Goldman Sachs' decision to curb bonuses, and President Obama's Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech, are just two of the optimistic stories in today's optimistic papers.

There are a few downer stories — there was a gun battle in Times Square, the former chairman of the Met died and life in Iran is not so fun. It's also a bummer to be Tiger Woods these days. And a New York Times exclusive reveals that Blackwater are still the scum of the earth. But apart from that it's all sunshine and light. Christmas has come early!

Other rainbows and unicorns stories:

  • The New York Times reports that unfair libel laws in England will be changed, and that TV networks are to stop glorifying the violence in football.
  • The Los Angeles Times says that reality TV producers, chastened by the Salahis and Richard Heene, will start selecting their mildly-unhinged stars more carefully.
  • And the Wall Street Journal finds that even Bernie Madoff can be happy in jail.

Disclosure: I freelance write and report for newspapers that are included in this roundup. Where there is a direct conflict of interest I will make it clear.

The New York Times: does not like big, evil companies — they report that Goldman Sachs will change bonuses to try and stop everyone hating them, and has an exclusive; The Worst People In The World™ Blackwater have participated in CIA raids. The shootout in Times Square is here too, as is the death of former Met director Thomas Hoving. There's intriguing news for anyone in the media — England, which has wildly unfair libel laws slanted in the direction of celebs who feel they've been wronged, is considering changing them. And TV networks have toned down the cartoon sound effects whenever football players collide, in an attempt to stop glorifying brain-damage-causing injuries.

The Washington Post: analyzes President Obama's Nobel acceptance speech, and reveals a new plan by his administration to target bailout money at small businesses. The five Virginia men arrested in Pakistan were allegedly wannabe-jihadists who were rejected and, in local news, the Washington Nationals Vice President will run a marathon in Antarctica and there's a shakeup in the management of the DC Metro.

The LA Times: also reports Obama's speech and the changes in Goldman Sachs' bonuses. They also interview the lesbian priest who's causing scandal in the Anglican church (you go girl). The feature is about a dog sanctuary that takes in the worst-of-the-worst, and next to it is a story about how reality TV producers choose people for their shows (and how that might change post-Salahi and Balloon Boy.) Coincidental page placement?

The Wall Street Journal: has the Goldman Sachs/Nobel Peace Prize combo too (it's pretty rarely you see that set of words in one sentence). Bernie Madoff is making friends in jail — we just hope he's not investing their cigarettes and sexual favors for them — and thousands are fleeing Iran as the government there cracks down.

The New York Post: gets some mileage out of the application of the word 'ho', but leads with the gun battle in Times Square.

The Daily News: has the same two stories, in the opposite order of prominence.

Philadelphia Daily News: smiling faces! Optimism! God bless America! (This is non-sarcastic.)

The Guardian (UK): reveal more ridiculously archaic MPs expenses — the latest come after the paper crowdsourced the politicians' receipts. Over $30,000 for repairs to a bell tower!