Daylight Saving Time ends this weekend, which means it's time for the annual joy of waking up on Sunday to find you have a whole extra hour of life to use however you please! (Sleeping. It's usually used for sleeping.) Now, is that bright little moment mitigated by the semiannual task of switching all the clocks and preparing for the dark days of winter ahead? Maybe — but at least we get something nice out of it!
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Our favorites this week
Get going with some of our most popular good news stories of the week
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Photo credit: Abe McAulton, Make-A-Wish Hawaii |
A scary good time
Did you know Disney has worked with The Make-A-Wish Foundation for more than 40 years and granted more than 150,000 Disney wishes for brave kids across the world? The magic continued this October at Aulani, a Disney resort and spa in beautiful Oahu. More than 20 families were invited for a dream "Hallo-week of Wishes" complete with a Halloween luau, a trick-or-treat dance party, a sunset dinner with Disney characters and plenty of other moments of Disney magic. "Wishes have the power to renew hope and uplift spirits for children facing critical illnesses and their families," Disney told CNN. "When you pair that with Disney’s stories, characters and unmatched experiences, wishes help deliver joy when it’s needed most."
Learn more about Disney's partnership with Make-A-Wish here.
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Reaching out
Artificial intelligence seems to be everywhere these days and yet it's hard to know sometimes how, exactly, it's supposed to make our lives better. (Or at least not overtake the entire world.) My colleague Catherine Shoichet wrote a wonderful piece about Eldera, an AI-driven program that helps connect older adults with kids who need a mentor. The idea is to break down generational divides, give people new perspectives and stave off loneliness. Eldera users get together for video chats where they discuss their lives and participate in cool activities like creating AI art. “When you bring people together one to one, they will figure out how to take care of each other,” says Eldera co-founder and CEO Dana Griffin.
Read the whole story here.
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A Friend forever
Beloved actor Matthew Perry often said his iconic role as Chandler on "Friends" wasn't the main legacy he wanted to leave behind. Perry was open about his struggles with addiction and made it a mission to encourage others on the path to recovery. Perry died last weekend at 54, but the impact he hoped to make when he was gone is already taking shape. The Matthew Perry Foundation was started this week, sponsored and maintained by public charity the National Philanthropic Trust. "In the spirit of Matthew Perry’s enduring commitment to helping others struggling with the disease of addiction, we embark on a journey to honor his legacy by establishing the Matthew Perry Foundation, guided by his own words and experiences, and driven by his passion for making a difference in as many lives as possible,” a statement from the foundation reads.
Read the whole story here.
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Noom is more than a diet – it’s a whole new lifestyle
Tired of fleeting weight-loss fads and yo-yo dieting? Noom’s psychology-based approach can help you lose weight in just 10 minutes a day. Personalized plans, expert advice, and a community await, so get started today.
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The Texas Rangers, who won their first World Series in franchise history! We love a good baseball first. A special toast to Rangers pitcher Will Smith, who became the first MLB player to win three World Series titles in three years — with three different teams! He threw for the Atlanta Braves when they won it all in 2021, and the Houston Astros in 2022. Lucky? Talented? Clairvoyant? Maybe all three!
Read the whole story here.
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Here at The Good Stuff, we have a very comprehensive definition of "cute." Is this photo of a mother stink bug guarding her baby bugs cute? Of course it is! Stink bugs deserve love too. This image of motherly love was taken by Spanish biologist Javier Aznar González De Rueda, and it landed him the 2023 European Wildlife Photographer of the Year award. The scientist explained the mother’s protection is crucial for improving her offspring’s chances of survival with a whole host of predators waiting nearby. “This is a highly complex ecosystem with countless organisms in a vast interconnected web of life,” he said.
See other winning photos here.
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Congratulations to the Top 10 CNN Heroes of 2023! The big announcement was made this week, which means we have a few weeks to explore each of their stories (and vote, vote, vote!) before the CNN Hero of the Year is named in December. This week, we're highlighting Heroes Mama Shu and Adam Pearce.
Shamayim Harris, who goes by Mama Shu, turned her grief at losing two sons into a mission to revitalize her Detroit-area neighborhood of Highland Park. Now, the street boasts bright, clean parks and even an after-school hub called the "Homework House." Read Mama Shu's story here.
Adam Pearce and his brother Kevin co-founded the LoveYourBrain Foundation after Kevin suffered a traumatic brain injury. Adam Pearce saw the benefits yoga and meditation had for his brother's recovery, and now they offer retreats and classes for others with TBIs. Read Adam's story here.
Remember to vote for your favorite CNN Heroes here, and then share your vote on social media to encourage others to join in!
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Cats have 276 facial expressions, according to a new study. Researchers filmed 53 cats at a cat café and then went through hours of footage to discern different expressions (breathing, yawning and other default cat behaviors weren't included). “Our study demonstrates that cat communication is more complex than previously assumed,” said study co-author Brittany Florkiewicz. While we're still not confident what all of those different faces and ear twitches mean, here's one you can know for sure: Researchers said when cats are feeling friendly, their ears and whiskers move forward while their eyes close. Not sure what expression conveys "How dare you hold me hostage in this house, you giant bald tyrant, I crave adventure!" Science will get there someday.
Read the whole story here.
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Brought to you by Vault by CNN |
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Rec of the week
Brought to you by CNN Underscored
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The best products on sale this weekend
This weekend, we found deals on Yeti water bottles, Adidas Ultraboosts and Ana Luisa jewelry. Shop our editors' curated deals here.
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Shameless animal video
There's always time for cute animal videos. That time is now.
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Continuing on the theme of "Yes, it IS cute," may I present a very tiny, very friendly octopus. (Click here to view) |
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