All over the city of Marrakesh, football fever had taken hold. Africa’s continent-wide soccer competition, AFCON, was being hosted in Morocco. And here, at the Amal Targa Center, a fan zone had been set up for the big clash between Egypt and Benin. Yet the most impressive team performing that night was not a group of sports stars. It was the half dozen young women cooking up an epicurean storm, from mouthwatering burgers to spicy merguez sandwiches and decadent chocolate waffles. The post A Recipe For Women’s Empowerment in Morocco appeared first on Reasons to be Cheerful.

From Thailand comes a story that’s pure Hollywood: police going undercover as festival lion dancers to nab a suspected art thief. Dressed as the rump and head of a large Asian lion costume during Lunar New Year festivities, the police sprang upon the suspect and took him into custody, phone cameras mercifully recorded. Bangkok police […] The post Thai Cops Go Literally ‘Undercover’ Dancing as a Lion to Nab Suspect at Lunar New Year Fest (WATCH) appeared first on Good News Network.

When Team Canada figure skater Madeline Schizas got to Milano Cortina for the Winter Olympic Games, she had skating on the brain. The 22-year-old skater is also a college student, balancing training and schoolwork. Most of the time, that’s not a problem. Maybe it was the jetlag or all that skating, but Madeline found herself in a bit of a pickle and had to email one of her professors for an extension on an assignment. Madeline did what any good student would do: she posted about it on social media, and the crowds went wild. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Female Quotient® (@femalequotient) People Became Invested in Madeline Schizas’ Homework Dilemma “Of all the reasons to ask for an extension on an assignment, this is a pretty good one. Canadian figure skater Maddie Schizas posts her email to her prof, asking for an extension. Because she’s competing at the Olympics. Attached the press release for proof of participation,” Devin Heroux shared on X. Female Quotient posted on Instagram that Madeline Schizas got the extension. “’Since it seems everyone was quite invested, I did get my extension lol,’ she said. ‘I can’t believe anyone cared so much.’” Her professor went big and created an Instagram account just to post a photo of himself watching her and commenting on her performance, “So proud of you Maddie.” “Competing at the Olympics while finishing a degree and her professor made an Instagram to cheer her on. That’s the kind of support that changes everything,” someone wrote. “Support comes in the smallest of forms,” another person agreed. “Seriously though having to worry about homework can undo a whole mindset… This teacher is THE best!!!” Another teacher gave their perspective on Madeline Schizas’ situation. “I am this kind of teacher. My student had her first job Interview at the same time of an oral exam. I rescheduled her exam… And she got the job! I feel so accomplished,” they wrote. This story’s featured image is by Cemal Yurttas/Anadolu via Getty Images

At 33 years old, Kaedi Cecala faced a devastating diagnosis. Doctors told her she had myelodysplastic syndrome, commonly known as MDS. The disease affects bone marrow and can be life-threatening if it progresses into acute myeloid leukemia, Good Morning America reported. “Either the low counts from the MDS or the development of leukemia will prove life-threatening,” Dr. Jayesh Mehta, a hematologist at Northwestern Medicine’s Lurie Cancer Center in Chicago, explained to GMA. Kaedi Cecala wanted to live and did everything she could to survive. That meant aggressive chemotherapy while trying to find a compatible stem cell donor. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kaedi Cecala | Chicago Bridal & Event Hairstylist (@nichebeauty.bykaedi) Kaedi Cecala Found a Donor Far Away But there was a bit of a catch, Kaedi Cecala and the donor remained anonymous to each other for two years. “I remember looking, and it’s just like, who is this person, and my angel, honestly,” Kaedi told GMA. A 26-year-old Polish man named Karol Zwierzyńsk saved Kaedi’s life. Karol said she never thought twice about donating. Kaedi had no issues with the transplant and felt great. She and her now-husband, Mikey Cecala, began planning their wedding. Kaedi knew she wanted to find her donor and have them present at the wedding. Karol flew in from Poland to meet Kaedi and Mikey and surprise their guests. “Our guest of honor and his wife are here with us tonight,” Mikey shared during the reception. Karol took the microphone and shared a toast with Kaedi, Mikey Cecala, and their totally astonished guests. “I’m not a hero here,” Karol said. “So please raise your glasses for Kaedi.” As he spoke, Karol made a very sweet remark that touched the hearts of many and may even have piqued their interest in stem cell donation. “Somewhere out there, your Kaedi might be waiting for you,” he said. What a beautiful and selfless gift. This story’s featured image can be found here

Few individuals have had an impact on the childhoods of millions and the imaginations of people of all ages like Jim Henson. From Sesame Street to The Muppet Show to The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth, Gen Xers grew up with Henson's magic being a familiar and comforting presence. And to this day, over three decades after his death, the characters he created are still household names.For those of us who were raised on Big Bird, Bert and Ernie, Kermit, and Miss Piggy, Henson's creatures feel as real as any living, breathing performer from our childhoods. But it's not just because we were kids when we were introduced to them. Even adults who met the Muppets found themselves transported into Henson's imaginary world, and after seeing interviews of the puppeteer with his creatures, it's easy to see why. Watch: Henson didn't even pretend to not be controlling Kermit. He didn't bother with ventriloquism. And yet, Kermit feels truly alive and separate from the person animating him. It almost feels surreal. Or perhaps just...real. Henson's characters even convinced film crew membersBoth guests and crew members alike found themselves pulled into Henson's world, even while fully understanding that the puppets were being controlled by people. The crew would sometimes move the boom mic to a puppet instead of the puppeteer. Directors would sometimes give stage directions directly to the Muppet instead of the human animating it. Dick Cavett, who interviewed Henson with his Muppets, said, “No matter how much you know about this, it’s completely convincing.”Even when a Muppet would explain the fact that the person was speaking to a puppet, it still seemed like a sentient being. Case in point:(This may be the one time you see Henson swear, but in context, it's brilliantly wholesome.) @guygilchrist My old boss’s last public performance as Rowlf.