In addition to being Friday the 13th, today is World Radio Day — an opportunity “to thank broadcasters for the news they deliver, the voices they amplify, and the stories they share,” per the United Nations. In honor of the occasion, listen to President Woodrow Wilson’s 1923 Armistice Day address, the earliest surviving recording of a regular radio broadcast. And instead of plugging in your phone on your daily commute, consider scanning the old-school radio stations — you might find one you love.
Calling All Birdwatchers! The Great Backyard Bird Count Starts Today
John Carl D'Annibale—Albany Times Union/Getty Images
Songbirds, seabirds, fowl, and waders … feathered friends that chirp, trill, caw, coo, and hoo. The Great Backyard Bird Count wants to hear about them all! Today through Monday, the annual citizen science event sponsored by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology is inviting volunteers to record what birds they see during any 15-minute window and then submit their sightings online. The goal is to create a real-time global snapshot of bird populations, helping scientists track trends, migration, and conservation needs, while also encouraging people to “connect to birds, to nature, and with each other.” (Bonus: Recent research shows that listening to birdsong can reduce stress.) “The world feels really small when you start to see all these submissions coming in from literally everywhere,” Becca Rodomsky-Bish, project leader for the annual count, said in a statement. “More than anything, the GBBC is about people coming together and sharing the joy of birds, because birds are spectacular and wonderful and inspiring — and they’re everywhere.” Learn how to participate.
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The Best Hotels in the World for 2026, According to U.S. News & World Report
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Looking for a hotel that’s (much) more than a place to rest your head? U.S. News & World Report released its 16th annual best hotels ranking, evaluating over 31,000 accommodations in more than 400 destinations around the world — from all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean to five-star stays in Canada. The list featured plenty of repeat victors: For the second year running, Four Seasons Resort Hualalai on Hawaii’s Big Island claimed the No. 1 spot in the U.S. category, and the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto maintained its top position in Canada. Across the pond, Adare Manor in Ireland held onto the lead spot in Europe. To determine the best of the best, the report factored in the hotels’ star ratings, verified guest reviews, and the opinions of published travel experts. “Recognition in this year’s rankings sets hotels and resorts apart as the industry’s best, and each list provides a centralstarting point for travelers seeking the best options for them,” Zach Watson, senior data editor for travel at U.S. News, said in a statement. Explore the rankings.
Lifestyle
The Slow Flowers Movement Is in Full Bloom
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With Valentine’s Day tomorrow, expect to see lots of plastic-wrapped bouquets in grocery carts. But if you want to reallyimpress an eco-conscious loved one, consider opting for slow flowers instead. Much like slow fashion, the slow flowers movement emphasizes intentionality. “It is a movement to know where your flowers are grown, your farmer’s name, the ethical conditions of the workers, and types of chemicals used (if any) to grow your flowers,” sustainable florist Holly Łukasiewicz explained in an Instagram post. As much as we hate to be bloom buzzkills, more than 80% of the flowers sold in the U.S. come from afar, which creates massive carbon emissions from long-haul transport. Many flowers also get dosed with fertilizers and pesticides, leading to runoff. Fortunately, you can still treat yourself or a special someone to a pretty bouquet with less of the environmental impact by supporting local farmers markets and shopping organic. Consult the databases at Slow Flowers or Local Harvest to find sustainable florists and farmers in your neck of the woods.
Global Good
🇮🇳 The $1 million Global Teacher Prize went to an Indian educator who has opened over 800 learning centers (read more) 🇳🇱 Dutch kids helped transform a fire-damaged ice rink into a vibrant and light-filled new playground (read more) 🇨🇱 After astronomers warned a project in Chile would threaten the world’s clearest skies, it got the kibosh (read more) 🇱🇦 The “Amazon of Asia” is a biodiversity hot spot — meet nine rare animals recently spotted by camera traps (read more) 🇪🇪 Estonia opened its first ice road of the season, allowing drivers to go across a frozen stretch of Baltic Sea (read more)
Something We Love
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Inspiring Story
A place to grieve (and get coffee)
The walls of Reinne’s Place — a coffee shop pop-up in Long Beach, California — are lined with notes from customers writing to loved ones who have died, their past selves, or exes. It’s meant to be a place where people can feel comfortable processing grief: “At least once a day, someone comes up to me and starts crying,” said owner Tommy Le. He opened the makeshift cafe in honor of his late girlfriend Reinne Lim, who was killed by a drunk driver in 2022, and plans to launch a permanent space this spring.
Eyes on Milano Cortina
Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
When figure skater Maxim Naumov — whose parents died in the Potomac River plane crash last year — finished his season-best performance on Tuesday to a standing ovation, there was no question he was skating for more than points. “I finished on my knees, and I didn’t know if I was going to cry, smile, or laugh, and all I could do was just look up and say, ‘Look what we just did.’ I said it in English. I said in Russian. And it’s true. We did it together,” Naumov, 24, told reporters afterward. “I just hope I made everyone proud.” When his score was read out, he clutched onto a childhood photo of himself with his parents, both former Olympic figure skaters themselves. Tune in to the Games at 1 p.m. ET today for coverage of the men’s free skate competition, which will include performances from Naumov and “Quad God” Ilia Malinin.
Language Learning With Rosetta Stone: A Love That Lasts a Lifetime
This Valentine’s Day, give a gift designed to last. Rosetta Stone’s Lifetime Unlimited plan offers access to 25 languages forever: no subscriptions, no renewals, no expiration. With friendly, bite-size lessons and built-in pronunciation support, learning is approachable and encouraging at any pace. It’s a simple way to grow, connect, and keep the mind engaged — long after Valentine’s Day has passed. Normally $399, you can now get the plan for just $149.
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Up This Weekend
Valentine’s Day: It’d be hard to miss all the Valentine’s Day marketing and pink-and-red everything leading up to tomorrow’s holiday, but just in case, this is your final reminder
Mardi Gras: Fat Tuesday is officially on Feb. 17, but New Orleans has been celebrating Carnival for weeks, with more than two dozen parades completed or scheduled (side note: If you live in the Midwest, now’s a good time to order paczki)
Lunar New Year: Though, like Mardi Gras, the Lunar New Year doesn’t actually start until Tuesday, preparations are definitely underway across the globe — check out the colorful lanterns illuminating a Shanghai garden ahead of the Year of the Fire Horse
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