🦭 See Photos of a Seal Hopping onto a Boat

Good morning. It’s been a week of remarkable moments and inspiring breakthroughs. A seal’s daring escape from a pod of orcas left a wildlife photographer with unforgettable images and a new perspective on nature’s drama.

In the Italian Alps, a breathtaking glass cabin promises safety and sustainability for future mountaineers, blending cutting-edge design with environmental care.

Meanwhile, new research warns that sleeping with lights and devices on could put your heart at risk, reminding us that small changes at home can make a big difference for our health.

—Stephanie S

Wildlife photographer Charvet Drucker recently witnessed a dramatic scene in the Salish Sea. While observing a pod of eight orcas hunting a lone seal, she captured the action as the seal desperately sought refuge.

As the orcas closed in, the seal made a split-second decision and flopped onto the back of Drucker’s boat, escaping the predators. The orcas tried to dislodge the seal using their signature wave-making technique, but the seal managed to hold on.

After about 15 tense minutes, the orcas gave up and swam away, leaving the seal safe. Drucker, usually rooting for the orcas, admitted she was “Team Seal” in that moment.

This rare encounter highlights the intelligence and adaptability of both predator and prey, and offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience for all on board.

A stunning new glass cabin designed by CRA-Carlo Ratti Associati will soon offer mountaineers a safe, stylish refuge in the Alps. Inspired by crystalline rock formations, the cabin blends seamlessly with its surroundings and features energy production, storage, and water harvesting.

The project will debut at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan before being airlifted to its Alpine home.

This innovative shelter redefines harmony between architecture and nature, promising both beauty and safety for adventurers.

A new study links exposure to artificial light at night, such as street lamps and device screens, to increased brain stress and a higher risk of heart disease.

Researchers found that even modest increases in nighttime light can raise the risk of heart problems, especially for those in noisy or lower-income neighborhoods.

Experts suggest keeping bedrooms dark and limiting screen time before bed to help protect your heart health.

Reducing unnecessary outdoor lighting could also make a difference for communities.

After 170 years, leopards have returned to the western coast of South Africa, captured by camera traps in West Coast National Park. This milestone is the result of decades of collaboration between conservationists, local government, and landowners.

Efforts focused on restoring wildlife corridors and promoting coexistence with humans, allowing leopards to move safely through their ancestral range.

The return highlights the power of long-term partnerships and offers hope for further wildlife recovery.

51 years ago today, Congress overrode President Gerald Ford’s attempted veto, pushed by then–White House aides Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld, to pass the modern Freedom of Information Act. The decision cemented one of the most important transparency tools in American history, giving citizens, journalists, and researchers the legal right to request internal government documents from federal agencies under the executive branch.

FOIA has since powered some of the most revealing investigations of the past half-century, from the Washington Post’s expose of the Afghanistan Papers to long-hidden records about nuclear near-misses, decades of FBI surveillance of Black writers, and recent revelations about U.S.-funded coronavirus research. Though often expensive or slow to pursue, FOIA remains the backbone of accountability in American public life.

Other notable November 21 events:

1783: The world’s first untethered hot-air balloon flight lifted off in Paris.

1922: Rebecca Felton became the first woman to serve in the U.S. Senate.

1934: A 16-year-old Ella Fitzgerald debuted at the Apollo Theater.

1983: Michael Jackson’s Thriller video premiered in Los Angeles.

🏛️ Egypt: The Grand Egyptian Museum has finally opened near the pyramids, showcasing 100,000 ancient artifacts in the world’s largest archaeological museum devoted to a single civilization.

🌊 Portugal, Spain, Cape Verde: A new "Macronesia" marine sanctuary will protect the waters around four Atlantic islands.

⚽️ England: A woman who never watched soccer became a Brentford FC fan after moving into a London condo with an epic view of the team's stadium.

🔬 Italy: Ancient Roman lead bars are being used by scientists to shield sensitive experiments in the search for dark matter on Earth.

🏒 USA: An 8-year-old boy's "Rink Dude" merch line has raised thousands to help underprivileged kids afford hockey gear and fees.

— Orson Scott Card

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:

💻 Coding Contests: Online coding contests are motivating students to solve real-world problems creatively.

🌱 Mangrove Projects: Community-led mangrove restorations are shielding coasts from storms and erosion.

⚡ Village Grids: Community-run electric grids are keeping villages powered and resilient during outages.

🏙️ Rooftop Gardens: Urban rooftop gardens cool buildings and supply local produce to city markets.

📱 Plant Trees: Global reforestation apps let users plant trees with just a few taps on their phone.

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