Politics
Having a difficult time finding positive news about national and global politics? Search no further! From public policy to positive leadership to democracy efforts, find the latest good news stories in the world of politics at The Optimist Daily.
FCC approves additional funding to support remote learners
Back in March, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved an internet subsidies program to help bridge the digital divide and ensure internet access for students studying remotely. Now, the FCC has expanded upon this program with a newly-approved $7.17 billion initiative to expand Read More...
New York bans the use of mini plastic toiletry bottles in hotels
It’s no secret that single-use plastic is one of the chief contributors to the pollution crisis. Around eight to ten million tons of plastic end up in the oceans every year, and in recent years, our newsfeeds have been flooded with images that clearly illustrate the suffering all that plastic Read More...
Belgium melts more than 22,000 guns into 60 tonnes of recycled steel
Multiple studies have shown that the fewer guns in a society, the safer its people. With that in mind, the Belgian police have collected more than 22,000 guns from citizens and melted them into 60 tonnes of recycled steel. About half of the collected firearms were handed in by owners from across Read More...
Stimulus checks were critical in dropping hunger rates during pandemic
Back in April, we wrote about how Americans were overwhelmingly using their stimulus checks to cover basic expenses and reduce their personal debt. Now, according to new census data, stimulus checks, in conjunction with expanded access to SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits, Read More...
EU court upholds pesticide ban to protect European bees
Back in 2020, we shared how the European Union’s top court upheld a French pesticide ban to protect bees. Now the court is back with another pro-pollinator ruling, upholding an EU partial ban on three insecticides linked to harming bees. The lawsuit, filed by Bayer, attempted to overturn the Read More...
Bipartisan bill would combat sexual assault in the US military
After eight years of effort, legislation to reshape and improve how the US military handles allegations of sexual misconduct appears to finally have enough bipartisan votes to gain passage. The bill called the Military Justice Improvement and Increasing Prevention Act would move sexual Read More...
Philadelphia doctor raises $500,000 to send oxygen tanks to India
As the Covid-19 crisis intensifies in India, many organizations and individuals are stepping up to offer whatever help they can to alleviate some of the sufferings. One such individual is Philadelphia doctor Ruchika Talwar. Talwar, a 28-year old resident at the University of Pennsylvania, has Read More...
Medical drone delivery project to service remote communities in Uganda
Advancements in modern medicine allow for multitudes of medical problems to be managed by the individuals who live with them, but what good are these advancements to those living in remote areas if they aren’t accessible? Ensuring that remote communities have equitable access to modern Read More...
How ranked-choice voting strengthens our electoral system
The US electoral system is far from perfect, however, ranked-choice voting could be a viable and relatively easy-to-implement method to improve it. Back in 2019, New Yorkers voted to try this ranked-choice system for local primary and special elections, making it the largest voting population Read More...
EPA announces plan to cut back hydrofluorocarbon emissions
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are a lesser-known pollutant used in air conditioners and refrigerators. Despite being less emphasized than CO2 in the effort to slow climate change, HFCs are actually more effective at trapping heat. Fortunately, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced this Read More...