Good Morning! 🌞 

Ever watch something that makes you question physics and your life choices? This Red Bull compilation is exactly that—a wild, high-adrenaline mashup of extreme sports moments so surreal, they look like CGI. From snowboarders slicing through air like butter to bikers dancing on the edge of impossible, it’s not just a highlight reel—it’s a full-on tribute to human defiance.

Honestly, it had me wondering if I’ve ever truly jumped in my life.

What’s the most gravity-defying thing you’ve ever done—or wish you could?

Innovation

Starquakes Sparked Earth's Gold

For decades, scientists believed that heavy elements like gold were forged in the fiery deaths of massive stars—supernovae. These cosmic explosions scattered the building blocks of the periodic table across the galaxy, eventually seeding planets like Earth. But a new theory is challenging that long-held view by suggesting another, equally dramatic origin story.

The source? Magnetars—an ultra-dense type of neutron star with magnetic fields a trillion times stronger than Earth’s. According to a new study published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, these exotic objects may create heavy elements during violent “starquakes,” sudden shifts in their solid crusts. Lead author Anirudh Patel and coauthor Eric Burns propose that such quakes can eject gold, uranium, and iron into space. Some magnetars date back to just 200 million years after the Big Bang, making them ancient and prolific element forgers.

The researchers analyzed gamma ray data from a powerful magnetar flare detected in 2004. Though poorly understood at the time, that signal now matches predictions about how magnetar flares might distribute heavy elements—insights first proposed by Patel’s PhD advisor, Brian Metzger. Their findings suggest up to 10% of the galaxy’s heavy elements could originate from magnetar quakes. That means the gold in your ring may have come not from a supernova, but from one of the most extreme environments in the universe—ripped from the crust of a collapsing star in a cosmic quake.

Culture

The Art of Dimsum

Today, we’re spotlighting a video that unwraps the centuries-old tradition behind one of the world’s most beloved culinary rituals: dim sum. 🍵🥟

What began as simple snacks for travelers along the Silk Road in teahouses known as yum cha slowly transformed into a cultural staple. As tea gatherings gained popularity, so did the variety and complexity of these bite-sized treats—from dumplings and buns to sweet pastries. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, dim sum flourished in southern China, especially in Guangdong, where the Cantonese elevated it into an art form. These morning and midday meals became more than food—they became social gatherings, ways to connect, celebrate, and share stories.

Now a global phenomenon, dim sum continues to evolve while honoring its roots. Whether you’re sipping tea in Hong Kong or brunching in New York, the spirit of dim sum—connection, care, and craft—remains the same.

Fair warning: one look at these dumplings, and you’ll be planning your next yum cha.

Environment

European Beach Litter Declines

Litter levels on European beaches are falling sharply, according to a new report from the European Union’s Joint Research Center. From the Baltic to the Aegean, coastlines are seeing less trash—particularly plastic—thanks to a combination of regulation and public participation. The Coastline Macro Litter Trend report found a 30% overall drop in beach litter between 2015 and 2021, with single-use plastics—the most common and persistent offenders—down by 40%.

The study, which surveyed 253 beaches across Europe, highlighted strong regional improvements. Baltic Sea beaches saw the largest decrease at 45%, while the Mediterranean, despite its popularity and heavy tourist traffic, posted a notable 38% decline. Specific items like plastic bags and discarded fishing gear dropped by around 20%, signaling broad progress in cutting back ocean-bound waste. These results are measured in terms of the number of litter pieces per 100 meters of coastline.

This shift is part of the EU’s broader Zero Pollution Action Plan, which aims to halve plastic litter at sea by 2030. The results so far suggest that the goal is well within reach. For many residents and visitors used to sorting waste into separate bins, the payoff is becoming tangible. A reduction of about 150 pieces of litter per 100 meters on Mediterranean beaches doesn’t just reflect tighter rules—it shows that people are taking them seriously.

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Mind Stretchers

⁉️ 

Two humble hoops in tidy line,
No roar or rumble, yet off you shine.
Legs keep the rhythm, hands guide the flight—
You’re bound to the earth, yet feel weightless tonight.
What am I?

Yesterday’s Answers to the Mind Stretchers:

I have a bowl but never eat, A handle long, a form so neat. I dive in deep but never drown, I help you slurp or chow it down. What am I? — a spoon! James Godfrey got this correct first! 🌞 

Be the first to send us the correct answer for today’s mind stretcher for a shout-out with the answer tomorrow. Just send us the answer and your name to [email protected] or reply to email.

If you have any uplifting stories and experience you might want to share, send those over to [email protected] for the chance to be featured.