It’s been a pretty heavy few days of news, so if you’re feeling overwhelmed, you’re not alone. We’re going to recommend a tried-and-true exercise that may help: Before heading off to tackle the rest of your day (or reading the rest of this newsletter), think of three things you’re currently grateful for. It’s likely advice you’ve heard before, but that’s because it works — a recent article from the Associated Press even recommends that employers incorporate more gratitude in the workplace. Read more about how the practice can cultivate a positive work environment, particularly amid times of uncertainty.
Take a ride through the biggest recreational cycling event in the world
Health
“Trojan Horse” Therapy Can Halt Blood Cancer for Longer Than Current Treatments
Bevan Goldswain/ iStock
In a world first, England’s National Health Service has approved a new treatment for multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer. Aptly named “Trojan horse” therapy, the cutting-edge medicinesneakily delivers toxic drugs inside cancerous cells to kill them. Although myeloma is currently considered incurable, this infusion therapy is being hailed as a milestone for two main reasons: Clinical trials showed it can both halt the blood cancer for nearly three times as long as current therapies (from 13 months to three years) and reduce negative side effects. “This is a really important development for people with myeloma, because although we may not be able to cure the illness, giving them time free of the disease and free of the symptoms is really important,” Peter Johnson, the national clinical director for cancer at NHS England, told the BBC. One of those patients is Paul Silvester, who was among the first to receive the new medication. Unlike other treatments that left him feeling isolated for months, the 60-year-old said this one allows him to keep enjoying life and making plans, like seeing his daughter graduate later this year. “Most people say ‘you look really really well’ … I have a good normal life,” he shared, noting that the therapy has been “absolutely life-changing.”
Together With Mode Mobile
From Selling Pokemon Cards to Disrupting a $1 Trillion Industry
Mark Cuban delivered local papers, Warren Buffett sold packs of gum, and Richard Branson bred parakeets. Today’s wealthiest business leaders started their entrepreneur journeys at a young age, and Dan Novaes’ story is no different. Dan went from selling Pokemon cards at the age of 7 to founding Mode Mobile, and his EarnPhone has led to over $325 million in savings for more than 45 million users worldwide. His company was ranked the No. 1 fastest-growing software company in 2023 by Deloitte and plans are underway for a potential IPO on the Nasdaq (ticker: MODE). From humble beginnings to generating over 32,481% revenue growth from 2019-2022, Mode Mobile is on the verge of disrupting a $1 trillion industry, and the opportunity to invest in Mode’s pre-IPO offering at $0.30/share is live.*
For the First Time in Years, a Rare “Ghost Elephant” Was Spotted on Camera
Panthera & Senegal’s National Parks Directorate (DPN)
It’s not every day a ghost is caught on camera, and this one has a trunk, tusk, and large ears. An elusive elephant dubbed a “ghost elephant” was spottedby a camera trap in Senegal’s Niokolo-Koba National Park. The animal is a critically endangered African forest elephant, so this sighting is energizing conservationists about saving the species. The rare footage, captured by the wild cat conservation organization Panthera and Senegal’s National Parks Directorate, shows a glimpse of the elephant during an evening stroll. He pauses in the camera’s direction before carrying on walking in the moonlight, not realizing he’s providing the first images of his species in the park in five years. Because of the elephant’s mysterious nature combined with its species’ small population size, sightings are hard to come by — making this moment all the more special. “Elephants are under immense pressure in West Africa. Only a few populations of the pachyderms survive in this region,” Philipp Henschel, west and central regional director of Panthera, said in a statement to Newsweek. “Niokolo-Koba National Park, where this individual was filmed, is the last area in Senegal where this endangered species survives.” Now, officials hope to discover if this elephant is the last survivor in the park — and if so, whether or not introducing more elephants may be a possibility to give a much-needed boost to the overall population. Check out the footage.
Humanity
Stitching Together Purpose in Prison: Quilting Doc Sparks a Surge of Fabric Donations
Courtesy Netflix
ICYMI: In May, Netflix released a short documentary called The Quilters, which follows a group of men in a maximum security Missouri prison who spend 40 hours a week making personalized quilts for foster children and kids with disabilities. Stitch by stitch, the men are seen embracing the restorative justice program as they find a “sense of pride in creating something beautiful in this windowless, sacred space deep within the prison walls,” the show description reads. Just one month after the premiere date, it’s clear the quilters’ stories have touched viewers — so much so that the Missouri Department of Corrections recently issued a statement that donations of fabric and yarn are no longer needed. “We, too, are moved by the film and are, every day, awestruck by the generous and beautiful work done by Missourians in our Restorative Justice Organization programs … However, we currently are overwhelmed by donations and are running out of storage space for fabric and yarn,” the statement said. Although the fabric stash is at capacity, supporters are still welcome to offer monetary donations to help fund restorative justice programs. And if you haven’t seen the documentary yet, we highly recommend setting aside 33 minutes to give it a watch.
In Other News
MI6 will be led by a woman for the first time since the British intelligence agency was founded in 1909 (read more)
The Recording Academy announced a new Grammys category, and it has nothing to do with sound (read more)
How to Train Your Dragon flew to to the top of the box office — learn which other movies are out now (read more)
Whoopi Goldberg is adding athletics to her resume, co-founding the first global women’s sports network (read more)
Cue up John Williams: The largest male white shark recorded by a research group is “making moves” (read more)
Something We Love
Shady Rays Classic Timber Sunglasses I’m a huge fan of these affordable sunglasses with polarized lenses. They’re sturdy, but those who love adventuring (or have a habit of misplacing things) will be reassured by the company’s replacement program for lost or broken glasses. I also have and love the Shady Rays ski goggles, though it’s not quite the season for them right now. – Kenny Freeman, Director of Partnerships
What’s the difference between a French braid, fishtail braid, and bubble braid? Ask Strider Patton, the 40-year-old founder of Dad Braids: a community to help fellow fathers who might be overwhelmed with a hairbrush. He shares step-by-step tutorial videos and must-have hair essentials, all while spreading the message that doing your little one’s hair is a “moment to say I love you without words.”
Photo of the Day
Anthony Devlin/Getty Images
On Sunday, soccer stars and celebs came together for the 14th edition of Soccer Aid, an annual charity match in the U.K. raising money for UNICEF. This year’s event, which included former One Direction member Louis Tomlinson and Last of Us star Bella Ramsey (both pictured), raised a whopping $20.7 million. Read a recap of the match, including Julia Roberts’ cameo.
Mode Mobile’s Founder Is Revolutionizing Smartphones
A black turtleneck, a game-changing product, and an industry-shifting vision. No, it’s not Steve Jobs. Meet Dan Novaes, the visionary behind Mode Mobile — the company redefining smartphones. Mode’s revolutionary EarnPhone transforms phones into income streams, already paying out $325 million for day-to-day activities. Dan has no plans of letting up now, recently reserving the Nasdaq ticker $MODE with the goal of taking the company public. But the real opportunity is now: Click below to become a shareholder at just $0.30/share.*
