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Beautiful Christmas Music Flash Mob Surprises the Smithsonian (WATCH)

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Good News Network
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Starting with a single cellist on the floor of a National Air and Space Museum gallery, and swelling to 120 musicians, The U.S. Air Force Band exhilarated museum holiday visitors with its first-ever flash mob.

The four-minute performance featured an original arrangement of “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring/Joy to the World,” led by the band’s commander and conductor, Col. Larry H. Lang.

Unsuspecting museum visitors including tourists and school groups were astonished as instrumentalists streamed into the gallery from behind airplanes and space capsules, and vocalists burst into song from the Museum’s second floor balcony.

WATCH: The Top Videos of 2015 on Good News Network

(SEE the Air Force Flash Mob above)

Rocky Scores Knock-Out for Charity, Stallone Auction Raises $3 Million

By
Terry Turner
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Stallone and Jason Statham CC 2 TOP

When Sylvester Stallone wants to raise money for charity, the gloves come off — and they go on the auction block.

The Hollywood legend sold 1,400 props, costumes, and other movie memorabilia to raise three million dollars over the course of a three-day auction that ended Sunday.

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The iconic black leather coat that Stallone personally owned and used as part of his costume in the original “Rocky” movie fetched $149,000 — almost twice what auctioneers estimated it would bring.

The boxing shorts that he wore in “Rocky IV” sold for $57,500; the handball Stallone constantly carried in the first two Rocky movies sold for $32,000; and the poncho he wore as John Rambo in “First Blood” sold for $60,000 — $50,000 more than the pre-sale estimate.

RELATED:  Ringo Sells Beatles Drum Kit, Other Treasures, Raises $9.2M for Charity

The collection was a treasure trove of 40 years of movie history from a star who virtually created the modern action movie genre.

“I’ve fond memories attached to just about every object,” Stallone said during an appearance at the auction. “There comes a point, though, when I think that I’ve used these objects enough and have created enough memories that I can let them go.”

Portions of the proceeds will go to charities that support military veterans and wounded service members and to the Motion Picture and TV Country House and Hospital.

RELATED:  Michael Jordan Wins Lawsuit, Donates the Millions to 23 Charities

The gloves and championship belt from “Rocky II” were among the few items that didn’t sell when bids failed to reach the $200,000 reserve.

Maybe next time. With Stallone, there’s always a sequel waiting in the wings.

(SEE more at The Bleacher Report and READ more at Entertainment Weekly) — Photo: Alatele fr, CC; 2 TOP, CC

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Christmas Tree Seller Gives Away Every Tree Left on His Lot

By
Terry Turner
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FREE Trees FB Arnies Place

Good things come to those who wait. In Concord, New Hampshire, that included free Christmas trees for last minute decorators and people who couldn’t afford a tree.

Arnie’s Place sells burgers, barbecue, and ice cream year round. But in December, they add a parking lot full of Christmas trees and garland to their offerings.

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This year, owner Tom Arnold had about 100 trees left after the final weekend before Christmas.

It was going to be hard to sell them all before the holiday, and Arnold realized there were people in town who couldn’t afford a tree, so he decided to give them away.

The trees usually sold for as much as $45, but the sign out front now read, “Free Trees Until Daylight.”

“We’re serious,” he posted on the Arnie’s Place Facebook page. “Help yourself and bring rope/twine if you’ll need it! MERRY CHRISTMAS CONCORD!”

CHECK OUT:  10 Easy Ways You Can Do Good this Holiday Season

Arnold watched a couple of disabled veterans and their wives picking out trees before he left for the night. When he came in the next morning, not a single tree remained.

But there were lots of thank you messages to his Facebook post.

“Thank you so much Arnie’s!” one woman wrote. “I can now take the money we were going to spend on a tree and put it towards under the tree. What an amazing, thoughtful thing you have done for the community.”

Photo: Dineshraj Goomany, CC; Arnie’s Place, Facebook

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Merry Christmas From All of Us At Good News Network!

By
Good News Network
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winter-cristmas-red-ribbons-cc-maf04

Wherever you are, in tropical climates or snow-draped wonderland, we wish you a Happy Christmas and a very happy New Year.

Next week we unveil our Top 10 Good News Stories of 2015, so be sure to look for that. And today is the final day of the fundraising campaign to build a tiny solar house for a homeless mom and her 4-year-old daughter. Please donate if you can, here.

We sell Gift Memberships for $15.00, mostly designed to support the Good News Network, but also offering some free, cool downloadable bonuses for Members only. Check those out here.

Thank you for your support throughout the year.

May your hearts be light—and may good bless you every day,

Geri, Terry, McKinley and Robert

(Image by maf04, CC)

Musical Holiday Duet Sung With Champagne at Good News Network Staff Party

By
Good News Network
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Hello friends and loyal supporters,

We had our Good News Network Christmas Party last night and after a few drinks we turned on the camera and sang a holiday classic for you.

Watch McKinley Claire and I have some fun in the midst of Baby It’s Cold Outside —an improvised duet featuring our modern rendition of the fun winter classic!

Burglarized, But Still Going to Disneyland Thanks to Police Officers

By
Terry Turner
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Cops Send Family to Disneyland Facebook Antioch PD

When burglars made off with money that a woman had been saving to take her kids to Disneyland, a pair of police officers made sure the family would be able to still go on their trip.

The woman, identified only as Amanda, had been saving all year to take her kids on the trip during Christmas break.

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The two officers from the Antioch, California Police Department who investigated the break-in figured the chances of finding and returning the money before Christmas were pretty slim, so they took the problem back to headquarters and put on their Santa hats.

They told the story to the rest of the squad and took up a collection. Then Saturday, they asked Amanda to come to the police station saying they wanted her to look at a line-up of suspects.

CHECK Out:  Police Surprise Humble Boy After Thieves Steal His Xbox

Instead, the officers were waiting with $2,000 they’d raised to send the family on their holiday adventure. Seeing the mom’s reaction and hearing the words that brought her to tears is a holiday treat for us all.

(WATCH the video from the Antioch Police Department below) — Photo: Antioch PD, Facebook

Today Officer Bledsoe and Officer Aiello presented a family with a very special Christmas gift. Amanda and her two children were the victims of a burglary. Part of their loss was money she had put away to take her two children to Disneyland. Officer Bledsoe and Officer Aiello took it upon themselves to reach out to other members of the department and raise $ 2000 so the family could go on their planed trip to Disneyland this holiday season.When Amanda arrived at the police department during our holiday food and gift giveaway, she believed she was looking at a photo lineup of a possible suspect in the crime. What you're about to see is something that I believe will bring tears to your eyes!Sincerely, Chief Allan Cantando

Posted by Antioch Police Department on Saturday, December 19, 2015

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Largest Desalination Plant in Western Hemisphere Opens in Thirsty California

By
Terry Turner
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Carlsbad Desalination Plant CC City of Huntington Beach

A billion dollar desalination plant is turning salt water into drinking water for drought-plagued Southern California.

The Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant named for the former mayor of Carlsbad, is producing 50 million gallons of fresh water every day south of Los Angeles— enough for 400,000 people. That’s about 10% of the region’s water supply.

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Fifteen more plants are under consideration along the California coast.

Water from the Pacific Ocean is pumped through long, cylindrical filters which remove salt, then on to a water treatment plant miles away where it’s added to the rest of the region’s water supply before being piped to customers.

RELATED:  Breakthrough in Arid Egypt For Making Salty Sea Water Drinkable

The plant was conceived during a 1991 drought, and comes online as California is in the midst of another, prolonged, one.

Environmentalists have worried the plant would allow the San Diego County region to roll back water conservation measures. The region has avoided a water shortage during the drought by sticking to strict water use practices. Area planners say the plant is another tool, along with conservation, for dealing with future droughts and will be carbon neutral.

WATCH:  Navajo Lady Delivers Water 75 Miles Every Day to Homes Without Plumbing

To leave a zero carbon footprint, the company operating the plant is voluntarily offsetting carbon emissions from power plants by buying carbon offsets, Renewable Energy Certificates and investing in projects that offset carbon emissions, such as reforestation.

(WATCH the video from KGTV News below and READ more at the San Diego Union Tribune)

Bearded Walmart Shopper Is Mistaken for Santa, Plays Along For Tot (WATCH)

By
McKinley Corbley
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Santa must have been short on elves to be scouting around a Hurricane, West Virginia Walmart two weeks before Christmas.

Or, that might have been true because little Sophie Riley thought he was Santa.

Roger Larck, sporting a red sweater and long white beard was confronted by the girl during his Walmart shopping when she asked tentatively if he was Santa Claus.

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Being a good sport, Mr. Larck played the part and made small talk about typical Kris Kringle stuff: a lack of grass at the North Pole, Sophie’s nail job, and Santa’s cookie rations.

Roger’s wife Robin posted on Facebook that it was not the first time he has been mistaken as the man in the red suit—and he grows his beard out every year just for the occasion.

CHECK Out: For 2 More Days, Kids Can Talk to Santa or Mrs. Claus Toll-Free

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Service Members Pledge to Defend 8-Year-old Muslim-American Girl

By
Terry Turner
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Sophia Facebook Melissa Chance Yassini

When a politician’s remarks made an eight-year-old girl cry, American service members let her know they have her back.

Melissa Chance Yassini came home from work earlier this month to find her daughter, Sofia crying. The little girl had heard that a presidential candidate wanted to ban Muslims like her family from entering the U.S.

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She was so afraid her family would be deported, she had packed a bag.

Melissa spent a long night comforting her daughter and voiced her frustrations in a Facebook post.

The whole ordeal was enough to break a mother’s heart. Turns out, it was enough to break a few veterans’ hearts, too.

When Army vet Kerri Peek first read about it, she said the story “stuck in my craw.”

kerri peek 2 Facebook Melissa Chance Yassini

Peek launched a campaign — #IWillProtectYou — urging fellow veterans and service members to stand up for the little girl.

Pretty soon, troops came rallying to the cause with personal messages for little Sofia, including a soldier on December 21 who tweeted as @That_Bama_Guy11 saying, “Any race, religion, or ethnicity if you are an American, I will protect you till my dying breath.” #iwillprotectyou

Airmen…

…and Marines…

…Even a father and son who served together…

Many more answered the call

Hundreds of messages have poured in from veterans and active duty military —and Melissa has read each one of them to her daughter. Sofia now knows she has a literal army of fellow Americans protecting her.

Share This With Your Army Of Friends… (Photo: Melissa Chance Yassini)

Congress Takes Quick Action to Keep Plastic Microbeads Out of U.S. Water

By
Terry Turner
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Nurdles used to make microbeads CC gentlemanrook

A bill to clean up the environment and keep toxins out of the food chain has sailed through the U.S. Congress with virtually no debate.

The Microbead-Free Waters Act requires health and beauty companies to stop using the tiny, plastic abrasives in products by 2017.

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Microbeads, made from ground plastic pellets like those above, are used in products ranging from facial scrubs to toothpaste. They don’t break down in water treatment plants and about 11 billion of them end up in American waterways every day.

They’re not toxic, but toxic chemicals sticking to the microbeads are eaten by marine life. The contamination is then passed up the food chain — even to humans who eat seafood.

RELATED:  Watch 196 Countries Approve Historic Climate Agreement in Paris

The beads are also a part of the growing problem of plastic pollution floating in the world’s oceans.

Congress passed the bill just before it recessed for Christmas. The Senate didn’t even change any of the language from the original House version of the bill. Even the cosmetic industry supported it in the end. Thirteen companies had already agreed last year to stop using them.

CHECK OUT:  Teenage Girl Turns Plastic Trash Into Million-Dollar Biofuel

Illinois and California have passed state bans and several cities and counties were planning their own laws against microbeads, leading the industry to favor a single, national regulation rather than dozens of confusing local and state laws.

(READ more at the New York Times) — Photo: gentlemanrook, CC

‘Where’s Waldo’ Snowman Puzzle Has Folks Straining to Find the Panda -Look

By
Terry Turner
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Find the Panda Facebook Dudolf

Can you find the panda?

Somewhere in this frozen “Where’s Waldo” world of huddled snowmen is a single panda.

IT’S NO PUZZLE TO FIND OUR NEW GOOD NEWS APP—>  Download FREE for Android and iOS

Hungarian artist Gergely Dudás, who goes by Dudolf, posted this puzzle on social media December 16th, and it’s been straining millions of eyeball ever since.

There's a panda amongst them!Can you find it?

Posted by Dudolf on Wednesday, December 16, 2015

See if you can find the panda in the drawing above, from his Facebook page.

And, by the way, “No fair waiting for the snowmen to melt!”

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Rudolph Has Nothing on Tech Firm’s Prancing Robot Reindeer–Watch

By
McKinley Corbley
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If all the other reindeer thought Rudolph was different, wait till they see Santa’s new robot helpers.

Boston Dynamics, a tech company specializing in human simulation software, released this holiday video of their newest robotic miracle known as BigDog pulling a Christmas sleigh.

Fondly dubbed as Spot, the canine look-alikes are the latest in a series of running and jumping robots currently in production.

But these snow walkers seriously want some snow.

(WATCH the video above to see them at work…)

Muslim Passengers Shield Christians from Terrorist Attack In Bus Ambush

By
Terry Turner
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troops sillouetted africa patrol-UNPhoto-750px

Muslim passengers came to the rescue of Christians on their bus when terrorists with the Somali-based al-Shabaab group ambushed the vehicle in Kenya’s northern Mandera state.

Two people died in the initial shooting, but the rest of the passengers put up a united front against their attackers.

Because there were 12 Christians on the bus, Muslim passengers immediately began hiding those they could while handing out head scarves so the Christian women could disguise themselves.

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The terrorists ordered everyone off the bus and demanded Muslims and Christians divide into two groups, which in the past has preceded the killing of anyone identified as Christian.

But this time, Muslim passengers refused to be separated from the rest.

RELATED:  Muslims Raise Nearly Quarter Million Dollars for San Bernardino Victim Families

“If you are going to kill us, kill us all. There are no Christians here,” recalled one witness who quoted his fellow passenger’s words when speaking to CNN.

The show of unity stalled the terrorists, while an approaching truck, which could have been police, scared them off.

CHECK Out: Norway Muslims Form Human Shield Around Jewish Synagogue

“The locals showed a sense of patriotism and belonging to each other,” Mandera Governor Ali Roba said later, praising their heroism.

(WATCH the video from CNN below) — UN Photo of anti-al-Shabaab patrol

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New Epson Shredder Recycles Office Paper into New Sheets On the Spot

By
Terry Turner
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Paper recycler released Epson

A new office machine eliminates multiple middle-men and lets businesses recycle paper right in their own building.

The Epson combination paper shredder and paper-making machine saves on the cost of hauling paper to a recycling center and buying new paper, and helps the environment by cutting down on the energy and massive amounts of water involved in large scale paper recycling.

The nine-foot by four-foot PaperLab can crank out 14 sheets of brand-new, crisp paper every minute — that’s 6,720 sheets in the course of an eight-hour business day.

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A business simply dumps its waste paper into the machine which shreds the sheets and uses a jet of air to “de-ink” the used paper bits. Liquid binders are added to reassemble the shredded fibers into fresh sheets and allow the machine to crank out different colors or styles of paper. Then it uses a pressure process to form individual sheets of paper to custom size and thickness.

The PaperLab goes on sale in Japan this year with sales for other countries planned later. While Epson hasn’t announced the price, people in the industry say it could be close to $75,000.

CHECK Out: Goodbye Fluorescent Lights: Super Energy-efficient LED Tubes Unveiled

Too much for your home office, perhaps, but practical for banks and government offices that shred and recycle huge volumes of paper every day.

Recycling already saves 7,000 gallons of water for every ton of paper manufactured through conventional processes. But the PaperLab uses a dry recycling process — saving up to another 12,000 gallons of water for every ton of paper it creates. And it can crank out a ton of paper every 29 days.

(WATCH the video from Epson below)

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Surprise Gift-Giving for Hardworking Refugee Leaves Him in Tears (WATCH)

By
Terry Turner
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Regugee Gifts Hug 2 screenshot Praynksters

This refugee from Congo thought he was being interviewed for a documentary, until everyone in the diner started giving him gifts.

Pascal was the latest happy victim of the “Praynksters,” who describe themselves as “a group of Christian entertainers, rappers, pastors, and entrepreneurs” who pull positive pranks on strangers while performing good deeds in the process.

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For this video, they chose a hard-working refugee named Pascal. He spent years in camps for people displaced by war in Africa before coming to America more than two years ago with his little brother. He worked four different jobs so his brother could complete high school, the Praynksters told Good News Network.

Pascal still sends money to friends and relatives back in the refugee camps, and wants to get a business degree so he can provide for his fiancee and their future family.

RELATED:  Newlywed Refugees In Canada Get Surprise Wedding Party From Community

While sitting for an interview, Pascal and the fake documentary crew are interrupted by a man who overheard his story and wants to give him a gift. Before the interview can resume, other patrons start leaving their seats in a steady steam, dropping off wrapped presents at Pascal’s table.

He’s interrupted again when asked about his fiancee — this time with a couple of the Praynksters giving him a wedding package — paying for bridal and bridesmaid dresses, a venue, pastor, and other niceties.

WATCH:  Rescuer of Old Dogs Is Given Everything She Needs All At Once

He’s then asked to go with the Pranksters for a ride—only to find out they plan to give him he SUV they’re riding in.

It takes Pascal quite a while to finish with all the hugs — and to wipe away his tears — before he drives the car away, rewarded for a lifetime of perseverance.

(WATCH the video from Praynksters below) — Photo: Praynksters video

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Congress Quietly Ends Federal Medical Marijuana Prohibition

By
Terry Turner
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Medical-marijuana-sign CC Laurie Avocado

Buried in the 1,600 pages of Congress’ new spending plan is a quiet little passage that radically alters the way America treats medical marijuana.

The provision ends the federal prohibition on medical marijuana and bans federal agents from policing its users or raiding dispensaries in any state or district where it is legal.

The spending plan, and the medical pot provision within it, became law on Friday, with President Obama’s signature.

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Thirty-two of the 50 states and the District of Columbia have already legalized some form of marijuana use, or its ingredients, for medication.

Federal law still designates cannabis in any form as an illegal drug and, since federal law takes precedent over the states, federal law enforcement agents have been allowed, until now, to persecute people using or distributing medical marijuana even in states that had legalized it.

This provision shuts down those operations and signals a shift in federal drug policy. For the first time, there was significant Republican support for easing of pot laws

CHECKOUT:  14 Years After Decriminalizing Heroin, Here’s What Portugal Looks Like

“This is a victory for so many,” Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, a California Republican and co-author of the provision, said after it passed. “The first time in decades that the federal government has curtailed its oppressive prohibition of marijuana.”

Medical marijuana has been used to treat glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, nerve and seizure disorders, and chronic pain. Check out this Special to GNN from last month: Marijuana Fills Dire Medical Needs of Families, States Try to Catch Up.

Photo: O’Dea, CC; Laurie Avocado, CC

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Muslims Give Strangers Holiday Roses, Responding to Hate with Love

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nalloo
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musnei

Yesterday, I went (totally) out of my comfort zone and helped hand-out free holiday roses to complete strangers walking through downtown Disney, with other Muslim friends.

I had been afraid to publicly identify myself as Muslim, and to talk to strangers, but perhaps the state of the U.S. today has compelled me to “come-out,” so to speak.

The idea was to help fight the hate that is being directed at “people like us” with the message of love and tolerance that my friends and I were all raised with. Each rose had a message “Happy Holidays from Your American Muslims neighbors.”

CHECK Out: Muslims Raise Nearly Quarter Million Dollars for San Bernardino Victim Families

One non-Muslim man took a rose, left, and came back. “Would you like another?” I asked.

“No, I already have one,” he responded. “But I just read your message and wanted to come back to say that with all the hate that is around, I really admire that you all are responding with love. It really touches me to see this.”

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And then he hugged me, and we both shed a tear (well for me, many tears). It was a cathartic moment – even I haven’t realized how emotionally impacted I have been by what I’ve seen and heard. That man made a difference to me and gave me back some of the hope I’ve lost seeing the state of the world as it is today.

It also reminded me that individuals can make a difference. He made one to me and hopefully we made a difference to others.

Small Voice That Urged Big Act of Kindness Lets Stranger Walk Again

By
Terry Turner
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Arthur and Eugene Screenshot CBS

A sudden dedication to make a difference with one giant leap of kindness for a complete stranger led to a man quitting his job and setting out on a 3,000 mile hike. When it was over, a man who fell victim during a crime was able to take his first steps in over eight years.

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Eugene Yoon had decided to do “something big,” but didn’t know what the act would be — or who it would be for — until he saw a video of Arthur Renowitzky, a San Francisco, California man paralyzed in a shooting eight years earlier.

Arthur was determined to walk again, and Eugene decided to help him.

Eugene quit his job, and set out on a hike from the U.S. border with Mexico to Canada. He used the journey to raise money to pay for a nearly $80,000 set of robotic legs.

RELATED: U.S. to Cover Cost of Robotic Legs for Paralyzed Veterans

Shortly before reaching the Canadian border, he reached his financial goal. And not long after his return, Eugene got to see Arthur reach his goal — and walk again.

(WATCH the video below from Steve Hartman at CBS News) — Photo: CBS News video/Family photo

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17K LEGO Workers Get Extra Month Pay Because ‘Everything is Awesome’

By
McKinley Corbley
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lego-man-envelope-CC-Ken-Whytock

Over 17,000 LEGO employees worldwide are receiving an extra month’s salary in January – a fantastic holiday gift to say thank you for contributing to the company’s growth over the last 10 years.

The reward is apparently not to be viewed as a bonus, but as compensation for LEGO’s 18% growth since this period last year.

In addition, all employees will receive their regular bonuses in March.

CHECK Out: Lego Spends Millions To Ditch Oil-Based Plastic

“It’s an incredibly good performance and a result of the hard work that more than 17,000 Lego employees around the world have done,” Jørgen Vig Knudstorp, CEO of the Denmark firm, reported in September, according to The Copenhagen Post.

African Lions Granted Protection Under New American Law That Limits Hunters

By
Terry Turner
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African Lions cc Mathias Appel

The Obama administration implemented new measures to protect African lions, placing them on the Endangered Species List in order to curtail the loss of animals from American sport hunters traveling to the continent.

The lion’s new designation gives American officials the go-ahead to ban the importation of any hunting trophies, such as lion skins, that would be brought back into the country. The importation of live lions also can be regulated under the new legal status.

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“If we want to ensure that healthy lion populations continue to roam the African savannas and forests of India, it’s up to all of us — not just the people of Africa and India — to take action.” Dan Ashe, director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said in announcing the designations.

The service declared the breed Panthera leo leo to be endangered. Only about 1,400 of the big cats still exist in the wild — 900 in Africa and 500 in India.

A second breed in Africa, Panthera leo melanochaita, which numbers somewhere between 17,000 and 19,000,  has been placed on the threatened species list. Both designations take effect January 22, 2016.

RELATED:  Largest-Ever Lion Airlift Sends 33 Circus Cats to New Home in Africa

Lion populations in Africa have declined by more than 60% since the 1940s, to around 20,000. U.S. hunting trophies in the last ten years have accounted for the deaths of 5,600 of the big cats, but that fact received little attention until the recent death of Cecil the lion in Zimbabwe.

CHECK OUT: Lion Killers Transformed into ‘Lion Guardians’ in Africa

Cecil was a popular tourist attraction at a game reserve, but the big cat was killed in a licensed hunt by an American dentist when the lion wandered out of the reservation. Zimbabwe has since temporarily banned all trophy hunting nationwide, until further notice.

(Photos: Kevin Pluck, CC; Mathias Appel, CC)

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