Later this month, the World Sports Photography Awards will announce its 2026 winners — stunning images across 24 categories that capture the grit, triumph, and thrill of athletic achievement. But for now, we can peruse this year’s finalists (you might just come out of it with a new appreciation for sport).
The Winter Olympics, a NASA Moon Mission, and More Things to Look Forward to in 2026
Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images
Cultivating optimism isn’t always easy, but there is something profoundly liberating about choosing to orient toward joy, despite any obstacles that may stand in the way. In that spirit, Nice News is kicking off 2026 with a list of things to look forward to. From global sporting extravaganzas like the Winter Olympics and the FIFA World Cup to the plethora of beloved movie sequels hitting the big screen and a new train route traversing America, there’s so much positivity awaiting us. Click here to dive into all the good stuff on the horizon this year.
Together With Timeline
New Year, New You, New Energy
When did meeting milestones go from feeling exhilarating to feeling exhausting? The effects of aging start in your 30s, leaving you weaker and more drained after daily activities. This decline starts at the cellular level, when your mitochondria begin to wear out. The result is a gradual breakdown of muscle strength and overall vitality. Mitopure® is a supplement that targets signs of aging and helps you take back control of your health. Mitopure® helps renew mitochondria, increasing energy and muscle strength. Studies show participants who supplement daily feel stronger without changing their workouts. Reenergize yourself today with 30% off Mitopure®, while supplies last.
*500mg Mitopure® have been shown to (1) induce gene expression related to mitochondria function and metabolism and (2) increase the strength of the hamstring leg muscle in measures of knee extension and flexion after 4 months in overweight 40-65 year olds.
Humanity
People Who Talk With Their Hands Seem More Clear and Persuasive — New Research
Fajrul Islam—Moment/Getty Images
This article was written by Giovanni Luca Cascio Rizzo, an assistant professor of marketing at the University of Southern California, for The Conversation. Whether you’re giving a presentation, pitching an idea, or leading a meeting, you probably spend most of your prep time thinking about what you’ll say. But what about the ways you’ll move your hands? I grew up in Italy, where gesturing is practically a second language. Now that I live in the United States, I’ve become acutely aware of how cultures differ in how, and how much, people move their hands when they talk. Still, across contexts and cultures, one thing is constant: People do talk with their hands. As someone who studies communication, I’d noticed how some speakers seemed instantly clearer when they gestured. This made me wonder: Do gestures actually make communicators more effective? The short answer is yes, but only when the gestures visually represent the idea you’re talking about — learn more.
Environment
Your 2026 Sky Guide: Meteor Showers, Eclipses, and a Blue Moon
Thilina Kaluthotage—NurPhoto/Getty Images
If you’ve resolved to find more awe in the new year, we recommend looking to the sky. The 2026 celestial calendar is chock-full of cosmic delights, ranging from fiery meteor showers to glowing eclipses and a rare blue moon. It all starts today and tomorrow with the Quadrantid meteor shower, most visible in the Northern Hemisphere. There are a handful of other meteor showers throughout the year, but the most anticipated show, as usual, will be the Geminids — “the king of the meteor showers,” per SeaSky — in December. Tomorrow also marks the first of 13 full moons for the year — which, yes, means there will be a blue moon (the second full moon in a month), in May. January’s full moon is the first of three supermoons, as well; the others are coming in November and December. As for eclipses, expect four: solar eclipses in February and August, and lunar eclipses in March and August. Check out a full celestial guide for more details.
Global Good
🇧🇲 A “never-before-seen” structure beneath Bermuda gives the illusion the island is floating, scientists say (read more)
🇮🇪 Linguists are compiling a new dictionary for ancient Celtic languages in Britain and Ireland (read more)
🇨🇱 Chile is preparing to create a 300,000-plus acre national park to protect endangered wildlife (read more)
🇲🇽 Mexico City has become a haven for Black American women looking for a fresh start(read more)
🇦🇺 A “ghost” marsupial species that’s related to kangaroos was identified through fossils in Australia(read more)
Something We Love
Le Bon Shoppe Cloud Socks These socks ended up being the MVP of my Christmas gifting. After trying a pair for myself, I gave them to several friends, all to rave reviews. The extra-cushiony material is plush but not bulky, making them perfect for both staying cozy around the house and slipping into a pair of boots. The embroidered ones are super cute, but they also come in plain colors. – Ally Mauch, Associate Editor
At Muttville Senior Dog Rescue in San Francisco, adoptable pups get to spend time with some special visitors who understand what it’s like to be in your golden years. Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly, an organization dedicated to reducing loneliness for older adults, holds a monthly meeting at the rescue facility. These “Cuddle Club” gatherings allow humans and canines the chance to cozy up and connect with one another while the dogs wait to find their forever homes. “To be able to feel a warm body, a heartbeat, lots of kisses, that’s absolutely terrific,” one member previously said.
Photo of the Day
Mario Tama/Getty Images
A recent event at a nonprofit horse ranch in the Santa Monica Mountains offered survivors of Southern California’s Eaton Fire a day of therapy. Horses and Healing: Finding Strength After the Fires, involving somatic and equine-assisted recovery practices, is held semiregularly for those who lost their homes in the disaster, which began one year ago next Wednesday.
Clinically Proven Cellular Renewal
Aging takes a toll on your cells, resulting in diminished energy and strength. For better health in the long run, you need a product with scientifically supported results. Mitopure® targets the root cause of this natural decline by stimulating an innate cellular recycling process called mitophagy. This pathway renews your cells’ energy centers, the mitochondria. Get ready for rejuvenation, and get 30% off Mitopure®, while supplies last.
Please support our sponsors! They help us keep Nice News free. ♡
Up This Weekend
NHL Winter Classic: As usual, the annual NHL Winter Classic will be played outside, but this year it’ll be in sunny Florida for the first time, with the Panthers hosting the New York Rangers at 8 p.m. ET tonight
The Wolf Moon: The January full moon will usher in the new year in a big and bright way — it’ll be a supermoon, hitting its peak on Saturday
World Introvert Day: If all the holiday gathering has you burnt out, today’s World Introvert Day is your perfect excuse to hole up with a book or your favorite TV series
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.
