Like many kids, Liam LaFavers sometimes gets to use his mom’s phone as a treat. But instead of watching shows or playing games, the eight-year-old likes browsing Amazon for carnival supplies. He often fills the checkout cart with decorations and prizes, but never buys anything. That changed in early May when Liam accidentally pressed the "buy" button after adding 30 boxes of Dum-Dums to the cart. For those curious, that is over 70,000 lollipops!...
Read news articleFor centuries, the world beneath Antarctica’s thick ice shelves remained one of Earth’s greatest unknowns. No one knew what, if anything, lived there. That changed when a massive iceberg, roughly the size of Chicago, unexpectedly broke away. This rare event gave scientists a once-in-a-lifetime chance to explore a part of the planet that had never been seen before....
Read news articleSpending time in space might sound thrilling, but it takes a serious toll on the human body. Weightlessness affects everything from muscles to blood flow. Hence, before astronauts head to the Moon or Mars, scientists must find ways to reduce the physical effects of long-term space travel....
Read news articleMost 12-year-olds dream of a big party or a fun sleepover to celebrate their birthday. But Mia DaPonte, from East Greenwich, Rhode Island, had a different goal in mind. She wanted to celebrate by becoming New England’s first 12-year-old — and the youngest female in the US — to earn the title of PADI Master Scuba Diver. This is the highest recreational diving certification offered by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors....
Read news articleThe papal conclave has ended. Just one day after entering seclusion, the 133 cardinals inside the Sistine Chapel elected Cardinal Robert Prevost as the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church. The 69-year-old, now known as Pope Leo XIV, is the first American-born pope....
Read news articleIn the summer of 2014, millions of people worldwide dumped buckets of ice water over their heads and challenged others to do the same. But this was not just for fun — they were taking on the Ice Bucket Challenge. The campaign, which went viral on social media, aimed to raise awareness and funds for ALS research, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. It raised an impressive $115 million for the ALS Association in just a few months....
Read news articleThe nine-day mourning period for Pope Francis, who was laid to rest on April 26, 2025, ended on May 4. On May 7, cardinals from six continents gathered in Vatican City, Italy, to elect the 267th pope. This tradition, known as the papal conclave, is steeped in history....
Read news articleOn April 23, 2025, the Philadelphia Zoo introduced four female hatchlings of the critically endangered Western Santa Cruz Galápagos tortoises to the public. The new arrivals were named Dorothy, Rose, Blanche, and Sophia — after characters from the iconic television series The Golden Girls. They are the first of their kind to be born at the zoo in its 150-year history. Prior to this, there were only 44 Western Santa Cruz tortoises in US zoos, including three at Philadelphia....
Read news articleOn May 11, 2025, most Americans will celebrate Mother’s Day. The beloved tradition is credited to Anna Jarvis, a teacher from Philadelphia. She wanted to honor the sacrifices mothers make for their families. The first celebration took place in 1908 at a church in Grafton, West Virginia. It was such a success that Jarvis launched a campaign to make Mother's Day a national holiday....
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