Evan Williams and Biz Stone recently left Twitter recently to work with their old buddy Jason Goldman at The Obvious Corporation, a startup incubator that “makes systems that help people work together to improve the world.”
Stone announced its first project on Tuesday: “an interesting new application for unlocking human potential through positive reinforcement” called Lift — a social network based on encouragement.
Canadians of every political stripe continue to show their love and admiration for a national leader, Jack Layton, days after his death.
Layton, the leader of the opposition New Democratic party, passed away four days ago from cancer.
He became known as Smilin’ Jack, a hard worker in Parliament, a real ‘people person’, and that rarest of rare, an honest politician. But it was his final public act that has everyone talking.
Just before he died, he wrote a letter to the Canadian people expressing his hopes for the future and showing optimism even in face of death. His last words have resonated throughout the nation.
“My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.”
Read the partial letter below:
Dear Friends,
Tens of thousands of Canadians have written to me in recent weeks to wish me well. I want to thank each and every one of you for your thoughtful, inspiring and often beautiful notes, cards and gifts. Your spirit and love have lit up my home, my spirit, and my determination.
Unfortunately my treatment has not worked out as I hoped. So I am giving this letter to my partner Olivia to share with you in the circumstance in which I cannot continue…
To other Canadians who are on journeys to defeat cancer and to live their lives, I say this: please don’t be discouraged that my own journey hasn’t gone as well as I had hoped. You must not lose your own hope. Treatments and therapies have never been better in the face of this disease. You have every reason to be optimistic, determined, and focused on the future. My only other advice is to cherish every moment with those you love at every stage of your journey, as I have done this summer.
To the members of my party: we’ve done remarkable things together in the past eight years. It has been a privilege to lead the New Democratic Party and I am most grateful for your confidence, your support, and the endless hours of volunteer commitment you have devoted to our cause. There will be those who will try to persuade you to give up our cause. But that cause is much bigger than any one leader. Answer them by recommitting with energy and determination to our work. Remember our proud history of social justice, universal health care, public pensions and making sure no one is left behind. Let’s continue to move forward. Let’s demonstrate in everything we do in the four years before us that we are ready to serve our beloved Canada as its next government.
To young Canadians: All my life I have worked to make things better. Hope and optimism have defined my political career, and I continue to be hopeful and optimistic about Canada. Young people have been a great source of inspiration for me. I have met and talked with so many of you about your dreams, your frustrations, and your ideas for change. More and more, you are engaging in politics because you want to change things for the better. Many of you have placed your trust in our party. As my time in political life draws to a close I want to share with you my belief in your power to change this country and this world. There are great challenges before you, from the overwhelming nature of climate change to the unfairness of an economy that excludes so many from our collective wealth, and the changes necessary to build a more inclusive and generous Canada. I believe in you. Your energy, your vision, your passion for justice are exactly what this country needs today. You need to be at the heart of our economy, our political life, and our plans for the present and the future.
And finally, to all Canadians: Canada is a great country, one of the hopes of the world. We can be a better one – a country of greater equality, justice, and opportunity. We can build a prosperous economy and a society that shares its benefits more fairly. We can look after our seniors. We can offer better futures for our children. We can do our part to save the world’s environment. We can restore our good name in the world. We can do all of these things because we finally have a party system at the national level where there are real choices; where your vote matters; where working for change can actually bring about change. In the months and years to come, New Democrats will put a compelling new alternative to you. My colleagues in our party are an impressive, committed team. Give them a careful hearing; consider the alternatives; and consider that we can be a better, fairer, more equal country by working together. Don’t let them tell you it can’t be done.
My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.
All my very best,
Jack Layton
Canadians of every political stripe continue to show their love and admiration for a national leader, Jack Layton, days after his death.
Layton, the leader of the opposition New Democratic party, passed away four days ago from cancer.
He became known as Smilin’ Jack, a hard worker in Parliament, a real ‘people person’, and that rarest of rare, an honest politician. But it was his final public act that has everyone talking.
Just before he died, he wrote a letter to the Canadian people expressing his hopes for the future and showing optimism even in face of death. His last words have resonated throughout the nation.
A billboard erected in the middle of the square in Benghazi gives thanks to the “Fantastic 4” — Obama, Sarkozy, Cameron, and UN Ambassador Susan Rice — the NATO and UN leaders who vowed to keep the Libyan people safe during government attacks.
But the sign-makers need to add another name. It was revealed this week that one NATO country’s foreign minister personally traveled to Libya delivering piles of cash to the National Transitional Council for use in paying salaries and providing basic services during these weeks leading up to the historic ouster of Muammar Gaddafi.
Bypassing any bureaucracy, the country of Turkey delivered cash to the Libyan rebel leadership just when they needed it most — $100 million in currency and another $100 million as “a gift,” for humanitarian projects, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Also notable this week was the story of a surprising “hero” for many Libyans who backed the overthrow of the military dictatorship: The Governor in charge of the notorious Boslin prison in Tripoli suddenly surprised his captives with their release.
A billboard erected in the middle of the square in Benghazi gives thanks to the “Fantastic 4” — Obama, Sarkozy, Cameron, and UN Ambassador Susan Rice — the NATO and UN leaders who vowed to keep the Libyan people safe during government attacks.
But the sign-makers need to add another name. It was revealed this week that one NATO country’s foreign minister personally traveled to Libya delivering piles of cash to the National Transitional Council for use in paying salaries and providing basic services during these weeks leading up to the historic ouster of Muammar Gaddafi.
Bypassing any bureaucracy, the country of Turkey delivered cash to the Libyan rebel leadership just when they needed it most — $100 million in currency and another $100 million as “a gift,” for humanitarian projects, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Also notable this week was the story of a surprising “hero” for many Libyans who backed the overthrow of the military dictatorship: The Governor in charge of the notorious Boslin prison in Tripoli suddenly surprised his captives with their release.
The last surviving Ellis Island Ferry is now a beautiful residence for one New York couple.
Christened the Yankee Ferry, it was used to transport immigrants from their incoming ships to Ellis Island, giving many their first sight of the new world.
Registered as an historical vessel with the National Register of Historical Places, the Yankee is a truly special piece of New York history that we are incredibly grateful to still have, and to see in good hands.
Delta Air Lines on Thursday confirmed its plan to buy 100 Boeing 737 jets that not only offer perks for travelers including a roomier cabin, less engine noise and more room in overhead bins, but also offer more fuel-efficiency, requiring less maintenance and less fuel.
A rise in orders for long-lasting goods like cars and aircraft in July eased fears that the U.S. was headed for another recession.
US stocks rose for a third straight day, up 1.3%.
Overall orders for durable goods rose 4% last month, biggest increase since March, the Commerce Department said Wednesday. Demand for autos and auto parts jumped 11.5%, the most in eight years.
The Afghanistan Minister of Education, Dr. Farooq Wardak, has been very busy since taking office three years ago.
More than 8,000 school buildings have been constructed in the country since the end of the Taliban regime in 2001. And, contracts were signed this week, for constructing 13 more schools in eight different provinces over the next six months.
The new classrooms will help nearly 8,500 students, many of whom study in the open air or under tents. Funding for the $1.6 million will come from the education ministry, the World Bank and Denmark.
The Afghanistan Minister of Education, Dr. Farooq Wardak, has been very busy since taking office three years ago.
More than 8,000 school buildings have been constructed in the country since the end of the Taliban regime in 2001. And, contracts were signed this week, for constructing 13 more schools in eight different provinces over the next six months.
The new classrooms will help nearly 8,500 students, many of whom study in the open air or under tents. Funding for the $1.6 million will come from the education ministry, the World Bank and Denmark.
Pans sizzling, steam rising and the tantalizing smells of foreign delicacies will delight the public during food demonstrations and gala dinners provided by 250 chefs from 44 countries, in Cape Town this week for a 10-day culinary tour to aid hungry children.
700 local chefs also plan to participate in the World Chefs Tour Against Hunger, sponsored by the largest foodservice business outside North America, Bidvest.
At 20, Maria Toorpakai is the best female squash player in Pakistan. But she can’t play there.
Her family began receiving death threats from the Taliban, a group that equates a woman wearing shorts as an obscenity, an offense to Islam.
Since March, she has been living in Toronto, training with Canada’s own squash legend, Jonathon Power. He says Toorpakai will soon be the best in the world.
A new fuel cell feeds on bacteria in the dirty water from our drains and toilets while generating power at the same time.
Environmental engineer Bruce Logan is developing microbial fuel cells that take advantage of the natural desire of wastewater bacteria to munch on organic waste. When these bacteria eat the waste, electrons are released as a byproduct that can be directed into a circuit to power everything from light bulbs to ceiling fans.
Anderson Cooper, the serious and white-haired reporter and host of AC 360 on CNN fell into a giggling fit during a humorous story about a French actor, Gerard Depardieu. Depardieu, stuck on an airport tarmac and told he could not use the toilet, peed into a bottle and spilled some on the carpet.
Watch as Cooper survives pun after pun while recounting the story, but finally loses it…
Nobody can watch this and not laugh during Cooper’s contagious giggle.
89 year-old Aaron Biber’s barbershop has been a mainstay in his Tottenham neighborhood for 41 years, but it took one night of rioting to nearly destroy it.
But some kindhearted strangers launched a fundraiser online to help restore the shop to its former condition.
A group of interns from a London advertising agency who read about Biber’s story, decided to set up a website to collect donations.
Thanks to social media and generous hearts, $57,000 (£37,000) was raised.
Mr. Biber was at a loss for words but wanted to thank everyone from the bottom of his heart. With any funds left over he would like to help other victims of the riots in the Tottenham area.
The interns, Björn, Sophie and Omid, will be recording the progress of repairs on the shop at their blog, Keep Aaron Cutting.
“This project has proved that social media can be a powerful force for good,” the trio concluded when closed the donation link. “It’s been the most heartening experience to be involved with all of you.”
89 year-old Aaron Biber’s barbershop has been a mainstay in his Tottenham neighborhood for 41 years, but it took one night of rioting to nearly destroy it.
But some kindhearted strangers launched a fundraiser online to help restore the shop to its former condition.
A group of interns from a London advertising agency who read about Biber’s story, decided to set up a website to collect donations.
Ryan Gosling posed as a hero in real life, stopping a New York City street fight over the weekend. He was walking down the street in the East Village when he came upon an escalating scuffle and immediately intervened.
The 31-year-old actor wearing a baseball cap, stood taller than any of the other men, his muscles bulging from a striped tank top. He dropped his bags on the ground and pulling an aggravated man to the side.
The whole scene was captured on video, thanks to a bystander who began squealing after she learned of the actor’s identity.
Ryan Gosling posed as a hero in real life, stopping a New York City street fight over the weekend. He was walking down the street in the East Village when he came upon an escalating scuffle and immediately intervened.
The 31-year-old actor wearing a baseball cap, stood taller than any of the other men, his muscles bulging from a striped tank top. He dropped his bags on the ground and pulling an aggravated man to the side.
The whole scene was captured on video, thanks to a bystander who began squealing after she learned of the actor’s identity.
Last January, a Minnesota man’s heart stopped beating for an amazing 96 minutes. Emergency room doctors thought he was dead. But first responders who gave CPR on the scene decided not to give up, in part because of technology that allowed them to see their efforts were working.
It’s called capnography, and it measures how much carbon dioxide is being expelled with each breath.
The first memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC, dedicated to a non-president, or a black American, opens today in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Standing between the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and Jefferson Memorial — alongside the water and the cherry trees — the granite statue stands more than 30 feet tall.
Another element of the memorial that truly captures Dr. King’s legacy is the Inscription Wall.
Fourteen of Dr. King’s most notable quotes are engraved on a 450-foot crescent shaped granite wall. The quotes span the too-short career of Dr. King, the earliest taken from his rise during the Montgomery Bus Boycotts in Alabama, 1955. The latest quote, appropriately, was taken from his last sermon delivered in Washington, DC at the National Cathedral in 1968, four days before his assassination at age 39.
The official dedication for the memorial takes place Sunday, August 28 on the 40th anniversary of King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. President Obama is scheduled to speak, and Aretha Franklin to sing, for the thousands who will flock to the nation’s capital.
Take a virtual tour of the four-acre site, and donate to help sponsor the project, at the MLK Memorial website: www.mlkmemorial.org.
