Must Reads

• A glimpse into the overlooked history of Black equestrians in the U.S.

​

• Ocean waste, no more: Old fishing nets find new purpose on land

Health

A Cup or 3 of Caffeinated Coffee May Reduce Dementia Risk: Study

Thank you, barista (or coffee machine)! A study published this week suggests that drinking caffeinated cups of joe or tea could help reduce the risk of developing dementia.
​
​Researchers tracked nearly 132,000 healthy adults for up to 43 years — and found that people who regularly drank two to three cups of caffeinated coffee (or one to two cups of caffeinated tea) per day had a lower dementia risk than those who drank little or none.
​
Among the participants, individuals who drank the most caffeinated coffee had about an 18% lower risk of dementia compared to low or non‑drinkers. For tea drinkers, those with the highest intake had a 14% lower risk than those who drank the least.
​
​Decaffeinated coffee didn’t yield the same neuroprotective benefits, but if you prefer decaf or don’t drink coffee or tea at all, lead author Yu Zhang cautioned against making any sudden changes. “We are not recommending that people who don’t drink coffee start drinking. We are just seeing that for people who already drink coffee, the results are really reassuring,” he said in a statement to NBC News.

Together With FinanceBuzz

Pay Off Debt Faster While Earning Cash Back

If you’re currently carrying credit card debt and watching interest charges set your progress back, a 0% intro APR credit card could help. By moving your debt to a balance transfer card, you can pause high interest for a year or more, giving you the breathing room to pay down your principal faster.
​
But these aren't just “debt-saver” credit cards — they also come with some of the most rewarding offers on the market today. The experts at FinanceBuzz found cards that combine long interest-free periods with a generous welcome bonus, plus cash back on everyday spending. Click through to compare some of the best offers of 2026.

Culture

Fur-Ever Yours: Nonprofit Spotlights Love Between Pets and Owners to Boost Adoption

In honor of Valentine’s Day coming up, one nonprofit is recognizing love stories that aren’t often acknowledged on the holiday: those of adopted pets and their owners. After asking pet parents to share their stories in the fall, Petco Love chose 10 standout tales and are awarding grants totaling $250,000 to the rescue organizations that the animals were adopted from.
​
The grand prize of $100,000 went to Virginia’s Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation thanks to the heartwarming story of pup Yuki and her owner, Anna. After her nine puppies were quickly adopted, Yuki spent more than seven months at the foundation waiting for her forever home — that’s when Anna stepped in. “She’s made our home louder, funnier, and infinitely warmer,” Anna said in a news release, adding, “Yuki may have started as a ‘shelter dog,’ but now she’s our family, our laughter, our constant reminder that love isn’t just something you feel — it’s something you live.”
​
The nine other love stories include a kitty from the Animal Care Centers of NYC who became his owner’s “sober companion,” and a bunny from California’s East Bay Rabbit Rescue who helped a man find the love of his life. “By spotlighting these beautiful stories, we invite more animal lovers to choose pet adoption in their community to create their own love stories,” Petco Love President Chelsea Staley said. Meet the rest of the winners.

Humanity

“The Antidote to Addiction Is Community”: Homeboy Industries Plans New Recovery Center

Homeboy Industries, long known as one of the largest gang intervention and reentry programs in the world, is taking its mission to a new level. This month, the Los Angeles-based nonprofit announced it has acquired the historic Monastery of the Angels in the Hollywood Hills, with plans to transform the 4-acre property into a residential addiction treatment center.
​
​The new facility will build on Homeboy’s existing services — including job opportunities, tattoo removal, and therapy — by offering inpatient and outpatient care to those transitioning out of gang life and incarceration. Of the 60 inpatient beds, 50 will be for substance abuse treatment and 10 will be for those in need of acute mental health care.
​
Bigger picture: The center is intended to serve as a bridge into Homeboy’s core 18-month job-training and reentry program, preparing individuals before they enter its social enterprises and providing a safe place to land when it’s needed most. “The antidote to addiction is community,” founder Greg Boyle told the Los Angeles Times. “That’s what we are always trying to foster.”

In Other News

1. A study found moms in Denmark see smaller income losses after having kids, thanks to family-friendly policies (read more)
   ​
2. Europe’s most powerful rocket, the Ariane 64, is set to make its maiden launch tomorrow (read more)
   ​
3. Bad Bunny took the top six spots on the U.S. Spotify chart after his historic Super Bowl halftime show (read more)
   ​
4. Somalia’s first modern bowling alley is providing jobs and joy in its capital city after decades of conflict (read more)
   ​
5. Ferrari’s new fully electric vehicle is named Luce, meaning “light” in Italian — take a peek inside (read more)

Something We Love

Vita Coco Coconut Water
​
​Potassium may not be the trendiest nutrient on your feed, but it deserves more attention, especially if you often feel bloated. The essential mineral helps regulate fluid balance and supports digestion by helping muscles contract properly. Vita Coco coconut water contains about 470 milligrams of potassium per eight-ounce serving, making it an easy, convenient, and delicious way to increase electrolyte intake while hydrating.*

*Indicates a Nice News brand partnership or affiliate

Inspiring Story

Like mother, like son

Skiing must be in the genes! Sarah Schleper and her 18-year-old son, Lasse Gaxiola, are the first mother‑son duo to compete at the same Winter Games. The two Olympians are both representing Mexico in ski slalom events. “It’s just a fantasy story,” said Schleper, who was the same age as Gaxiola at her first Olympics. She added: “For me, success is just us both being here.”

Eyes on Milano Cortina

Team USA slid into the history books yesterday. After a nail-biting final round, Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin won silver in mixed doubles curling, marking the first time the U.S. has ever medaled in the event. Thiesse also became the first American woman to medal in Olympic curling.
​
If you tuned into Tuesday’s match, you saw proof that the unique sport can be quite exciting despite its slow-paced reputation. Thankfully, there’s much more curling to see: The men’s and women’s sessions kick off today and run through the end of the Games.

Read Superhuman for the AI News You Need to Know

AI won’t take over the world, but people who know how to use AI might. Join over 1 million top performers in reading Superhuman AI to learn about the most essential AI tools, skills, and news in just three minutes a day. Sign up for the newsletter below — it’s free.

Please support our sponsors! They help us keep Nice News free. ♡

Odds & Ends

😘 Kissing 101: The backstory on smooches
​
⛸️ A lesson in falling and getting back up, from Olympic skaters
​
🦻 These are the Rolls-Royces of hearing aids (and they’re under $100)*
​
🚢 How did a shipwreck end up under Manhattan?
​
​*Indicates a Nice News brand partnership or affiliate

Quote of the Day

“I begin with love, hoping to end there.”

– JERICHO BROWN