The New York Philharmonic played an historic concert in Pyongyang on Tuesday opening with both countries’ national anthems to emphasize the goal of improving ties between the US and communist North Korea. The US orchestra helped to open ties with the Soviet Union in 1959 and today earned a 5-minute standing ovation from high-level North Koreans.
N.Y. Philharmonic Performs Historic Concert in North Korea (UPDATED w/ Video)
Results of Nursing Program Encouraging
“There could be an end to the nursing shortage in Kansas thanks to a 10-year, $30 million state funding and matching grant program that was signed into law in 2006, which led to an increase of 507 students.” (MorningSun.net)
Women Participation in Pakistan Election is Encouraging
“The participation of a large number of women in Monday’s elections is a significant development that will pave the way for gender equality in politics. Additionally, fifteen female candidates secured National Assembly seats.” (Daily Times of Pakistan)
Congo, Rwanda and Uganda Unite to Save Mountain Gorillas
Borders will matter less to central Africa’s mountain gorillas, following the launch of a strategic conservation plan which covers adjoining areas of Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Hero Dog Bitten Defending Little Girl
“Roary the Staffordshire bull terrier turned lifesaver when he saw a deadly brown snake rear to strike three-year-old Ebony Davis. The dog jumped on the 1.5-metre snake, bit it and swung it clear of Ebony and her father in the backyard. Its bravery nearly cost him his life.” Read the full story with dramatic ending at Australia’s Herald Sun. Thanks to Jessica for sending the link!
Cop Helps Set Sentence for his Shooter After 20 Years: A Donation to Charity
A former Chicago cop agrees to a bit of restorative justice for his shooter who was extradited from Canada after 20 years of clean living to face charges of aggravated battery and skipping bail. Full report at the New York Times: 4 Decades After Shooting, Effort to Make Punishment Fit the Crime. Thanks to Alex T. for sending the link!
Arab Women Break Tradition by Touring Their Country Alone
Sending a small message to society to say “women can do so”, four young Emirati women have toured the country in a car breaking tradition by travelling alone without a male relative. The Emirati Women’s Traveller Group was featured in Gulf News.com.
Ghana Adopts National Peace Plan
“Ghana has adopted a new peace plan dubbed National Architecture for Peace” to foster “respect for the rule of law, transparency, accountability and free and fair elections”, which have been “achieved for the past seven years” and ultimately lead to a durable internal peace. (Modern Ghana.com)
Empowering West African Women With Diesel Engines
The mechanization of domestic tasks such as milling or husking grains (normally done with a mortar and pestle or grinding stone) can transform the time-consuming actions into profitable economic activities for rural West African women. The Diesel engines responsible for such transformation are being distributed in Burkina Faso, Mali and Senegal by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) with help from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Free Elections Give Pakistanis Chance to Restore Democracy
“The parliamentary election in Pakistan is an encouraging sign in a troubled region of the world — free elections judged to be scandal-free. Jubilant Pakistanis say they have taken their country back from military rule with a shot at restoring constitutional guarantees and due process.” (From a Detroit News Editorial)
Islamic extremists did not carry the day as some worried they might, see article below.
Marine Saves Iraq Dog Giving it New Florida Home
It all started with simple acts of kindness toward an abused and injured dog, just one more victim in the war in Iraq. Then, Marine Maj. Brian Dennis informed his family of his intention to adopt the homeless mutt. “This dog who had been through a lifetime of fighting, war, abuse … is going to live the good life.” (Tampa’s BayNew9.com) Thanks to Adrianne J. for the link!
Peace Plan Unveiled for City
Salinas police and city officials held a press conference to launch a new campaign intended to reduce local violence. The effort is called CAPSTONE, which stands for “City At Peace: Supporting and Transforming Our Neighborhoods.” (Californian.com)
Harness the Sunshine: Vitamin D Offers Amazing Health Benefits
Everyone’s talking about vitamin D. Last week Dr. Oz declared on Oprah that most Americans need to increase their intake of D in order to ward off disease and reap major health benefits. A new book, the Vitamin D Cure, offers the lowdown on the only “Sunshine Vitamin” — vitamin D.
Blind Cat And Dog — The Best Of Friends
“Born completely blind and shunned by his owners, an alsatian puppy had a tough start to life.” But since a family adopted the dog after hearing the story, he has became best of friends with their blind cat. See the photo and story on The Daily Mail Thanks to Jessica for sending the link.
India Small Businesses Funded by New Google Loan Group
The philanthropic arm of Google has teamed up with the Soros Economic Development Fund and Omidyar Network to create a $17 million company that will invest in small- and medium-size businesses in India, the kind that are too big for micro-loans.
Creating Life-Saving Jobs for Disabled (Video)
In Peru, where jobs are scarce, it’s nearly impossible to find work if you have a disability. But three friends are fighting to change that. Angeles Anonimos (Anonymous Angels) trains the disabled and handicapped — regarded as unemployable — to create fair-trade sterling silver jewelry. Karina feels it is a life-saver… (Watch the beautiful video at StoryBridge.tv)
New Drug Helps Dogs With Cancer
A new cancer vaccine treatment for dogs with melanoma can prolong life for pets and may well help humans with the same disease. (Video)
Satellite Successfully Intercepted by US Missile
Defense officials have a ‘high degree of confidence’ that the U.S. missile successfully hit the fuel tank last night of the satellite that was on a coarse to crash to earth carrying toxic fuel. None of the debris from the strike is larger than a football. (Video)
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Road Closed to Help Frogs Get to the Other Side
“He still remembers the time he helped carry 437 frogs and salamanders across Shades of Death Road. But it wasn’t enough. When he and the other “amphibian crossing guards” returned to the road an hour later, hundreds more had come and they were all dead, crushed by car tires.”
This year will be different.
(READ the story from NJ Audubon – scroll down the page to “Independence Twp. helps frogs get to the other side”)
Random Acts of Kindness Kick Off First Ottawa Kindness Week
For one week, February 15 to 24, Ottawa is choosing to be kind. The city will be celebrating, encouraging, and even keeping a web journal to showcase the simple acts of kindness brought to life throughout the community this week.
The new kindness organization, the brain child of a local rabbi, is seeking nominations of people, workplaces and organizations deserving recognition for kindness.
“Ottawa’s bus service OC Transpo is donating a bus to carry a “Kindness Crew” of university students who have volunteered to travel around the city to commit “surprise acts of kindness,” such as helping shovel snow and carry groceries.
For people “caught” committing random acts of kindness, Ottawa police will give out “Kindness Citations” that can be redeemed for a treat at Ottawa’s well-loved Rideau Bakery.
And during the week there will be more than 200,000 “Kindness Cards” in circulation in the region…”
Visit the KindOttawa.ca website
Thanks to Sarah C. in NY for sending this inspiring story!