"News that national results on the SAT dropped this year is practically welcome. The figures are down, in large part, because more students are taking the standardized college entrance exam — which means more of them are at least considering college." (Editorial in Cleveland Plain Dealer)
Preventing Molehills from Becoming Mountains
We tend to get angry over the little things — the way someone says something, the item they forgot, the clothes they left on the floor, the dirty dishes in the sink, the item they forgot to get in the grocery store, to name a few… The question is, why do the little things get to us? Why are they such a big deal? I think it is because the root of the real reason we are annoyed goes much deeper. Using our insight, intuition and reasoning, we can get to the heart of the matter — if we want to.
Get Outside – It’s Good for You
When your mom told you to go outside and play — she really did know what was best for you. Just being outdoors or having access to the natural world has been proven to have physical and mental health benefits. And new research has now found that the more diverse and vibrant an ecosystem is, the healthier it is for us.
Stockpiles of Chemical Weapons Closer to Demise
In Siberia, the U.S. and its allies are building a $1 billion factory to "destroy 2 million Soviet-era artillery shells filled with deadly nerve gas. Destruction of the huge stockpile is expected to take about four years." Twenty-eight percent has already been destroyed, while the U.S. says its own stockpile is more than 40 percent destroyed.(AP)
Man Who Rescued JFK Finally Honored
A native islander who changed the course of world history 64 years ago was finally honored. "Eroni Kumana came across a shipwrecked U.S. Navy crew deep behind Japanese lines and paddled 60 km to get them help, carrying a message carved into a coconut by Lieutenant John F. Kennedy. Two years after the rescue Kennedy was assassinated, "I mourned for a whole week upon hearing of my friend’s death," Mr Kumana said. U.S. Navy photo by Patrick D. House shows Sec. of the Navy presenting Eroni Kumana with the flag from USS Peleliu for his courageous efforts more than 60 years ago. (Stuff.co.nz)
Dog’s Bark Leads to River Rescue
"Smooch the collie began barking incessantly Sunday morning when outside in the Amityville River, an empty kayak drifted toward the Great South Bay. A man and woman struggled in the water trying to catch up." (WINS 1010)
How to Clean Up the Slums — Cook on Garbage
Garbage is piled up and rotting, but now a "community cooker" project in Africa’s biggest slum offers a way not only of getting rid of garbage, but of creating work for unemployed youths, and providing hot water and cooking facilities. (Reuters) Best story this week!
Grand Prize 10th Anniversary Giveaway: 60 Seconds to Success Book, and Two Free Coaching Sessions!
WIN yourself a signed copy of the book, Sixty Seconds to Success, along with two complimentary coaching sessions, worth $250.00! — All courtesy of the Good News Network in celebration of Ten Years of Good News. Just be the first to leave a comment at the link below and you will be the grand prize winner culminating our "10 books in 10 days" giveaway.
Theresa Smith invites you to "discover a personally meaningful direction for your life and your career" with two forty-five minute phone sessions for career or personal coaching. Completing the package is a jewel of a book, Sixty Seconds to Success: Change Your Life with These Quick Peak Performance Tips, by Edward W. Smith, autographed by the author…
A psychology professor for Akamai U. said: "This is a quick read that can help you jump start your day. Want more direction, more motivation, get more done, and have fun doing it? This little gem will help you see some things in a new, proactive light."
Web Sites Provide Big Savings on College Textbooks
Because the average first-year college student today spends over $900 on textbooks, Web sites have sprung up offering price-comparison tools that help save 50 percent or more. Innovative book rental programs are also popping up around some schools. And, to tackle the root of the problem, 27 states have introduced legislation to force a change at the level of colleges and publishing houses.
Millions of Books Going to Burkina Faso Children
The Burkina Faso government will distribute millions of free books to primary school students and launch a pilot project to eliminate fees for schooling in a push to curb the number of people in the country growing up without even basic education.
Accomplishments in Two Years Since Katrina
The Katrina clean-up efforts by the Army Corps of Engineers in Louisiana have been substantial over the past two years judging by the list of accomplishments released by their field office this month: Almost 6,700 storm-destroyed homes have been demolished and hauled to landfills statewide. 260,000 tires have been recycled. More than 8,000 salt water killed trees have been removed from public right-of-ways, mulched and recycled… (more)
Doctors Offering No-Interest Loans to Patients
"For medical procedures not typically covered by insurance, millions of consumers have arranged financing through more than 100,000 doctors and dentists that offer a year or more of interest-free monthly payments." (New York Times)
Flying Saucer Cars Launched
A hover car which can fly up to 10ft in the air has been showcased by a company in the US. (Video)
German Orchestra in Iran on Landmark Visit (Video/text)
A German orchestra in Tehran is helping improve ties between Europe and Iran, arranging cultural exchanges and performances. (Video and Text)
Israeli and Palestinian Teens Map Out Peace Plan in Helsinki
"Israeli and Palestinian teenagers, meeting in Finland, put their names Wednesday to their own blueprint for Middle East peace, one that envisions two separate states and the eradication of terrorism." (AFP)
Amid Lingering Chaos, Hope for New Orleans’ Future
"For me, despair about the city’s future began to turn into hope. As urban planners converged on the city, as the Bring New Orleans Back commission began its work, as old residents and newcomers arrived, many of us began to see the devastation as an opportunity to create something better than what we had lost." An NPR reporter shares with some residents a hopeful outlook, even among the lack and loss. (NPR)
New Hope for Chinese Dolphin Thought Probably Extinct
A creature believed to be the rare Chinese white dolphin has been sighted — and videotaped — in the Yangtze river, an expert said Wednesday, renewing hope for a mammal recently declared as probably extinct. Thanks to Lynn J. for the tip!
Lace Builds Structure for Rio’s Poor (Video)
In Rio’s biggest favela, a cooperative focuses on improving the lot of local women, while also giving a boost in stature to Brazilian handicraft. These poor women are proving that luxury items like lace and embroidery can be created by the humblest of all. (Video)
Angelina Jolie Spotlights Plight of Iraqi Refugees as Goodwill Ambassador (Video/text)
Actress and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie is visiting Iraq and Syria to raise awareness of the plight of hundreds of thousands of Iraqi families who have fled the violence in their home country.
“I have come to Syria and Iraq to help draw attention to this humanitarian crisis and to urge Governments to increase their support for UNHCR and its partners,” Ms. Jolie said.
“My sole purpose in both countries is to highlight the humanitarian plight of those uprooted by the war in Iraq.”
Today, the Academy Award-winning actress crossed into Iraq from Damascus, the Syrian capital, arriving at the makeshift Al Waleed border camp housing 1,200 stranded Iraqi refugees who are unable to flee their country. She also observed dozens of Iraqis making their way into Syria at a border checkpoint.
According to UNHCR estimates, over 4.2 million Iraqis have been displaced, with 2.2 million within the war-torn nation and two million in neighbouring countries.
“It is absolutely essential that the ongoing debate about Iraq’s future include plans for addressing the enormous humanitarian consequences these people face,” she said, adding that in her role as UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, she will concentrate on humanitarian issues and leave politics to others.
In Iraq, she also paid a private visit to United States troops and other multinational forces based in the area.
Yesterday, Ms. Jolie arrived in Syria and visited a UNHCR centre in Damascus where she met some of the thousands of Iraqi refugees – almost one-quarter of them being victims of violence and torture – registering with the UN agency.
Spending hours talking to Iraqi refugees in their homes, she recognized Syria for opening its borders and for its generosity to Iraqis.
Tens of thousands of the refugees are unemployed, and many young people are missing out on an education and their futures.
Late last month, UNHCR and the UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF, jointly launched a $129 million education appeal to send 155,000 Iraqi refugee children to school throughout the Middle East. Yesterday, the United States announced it will contribute $30 million to the fund.
Photo: Staff Sgt. Jon Cupp
The 10 Fastest Green Cars on the Planet
“Ten cars — funky, fun and each the fastest for its power source, from an American-built, ethanol-fueled roadster that runs like the wind, to a three-seat urban buggy from France that runs on the wind.” (Wired) Tip to Andrew.
