The expression “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” is often repeated to kids as a mantra of resilience. But as much as we wish it were true, the reality is that words can hurt — and a recent viral video from 25-year-old TikToker McKenna DeVelbiss perfectly demonstrates that. DeVelbiss’ message is simple: “Words matter.” In the video, she recalls times in her life when words were used cruelly, but also times when they lifted her up. Watch the 57-second speech that’s spurring “a movement of kindness.”
Must Reads
The science behind why our ability to tolerate alcohol dwindles as we age
There are countless end-of-year roundups and best-of lists that come along in December, but none are quite as delightful as the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards. This year’s winning photos were announced at a ceremony in London last night, and all the funny finalists will be on display at the city’s OXO Gallery through Sunday. The overall winner is Mark Meth-Cohn with this joyful shot of a young gorilla appearing to dance in a Rwandan forest clearing, titled “High Five.” In a press release, the U.K.-based photographer recalled the four days he spent exploring the Virunga Mountains in search of gorilla families. “On this particular day, we came across a large family group known as the Amahoro family, they were gathered in a forest clearing where the adults were calmly foraging while the youngsters were enthusiastically playing,” Meth-Cohn said. “One young male was especially keen to show off his acrobatic flair: pirouetting, tumbling, and high kicking. Watching his performance was pure joy, and I’m thrilled to have captured his playful spirit in this image.” Check out the rest of the winning shots — and consider forwarding this on to someone who could use a good laugh today.
Together With Timeline
Clinically Proven Cellular Renewal
It’s common to feel diminished energy and strength as you age. These changes are the result of mitochondria in your cells breaking down. Fortunately, there’s a solution, and it’s backed by more than 15 years of dedicated research. Mitopure® is a breakthrough supplement that helps rebuild mitochondria and improve muscle health — no extra exercise required.* Mitopure® targets the root cause of aging by stimulating an innate cellular recycling process, mitophagy, directly renewing your body’s energy centers. The result is optimized cellular health, and a refreshed, recharged you. Get ready for rejuvenation, and get 25% 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.
Science
NASA Astronaut and Crewmates Are Back on Earth After 8-Month Mission
NASA/Bill Ingalls
After eight months aboard the International Space Station, NASA astronaut Jonny Kim and Russian cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky returned home early yesterday morning. The trio launched into space April 8 on the Roscosmos Soyuz MS-27 spacecraft and traveled nearly 104 million miles during their time in the cosmos, orbiting Earth 3,920 times. Kim’s mission was to aid in a variety of scientific investigations and technology demonstrations intended to support life on Earth as well as space exploration. The projects included an experiment that could advance space-based human tissue engineering, a study that could lead to the development of robotic assistance in space, and an initiative working on in-space materials manufacturing to improve drug delivery technologies. On Tuesday, Kim and his colleagues landed in Kazakhstan on the Soyuz ferry ship via the parachute seen here. The NASA astronaut seemed healthy and well, CBS News reported, receiving a nested matryoshka doll with his face painted on it from Russian recovery crews. He said during a Sunday change-of-command ceremony that “the bond that we shared together” is what he’ll remember most from his experience, adding: “I firmly believe that the greatest quality of an astronaut, and a human, is not technical competence, or loyalty, or any of the myriad other things we like to ascribe to astronauts. It’s love.” Watch the landing.
Culture
Local Muralist in Somerset, England, Spreads Joy Though Colorful Nature Scenes
Tom Wren / SWNS
Muriel Baker longed for a garden outside her home near Glastonbury in Somerset, England, but at 94, she couldn’t manage the physical work required to maintain one. So the nonagenarian took a creative approach to the issue: She had an array of trees, roses, and butterflies painted onto her house. Baker commissioned the mural from local artist Jon Minshull, who depicted a flowering garden in no need of weeding or watering. Minshull, 61, began his career as a muralist in 2007, and has since painted thousands of murals throughout the U.K. and the U.S., typically featuring nature and wildlife. In the town of Glastonbury, where he’s from, he’s completed nearly 30 murals — including a giant giraffe and giant flowers. “Glastonbury is such a vibrant artistic and culturally rich town, which makes it perfect for murals,” Minshull told SWNS. He noted that while he’s usually asked to paint specific requests by businesses and homeowners, sometimes he’s given creative freedom to come up with his own designs. See more photos of his work, including his hometown favorite.
In Other News
New York City tied its record for the longest period without a homicide, another sign of declining crime (read more)
The youngest chess player to receive a rating from the International Chess Federation is a 3-year-old boy (read more)
An underwater survey robot collected the first-ever readings from beneath East Antarctica’s ice shelves (read more)
Over 16,000 footprints from the dinosaur group that includes the T. rex have been documented in Bolivia(read more)
8 African penguin chicks hatched at the Maryland Zoo, a win for the critically endangered species(read more)
Inspiring Story
Hoodies that hug
Millie Haywood felt out of place and lacking in purpose for years. But once she was diagnosed with autism at age 21, the now-22-year-old found her voice — and used it to launch Mentally Unstitched, a line of sensory-friendly hoodies with weighted fabric meant to calm anxiety and simulate a hug. “I really hope I can inspire people with my designs, and with my story that, you know, what’s different makes you stronger,” she said.
Photo of the Day
Cristina Sille—Anadolu/Getty Images
What do you get when you bring 2,397 golden retrievers to a park in Argentina? A lot of barking — and an unofficial world record for the largest congregation of the dog breed. Owners from all over the country convened Monday in Buenos Aires’ Bosques de Palermo, pups in tow: See footage from the event.
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 proven results. Mitopure® targets the root cause of this natural decline by stimulating an innate cellular recycling process called mitophagy. This pathway directly renews your cells’ energy centers, the mitochondria. Get ready for rejuvenation, and get 25% 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.
Please support our sponsors! They help us keep Nice News free. ♡
Odds & Ends
🎥 ICYMI: The 2026 Golden Globe nominees 😎 For snowbirds in need of a sunny destination 🦻 This tiny hearing aid is changing lives ... and it’s under $100* 🩰 The young stars stealing the show in NYC Ballet’s Nutcracker *Indicates a Nice News brand partnership or affiliate
Quote of the Day
“It takes time to live. Like any work of art, life needs to be thought about.”
