Happy Monday! You’re probably used to mainly hearing “Happy Friday,” but we’re switching things up on the advice of writer Bree Groff. The Substack author believes we deserve to love all our days, not just the weekend, so she compiled a list of 20 rules for better days at work. No. 3 on the list: “Say ‘Happy Monday/ Tuesday/ Wednesday/ Thursday’ instead of just Happy Friday. Are you alive? It’s a happy day.”
Must Reads
The annual Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks early tomorrow morning — here’s when (and how) to see it
It’s Cinco de Mayo! Learn the real history behind the Mexican holiday
Tech
Morocco’s High-Speed Railway — the Only One in Africa — Is Expanding
Huo Jing/Xinhua via Getty Images
Bullet trains have been all the rage in recent years. California has a project in the works, Europe is developing another line connecting Germany and France, and now, Morocco is extending its own high-speed railway — the only one in Africa. The coastal country has made some major infrastructure upgrades in the past two decades, Business Insider Africa reports, including expanding its airport capacity and improving its road networks. This project is one of its latest investments, and quite a large one at that. Part of a wider railway initiative, extending the existing Al Boraq line — which currently runs between Kenitra and Tangier — is projected to cost around $5 billion. An additional 430 kilometers (about 267 miles) will be added to link the line to Rabat, Casablanca, and Marrakech, three political, economic, and tourism hubs. In addition, a futuristic fleet of 168 trains will be purchased, and a transit system will be added to each of the newly linked cities. Explore the three new hub cities.
Together With Quince
The Easy Upgrade That’ll Immediately Add Luxury to Your Life
You’ve vacuumed and dusted every surface in your home, organized all the knickknacks, and cleared your closet of unwanted clothes. Now that spring cleaning is done, it’s time to reward yourself with a simple upgrade that will make every night feel like a five-star hotel stay: Quince’s Giza Cotton Sateen Sheet Set. The sateen weave gives the fabric a smooth, lustrous finish that feels incredibly soft against the skin. It’s breathable and moisture-wicking, ensuring a comfortable sleep, and the elegant sheen will add a touch of sophistication to any bedroom. Perfect for those seeking both comfort and style, Giza Sateen bedding elevates the sleeping experience to a new level of luxury.
Black Dandyism Takes Center Stage at Tonight’s Met Gala
Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images
It’s the first Monday in May, which means stars will soon be strutting their most striking looks at the Met Gala, aka the Oscars of fashion. The swanky NYC soiree has a different theme every year — and this time around, it’s “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” a celebration of the concept of Black dandyism. Inspired by Monica L. Miller’s 2009 book, Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity, the theme “is a cultural and historical examination of Black style over 300 years through the concept of dandyism, telling a story through garments, accessories, paintings, photographs, and decorative arts,” per Time magazine. Think: elegant suits, extravagant accessories, and bold splashes of color. Dapper Dan, Janelle Monáe, and A$AP Rocky — who’s pictured here and serves as co-chair of tonight’s event — are some modern examples of figures who incorporate dandyism into their personal style. Beyond being the first time the event has centered on menswear in over two decades, the theme reflects a pivotal moment for the gala: “I feel that the show itself marks a really important step in our commitment to diversifying our exhibitions and collections, as well as redressing some of the historical biases within our curatorial practice,” head curator Andrew Bolton told Vogue last year. “It’s very much about making fashion at The Met more of agateway to access and inclusivity.” Curious to see the tailored looks for yourself? Watch a livestream of the star-studded red carpet, starting at 6 p.m. ET.
Science
Dancing Queen: This Sea Lion Can Bop to the Beat Better Than Most Humans, Study Finds
Colleen Reichmuth; NOAA/NMFS 23554
Meet Ronan: a rescued sea lion who can seariously hold her own on the dance floor. The resident of the Long Marine Laboratory at the University of California, Santa Cruz, is the focus of a new study that suggests the groovy seal’s rhythm is as precise as, if not better than, a typical human’s. Ronan first made headlines in 2013 for her ability to bob her head to a beat, joining the short list of animals that have been proven to have rhythm. Now she’s back in the spotlight, as a recent study went a step further and compared her rhythm-matching ability to 10 UC Santa Cruz undergraduates. The researchers played three tempos (112, 120, and 128 beats per minute) and found that Ronan’s synchronization was better than that of the humans. She even rose to the top in a “head-to-head battle of the beats” with students. “She is incredibly precise, with variability of only about a tenth of an eyeblink from cycle to cycle,” lead author Peter Cook said in a statement. “Sometimes, she might hit the beat five milliseconds early, sometimes she might hit it 10 milliseconds late. But she’s basically hitting the rhythmic bullseye over and over and over again.” (For context, a blink of a human eye takes 150 milliseconds.) Cool moves aside, fellow author Colleen Reichmuth explained that Ronan is evidence that practice improves performance. “One of the most important outcomes of the study is the fact that maturation and experience matter. … It reflects her cognitive behavior and her ability to remember and refine it over time,” she said. See Ronan bopping to the beat.
In Other News
SwimmerKatie Ledeckybroke her own 800-meter freestyle world record Saturday in an “unreal” finish(read more)
Lady Gaga’s biggest-ever concert drew over 2 million fans in Brazil this weekend: Watch them “Just Dance”(read more)
The umbilical cord might hold genetic clues into an infant’s risk for developing future health issues (read more)
Meet some Canadian WWII vets, aged 96 to 105, who were honored in the Netherlands 80 years after the war’s end (read more)
Pablo Picasso’s daughter Paloma curated dozens of her father’s rarely seen paintings for a new exhibit (read more)
Something We Love
Warrick Page/Max
The Pitt I received countless recommendations from friends to watch The Pitt, but dragged my feet in actually getting to it. If you’re in the same boat, let this be the thing that finally prompts you to press play. The HBO medical drama, which premiered in January, is a truly excellent take on a somewhat saturated genre. And that’s no surprise, given that it has three ER alums at its helm: It was created by R. Scott Gemmill and executive-produced by John Wells and Noah Wyle, who also stars in the series. The first season follows a 15-hour shift at a Pittsburgh emergency department (each episode covers about an hour of the shift), and it’s been praised by the health care community — including Wyle’s mom, a retired OR nurse — for its accuracy. — Ally Mauch, Associate Editor
Nice News’ first book club meeting on April 3 was a smashing success, so we can’t wait to bring you another one. Tomorrow, May 6, at 5 p.m. ET, we’ll host a conversation with Stephanie Harrison, author of New Happy. Harrison will help you learn how to break free from the old definition of happiness (one rooted in achievement, comparison, and constant striving) and embrace a new, research-backed path to deeper joy, meaning, and connection. It’s free to join — you don’t even have to read the book beforehand! And as a special thank you to the Nice News community, event sponsor Beam is offering up to 40% off Glow, a delicious daily supplement designed to support hormone balance, mood, and energy. Click here and use code NEWHAPPY40 at checkout to claim your exclusive discount.
At 115 years old, Ethel Caterham from Surrey, England, is officially the world’s oldest living person — and you won’t want to argue with her secret to living a long life.
Photo of the Day
Dario Belingheri/Getty Images
The 2025 Tour de Romandie, which wrapped up yesterday, was almost certainly an arduous athletic feat for the cyclists who took part. But this photo of participants biking through fields of flowers in the Swiss countryside makes us think it was probably a pretty beautiful journey, too.
What’s More Summer Than Quince Linen?
Linen is the superhero of the warm-weather wardrobe. Light, breathable, and effortlessly chic, the material is perfect for any summer occasion, from the backyard barbeque to the beach. Quince’s collection of linen dresses features a range of styles, colors, and patterns, so you’re sure to find something that suits you.
