Wanna grab dinner at Diane’s Place? If not for the proper noun capitalization, you might think we’re referring to a low-key meal at a friend named Diane’s house. And that’s exactly the vibe of this Minneapolis, Minnesota, eatery, which was just named Food & Wine’s 2025 restaurant of the year. Learn more about the homey Hmong cuisine Diane Moua is serving up and check out the rest of the outlet’s 2025 Global Tastemakers.
For the 18th Year in a Row, Iceland Is Named the World’s Most Peaceful Country
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Something we could all probably use right now (and always) is more peace — which makes taking a trip to Iceland particularly enticing, as the Nordic nation has been named the world’s most peaceful country for 2025, according to the Global Peace Index. Produced by the Institute for Economics & Peace, the index ranks 163 countries based on 23 indicators across three main categories: societal safety and security, the extent of ongoing domestic and international conflict, and the degree of militarization. And for the 18th consecutive year, Iceland held onto the top spot — edging out Ireland and New Zealand, which claimed second and third place, respectively. So what sets these countries apart from the rest of the world? “The key to building peacefulness in times of conflict and uncertainty is Positive Peace: the attitudes, institutions, and structures that create and sustain peaceful societies,” the index report reads. “Positive Peace is strongly correlated with higher GDP growth, lower interest rates, societal well-being, and more resilience to shocks.” To put the nice in Iceland even more, the nation is also currently making headlines for its heartwarming efforts to protect baby puffins. Each year, locals rescue “pufflings” who get disoriented on their way to the ocean by gently scooping up the lost birds and tossing them off of cliffs so they can embark on their first flights. See the tradition in action.
The Innovative Hearing Device Making Things Loud and Clear
What happens when you combine German engineering with the world’s most trusted name in hearing care? The biggest breakthrough in hearing technology in more than a decade. Meet Horizon IX, the world’s first dual-processing hearing aid transforming the way people hear. This powerful technology separates speech and background noise to deliver never-before-heard clarity. Bonus points: Its ultra-sleek, discreet design lets you hear clearly without the discomfort or bulk of traditional devices. Join over 540,000 people hearing better than ever. Find out if you qualify for a 45-day no-risk trial and hear the difference.
Common Nasal Spray Linked to Nearly 70% Reduction in COVID-19 Risk, Trial Finds
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With kids heading back to school and cold and flu season approaching, we’re all likely busting out the hand sanitizer more often these days. Now, researchers from Germany are studying a different drug store product for preventing illness, specifically for lowering the risk of coming down with COVID-19. In a recent clinical trial involving 450 healthy adults, researchers divided participants into two groups: About half used the antihistamine nasal spray azelastine three times daily for 56 days, and the others followed the same schedule with a placebo spray. Results showed that 6.7% of the placebo group contracted COVID-19, compared to only 2.2% of those using azelastine, marking a nearly 70% reduction in infection risk with the medicine. The study also found that the spray was associated with ashortened duration of the infection, reduced symptomatic cases, and a lower risk of getting other respiratory infections. “Our findings suggest azelastine could serve as a scalable, over-the-counter prophylactic against COVID, especially when community transmission is elevated or in high-risk settings such as crowded indoor events or traveling,” senior author Dr. Robert Bals told NBC News, noting that the spray requires more research before the public should begin routine use. Get tips on how to boost your immune system this flu season.
Sports
NFL Kicks Off a New Era With Sony Hawk-Eye Technology
Sony
The wait is over! The NFL regular season kicks off tonight, with the defending Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, facing the Dallas Cowboys. Football fans tuning in to the game may notice some changes on the field this year, thanks to a new high-tech system that could speed up the game. Called Sony Hawk-Eye, the camera-based technology is designed to bring more accuracy and efficiency to one of football’s greatest sources of controversy: exactly where the ball is spotted. Traditionally, officials have relied on the “chain gang” to measure first downs using physical 10-yard chains. But now, every stadium is equipped with six 8K cameras that track the ball’s precise position in real time. The goal? Greater precision, faster and more objective first down calls, and fewer interruptions in play. Still, the league says officials will continue to play a central role in spotting the football during plays, as the new tech is designed to “aid those officials on the field — not, you know, take away anything from their job,” Justin Goltz, commercial director of Sony’s Hawk-Eye North America, told Good Morning America. Take a closer look at the system.
In Other News
A common blood thinner outperformed aspirin at preventing heart attacks and strokes in a new study (read more)
Hello, herbivore: Paleontologists in China discovered a new plant-eating dinosaur that was likely 39 feet long (read more)
See a rare red auroraglow above Earth, thanks to a NASA astronaut who documented the breathtaking view (read more)
Calling all hikers! A new (very scenic) 101-mile circular walking route opened in England (read more)
Olympic National Park’s secret weapon for maintenance has long ears, a “chonky” build, and lots of stamina (read more)
Inspiring Story
Teamwork at its finest
A British rugby team went above and beyond to help a member’s father achieve a lifelong dream. Last month, the Bangor Rugby Club helped 66-year-old Phil Thompson, who has used a wheelchair since a motorcycle accident at 19, reach the summit of Mount Snowdon in North Wales by carrying him up the 3,650-foot peak.
Photo of the Day
Hanna Lassen/Getty Images
Seoul Fashion Week is in full swing, meaning the South Korean capital is abuzz with new looks. Layering, hats, and monochromatic color palettes seem particularly popular this year — see highlights from the street style scene.
Walk Your Way to Wellness With WalkFit
WalkFit was born from a simple but powerful idea: Walking is enough. With so much pressure from the fitness industry to go hard or go home, millions of people give up before they start. WalkFit flips that narrative, offering a gentle, guided, and science-backed way to get healthier. Whether it’s walking around the block, on a treadmill, or in your living room, WalkFit makes your fitness goals feel achievable. It’s wellness on your terms, and it starts with the right number of steps for you.
