👀 Ostriches in the Desert

Good morning. Today’s stories show what can happen when people try something new, whether it is reintroducing ostriches to the Saudi desert after a hundred years, building “frog spas” in Australia to help rare frogs survive, or giving a polluted river in Toronto a second chance. Even the latest research on meditation is about small changes that might add up over time.

For those who’ve been watching the Winter Olympics, it’s already been filled with a ton of amazing stories, from Claudia Riegler becoming the oldest female Winter Olympian at the age of 52 to the story of Maxim Naumov skating in memory of his parents.

In terms of medal counts, the top 3 countries are:

🇳🇴 Norway (12)
🇩🇪 Germany (6)
🇸🇪 Sweden (6)

USA’s medals are:

🥇 2 Golds
🥈 3 Silvers
🥉 2 Bronze

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—Stephanie S

This morning brings a hopeful milestone from the Saudi desert, where red-necked ostriches have returned after a century away. Once celebrated by poets and now critically endangered, these remarkable birds are finding a new home in the vast Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Royal Reserve.

Just five ostriches were released, but their presence is more than symbolic. As natural seed dispersers, they help restore the delicate balance of desert life by encouraging plant regeneration and supporting a web of other species.

The reintroduction is part of a larger effort to bring back native wildlife, from leopards to oryx, to a landscape that has seen so much loss. It’s a reminder that even in the harshest places, renewal is possible.

What might the desert look like if more of its lost creatures return? The answer is still unfolding, one careful step at a time.

Once so polluted it literally caught fire, Toronto’s Don River is now teeming with life. Thanks to a billion-dollar restoration, ecologists are spotting everything from baby sunfish to big bass and even Atlantic salmon.

The river’s comeback is a win for both wildlife and the city, with new wetlands and a more natural flow helping fish thrive.

It’s a hopeful reminder that even the most damaged places can bounce back. Dive into the full story for a dose of optimism.

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Australia’s green and golden bell frog is making a comeback near Canberra, thanks to a creative rescue effort. Scientists bred these frogs in captivity, immunized them, and are now releasing them into wetlands equipped with “frog spas” and “frog saunas” that help protect against deadly fungus.

The saunas are just piles of black bricks that get warm enough to kill the fungus but still feel cozy for the frogs.

It’s a hopeful story for a species that vanished from the region decades ago. Dive in for a look at science, creativity, and a little amphibian luck.

A new study suggests transcendental meditation might do more than just help you relax. Researchers found it can calm genes linked to both stress and aging, suggesting real benefits for your body at the cellular level.

What’s especially interesting is that older adults who practiced regularly showed better cognitive abilities as well.

Curious if a few quiet minutes a day could help you age a little more gracefully? Take a look at the full story.

🐙 UK: 2025 was declared the 'Year of the Octopus' by the UK Wildlife Trust after record numbers of octopus sightings and catches in British waters.

🪴 Michigan: Scientists have shown that unique moss species can act like fingerprints to help solve crimes.

🤝 Canada: Residents of Gander, Newfoundland, once again rallied to help stranded airline passengers during an ice storm.

🐳 England/Connecticut: A transatlantic charity rowing team captured footage of a pod of whales in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

🏛️ Italy: Rome's exquisite underground House of Griffins villa is open to the public for the first time ever via livestream tours.

One hundred years ago today, legendary French chef Paul Bocuse was born, shaping modern gastronomy in ways that still define fine dining. Named “Chef of the Century,” Bocuse held an unprecedented 55 consecutive years of three Michelin stars at his flagship restaurant, L'Auberge du Pont de Collonges. He helped pioneer nouvelle cuisine, a movement that broke from heavy, ornate cuisine classique and emphasized fresh, high-quality ingredients, lighter preparations, and elegant presentation. His influence was so profound that the world’s most prestigious culinary competition bears his name: the Bocuse d'Or.

Bocuse’s dishes became culinary legends. His famous Truffle Soup VGE, created in 1975 for President Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, remains a symbol of refined French gastronomy. From Maine Lobster Salad to Hare à la Royale and Sea Bass in Pastry, his creations balanced technical mastery with theatrical flair. He passed away in 2018 at age 91, in the same room above his restaurant where he was born, a poetic closing chapter for a chef whose life was inseparable from his kitchen.

Other notable February 11 events:

1794: The first session of the U.S. Senate opened to the public.

1937: General Motors recognized the United Auto Workers Union, ending a major strike.

1961: Robert C. Weaver became the first African-American appointed to a U.S. cabinet-level position.

1990: Nelson Mandela was freed after 27 years in prison, later becoming South Africa’s first Black president.

— Louis L’Amour

Every day brings amazing advances and uplifting moments that remind us just how wonderful the world can be. Here are five reasons why today is the best time ever to be alive:

♻️ Recycling Hubs: Community recycling hubs are encouraging residents to sort and recycle effectively, reducing landfill waste.

🏞️ Urban River Life: Rewilding urban rivers is bringing back fish species and improving city ecosystems.

🌧️ Rain Gardens: Rain gardens filter stormwater and create green spaces in dense urban neighborhoods.

📱 Health Apps: Mobile health apps enable people to monitor chronic conditions and track treatments more easily.

🌬️ Floating Wind: Floating wind farms are harnessing offshore winds in deeper waters, expanding renewable energy potential.

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