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It’s Happiness Happens Day, a celebration established by the Society of Happy People — and no, those aren’t inventions of Nice News (as much as we would like them to be). The society dates back to 1998, after founder Pamela Gail “noticed that lots of other happy people, like me, tended to keep a lot of our happiness to ourselves.” She wanted happiness to be more out in the open, and created the group from that desire. Hers is a philosophy that ties neatly into our belief that good news is out there, we just have to look for it. In honor of today, dig into some science-backed ways to feel happier.
Culture
Philippe Petit Is Walking Another High Wire 50 Years After Death-Defying Stunt
On Aug. 7, 1974, a then-24-year-old Philippe Petit walked a high wire between the twin towers of the World Trade Center — a feat that inspired the Academy Award-winning documentary Man on Wire, a bestselling memoir, and endless awe.
Now, the Frenchman is commemorating the 50th anniversary of his death-defying stunt with a live show fittingly titled Towering!!, in which he walks a wire across the 601-foot-long nave of a cathedral in Manhattan’s Morningside Heights neighborhood. More than just a “reenactment,” the show, with performances last night and tonight, features appearances by actors, dancers, and musicians, including his friend Sting.
Above all, it’s a reminder that age is truly just a number. “People think in old age you cannot do anything anymore,” Petit told The New York Times. “I think it’s the opposite. I think I’m more majestic, more in control, more beautiful to look at today at 74 than I was at 18.” Get a behind-the-scenes look at the performance.
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Together With FinanceBuzz
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Sports
With Simone Biles Leading the Charge, Paris Will Go Down as the “Mental Health Olympics”
Perhaps no athlete has received more visibility during the 2024 Olympics than Simone Biles. Her story of resilience and perseverance, combined with her boundary-breaking, gravity-defying athleticism, has catapulted her to the pantheon of single name icons. Say “Simone” to anyone in Paris, and they’ll know exactly who you’re talking about.
When the world’s spotlight was shining the brightest on Biles, hours after she triumphantly won gold in the women’s gymnastics individual all-around, the 27-year-old took to her Instagram to make her first public statement on social media. The message? “Mental health matters.”
She’s among a growing host of elite athletes who have publicly shared their own mental health experiences, including Michael Phelps, Sha’Carri Richardson, Naomi Osaka, Sunny Choi, Tara Davis-Woodhall, Raven Saunders, Adam Peaty, Kimberley Woods, Caeleb Dressel, Tom Daley, and Katie Moon. And with each day of the Olympics, the list is seemingly getting longer.
Nice News Olympics correspondent Raymond Braun chatted with some of the athletes putting their mental health first, including Ariana Ramsey, of U.S. women’s rugby, and tennis star Novak Djokovic. Read his full article.
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Environment
“A Great First Step”: EPA Bans Harmful Weedkiller in Rare Move
In a rare and historic move, the Environmental Protection Agency issued an emergency order to ban the use of a weedkiller that’s linked to “serious risks” for fetuses and pregnant women. It marks the first time in almost four decades the agency has taken emergency action at this level.
Dacthal, or DCPA, is used to control weeds and is commonly applied on crops like broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts, along with grasses and artificial turf. The agency said fetuses exposed to it can suffer from impaired brain development, low birth weight, decreased IQ, and impaired motor skills later in life.
The order, effective immediately, is being hailed as an example of the EPA taking vital action to help keep people safe, particularly farmworkers and their families. “This emergency decision is a great first step that we hope will be in a series of others that are based on listening to farmworkers, protecting our reproductive health, and safeguarding our families,” said Mily Treviño Sauceda, executive director of the Alianza Nacional de Campesinas, or National Farmworkers Women’s Alliance.
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In Other News
- “Glimmers of hope”: A national survey found that the percentage of teen girls reporting feelings of sadness and hopelessness went down between 2021 and 2023.
- Construction of the world’s largest wildlife crossing is steadily progressing over the 101 freeway in Agoura Hills, California. Check out the aerial footage.
- New fossil findings suggest members of an early human species, nicknamed “hobbits,” were even smaller than scientists previously thought.
- In northern Minnesota, a rarely seen Canada Lynx was recorded by a trail camera, and the resulting video is jaw-droppingly mesmerizing.
- A woman in New Jersey stumbled upon what might be the oldest message in a bottle ever discovered.
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Inspiring Story
Rooted in resilience
Exactly one year after the devastating wildfire in Maui, the island’s 151-year-old banyan tree (often referred to as the “heartbeat of Lahaina Town”) is not just surviving, it’s thriving. Despite about half of its branches dying, the majestic tree is sprouting new leaves and producing fruit again. “It’s pretty amazing to see that much of the tree come back,” said Duane Sparkman, chair of the Maui County Arborist Committee.
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Eyes on Paris
American sprinter Noah Lyles came to the Olympics with a goal in mind: winning three golds in three sprint events — the 100-meter, 200-meter, and 4x100 relay. It’s a feat that Usain Bolt achieved at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, and Lyles’ quest for it shows his drive to reach Bolt’s level of legend status.
The 27-year-old isn’t far off. These Summer Games have made Lyles a household name and his photo-finish win in the 100-meter final was the fastest Olympic 100 meters since Bolt’s 2012 record. But there are still two more gold medals to nab. He’ll compete in the 200-meter final, his favorite event, at 2:30 p.m. ET today. If he wins and the U.S. makes Saturday’s 4x100 final, Lyles’ triple victory will be in sight.
“He’s now creating a narrative that is heading us back into the Usain Bolt territory,” World Athletics President Sebastian Coe told The Washington Post. “And that is hugely important. It’s a recognizable face. It’s a face that you’ve now got young people talking about. … Friends of mine who have got young kids, they’re now talking about Noah Lyles in the same breath as some of the highest-profile sportsmen and women in the world.”
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FinanceBuzz Has the Scoop on the Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards
Balance transfer cards are a great choice for anyone looking to get rid of credit card debt without adding to it. FinanceBuzz reviewed dozens of credit cards with 0% intro offers for balance transfers, and found that one of the best options has an extra-long no-interest period and no annual fee.
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Quote of the Day
“Asking for help should not be seen as a sign of weakness.”
– KATE MIDDLETON
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