Thank you for visiting the archives of The Good News Network.
Here you will find previous months news and positive views from around the world - sport, environment, education, health, science, entertainment. We hope you find what you are looking for. Good luck!
For up to date Good News go to The Good News Network
smile Speaking of the bright side of life watch Monty Python's "The Life of Brian" always good for a laugh at religion - we think it still rocks today.
The good things in life are free - laughter, optimism, humour, helping others.
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Home Turns into School every Night Chennai India.
The school is free and commenced with only 8 children and now has 150. Kamalan, Kannan and their son turn their house into a school in the hope that children will stay out of the job market and enjoy their childhoods. Full story at good news india
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you can help others for free
Feed the hungry at the hunger site where clicking on the "give free food" button gives 1.1 cups of food to a hungry person www.thehungersite.com
Aid animals - it's free- www.theanimalrescuesite.com provides almost 1 bowl of food for an animal being cared for in a shelter each time you click on their button.
Help preserve endangered land at the rainforest site www.therainforestsite.com where your one click can help fund the preservation of 11.4 square feet of rainforest.
www.thechildhealthsite.com provides vital health services to children, helps prevent life threatening diseases, aids amputees and blind children.
Help protect women's health by funding free mammograms - you can do this for free by one click at www.thebreastcancersite.com
Give the gift of reading at www.theliteracysite.com every day you click you provide books to children who need them at no cost to you at all.
Bushcare needs volunteers to help look after the australian bush www.nrm.gov.au/ there may be one in your area. As part of this project more than 31 million seedlings have been planted.
"Complain because rose bushes have thorns or be delighted because the thorn bush has a rose "- it's all up to me
Commenced Tuesday June 13th 2006
What's your Perspective
Keith's OK
The Rolling Stones will begin their postponed European tour in July after Keith Richards has been given the all clear after having brain surgery in New Zealand. The Rolling Stones A Bigger Bang European tour would be going ahead - Richards will be on stage.
May 2006 Good News
New help for Diabetes 2 An experimental diabetes drug, Muraglitazar, appears to be effective in lowering blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetics who don't respond to treatment with the drug metformin. Muraglitazar also improves cholesterol levels. This info was noted in the medical journal Diabetes Care with information from the University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio. It is not yet approved by the U.S.A.'s Food and Drug Administration. ....................................................................................................
May Day - What is it ? When is it? Come back here soon to find out. May Day around the World coming sooner or later...
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May 10th Good news about bird flu. (Avian Influenza)
- Birds that migrated north from Africa in spring have not brought the bird flu to Europe.
- Thailand has not seen a human case of bird flu for over 1 year
- Vietnam has not seen a human case for over 1 year
....................................................................................................................... Standup Campaign in Education The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is helping parents and children to improve schools in the U.S.A. The spokesperson for the foundation said that there was no single solution to the situation and it would be tackled in many ways. The Gates Foundation has made a grant of " $21,253,000.00 US over 42 months to provide curriculum and support for teachers as a part of a transformation that aims to prepare all CPS students for success in post-secondary education and education " SOURCE http://www.gatesfoundation.org/Grants/
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May 06 Quiet Achievers and unsung heroes Award goes to the Beaconsfield Rescuers
Necessity is the mother of invention The particular kind of rescue attempt of the 2 tassie miners was never tried anywhere else in the world. The rescuers, mates and co workers of the 2 men trapped for 2 weeks underground, showed amazing courage and fortitude in digging deep under the trapped men in the collapsed mine. ..........................................................................................................................
Friday May 5th A step forward for Darfur A peace plan was signed today to end the destruction in Western Sudan. The assembled leaders, fighters, diplomats and journalists all applauded when the agreement was signed by the government of Sudan and a Darfur rebel group. .........................................................................................................................
NEWSFLASH 9th May 2006 MINER MIRACLE
The 2 Tasmanian miners emerged to freedom early this morning. They logged off their 14 day "shift" as they reached the surface to cheers and hugs from families and friends. They had already showered and changed and been assessed by paramedics. Both men walked out, arms held high and after hugging their families proceeded to walk around thanking and hugging miners and mates. The expression "Good to see you" never meant so much.
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May 3 update Beaconsfield Mine - approximately 5 p.m.
Rescuers have begun the final tunnelling to the two trapped Tasmanian miners Todd Russell and Brant Webb. May 3 - Beaconsfield Miners The miners, Todd Russell and Brant Webb, are still alive underground after 8 days are said to be in good spirits. For more information go to ABC Regional Online http://www.abc.net.au/news/items/200605/1629140.htm?tasmania
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May 3 - Happy Birthday Mr. Brown Mr James Brown, better know as the Godfather of Rock and Roll, celebrates his 73rd birthday today. Born to a poor family in Barnwell South Carolina, USA he is still continuing to perform and collaborate with other musos. He has had 98 singles entered in the top 40's charts, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986 and was given a Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award in 1992. Rock on. To book James Brown for your next event go to http://www.onlinetalent.com/MRBrown_homepage.html To find out more about his redords,videos, books, interviews and much more go to the funky-stuff.com at http://www.funky-stuff.com/jamesbrown/
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May 2 - German Hostages Freed. The two men have been freed unharmed after 3 months in captivity. The 2 engineers were working at a factory in Baiji, north of Bagdad, when they were kidnapped at gunpoint by men who later identified themselves as from the Sunna brigades. Both Thomas Nitzschke and Rene Braunlich are reported to be in a stable condition. ........................................................................................................................
City of the Month for May - Cheung Chau
The Cheung Chau Bun Festival is a traditional Chinese festival held on the island of Cheng Chau off Hong Kong every year to mark the Eighth day of the Fourth Moon, in the Chinese calendar - usually in early May. It coincides with the local celebration of Buddha's Birthday. The Cheung Chau Bun Festival began way back in the Qing Dynasty as a ritual for fishing communities to pray for safety and make amends with the spirit world. A tower of pink and white steamed buns filled with lotus paste are placed on 3 bamboo towers outside the Pak Tai Temple. See video and photos http://www.cheungchau.org/
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April 2006 Good News
Beaconsfield Miners Breaking News Sunday evening 30th April 2006 Two men have been found alive in a collapsed mineshaft one kilometre underground. The two Australian miners have been trapped for 5 days. Family and friends danced in the streets of the Tasmanian town when they heard the good news. There will be more celebrations when they are finally out. This may take more than 48 hours or even longer due to excavating difficulties.
This month Christopher Harris, age 15, will be setting out to climb Mt Everest we will keep you updated on his accomplishments.
He is an Australian boy who began rock climbing when he was 5 years old and we wish him and his father and fellow travellers good weather and good luck on the big climb.
Plastics arouse passions. Go to Good News India for lots of information on a new plastic recycling pro type made by Jim Garthe http://www.goodnewsindia.com/index.php/Magazine/story/plastic-recycling-garthe/
Africa Malaria Day April 25, 2006 This day marks the 6th anniversary of the Summit for African Malaria where 44 African goverments signed a declaration to fight malaria. SOURCE : National Institute of Health - the U.S. Dept of Health & Human Services. "On this day we applaud the global efforts of scientists, healthcare workers, as well as communities and organizations dedicated to developing effective malaria prevention and treatment strategies with the hope of ultimately ridding the world of this terrible killer." Statement by U.S.A.'s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) More info http://www.rollbackmalaria.org/amd2006/
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March Archives 2006
March 18, 2006 Cyclone was not a killer. Cyclone Larry, became a category 5 cyclone as it blasted onto the north east coast of Australia but we are happy to report that there were no deaths. The main impact was felt around the Queensland town of Innisfail.
Mann owes life to tree. Professor Ronald Mann owes his life to a tree. The 77 year old had a heart attack while driving and the impact of crashing into a tree gave him a jolt to the chest which restarted his heart. If he'd had an airbag in the car he felt he would be visiting the undertaker. Source London Telegraph
Sport The commonwealth games, being held this month - March- in Melbourne Australia, has all the 71 member countries competing. Science A vaccine to prevent and treat cervical cancer will revolutionise women's health around the world. It will be available in 2007.
Abel Prize award Lennart Carleson of the Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden has been awarded the Abel Prize for significant contributions in several fields of mathematics "Carleson's work has forever altered our view of analysis" the citation said. His efforts to promote mathematics in Swedish schools and openess in sharing his work with other scholars also helped gain him this prestigious award worth 755,000 euro. The Abel Prize, established in Norway in 2002, is an international prize for "outstanding scientific work in the field of mathematics." The prize committee is nominated by the norwegian academy of science. The prize is named after Niels Henrik Abel a famous mathematician Source www.abelprisen.no/en/
If you would like to see a photo of this happy mathematician just go to http://www.goodnewsnetwork.zoomshare.com/1.shtml and open the "famous good news faces" album
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Give me the Good News - February 2006
News just in from Amnesty International that King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia has issued a pardon on the 6th february 2006 to Cheam Channy a prisoner of conscience who was jailed for expressing his political opinions - he has been released from prison. Amnesty International says there was no basis to the charges.
Environment New Coral Reef A new reef has been discovered off the coast of Thailand. It is home to over 100 different types of fish and over 30 types of coral.
New species of animals discovered in Papua New Guinea. A scientific expedition to the jungles of west Papua New Guinea has discovered many new species of flowers and animals. Frogs, kangaroos butterflies and birds have been found by the Conservation International (CI) team. The December, 2005 expedition in was funded by CI, the Indonesian Institute of Science (LIPI) the Swift Foundation, the Gordon & Betty Moore Foundation, the National Geographic Society & the Global Environment Project Institute. More detail & pictures such as the one of a golden-mantled tree kangaroo being held by mammal expert Kris Helgen at http://news.mongabay.com/2006/0206-ng.html
Good News India is a site run by a man that loves his country and reports positive action & new initiatives in India. www.goodnewsindia.com
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His Bobness to host a radio show - fans of Bob Dylan are waiting in anticipation for his radio show to commence in March 2006 on radio XM on the deeptracks channel. It will be a weekly show where Bob will conduct interviews and give comments - should be interesting.
September 2006 Good News
'New Hope for African Farmers |
In partnership with the Rockefeller Foundation, we are helping to spur a Green Revolution that could move tens of millions of people out of hunger and poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa.' From Agricultural Development - Grant Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Read more... |
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Nelson Mandela will be awarded the "Ambassador of Conscience" Award for 2006.
"Today, we honour and pay tribute to the life and work of Nelson Mandela in the cause of freedom and justice in South Africa and around the world," said Irene Khan, Amnesty International's Secretary General.'
More info at Amnesty International...
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Faster help for endangered reefs. Scientists from around the world have set up a pilot program for a digital sensor network that will collect data from coral reefs around the globe much more quickly. For more info go to ABC Innovations
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UNESCO awards Cuba
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has awarded the 2006 Rey Sejong Literacy prize to Cuba's 'Yes I can' program. This innovative program is being used in both rural and urban areas with great success.
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Enviro friendly car that is built for speed. It runs on compressed natural gas and looks like a racing car. The Mila, made in Austria by Magna Steyr, will be available and road ready in 2007 at a price of 55 thousand US dollars. To see what it looks like click "Photos" at left and go to the "great design" album.
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Reducing Malaria in Africa
Indoor residual spraying using DDT poses no harm to wildlife or to humans according to WHO after carrying out extensive testing. The main spraying will be in the provinces of Benguela, Huila and Namibe. More of story at Ghanaian ChronicleACCRA
What's your perspective?
Austria celebrates with a year long party
Love his work? Mozart was born 250 years ago in Salzburg, and Austria is partying all year long. Churches play his sacred music, concert halls play his overtures and symphonies, opera 's perform his arias, rock musicians do tributes and jazz musos do interpretations. Besides the music there is the Viva! Mozart Exhibition in the newly restored Neue Residenz Palace and the visit to his birth house and the Marionette Theatre performing Mozart all in Salzburg. In Vienna there is the newly opened Mozart House where he lived for 3 years and an exhibition at Albertina Museum. More Mozart Magic with specific dates.
July 2006 Good News
Ford to develop eco-friendly cars that cut pollution emissions and petrol costs for drivers. Ford will invest 1 billion pounds producing 'green' cars for the British market. They will include Land Rover, Aston Martin and Jaguar. The New Ford Focus will run in part from alcohol made from plants and part petrol. DAILY MAIL 16th July - Ray Massey
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Cheap Computers for French Families
12th July. The French government will be offering computer and internet connection to low-income families for only 1 euro a day.
FACT: Almost half of French homes have a personal computer.
The package will include a computer, home training and a high-speed internet connection. It will save money for the government as everyone will be able to fill out official forms online.
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June 2006 Good News
Snake venom treats heart attack - Brazil June 20
Protein found in the venom of a Brazilian snake, the Urutus, has been found to heal injured heart tissue. This protein could also be used in medicines for diabetics. The research has been done at the Physiological Science Dept. of the Federal university of Sao Carlos in Sao Paulo State, Brazil.
Abundant History Tuesday, June 20, 2006 CHINA
Archaeologists have unearthed 93 tombs dating back @ 2,200 years. Excavations of the tombs, in the eastern Chinese province of Anhui, began in November 2005 and have uncovered over 600 relics in bronze, jade and pottery. SOURCE: China View
Recently archaeologists in China have discovered much of China's abundant history - Qinglongquan ruins date back to the New Stone Age; Meipu Ape Man site dates back 1 million years; 50 tombs in central China's Hubei province date back 2,400 years. ..................................................................................................................
Shut Guantanamo Bay 13th June 2006
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan says the Guantanamo Bay detention centre on the U.S. naval base should be closed. Amnesty International has previously asked George W. Bush to name a date for the closure of the camp. Tony Blair, Britain's Prime Minister, has called Guantanamo which was opened in January 2002 an “anomaly”. Today in Brussels the European Union called for the closure of Guantanamo. Elmar Brok, chairman of the EU parliament's foreign affairs committee said the closure of the camp would give "more credibility to the necessary fight against worldwide terrorism." SOURCE Deutsche Presse-Agentur and M & C News
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Kenya Reducing HIV
Kenya has reduced their citizens' HIV rate from 14% in 1997 to 4% today. Anti-retroviral drugs will now be free to all people with AIDS within all of Kenya's clinics and hospitals the President Mwai Kibaki said. This decision has been hailed as another critical step forward in the fight against AIDS
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Drop in Child Hunger
Some areas in Africa have reduced child hunger because of a program that promotes breast feeding and children's health.
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Mineral of the Month - Lithium aids proper endocrine regulation, brain function and stabilises emotions.Natural sources are foods grown in mineral rich soil including vegetables, potatoes, wholegrains and seeds. It is also found in eggs and dairy products. Deficiency can cause depression, depressed growth, reduced fertility and reduced longevity. There is no Recommended Daily Allowance.
Mineral of the Month - April - Calcium.
Calcium aids weightloss. Dr Robert Heaney, at Creighton University in Omaha USA, was amazed to find that women at mid life did not gain weight if they had a high calcium diet www.health.discovery.com/html Calcium helps PMS. Dr Susan Thys- Jacobs from St Luke- Roosevelt Hospital in the USA finds that a calcium supplementation of 1,200 mg per day relieves both the physical and emotional symptoms of Pre Menstrual Syndrome (PMS) by almost 50%. We all know that calcium is important for bone and tooth formation but did you know it assists in blood clotting, muscle growth, heart rhythm and nerve tranquilisation and has the highest recommended dose of any nutrient after protein, fat & carbohydrates.
Calcium food sources: almonds, molasses, sesame seeds, tahini, yoghurt, turnip greens, kale, collard greens, broccoli, sardines and salmon (with bone) milk and cheese.
Recipes to help you get your calcium: Hummus - sesame seeds, tahini, chick peas, lemon and salt and water - blend to make a spread or dip: Almond milk - blend almonds with spring water and strain this is great calcium source for children and grown ups who cannot tolerate milk.
Quiet Achievers and unsung heroes
Have you heard of the following? Wu Zetian, Shagrat Al - Durr, Sonduk, Nur Jahan, Trotula, Melisende? What are they and what do they have in common?
They are famous women.
March is Women's History Month so visit a great site about women's contributions both past & present. www.distinguishedwomen.com