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Every day around the globe, more than 700 women die from pregnancy, childbirth, or postpartum complications — here’s how you can help
Culture
The Surprising WWI Roots of National Donut Day
The Salvation Army
Happy National Donut Day! Before you take advantage of the many delectable deals today, here’s some wholesome history behind the holiday to chew on.
During World War I, a group of women volunteering with the Salvation Army traveled from the U.S. to the front lines in France to provide soldiers with supplies and a taste of home, and that included freshly fried donuts. These women became known as the “Donut Lassies” — and in 1938, the Salvation Army in Chicago created the first National Donut Day to raise money for those in need during the Great Depression and honor the Lassies who started it all.
“The story of the Donut Lassies is one of extraordinary courage,” Commissioner Merle Heatwole, a national commander of the Salvation Army, said in a statement shared with Nice News, adding: “On this 88th National Donut Day, we honor their remarkable legacy alongside the veterans who have served this nation, reminding ourselves to carry that same spirit of joyful service into every community we serve.”
See more historical photos and get the original Donut Lassies recipe.
Together With EnergySage
Rent Solar Instead of Buying It
If you’ve been curious about solar but don’t want the upfront cost, this is your way to escape rising electric costs. A solar lease is about as simple as it gets: A company puts panels on your roof, and you pay a flat monthly rate for the electricity they generate — often less than you’re paying your utility right now.
If something breaks, the company fixes it. No surprises, no maintenance calls, no big purchase decision. EnergySage connects you with trusted local installers offering $0-down solar — compare your options for free today.
Novel Process Turns Saltwater Fresh Without Harming Sea Life
University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster
Researchers at the University of Rochester think they’ve come up with a new way to help more people access clean drinking water, using a star above our heads: the sun.
The novel process involves a solar-powered desalination device featuring laser-etched, superwicking black metal that pulls saltwater across the surface and distills it into drinkable water. Unlike other desalination methods, the technology doesn’t require pretreating the water with chemical additives, and the solar panel has a “passive” region that collects the brine in a solid form. This prevents it from returning to the ocean, where it can raise salt levels and harm sea life.
“If you drop coffee on a surface, eventually the water evaporates, and there’s a ring left at the outer edge that is the concentrated coffee particles,” team lead Chunlei Guo, who also co-wrote a recent paper on the process, explained in a press release. “We use that same principle to advance the salts to the passive region.”
Beyond desalination, Guo said the method could help extract other minerals from ocean water in the future, such as lithium, which helps power electric vehicles and other electronics. “Mining lithium from the earth has proven to be very taxing from an energy and environmental standpoint, so pulling lithium directly from saltwater could be a very important future route,” he added. Watch a video showing how it works.
Health
You Know Exercise Is Good for You — So Why Is It So Hard to Put It Into Practice?
Jordi Salas—Moment/Getty Images
This article was written by Laura Baehr, an assistant professor of physical therapy and rehabilitation sciences at Drexel University, for The Conversation.
Physical activity is one of the most powerful health tools people have to improve mood, energy, and sleep, even after just a few sessions.
But the real superpower of an active lifestyle is what it can do for health and quality of life over time. Scientific evidence repeatedly demonstrates that physical activity reduces the risk of developing chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and even some cancers. Despite this, most Americans are not getting enough physical activity in their daily lives.
So why are so few people physically active when the benefits are widely known? As a physical therapist and rehabilitation scientist who studies how to boost movement for people living with chronic conditions and physical disabilities, I spend a lot of time thinking about that question — here’s an answer.
Global Good
🇧🇷 Deforestation in the Amazon hit its lowest level since 2019 last year, per a recent report (read more)
🇬🇧 An 11th-century tapestry is going on loan to the U.K. from France, and the move is no small feat (read more)
🇳🇵 Speed climber Tyler Andrews ascended Mount Everest in under 10 hours, breaking a 23-year record (read more)
🇳🇴 Archaeologists found a shipwreck off the coast of Norway carrying a trove of porcelain goods from the 1700s (read more)
🇯🇵 Crested ibises, once extinct in Japan, have spread their colorful wings in the country’s wild again (read more)
Something We Love
VeryPink Knits
I’ve discovered a love of knitting over the past year or so, and I credit this YouTube channel from Staci Perry with helping me go from absolute beginner to mediocre novice. VeryPink Knits seems to have a detailed video on every stitch, pattern, and problem that could possibly come up, and some of the beginner lessons are done in slo-mo for easier learning.
At a psychiatric hospital near Paris, donkey therapy is helping patients improve their emotional regulation, self-esteem, and communication. “Donkeys are calm, serene animals that are generally close to people,” said François Hadey, one of the project’s founders. “Once they’re involved in these interactions, they connect very well with patients. They’re emotional sponges.” Meet the supportive donkeys.
Photo of the Day
Adam Gray/Getty Images
You’re likely well aware, but just in case: For the first time since 1999, the New York Knicks are in the NBA Finals — and not only that, but they’re playing the San Antonio Spurs, the same team they lost to back then. For New Yorkers, it’s a very big deal, as you can see from the pic above of one of the many watch parties that took over Manhattan Wednesday night. Mayor Zohran Mamdani even made an executive order repealing bedtimes so kids can stay up late to watch the games.
Game 2 is tonight, so if you see kiddos rubbing their eyes and yawning around town, now you know why.
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Up This Weekend
World Environment Day: What can you do for the planet today? Here are 12 ideas in honor of this annual U.N.-hosted observance, which serves as “a global call for climate action”
Primavera Sound: One of the largest music festivals in Europe, Barcelona’s Primavera Sound kicked off Wednesday and runs through Sunday — learn how to livestream the acts
French Open Finals: After a chaotic few weeks defined by major upsets, rising stars, high temperatures, and showstopping fashion choices, the Roland-Garros will soon come to an end with the women’s singles finals on Saturday and men’s on Sunday
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.
*Indicates a Nice News brand partnership or affiliate
Quote of the Day
“Too much credit is given to the end result. The true lesson is in the struggle that takes place between the dream and reality. That struggle is a thing called life.”
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