Russia also transports LNG to Europe via tanker and is currently the second-largest LNG supplier to the European Union after the United States.

The grander a dictator’s ambitions, the more likely he is to see religion as a threat. So it is with Xi Jinping, who has ruled the People’s Republic of China (PRC) with increasing ruthlessness since November 2012, when he became general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party. Continue Reading...

by Paul Dragu, The New American: The United States won’t hesitate to bomb Iran again. President Donald Trump made this crystal clear on Monday during a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his side. Trump’s comments were related to rumors that Iran has been secretly reviving its nuclear enrichment program. “Now I […]

from Alex Christoforou: TRUTH LIVES on at https://sgtreport.tv/

They’re “wonderful.” READ MORE...

Growing unrest in Iran has claimed more lives on a fifth day of protests according to reports. What started as a protest against the economic crisis in Iran has now grown with protestors demanding a [...] The post At least Seven People Dead As Unrest In Iran Grows appeared first on The People's Voice.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Our Best of 2025 Education stories reflect a growing global commitment to reimagining how we learn, teach, and grow. These five highlights explore new models, inspiring individuals, and bold ideas that bring equity and creativity into classrooms and beyond. Water lentils, a protein-packed and environmentally friendly plant, have officially been approved as a vegetable in Europe, offering a promising contribution to the protein transition and global food security. However, for this tiny but mighty plant to make a real impact, both food producers and consumers must first embrace it. From duckweed to dinner plate Most people might recognize water lentils as duckweed, the small, green plants that float and multiply rapidly in stagnant water. While commonly consumed in Thailand and other parts of Asia, they have yet to gain popularity in the West, despite being referenced as early as 1644 in a Dutch herbal book as ‘Water Linsen oft Enden Groen’ (Water Lentils or Duckweed). That might be about to change. Senior researcher Dr. Ingrid van der Meer of Wageningen Plant Research first became interested in water lentils a decade ago. “They have a number of biological processes that differ from those of other plants,” she explained. “From a scientific point of view, water lentils are very intriguing.” Over time, her fascination deepened. “They grow quickly, are suitable for contained cultivation, and their dry weight contains massive amounts of protein. I thought: why don’t we eat this?” A sustainability powerhouse In many ways, water lentils are the ideal vegetable for a more sustainable future. “They are an exceptionally sustainable vegetable,” said Van der Meer. “They are cultivated on water and don’t need many nutrients. Of course, water is a precious commodity, but in a simple greenhouse or vertical farm, growers can use it very efficiently.” Unlike traditional crops, water lentils require no farmland, making them ideal for indoor farming, even in urban environments. Additionally, they grow exponentially, much like yeast, doubling every three days. With proper cultivation, they can yield over six times more protein per hectare than soy, according to calculations by Wageningen University & Research (WUR). And the best part? They require no pesticides. Packed with nutrition and taste With increasing calls to adopt plant-based diets for both health and environmental reasons, water lentils are well-positioned to play a key role. Not only are they rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, but they also contain a perfect balance of essential amino acids, making them a highly nutritious leafy green. But how do they taste? According to WUR studies, taste panels gave water lentils high marks. “They have a plant-like, slightly nutty flavor and have a nice bite despite their size,” researchers found. In various test dishes that included soup, stew, ravioli, and pesto, panel members responded positively, encouraging chefs to explore their culinary potential. Overcoming regulatory roadblocks Despite their potential, water lentils faced significant legal hurdles before gaining approval in the European Union. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) classified them as a ‘novel food,’ meaning they required extensive scientific research and regulatory approval before hitting the market. “It takes immense amounts of time and money to submit a novel food request,” Van der Meer noted. Determined to see water lentils widely accepted, she and her colleagues at Wageningen Research compiled a comprehensive dossier proving their safety. With support from the Wellcome Trust in London and the Goeie Grutten foundation, the researchers successfully met EFSA’s stringent requirements, including demonstrating that water lentils could be cultivated with manganese levels comparable to spinach. Their persistence paid off. In 2021, EFSA approved the consumption of Wolffia, the type of water lentil traditionally eaten in Thailand, under more relaxed guidelines. Now, with the recent approval of the Lemna variety, European consumers have a new sustainable food option. Bringing water lentils to market With regulatory barriers cleared, the next challenge is commercial production. Currently, water lentils are not cultivated at scale within the EU. However, other countries are already taking the lead. In Israel, they are marketed as ‘green caviar,’ while a U.S.-based start-up founded by two Dutch entrepreneurs is working on extracting protein from the plant. Since 2022, Wageningen University has been coordinating efforts to bring together industry players to explore sustainable production methods such as vertical farming. The goal is to integrate water lentils into mainstream food products, whether fresh, frozen, or as an ingredient in pasta, cheese, smoothies, or plant-based meat substitutes. Consumer acceptance: the final hurdle While researchers and food industry leaders work on supply, they are also looking at demand. “We need to keep the consumer in mind,” Van der Meer emphasized. “We won’t continue the project if people don’t want to eat water lentils.” To gauge public interest, Wageningen Food & Biobased Research conducted extensive consumer studies. Over 1,000 participants were surveyed based on background information and product images, while others took part in taste tests. Initial hesitation gave way to approval. After just a couple of days, participants found water lentils as enjoyable as spinach. In fact, some even preferred water lentil soup to its spinach-based counterpart. Yet, the biggest challenge remains: getting food companies to take the leap. “It’s a chicken and egg situation,” Van der Meer admitted. “Are food companies waiting for interested consumers, or can consumers only develop a taste for this product once it’s available?” One thing is clear: if water lentils gain recognition as quickly as they grow, they might soon become a staple on European plates.   Did this solution from 2025 stand out to you? Support The Optimist Daily so we can fill 2026 with more positive headlines like this. Become an Emissary and help guide more people to solutions with us here.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Our Best of 2025 Education stories reflect a growing global commitment to reimagining how we learn, teach, and grow. These five highlights explore new models, inspiring individuals, and bold ideas that bring equity and creativity into classrooms and beyond. If you’ve ever caught yourself endlessly scrolling on your phone and thought, This can’t be good for me, you’re not alone. The average American adult spends more than two hours a day on social media, while teens can double that with apps like TikTok and Instagram. Recognizing the addictive nature of these platforms, more people are searching for solutions. In fact, Google searches for “social media detox” have surged by 60 percent in recent months. But does taking a break really make a difference? Experts and studies say yes, and the impact on your brain and overall well-being might be more profound than you think. How social media hooks your brain Social media taps into your brain’s reward system in much the same way addictive substances do, according to Dr. Anna Lembke, author of Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence. Every like, comment, or funny video triggers a dopamine surge—that “feel-good” chemical that keeps you coming back for more. But here’s the catch: Your brain craves balance. Over time, the constant flood of dopamine from endless scrolling can throw off that balance. Your brain compensates by reducing dopamine production or slowing its transmission, leaving you in a “dopamine deficit.” The result? You need even more screen time to feel normal. Hitting pause on this cycle allows your brain to reset its reward pathways. “When you take a break from social media, you can stop the compulsive overconsumption that leads to brain fog or ‘brain rot,’” Lembke explains. The science of detoxing Taking a break from social media, even for a few days, can yield noticeable benefits. A study led by Paige Coyne and Sarah Woodruff explored the effects of a two-week detox on young adults, finding significant improvements in mental health. Participants reported reduced stress, better sleep, and greater life satisfaction after capping their daily social media use to just 30 minutes. In another study of teen girls, a three-day break from social media boosted self-esteem and decreased body shame. “Even short breaks can help us become more aware of how these platforms affect us,” Woodruff notes. However, the initial days of detox can be tough. Cravings, anxiety, and withdrawal symptoms are common as your brain adjusts to lower dopamine levels. “But enduring this discomfort allows your brain to reboot and break the cycle of constant craving,” Lembke says. The good news? Most participants in detox studies found that after a few days, it became easier than they had anticipated and even enjoyable. How to navigate social media withdrawal 1. Set realistic goals: Not everyone needs to quit cold turkey. Decide whether you want to reduce your time online by half, take a short break, or give it up entirely for a few weeks. 2. Find support: Joining forces with friends or “detox buddies” can make the process less isolating. In one study, teen participants shared their detox experiences in a WhatsApp group, helping them combat FOMO (fear of missing out). 3. Replace dopamine hits: Swap instant gratification for activities that offer delayed but satisfying rewards, like cooking, playing an instrument, or exercising. These healthier dopamine sources help keep your brain in balance. 4. Create barriers: Keep your phone out of the bedroom, turn off notifications, or use apps that limit screen time. Physical or mental barriers can prevent you from slipping back into old habits. Maintaining balance after the break A social media detox isn’t just about hitting reset; it’s also an opportunity to reflect on your relationship with these platforms. Are they helping you achieve your goals or stealing time from meaningful activities? Experts recommend periodic detoxes to keep consumption in check and to reassess how social media fits into your life. “We can’t eliminate social media altogether,” Woodruff says. “But taking breaks can help us reset and ensure we’re using these platforms in ways that benefit us.” By being intentional and mindful, you can harness the positives of social media while avoiding its pitfalls. After all, the goal isn’t to quit entirely. It’s to take control.     Did this solution from 2025 stand out to you? Support The Optimist Daily so we can fill 2026 with more positive headlines like this. Become an Emissary and help guide more people to solutions with us here.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Our Best of 2025 Education stories reflect a growing global commitment to reimagining how we learn, teach, and grow. These five highlights explore new models, inspiring individuals, and bold ideas that bring equity and creativity into classrooms and beyond. At CART High near Fresno, there are no bells, no fights, and no hallways echoing with chaos. Instead, students carry laptops through bright, spacious corridors on their way to classes in biotechnology, forensics, and digital marketing. It looks and feels nothing like a traditional public high school, and that’s precisely the point. CART, short for Center for Advanced Research and Technology, could represent the future of education in California. As Linda Darling-Hammond, president of the State Board of Education, put it: “The big, old-fashioned factory model of high school—where students run from class to class with a locker as their only stable point of contact—is not succeeding. We need to overhaul the whole idea of what high school can be.” Now, a new statewide pilot program from the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence aims to do just that. Backed by $10 million in state funding, the initiative invites districts to redesign high school and middle school learning, focusing on flexibility, real-world experience, and stronger connections between students, teachers, and communities. A century-old system ready for change Public high schools, as we know them, are barely a century old. Born from early 20th-century industrial ideals, they were designed around efficiency. As many of us know, this resulted in standardized classes, 50-minute periods, and a rigid unit system known as the Carnegie unit. But modern research in adolescent development shows teenagers learn best through autonomy, hands-on projects, and collaboration. “It should be a joy to go to school every day,” Darling-Hammond said. And at CART, it seems to be. Students don’t memorize facts for tests; they immerse themselves in topics that matter to them. Instead of racing through fragmented classes, they spend three hours per day in interdisciplinary “labs” where English, science, and art intersect. This shift is already producing results. Attendance hovers near 100 percent, discipline issues are rare, and over 90 percent of students score proficient in English. Principal Rick Watson says educators from around the world visit to study CART’s model. “Comprehensive high schools don’t work for some B, C, D students,” he explained. “The students have potential, but they’re disconnected. They’re desperate for a different model of education.” Teaching that sparks curiosity At CART, the focus is on engagement and deep, not rote, learning. English teacher Emily Saeteurn explains: “We work really hard to get kids to see the bigger picture of why they’re learning what they’re learning. We want them to have that ‘aha!’ moment.” Biotechnology students read The Andromeda Strain and The Martian before writing their own science fiction stories based on real genetic concepts. In law and policy, teens read Othello and Hamlet before staging mock trials of Shakespearean characters. The approach makes academics tangible and relevant. Senior Madelyn Quiroga says she struggled at her traditional high school but thrives at CART. “At my other school, they just throw stuff at you and never really explain it. Here, they actually teach us, and it’s all stuff we actually want to know,” she said. “Like when I hear someone talk about CRISPR, it’s like, ‘Oh, I know something about that.’” Her classmate Audrey Riede, studying law, says she now hopes to become a defense attorney. “CART is way better than normal school,” she said. “The teachers aren’t just trying to get you to pass; they really want to make you think.” Challenges ahead for reform The state faces major hurdles in expanding CART’s success. Colleges still rely on the A-G course requirements and traditional letter grades for admissions, leaving little flexibility for innovative coursework. The Carnegie unit, which ties credits to time spent in class rather than mastery, remains deeply embedded in both high school and university systems. Even the Carnegie Foundation has urged reforms, advocating for progress-based measures over time-based ones. But as of now, most higher education institutions remain reluctant to change. Still, advocates like Russlynn Ali, head of the XQ Institute and former U.S. Department of Education official, believe the momentum is shifting. “There are young people today who’ve graduated from high school but can’t calculate the tip on a split bill or grasp the main idea in an op-ed piece,” she said. “The case for change is unmistakable.” A model of possibility CART’s success story began 25 years ago as a partnership between Clovis Unified and Fresno Unified, designed to help struggling students connect learning to real careers. Today, it serves 1,000 juniors and seniors each year, nearly 80 percent from low-income families. The school’s popularity continues to grow. Last year, more than twice as many students applied as there were spots available. As California prepares to announce the winning redesign proposals, CART’s bright yellow halls stand as a living example of what education could be: a place where learning feels relevant, curiosity thrives, and every student, from the A student to the “C kid”, finds a reason to show up.     Did this solution from 2025 stand out to you? Support The Optimist Daily so we can fill 2026 with more positive headlines like this. Become an Emissary and help guide more people to solutions with us here.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Our Best of 2025 Education stories reflect a growing global commitment to reimagining how we learn, teach, and grow. These five highlights explore new models, inspiring individuals, and bold ideas that bring equity and creativity into classrooms and beyond. In a world where happiness in so many places is slowly declining, Iceland is going against the grain. According to the 2025 World Happiness Report, it’s one of the few countries in the top 20 where happiness is actually increasing. Since 2008, Iceland has seen a remarkable 9.1 percent boost in reported well-being, a rise nearly unmatched by any other nation. Ranked third on the happiness scale this year (up from 18th in 2008), Iceland now tops global charts in social support and ranks highly in freedom and generosity. And with a population of just under 400,000, it’s punching well above its weight. So, what makes Icelanders so joyful while many other nations are seeing a slump in spirits? Nature as a national therapist For many Icelanders, the answer begins with the land itself. “From home, from work, it’s very easy to get to a national park or open spaces where we can hike, walk by the river, coast, or lakes,” says Hrund Gunnsteinsdóttir, author of the upcoming book InnSæi: Heal, Revive and Reset with the Icelandic Art of Intuition. The country’s dramatic natural environment of volcanoes, glaciers, hot springs, and wide open skies offers not just beauty, but also emotional clarity. Jessica Poteet, a geologist from the United States who moved to Iceland, says, “Being somewhere with volcanoes and Northern Lights and cotton candy-pink skies with snow-capped mountains in winter is a dream. I never take it for granted. It’s one of the key things contributing to my happiness.” Even employers take note of this relationship with nature. On particularly sunny days, many workplaces offer employees a “Sun holiday,” encouraging them to spend the day outside hiking or skiing. In a world that often prizes productivity above all else, Iceland’s nature-first culture is a refreshing alternative. A deep-rooted safety net Beneath the awe-inspiring landscapes lies another important contributor to Icelanders’ contentment: a strong social system that creates a foundation of stability. “During COVID, I lost my job. I was able to go on unemployment until I found a new job,” shares Brenna Elizabeth Scheving, an American expat. She also benefited from Iceland’s generous parental leave policy: 12 months of shared leave between parents, regardless of gender or marital status. Adoption is covered, too. Kindergarten starts as early as age two, ensuring that families can return to work without the stress of unaffordable childcare. These structural supports go a long way in creating a culture where people can live with more ease and less fear. Equality woven into daily life Perhaps even more impressive is Iceland’s longstanding commitment to gender equality. The country has ranked first in the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Index for 15 consecutive years, and the results are felt across society. “The government is run by women,” says Gunnsteinsdóttir. In fact, Iceland was the first country to democratically elect a female president in 1980. Gunnsteinsdóttir remembers the moment vividly: “I was six years old when she was elected president, and I didn’t necessarily conceive of a man being a president.” The seeds of progress were sown decades ago. This year marks 50 years since the historic Women’s Day Off, when Icelandic women went on strike to protest inequality in pay and politics. “I’m truly grateful to these women and the men who supported them,” says Gunnsteinsdóttir. “Where you have gender equality, the social, economic, and political aspects tend to be more stable and better for people and the natural surroundings.” Balancing tourism with well-being That doesn’t mean Iceland is without its challenges. The cost of living, particularly in Reykjavík, has risen sharply. “The cost of living is steep, especially housing, which can be a struggle for both locals and expats,” says Kevin Mercier, a French photographer and longtime resident. Tourism has played a role in this rise. With 2.3 million visitors in 2024 alone—nearly six times the country’s population—housing and infrastructure have been stretched. But many Icelanders believe the pros outweigh the cons. Tourism has brought improved roads, community access, and new economic opportunities. Poteet points to the development of trails at the Fagradalsfjall volcano as a quick and welcome response to rising visitor numbers. The completion of the Ring Road, which now connects even the most remote areas, is another success. “It was great for everyone,” she says. Meanwhile, hotels are leading with purpose. ION Hotels, founded by Sigurlaug Sverrisdóttir, boasts female-majority staff and a focus on sustainability. Hotel Ranga offers guests a “Live Like an Icelander” experience, taking them to ancient farmsteads and sacred wells. Resilience in the face of change At the core of Icelanders’ rising happiness might be something less tangible but deeply ingrained: resilience. Gunnsteinsdóttir refers to the Icelandic word innsæi, which means both “the sea within” and “to see from the inside out.” It speaks to intuition, adaptability, and an inner compass shaped by living in a land that can shake beneath your feet. “In recent years, we’ve had multiple eruptions and earthquakes. When you constantly feel the earth is shaking, it really reminds you that things can change quite rapidly,” she says. “When it comes to happiness, it encourages us to make the best out of what we have when things don’t go according to plan.” From epic scenery to deeply held values, Iceland offers more than just beauty and tranquility. It offers a model of what a happier life might look like; one rooted in nature, fairness, and the strength to adapt. And in an increasingly uncertain world, that may be the most valuable lesson of all.   Did this solution from 2025 stand out to you? Support The Optimist Daily so we can fill 2026 with more positive headlines like this. Become an Emissary and help guide more people to solutions with us here.