.
During a March 25 appearance before the Spanish Congress, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez turned his opposition to the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran into a sharp jab at the right-wing PP and Vox parties. Referring to Pope Leo XIV's repeated calls for a ceasefire, Sánchez said he had not heard either opposition party accuse the Pope of siding with the ayatollahs.
His point was direct. Critics had painted Spain's anti-war stance as sympathy for Iran's leadership, and Sánchez used the Pope as a counterexample: one of the most prominent voices against the war is the head of the Catholic Church, not an Iranian sympathizer. The Pope has called for an immediate ceasefire, condemned the "atrocious violence" of the conflict, and said God does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war.
Sánchez has refused to let the U.S. use Spanish military bases for strikes on Iran, drawing threats from Donald Trump to cut trade ties with Spain. His government remains one of the few in Europe openly opposing the war.
During a March 25 appearance before the Spanish Congress, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez turned his opposition to the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran into a sharp jab at the right-wing PP and Vox parties. Referring to Pope Leo XIV's repeated calls for a ceasefire, Sánchez said he had not heard either opposition party accuse the Pope of siding with the ayatollahs.
His point was direct. Critics had painted Spain's anti-war stance as sympathy for Iran's leadership, and Sánchez used the Pope as a counterexample: one of the most prominent voices against the war is the head of the Catholic Church, not an Iranian sympathizer. The Pope has called for an immediate ceasefire, condemned the "atrocious violence" of the conflict, and said God does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war.
Sánchez has refused to let the U.S. use Spanish military bases for strikes on Iran, drawing threats from Donald Trump to cut trade ties with Spain. His government remains one of the few in Europe openly opposing the war.
Report
53points
For years, experts have been researching and discussing how to rebuild trust in journalism, especially in an era rife with misinformation and disinformation. As the Democracy Toolkit notes, it’s important to remember that skepticism is often warranted.
"People shouldn’t automatically trust what they read, hear or see," they say. "It’s up to journalists to help the public navigate this chaotic, overwhelming news landscape."
#16
His wife went blind. She stopped leaving the house. So he spent two years planting thousands of flowers she could smell.
Toshiyuki Kuroki spent two years planting thousands of shibazakura — pink moss phlox — across the hillside of his dairy farm in Shintomi, Japan, so his blind wife Yasuko could experience them through scent. Yasuko had lost her sight to diabetes and fallen into a deep depression, rarely leaving the house.
Toshiyuki chose shibazakura specifically because the flowers are known for their strong, sweet fragrance. He planted them by hand across the property over two years. When they finally bloomed, the hillside turned into a sea of bright pink, and the scent filled the air around their home. Yasuko began stepping outside again. She couldn't see the flowers, but she could smell them, and that was enough to bring her back to life. The couple had been married for over 30 years at the time.
The story spread across Japanese media and then internationally. Today, the Kuroki farm draws thousands of visitors from across Japan every spring during bloom season. What started as one man's quiet act of love for his wife became one of the most visited flower gardens in Miyazaki Prefecture — a place people travel to not just for the flowers, but for the story behind them.
Toshiyuki Kuroki spent two years planting thousands of shibazakura — pink moss phlox — across the hillside of his dairy farm in Shintomi, Japan, so his blind wife Yasuko could experience them through scent. Yasuko had lost her sight to diabetes and fallen into a deep depression, rarely leaving the house.
Toshiyuki chose shibazakura specifically because the flowers are known for their strong, sweet fragrance. He planted them by hand across the property over two years. When they finally bloomed, the hillside turned into a sea of bright pink, and the scent filled the air around their home. Yasuko began stepping outside again. She couldn't see the flowers, but she could smell them, and that was enough to bring her back to life. The couple had been married for over 30 years at the time.
The story spread across Japanese media and then internationally. Today, the Kuroki farm draws thousands of visitors from across Japan every spring during bloom season. What started as one man's quiet act of love for his wife became one of the most visited flower gardens in Miyazaki Prefecture — a place people travel to not just for the flowers, but for the story behind them.
Report
53points
#17
"I don't believe God made these animals for us to subjugate and t*****e." FDA Commissioner Makary said that as he announced the end of animal testing on beagles, chimps and other animals.
The FDA is phasing out animal testing on beagles, chimpanzees and other animals. Commissioner Makary confirmed all FDA-housed beagles have been removed and the kennels are empty. The NIH closed its last beagle lab. The replacement: computational modeling, organ-on-a-chip technology and human cell-based testing.
Makary said scientists "preyed on beagles because they are docile" and added: "I don't believe God made these animals for us to subjugate and t*****e." He called the new methods "better, cheaper, safer and more humane." 90% of d***s that pass animal testing fail in human trials — meaning animal models are poor predictors. Thousands of animals could be spared each year.
The shift has bipartisan support. The FDA Modernization Act passed the Senate in December. Animal welfare advocates have fought for this since the 1950s. The FDA says the new methods could also lower drug costs and speed up treatments for patients.
The FDA is phasing out animal testing on beagles, chimpanzees and other animals. Commissioner Makary confirmed all FDA-housed beagles have been removed and the kennels are empty. The NIH closed its last beagle lab. The replacement: computational modeling, organ-on-a-chip technology and human cell-based testing.
Makary said scientists "preyed on beagles because they are docile" and added: "I don't believe God made these animals for us to subjugate and t*****e." He called the new methods "better, cheaper, safer and more humane." 90% of d***s that pass animal testing fail in human trials — meaning animal models are poor predictors. Thousands of animals could be spared each year.
The shift has bipartisan support. The FDA Modernization Act passed the Senate in December. Animal welfare advocates have fought for this since the 1950s. The FDA says the new methods could also lower drug costs and speed up treatments for patients.
Report
51points
#18
His defense was that stray cats don't count as real animals under the law. The Supreme Court said "any means all."
Cleveland police found a stray kitten soaked in bleach in the basement of an apartment building. Alonzo Kyles admitted he poured bleach on the floor because he was afraid of the cat and wanted it to leave. The kitten's paws were burned, red, and swollen. A veterinarian warned that bleach exposure can be fatal to cats. Kyles was convicted of felony animal cruelty under Goddard's Law and sentenced to nine months.
An appeals court overturned the conviction, ruling a stray cat does not qualify as a "companion animal" and the charge should only be a misdemeanor. The Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office appealed to the Ohio Supreme Court, which reversed the decision unanimously in October 2024. Justice Patrick Fischer wrote: "Any means all."
The ruling means every cat and dog in Ohio is now protected by felony cruelty laws, whether owned, stray, or living outdoors.
Cleveland police found a stray kitten soaked in bleach in the basement of an apartment building. Alonzo Kyles admitted he poured bleach on the floor because he was afraid of the cat and wanted it to leave. The kitten's paws were burned, red, and swollen. A veterinarian warned that bleach exposure can be fatal to cats. Kyles was convicted of felony animal cruelty under Goddard's Law and sentenced to nine months.
An appeals court overturned the conviction, ruling a stray cat does not qualify as a "companion animal" and the charge should only be a misdemeanor. The Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office appealed to the Ohio Supreme Court, which reversed the decision unanimously in October 2024. Justice Patrick Fischer wrote: "Any means all."
The ruling means every cat and dog in Ohio is now protected by felony cruelty laws, whether owned, stray, or living outdoors.
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48points
#19
Sometimes the one who looks nothing like you is exactly the one you're supposed to be with.
Kiwi is a brightly colored lovebird who lives with his owner Maura Hennelly in California. In 2017, Maura noticed he was getting lonely and decided to find him a partner. The first girlfriend didn't work out. The two birds just weren't compatible. So Maura tried again and brought home a dark, grey-feathered bird she named Siouxsie, after the lead singer of the post-p**k band Siouxsie and the Banshees.
It was love at first sight. Despite looking completely different, the two were inseparable from the start. Kiwi would feed her seed puree, they'd cuddle together in his coconut nest, and before long, Siouxsie laid four eggs. All four hatched healthy, and as their feathers grew in, they turned out to be a perfect mix of both parents: half rainbow, half goth.
Maura shared the family's story on Twitter in 2018 and it went viral almost immediately. Millions of people fell in love with the idea that the most different-looking pair could create the most beautiful family.
Kiwi is a brightly colored lovebird who lives with his owner Maura Hennelly in California. In 2017, Maura noticed he was getting lonely and decided to find him a partner. The first girlfriend didn't work out. The two birds just weren't compatible. So Maura tried again and brought home a dark, grey-feathered bird she named Siouxsie, after the lead singer of the post-p**k band Siouxsie and the Banshees.
It was love at first sight. Despite looking completely different, the two were inseparable from the start. Kiwi would feed her seed puree, they'd cuddle together in his coconut nest, and before long, Siouxsie laid four eggs. All four hatched healthy, and as their feathers grew in, they turned out to be a perfect mix of both parents: half rainbow, half goth.
Maura shared the family's story on Twitter in 2018 and it went viral almost immediately. Millions of people fell in love with the idea that the most different-looking pair could create the most beautiful family.
Report
48points
#20
She lost her mother to cancer after a misdiagnosis. At 16, she built an AI system to prevent the same thing from happening to others.
Melek Öztürk was 16 when her mother was first misdiagnosed with pancreatic cancer, then correctly identified with adrenal gland cancer. The delays and confusion during treatment showed her firsthand how much damage a wrong diagnosis can do. Her mother didn't survive. Instead of letting that grief consume her, Melek channeled it into something that could help others.
Working through her school's math club "Matrix" in Izmir, Turkey, she developed an AI system called ONCOMathRIX that uses topological and differential analysis to detect kidney cell carcinoma from pathological images in seconds. It was tested on 537 open-source datasets and achieved a 97% accuracy rate. A professor at Ege University's medical faculty initially saw it as a student hobby project, then realized the system was filling a real gap in the literature.
The project has passed the first round of TEKNOFEST, Turkey's largest technology competition, and is currently in the patent process. She is 16 years old.
Melek Öztürk was 16 when her mother was first misdiagnosed with pancreatic cancer, then correctly identified with adrenal gland cancer. The delays and confusion during treatment showed her firsthand how much damage a wrong diagnosis can do. Her mother didn't survive. Instead of letting that grief consume her, Melek channeled it into something that could help others.
Working through her school's math club "Matrix" in Izmir, Turkey, she developed an AI system called ONCOMathRIX that uses topological and differential analysis to detect kidney cell carcinoma from pathological images in seconds. It was tested on 537 open-source datasets and achieved a 97% accuracy rate. A professor at Ege University's medical faculty initially saw it as a student hobby project, then realized the system was filling a real gap in the literature.
The project has passed the first round of TEKNOFEST, Turkey's largest technology competition, and is currently in the patent process. She is 16 years old.
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48points