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Thousands of “Hackers for Good” Build Applications for Humanity

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Jun 21, 2011

random-acts-hackers-meeting

Two years ago representatives from Google, Microsoft, Yahoo!, Hewlett-Packard, NASA and the World Bank came together to form the Random Hacks of Kindness (RHoK) program, which steers technology developers toward doing good. RHoK brings together subject matter experts, volunteer software developers and designers to create free software solutions that address challenges facing humanity and assist in crisis response.

Earlier this month, thousands of “hackers for good” gathered in more than 19 different global locations—from Berlin to Nairobi, and Sydney to Sao Paulo—to participate in Random Hacks of Kindness #3. These teams are now off and running, working with NGO and government advisors to finish their applications for humanity.

22 Year-old Plays His Way into Golf Stardom: Rory’s a Celtic Tiger, With Class

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Jun 20, 2011

Rory McIlroy, photo by Pvt pauline -CC

For 15 years golf needed Tiger. He made the game more popular, more accessible, more interesting, by virtue of his virtuosic play and dominance over the rest of the golfers on tour.

Not anymore. Thankfully, blessedly, a change has come.

In a performance for the ages, 22-year old Rory McIlroy from Northern Ireland made his name this weekend, one that won’t soon be forgotten, and news and sports outlets are giddy about the next Tiger being a Celtic Tiger.

On Fathers’ Day, Rory McIlroy, the only child of a small-town Northern Ireland bartender who worked two jobs to finance his son’s sporting career, hugged his dad tightly after winning golf’s toughest challenge, the US Open, before a wildly cheering throng of newfound fans at the historic Congressional Country Club outside Washington, DC.

But it wasn’t just that the humble, affable, even adorable young man had won his first major. It is how he did it – obliterating the field, beating the top ranked golfers in the world by anywhere from six to twenty strokes.

22 Year-old Plays His Way into Golf Stardom: Rory’s a Celtic Tiger, With Class

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By

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Jun 20, 2011

Rory McIlroy, photo by Pvt pauline -CC

For 15 years golf needed Tiger. He made the game more popular, more accessible, more interesting, by virtue of his virtuosic play and dominance over the rest of the golfers on tour.

Not anymore. Thankfully, blessedly, a change has come.

In a performance for the ages, 22-year old Rory McIlroy from Northern Ireland made his name this weekend, one that won’t soon be forgotten, and news and sports outlets are giddy about the next Tiger being a Celtic Tiger.

On Fathers’ Day, Rory McIlroy, the only child of a small-town Northern Ireland bartender who worked two jobs to finance his son’s sporting career, hugged his dad tightly after winning golf’s toughest challenge, the US Open, before a wildly cheering throng of newfound fans at the historic Congressional Country Club outside Washington, DC.

But it wasn’t just that the humble, affable, even adorable young man had won his first major. It is how he did it – obliterating the field, beating the top ranked golfers in the world by anywhere from six to twenty strokes.

First Lady Michelle Obama Aims to Inspire African Youth

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Jun 20, 2011

Michelle Obama with child in Haiti - WH Photo

Mrs. Obama arrives in Johannesburg, South Africa today on a weeklong trip with her two daughters and mother to inspire young people to stay in school and work hard to reach for the stars.

As a descendant of slaves, the First Lady today is a stunning example of what can be achieved through youth engagement, education, and a healthy lifestyle. She hopes to motivate women and youth during stops in Johannesburg and, later this week in Botswana.

‘Magic Mushrooms’ Can Improve Psychological and Spiritual Health Long Term

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Jun 20, 2011

Psilocybe mexican, species of psilocybin mushroom -Cactu-CC

The psychedelic drug in magic mushrooms may have lasting medical and spiritual benefits, according to new research from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

The mushroom-derived hallucinogen, called psilocybin, is known to trigger transformative spiritual states, if taken in the right doses.

In their study, the Hopkins scientists were able to reliably induce transcendental experiences in volunteers, which offered long-lasting psychological growth and helped people find peace in their lives — without negative effects.

You can grow magic mushrooms at home using the detailed and free public resources at Tripitter.com. Learn more: https://tripsitter.com/magic-mushrooms/cultivation/

Marine’s Paris Island Gets First Female Commander

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Jun 20, 2011

Gen. Lori Reynolds becomes first female commander

Parris Island, the South Carolina military installation that has trained thousands of young Marines, has its first female commander, Brig. Gen. Lori Reynolds, who took over at a change-of-command ceremony Friday.

“It’s not about male or female, it’s about highly qualified officers,” Capt. Bernadette Newman told CNN Savannah affiliate WSAV. “The Marine Corps gets it right. It’s a performance-based society, and if you look at General Reynolds’ bio, she has more than enough experience to add value to this, so it is exciting.”

88 Street Pianos Pop-up in Parks, Plazas Around New York City

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Jun 19, 2011

Street piano at Astor Place - by Tracy Edwards

Yesterday marked the opening of the summer season of free concerts in NYC, and the arrival of 88 pianos — hand painted by local artists— on street corners and parks that allow anyone to play music, bringing the arts to all.

The fifth annual Make Music New York festival includes more than 1,000 free and public concerts in all five boroughs of The Big Apple.

The pianos will be available for playing through July 2, when the project organizer, Sing for Hope, will donate the 28 grand pianos and 60 uprights to local schools, hospitals, and community centers.

88 Street Pianos Pop-up in Parks, Plazas Around New York City

Most Popular

By

Good News Network

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Jun 19, 2011

Street piano at Astor Place - by Tracy Edwards

Yesterday marked the opening of the summer season of free concerts in NYC, and the arrival of 88 pianos — hand painted by local artists— on street corners and parks that allow anyone to play music, bringing the arts to all.

The fifth annual Make Music New York festival includes more than 1,000 free and public concerts in all five boroughs of The Big Apple.

The pianos will be available for playing through July 2, when the project organizer, Sing for Hope, will donate the 28 grand pianos and 60 uprights to local schools, hospitals, and community centers.

Corporate Guy Turned Single Parent is Named World’s Greatest Dad

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Good News Network

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Jun 19, 2011

Columnist Bobblehead Dad and his family

On Father’s Day today, we feature Jim Higley who was named the World’s Greatest Dad. Readers across the world follow this funny and wise single father of three and cancer survivor in his weekly parenting column in the Chicago Tribune.

Known as the “Bobblehead Dad,” Higley is a former corporate guy who chucked-it-all after a cancer diagnosis so he could be a better dad. A passionate cancer warrior and spokesperson, Higley recently won the title of “World’s Greatest Dad” in a national contest sponsored by Man of the House magazine. Higley’s stories on fatherhood—including his own transition from the boardroom to the carpool—reveal the best and worst of parenting, but all wrapped in a life lesson.

Corporate Guy Turned Single Parent is Named World’s Greatest Dad

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By

Good News Network

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Jun 19, 2011

Columnist Bobblehead Dad and his family

On Father’s Day today, we feature Jim Higley who was named the World’s Greatest Dad. Readers across the world follow this funny and wise single father of three and cancer survivor in his weekly parenting column in the Chicago Tribune.

Known as the “Bobblehead Dad,” Higley is a former corporate guy who chucked-it-all after a cancer diagnosis so he could be a better dad. A passionate cancer warrior and spokesperson, Higley recently won the title of “World’s Greatest Dad” in a national contest sponsored by Man of the House magazine. Higley’s stories on fatherhood—including his own transition from the boardroom to the carpool—reveal the best and worst of parenting, but all wrapped in a life lesson.

One Million Bangladesh Homes Run on Solar Power

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Jun 19, 2011

solar panel power a rural home in Palestine

The number of households in electricity-starved Bangladesh using solar panels has crossed the one million mark — the fastest expansion of solar use in the world, officials said Wednesday.

In 2002, just 7,000 households were using solar panels but now more than a million households — or some five million people — gather solar energy.

Painting Thought to be ‘Worthless’ Sells for Millions

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Jun 19, 2011

Aivazovsky painting that fetched $1.4mil at auction

A man in Sweden was downsizing. There was no room in his new place for the large canvas that had hung on his wall for over a decade, so he included it in the boxes set for an auction house.

He had no idea that the painting his wife left him when she passed away in 2002 was a Russian masterpiece by Ivan Aivazovsky painted in 1858. The “worthless” painting was priceless and sold for $1.4 million.

(READ the story in Yahoo News)

“Exciting” Afghan Peace Plan Paying Off as Taliban Fighters Renounce Violence

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Jun 18, 2011

US soldier talks to Afghan villagers

Peace is beginning to flower across Afghanistan with about 5% of Taliban fighters nationwide already surrendering, to re-join civil society through the Afghan Peace and Reintegration Program, or APRP, paid for by donors like the United States and Saudi Arabia.

“So far, we’ve got about 1,740 former fighters (five percent of the estimated total) who have formally joined the reintegration process. On top of this, the High Peace Council has at least another 40 to 45 groups in negotiation across the country — maybe as many as another 2,000 fighters. And much of this activity has emerged literally in the past four months or so.”

So said British Army Major General Phil Jones, of NATO’s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), who has been working on the nascent peace-building effort since it started almost a year ago when a 30 page strategy document was signed by presidential decree following the convening of a 70-member National Consultative Peace Jirga in Kabul.

As the US-led Nato forces in Afghanistan are preparing for a scheduled drawdown next month, President Hamid Karzai’s administration has stepped up its efforts to win over Taliban insurgents and the plan, with the full backing of the United States, seems to be working. Insurgents, including key commanders, are surrending every day to the authorities, pledging to obey the Constitution and renouncing violence.

“Exciting” Afghan Peace Plan Paying Off as Taliban Fighters Renounce Violence

Most Popular

By

Good News Network

-

Jun 18, 2011

US soldier talks to Afghan villagers

Peace is beginning to flower across Afghanistan with about 5% of Taliban fighters nationwide already surrendering, to re-join civil society through the Afghan Peace and Reintegration Program, or APRP, paid for by donors like the United States and Saudi Arabia.

“So far, we’ve got about 1,740 former fighters (five percent of the estimated total) who have formally joined the reintegration process. On top of this, the High Peace Council has at least another 40 to 45 groups in negotiation across the country — maybe as many as another 2,000 fighters. And much of this activity has emerged literally in the past four months or so.”

So said British Army Major General Phil Jones, of NATO’s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), who has been working on the nascent peace-building effort since it started almost a year ago when a 30 page strategy document was signed by presidential decree following the convening of a 70-member National Consultative Peace Jirga in Kabul.

As the US-led Nato forces in Afghanistan are preparing for a scheduled drawdown next month, President Hamid Karzai’s administration has stepped up its efforts to win over Taliban insurgents and the plan, with the full backing of the United States, seems to be working. Insurgents, including key commanders, are surrending every day to the authorities, pledging to obey the Constitution and renouncing violence.

Phil Campbells From Around the World Unite to Save Namesake Town

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Jun 18, 2011

Phil Campbells unite for tornado town

Two months after a tornado destroyed much of the town of Phil Campbell, Alabama, people from around the world named “Phil Campbell” have descended on the town to make sure the clean-up continues.

Men from as far away as Alaska, Australia and Scotland are pitching in and raising money for Phil Campbell.

(WATCH the NBC Making A Difference segment below)

Thanks to Joel Arellano for submitting the story to our Facebook page!

Single Dad Reads With Daughter Every Night for 9 Years, Now She Pens Book About It

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Good News Network

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Jun 18, 2011

The Reading Streak book cover

When Alice was in the fourth grade, her family was going through a rough patch after her parents split up. So she and her father made a pledge: to read together every single night for 100 days.

But after 100 days, they just kept going. Their streak ultimately lasted 3,218 days — spanning from Alice’s fourth-grade year to her first day of college, and even included prom night, when she jumped into bed wearing her dress.

Their commitment to reading and to each other are the subject of Alice Ozma’s debut book, The Reading Promise: My Father and the Books We Shared.

Saudi Women Defy Driving Ban

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Jun 18, 2011

Saudi woman driving from Youtube video

In their own brief moment of ‘Arab Spring’, Saudi women got behind the wheel and drove through their towns Friday, a defiant act against the law banning women drivers in Saudi Arabia.

Dozens of women, many of whom have driven abroad for years, protested the ban that they contend is unfairly based on Sunni religious tenet.

A Facebook campaign was launched by one young woman who worries about the cost of hiring drivers, since women are not allowed on public transportation, and the inability to drive to the hospital in case of emergency.

Treat Yourself With Compassion – 10 Tips

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Therese Borchard

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Jun 17, 2011

Photo of woman relaxing, by Sun Star

Perfectionism.

It’s the enemy of creativity, productivity, and, well, sanity. It can frustrate your efforts as a mom, wife, friend, and human being because no one and no thing is perfect in this blemished world of ours.

I tackle this adversary everyday. And although my inner perfectionist clearly has hold of my brain many days, I do think I am handcuffed less often by the fear of messing up than I used to be. Here are 10 techniques I use to break out of the prison of perfectionism in order to live and create as freely as I can in an imperfect world.

Treat Yourself With Compassion – 10 Tips

Most Popular

By

Therese Borchard

-

Jun 17, 2011

Photo of woman relaxing, by Sun Star

Perfectionism.

It’s the enemy of creativity, productivity, and, well, sanity. It can frustrate your efforts as a mom, wife, friend, and human being because no one and no thing is perfect in this blemished world of ours.

I tackle this adversary everyday. And although my inner perfectionist clearly has hold of my brain many days, I do think I am handcuffed less often by the fear of messing up than I used to be. Here are 10 techniques I use to break out of the prison of perfectionism in order to live and create as freely as I can in an imperfect world.

Farming at Leavenworth Prison Trains Inmates, Feeds Needy

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Jun 17, 2011

farmers-market-produce

A fresh foods program at the Leavenworth Penitentiary has inmates growing a quarter million pounds of produce every year, which produces free healthy food for them, and more than 80,000 pounds in donations to help feed the needy throughout Kansas City.

The program even helps the volunteers — all non-violent offenders — get good jobs after being released, and at no cost to the taxpayers.

(READ the story from the Kansas City Star)

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