Beyond kicking off a new month, May 1 marks a bevy of occasions around the globe. Often called May Day, today is both International Workers Day — a celebration of the working classes and labor solidarity — and Beltane, an ancient Celtic festival that heralds the start of summer (you might associate it with Maypoles and May queens). In the U.S., it’s also the beginning of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month: Learn why it’s in May.
Must Reads
Earth snapshots: Winning pics from the GDT Nature Photographer of the Year
Today and tomorrow are Public Media Giving Days — learn about the initiative to project public journalism, educational programs, and local stations
Health
Rise and Shine! It’s Time for “Radio Taiso,” a Japanese Morning Ritual for All Ages
David Mareuil—Anadolu/Getty Images
If you’re looking for a new morning routine, consider taking a page out of Japan’s playbook. Every day at 6:30 a.m., Japanese radio plays 10 minutes of instructions for simple calisthenics moves like reaching up to the sky, twisting the torso, swinging the arms, and mindful breathing.
Radio Taiso (“Exercise Radio” in English) has been around for nearly a century — it was initially created to promote public health at a time when Japanese citizens had a lower average lifespan. Today, millions of people of all ages and skill levels still join in from their homes, workplaces, and local parks.
The many benefits of participating include improvedflexibility, stamina, balance, and energy, as well as the opportunity to socialize. Septuagenarian Yoshiki Nagao, who does Radio Taiso nearly every day with a friend, told the Associated Press: “Laughing and chatting while taking a walk after [the exercise] is also good. We come even on New Year’s Day.” Check out a 3-minute Radio Taiso routine, with options for both sitting and standing.
Together With America’s Test Kitchen
Discover Your Family’s New Favorite Recipes
Tired of fumbling around clunky, ad-filled websites to find a new recipe or look up an ingredient when you’re grocery shopping? America’s Test Kitchen has you covered. For a limited time, Nice News readers can get 50% off the normal ATK subscription price, giving you access to a library of more than 14,000 rigorously tested recipes, over 8,000 product reviews, and more.
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Endangered Mussels Found in Michigan River Against “All Odds”
Jocelynne Samu-Pittard/USFWS
For the first time since 1987, live northern riffleshell mussels were discovered in Michigan’s Black River. Though small (typically no bigger than 3 inches), these endangered mussels are a water-filtering keystone species that’s vital to the river ecosystem.
The breakthrough, announced this week, follows a collaborative effort between biologists and a local professor who inherited a mussel collection from a late colleague that contained over 1,800 northern riffleshells. This prompted conservationists to conduct reconnaissance surveys of over 47 miles of the river — during which they found two live northern riffleshells (one male and one female), marking the fifth-known reproducing population left on Earth.
“This find is exciting news and shows that, despite all odds, these mussels are hanging on. With local help, community awareness, and pride, it engages us all to be better stewards for our sessile neighbors that often get forgotten,” the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wrote in a release.
In other good news for mussels, the service has recently designated over 3,800 miles of waterways as “critical habitat” to protect endangered freshwater mussel species across 17 states in the Eastern U.S. and Midwest, including Michigan.
Culture
Small Alaskan Village May Reignite Responsible Polar Bear Tourism
Sylvain CORDIER—Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images
About 90 miles west of the Canadian border, the small Alaskan village of Kaktovik was put on the map in part for its epic polar bear sightings. For decades, tourists flocked to the remote Arctic community (accessible only by plane) to see the marine mammals in the wild. That was until 2021, when a pandemic-era pause on tours was extended due to disruptions to locals and wildlife.
But things may soon be changing again. Village leaders are seeking to revive — and reimagine — its polar bear tourism industryas soon as next year. “We definitely see the benefit for tourism,” Charles Lampe, president of the Kaktovik Inupiat Corp, told the Associated Press. “The thing is, it can’t be run like it was before.”
“Before” was an industry dominated by out-of-town operators and day trips. Now, Native leaders are conferring with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to reignite tourism by transitioning to a model that provides residents with another source of income, visitors with a more environmentally responsible experience, and polar bears with fewer intrusions. Among the proposed changes is enforcing a limit on how long a boat can sit in the water near the bears.
While the details are still in the development phase, the service said it’s working with Kaktovik “to ensure that any future opportunities are managed in a way that prioritizes visitor safety, resource protection, and community input.”
Global Good
🇸🇪 A forest livestream documenting moose migration is causing a wholesome hoopla in Sweden (read more)
🇨🇳 In Beijing, a tiny community library looks like a clam — and opens and shuts like one, too (read more)
🏴 Banksy is the confirmed artist behind a new statue that appeared in central London this week (read more)
🇷🇸 Anyone can sing: An amateur pop choir that started in a small Serbian town is gaining momentum (read more)
🇩🇪 A teen found the first ancient Greek artifact discovered in Berlin: See the bronze coin depicting Athena (read more)
Inspiring Story
In good hands
Bodybuilders, mixed martial arts fighters, and sumo wrestlers are helping solve a caregiving shortage at nursing homes in Japan. “I feel that what I like to do can be useful for society,” said Hokuto Tatsumi, 27, who has worked at a care center for over two years. “My muscles are helping put patients at ease.” See the unconventional caregivers in action.
Photo of the Day
Luis TATO—AFP/Getty Images
ICYMI, Sabastian Sawe set a world record at the London Marathon last weekend with a time of 1 hour, 59 minutes, 30 seconds. On Wednesday, the 31-year-old returned home to Kenya and was greeted with nothing short of a hero’s welcome — complete with dancing, selfies, and praise from Sports Minister Salim Mvurya, who called his feat “a win for Kenya.” Watch a short film from Adidas chronicling Sawe’s journey to the historic sub-2-hour marathon.
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Up This Weekend
Flower Moon: The May full moon, named after spring’s blooms, will rise tonight — it’s extra special because it’s the first of two full moons this month, meaning we have a “blue moon” to look forward to
World Press Freedom Day: This annual observance takes place Sunday, championing the importance of press freedom and independent journalism across the globe
Cinco de Mayo: The fifth of May is on Tuesday, but celebrations of the Mexican holiday will be well underway this weekend in cities like Los Angeles, New York, Denver, and more
The Nice News merch collaboration with Because Weekend is all about celebrating optimism and making every day feel like the weekend. To help us spread that ethos beyond the inbox, shop our collection of T-shirts and sweatshirts here.
Odds & Ends
💅 Trending now: the no-makeup look for nails
😋 Fruity Tootsie Rolls meet Tootsie Pops
🛍️ Get 40% off at the Perry Ellis friends & family sale (and 70% or more off at the new online outlet)*
📻 Old-school media gets love from Gen Z
*Indicates a Nice News brand partnership or affiliate
Quote of the Day
“Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.”
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