Reanna Madura spent her childhood in the middle of a dark family secret — one harbored by the now 25-year-old’s mother, Melissa Rose, who lived in fear that the truth might scar her daughter for life. Only when she turned 18 did the guilt-ridden parent finally reveal her shame — which had haunted the Midwesterner for nearly … Read more
As horrific details of the Iranian government’s suppression of protesters emerge — with internal estimates counting more than 10,000 among the dead — the country’s young, wealthy elite are inciting further rage by continuing to flaunt their lavish lives online as they have for years, as if the nation weren’t on the brink of collapse outside of … Read more
Jacob Knudsen would give anything to be an ordinary college freshman. He’s resuming classes following winter break at California State Long Beach next week — and he’s also in the fight of his life. “There is something currently in my lung, and there’s a 50/50 chance that it’s cancer,” the “panicked” 18-year-old California native told … Read more
There’s a new kind of Barbie girl in this Barbie world. Mattel just released its first-ever autistic Barbie doll in an effort to represent how those with autism spectrum disorder may experience the world around them. The doll, which is part of Barbie’s Fashionistas line, was in development for more than 18 months with guidance … Read more
She doctored her schedule. A general practitioner in the UK has been suspended for five months after booking in two fictitious appointments at the end of her workday to avoid being late to pick up her children. Dr Helen Eisenhauer, 43, was working at the Stenhouse Medical Centre in Arnold, England, when she scheduled the … Read more
One minute before midnight on New Year’s Eve, high above street level, Treb Heining closely monitors a digital clock below the Waterford crystal ball towering over Times Square, and soon the crowd loudly joins together in a final countdown chorus. “ … 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 …” By the time fireworks blast off on … Read more
There’s no place like home for the holidays — or the natural slide back into adolescent feelings and behaviors that often accompany being back with family during Christmastime. Coined by some mental health professionals as “holiday regression,” the tendency to revert to old dynamics, habits and especially anxieties during familial festivities can be an annoying … Read more
Anywhere you go in the United States, you’re likely to encounter a word you’ve never heard before or never used regularly, as each state has its own set of slang words that might cause a few head scratches. But that’s what makes each of the 50 states unique, thanks to the blending of cultures and … Read more
Londoner Marie Draxler had always dreamed of the perfect day in New York City — not as a tourist, but as someone who actually lived there. So when the adventurous Brit found herself strolling through Bushwick, grabbing breakfast in Williamsburg and striking up heartfelt conversations with colorful Washington Square Park habitués, it felt surreal — … Read more
Betty Reid Soskin, famously the oldest park ranger in the United States when she retired in 2022 at the age of 100, died in Richmond, Calif. on Dec. 21. She was 104 years old. “This morning on the Winter Solstice, our mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, Betty Reid Soskin, passed away peacefully … she led … Read more
For Toni Campbell, the most wonderful time of the year has been screwed by scammers. The Queens native, a 63-year-old loving aunt to a flock of nieces and nephews, sprinted out of the office early — with sweat dripping from her brow, her heartbeat racing and her stomach in knots — on the afternoon of … Read more
Most mornings, style maven Debra Rapoport wakes up in her Manhattan apartment and gets ready to post her colorful, fashionably maximalist fits to Instagram, where she boasts 109,000 avid followers and counting. On Thursday nights, Gerald Delet and James Valentino can be found taking their places at a popular local nightspot, where they’re always sure … Read more
Salish Matter was just 10 when she first appeared on her father Jordan’s burgeoning YouTube channel. At the time, 5 million subscribers were tuning in to watch the photographer-turned-content-creator set himself various oddball challenges. But it was when he decided to involve his daughter in a fitness challenge video — where Salish faced off against … Read more
Elizabeth Fleurisma tears up as she runs her fingers over the scars that map her scalp. The Long Island mom was stunned to discover at the age of 30 that she had a brain tumor the size of a lime. She survived a 16-hour surgery and weeks of radiation — yet a piece of the tumor … Read more
This modern-day Scrooge is bah hum-bugging his neighbors. Phones at the Brantford Police station in Ontario, Canada, were recently ringing like sleigh bells thanks to a local grump who plastered “Santa is FAKE,” “Your Family Buys Your Presents” signs on the windows of their residence, which is along the route of the community’s annual Santa Claus … Read more
Florida police in Sarasota had their hands full removing a 600-pound alligator earlier this week. Dramatic footage released by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Department showed seven deputies and a skilled animal trapper wrangling the 14-foot reptile. The trapper was able to keep the gator’s jaws shut while the deputies pounced on the animal’s limbs and … Read more
Just like Wendy’s burgers, she thought she’d be treated like a square. Having a multinational food corporation named after you might sound like anyone’s dream. However, Wendy Thomas Morse felt that being the face of her father’s burger franchise was so “awkward” that she kept her mascot status a secret from others. “I mean, there … Read more
New York City’s Christmas tree sales aren’t a holly-jolly business. The most statuesque trees worthy of a Manhattan pied-à-terre or Brooklyn brownstone don’t come cheap — or without behind-the-scenes drama that has been kept from New Yorkers, until now. The Christmas tree sellers that pop up on the streets of NYC in the run-up to … Read more
For most New Yorkers, Thanksgiving is a day of celebration, a day to spend time with family — and, perhaps most importantly — a day off of work. For others, however, this is the busiest day of their year — when rest isn’t even close to being part of the equation. As you tuck into your annual … Read more
A California toddler is the first person in the world to receive gene therapy to treat his devastating disease. Three-year-old Oliver Chu was born with a rare, genetic condition called Hunter syndrome. Also known as mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPS II), Hunter syndrome is a disorder where the body cannot break down specific sugar molecules. As … Read more