An urban tree that’s survived World War II bombings, redevelopment, and a pervasive fungal disease has been named the U.K.’s 2025 Tree of the Year. The beloved Argyle Street ash, the lone tree on a busy roadway in the heart of Glasgow, Scotland, has been standing for 170 years. Author James Cowan once called it “the most graceful ash I have seen,” a quote that’s displayed in a pub across the street, per The Guardian. Next up for the stately tree: represent the U.K. in the 2026 European Tree of the Year contest.
Tokyo’s Literary Haven Named the World’s Coolest Neighborhood
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What makes a place cool in 2025? Time Out, which recently published its list of the world’s coolest neighborhoods, defined the hippest spots as “places that represent the soul of our cities, while maintaining their own unique local character that draws people in to live, work, and play.” With this in mind, the outlet tapped its global network of writers and editors for nominations and then ranked each neighborhood based on culture, community, livability, nightlife, food and drink, street life, and “sense of nowness.” Topping the list is Jimbōchō in Tokyo, renowned for its cozy coffeehouses, curry restaurants, music clubs, and 130 secondhand bookstores. Beginning next month, the “bibliophile nirvana” will host its annual used books festival, where city streets turn into a sprawling open-air library (one more thing to add to the bucket list!). Rounding out the top three are Borgerhout in Antwerp, Belgium, and Barra Funda in São Paulo, Brazil. See the full list of neighborhoods, spanning six continents.
Together With Gundry MD
Could Taking a Shot Help You Feel Better?
We’re not talking about shots of alcohol — this is about the powerful benefits of olive oil. Dr. Steven Gundry credits a specific type of olive oil with helping him lose 70 pounds. Studies even show it can support heart health, soften your skin, and boost your immune system. Before you run to the pantry for your daily shot, you should know not all olive oil is created equal.. Dr. Gundry filmed a short video sharing what to look for when buying olive oil — click below to watch it and learn about his three-part checklist before your next grocery run.
“Brain-to-Brain Similarity” Predicted Who People Became Friends With Before They Met
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There are plenty of reasons we forge bonds with others — proximity, shared hobbies, similar values — but new research from the University of California Los Angeles and Dartmouth College suggests a neurological explanation for kinship as well. The study authors found that strangers who were neurally similar were more likely to become friends and then grow closer over time. Compared to relationships that form circumstantially and fade quickly, these stronger connections may emerge from a deeper compatibility in how we interpret and emotionally respond to our surroundings. “We were inspired by a long-standing puzzle: Why do some people ‘click’ or connect right away, while others don’t?” said senior author Carolyn Parkinson, adding, “The most striking finding of our study is that brain-to-brain similarity can predict future friendship.” Learn how they came to that conclusion.
Humanity
This London Coffee Shop Is Serving Up Sign Language Lessons Alongside Lattes
Juan Carlos Martinez de Maya/Getty Images
Want a cappuccino — and a mini sign language lesson on the side? Step inside the Dialogue Express Café in East London, a unique shop run entirely by deaf and hard-of-hearing baristas, where customers are not only invited to order their coffees via British Sign Language, but can also learn how to do so. Here’s how it works: Customers learn the signs for their drink or pastry of choice through video tutorials on touch screens and then use those signs while ordering at the counter. For anyone who prefers to practice in advance, the cafe’s online menu has you covered. In addition to brewing inclusivity (and fostering new skills), the coffee shop is dedicated to increasing visibility of the Deaf community while creating meaningful employment and social opportunities for deaf individuals. As a trainee named Victor told the BBC: “It means a lot for me … It’s more than just a job.” Take a look inside the cafe, located in a renovated train carriage.
In Other News
A distinct form of diabetes has finally been given its own name after decades of being overlooked (read more)
Starry news: Astronomers may have detected giant stars with black holes inside them for the first time (read more)
Bad Bunny will headline the Super Bowl LX halftime show at the 49ers stadium in California (read more)
Conjoined turtle twins were separated by surgery shortly after birth — see the before and after pics (read more)
This school district in South Carolina has a new dish in its lunch rotation, thanks to a student chef (read more)
Inspiring Story
Standing up for mental health awareness
“Anxiety” and “comedy” aren’t often in the same sentence, but that’s what the documentary Anxiety Club is all about — exploring anxiety through the eyes of seven standup comedians. Beyond breaking stigma, the film aims to tangibly help those struggling with their mental health, with a portion of every rental going to two nonprofits to support “those suffering from anxiety, on and off stage.” Rent it here.
Photo of the Day
Allison Joyce/Getty Images
A year has passed since Hurricane Helene devastated parts of western North Carolina — and while recovery is still ongoing, there’s no doubt the region has come a long way. Trails have been repaired, businesses have reopened, and now a memorial, seen here, stands in Burnsville to honor the lives lost and communities affected by the storm. Read more stories of rebuilding and resilience in honor of the anniversary.
Take Control of Your Legacy With Fisher Investments
Planning your estate isn’t the most exciting task, but it’s worth it. And with Fisher Investments’ free Investor’s Guide to Estate Planning, it’s easier than you may think. You’ll get straightforward advice on tackling key documents and guidance for navigating family conversations about your financial legacy — so your wishes are clear and everyone is aligned. Why leave your legacy to chance?
