April 12 - 15, 2026 (Bear of Bad News 9)

IntroHello, my name is welcome to the Bear of Bad News, I’m your host LorBear, and I hate to be the bearer of bad news, so I won’t! This is your weekly recap of positive news stories from around the world. Articles included in this broadcast were originally published from ( ) , 2026.The stories in this episode are sourced from various news outlets and publications. The Bear of Bad News does not conduct independent fact-checking or verification of these stories. Listeners are encouraged to review original sources for accuracy and complete context. We are not responsible for the accuracy or content of third-party reporting.Which is a fancy way of saying I read it, I didn’t report it, and here are this week’s stories:ArticlesAustralia appoints woman to lead its army for the first timehttps://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/australia-appoints-woman-lead-its-army-first-time-2026-04-13/April 12, 2026A new fruit wash removes pesticides and extends shelf lifehttps://phys.org/news/2026-04-fruit-pesticides-shelf-life.htmlApril 13, 2026A reforestation corridor in Madagascar offers a future for lemurs and localshttps://news.mongabay.com/2026/04/a-reforestation-corridor-in-madagascar-offers-a-future-for-lemurs-and-locals/April 14, 2026Cancer Therapy Breakthrough Offers Hope Beyond Cancer Patientshttps://www.newsweek.com/cancer-therapy-breakthrough-cart-therapy-patients-11821098April 14, 2026Green light for €1.3bn German scheme to rewet farmed peatlandshttps://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/green-light-for-e1-3bn-german-scheme-to-rewet-farmed-peatlands/April 14, 2026Almost like Lake Como: Germany transforms former coal mines into Europe’s largest lake landscapehttps://www.euronews.com/2026/04/14/almost-like-lake-como-germany-transforms-former-coal-mines-into-europes-largest-lake-landsApril 14, 2026Scientists reverse brain ageing, with a nasal sprayhttps://stories.tamu.edu/news/2026/04/14/scientists-reverse-brain-aging-with-a-nasal-spray/April 14, 2026Two to three cups of coffee a day linked to lower risk of mental health disorders, study findshttps://www.euronews.com/health/2026/04/15/two-to-three-cups-of-coffee-a-day-linked-to-lower-risk-of-mental-health-disorders-study-fiApril 15, 2026Autonomy key to happiness, study findshttps://phys.org/news/2026-04-autonomy-key-happiness.htmlApril 15, 2026Sperm whales’ communication closely parallels human language, study findshttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/15/sperm-whales-alphabet-vocalizations-similar-humansApril 15, 2026This European country is promising ‘bargain’ energy on sunny days to use up excess solar powerhttps://www.euronews.com/2026/04/15/this-european-country-is-promising-bargain-energy-on-sunny-days-to-use-up-excess-solar-powApril 15, 2026A Tale of Two ParagraphsAnd that is the end of this weeks articles, hopefully they added a little positive joy to your life. Before we end, I have our final segment of the show, something I like to call, A Tale of Two Paragraphs.In this segment, I take the first and last paragraph from an article on substack or another similar source, and read them to you, to encourage you to go read the article yourself. Many people forget the power of the written word to move us, and how intriguing the middle of the story is. The less I read the better, but people often want to know how we got to endings more than the endings themselves, and maybe then you will go exploring the substack and read the paragraphs in between.This weeks article is from Steve Magness’ substack, entitled “The Hidden Cost of Comfort.”In the 1950s, over 90% of toddlers were potty trained by 18 months. More recently, that number is about 4%. The average age of potty training has drifted to nearly 37 months.What in the world is going on with our kids? Their skill and aptitude hasn’t changed. Neither has biology. The answer applies to so much more than potty training. It helps explain performance, creativity, and maybe even part of our mental health issues. So what is it?A few paragraphs in between and an ending of:We need to wrestle with discomfort. Whether it’s helping your kids with the first sign of struggle on the playground or with their homework, or with yourself in reaching for the quickest solution to the slightest feeling of unease, we need to let folks sit with that experience. We’ve largely engineered it away. It’s time to deliberately bring it back.For more from Steve Magness visit:OutroWe hope you enjoyed our show everyone, thanks for tuning in, and until next time, I hate to be the Bearer of Bad News, so I won’t!Have a good day.Thanks for reading The Bear of Bad News! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebearofbadnews.substack.com