Are you taking advantage of all that the technology in your pocket has to offer? Let us put Google Tasks on your radar, an oftenoverlooked but “hugely useful” to-do list manager, per Popular Science. The app has a simple interface for organizing your tasks in one place, and it integrates with your Gmail inbox. Learn how to use the productivity tool.
Must Reads
The fascinating lowdown on why songs get stuck in your head (and how to get them unstuck)
In Japan, Bullet Trains Will Soon Enter Their Self-Driving Era
Benard/Andia/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Japan already knows a thing or two about efficient train travel, with a famously fast, punctual, and polite railway system. Now, the country is upping its game yet again with a plan to introduce self-driving bullet trains by the mid-2030s. Earlier this week, East Japan Railway announced that its self-driving train rollout will happen in gradual phases, starting with at least one prototype in 2028, which will operate with “second degree automation capabilities,” per Popular Science. That means the vehicle won’t have a human actively directing the routes, but someone will still be in the cockpit if needed. The next phase will be a fully driverless bullet train with crew elsewhere on board, and then finally, in about a decade, the system won’t have any human conductors or operators. The rail company is targeting the Joetsu Shinkansen line between Niigata and Tokyo, which typically runs at 170 mph, for the final stage. A JR East spokesperson told the AFP that the company’s decision is mainly based on “the need to constantly innovate railway technology,” though it could also potentially address labor shortage issues. Indeed, given that Japan has the world’s oldest average population and a declining birthrate, the driverless vehicles could help keep its iconic rail fleet running efficiently and sustainably.
Together With AG1
This Supplement Runs on Science
Nice News is committed to getting the facts right, and so is AG1. Most supplements rely on third-party ingredient research to back their claims, but AG1 took it one step further — or three, actually, with a trio of recently released research studies showing how it supports whole-body health. In the studies, 97% of participants said they felt more energized after 30 days of drinking AG1, 94% of participantsnoticed fewer cravings after 90 days of drinking AG1, and 80%of participantsnoticed less gas and bloating. See the difference yourself: Nice News readers can get a free one-year supply of vitamin D3+K2 and five free travel packs with their first purchase.
With Uplifting, Handwritten Notes, Case Kenny Helps Renew People’s Faith in Themselves
Courtesy of Case Kenny
The wellness industry is replete with experts who counsel by giving directives: Do this, eat that, and so on and so forth. Author Case Kenny takes a different approach to the idea of self-help. The mindfulness proponent and host of the podcast New Mindset, Who Dis? leads by example, leaning into the self aspect by using his own experiences as a launching point for his work. Kenny’s most recent book, titled That’s Bold of You, encourages readers to embrace what makes them different. He also leads workshops for public figures like the Las Vegas Raiders players — and the inspirational, handwritten notes he tapes to telephone poles and posts on social media frequently go viral. All of his output has the goal of helping people better themselves, but there’s one thing he doesn’t do. “I don’t give advice,” the 36-year-old explains to Nice News. “I’m sure maybe it can come off that way, but I’m figuring it out just as much as the next person. What I think I’m good at, what I think is the gift that I’ve been given, is strong questions to ask yourself. And I help people ask themselves those questions and give themselves clarity. I think that is mindfulness. Mindfulness is not right versus wrong. It’s introspection by way of self Q&A.” Read more of our interview with Kenny and see some of his uplifting notes.
Culture
Campaign Backed by Mel B Calls for UK to Prohibit Afro Hair Discrimination
Shirlaine Forrest/Getty Images
Ahead of tomorrow’s World Afro Day, activists are urging U.K. lawmakers to update equality laws and specifically recognize Afro hair as a protected characteristic — a move that would make the country the first in the West to institute such a rule. There’s no shortage of evidence showing that discrimination against Black natural hair is present in schools, sports, and workplaces — in both subtle and overt ways. In the U.S., legislators crafted the CROWN Act to combat this, though it’s only been adopted by 26 states. “For too long, people with Afro hair have experienced unjust treatment in U.K. society and the current law is not direct enough to govern businesses, schools, and the public to prevent serious harm,” reads an open letter to parliamentarians, signed by 100 campaigners. One of those campaigners is Spice Girl Mel B, who wrote about experiencing discrimination during the group’s first shoot for “Wannabe,” per The Guardian: “The stylists took one look at my hair and told me it had to be straightened. My big hair didn’t fit the pop star mold. But I stood my ground — backed by my girls — and I sang and danced as me, with my big hair, my brown skin, and I was totally proud of who I was.” She added, “So yes, I’m proud to support World Afro Day in its call for the Equality Act to protect against Afro hair discrimination in the U.K.”
In Other News
Anew AI device helped researchers predict hypertension via voice recordings in a recent study.
Nearly 170 years after a steamship went missing, a research team found its remains off the coast of Massachusetts.
Sony’s newest PlayStation is set to hit shelves in November, nearly three decades after the first came out.
An amateur archaeologist discovered a 1,000-year-old ring while volunteering at a dig in Scotland.
Why hello, wombat! A wildlife camera in Australia captured rare and “heartening” footage of a young member of the endangered species.
Something We Love
FX
Reservation Dogs My one to watch for Sunday’s Emmy Awards is Reservation Dogs. I started watching the FX series after seeing a particularly intriguing clip on social media, and was only sorry I didn’t catch on sooner. The writing is original, sharp, and hilarious, and the young cast, all of whom are members of Indigenous tribes, are incredibly impressive. Glad to see the Emmys took note for the final season — the show received four nominations this year. — Rebekah Brandes, Assistant Editor
Go, Lael Wilcox! The 38-year-old Alaskan officially holds the title of the fastest woman to cycle around the world, pedaling over 18,000 miles in three and a half months. “I had so much fun — felt like I could’ve just kept riding forever,” she said of her epic journey.
Photo of the Day
Bill Ingalls/NASA via Getty Images
This photo shows the Soyuz rocket launching into space with two Russian cosmonauts, Ivan Vagner and Aleksey Ovchinin, and American astronaut Donald Pettit on board. At age 69, Pettit is NASA’s oldest active-duty astronaut, and this week’s successful launch marked his first in 12 years. “I miss being up in space every day,” he said before the flight, per CBS News. “I feel like the equivalent of a cowboy that should be out on the range riding the horse and instead, I’m flying a desk. It’s nice to be getting back on the horse and going out on the range again.” Watch the launch video.
FinanceBuzz’s Advice for Tackling Your Credit Card Debt
Getting a balance transfer card is a great way to tackle your debt — the 0% intro APR can help ease the pressure while you pay down the balances. And the credit card experts at FinanceBuzz found a top card that offers 0% interest until nearly 2026, plus a rare cash back perk on your spending in the first year.
