During the initial COVID-19 quarantine, we were treated to a slew of Zoom celebrity reunions and interviews, and bibliophiles began noticing that the backgrounds in those videos were often aesthetically pleasing bookshelves — and often revealed a lot about the famous people speaking in the foreground. Indeed, a home library, whether an entire room or a tucked-away corner, can be telling: Read tips from interior designers on creating one that tells your story.
These photos capture the ineffable beauty of horses
Tech
Amtrak Set to Debut Country’s New High-Speed Electric Trains in Spring 2025
Amtrak
In the U.S., Amtrak is practically synonymous with long-distance trains, the way Kleenex is with tissues and Tupperware with food storage containers. There’s good reason for Amtrak’s popularity: Not only is it the country’s sole high-speed rail operator, but it deploys over 300 trains every day in 46 states. But now it’s expanding its services even further — and enhancing rider experience, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and generating jobs in the process. The company is debuting NextGen Acela in the spring of 2025: a fleet of 28 high-speed electric trains coming to the Northeast Corridor tracks, the busiest in the nation. The much-anticipated new arrivals are set to replace Amtrak’s current Acela fleet and had an initial launch date of 2021. But the $2.45 billion project is finally coming to fruition after being derailed (figuratively) multiple times, and it promises to improve rider comfort and lessen the impact on the environment.
Together With The Washington Post
Now’s the Time to Be in the Know
Now’s the time to be in the know. When the next big story breaks, you can count on Washington Post reporters to bring you the latest updates, straight from the source. From deep dives to quick reads, the storied newspaper has you covered. For a limited time, you can get your first year of The Post’s award-winning reporting for just 50 cents a week. That’s billed as $2 every four weeks for the first year and $12 every four weeks thereafter, and you can cancel anytime.
After Nearly 2 Centuries, a California Tribe Takes Back 125 Acres of Land
CalTrout/Michael Wier
In a first-of-its-kind arrangement, 125 acres of land bordering California’s Redwood National and State Parks will return to the Yurok Tribe. It’s a milestone nearly 200 years in the making, as the tribe had its land taken away during the Gold Rush. The Yurok people will take full control of the majestic forested land, called ‘O Rew, in 2026, with support from the Save the Redwoods League, California State Parks, and the National Park Service. “Together, we are creating a new conservation model that recognizes the value of tribal land management,” Joseph L. James, chairman of the Yurok Tribe, said in a news release. The tribe’s plans for the land include building a traditional Yurok village and bringing the ecosystem back to balance, something it’s already making headway on by reintroducing the California condor and helping salmon populations bounce back. “It tells us that our land’s healing and that our people are gonna heal,” Rosie Clayburn, a descendant of the Yurok Tribe, told CBS News. She added: “I really hope ‘O Rew symbolizes a coming home of the Yurok people and reconnecting with our landscape.”
Health
Santa Came Early for 3 Children Who Received the Gift of Bionic Arms
Open Bionics/ Facebook
Christmas is still about a week away, but it’s likely already the best holiday yet for three kiddos who were surprised with the gifts of new bionic arms. The “best Christmas present in the world” is thanks to fundraising efforts from Sarah Lockey, whose daughter Tilly wears two Hero Arms from the prosthetic developer Open Bionics. After seeing how the prosthetics changed Tilly’s life for the better, Lockey started an annual fundraising campaign to donate Open Bionics devices to three children missing limbs across the U.K. This year, the recipients are 8-year-oldZoey Hampton-Pigeon, 11-year-old Finley Jarvis, and 8-year-old Colette Baker. With a new arm comes new adventures, big and small. Colette’s mom told SWNS her daughter is “excited about being able to do things like handstands, ride her bike without an adaption, and tying her shoes.” Zoey is looking forward to playing with jump rope, and Finley’s dad said “the possibilities for him to excel are endless.” See the children sporting their colorful new arms.
In Other News
Buzz on the street: The 2025 Volkswagen microbus is all-electric, nostalgic, and quirky to boot (read more)
What did Cleopatra really look like? Some archaeologists believe this marble bust depicts her “true face” (read more)
Six critically endangered catfish were spotted in Cambodia, a hopeful sign the species is making a comeback (read more)
Mariah Carey’s hit “All I Want for Christmas Is You” has topped the Billboard Hot 100 for 16 total weeks (read more)
Sweet dreams!A black bear was documented getting ready to “tuck itself in” for a cozy hibernation (read more)
Inspiring Story
Musical meet-cute
Playing loud music typically isn’t the secret to making friends with neighbors. But couple Andy and Lydia Pender quickly realized the noise on their Honolulu block was coming from 98-year-old Derek Peart, who simply needed help adjusting his hearing aids. Soon after they met, an unlikely friendship blossomed, complete with monthly pizza get-togethers and viral jam seshes. “We want to live next to Derek and enjoy his company as long as we can,” Lydia said.
Photo of the Day
ESA/Hubble & NASA, F. Niederhofer, L. Girardi
For 17 years, The Atlantic has marked the holiday season with its Space Telescope Advent Calendar. Every day from Dec. 1 through Christmas, the outlet spotlights one captivating photo of the cosmos as a treat for readers. The sparkly scene you see above (a “globular cluster,” or densely packed group of stars tightly bound by gravity) was yesterday’s pick — click here to see today’s and all the ones that came before it.
German Precision Meets Hearing Innovation in the Horizon IX
Sitting head and shoulders above ordinary hearing aids, the Horizon IX from hear.com separates speech from noise, delivering sound so pure it feels like your younger ears are back. With two processors, zero compromises, and a discreet design, it’s sound clarity like never before. Click below to find out if you qualify for a 45-day risk-free trial and join over 425,000 happy customers!
