HapiFriDay Friends! 🎉

And Happy Good Friday to those who observe!

Tomorrow, India is celebrating 50 years of "Project Tiger," an initiative that has successfully revived the country's tiger population. Launched by then-prime minister Indira Gandhi in 1973, the conservation effort now encompasses 53 tiger reserves, covering more than 75,000 square kilometers.

With over 3,000 tigers – 70% of the global population – India has seen a 6% annual increase in their numbers. The government will commemorate the project's milestone with a three-day event, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will release the latest tiger census data and a special coin.

So, with celebration in mind, let’s get into some great things happening around the world! 👇

Quote of the Day 🗣

81-Year-Old Friends Travel the World in 80 Days 🌎

Friends Ellie Hamby and Sandy Hazelip decided to celebrate their milestone 80th birthdays by embarking on an 80-day trip around the world, covering all seven continents. Though the pandemic delayed their adventure, the 81-year-olds eventually set out on their journey, beginning in Antarctica and traveling to various destinations such as the North Pole, Zanzibar, Egypt, India, Nepal, Bali, Japan, Rome, and London.

As the duo documented their travels on social media platforms like TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, they quickly gained thousands of followers, earning the nickname "TikTok traveling grannies." Fans cheered on their adventures, which included tangoing in Argentina, riding camels in Egypt, and taking a husky-drawn sleigh ride at the North Pole.

Returning to Texas exactly 80 days after they began, Hamby and Hazelip were welcomed home by cheering family members at the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. The friends hope their journey has inspired future generations to embrace adventure and recognize that age should never limit one's exploration of the world.

"The Chick-Fil-A of news sources" 🏆

Trust in media is at an all-time low (shocking… we know) but let’s keep “walking around completely uninformed” as a backup plan.

The Pour Over provides concise, politically neutral, and entertaining summaries of the world’s biggest news paired with reminders to stay focused on eternity.

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HapiFriDay News Roundup 👏

🚌 4-day school week in Ohio

An Ohio school district, led by Superintendent Eugene Blalock, has switched to a four-day school week to alleviate teacher burnout and improve student achievement. With over 850 school districts nationwide adopting similar schedules, the move is seen as a potential game-changer in balancing the needs of both teachers and students.

🪴 Greener home, healthier life

A recent study suggests that having plants in homes and workplaces could help deactivate pathogenic bacteria and viruses, including COVID-19, as they produce hydrogen peroxide during photosynthesis. The study also highlights the potential of plants for climate change mitigation, but more research is needed to strengthen these findings.

👩‍⚕️ Young doctor encourages others to get screened

Dr. Lauren Juyia, a Florida gynecologist, discovered her own cancer last year and is now raising awareness about the importance of screenings. Initially experiencing pelvic heaviness and a pelvic mass, she was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer at age 37 and underwent surgery and chemotherapy. Juyia encourages people, especially those under the CDC-recommended age of 45, to pay attention to symptoms and get screened if they notice anything unusual.

🐝 Honeybees can help uncover a city's health

A study in the journal Environmental Microbiome reveals that honeybees can offer valuable insight into a city's microbiome and the health of its residents due to their foraging habits. Researchers discovered that each city has its own unique genetic signature, and understanding these microbiomes can help improve overall health outcomes.

🏃‍♀️ 85-year-old Adidas-sponsored athlete

An 85-year-old grandmother, Barbara Thackray, who runs 10k twice a week, has been chosen as one of the faces of a new Adidas advertisement, along with Liverpool footballer Mo Salah. Thackray took up running eight years ago to raise funds for St Ann's Hospice and agreed to participate in the advert in exchange for a significant donation to the hospice.

Post of the Day 👀

HapiReview of the Day 🎉

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