A major milestone. The post The highest-charting British artist on the first UK Singles Chart first appeared on Far Out Magazine.

from Your News: Former president and former secretary of state to appear under subpoena in Chappaqua as Oversight probe advances. By yourNEWS Media Newsroom Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are scheduled to provide sworn testimony this week before the U.S. House Oversight Committee as part of a Republican-led investigation […]

Prog writer Philip Wilding – who once played Neil Peart’s drums – remained in contact with Lee as a dark decade exploded into new light

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM As young people spend more of their lives online, the risks they face have become harder to ignore. From harassment in group chats to manipulated images shared without consent, cyberbullying is no longer a side issue of digital life but a central one. In response, the European Commission introduced a sweeping Action Plan Against Cyberbullying, aimed at protecting the mental health and safety of children and teenagers across the European Union. The strategy combines technology, regulation, education, and coordination among member states to build a more consistent and effective response. At its core, the plan rests on three pillars: creating an EU-wide reporting app, coordinating national approaches, and strengthening prevention through better digital practices. An EU-wide app to report and receive support One of the most tangible elements of the plan is the development of a user-friendly app designed to help victims report cyberbullying quickly and safely. The app will connect directly to national helplines and support services, giving children and teenagers a clearer pathway to help. Beyond reporting, the app is intended to allow young people to securely store and transmit evidence, a crucial step in addressing online abuse, which often disappears as quickly as it appears. The Commission will create a blueprint for the app, which member states can adapt, translate, and integrate into their national systems. The aim is simple but powerful: no child should struggle to figure out where to turn. A coordinated approach across the EU While digital platforms operate across borders, protections for minors often vary from country to country. The Commission wants to close that gap by encouraging member states to develop comprehensive national plans built on a shared understanding of cyberbullying. Standardized data collection will allow countries to compare trends and measure progress more effectively. The Action Plan also strengthens existing regulatory frameworks. Among the key steps: Reviewing the Digital Services Act guidelines on protecting minors to reinforce platform obligations to prevent harmful content and improve reporting mechanisms. Adopting clearer guidelines on “trusted flaggers” under the Digital Services Act, particularly for illegal cyberbullying content. Addressing cyberbullying within video-sharing platforms as part of the ongoing evaluation of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive. Supporting the enforcement of the Artificial Intelligence Act, especially provisions prohibiting manipulative AI practices used for bullying. Advancing transparency rules, including labelling AI-generated content that could be misused to harass or deceive. Together, these measures signal a shift toward stronger accountability for digital platforms. Prevention begins with digital literacy While enforcement matters, prevention remains a central focus. The Action Plan encourages healthier and more respectful digital habits from an early age. The upcoming review of the Commission’s guidelines for educators will place cyberbullying prevention at the forefront of digital literacy efforts, aligning with the broader Union of Skills initiative. At the same time, the Commission plans to expand training and resources for schools through the network of Safer Internet Centres and the multilingual Better Internet for Kids platform. Safer Internet Day, which was first launched in the EU in 2004 and now observed in approximately 160 countries, will continue to serve as a global platform promoting children’s rights and well-being both online and offline. Why the urgency? The numbers paint a clear picture. An estimated one in six children aged 11 to 15 report being victims of cyberbullying, and about one in eight admit to bullying others online. Meanwhile, a recent Eurobarometer survey found that more than ninety percent of Europeans believe urgent public action is needed to protect children from the negative mental health impacts of social media, cyberbullying, and age-inappropriate content. The Action Plan reflects direct input from young people themselves. It was shaped by consultation with more than six thousand children, alongside a broader public consultation. Building on existing protections The plan does not start from scratch. It builds on established legislation: The Digital Services Act requires platforms to maintain high standards of safety and privacy for minors, including tools that allow children to block or mute users and prevent being added to groups without consent. The Audiovisual Media Services Directive mandates measures to shield minors from harmful content, including cyberbullying. The Artificial Intelligence Act prohibits manipulative AI systems and requires labelling of deepfakes to prevent deception. By increasing visibility and outreach for tools already available, such as the Safer Internet Centres, which served around 48 million European citizens in 2025, the Commission hopes to ensure that protections translate into practical support. What comes next? Implementation will involve cooperation among member states, industry leaders, civil society, international organizations, and children themselves. Additional initiatives are also underway, including piloting a privacy-preserving EU age verification solution, advancing the forthcoming Digital Fairness Act, assembling an expert panel on child online protection, and conducting an inquiry into the mental health impacts of social media. The Commission’s message is clear: protecting children online requires not only rules, but responsiveness in systems that evolve as quickly as the digital spaces young people inhabit. If successful, the Action Plan could mark a significant step toward making the internet safer not just in principle, but in practice.     Did this solution stand out? Share it with a friend or support our mission by becoming an Emissary.The post EU launches action plan to tackle cyberbullying and protect children’s mental health online first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM We have all heard the advice: buy what you need, not what you want. In theory, it is simple. In practice, especially when money feels tight or emotions are running high, it can be surprisingly difficult. The truth is, spending on something you want is not inherently wrong. The key is intention. As Aja Evans, a licensed mental health counsellor and financial therapist, explains, mindful spending starts with awareness. That means pausing to consider your budget, the occasion, and even your emotional state. “What’s going on with me emotionally? Am I just buying this because I am upset? Am I buying this because I have this dream that this is gonna solve all my problems?” she says. Before you click “add to cart,” here are six questions Evans and Consumer Reports reporter Brian Vines suggest asking yourself. If the answer is “yes” to any of them, it may be worth taking a breath and reconsidering. Is your cash flow already stretched? If purchasing something means dipping into money reserved for essentials like housing, groceries, transportation, or credit card payments, that is a crystal clear sign to hold off, Evans says. The same goes for pulling from your emergency fund or savings set aside for a specific goal like a vacation. Instead, build flexibility into your budget. Create a realistic line item for fun purchases so you do not feel deprived. “If you deprive yourself too much, you will not stick to it,” Evans says. A small, planned allowance for treats can help prevent bigger, regret-driven splurges later. Are you trying to soothe a feeling? Impulse spending often masks something else. Evans suggests using the acronym HALT, a tool developed by Alcoholics Anonymous, to check in with yourself. Are you hungry, angry, lonely, or tired? If one of those basic needs is driving the urge to spend, address that first. Maybe what you need is a snack at home, a walk outside, or a call with a friend. A purchase may offer a quick dopamine hit, but it rarely resolves the underlying emotion. Is this becoming a pattern? A single indulgence is one thing. A recurring habit is another. If you find yourself regularly browsing estate sales, antique stores, or online marketplaces “just to look,” what you might actually need to take a closer look at is the bigger picture. “If every weekend you’re going to different antique stores to search, peel back a layer and ask what’s going on,” Evans says. “How often are you shopping in this kind of way?” Sometimes the thrill is not about the object itself, but the excitement of the hunt. Simply recognizing that pattern can be enough to break it. Are you buying it to impress someone? New gadgets, designer labels, and luxury upgrades often come with an unspoken promise of status. But it is worth examining whether that promise matters more than the product. “Maybe you want people to look at you a certain way, and having this item may signify something [important],” Evans says. If that resonates, consider what the purchase represents to you. Is it about confidence? Belonging? Approval? As Evans puts it, reflecting on why you care so much about what others think is “where the juicy stuff starts to happen.” That self-awareness can be more valuable than any item. Have you done your research? If you have decided the purchase is necessary, slow down and compare options. Read reviews. Check prices. Look beyond brand reputation. “Price does not guarantee performance,” Vines says. A higher price tag does not automatically mean better quality, and the cheapest option is not always the smartest investment either. In some cases, saving up for a more durable product will cost less in the long run. Vines also recommends tapping into your network. “Call your rich aunt who buys all the things you’re interested in having and see if she actually likes it,” he says. “Call the person you know who is the most cost-conscious and ask them questions.” Honest feedback can prevent buyer’s remorse. Are you settling for something you do not really want? Sometimes the issue is not overspending, but compromise. Imagine you are craving a doughnut, but the bakery has sold out. Should you grab a muffin instead? For Vines, the answer is clear. “I’m not going to take a muffin or half a pie or a slice of tiramisu when I want one doughnut,” he says. “If it’s not what you want, walk away.” Settling for a substitute can lead to spending more while still not feeling satisfied. Waiting for the right purchase can be the more rewarding choice. Long story short: pause, then proceed Mindful spending is less about strict rules and more about thoughtful pauses. Checking your budget, your emotions, your motivations, and your research can transform a reactive purchase into an intentional one. Buying something you truly value, that fits your finances and your goals, can feel good. But if your answers reveal stress, impulse, or pressure from outside expectations, giving yourself permission to wait may be the most empowering decision of all.     Did this solution stand out? Share it with a friend or support our mission by becoming an Emissary.The post Before you buy: 6 smart questions to avoid impulse spending first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

Why wouldn’t you observe Lent? Well, if you are curious, here are five reasons why people do not observe Lent.

It’s easy to pray for blessings, but can you pray for surrender? Discover what it really means to say “Your will be done” and trust God even when the path feels hard.