At chaotic airport drop-off zones, saying goodbye to your loved one with a long, drawn-out hug isn’t going to endear you to the line of other drivers waiting to do the same. That’s why a New Zealand airport recently imposed a max three-minute hugging rule, with a sign stating “for fonder farewells, please use the car park.” Naturally, the new limit has caused a stir, but it also raises the question: Just how long should the ideal hug last?The Guardian was inspired to dig into the topic with a science-backed guide to hugging, including the different types, their many benefits, and the optimal duration of a squeeze. — Rebekah, Ally, and Natalie
Featured Story
It’s Cold and Flu Season: Try These All-Natural Items to Quell Your Symptoms
Drazen Zigic/ iStock
With the onset of cooler fall temperatures across much of the United States, it’s unfortunately time to prepare for flu season. If you’ve ever had a nasty case of the bug, you know it’s a force to be reckoned with: Fever, coughing, a stuffy nose, body aches, fatigue, and even vomiting and diarrhea are all possible symptoms. Medical professionals recommend getting the annual flu vaccine, washing your hands, and staying away from people who are sick to avoid catching the virus, but nothing is 100% effective. Pharmacy purchases can provide relief, but there are also a handful of home remedies that can help soothe your symptoms. While a physician’s care is irreplaceable, these natural treatments might give your body the boost it needs — and are likely already in your pantry.
Through its unique sensory storytelling technology, Burble is working to bring comfort to children on the autism spectrum — and you can get involved. By supporting the company’s upcoming crowdfunding campaign, you’ll help make immersive, calming experiences a reality for families. The Burble Story Tent combines tech with the timeless art of storytelling, much like a modern-day campfire. Just as people around a campfire are captivated by the flames and imagine their own versions of the story, the tent uses individually-mapped LED lights that shift in brightness and color as the story unfolds. Click below to learn how you can support Burble.
Buckle Up! The Era of Flying Cars May (Actually) Be on the Horizon
Courtesy of Joby Aviation
You might soon hear your cab driver say: “Clear skies ahead and ready for takeoff.” Air taxis, along with other electric-powered aircraft, are closer than ever to getting permission to fly. Last month, the Federal Aviation Administration published a much-anticipated 880-page document on the final regulations for pilot training and operating requirementsfor “powered-lift” vehicles. That means an aircraft designed to take off and land vertically like a helicopter (or the DeLorean time machine from Back to the Future), but with fixed wings like a plane, per The Verge. “Powered-lift aircraft are the first new category of aircraft in nearly 80 years,”FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said in a statement, calling the new ruling “historic.” According to the agency, the vehicles can be used for cargo delivery, emergency rescue efforts, and simply taxiing people from point A to point B. While the rules aim to maintain safety and rigor, they also seek to address the realities of this nascent industry without setting overly strict standards. No air taxi company is currently certified for commercial operations, but some startups, like Joby Aviation and Archer, are in the process of making our sci-fi dreams a reality. See Joby’s aircraft fly over New York City last year.
Culture
Just in Time for National Cat Day, Adorable Book Celebrates Felines of All Kinds
Andrew Marttila
If you’re a cat person, every day is National Cat Day, but the feline-focused holiday is officially held on Oct. 29. Purr-fectly timed to celebrate, a new book from two cat lovers, Hannah Shaw and Andrew Marttila, came out this month and is already a New York Times bestseller. Aptly titled Cats of the World, the coffee table book offers a peek into the lives of cats of all kinds in 30 countries. You’ll see the animals striking a pose in Peru, strutting on cobblestone streets in Italy, and relaxing on rocks in Uruguay. Photographer Marttila told Nice News one of his favorite moments of putting the book together was meeting rescue cat Hodge (seen above) at London’s Southwark Cathedral: “Hearing stories of him interrupting services by climbing on the pulpit or occupying the bishop’s throne was hilarious! Truly authentic cat behavior, even in the most sacred of spaces.” Stories from cat advocates are sprinkled throughout, highlighting important topics in the feline world and unique cultural perspectives that’ll transport you to different continents as you cuddle up on the couch with your pet.
Sports
Ethiopian Runner Beats Half-Marathon Record by 1 Second
Cesar March / Alamy Stock Photo
A second can change everything, and that’s especially true for 27-year-old Yomif Kejelcha, who set a new half-marathon world record by the skin of his teeth. Clocking in a time of 57 minutes and 30 seconds at a race in Valencia, Spain, last Sunday, Kejelcha finished just onesecond faster than the previous record, set by Ugandan runner Jacob Kiplimo in 2021. For those of you doing the math in your head, the Ethiopian athlete blazed through the course averaging roughly 4 minutes and 23 seconds per mile. That pace was as challenging as it sounds: “This race wasn’t easy,” he said after crossing the finish line, per World Athletics. “Today I told myself to do it in 57 minutes, and I saw from the clock on the lead car that it was possible, despite the rain. I wanted to break the world record and I’m really happy I did it.” This marks another achievement on Kejelcha’s running resume — he also holds the men’s indoor mile world record and competed in the 10,000-meter race at the recent Olympics, finishing sixth. But his Oct. 27 triumph holds a special place in his heart: “The half-marathon world record was my dream and I beat it,” he said. Watch his finish.
Sunday Selections
Deep Dives
Take our advice and don’t tick off a crow: The birds hold long-term grudges, and they’re serious about payback
A philosopher shares his theory on why biological mistakes are fundamental to life on Earth
In Italy, a 16th-century garden hosts massive statues of monsters — and no one’s sure why they’re there
If you’re a fan of FX’s The Bear, you’re likely also a fan of Matty Matheson, who plays the fictional restaurant’s bumbling handyman. But you may not be aware that he’s actually a world-renowned chef who also serves as a food consultant and writer on the show — talk about a multi-hyphenate. In his latest cookbook, Matheson offers his signature twists on three staple dishes, sharing 126 recipes and a hearty helping of personal stories.
From Star Wars to Schindler’s List, Jurassic Park, Harry Potter, and more, John Williams’ award-winning film scores have been ingrained in the hearts of millions of movie lovers, generation after generation. Now, the life and career of the legendary composer is being chronicled in a new documentary streaming on Disney+, featuring interviews with Steven Spielberg, Ron Howard, George Lucas, Gustavo Dudamel, Yo-Yo Ma, and others who have been profoundly moved by Williams’ work.
This Week in History
Jane Goodall Observes a Chimpanzee Using a Tool
November 4, 1960
Everett Collection Historical / Alamy Stock Photo
At 26 years old, English primatologist Jane Goodall was conducting research in northern Tanzania, regularly observing around 150 chimpanzees in their natural habitat. On this particular day, she witnessed something that would transform human understanding of animal cognition and pave the way for hundreds of scientific studies: One of the chimps appeared to be using a stick to extract termites from a mound and eat them. “By the termite hill were two chimps, both male,” Goodall wrote in her field notebook at the time. “I could see a little better the use of the piece of straw. It was held in the left hand, poked onto the ground, and then removed coated with termites. The straw was then raised to the mouth and the insects picked off with the lips, along the length of the straw, starting in the middle.” See 1960s footage of her time in the East African country.
Amazon Prime Perks You Wish You Discovered Sooner, Courtesy of Brad’s Deals
Remember the days of making paper lists for your weekly run to the store or shopping at the mall? It can feel like a lifetime ago now that Amazon Prime exists. And while free shipping and exclusive shows are a few obvious benefits to the service, knowing these 10 hidden perks, courtesy of Brad’s Deals, can transform how you use your membership.
