40 wounded soldiers from veterans hospitals in Washington flew in a private jet to Las Vegas over the weekend for an all-expenses-paid getaway, thanks to the Sands hotel chairman Sheldon Adelson and his wife Miriam. The Armed Forces Foundation officials who organized the trip, said the dream holiday eventually would be extended by the Adelsons to every veteran who had been admitted to the two D.C.-area hospitals. (Full story in the Associated Press)
Casino Mogul Hosts Wounded Soldiers in Vegas
Successful Failing
Everything that happens to you serves you in some way. Everything. Every time. It doesn’t always feel good but it always serves you. Pain is feedback that something is amiss. Likewise, failure is simply feedback. You can be instantly freed from the suffering associated with any failure if you grasp (and master) the concept that failure is feedback.
Ohio Businessman Brings 22 Tons of Chicken to Feed the Hungry
A successful businessman wanted to do something meaningful to help hungry people in Northern Ohio. Utilizing his industry contacts, his company purchased over 25,000 pounds of frozen chicken. Thanks to Adam DeFrancesco, CEO of Omni Systems Inc., a manufacturer that makes labels for the poultry industry, six food agencies in Cleveland and Youngstown distributed more than 22 tons of the chicken to needy families.
Humpback Whale Population Rebounding
From the brink of extinction, humpback whales have made a dramatic comeback over the past four decades, according to an extensive study. The new study conducted by more than 400 whale researchers for the US agency, NOAA, found the number of humpback whales in the North Pacific Ocean has rebounded to approximately 18,000 to 20,000 animals.
The population of humpback whales in the North Pacific numbered less than 1,500 in 1966 when international whaling for this species was banned. In the 1970s, federal laws including the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act provided additional protection for the whales, at least half of whom migrate between Alaska and Hawaii.
New Light Source Lasts 15 Years Without Recharging
A company has invented a glowing light source that lasts for 15 years — instead of the 15 minutes for a typical glowstick. GlowPaint won the grand prize in NASA’s 2007 ‘Create the Future’ Design Contest with its Litroenergy™, a non-toxic, inexpensive micro particle that emits light — bright enough to read by — without any electricity or sun exposure.
“This has potential to save billions in energy costs worldwide,” says the company. It is durable and reliable too, they say: “The Litrospheres are not effected by heat or cold, and are 5,000-pound crush resistant. They can be injection molded or added to paint. The constant light gives off no U.V. rays, and can be designed to emit almost any color of light desired.” See more info here.
$500M Donation by Saudi Arabia Helps UN Meet Food Crisis Goal
Saudi Arabia has made a landmark offer to contribute $500 million to the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) to help with efforts to combat the global food crisis. The WFP has now achieved its target of $755 million to deal with the recent surge in food and fuel costs.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said, “This contribution of an unprecedented size and generosity comes not a moment too soon, given the needs of millions of people dependent on food rations.”
Next month the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) will host a major summit at its Rome headquarters to discuss how agriculture can be harnessed to produce enough food to meet the demands of the world’s growing population.
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
South Africans Unite for Immigrants Suffering Violence
Waves of xenophobic violence against immigrants this week has led to an overwhelming positive response by the South African public, through an outpouring of goods, food, blankets and money for the victims of the violence.
Gift of the Givers has set up a program to collect donations and in just a week, they have moved over R1 million worth of goods to refugee centers.
“I’ve been in this industry for 15 years and I have never seen a response like this,” says Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, founder of Gift of the Givers. “To me, the real spirit of South Africans has been shown. We are not a xenophobic nation. We are seeing massive support. Black, White, Indian, Coloured; they are all here.” (See the full report in South Africa’s premiere Good News website)
10 Things You Can Do Today to Simplify Your Life
Simplifying can sometimes be overwhelming. The amount of stuff in your life and the amount of things you have to do feels too momentous to tackle. Here are 10 simple things you can do today that will make the biggest difference in your hectic life.
If you do these 10 things, you’ll have made great strides toward a simpler, happier life.
The Art of Word Fasting: Today’s Word is ‘Power’
Today, on our Friday “Word Fast, we look at POWER and how the way in which we perceive each other affects our understanding of the word, and the actions that then arise. Jack gives us an acronym to reframe our thinking and a helpful practice to reframe how we look at our fellow humans…
My acronym today is: P.O.W.E.R. Presenting Our Will Equal, Regardless
The idea of presenting our will equal regardless of the authoritative or academic status, race or age of people is a practice originally introduced by ancestors of various regions who defined their fellow humans as equal allies, nothing more nothing less.
Later generations were taught to perceive people via judgment and measurement. The result is that we either give our POWER away when we see ourselves as less than, or steal someone else’s POWER by seeing ourselves as greater than.
Senegalese Fishermen Save Dozens of Stranded Whales
Local fishermen struggled through the night to return dozens of stranded pilot whales back to the sea on Wednesday after the animals mysteriously beached themselves along a Senegal coastal village around 9:00 in the evening.
One fisherman told a reporter, “We worked all night to try to drag them back into the ocean. We got about 80 back into the water with ropes, our (boats) and our hands.”
READ More at Reuters News-Africa
File photo by NOAA
Iraq’s National Symphony Plays in Baghdad, First Major Performance in Years
The Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra, which is made up of musicians who are Shia, Sunni, Armenian and Kurdish, yesterday played a concert in Baghdad to promote unity — their first significant performance in years.
Broadcast live on Iraqi television, the performance was attended by 400 people and held to commemorate the World Day for Cultural Diversity, for Dialogue and Development.
Eco-passionate for the Beaches and Moors from Scotland to Australia
Businesses on the Tweed Coast in Australia have embarked on a new mission — protecting their seaside paradise from plastic shopping bags. The Business Association has become one of the first chambers of commerce in Australia to formally adopt a campaign to phase out plastic bags, with local stores convinced their seaside location makes it all the more important to ensure the bags don’t find their way into waterways. Some of the shopkeepers are giving away cloth bags, some are charging for the reusable sacks, but all are eager to shift public perception for the better. (Tweed Daily News )
And, in Scotland a major new poll found that over 90% of people interviewed said they thought it important to preserve wild places. More than 60% of residents said action was needed to protect Scotland’s remote and untamed mountains, moors and glens from the damage brought by modern buildings, bulldozers and mobile phone towers. (The Sunday Herald)
Encouraging Talent in Young Adults No Matter the Sport
A Letter to the Editor in the UK caught my eye as it called for more encouragement of young people, even if their talents required frequent trips to the pub. Commented on the exploits of a young pool player he wrote, “It looks like the young lad has a talent for the game, and enjoys playing as much as possible.”
“Similar to the way a talented footballer would enjoy his soccer. It is natural then that his parents would like to see him progress as far as possible. However, you do not see pool tables on street corners, or in bus shelters. You cannot play pool in Boot’s or Tesco’s…” Being good at something results in the “bit of pride and responsible behavior” we need in young people and adults should not look down upon the skateboarder or pool player with disdain.
I know about this having been a surprisingly good pool player myself and fond of the pub scene where my talents could be displayed! Read the rest of the letter at Market Rasen Mail
5 Rare Tiger Cubs Born in St. Louis (Video)
Five rare amur tiger cubs have been born at the Saint Louis Zoo. The zoo says the critically endangered Amur tigers, born less than four weeks ago, are not on display yet, but they have shared this beautiful video.
Only 10 Days Left!
For those who haven’t signed up yet… 10 days left to become a charter member of the Good News Network membership site and get all the free bonuses. Only those who sign up in May can LOCK-IN their subscription price forever. What price? Any YOU CHOOSE to pay. It’s our unique good news policy: Pay what you want, pay what you can.!
Sign up during May and gain easy access to all the daily good news stories and videos — as well as the new discussion forum — for any price you choose (minimum of $1 per month), and lock in that price for life (just 10 days left).
WHY BECOME A CHARTER MEMBER?
- Feed Your Soul- View inspiring news whenever you need a boost
- Help Reverse Depression – Ease Anxiety and hopelessness
- Save Time – No more searching the web for good news
- Improve Your Health – Ward off illness and stroke (studies show optimism cuts heart and lung ailments
- GNN-i is the only place to find “On This Day in History” listing of all the good news from any calendar day
- Become More Productive- One survey showed that people are more productive after hearing good news
- Boost your Family Morale- A cheerful attitude rubs off on family members
- Receive over $500 in bonuses — including free coaching if you hurry — when you are one of the first to join during the month of May
Join the Network today and also get these bonuses:
—The FIRST 200 charter members will get to join a GNN-i Mastermind Group telephone call next month, with personal and marketing strategies to help you solve any problem using the power of group thinking.
—The FIRST 500 charter members will win 2 complimentary coaching sessions with a career and business coach (worth $250.00). A coach with 20 years of experience will help you develop strategies that will achieve success.
—The FIRST 1,000 charter members receive: The Mp3 DOWNLOAD of the 60-minute Great Mentors audio program, “How to Be Happier”, featuring Harvard psychology professor and author of the best-selling, “Happier: Learn the Secrets to Daily Joy and Lasting Fulfillment.”
READ About MORE BENEFITS Below…
UN to Help Maasai People From Kenya Preserve Their Heritage
Two people from the Maasai community of Laikipia in Kenya are to be given training in documenting and archiving their cultural heritage through a new project launched yesterday by the United Nations World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
The two people from the Maasai community will travel with an expert from the National Museums of Kenya to the United States for intensive, hands-on training in documentary techniques and archival skills at the American Folklife Center and the Center for Documentary Studies, which are collaborating on the project with WIPO.
Pitcher’s No-Hitter Inspires Cancer Survivors
Boston Red Sox pitcher and lymphoma survivor Jon Lester earned one of baseball’s highest honors last night by throwing a no-hitter, the latest achievement in a career once threatened by cancer. He was forced to end his 2006 season early and undergo chemotherapy after receiving a diagnosis of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Last year the lefty hurler completed his comeback clinching a victory for the Sox in game four of the World Series. ABC NEWS reports on how Jon Lester is inspiring cancer survivors around the country. Also read ABC’s Cancer Survivor Throws No Hitter Vs Royals. Thanks to Jim Corbley for passing on the news!
Turn Workplace Troublemakers into Problem-Solvers
Here she comes into the office again to complain, “Connie Complainer.” You think to yourself: what now? … Some complaints are valid and others are annoying. One of the biggest stresses in the workplace is the squeaky wheel that never gets enough grease. If you have one of these noisy irritants, you can transform your troublemaker into a problem solver by asking three power questions…
___________________________
Welcome to “Workplace Wednesday,” where the Good News Network explores workplace issues: Marlene Chisolm offers this weekly column in the Business Section featuring topics like negativity, stress, leadership, presentation skills, career advancement and networking. Do you know a complainer? Tell us about it and get some help in our NEW discussion forum!
__________________________
Protest Turns to Praise for Foreign Firms in China
For multinational companies doing business in China, the devastating earthquake offers a chance to turn around their image and the list of Western firms that have contributed cash and goods to the aid effort reads like a Who’s Who of global business, reports Reuters News in China.
Ocean Motion Used to Power Up Homes
When it comes to tapping energy from the ocean, off-shore oil rigs are often what comes to mind. But the ocean itself is proving to be an efficient and environmentally friendly source of energy. Wave Dragon is developing the UK’s first offshore wave farm. See their website or watch the video from AP.