Buzz
This collection seeks to balance the often overwhelming negativity in the news. Here are 10 stories that are sure to lift your mood and inspire. If you're in the mood for something a little quirky alongside the positivity, be sure to check out the offbeat list here.
This week’s list features several remarkable animals. From the cat crowned King of Ruddington to the North Pacific right whale singing for the first time, and Scamp the Tramp taking the crown at the World’s Ugliest Dog contest.
10. All Hail the Ruler of Ruddington
The entire village of Ruddington in Nottinghamshire united to plan a special 10th birthday celebration for its most adored resident, Wilbur the cat.
Originally, Wilbur was owned by Cathy Appelbee, a local resident. However, about five years ago, she adopted two rescue kittens. Wilbur, clearly not interested in sharing the spotlight, decided to leave.
The king has two exciting events to attend in July. Both will take place at his favorite spots: the Nottingham Building Society and the Frame Breakers pub.
The second event will be a larger celebration, open to the public. Wilbur-themed merchandise will be sold to raise funds for defibrillators to support heart charities.
9. A Heartfelt Blessing
Last Saturday, the Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua in Italy hosted a singles' event, attracting hundreds of people hoping to find love.
Inspired by a tradition from Saint Anthony's homeland of Portugal, where people seek his guidance in their search for a soulmate, the event titled 'Saint Anthony, matchmaker' welcomed singles aged 20 to 50. The day began with a 'get to know you' session followed by mass, ending with an evening party themed 'Love is all around.'
As hundreds registered within hours of the announcement, concerns arose that the basilica might not be large enough to accommodate everyone. Only time will tell if anyone found their special someone. Two couples did connect at last year’s inaugural event, though it was much more low-key than this one.
8. Pedro's Two-Wheeled Adventures
Using parts from a toy store, veterinarians crafted an improvised wheelchair for a turtle missing his back legs.
Pedro the turtle is either accident-prone or a daredevil. When he was first adopted, he was missing a back leg, though no one knew how it happened. Recently, he ran away for a few months, and when he returned, he had lost his other back limb as well. Again, no one knows what caused it, but it was clear that Pedro now needed assistance to move around.
His owners took him to the Louisiana State University’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Baton Rouge. The vets there put their MacGyver skills to good use, crafting a set of wheels for the turtle using a LEGO car kit, syringe parts, and animal-safe epoxy.
Now Pedro can zip around faster than ever before. It’s likely that he’ll make another visit to the vet hospital if he loses another leg.
7. The Song of the Ocean's Depths
For the first time in history, researchers have captured the song of the North Pacific right whale.
In the 1960s, we first heard the haunting call of a cetacean when scientists recorded a humpback whale. Its mesmerizing song quickly became a symbol for environmental movements and new age music. Since then, researchers have discovered other whales that can sing, and now the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has added the endangered North Pacific right whale to the list.
We’ve heard this species produce moans, clicks, and other sounds, but nothing with the rhythm or structure that could be considered a song. That was until the summer of 2010, when NOAA researchers revisited a backlog of recorded data and identified ‘gunshot calls’ arranged in a unique pattern, unlike any other whale sounds recorded before.
It wasn’t until 2017 that they were able to capture the song in real time, pinpoint its location, and visually confirm the male right whale singing the melody.
6. The Unsung Heroines of the Hen Do
Two women returning from a hen party in North Walsham, Norfolk, saved the life of an elderly man trapped in a burning building.
On Sunday night, bride-to-be Kayleigh Brown and her friend Harriot Woods were heading home after Kayleigh’s hen do, or bachelorette party. They spotted smoke coming from a house and immediately called the fire department. But when they heard screams from inside, they knew they couldn’t just stand by.
The women managed to force open the back door. Woods ran upstairs and found a man in his seventies who was unable to escape on his own. The pair helped him back out safely.
Firefighters arrived soon after and found no one else inside. A spokesman praised the women for their bravery, stating that without their intervention, the outcome would have been “tragic.”
5. Scamp the Tramp Takes the Crown
With his unruly hair, wide-eyed stare, and drooping tongue, Scamp the Tramp earned the title of this year’s World’s Ugliest Dog.
The 31st annual event shines a spotlight on dogs who may not be conventionally beautiful but have an abundance of love to offer. Scamp nearly won last year as a runner-up but claimed the top spot in 2019.
As his owner, Yvonne Morones, proudly declares, Scamp is now Scamp the Champ. Along with his title and trophy, the award included $1,500 in cash, a $1,500 donation to an animal shelter, and an appearance on the Today Show.
Scamp is a testament to the fact that even 'ugly' dogs deserve love. Before his rise to fame, he worked as a therapy dog for senior citizens, a greeter for passengers, a reading companion for first graders, and a representative for the Humane Society of Sonoma County. Morones sees his win as a reward for his 'beautiful spirit' and everything he's contributed to the community.
4. When Good Seniors Go Rogue
It seems that England is witnessing a rise in 'ruthless' elderly criminals. Ninety-three-year-old Josie Birds is the second senior this year to be arrested while trying to check something off her bucket list.
A few weeks ago, a police community support officer (PCSO) from Greater Manchester was approached by a woman with a rather peculiar request. Her grandmother had always been a law-abiding citizen with a 'heart of gold', but she now wanted to experience what it felt like 'to be naughty.'
Last weekend, officers visited Josie’s home and took her into custody. They handcuffed her and put the elderly 'criminal' in a police van for a short ride to the station. They charged her with robbing a Co-op and gave her a thorough questioning. However, they drew the line at locking her up like she requested. Instead, they treated her to tea and cake.
Her granddaughter later took to social media to express gratitude to the Greater Manchester police, mentioning that her grandmother 'thoroughly enjoyed' the experience.
3. A Swim Through Eleven Cities
A Dutch Olympic swimmer made history as the first person to complete a marathon of the Elfstedentocht, all while raising millions of dollars for cancer research charities.
The Elfstedentocht (or 'Eleven Cities Tour') is a renowned ice skating event that first took place in 1909 in the Netherlands. The 200-kilometer (120-mile) course weaves through all 11 historical cities in Friesland province.
The challenge is that the event can only happen when the weather conditions are suitable and the ice is thick enough. At times, several decades may pass before another race takes place.
The last Elfstedentocht occurred in 1997. With no signs of the canals freezing anytime soon, Dutch Olympic swimmer Maarten van der Weijden decided to alter the idea and swim the distance instead of skating it.
It took van der Weijden a little more than three days to complete the course. He finished the marathon on Monday evening as he reached the city of Leeuwarden. Through a combination of sponsorships and donations, van der Weijden, a cancer survivor, raised an estimated €3.9 million for cancer research during his charity swim. He had tried this challenge last summer but had to stop due to illness.
2. Serendipitous Timing
The incident involving two-year-old Doha Muhammed could have ended in tragedy if it weren’t for Feuzi Zabaat, a teenager with excellent reflexes. The toddler accidentally fell from the second-floor window of her apartment in Istanbul. As Zabaat was walking down the street, he caught her safely in midair.
A security camera captured the entire event. The footage shows the 17-year-old pausing to look up when he saw the girl hanging from the window. He positioned himself just in time to catch her as she plummeted. Passersby quickly gathered around as he held her and safely returned her to her parents, unharmed.
Feuzi was hailed as a hero and described as a 'lion of a person' by one witness. Doha’s father expressed his gratitude and even offered Feuzi a reward for saving his daughter’s life.
1. Michael’s Desserts
A 13-year-old from Bowie, Maryland, turned his love for baking into a thriving business, matching each sale with a donation to help the homeless.
Michael Platt launched his business when he was just 11 years old. Over the last two years, 'Michael’s Desserts' has blossomed, selling about 100 products monthly. While cupcakes are his top sellers, he also bakes cookies and creative 'chef’s choice' flavors inspired by historical figures like Martin Luther King Jr.
From the very beginning, Michael wanted his business to have more than just financial success, so he created a one-for-one donation model. For every cupcake sold, he gives one to someone in need. Michael has teamed up with the nonprofit No Kid Hungry and makes donation batches roughly once a month.
