23 feel-good, heartwarming things that happened in 2023

From awe-inspiring, world-record feats to incredible acts of kindness, there’s no shortage of joy to be found in 2023.

NASA spacecraft to converge with Demon of Chaos asteroid as it nears Earth

NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft is on a new adventure to intersect the asteroid Apophis, named after the Egyptian spirit of chaos, as it makes a close approach to Earth.

Actor Lee Sun-kyun of Oscar-winning film 'Parasite' dies

Actor Lee Sun-kyun of the Oscar-winning movie “Parasite" has died, South Korea’s emergency office said Wednesday.

Japanese Moon lander SLIM successfully reaches lunar orbit on Christmas

Japan's lunar lander began its orbit of the Moon on Monday, setting the nation up for its first Moon landing in the coming weeks.

Pope Francis, in Christmas Day blessing, begs for Israel-Hamas cease-fire

Bethlehem, the biblical birthplace of Jesus, “is a place of sorrow and silence" this year, Pope Francis lamented as he pleaded for a cease-fire in Gaza.

Shohei Ohtani gifts Porsche to wife of Dodgers teammate Joe Kelly after he gives up jersey number

Shohei Ohtani gifted a brand new Porsche to the wife of Los Angeles Dodgers teammate Joe Kelly after she campaigned to get the free agent to sign with the Dodgers, offering her husband’s No. 17 jersey if he came to Los Angeles.

Christmas events canceled in Bethlehem due to Israel-Hamas war

The Israel-Hamas war has forced Christmas celebrations in the biblical birthplace of Jesus to be called off: "This year, without the Christmas tree and without lights, there’s just darkness."

Human trafficking probe grounds about 300 Indian travelers at French airport

Authorities in France say about 300 Indian citizens heading to Central America are sequestered in a French airport for a third day because of an investigation into suspected human trafficking.

Prague university shooting: Police seek motive after 14 killed, dozens injured

Czech police are investigating why a student went on a dayslong violent rampage culminating in a shooting at the university he attended in Prague that left 14 dead and dozens wounded.

Colombia attempts to lift objects from 1708 shipwreck believed to contain cargo worth billions

The 300-year-old ship is believed to hold 11 million gold and silver coins, emeralds and other precious cargo from Spanish-controlled colonies, which could be worth billions of dollars if recovered.

Spain's Christmas lottery 'El Gordo' rolls out millions in prizes

Spain's popular lottery known as “EL Gordo" (the fat one) often prompts street and bar celebrations , with winners uncorking bottles of sparkling wine and singing and dancing.