All the yogis out there are likely familiar with spinal twists, a stretch that’s incorporated in various poses. But they’re also something that anyone with back pain should know about: The versatile exercises — which can be performed lying down, sitting, or standing — relieve tension in your lower back muscles, orthopedic surgeon Melissa Leber told Today. Beyond providing pain relief, spinal twists are great for diaphragmatic breathing, which can help reduce stress and improve sleep. Learn how to do them.
The U.S. Department of Labor is adjusting the maximum salary eligible for overtime pay, a change that could boost the wallets of millions of Americans. While most hourly workers can earn overtime pay, there’s a current cap of $35,568 for people who are salaried. But under the new rule, effective July 1, salaried employees earning up to $43,888 a year will now qualify for time-and-a-half pay after working more than 40 hours in a week. On Jan. 1, 2025, the threshold will rise to $58,656 and subsequently get updated every three years beginning in 2027. According to the Economic Policy Institute, this will make 4.3 million more U.S. workers — including 2.4 million women and 1 million people of color — eligible for overtime by the start of next year. Most of the affected individuals work in professional and business services, health care and social services, and financial activities. “This rule will restore the promise to workers that if you work more than 40 hours in a week, you should be paid more for that time,” acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su said in a statement. “Too often, lower-paid salaried workers are doing the same job as their hourly counterparts but are spending more time away from their families for no additional pay.”
Together With FinanceBuzz
Why It’s Time to Put Your Savings Into a High-Yield Account
Annual percentage yields for high-yield savings accounts are currently reaching rarely seen highs. So what does that mean for you? If you don’t have your savings in a high-yield account, you could be missing out on earning practically free money every single month. FinanceBuzz is even seeing banks allowing clients to earn up to 5% APY* (and even higher) on every dollar. Rates this high could equate to thousands over time — and all you have to do is deposit your cash into one of these accounts. Click below to read about which ones FinanceBuzz recommends. Disclaimers: *APY means annual percentage yield. Rates accurate as of 2/9/2024. Fees may reduce earnings.
A study published in The Lancetearlier this month found that global life expectancy increased by more than six years from 1990 through 2021, but some areas of the world saw a particularly high jump as treatments for diarrhea, lower respiratory infections, and stroke have improved. Regionally, eastern sub-Saharan Africa saw the most significant increase — 10.7 years — during that period. Meanwhile, the “super-region” of Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Oceania experienced the largest net gain of 8.3 years, followed by South Asia with 7.8 years. Though the data indicates that we’ve come far, experts from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation stressed that there’s still work to be done in expanding access to medical care in lower income areas, especially when it comes to disease prevention and immunization programs. “The global community must ensure that the lifesaving tools that have cut deaths from ischemic heart disease, stroke, and other non-communicable diseases in most high-income countries are available to people in all countries, even where resources are limited,” senior author Eve Wool said in a press release.
Environment
Conservation Programs Are Successfully Reversing Biodiversity Loss, Meta-Analysis Shows
There’s plenty of news about conservation programs around the world right now — much of which gets covered in this very newsletter. But are these programs actually succeeding at healing the planet and reversing biodiversity loss? A new paper says yes. The first-of-its-kind meta-analysis, led by the environmental nonprofit re:wild, looked at nearly 200 studies that chronicled conservation interventions across the globe over more than a 100-year period. The researchers found that, in most cases, such interventions improved biodiversity or slowed its decline when compared to inaction. “Conservation action works — this is what the science clearly shows us,” said co-author Claude Gascon, adding: “This study comes at a critical time where the world has agreed on ambitious and needed global biodiversity targets that will require conservation action at an entirely new scale. Achieving this is not only possible, it is well within our grasp as long as it is appropriately prioritized.” Learn about some of the areas where conservation efforts have been the most effective.
In Other News
The European Union Parliament passed the first EU-wide rules on combating violence against women.
Hundreds of musicians are working together to reform the current concert ticketing system, which often prices fans out of being able to see their favorite artists.
A network of prehistoric mines in the U.K., dating back to the Neolithic era, reopened to visitors Saturday. Check out the underground photos.
Caleb Williams was the No. 1 NFL draft pick last week — read about his journey going from a backup quarterback to the hope of the Chicago Bears.
Beavers have returned to Suffolk, England,for the first time since they were driven to extinction 400 years ago.
Something We Love
Pact Clothing Coastal Collection We love Pact for its sustainable approach to clothing manufacturing, Fair Trade practices, and quality cotton products. And we especially recommend the Coastal Double Gauze Collection as we get into the warmer months. The easy-breezy pieces hit the perfect balance of comfortable and elegant — so you may feel like you’re in your lightest pajamas, but you certainly won’t look like it.
Recommendations are independently selected by our team but may result in a commission to Nice News which helps keep our content free.
Inspiring Story
“He needed a voice”
Andrew Brundidge has three younger siblings on the autism spectrum. His new children’s book, Andrew Does His Dance, explores what it’s like to be the often “forgotten” kid with lower support needs — an experience many can relate to. “This book is supposed to be a message to them that you’re not forgotten, you’re not unheard. You’re still seen,” he said.
Last week, China’s Shenzhou-18 spacecraft, carrying three astronauts, launched from the Gobi Desert and arrived at the orbiting Tiangong space station. Watch the launch video.
The Simple Way to Boost Your Savings Each Month
If you don’t yet have a high-yield savings account, there’s no better time than now to sign up for one: Annual percentage yields for HYSAs are currently reaching rarely seen highs. All you have to do is deposit your cash into one of these accounts, sit back, and see your money compound. Visit the link below to check out a roundup of some of the top accounts available today.
*Indicates a Nice News brand partnership or affiliate
Quote of the Day
“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths.”
