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Though it may sound like something dreamed up by Fred Rogers, the International Day of Friendship is a United Nations-designated celebration. And as you might have guessed, it’s today. We consider you — all 800,000-plus of you — to be friends of Nice News, and hope you see us in much the same way, so happy friendship day! It’s the perfect excuse to reach out to your pals.
Humanity
From Close to Convenient: The 7 Types of Friendships Everyone Needs
Friends — we all need them. They can lift our spirits, offer support, and give us a sense of belonging. Research suggests they’re also crucial for health and well-being; people with strong friendships tend to be happier and live longer than those without. One meta-analysis found quality social ties are even more important than diet and exercise, and not having enough of them could be as detrimental as smoking cigarettes.
No matter how many friends are in your circle, you’re likely to have a few different types, each playing a different role, Marisa G. Franco, a psychologist and friendship expert, told Mind Body Green: “If we can treat each of these friendships differently, we can harness what’s best about them in a way that best works for us and the friendship.”
We dove deeper into the concept and rounded up seven types of friendships we all need, from workplace buddies to lifelong BFFs.
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Together With LMNT
Hydrate Your Way Through This Summer
With temps this high, we need a way to hydrate beyond good ol’ water — and LMNT is our favorite way. The science-backed electrolyte ratio of 1,000 milligrams of sodium, 200 milligrams of potassium, and 60 milligrams of magnesium will have you feeling your best, wherever summer takes you.
The brand is now offering LMNT Sparkling, a bold, 16-ounce can of sparkling water for those who prefer their electrolytes in carbonated form. That’s in addition to the powdered drink mixes, available in a wide array of flavors. Nice News readers get a free sample pack with any drink mix purchase.
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Environment
UNESCO Adds Italy’s Appian Way to List of World Heritage Sites
Come for the pizza, stay for the historic scenery. Italy remains home to the highest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world: Via Appia, or the Appian Way, recently made the prestigious list, becoming the country’s 60th inscribed location.
The oldest of the great roads built by the ancient Romans beginning in 312 B.C., the Appian Way is around 500 miles long and nicknamed the “Queen of Roads,” or Regina Viarum. It was an essential roadway for Rome, and clearly demonstrates “the advanced technical skill of Roman engineers,” according to the UNESCO description.
“It was originally conceived as a strategic road for military conquest, advancing towards the East and Asia Minor,” the organization explains. “The Via Appia later enabled the cities it connected to grow and new settlements emerged, facilitating agricultural production and trade.”
These days, the Appian Way serves a different purpose, as an open-air museum, a green space, and an area where both locals and tourists spend time biking, hiking, and simply enjoying the views, per the Associated Press. Check out more of the newly inscribed sites.
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Culture
Fine Art Researcher Spots Long Lost Henry VII Portrait on Social Media
Social media isn’t all doom, gloom, and comparison — sometimes it can lead to uncovered history. Fine art researcher Adam Busiakiewicz was simply browsing X (formerly Twitter) earlier this month when he spotted a famous portrait of King Henry VIII that was long considered lost.
In a blog post, Busiakiewicz explained he was “scrolling at speed” but paused when he stumbled upon a photo posted by a representative of the British Crown in Warwickshire, England. He noticed a painting “with a distinctive arched top” on the wall in the background, and it reminded him of a series of portraits commissioned by a local politician and tapestry maker during the 1590s. These paintings were later dispersed at auction and went untraced.
After sharing his theory, Busiakiewicz saw the painting up close at Warwick’s Shire Hall and told CNN “there’s no doubt” it’s a match to the lost Henry VIII portrait. “Social media is a crazy thing,” Busiakiewicz said, “because some people use it to watch cat videos and follow what’s going on in the world, and then people like me just look at what people have hanging on their walls.”
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Something We Love
Ethical Silk Co.
From pillowcases and eye masks to a chic line of sleep- and loungewear, this collection of luxurious mulberry silk goods lives up to its name. The brand only offers high-quality, ethically produced “slow fashion” items — and there’s a summer sale on.
Recommendations are independently selected by our team but may result in a commission to Nice News which helps keep our content free.
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Inspiring Story
Trash day never looked sweeter
A 4-year-old boy with cystic fibrosis had a special wish: spend a day as a garbage collector. Thanks to Make-A-Wish, that dream recently came true, and he got to clock in, ride along in a garbage truck, and even operate the trash compactor before being greeted by a crowd of cheering community members.
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Eyes on Paris
It’s a big day for Olympic surfing today in Paris — well, not in Paris exactly. The Summer Games are being held at various venues and one of them is in Tahiti, taking advantage of the French Polynesian island’s world-famous Teahupo’o surf break.
The men’s and women’s quarterfinals, semifinals, and bronze and gold medal matches are all scheduled for this afternoon and evening, beginning around 1 p.m. ET (assuming the waves cooperate). Team USA has several top contenders, including Caroline Marks, the reigning world champion, and Carissa Moore, who won women’s surfing in Tokyo in 2021, marking the sport’s Olympic debut.
Moore, pictured here on day one of the competitions in Tahiti, is planning to step away from competitive surfing, but not before trying to earn another gold medal. As for what that will take, the 31-year-old Native Hawaiian said, “A lot of heart and a little bit of the universe on my side.”
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Please support our sponsors! They help us keep Nice News free. ♡
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Quote of the Day
“Friendship is a real-deal insurance policy against the hurricanes of life.”
– AMINATOU SOW AND ANN FRIEDMAN
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