Originally published at: https://peakprosperity.com/daily-digest/good-news-friday-youth-trending-towards-faith-flotus-putin-work-to-reunify-ukrainian-children/
Geopolitics
Melania Trump has reportedly established direct communication channels with Russian President Vladimir Putin to support the reunification of Ukrainian children separated by the war. Following a letter delivered by President Trump at an August summit in Alaska, Putin reportedly responded affirmatively, prompting back-channel meetings and calls over the past three months. These efforts have reportedly led to the return of several children to their families, including eight in the last 24 hours. Negotiations are ongoing to reunite additional minors and young adults who turned 18 since the conflict began, with further reunifications planned in the near future. However, Ukrainian officials have expressed skepticism about the transparency and actual number of children returned.
Economy
Florida has passed legislation designating gold and silver coins as legal tender, exempt from sales tax starting July 1, 2026. The law requires financial institutions to accept these coins for debt payments and government fees, with the aim of incorporating precious metals more fully into daily transactions. Critics have raised concerns that the measure could complicate transactions and introduce volatility into the financial system.
US Politics
Survey data from multiple sources show a decline in transgender and non-heterosexual identifications among young Americans, especially university students. Transgender identification among U.S. college students reportedly decreased from about 7% in 2023 to under 4% in 2025, while non-heterosexual identifications fell by roughly 10 percentage points in the same period. The drops were most evident in queer, pansexual, asexual, and bisexual categories, with non-binary identification halving across datasets. Freshmen now report lower rates than seniors, indicating the trend may be ongoing. Heterosexual identification has reportedly risen to 77-82%, alongside data showing reduced anxiety and depression since the pandemic. Some advocacy groups attribute the decline to increased societal hostility and legislative actions rather than a shift in personal identities.
Bible sales in the United States rose 41.6% since 2022, reaching 14.2 million copies in 2023 and 13.7 million in the first ten months of 2024—outpacing overall book sales growth of less than 1%. Downloads of religion and spirituality apps increased 79.5% since 2019, with platforms like YouVersion Bible and Hallow seeing gains, particularly among Generation Z. Streams of contemporary Christian music on Spotify grew 50% over the same period, led by artists such as Forrest Frank and Brandon Lake. Survey data suggest these patterns point to increased engagement with faith-based content amid broader societal shifts. Analysts caution that such increases may partly reflect curiosity or marketing trends rather than a definitive religious revival.
Environment
Researchers at the University of British Columbia have created the MycoToilet, a waterless composting system that employs fungal mycelia to treat human waste. Installed in the campus botanic gardens, it separates solids and liquids; the mycelia reportedly remove 90% of odor-causing compounds from solids, transforming them into 600 liters of soil annually. Liquid waste yields 2,000 liters of fertilizer each year. A six-month trial is testing various fungal species for best results, advancing a circular waste management model that recovers resources from effluents. Experts have noted potential challenges in scalability and maintenance for wider urban applications.
Suriname has enacted a law to protect 90% of its rainforest cover, safeguarding more than 15 million hectares—about 25 million acres—of Amazon Basin ecosystem. The commitment, announced ahead of the UNFCCC’s COP 30 in Brazil, positions the nation as a carbon sink that absorbs more CO2 than it emits. The forests host over 700 bird species, 100 amphibians, and mammals including jaguars and giant river otters, despite growing deforestation threats. Officials describe the pledge as a model for regional conservation, supporting an economy based on biodiversity and forest resources. Some observers highlight economic challenges and the need for international aid to ensure implementation.
Bay scallops have returned to Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay coastal areas after a 90-year absence, aided by seagrass restoration projects. Locally extinct since the 1930s due to eelgrass disease, the species was reintroduced by the College of William & Mary and Virginia Institute of Marine Science. Recent surveys detected multiple scallops per square meter, with projections estimating populations could double in under 18 months. This recovery bolsters coastal ecosystem health and may enable a recreational fishery if restrictions are eased. Local groups have urged caution in easing harvest restrictions to prevent overfishing and support long-term sustainability.
Sources
Melania Trump Unveils Direct Diplomacy with Putin to Reunite Ukrainian War Children
Melania Trump says she’s having direct back-channel meetings and calls with Putin.
Trans Bubble Bursts: Sharp Decline in Youth Gender and Queer Identities
The trans bubble has burst
UBC’s MycoToilet: Mushrooms Turn Human Waste into Odor-Free Soil and Fertilizer
Scientists have used the root system of mushrooms to create a composting toilet that is odor absorbing, while creating over 2,000 liters of fertilizer and soil a year.
Suriname Pledges to Protect 90% of Its Rainforest, Safeguarding 25 Million Acres of Amazon
Huge news broke recently when a country with more intact forests than any other on Earth decided that 90% of all forest cover would be preserved by law.
Bay Scallops Resurge in Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay After 90-Year Hiatus
Bay scallops are making an incredible resurgence in coastal bays along Virginia’s Eastern Shore, according to a new survey.
Americans Flock to Christianity: Bible Sales Surge 41% Amid Moral Decay and Charlie Kirk’s Assassination
Annual U.S. Bible sales have surged by 41.6%, according to Circana BookScan.
Florida Recognizes Gold and Silver Coins as Legal Tender, Tax-Free from 2026
Florida passed a law recognizing gold & silver coins as legal tender, tax-free
In addition to sources submitted by community members, the following were also used in the creation of this report: Reuters, Beyond Meat CEO Ethan Brown, Economic Policy Institute, GLAAD, CNN, The Brazilian Report, and Virginia Fishermen’s Association.
