from SGT Report: The demand for PHYSICAL silver has never been higher while the supply of PHYSICAL silver has never been lower – and demand globally is growing far more quickly than the supply ever could. This isn’t a short term story, it’s a multi-year repricing of what has been the world’s most undervalued tangible […]

by Leo Hohmann, Leo’s Newsletter: Trump says ‘help is on the way’ but will he go in with boots on the ground, or try to accomplish the mission strictly with bombing raids? Either option is fraught with risks for America and Israel. It’s starting to feel a lot like the summer of 2003. You can […]

Their bassist quit, then the band split after one more record. Nearly four decades on, their ambitious post rock album is regarded as a masterpiece

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Norway has hit the brakes on its controversial plans to mine the deep ocean floor, announcing it will not issue any deep-sea mining licenses until at least 2029. The decision, confirmed in early December 2025, marks a significant shift in momentum for the fledgling industry and offers breathing room for environmental advocates who have long warned of the irreversible risks posed to marine ecosystems. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre emphasized that this is a postponement, not a permanent ban, but for many critics of the practice, the delay is being hailed as a victory nonetheless. Political negotiations lead to a legislative slowdown The halt came as part of a broader budget negotiation between the ruling Labour Party and a coalition of left-leaning parties, including the Socialist Left, the Greens, the Reds, and the Centre Party. While Labour leads the government, it lacks a parliamentary majority and needs coalition support to pass its 2026 budget. The political compromise now ensures that no licenses for deep-sea mining will be issued during the current legislative term, which ends in 2029. As a result, the controversial industry’s ambitions in Norway have been put on ice for the next four years. Norway’s original deep-sea mining ambitions Norway made headlines in 2024 when it became the first country in the world to approve deep-sea mining within its own national waters, with the goal of tapping mineral-rich nodules needed for clean energy technologies like solar panels and electric vehicle batteries. The government had designated a vast area of around 280,000 square kilometers between Svalbard, Greenland, and Iceland for potential exploration. Mining licenses were originally expected to be issued as early as 2025. Supporters of the move framed it as a bold step toward a “green transition,” reducing reliance on oil and gas by supplying critical minerals for renewable energy and digital infrastructure. But critics argued that the ecological risks were too high, and that the push for seabed mining was built on shaky environmental and economic justifications. Environmental warnings get louder Scientists and advocacy groups have repeatedly cautioned that deep-sea mining could cause permanent damage to fragile ocean ecosystems and disturb one of the planet’s largest carbon stores. While proponents claim the practice can be done sustainably, the science remains far from settled. “We know so little about the deep ocean, but we know enough to be sure that mining it will wipe out unique wildlife, disturb the world’s largest carbon store, and do nothing to speed the transition to clean economies,” said Steve Trent, CEO and founder of the Environmental Justice Foundation. A 2024 report by the foundation concluded that seabed mining is not necessary to achieve clean energy targets. Instead, a mix of recycling, circular economy strategies, and improved technology could reduce the need for new mineral extraction by 58 percent between 2022 and 2050. Environmentalists call for permanent protection The temporary freeze has reignited calls for Norway to support a global moratorium on deep-sea mining and to take a more active role in marine conservation. “This must be the nail in the coffin for the deep-sea mining industry in Norway,” said Haldis Tjeldflaat Helle of Greenpeace Nordic, adding that “any government that is committed to sustainable ocean management cannot support deep-sea mining.” Helle also urged the Norwegian government to “step up and become a real ocean leader” by formally protecting Arctic deep-sea ecosystems from industrial extraction. What happens next? Although the pause provides a temporary safeguard, Norway’s official stance leaves the door open to future development. Prime Minister Støre noted that the Socialist Left Party, one of the key players behind the budget deal, “does not hold power forever.” That said, for now, no mining activity will take place during the current parliamentary session, and with growing scrutiny from scientists, environmentalists, and even some industry leaders, the pathway to commercial deep-sea mining remains uncertain. As the world heads into 2026 with increasing urgency around climate action and biodiversity loss, Norway’s pause offers a moment of reflection and perhaps a test case for how resource-hungry nations balance environmental stewardship with technological ambition.   Did this solution stand out? Share it with a friend or support our mission by becoming an Emissary.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM As each new year begins, many of us feel an intuitive pull to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with ourselves in a more intentional way. Meditation is often high on the resolution list, and for good reason. It’s been linked to improved sleep, less stress, greater focus, and even faster healing, both in the physical and emotional sense. But within the broad world of meditation, there’s one simple, heart-centered practice that can offer a surprisingly powerful reset: loving-kindness meditation, also known as metta. This practice, rooted in ancient Buddhist tradition but open to anyone regardless of belief, gently trains the mind toward compassion. It begins intrinsically, with ourselves, and ripples outward to others. It’s accessible, deeply nourishing, and, with just a few minutes a day, can shift not only how we feel but also how we relate to the world around us. What loving-kindness really means  Loving-kindness, or metta in the ancient Pali language, is not romantic or transactional. It’s not something given with expectation, nor is it limited by categories like friend or stranger, rich or poor. Rather, it’s a universal and unconditional friendliness; a wish for well-being that can be extended to all living things. In Pali, metta carries two beautiful meanings: “gentle,” as in a soft, nourishing spring rain, and “friend.” It’s a feeling of warmth, care, and nonjudgmental presence that we offer first to ourselves and then gradually to the wider world. As mindfulness scholar and longtime meditation teacher Jeremy David Engels puts it, metta is “the rarest and most precious gift—a gift of love offered without any expectation of it being returned.” How to practice loving-kindness meditation  The roots of loving-kindness meditation trace back centuries, including detailed instructions written by Sri Lankan monk Buddhaghosa in the fifth century. But the practice has evolved to be simple and adaptable for modern life. At its core, the meditation involves repeating a series of well-wishing phrases either silently or aloud while directing warm thoughts toward yourself and others. You might begin with: May I be filled with loving-kindness May I be safe from inner and outer dangers May I be well in body and mind May I be at ease and happy Take time to really feel the emotion behind the words. Then, extend these wishes outward. Begin with someone you love like a close friend, a partner, a pet, or even a favorite tree or plant. Adjust the language slightly: May you be filled with loving-kindness May you be safe… May you be well… May you be at ease and happy The practice continues to expand in concentric circles: from loved ones to acquaintances, from strangers to those we struggle with, and finally, to all living beings. The final round often uses “May we…” phrasing, embracing a shared sense of humanity. What begins as an inward gesture of kindness becomes a full-hearted embrace of the wider world. The science behind metta meditation  It might sound simple, but loving-kindness meditation has some serious science behind it. Studies have shown it can reduce anxiety and depression, boost life satisfaction, and increase both self-compassion and acceptance. Practicing metta regularly helps to quiet the inner critic and foster a stronger sense of connection with others. And its impact doesn’t stop at the personal level. As Engels notes in his research, loving-kindness has broader implications for how we engage with each other, especially in times of social tension. “The practice of democracy,” he writes, “requires us to work together with friends, strangers and even purported ‘opponents.’ This is difficult to do if our hearts are full of hatred and resentment.” Through metta, we soften the edges. We prepare ourselves gently, day by day, to be more open, more generous, and more collaborative. And that can have ripple effects far beyond the meditation cushion. Where to begin  If you’re curious to try loving-kindness meditation, start small. You don’t need any special tools or background in meditation. Just find a quiet space, sit comfortably, and spend a few minutes each day repeating the phrases and focusing on the feeling behind them. You can follow a guided session from a trusted teacher or app, or simply go at your own pace. With consistency, you may notice shifts in how you feel as well as how you relate to others and show up in daily life. Loving-kindness meditation is more than a feel-good exercise. It’s a meaningful practice that can help you build emotional resilience, deepen compassion, and nurture both inner peace and outer connection. Whether you’re new to meditation or looking for a fresh start in the new year, metta offers a beautifully simple, healing way to open your heart.   Did this solution stand out? Share it with a friend or support our mission by becoming an Emissary.

When life gets busy and blessings become background noise, this prayer helps you slow down and notice the everyday evidence of God’s kindness—from hummingbirds to sunlit clouds.

Discover why daily repentance is essential for Christians, not as a means to earn salvation, but as a path to honoring God and living a life aligned with His will. Explore ten compelling reasons, from expressing love for Jesus to avoiding the destructive nature of sin, that underscore the transformative power of a repentant heart.

Our home is where we spend the majority of our time, making it the central place where Christ can be at the center of our lives. It is where we eat, sleep, live, and build relationships with others. In this article, we'll explore various approaches to infusing Christ's essence into our homes, including the physical, relational, spiritual, and personal aspects. This article will hopefully serve as a call to transform our familiar dwelling into a sacred sanctuary.

When I cave under pressure and bend to the lies that I am not enough or unable to fulfill this list of demands, please fight on my behalf and ward off the enemy.