Ex-marine who lost arm in Afghanistan gets superhero-like prosthetic
By Leo Black
An ex-marine who lost his arm in Afghanistan has got a custom superhero-like prosthetic replacement - which allows him to lift up to 400 lbs.
Cpl. Sebastian Guadalupe Gallegos, 32, came up with the idea of an aluminum and carbon-fiber arm after he broke 15 conventional prosthetic ones.
Sebastian had his friend George Schroeder, an engineer, manufacture the custom arm a year and half ago.
Now, Sebastian is able to box, lift weights and even care for his son better.
Sebastian, of San Antonio, Texas, USA, said: "It's the only prosthetic that I can do things with and trust it."
Sebastian is outdoorsy and independent, so he struggled to adapt after losing his arm in Afghanistan in 2010 after being hit by improvised explosive device (IED).
He has since had a total 15 prosthetic arms, which broke during simple, everyday tasks such as carrying groceries.
Sebastian says that ordinary prosthetics suffer from being designed to look like human limbs, which makes them fragile.
He said: My new arm doesn't look like an arm. A lot of prosthetics look natural and that's why they're so fragile. They're so small.
"Grocery bags will break them. It's the torque motion when they swing back and forth or carrying water jugs."
His new arm is made entirely from aluminum and carbon-fibre and has abandoned looking like a human arm for durability.
It outperforms his older ones in every way.
He can now lift weights as heavy as 180 kg (400 lbs) when before his arms struggled with 2 kgs (5 lbs).
Sebastian said: "The most I've dead-lifted was 400 lbs, 75 pounds is what I've pulled safely.
"The other prosthetics would be able to lift maybe three to five pounds. It's a different stratosphere strength-wise."
Besides being able to lift heavier goods, Sebastian's new arms have made a huge difference with one-year-old son Xolo Gallegos.
Sebastian said: "Being a dad is the actual reason I'm most grateful for the prosthetic. When I carry my son I'm almost exclusively using the prosthetic.
"He loves it. It's really cute. He thinks people with both arms are the weirder ones. He even fist-bumps me with it."
Sebastian's new arm has also earned him a lot of unexpected attention on social-media app TikTok and viewers often compare him to The Winter Soldier, a Marvel superhero.
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Police launch daring rescue to save man clinging onto cliff face after falling more than 50ft
By Samuel Wightwick
Police launched a daring rescue to save a man clinging onto a cliff face after he fell more than 50ft.
A dramatic video shows the intense rescue by the Sonoma County Sheriffs helicopter.
Thermal imaging footage shows the man clinging onto the cliff face in desperation as a rescuer is heard telling the man to "not let go" before placing him into a rescue device.
Police were alerted to the incident in the area of the Alexander Battery in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in California, on March 31 at around 7.40pm
The victim was then flown to the top of the cliff and delivered to fire personnel for medical evaluation.
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"Doctors found cancer during my abdominal surgery, just like Kate - it can happen to anyone"
By Amy Reast
A woman went through a similar cancer journey at the same time as Princess Kate - and warned "it can happen to anyone".
Maia Kennedy, 38, began suffering with nausea in December 2023 and was called for an emergency colonoscopy.
Doctors found a tumour in her colon which they believed was pre-cancerous.
Maia, from Hackney, London, had surgery to remove part of her colon in a routine procedure in February 2024 - but to her shock learned it had been cancerous.
Because it was stage one, she didn't need chemotherapy and is now in remission - but sees parallels between her experience and that of the Princess of Wales'.
Maia, who is close in age to the 42-year-old future Queen, said: "As a young healthy woman, you never think it will happen to you.
"But it can happen to anyone - even royalty, with the best medical care in the world.
"I have a lot of empathy for what Kate is going through, it's a tough time - never mind when you're in the public eye.
"When I heard about her surgery my thoughts went out to her - and it was a strange experience finding out my journey was similar to hers.
"With everyone talking about her, it brings up a lot of thoughts of what I've been through too."
Maia first experienced nausea and a change of bowel habits in December 2023, which her GP first put down to acid reflux.
But later that month they ran some tests and she was called in for an emergency colonoscopy in January during which they found a tumour.
Maia said: "I knew something wasn't right, but you don't go into it expecting them to find something like that - it was a huge shock for me."
Specialists thought Maia's was non-cancerous originally - just as they had thought with Princess Kate's at the time of her "planned abdominal surgery" in January.
Maia was booked in for surgery to remove part of her colon in February, and stayed in hospital a week.
She was recovering when she got a call weeks later saying a biopsy of the tumour removed in the surgery showed it had been cancerous.
Because the biopsy showed it was stage one bowel cancer, she didn't need any chemotherapy, and is now declared cancer-free.
She said: "It all happened so quickly from December to March.
"It's taken over my life but its been such a short period of time.
"It's very surreal to say I had cancer."
Maia is now seeking therapy to help her process the traumas she has experienced.
She said learning about the Princess' cancer journey revealed many parallels to her own.
She said: "When I heard about her abdominal surgery, my thoughts went out to her.
"I thought it sounds similar to me.
"At the time they weren't saying mine was cancer, just like they said hers wasn't at first."
Maia is now going through NHS physical rehabilitation sessions to build her strength back up.
While she has been left struggling emotionally, she wants to warn other people to look out for the symptoms - and not to assume it won't happen to you.
She added: "It has been the most difficult thing I've had to go through.
"You need to be aware of the symptoms, because it can happen to anyone - even royalty.
"The sooner you catch it, the better.
"As a young healthy woman, you never think it will happen to you. I never thought it would.
"Hearing of Catherine's story, my emotions were up and down - it brings up the 'what if' feelings.
"What if I had left it or hadn't caught it, or had to have chemo like she did?
"I have a lot of empathy for her and what she's going through - it's a tough time, never mind doing it while being in the public eye."
Maia is now fundraising for Cancer Research: https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/maias-race-for-life-2076
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Giant panda gets spooked by bamboo mat
By Safia Azizi
This is the adorable moment a giant panda got frightened by a bamboo mat.
The sweet moment was captured on camera at Beijing Zoo on March 17.
It shows giant panda Meng Er watching a bamboo mat being blown about in the wind.
As the mat begins to fall toward the panda, it suddenly jolts backwards in surprise - triggering laughs from zoo visitors.
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"My twin daughters were born with albinism - people gawk at them in the street"
By Ben Barry
A mum whose twin daughters were born with albinism said people "gawk" at them in the street.
Alex Burnham, 31, gave birth to her twins, Aubrie and Andie, 10 months, in April 2023.
Alex and her husband, Joshua Burnham, 33, a transportation manager, say they didn't realise their daughters had albinism until they were born as it was not picked up during the pregnancy.
Alex said a doctor came into the room looking concerned and she thought there was something wrong with the tots.
The doctor told the worried parents that Aubrie and Andie had albinism and Alex said she was "relieved".
Alex said the twins have issues with their vision so require special glasses, and have fair skin and bright blonde hair.
She said she would often be stopped in the street so people can comment on the twins.
Alex, a marketing manager, from Charlotte, North Carolina, US, said: "Every time we go out people will see the twins and go 'oh my god'.
"Adding the fact that they have bright hair people are fascinated.
"I choose who I tell they have albinism to - I just let people gawk at them.
"I don't have the patience or time to correct people."
Alex found out she was pregnant in September 2022, but didn't discover she was expecting twins until October.
She said: "I was shocked and a little anxious, I have always been the person to say I wanted two kids.
"When I got pregnant with their big sister, Averie, three, I would say how I would love to have twins with her so I was one and done with the pregnancy.
"I went through my feelings, I was nervous about all those things but they have been the biggest blessing to my family.
"I love my girls more than anything in the world."
Alex said she had a "completely normal" pregnancy despite being high-risk because she was carrying twins.
The girls were born on April 27, 2023, via c-section at 37 weeks, just two minutes apart weighing 6lbs 11oz and 7lbs 1oz.
Alex said: "As soon as I got to hold them any worry I had was completely diminished.
"I felt so confident and I was ready to tackle this new venture and being a twin mum."
Alex said when the twins were held up she was shocked to see their bright blonde hair but didn't suspect anything abnormal.
She said: "I did all the genetic testing you have during the pregnancy.
"Nothing was flagged on my tests.
"I remember them being held up for me to see, I commented saying they're toe heads.
"Because they had super bright blonde hair.
"When I was born I had super blonde hair and my family called me a toe head."
A few hours after the pregnancy, Alex and Joshua were visited by a doctor who looked concerned.
She said: "The paediatrician came in with a pack of paper, I thought there was something wrong with the kids.
"They had very fair skin, their eyes were pink and she said she suspected albinism.
"To me when I got the news, I was like 'oh my god, they're fine'.
"I expected such a bad diagnosis."
Alex said the twins are thriving at home but have issues with their vision.
She said: "The big one we have noticed is their vision, we're still navigating what this means for Aubrie and Andie.
"We have special glasses for them but trying to keep them on them is like and Olympic sport.
"I haven't noticed any other issues with their skin or anything like that."
Ten months on from their birth, Alex says Aubrie and Andie have developed very different personalities.
She said: "Aubrie is fearless, independent and such a confident girl.
"She is not scared of anything and she will go anywhere and climb on anything - she is a huge daddy girl.
"Andie is my girl, she is cautious but curious and very careful with what she is doing.
"When they were younger they were similar in personality but as they have got older they're so different - it is fun to watch their personalities develop."
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Love floods in for dog with no eyes who needed forever home
By Adam Dutton
A blind dog that captured the hearts of animal lovers when a cute video of him went viral is searching for a forever home.
Three-year-old Benedict lost his sight when he developed an infection and vets had no choice but to remove his eyes to save his life.
The adorable German Shepherd is now being cared for by Immingham Dogs Home in north east Lincolnshire.
Centre owner Kelly Magee posted a heartwarming video of Benedict on Facebook showing him jumping up and hugging her.
Despite racking up more than 70,000 views, Kelly says the charity has not received a single application to adopt Benedict.
He is currently staying with a temporary foster family but Kelly and her team are desperate to find him a forever home.
Mum-of-two Kelly, 46, said: “He’s only been with us since November and he went into foster care in January.
“We thought within three months he would be adopted but he hasn’t been.
“I think it’s because how often do you see a dog with no eyes.
“There’s blind dogs all over the place, but I guess it’s very unusual to see them without
eyes.
“As a dog, he’s just a very normal dog.
“He’s had his eyes removed as there was so much pressure on them, pushing them out of his head.
“He had an infection and the pressure was building. They removed one and then the pressure was too much for the other.
“It was just a year-and-a-half ago that he had the operation.”
Since losing his sight, Benedict has learned to follow people’s voices or a bell which helpers ring to guide him.
Kelly, who cares for 36 dogs at the centre, added: “It’s very sad that he hasn’t been adopted yet.
“He deserves a home and has done so well with adapting.
"You can't meet him and not fall in love with him.
“He’s quite small, he’s more collie size.
“When we first started walking him we noticed he would follow the voices of the people.
“We’ve trained him to follow the bell instead of voices. He’s off the lead with his fosterers now, he’s amazing.
“He’s literally like any other dog, he’s incredible.”
Benedict has not met any cats and would prefer children over 12 years old as he would need a quieter home.
Anyone interested in offering Benedict a forever home can contact Immingham Dogs Home on Facebook.
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“I will laugh at you when you’re sad” - Moment groom mixes up vows on wedding day
By George Mathias
A nervous groom mixed up his words at the altar – and said to his bride he would "laugh at you when you’re sad".
Robert Thomson, 36, inadvertently brought the house down after confusing the phrase “comfort you when you’re sad”.
Bride Amy, 33, and Robert had their big day on April 13, 2023 at the Reid Rooms in Essex.
The couple, from Hadleigh, Essex, said the gaffe was a “moment to remember.”
Robert, a construction worker, said: “It was such a lovely day. I was full of nerves hence me stumbling on my vows.
“I was waiting for Amy for nearly 45 minutes as she was running late - which made me even more nervous!
“I did see the funny side of it. It's a moment no one can forget or live down - and our family and friends definitely saw the funny side of it too!
Amy, a learning support assistant said: “It was like a Carry On film! I don't think he realised until the reaction. We’ll never forget it.”
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"I love wearing leather shorts at aged 70 – you should never give up on yourself"
By Emma Dunn
Meet the 70-year-old who isn’t afraid to don leather shorts and mini skirts and says you should "never give up on yourself".
Faye Browne, who turns 70 at the end of the month, has always loved fashion and follows the latest trends – wearing mini skirts and slinky dresses.
The fashion designer says clothing makes her feel “confident” and she never leaves the house without feeling put together.
Faye describes her personal style as “classic but edgy” and wants to inspire other women to “wear everything”.
She often gets told she looks 20 years younger and says she doesn’t feel her age.
Faye, creative director at Motto Fashions, from Melbourne, Australia, said: “Most people are shocked to find out my age.
“They think I am 50 or 55.
“I don’t know what a 70-year-old feels like.
“A lot of people don’t think they can still wear a pair of shorts.
“I wear anything going.
“You can too – as long as you wear it in your style.
“Never give up on yourself.”
Faye has loved fashion ever since she was a little girl – growing up around Italian women who always looked “sensational”.
She started sewing when she was just aged 10 and set up Motto Fashions in 1984.
Faye said: “I grew up believing I was ugly.
“I always wanted to make myself look beautiful.
“When I got to 60 I looked back at the photos and thought 'why did I think I was ugly?'
“Once you wear clothing in a certain way you can feel a difference. You have confidence.”
Faye has always been “trendy” and feels clothes have an impact on how others see you.
She said: “The way you look is important.
“The way you dress yourself has a bearing on how people treat you.
“I feel like the way you dress tell the world everything.
“I always want to be put together.
“I can’t leave the house without being put together.
“I can go without make-up but I have to have the shirt and shoes look.”
After surviving breast cancer and undergoing a mastectomy before she turned 50, Faye gained a new perspective on life.
She said: “You have to love yourself no matter what.”
Faye believes you can wear what you want – no matter your age.
She said: “It’s nothing to do with age.
“I wore a sexy outfit on my 70th birthday.
“Who cares about the wrinkled neck?"
Faye stays young and fit by staying active - lifting weights twice a week and going on regular hikes and walks.
She doesn't smoke or drink and eats a healthy diet.
Faye said: “I’m OK with ageing.
“I celebrate everyday.
“My mantra is - the older I get, the better I get.
"I love life the way it is.
"I don't intend to retire."
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Owners build secret dog door in fence for "best friend" dogs
By Hannah Van De Peer
Two dogs who became "best friends" are now able to see each other whenever they like - after their owners built a secret door in their fence.
Pooches Fritz and Trapper, both five years old, have been next door neighbors for the last two years.
Having both struggled with anxiety, their owners, Miranda Stockton, 45, and Whitney Tipton, 35, built the door to encourage the pups to play.
Now they can’t get enough of each other with Golden Retriever Trapper constantly sticking his nose under the fence to signal he wants to see his best friend, Fritz, a German Shepherd.
Miranda, a software engineer, from San Francisco, USA, said: “Fritz and Trapper are best friends - despite having super different personalities.
“I see Trapper popping his head under the fence - so Whitney and I will text each other and ask if we can unlock the door.
“Our partners both thought it was weird at first - but they already played together at the dog park, and Trapper would just break my heart whenever he’d come looking for Fritz.”
Miranda rescued Fritz in 2022 from the Humane Society and he had a number of anxiety issues which stopped him socializing with other dogs.
Around the same time, Whitney adopted Trapper - who she says has “boundless energy”.
The next-door neighbors decided to introduce their dogs to each other - hoping they’d bond.
Miranda said: “As they grew up, Fritz and Trapper would smell each other under the fence.
“Their personalities are so different - Trapper is a big, sweet, blundering idiot with a goofy smile.
“While Fritz is a very smart dog - and you can just tell he’s judging you.
“I think they really bonded on the fact that they were both a bit funky with other dogs.”
At first, the pair would take Trapper and Fritz to the local dog park - where they’d “aggressively” play with each other.
But after a while, Trapper started to stick his head under the fence to look for his friend.
“I asked Whitney if we could build a dog door,” Miranda said.
“I couldn’t take Trapper under the fence anymore, it was killing me.
“She said ‘no - it’s too weird’.
“I said 'it’s not weird'. They already play together - and Trapper would always squish his little nose under the fence to see Fritz.”
Miranda messaged Whitney’s husband, Joe Parks, 35, with screenshots of dog door pictures on Pinterest.
He loved the idea and the pair tried to convince Miranda’s own husband, Josh Levenson, 47, to get on board.
After calling a carpenter and getting quoted for $600, Josh and Whitney decided to go for it.
Miranda said: “We worked with him to design it - I shared my Pinterest photos with the carpenter.
“He made a door to replicate the photos I had on my board - a perfectly-framed, little wood door with mini locks on both sides for privacy.
“It was only $300 each - Whitney and I paid half-and-half.”
Now, Whitney and Miranda often unlock the door when they get home from work, and allow the dogs to play with each other.
“Fritz has grown so much in confidence because of this,” Miranda said.
“He’ll come up to Trapper and now they’ll just start playing.”
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Puppy left covered in sugar puffs after tearing into cereal boxes
By Samuel Wightwick
A cheeky pup tore into boxes of cereal - with her fur left covered with sugar puffs.
A hilarious video shows owner Heather Hunt, 51, coming home to discover her two-year-old Zuchon Crumpet completely covered from head to toe.
Heather can be heard shouting "For the love of God! Who has left the cereal cupboard open?"
She later discovered her son Ryan had managed to trap the other two dogs, George and Mildred, in the front room and left Crumpet in the kitchen with the cereal cupboard door wide open.
Heather, a head of year at a secondary school in Oldham, Greater Manchester, added: "I came back in from shopping and it was all over the floor everywhere. I went mad.
"She got into two other cereal boxes too but the sugar puff cereal is covered in honey so it stuck to her fur like tar."
Heather tried to get the cereal out of Crumpet's fur but it proved to be lodged very deep.
She added: "I couldn’t get them out. I tried to wet them but it just turned them into wallpaper paste.
"When I finally decided to take her to the groomers, it took them them nearly three hours to wash her, cut all of the cereal out and make her look like a dog again.
"She looked like an completely different dog - almost like a different breed.
"She was shaking and everything afterwards, as she was so used to her thick coat."
This isn't the first time Crumpet has gotten herself into mischief as Heather says she is always up to something.
She said: "She’s always getting into trouble.
"I have an artificial grass garden with no mud in it at all and somehow she managed to come back with a her face caked in mud!
"Her and the other two dogs are always in the shopping too, I can't leave a bag unattended as they'll be straight into the ham.
"They drive me insane but I love them to death."
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