In today’s news, Japan provides emergency aid to Afghan returnees and local host communities. International study finds higher sea-level risk for over 100 million more globally than previously thought, Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States residents receive free trees in green initiative, Egyptian women near Nile River benefit from innovative empowerment program, two strangers save man from burning vehicle in United States, Danish company significantly expands production of fermented vegan ingredients, and large tortoiseshell butterflies make remarkable return to UK.
Planting season is coming for me! I would like to share a handy gardening tip with you. Sowing seeds can be tricky, but mixing them with sand is a simple, low-cost way to improve accuracy. The sand acts as a bulking agent, increasing volume so seeds are easier to handle and spread evenly. This is especially helpful for tiny seeds like foxgloves, petunias, lobelia, oregano, thyme, and mint, which are hard to pick up, easily lost, and often over-sown, leading to overcrowding, wasted seed, and root disturbance when thinning. The sand naturally separates seeds for better spacing and, if light in color, helps you see where you’ve sown. It’s also ideal for larger areas like lawns or wildflower patches, improving control when scattering or using spreaders. The added weight reduces wind drift and helps seeds settle into the soil for better contact and germination. For best results, use clean, coarse horticultural sand, as it is washed, well-graded, and pH neutral, supporting healthy growth without compaction.
We now want to help you chill out with the joke of the day. It’s called “No More Lateness.”
After five days of being late with his daily morning report...
“This is the fifth time this week, Miller! Any explanation?”
“Yes, Boss! It’s Friday, and I promise it won’t happen again tomorrow.”
“You only work 5 days a week.”
“That’s why I guarantee it won’t happen tomorrow.”
?!
And now we have a heartline in Japanese, with multiple-language subtitles, from Chinatsu in Japan
