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Google Rolls Out ‘Fact Check’ Tool to Combat Fake News Worldwide

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Good News Network
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After “fake news” became such a popular topic during the election season, Google rolled out a fact checking program in October to verify the accuracy of American news articles. In the months since the election, Google has slowly, but surely, introduced it in countries around the world.

On Friday, the tech company announced that – thanks to their tech incubator Jigsaw – the “Fact Check” tag feature has been made available everywhere in every language.

Now whenever someone looks up a news article in the Google Search engine, the Fact Check tag will clearly be displayed. The tag will contain information on who made the verification claim, when they filed the claim, and the facts checked.

RELATED: High School Journalists Force Resignation With Their Real News

“This information won’t be available for every search result, and there may be search result pages where different publishers checked the same claim and reached different conclusions,” writes Jigsaw’s product manager Justin Kosslyn. “These fact checks are not Google’s and are presented so people can make more informed judgements.”

“Even though differing conclusions may be presented, we think it’s still helpful for people to understand the degree of consensus around a particular claim and have clear information on which sources agree.”

Click To Share The News With Your Friends (Photo by Carlos Luna)

Clever Pup Opens 4 Doors So He Can Reunite With His Family (WATCH)

By
McKinley Corbley
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Some dogs can’t even understand the basic “sit” and “stay” commands, let alone being smart enough to break out of an animal hospital – which is precisely what General did earlier this week.

General is a Great Pyrenees who was kept in a kennel at the Aquia-Garrisonville Animal Hospital in Stafford, Virginia while his family was on vacation. The hospital’s security footage captured on Sunday night shows the pup opening four different doors – one of which he opened with his mouth – in order to escape.

The canine then strolls very nonchalantly across the parking lot and into the darkness.

Officials at the animal hospital called the dog’s owners, informing them of his masterful escape.

WATCH: Boaters Shocked When Clever Seal Hops on Board to Escape Orcas

While General’s disappearance may have caused quite a fuss, he was later found resting in the family’s next-door neighbor’s yard.

“General has been found!” wrote the hospital in a Facebook post on Monday. “According to neighbors he was resting in their yard since 11 am this morning. A huge thanks to all that helped General find his way back safely. A special thanks to Stafford Animal Control, Stafford Sheriffs, and the many friends of AGAH who supported us through this stressful time. Officer McCall was the responding Animal Control Officer to return him to us.”

Steve McQueen, eat your heart out.

(WATCH the video below)

 

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Hospital Grants Dying Patient’s Last Wish For Wine, Cigarette

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McKinley Corbley
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This Danish man was told that he only had days – maybe even hours – to live before dying of internal bleeding.

His last request? He wanted a final cigarette and glass of wine in front of the sunset.

Carsten Flemming Hansen was too ill for surgery when he was admitted to Aarhus University Hospital in Aarhus, Denmark – and he knew it was only a matter of time until he gave in to his injuries.

RELATED: Police Officer Fulfills Dying Woman’s Wish to Walk on Beach One Last Time

So Carsten asked his nurse Rikke Kvist if she could help fulfill his final wish. Despite the hospital’s no-smoking policy, Rikke make an exception and wheeled the 71-year-old’s bed onto the hospital’s balcony for one more stogie.

The hospital then released a photo of the contented senior accepting a glass of white wine in front of a picturesque sunset. The picture was captioned: “The family agreed that [in] this situation [what] Carsten Hansen wants [was] more important than the treatment [and] prevention.”

Carsten reportedly was accompanied on the balcony by his family and nurses – and though they were sad about his inevitable passing, they said “it was cozy and there was humor”.

Click To Share This Sweet Story With Your Friends (Photo by Aarhus University Hospital)

Now You Can Turn Cremated Remains of Loved Ones into Blossoming Coral Reefs

By
McKinley Corbley
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The Ocean Agency / Richard Vevers

Forget the gloom and doom of crowded graveyards – you can now turn the ashes of your loved ones into a blossoming coral reef under the sea.

Set Free at Sea is a Gainesville, Georgia-based organization that builds bases for coral reefs out of cremated remains and eco-friendly materials.

EDITOR’S NOTE: We have since learned that the website link to this organization is no longer in service. The Facebook page is still live, so we added that link instead. 

The service supplies a host of benefits; by providing coral organisms with structures on which to build their reefs, Set Free at Sea is helping dozens of struggling ecosystems thrive amidst the changing underwater climate. Family members also feel more at peace with death knowing that their loved ones – whether they were a relative or a pet – are contributing to the circle of life in a helpful way.

RELATED: Changing The Expensive Funeral Game, She’s ‘The Green Reaper’

Coral reefs are created when free-swimming coral larvae attach to hard surfaces usually found around the coasts of islands or shorelines. The tiny organisms then form colonies that stretch into reef structures, which provides valuable shelter and habitats for other marine life, such as algae, sea grass, fish, sponges, anemones, eels, and crustaceans.

By combining an organic live-rock mixture with cremated remains, the ashes of the deceased are sculpted and cured into a structure that is then placed in different locations on the ocean floor, providing the basis for future reefs. Set Free at Sea even films the placing of the sculpture so families can see where their loved one is laid to rest.

The organization gives annual updates on the reefs development and progress so customers can see how the structure is helping to save its underwater ecosystem.

MORE: This Doctor Broke The Law To Engineer a Better Nursing Home, And the Death Rate Plummeted

The entire package provided by the service includes an engraved tabletop replica of the reef structure; a DVD of the reef’s placement; GPS coordinates of the reef’s location; framed certificates; and a flower arrangement that is lowered with the memorial.

The service will be shipping 30 cremated structures out to sea from Miami in June, and again in October. When spring of 2018 rolls around, the organization will be setting sail for 30 more services from Indonesia and the Philippines.

The founder of Set Free at Sea, Amber Hoagland, is no stranger to grief and struggle herself. In fact, she is quite familiar with it.

WATCH: Listen To This Concrete Organ Played By The Ocean

“I started this business after leaving an abusive marriage with my four small children,” artistic director Amber Hoagland told Good News Network. “Homeless, I basically stopped making excuses and started making solutions. I got my degree and dove into my artistic passions and never stopped.”

The product of her innovation has resulted in dozens of successful alternative underwater burials. Not to mention that 10% of the business’s sales go towards nonprofit organizations dedicated to removing trash and waste from the oceans.

“Set Free At Sea’s top priority is to make everlasting memories for you and your loved one. Simply put; our goal is to promote life even after we pass.”

(WATCH the video below)

 

You Should Dolphinately Click To Share This Story With Your Friends (Photos by Set Free at Sea)

California Sun Produces So Much Power That Electricity Prices Turn Negative

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Good News Network
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California girls aren’t the only things that are melting popsicles this spring.

This new report shows that the beautiful, blazin’ California sun was so strong on the state’s solar panels last month, that – for the first time ever – electricity prices dropped into the negative.

The data, which was released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, showed that the solar power harnessed by the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) accounted for almost 40% of the net amount of electricity used between 11AM and 2PM.

RELATED: California Breaks Solar Record, Generates Enough Electricity for 6 Million Homes

These record-breaking numbers are due largely in part to an almost 50% growth in utility-scale solar photovoltaic installed capacity in 2016, with about 5.4 gigawatts of net-metered distributed solar capacity recorded in December.

Unfortunately, this does not mean that Californian consumers will see an especially large drop in utility prices since the price depends on the averaged value – but the ever-expanding solar energy market is still definitely worth celebrating.

On July 12, several large solar plants in the Golden State briefly produced a record-breaking 8,030 megawatts of electricity, generating enough energy to power over 6 million homes. On that day in particular, the generated power was nearly twice the amount of solar energy produced two years previously — and that is only counting the electricity produced at plants. Thousands of rooftop solar panels around the state have the capacity to produce an additional 50% of that record amount.

RELATED: Heavy Rains and Snow Helping California Out of Drought

This solar production record demonstrates that the state is making significant strides toward meeting the state’s goal of reaching 33% renewables by 2020.

Electricity demand in California also tends to peak during the summer months. However, in late winter and early spring, demand is at its annual minimum, but solar output, while not at its highest, is increasing as the days grow longer and the sun gets higher in the sky. Although the sun is at a similar angle in September and October, electricity demand is still relatively high, leading to lower solar generation shares than seen in March.

Click To Share This Sunny Story With Your Friends (Photo by Torbakhopper, CC)

Taiwan Becomes First Asian Country to Ban Consumption of Dogs, Cats

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McKinley Corbley
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In a landmark amendment to their pre-existing laws, Taiwan has become the first country in Asia to totally ban the consumption of dog and cat meat.

According to the Animals Asia Foundation, the Animal Protection Act enforced on the island only prohibited the slaughter and marketing of pet meats. Now, the actual act of eating the substance is punishable by up to $8,000 in fines.

The legislature also includes further reenforcement on other animal cruelty-related offenses. Animal abuse can now result in up to $60,000 in fines or two years in prison, while repeat offenders can be jailed for up to five years.

RELATED: Animal Activist Makes Historic Deal With Meat Market to Close All Slaughterhouses

The amendments were passed earlier this week by the Legislative Yuan, leaving them in the capable hands of the Taiwanese Cabinet and the Presidential Office. Once signed, the ban could go into full effect by the end of April.

Though Taiwan is the first country to take such a progressive stance, the continuous pressure from Asian animal rights organizations is resulting in more and more positive change.

MORE: Animal Activist Makes Historic Deal With Meat Market to Close All Slaughterhouses

In December, 22 vendors of South Korea’s largest meat market agreed to cease the slaughter of canines, leading them to shut down their facilities. The vendors are receiving financial support from the city until they have the resources to pursue other jobs and careers as part of the districts efforts to reform the market.

Activists within the Animal Hope and Wellness Foundation also managed to convince the Gupo Meat Market to close not only their dog and cat slaughterhouses – but their duck, chicken, and rabbit facilities as well.

Click To Share This Pawesome Story With Your Friends (Photo by Dakiny, CC)

Chicago City Buildings to be Powered by 100% Renewable Energy

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Good News Network
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Government representatives of Chicago just announced their commitment to converting their city pulling buildings’ electricity supply to 100% renewable energy by 2025. When implemented, Chicago will be the largest major city in the country to have a 100% renewable energy supply for its public buildings.

“As the Trump administration pulls back on building a clean energy economy, Chicago is doubling down,” Mayor Emanuel said. “By committing the energy used to power our public buildings to wind and solar energy, we are sending a clear signal that we remain committed to building a 21st century economy here in Chicago.”

Collectively the City, Chicago Public Schools (CPS), the Park District, Chicago Housing Authority (CHA), and the City Colleges of Chicago used nearly 1.8 billion kilowatt hours of electricity in 2016, amounting to 8% of all electricity use in Chicago; it is the equivalent to powering approximately 295,000 Chicago homes. The electricity used by these agencies is the same amount of energy created by over 300 wind turbines in one year. The commitment will be met through a combination of acquiring renewable energy credits, utility-supplied renewable energy via Illinois’ Renewable Portfolio Standard, and on-site generation. Initial purchases will begin in 2018 and 2019.

RELATED: Las Vegas Now Draws 100% of its Energy From Renewables

“Today’s action is a historic step forward in establishing Chicago as a clean energy leader,” said Jack Darin, Illinois Sierra Club President. “By moving boldly to repower its public buildings with renewable energy like wind and solar, Chicago is leading by example at a time when local leadership is more important than ever. While President Trump and his administration would reverse America’s progress on climate change and clean energy, Mayor Emanuel is ensuring that Chicago will move forward, and that its residents will benefit from the good jobs and cleaner air that come from renewable energy projects. We look forward to working with the Mayor, community leaders, and the people of Chicago to achieve this bold goal on the path to eventually powering all of Chicago with 100% clean energy.”

Mayor Emanuel announced Chicago’s new commitment on the rooftop of Shedd Aquarium, which has installed over 900 solar panels in an effort to reduce their energy use by 50% by 2020. As a member of Mayor Emanuel’s Retrofit Chicago Energy Challenge, Shedd Aquarium has also retrofitted nearly 1,000 of its own light bulbs to LED and installed a 60,000 pound, one-megawatt battery on their own property.

The City and its sister agencies have already made significant strides to green their energy supply. In 2013, the City eliminated coal from the over 1 billion kilowatt hours in electricity it buys on an annual basis. A dozen CPS schools have had solar arrays installed since 2009, while the Park District and City Colleges currently procure large portions of their energy use from renewable sources.

MORE: New Mexico to Pass First Law Prohibiting “Lunch Shaming”

Earlier this week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the City of Chicago earned a 2017 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award. It is given annually to honor organizations that have made outstanding contributions to protecting the environment through energy efficiency.

Last week, the Mayor announced that the Smart Lighting Project will start on the South and West Sides this summer. Once approved by City Council, the Chicago Smart Lighting Project will replace 270,000 of Chicago’s light fixtures and add a management system that will give the city a state-of-the-art smart lighting grid.

Today’s announcement builds on the strong environmental track record built since 2011. In January, Mayor Emanuel announced that Chicago has reduced its carbon emissions by seven percent from 2010 to 2015. The reduction in greenhouse gases came at the same time Chicago saw a 25,000 person increase in its population and 12 percent growth in the region’s economy and jobs within the city. The emissions reduction, equivalent to shutting down a coal power plant for eight months, compares to a one percent increase in nationwide emissions from 2009 to 2014.

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New Mexico to Pass First Law Prohibiting “Lunch Shaming”

By
McKinley Corbley
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A new law that was unanimously passed in the House of Representatives last week could become the first piece of legislation in the country to prohibit the act of student “lunch shaming”.

Lunch shaming is considered the practice of shaming or humiliating school children who are behind on their meal fees. Examples of this practice have surfaced around the country; one boy in Alabama was reportedly sent home with a stamp on his arm reading: “I need lunch money”. Lunch ladies have been forced to throw out students’ hot meals because they didn’t have enough funds on their student accounts. Other schools have made children wipe down tables and wash dishes as payment for their meals.

The Hunger-Free Students’ Bill of Rights, however, would prevent children from being punished for meal fees.

“Children whose parents or caregivers owe money for school lunch will no longer have to miss meals or face public embarrassment in front of their peers,” said Jennifer Ramo, executive director of New Mexico Appleseed, the organization the spear-headed the bill. “No child should be forced to wipe down cafeteria tables or throw away a meal because of a debt. We’re urging Governor Martinez to make New Mexico a leader in the fight against child hunger by signing this first-of-its-kind legislation.”

MORE: New Jersey to Become First State That Bans Declawing

“This bill draws a line in the sand between the student and the unpaid school meal fees that their parents or guardians owe, oftentimes because they cannot afford to pay on time,” continued Ramo. “Many children count on school meals for the nutrition they need to be able to learn and thrive in the classroom.”

The bill requires all New Mexican schools to serve students healthy meals, no matter their financial standing. It also outlines efforts that will make it easier for low-income families to apply for free meals, if they haven’t automatically been registered already.

“All school districts that participate in the National School Lunch Program are now required to develop a policy on addressing unpaid school meal fees. States can develop a statewide policy to ensure fairness for all their students,” said Crystal FitzSimons, director of school and out-of-school-time programs at the Food Research & Action Center, the nation’s leading anti-hunger advocacy organization. “New Mexico’s bill protects the needs of students to have access to healthy meals at school, while ensuring that school administrators are able to qualify eligible students for free school meals. Other states should follow New Mexico’s lead.”

Click To Share The News With Your Friends (Photo by Joe Biven/Ben+Sam, CC)

Islands Encourage Healthy Eating by Banning Western Junk Food

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McKinley Corbley
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As a means of encouraging healthier eating habits in the province, this group of south Pacific Islands are issuing a ban on the import of western junk food.

The Torba area of Vanuatu has a population of roughly 10,000 people – many of which are farmers. The local government believes that by prohibiting islanders from having access to easy convenience food, residents will be more inclined to support their local farmers, as well as engage in healthier eating habits.

Torba community leaders hope that by demanding local tourist hotspots to serve only locally-grown food, they will become the only Vanuatu province to be 100% organic, according to the Guardian.

RELATED: Major Milestone For Church Group That’s Built 500 Homes In Haiti

The region plans on passing local legislation that would prohibit importing any foreign foods – not just biscuits, sweets, and rice. Considering much of the island’s locally-grown produce is rich in nutrients – like fish, root vegetables, fruits, and crustaceans – officials believe that they they can survive just fine without any kind of foreign products.

“At the moment we have an infiltration of junk food from overseas,” said Father Luc Dini, head of the local tourism council. “It is easy to boil noodles or rice, but they have almost no nutritional value and there is no need to eat imported food when we have so much local food grown organically on our islands.”

Stay Positive, Stay Healthy: Click To Share (Photo by Ted, CC)

Security Guard Stops Swedish Terrorist Attack in its Tire Tracks

By
McKinley Corbley
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This 27-year-old security guard is responsible for saving dozens of lives after a deranged driver started driving a truck towards Swedish parliament on Friday.

Santiago Cueva was sitting idly in his van near Åhlens, a department store on Drottninggatan in Stockholm, Sweden, when he saw a large truck driving down the road.

Since Drottninggatan is a popular city walkway, hundreds of pedestrians and onlookers were running out of the way of the veering vehicle. Santiago, however, started his van and accelerated into the oncoming truck, causing the driver to lose control and crash into the store. Santiago then jumped out of his van to help the injured pedestrians.

RELATED: Karma Comes Back Around for Man who Broke Religious Rule to Help Boy

While police rushed to the scene, the driver reportedly escaped into the panicked crowds. The suspect has since been arrested and – according to his lawyer – has recently confessed to the act as a “terrorist crime”.

But if the suspect had been allowed to keep driving, his crimes may have been much worse – the Swedish Parliament building was about 550 yards down the Drottninggatan.

“I was not scared,” Ecuador-born Santiago told the Daily Mail Online. “It was actually a strange feeling when it happened. The lorry was coming towards me and all my focus was on helping protect people in some way. So I drove my van in front of it in order to stop it from getting any further.”

Click To Share The News With Your Friends (Photo by Santiago Cueva)

Woman Donates Ambulance Only to be Rescued by it 3 Months Later

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Good News Network
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This couple was so excited about winning a raffle, they donated an ambulance to their local hospital; which the woman was then rescued by 3 months later.

Beryl Good and her husband Doug were ecstatic about winning the raffle at St. John hospital’s in Warkworth on the North Island of New Zealand. The two celebrated their luck by further donating a new $180,000 ambulance to the hospital in November.

3 months later, Beryl slipped on her newly-painted front porch and broke her radius.

RELATED: Woman’s Wallet Returned 8 Years Later With Money Still Inside

71-year-old Beryl had never ridden in an ambulance before; so when she saw the emergency vehicle – fondly named Dobegoo as a combination of Beryl and Doug’s names – she was amazed.

“My husband (86) and I have never needed an ambulance but we always knew how important they were, especially with how fast our community is growing. It was a joke really when Dobegoo turned up,” Beryl told Stuff. “When I got picked up I was surprised it had already done 32,000km.”

(WATCH the video below)

 

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Injured Brothers Succeed Despite Being Victims of Drunk Driver

By
McKinley Corbley
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Everything changed for the Noble brothers when – after they were victims of a drunk driving accident – Justin became paralyzed and Matt suffered a traumatic brain injury.

Becoming a paraplegic made Justin unable to attend law school while Matt’s cognitive abilities prevented him from joining any work force. Without any work or prospective career opportunities, the incident wreaked havoc on their mental health.

But as fate would have it, Justin and Matt became aware that the other brother possessed the ability that they themselves lacked, making them ideal business partners.

RELATED: Teen Girl Uses ‘Crazy Strength’ to Lift Burning Car Off Her Dad

“The first year was the hardest,” Matt told Good News Network. “I don’t remember much of that year and Justin was in rehab for about 8 months of that year. My first memory was confusion and hopelessness. Once we were able to work, we tried several things – together and separately, but we have found that the best solution is together.”

In order to unite his sons with a common mission, Justin and Matt’s father Wayne Noble created Carolina Farmstead; a boutique woodworking studio located on their family farm in rural eastern North Carolina. The business’s furniture is all made using recycled local materials and certified as environmentally-friendly.

Since the business was created, Justin started working as the Operations Manager while Matt took on the role of Lead Craftsman – both fitting roles for their disabilities.

MORE: College Student Recycled Hotel Soap to Save Thousands of Cambodians From Disease

“This company is a dream come true for our family,” added Matt. “My parents worry about getting older and not being able to provide for us. This company can give my parents peace of mind for our futures and the future of my son, Noah. This business is all about keeping a family together and being strong following a devastating setback.”

“We quickly realized that we would have to work as a team,” Justin told Good News Network. “The accident left us with strengths and weaknesses that complement each other.  If you combine our strengths together it sort of makes us a whole person again. I depend on Matt to accomplish many physical tasks that I cannot perform and he depends on me to help him with things like planning and strategy.”

“We were completely devastated immediately following the accident. We both felt like there was nothing left to live for. What we learned was that while our lives are completely different we can still live full lives.”

The Noble brother’s work has since been nationally recognized on HGTV’s Love It or List It and in the PBS documentary and cooking series “A Chef’s Life”.

Click To Share This Inspiring Story With Your Friends (Photo by the Noble family)

U.S. Airlines Excel: Denied Boardings, Mishandled Bags at Lowest Rate in 26 Years

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Good News Network
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An annual report released today shows that airlines are substantially improving the service provided to passengers in the US. In fact, your chances of getting bumped from a flight or being told your bags were mishandled in 2016 were the lowest in 26 years, according to performance reports from The Airline Quality Rating.

Although Alaska Airlines came out on top, with Delta coming in at a close second and Virgin America third, seven of the 12 airlines improved in all four categories of quality, including bumping ticketed passengers.

Nine of the 12 airlines improved in three measurements – on-time performance, baggage handling and customer complaints. Airlines that performed better last year were Alaska, American, Delta, ExpressJet, Frontier, SkyWest, Southwest, Spirit and United. Those whose scores declined in 2016 were Hawaiian, JetBlue and Virgin America, which had historically high ratings.

RELATED: Passenger Plane Crashes and Burns – But Every Single Person Aboard Survived

“Delta has climbed its way back to be a close contender for No. 1, after recovering from merger complications for several years,” said study co-researcher Brent Bowen, dean of College of Aviation at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona.

The Rankings of the Nation’s leading 12 airlines (with the 2015 ranking in parentheses):

1. Alaska (5)
2. Delta (3)
3. Virgin America (1)
4. JetBlue (2)
5. Hawaiian (4)
6. Southwest (6)
7. SkyWest (7)
8. United (8)
9. American (10)
10. ExpressJet (9)
11. Spirit (last)
12. Frontier (11)

On-time Performance – Hawaiian Airlines had the best on-time performance (91.1 percent) for 2016, and Spirit had the worst (74.3 percent). Nine airlines improved their on-time arrival performance in 2016. Six of the 12 airlines rated had an on-time arrival percentage of better than 80 percent. On-time performance for the industry in 2016 was 81.4 percent, compared to 79.9 percent in 2015.

MORE: Police Rescue Over 6,000 Turtles in Largest Wildlife Bust in the Nation

Involuntary Denied Boardings – Hawaiian and Delta were the industry leaders in avoiding involuntary denied boarding incidents in 2016 with a rate of 0.05 and 0.10 per 10,000 passengers, respectively. ExpressJet (1.51) had the highest involuntary denied boarding rate per 10,000 passengers. Seven airlines improved their denied boarding rate in 2016. SkyWest recorded the greatest improvement. Overall, the industry had 0.62 denied boardings per 10,000 passengers in 2016, compared to 0.76 in 2015– the best rate since the AQR started in 1991.

Baggage Handling – Virgin America had the best baggage handling rate (1.03 mishandled bags per 1,000 passengers) of all airlines, and ExpressJet had the worst baggage handling rate (4.31). Nine airlines had improved mishandled baggage rates in 2016. The average industry rate decreased from 3.24 in 2015 to 2.70 in 2016– the best rate in the 26 years of AQR.

LOOK: Hotel Not Only Returns Lost Toy, It Makes Photo Album of Bunny’s VIP Stay

Consumer Complaints – Southwest had the lowest consumer complaint rate (0.47 per 100,000 passengers) of all airlines. Spirit had the highest consumer complaint rate (6.74). Customer complaints per 100,000 passengers decreased from 1.90 in 2015 to 1.52 in 2016. The majority of complaints (73.5 percent) to the Department of Transportation were for flight problems (41.4%), baggage (12.0%), customer service (10.5%), and reservations, ticketing and boarding (9.6%).

The Airline Quality Rating, conducted by researchers at Wichita State University and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, is the nation’s longest-running study of airline performance and uses objective performance-based data.

See the full report, with details on each airline, at airlinequalityrating.com. You can also use a new feature where passengers can provide information and comments on the website about their personal flying experiences via the 2017 Airline Passenger Survey.

Fly This Story Over To Your Friends: Click To Share (Photo by BriYYZ, CC)

All Cars Sold in Norway to be Electric by 2025

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Good News Network
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37 percent of Norway’s automotive market currently consists of electric and hybrid cars – but the northern nation announced a plan to accelerate that number to 100% by 2025.

Over the course of the next eight years, the Norwegian Parliament will prepare to ensure that all cars sold in that country will either be low or zero emission vehicles. They hope to achieve their goal by implementing a stronger green tax system with more financial incentives, rather than a total ban on fossil fuel-powered vehicles.

Since 1990, Norway has offered more than a dozen financial and lifestyle benefits to electric or hybrid car owners. These perks include priority highway access, a 50% reduced company car tax, annulled fees on toll roads and ferries, access to bus lanes, certain tax exemptions, and free parking in municipalities.

RELATED: California Breaks Solar Record, Generates Enough Electricity for 6 Million Homes

In order to accommodate the ever-increasing number of low emission vehicles, Norway plans on constructing at least one charging station for every 10 electric cars on the road, amounting to at least 50,000 by 2020.

Though it is unclear whether these charging stations would still be powered by fossil fuel or coal plants, there are nevertheless numerous environmental benefits to exclusively using hybrid or electric cars.

According to Sherry Boschert, author of Plug-in Hybrids: The Cars that Will Recharge America, using hybrids and electric cars that draw power from the traditional electric grid would drastically reduce the amount of nitrous oxide released into the air by 32% to 99%. Nitrogen oxides have proven to be very dangerous, with negative effects on people’s health as well as the environment.

Switching to low emission vehicles could also reduce CO2 emissions by as much as 17% to 71%, depending on the area.

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Bikes Made With Recycled Materials are Saving Tons of Plastic Every Year

By
Joao Freitas
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This artist has spent twelve years researching how best to recycle landfill materials; and his results have already become a great help to the environment.

After twelve years of research and development, Uruguayan designer Juan Muzzi patented the world’s first bike made entirely out of recycled plastic.

Muzzi’s Sao Paulo-based company, Muzzicycle, produces 10,000 bikes per month – and the expansive waiting list is an indicator of the bike’s ever-growing popularity. According to the company’s website, the company uses almost 16 tons of wasted plastic every year, translating to well over 5 tons of CO2 emissions saved from the atmosphere.

RELATED: Student Invents Biodegradable Packaging From Seagrass That Washes Up on Beaches

The bike’s construction requires 90% less energy than regular bike frames. They are also designed to be rust-resistant, more shock-absorbent, and even less jarring on the prostate and spine.

According to the designer, the next steps for Muzzicycle are increasing production capacity and developing a wheelchair with the same material. He plans to sell the wheelchairs at the same production costs to manufacture.

The company is also worried about generating income for the poorest of Brazil – currently, the plastic comes from different NGOs that collect the materials from the streets. These NGOs employ city residents – usually homeless – who make their living collecting these kind of recyclables.

(WATCH the video below)

 

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Pope Opens Free Laundromat for Rome’s Poor

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Good News Network
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Pope Francis has just opened an establishment for the homeless population of Rome can do their laundry for free.

“Pope Francis’ Laundry” opened its doors to the public on Monday. Six washing machines, dryers, and clothing irons were donated by Michigan-based appliance company Whirlpool, while the detergent and cleaners are being provided by Proctor and Gamble.

RELATED: High School Installs Washing Machines for Homeless Students

Located in the Trastevere neighborhood near the Vatican, officials say that they soon hope to also install showers and a barbershop within the facilities, making it a haven of free, valuable services to the poor people of Rome.

“Here is a concrete sign wanted by the office of Papal Charities: a place and a service to give concrete form to charity to restore dignity to so many people who are our brothers and sisters and who are called, with us, to build a city we can trust,” said Papal Almoner, Archbishop Konrad Krajewski. “One of the greatest difficulties for those who live on the streets, along with that of finding food, a place to spend the night and public baths, is to wash and dry the clothes they wear, in many cases the only ones they own.”

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How to Achieve Your Goals By Honoring Your Life

By
Kenneth Isom Barnes
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Each of us has moments when we start thinking very deeply about life; moments where we have to ask ourselves one question: Is this what I want to do with my life?

If your answer to that question is yes, then I congratulate you for doing what you think is best for you. Unfortunately, some of us can’t say yes to that question. Maybe we’ve had a series of bad turns that start us thinking about what else we could be doing to improve our lives. If you are in that situation, this might be of help.

I am sharing a few keys to life that have helped me through my own journey. No matter who you are, these are nuggets of wisdom that might cause you to grow.

1. Momentum is the most powerful force to propel oneself into accomplishing a goal. Momentum is usually used scientifically to describe the rate and acceleration of an object that is moving. But we can also use that term to describe actions within ourselves.

Constant action can lead to rewards and receiving rewards is a powerful incentive for continued action. The more you achieve, the bigger you can dream to achieve in the future. Momentum is powerful fuel for life, but it is always in a fragile state.

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By knowing the fragile state of momentum, you will start to develop enemies, some of whom may have been your dearest friends and family. Jealousy, envy, and fear will lead your enemies to place obstacles in your way and doubt in your heart. If they can only slow down your progress, then eventually you may trip and fall.

This is not unlike a talented actor who – during their first week in Los Angeles – books a series of amazing gigs, resulting in a huge burst of momentum. The following weeks and months may be filled with constant rejection, but the initial momentum can continue to power them onwards.

CHECK OUT: How Yoga Turns Your Bad Thoughts into Good Thoughts

However, most of us know the all too common story of actors who show momentum; they are descended upon by negative people and opinions; the internet will start to spew salacious rumors and lies; former associates might try to sell gossip. So many issues could serve to distract the actor and destroy their momentum. How I deal with this problem leads me to my second point.

2. Honor the pathway life has given you. A life’s journey can be filled with pain and heartache, but it can also have moments of joy, wealth, and the overcoming of adversity.

We honor so many things in our life, from our country to our historical figures. So why not take a time of self-reflection to honor your own journey? You are the culmination of a journey that started with your ancestors. You being here now deserves gratified celebration – especially since many other people have not been as fortunate. Each major event in your life is like a milestone marker; it is a marker that shows how far you have come.

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When you see from where you have arisen, it gives you the armor to deal with those who seek to stop your momentum. When you honor yourself, you will have humble gratitude for the journey that both you and your ancestors have undertaken.

3. You have to stop comparing yourself to others. I know this is a cliché statement, but I find it easy to lose sight of this simple message. Honor what you have and do not compare it to other people’s accomplishments or positions.

In my own mind, I illustrate this concept as a story where I am vacationing with travel companions on tropical islands.

We have spent a wonderful half day on an island, and my companions suggest going to another island that is about 1,000 feet away. There is a boat that regularly travels to the other island, but it only leaves at night. As my companions want to spend daylight hours on the other island, they collectively agree that swimming the short distance across the open ocean is the best option.

My story continues with the tiny detail that I am not a skilled swimmer. This leads me to a crossroads: should I attempt to swim? Am I a failure for not possessing the skills of others?

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As I keep imagining the narrative, I do not attempt such a risky feat. Instead of sinking into self-degradation of my current limitations, I take a moment to offer gratitude for the honor of even being on such islands, surrounded by such beauty. I am grateful for even being given the possibility of finding hidden opportunities by having more time to explore.

You must go through life at your own ability and pace – you never know what may be waiting exclusively for you.

You can try to put these three points into practice one at a time so you do not feel overwhelmed having to do everything at once. Remember that you can adapt and change the previous points so they can fit better to your lifestyle and vision for life. Because, in the end, the main purpose of this advice is to improve your own life – not to force you into following my path.

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City to Offer Workshop on How to Raise Backyard Chickens

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Good News Network
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The city of Berkeley, California is hosting a free workshop on April 23rd about how to raise chickens in your backyard.

Since urban farming is becoming increasingly more popular because of its sustainability and ethical appeal, the Berkeley Animal Care center will be teaching participants about a host of important fowl issues, such as proper zoning, legality, housing chickens responsibly, and interacting with your birds.

Whether you’re already a chicken owner, or you’re interested in adopting your own fowl, the event is bound to informative for amateurs and professionals alike.

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If you’re interested in signing up for the workshop, be sure to RSVP, because spaces fill up fast.

Don’t Chicken Out: Click To Share With Your Friends (Photo by David Phillips, CC)

Support America’s Treasures and Enjoy Free Admission During National Park Week

By
McKinley Corbley
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April plays host to nature lovers’ favorite week of the year: National Park Week. And, free admission is part of the celebration.

Starting on April 16th and running until April 24th—a week that contains Earth Day—all national parks in the United States will be admission free. From Yosemite to the Grand Canyon, all 417 of the most beautiful landscapes in the country will be open to the public without any entrance fees, commercial tour fees, or transportation entrance fees attached.

Though camping and tour fees will still apply, all of the parks are opening their doors to accept visitors from near and far – and not just wilderness areas either. The event also encompasses historical sites like Gettysburg, Jamestown, the Wright Brothers Monument, and the homes of presidents, like Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry Truman.

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This summer in particular marks the 101st birthday of the National Park Service. To find a park near you, you can check out the National Park Service website.

You can also support the National Park Service’s mission in a host of ways; you can make a donation to help protect the over 84 million acres of land preserved by the organization; join the parks community, or renew your membership if you already have one; or buy a gift from the national parks gift guide.

Start Planning Your Trip Now: Click To Share With Your Friends (Photo by Todd Wendy, CC)

Why This Policeman Skateboards With Teens While On Patrol

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Good News Network
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Officer Craig Hanaumi may be considered the coolest cop in town, but he insists that he is just doing his job.

Whenever he is not patrolling the streets of Seattle, Washington, the Bellevue police officer is either playing trombone, doing jiu jitsu, or skateboarding.

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These activities are Craig’s way of forging positive relationships between law enforcement and the community and meeting civilians that he wouldn’t normally get to interact with otherwise.

Craig believes that natural participation in sports and recreation creates more meaningful bonds than conversation – and judging by the youngsters he is skating with in this video, his hunch is right on target.

(WATCH the video below)

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