2026 has really done a number on us and it seems no matter how hard we try to avoid it, doom-scrolling is almost being forced upon us. There’s only so much space in the news cycle and too often, it’s taken up by negativity.
Nowadays, you might have to actively search if you want the good stuff. But there’s an Instagram page doing the work of the saints… Winning Mindset is a welcome break from the horrors of the world, and it’s where more than 2 million people gather to reset and remember that all is not lost.
The page is a wall of motivation and inspiration. It has a special series of posts dedicated to Good News From Around The World That Nobody Is Talking About. In a bid to balance out the current chaos, Bored Panda has put together a list of our favorite positive stories from the account. Feel free to scroll through them again and again, every morning, to get your day started on the right note.
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The Netherlands approved a nationwide ban on fireworks, set to take effect on January 1, 2026, to protect animals, the environment, and public health.
Only the occasional public fireworks displays should be legal... Here in the UK we get bombarded during/around Guy Fawkes Night, November 5th as well as New Year's Eve. The penniless morons in my neighborhood seem to have deep pockets when it comes to buying an arsenal's worth of fireworks...
The planet seems like a very dangerous and hostile place at the moment, with some even arguing that we are heading towards World War III. Richard Shirreff is one of them. The former NATO commander says he “cannot remember a more perilous moment in geopolitics in his lifetime.”
It seems wherever we look, we are faced with negative news - whether it’s the several ongoing conflicts, global warming, natural disasters, economic turmoil or people generally behaving badly. But being exposed to such headlines and content can take a toll on our mental health.
France became the first country to require large supermarkets to donate unsold food to charities, reducing waste while helping provide meals to people in need.
Every country in the world should adopt this program. Imagine how many people could be helped!
In Portugal’s Alentejo region, an innovative project is underway: Europe’s first large elephant sanctuary.
It’s estimated that around 600 elephants still live in captivity across Europe, many of them after decades in confined spaces without proper care.
The sanctuary’s first resident will be Kariba, an elephant captured in Zimbabwe in 1984 and kept in various zoos for over 40 years.
Zoos should not exist unless they can recreate a natural habitat for the animals they exhibit. Since this is near-impossible, no zoos should exist... Instead we should do more to protect their natural habitats and leave them to live in peace.
"Being constantly exposed to distressing news can take an emotional toll, even if we’re not directly involved with the events we see," warns the U.K.-based Mental Health Foundation. "In fact, constant exposure can chip away at our mental health over time, leaving us feeling sad and anxious."
The foundation's experts add that constantly consuming negative news is like being exposed to a threat. It triggers the body's stress response (fight, flight, freeze mode). And while this can be useful in situations where our safety is at risk, having that response triggered too much is bad for us.
Fortunately, consuming positive news (like the posts features here) can have the opposite effect. Reading, or watching, the "good stuff" triggers dopamine release. In case you're wondering, that's a neurotransmitter associated with feelings of pleasure and reward.
"When we read about very inspiring achievements, uplifting, very good stories, or tales of resilience, our brain interprets this as a rewarding experience, boosting mood and motivation," explain the experts at Insight Mental Wellness.
France has banned influencers from promoting dangerous cosmetic surgery and extreme dieting products to protect young people.
In a world where deforestation destroys millions of hectares every year, Norway achieved something almost unthinkable: it became the first country in the world to completely ban deforestation.
While chronic exposure to stress-inducing news can elevate cortisol levels, good news does the opposite. It reduces cortisol levels, helping to calm your mind, and restore emotional balance.
In other words, watching rolling coverage of the Iran War can leave you feeling sad, anxious, angry or irritable. But scrolling through a listicle about recycled billboards being turned into dog shelters in Thailand, Norway becoming the first country to achieve zero deforestation, and Amsterdam spending 100,000 Euros on tiny staircases that prevent cats from drowning in canals can bring you joy and hope.
South Korea has shut down the dog meat market, helping save around 80,000 dogs each year.
South Korea has banned bear breeding and bile extraction, ending a long-criticized practice.
The practice was bile farming. Which involved bears being kept in small cages. 😥
Think of positive news stories as emotional “buffer zones.” We're constantly bombarded with bad news and negativity, but when we read, listen to, or watch really uplifting content, life can feel a bit lighter. We might even feel more capable of coping with any challenges thrown our way.
"Good news reminds us of the potential for positive change, reinforcing resilience in adversity," notes the Insight Mental Wellness site. It adds that this type of content helps shift focus from what’s wrong with the world to what’s going right.
After decades of intensive conservation efforts, giant pandas are no longer classified as an endangered species.
Canada is moving toward major advances in animal protection with the approval of Bill S-15, which bans the captivity of great apes and elephants.
The law also prohibits their use in circuses and elephant rides, practices long considered ethically problematic.
The European Union approved the world’s first law that requires countries to restore nature, not just protect what remains.
The green sea turtle has been reclassified from endangered to least concern.
United Kingdom has launched a robot fish that collects ocean plastic and digests it.
In Thailand, recycled billboards are being turned into shelters for stray dogs.
For ten years, this elderly man held onto a small piece of love that meant everything to him. Every single day, he listened to a voice message from his late wife.
It was more than just sound. It was comfort, memory, and the feeling that she was still beside him.
Then one day, it was gone. Accidentally deleted. In that moment, it felt like losing her all over again. The silence was unbearable. But he refused to give up. He reached out to the telecommunications company, hoping for a miracle.
What happened next was extraordinary. A team of 11 engineers worked tirelessly for three days, searching through data and systems to recover that one precious message. And when they finally succeeded, the man broke down in tears.
Not of sadness, but of overwhelming joy. Because love, even in the form of a simple voice message, had found its way back to him. Sometimes, the smallest things carry the greatest meaning.
Public “community fridges” are helping people share food for free and reduce waste.
In my area we have a number of community groups that do similar, though I don't know if they have fridges. Often people will donate produce from their gardens.
According to a study published in the scientific journal The Lancet, Australia could completely eliminate cervical cancer by 2028.
Beavers returned to the wild in England, restoring rivers and natural ecosystems.
I can imagine a lot of innuendo, but I'll restrain myself....
Scientists at Stanford University have identified a way to regenerate aged cartilage and potentially reverse arthritis.
Sierra Leone has banned child marriage, strengthening protections for girls’ education and health.
Spain became the first European country to introduce paid menstrual leave for women with severe cramps.
I wonder how they're going to enforce that? Kids are sneaky. And smart!
In the Netherlands, prisons have been closing for more than a decade as the prison population continues to decline.
A 13-year-old became the first patient in the world to be cured of a terminal brain cancer.
Autophagy is one of the body’s most powerful built in repair systems.
Identified by Nobel Prize winning scientist Yoshinori Ohsumi, it’s the process where cells break down damaged or worn out parts and recycle them into fuel.
Fasting, movement, and short bursts of stress can activate this natural clean-up mode, supporting longevity, energy, and healthier aging.
Your body isn’t fragile. It’s designed to heal, adapt, and renew itself in ways we’re only beginning to understand
I just want all you lovely people to know that it has been proven that fasting does not give you a metabolic advantage when dieting. Autophage - Yes. Accelerated weight loss - No.
Oil extraction has only been banned in the Maya Biosphere Reserve. Steps are being taken to reclaim land. Oil extraction elsewhere and use of oil isn't banned. Palm oil industry is still allowed.
Luxembourg has made public transport free nationwide.
Pretty small country with a lot of wealth. Queensland in Australia has been working on it (larger and a LOT less wealthy). I believe it's 50c for any bus and/or train journey, at least in the capital.
The ozone layer is recovering faster than expected and is projected to return to normal levels between 2040 and 2066, thanks to global environmental cooperation.
Austria has built massive electric towers shaped like animal sculptures, one for each region, each representing a local symbolic animal.
Costa Rica now runs on 100% renewable electricity all year round.
Mostly hydroelectric, and also oil and gas is used for heating and transport. Slightly misleading.
They closed paradise so nature could breathe again.
Maya Bay had become the perfect example of what overtourism can destroy: daily crowds, speedboats, constant noise, and reefs on the brink of collapse.
So Thailand made a decision that seemed unthinkable to many: to completely close the site, even knowing it would lose millions in tourism revenue.
The result was powerful.
Without human pressure, corals began to regenerate, biodiversity returned, and marine life reached levels not seen in years.
Today, the bay has reopened but under strict rules: limited access, no invasive boats, and rigorous environmental controls.
Thailand Supermarkets are replacing plastic packaging with banana leaves, cutting waste and reviving traditional, eco-friendly practices.
A man with paralysis walked again thanks to a brain implant, marking a revolution in neuro-medicine
After 3,000 years, Tasmanian devils have returned to mainland Australia through protected sanctuaries
The largest “vacuum cleaner” ever built, stretching 600 meters, was created to remove massive amounts of plastic from the oceans and help restore ecosystems suffocating from pollution.
If it's a vacuum cleaner, how does it differentiate between plastics and marine life?
Around the world, mental health is increasingly recognized as a core part of healthcare, not a personal weakness.
Major Diabetes Research Breakthrough: Scientists in China have reported promising results using stem-cell-based therapy aimed at restoring insulin production in patients with Type 1 Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes.
In early-stage clinical studies, researchers were able to generate functional insulin-producing pancreatic cells and transplant them into patients - with some participants reportedly reducing or eliminating their need for external insulin. an The therapy works by converting stem cells into pancreatic islet-like cells capable of sensing blood glucose levels and releasing insulin naturally.
For Type 1 diabetes autoimmune condition where insulin-producing cells are destroyed - this approach aims to biologically replace lost cells. In certain Type 2 cases, restoring insulin production combined with improved metabolic regulation could significantly enhance glucose control.
However, experts stress that while results are highly encouraging, large-scale trials, long-term monitoring, and broader regulatory review are still required before calling it a universal “cure.” Stem-cell therapies must demonstrate durability, safety, and affordability at scale.
Oh when are they doing trials in the US? I volunteer as tribute. I have to take 2 shots of insulin in the morning, one extra shot weekly, and fast acting insulin before meal. Plus inserting the GCM. Spent Thanksgiving in ICU for Diabetic Ketoacidosis. I am over this disease. I want to have cake for my birthday coming up without feeling guilty.
Ethiopia launched a campaign to plant 700 million trees in a single day, part of an ambitious goal to plant 50 billion trees by 2026.
This image looks like the guy at the top is planting little tiny people.
Ice mass increased by over 100 billion tons in a single year, marking a rare environmental gain.
United States ; Gene-editing therapies are curing rare genetic disorders in children, opening a new chapter in modern medicine. American scientists have also developed a new injection that trains immune cells to attack cancerous tumors.
Ethiopia Men once divided by conflict are now working side by side in medicine and charity, healing both bodies and communities.
Two different stories, those men weren't divided by conflict, one operated on the other. Why would you use this summary?
Chile The government is creating Cape Froward National Park, protecting up to 200,000 hectares of subantarctic forests, glaciers, and coastal ecosystems at the southern tip of the continent.
Australia On Kangaroo Island, endangered wildlife populations including the Kangaroo Island dunnart have increased by 90–100% in just five years, thanks to a massive predator-proof conservation fence.
Brazil has eliminated vertical transmission of HIV from mother to baby and reached its lowest HIV-related mortality rate in recent years.
Medical science is breaking barriers once thought impossible. New Alzheimer’s treatments have slowed cognitive decline by about 27% in early-stage patients, with trials involving more than 1,700 participants showing real benefits. Experimental vaccines are now in development, raising hopes for future breakthroughs.
Democratic Republic of Congo Rare twin mountain gorillas were born in Virunga National Park in early 2026, bringing hope to one of the world’s most endangered species.
Global access to electricity has risen from 78% in 2000 to 91% today, improving life for billions.
This is fantastic. The best way to generate wealth is reliable electricity.
Five days after winning second place in the Olympics, Polish javelin thrower Maria Andrejczyk, then 25, decided to sell her silver medal.
She saw a plea for help on social media from the parents of 8-month-old Miloszek Malysa. The child needed life-saving heart surgery in the US, and Maria - a cancer survivor herself - was determined to help.
“A medal is only an object, but it can be of great value to others. This silver can save lives, instead of collecting dust in a closet,” the athlete commented.
The total sum needed to cover the costs of the boy’s transportation and treatment was about $385,000.
Thanks to a fundraiser the family already had half of the amount raised. Polish convenience store chain Zabka placed the top bid and paid $125,000 for the silver medal.
Instead of collecting the prize, Zabka announced it will let Maria keep it.
"Dystopian society requires massive private donation from foreigner to save baby's life" (alternative headline)
A nurse donated part of her liver to save the life of an 8-year-old child she had never met.
Helsinki recorded zero road deaths last year, thanks to lower speed limits and safer streets for pedestrians and cyclists.
Huh, motor vehicle operators showing respect to pedestrians/cyclists and vice versa. What a concept.
Sweden The pharmacy chain Apotek Hjärtat now gives employees paid time during the workday to connect with others—by calling loved ones, meeting face-to-face, or simply talking—putting human connection first.
California’s total ban on plastic shopping bags including reusable ones went into effect on January 1, marking a major step against plastic pollution.
In my state it costs money to use plastic bags, so most people bring their own. Hopefully we'll ban them completely soon!
Australia introduced a “solar sharing” program that provides families with 3 hours of free electricity per day, even without solar panels.
South Korea — Scientists developed a new injection that trains immune cells to destroy tumor cells, opening promising new directions in cancer research (still experimental).
I thought this was immunotherapy. They did this with my daughter's cancer.
Kenya has eliminated sleeping sickness as a public health threat, successfully controlling a once-deadly disease.
Your dog doesn’t just recognize you.
He memorizes you.
He has learned the sound of your car, the rhythm of your laughter, and even the exact moment when your heart feels the heaviest. Before you open the door, he already knows it’s you. Before you say a word, he already understands how you feel.
For your dog, you are not just his owner. You are his entire world. You are his safety, his routine, and his home.
When you’re sad, he stays closer. When you’re happy, he celebrates as if he’s won the lottery. Every walk isn’t just exercise for him it’s time with you. It’s the best part of his day.
Dogs don’t measure love in years. They measure it in presence. In consistency. In the small shared moments that mean everything to them.
One day, they won’t be waiting by the door anymore… but every memory they leave behind will be filled with you.
So hug them a little longer. Walk a little slower.
Stay present whenever you can.
Because to them, you are everything.
I have had the flu and I have been a little impatient with my dogs and cats. I recognized it though and bought them toys and treats and just tried to be a little more patient. They are my whole world too.
A miraculous story, Dr. Oluyinka Olutoye, a renowned Nigerian doctor, has performed an unprecedented medical feat: At 23 weeks pregnant, he extracted a baby girl from his mother’s womb to remove a Sacrococcygeal tumor, a rare mass growing at the base of the spine that was placing his life at risk.
After a very delicate operation, which lasted a few minutes outside the womb, the baby was re-inserted in the womb to continue the pregnancy.
At 36 weeks, the girl was born perfectly healthy, with a natural birth without complications. The joy of the family, who lived months with fear and hope, was immense to finally be able to hold their little warrior in their arms.
Scientists developed a spray that can stop severe bleeding in just one second, with the potential to save thousands of lives.
Apparently there are several types of these... Some can stop profuse bleeding by creating a gel barrier (ingredients interact with blood to staunch it).
By 2027, Italy will ban the culling of male chicks, saving nearly 40 million lives every year.
Young roosters (4-6 months old) are a delicacy in some countries apparently... If farmers were compensated fairly for raising all chickens, this would never have become standard practice.
Kyrgyzstan A $56 million clean-energy facility is set to generate nearly 210 million kWh annually, reducing carbon emissions by about 120,000 tons every year.
An anonymous person paid off school meal debts for hundreds of children a quiet reminder that humanity is still alive in people’s hearts.
Why were children in debt to schools in the first place??? Just feed them for eff's sake! Unfortunately some idiots in the red states think the kids are going to get "too used to charity" which will lead them to growing up and being on Welfare. 🙄 I would like to punch each and every one of those idiots.
“That there's some good in this world, Mr. Frodo... and it's worth fighting for”. Samwise Gamgee -- LOTR The Two Towers
Imagine all we as human beings could have accomplished since the industrial revolution if we hadn't spend so many resources and lives at war with eachother?!? The standard of living and quality of life would have been improved for all...
“That there's some good in this world, Mr. Frodo... and it's worth fighting for”. Samwise Gamgee -- LOTR The Two Towers
Imagine all we as human beings could have accomplished since the industrial revolution if we hadn't spend so many resources and lives at war with eachother?!? The standard of living and quality of life would have been improved for all...
