Positive News Update 11-30-05

Here's just a few examples of this
week's Positive News from around
the World.

Great Britain: Ford using
eco-friendly production methods

London Mayor Ken Livingstone named
the Ford company Best Performing
Corporate Organization for its use of
recycled-content products, and its reuse
of waste products at its nearby facility.

The automobile giant uses enough recycled
materials to stop 21,000 tonnes of material
from going into landfills.

China: Small-sum loans help women
shake off poverty

Small loan grants have proven to be effective
in helping Chinese women shake off poverty.

The number of women living in abject poverty
fell from 250 million in 1978 to 26.1 million in
2004, according to sources from a national meeting
on advancing women's poverty eradication.

World's biggest wind farm being
considered by New Zealand

If the monitoring of a New Zealand site proves
positive, Central Otago could become home to
one the world's biggest wind farms.

According to the article, Meridian Energy
estimates 'up to a quarter of New Zealand's
electricity needs could be met by wind power'.

US: Organic foods continue
to gain traction

The annual 2005 Whole Foods Market Inc.
Organic Trend Tracker has found that almost
two-thirds of Americans have tried organic
foods and drinks.

This figure is up from the half who had tried
organics in 2003 and 2004. Twenty-seven
per cent of those surveyed said that they are
consuming more organic foods than they
did a year ago.

Investors, businesses turning
to 'green' products

Climbing oil prices and consumer and investor
demand are driving companies to find
economically sound ways to adopt
environmentally friendly packaging, products,
and processes.

Once at a price disadvantage with petrochemicals,
'green' companies are now finding themselves in
a competitive position.

Research: Expectations can help healing

Research is showing the power of expectations,
that they have physical , not just psychological,
effects on your health.

Now scientists are amassing the first direct
evidence that the placebo effect actually is
physical, and that expecting benefit can trigger
the same neurological pathways of healing
as real medication does.

Positive News Network views these
stories as positive proof that we
are making progress towards a better
world for all.

Positive News Update 11-22-05

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

India offers Pakistan $25 million in aid

The October 8th earthquake has provided an
``an opportunity of a lifetime'' for Pakistan and
archrival India to improve relations and resolve
their dispute over Kashmir.

Since the quake, they have agreed to open five
crossing points on the militarized frontier to facilitate
the flow of relief and India has offered Pakistan
$25 million in aid.

``Let success and happiness emerge from the ruins
of this catastrophe, especially for the people of Kashmir''

Pakistani Prime Minister Musharraf told donors at
the international aid conference held last weekend.

International donors have pledged $5.4 billion in quake
aid to Pakistan, surpassing the amount sought by the
government, the prime minister said Saturday.

The U.S. nearly tripled its pledge to more than half a
billion dollars in a show of support for a key ally in
the war on terror.

The new pledges came at a donors conference attended
by about 50 nations.

Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn
Wins Indira Ghandi Peace Award

By displaying the humanitarian qualities of a true royal
person, and leading by example, Thai Princess Maha
Chakri Sirindhorn has won the prestigious Indira Gandhi
Prize for Peace, Disarmament, and Development.

The Princess has been especially effective in rural
Thailand and her many activities, including her work
among underprivileged children, were said by President
Kalam to be 'applicable to many countries of the developing
world', making rural development a 'key issue' in
national development.

She was also honoured for her 'activities to promote and
preserve the rich Thai culture, and her educational pursuit
in Sanskrit, Pali, and Buddhism.'

The Princess was given the award in the presence of Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi,
who heads the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust.

Sharon quits Likud to pursue peacemaking

JERUSALEM - Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said Monday
he gambled and broke away from his hardline Likud Party
because he did not want to squander peacemaking opportunities
created by Israel's pullout from the Gaza Strip or waste time
with political wrangling.

Sharon, whose split from Likud electrified Israeli politics
and set the stage for likely March elections, ruled out
unilateral withdrawals from the West Bank, however.

He also said he remains committed to the internationally
backed ``road map'' plan, which calls for a negotiated peace
deal culminating in a Palestinian state.

``There is no additional disengagement plan,'' he told a
televised news conference, referring to the summer's
Gaza withdrawal. ``There is the road map.''

Sharon's decision to form a new party he described as
``liberal'' cemented his transformation from the hawkish
patron of Israel's settler movement to a moderate peacemaker
reconciled to the inevitability of a Palestinian state.

Palestinians said the developments created new prospects
for peacemaking, which ground to a halt during five years
of violence.

``I believe this is an eruption of an Israeli political volcano,
and I hope that when the dust settles, we will have a partner
in Israel to go toward ... a final arrangement,'' said Palestinian
negotiator Saeb Erekat.

Sharon said the Gaza pullout created a ``historic opportunity,''
and ``I will not allow anyone to squander it.''

PM urges SAARC countries to work
together to create peace in South Asia

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, who is also the
Chairman of the South Asian Association for Regional
Cooperation (SAARC), urged member states to join
together to create peace in South Asia.

Russia, Japan work on 60-year-old dispute

The leaders of Russia and Japan said today the settlement
of a 60-year-old dispute that kept their nations from formally
ending their World War II hostilities requires closer economic
cooperation and patient trust-building as Tokyo backed
Moscow's bid to join the World Trade Organization.

Togo begins political dialogue to restore peace

At the urging of Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe,
representatives of many political factions came together
in a political dialogue aimed at calming the turbulence in
the west African country.

The President asked factions to 'find a fit method to settle
the particular situation that Togo has experienced in past years'.

Colombia: Two dozen leftist rebels disarm

Two dozen Colombian rebels laid down their arms this week
in the first group demobilization ceremony of leftist guerrillas
since President Alvaro Uribe took office three years ago.

The group's commander, Raul Agudelo, was captured last year
and from jail persuaded his fighters to desert the Revolutionary
Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC.

Rival Darfur rebel leaders preparing for peace talks

Rival Sudanese rebel leaders are taking a step closer to each
other in peace negotiations. The next round of peace talks,
chaired by the African Union, are due to begin Monday in
the Nigerian capital of Abuja.

Sri Lanka: Children support peace, says poll

The Children's Opinion Poll revealed that 97 per cent of children
in Sri Lanka would prefer to promote peace rather than fight wars.

The leader of The Children's Opinion Poll team, Dr James
Arputharaj said, 'Children represent both the present and
the future. They overwhelmingly support peace and harmony.
We have to listen and respect their views.'

Closer ties between China and the Republic of Korea
contribute to regional peace: Hu

Chinese President Hu Jintao said Wednesday that the fast
growth in cooperation between China and the Republic of
Korea (ROK) has benefited both sides and made an important
contribution to regional peace and development.

New Sri Lankan President
wants peace talks with rebels

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse, elected President of
Sri Lanka on Thursday, said Friday he wanted to hold
face-to-face peace talks with the secretive leader of the
rebel Tamil Tigers in an effort to end two decades of civil war.

'I will bring about an honourable peace to the country
respecting all communities,' Rajapakse said after being
declared the winner.

President Hu says China will
contribute to global peace

Chinese President Hu Jintao took centre stage at a Pacific
Rim forum Thursday, offering assurances there is nothing
to fear from his fast-developing country and emphasizing
that China has great potential to contribute to world peace.

'The Chinese nation always loves peace,' he said. 'China will
firmly adhere to the road of peaceful development.'

Aids vaccine Enters Phase 2 Trial

Volunteers enroll for second-step vaccine trial
by Tamar Kahn, Science and Health Editor
BUSINESS DAY

CAPE TOWN - Scientists yesterday began enrolling
volunteers for SA's first phase two clinical trial of a
candidate HIV vaccine, under a multisite study funded
by the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative.

Scientists will be testing a vaccine called tgAAC09,
developed by Nasdaq-listed Targeted Genetics
Corporation, which combines two of the latest
techniques for helping the body defend itself
against HIV.

More than 6-million South Africans are infected with HIV.
With no cure in sight, a vaccine offers the best hope of
combating the pandemic.

For more the full story click here

Positive News hopes this vaccine proves to be successful
and we can begin to turn the tide on this dreadful
destructive disease.

Positive TV

Positive News on NBC?!

This week NBC is doing POSITIVE news
during their world news program with
Brian Williams.

Each night they feature someone who is
making a difference in our world.

Tune in and check it out...tonight,
check local listings.

US NEWS - Free College Scholarships

The Kalamazoo Promise: Free College Education
promised to 10,300 students and more...

Kalamazoo Michigan; The Kalamazoo Promise program
backed by an anonymous group of benefactors is offering
nearly all of Kalamazoo's high school graduates college
scholarships for at least the next 13 years.

The scholarships will be good at any of Michigan's public
universities or community colleges starting with the class
of 2006. The scholarships are available to all students
who entered the school system before the 9th grade.

The scholarships will provide 65% to 100% of tuition
and fees; those who enrolled in kindergarten would
get a free ride.

Now that's paying it forward...WOW!

INTERNATIONAL NEWS - Pakistan Earthquake

NY Hereos in Pakistan

Last night I watched an amazing story
on the CBS News program 60 Minutes.

It was about 13 NY City Paramedics that
decided to show up and help the people
of Pakistan that were affected by the
devestating earthquake that happend
5 weeks ago.

These 13 guys are doing such a wonderful
service for the people lucky enough to have
them there at this time.

To read the entire transcript of the story
simply Click Here

If you are moved to help please click here

I know it's been a busy year for disasters
but there are over 90,000 people dead
and millions homeless that need help.

Positive News Update 11-9-05

ABC launches new "Quit to Live"
anti-smoking ad campaign

ABC News is being enlisted in the battle against
smoking and lung cancer in the Quit to Live series,
which began airing this month on "World News Tonight."

The anti-smoking public-service campaign that includes
information on how to stop smoking and the treatment
and prevention of lung cancer, as well as its toll on the
public health system.

"World News Tonight" launched "Quit to Live" in part as a
response to the death of longtime anchor Peter Jennings,
who succumbed to lung cancer in August.

From the Surgeon General Website

Disease Prevention is the number 1 priority
for the Office of the Surgeon General

Seven of 10 Americans who die each year die of a
preventable chronic disease such as heart disease,
diabetes and many forms of cancer.

Tobacco-related illnesses are the leading cause of death
and kill 435,000 people each year.

How can we solve/address these priorities?

-Eat healthy foods
-Be physically active
-Don't smoke
-Limit alcohol and avoid drugs

It's about time after all we have spent billions of dollars
trying to "cure" these diseases, when all along most of
them are PREVENTABLE by changing your lifestyle.

Second Chances
Kate Moss Gets A New Modeling Job

Kate Moss took her first modeling job since checking out
of drug rehabilitation with a photo shoot for designer
Roberto Cavalli on the Spanish island of Ibiza.

Moss modeled the Italian designer's spring and summer
collection for photos to appear next year in magazines,
including Vogue and W, the statement said.

Kate our very best wishes to you on your path to
sobriety, the world loves a good comeback story.

Cleaner, Abundant Fuels
Attracting Record Investment
Report Abid Aslam,
OneWorld US

WASHINGTON, D.C. Nov 7 (OneWorld) - Renewable
energy captured from the wind, sun, Earth's heat, tides,
and from small dams is drawing record levels of investment
as poor villagers and entire nations alike seek clean,
abundant ways to fuel economic growth.

Global investment in renewable energy set a new record
of $30 billion in 2004, according to a new report from the
Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21).

Technologies such as wind, solar, biomass, geothermal,
and small hydro now provide 160 gigawatts of electricity
generating capacity--about four percent of the world total--
the report said.

They are growing at rates of around 20-30 percent per year,
however, compared to two or three percent for oil and gas.
''Renewable energy has become big business,'' said Eric Martinot,
lead author of the study, "Renewables 2005: Global Status Report."

Martinot, a senior fellow at the Washington, D.C.-based think
tank Worldwatch Institute and a lecturer at Tsinghua University
in Beijing, said renewable energy has attracted some of the
world's largest companies, including General Electric, Siemens,
Sharp, and Royal Dutch Shell.

The report estimated that nearly 40 million households worldwide
heat their water with solar collectors, most of them installed in the
last five years. Altogether, renewable energy industries provide
1.7 million jobs, most of them skilled and well paid.

Positive News sees this trend as proof that we are headed
toward a cleaner, less poluted world and higher oil prices
are actually speeding up these developments which are
very positive for all of us.

China to spend 180 billion dollars to
boost renewable energy use

BEIJING (AFP) - China said it would spend about 180
billion dollars over the next 15 years to increase its use
of renewable energy to 15 percent of the total generated,
from the current seven percent.

Zhang Guobao, vice minister of the National Development
and Reform Commission (NDRC), revealed the plan at an
international conference on renewable energy in Beijing,
the state news agency reported.

"Renewable energy, including solar, wind power and
hydropower, will contribute to better energy security
in China," said Zhang.

"It also delivers substantial economic and environmental
results, alleviating poverty."

In the coming 15 years China will develop biomass energy,
which stems from plant and animal matter, and hopes to
replace ten million tons (tonnes) of petroleum with
renewable energy annually, Zhang said.

China also plans to expand the heat collection area of solar
heaters to 300 million cubic meters (390 million cubic yards)
by 2020, replacing the use of about 40 million tons of
standard coal each year.

In a speech at the conference, Chinese President Hu Jintao
called on the international community to improve cooperation
in research and development, transfer of technology and
funding to promote the use of renewable resources,
Xinhua news agency said.

"China attaches great importance to the utilization of
renewable resources, making it one of the important
moves to promote economic and social development," Hu said.

Chinese Vice-Premier Zeng Peiyan told the conference
China will make better use of its water resources, build
wind power plants capable of generating a million kilowatts
each and use more solar energy and methane in rural areas.

Zeng called on developed countries and international
organizations to honor their commitments made in
2004 in Bonn, Germany, to offer assistance to developing
countries for the use of renewable energy, including funding,
technology, expertise and management.

China aims to provide electricity to many homes still living
without it by developing renewable energies, especially
solar energy, Zhang said.

China has spent some 600 million dollars in the past few years
on installing solar batteries in 700 small towns far from the
country's power grid. It planned to provide the batteries to
more towns in coming years.

More positive proof that the world is waking up to the potential
of renewable resources. This solution also provides benefits to
human health because renwable energy sources produce less
pollution.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

India Inc. now gets serious about society
by Bindu Damodaran Menon
The Asian Age

On November 4, 2005 The Asian Age reported:
India's corporate sector is showing its commitment
towards social responsibilities.

Many corporations in the country are now providing
jobs to the disabled. The companies are finding that
their efforts are having a side benefit of enhancing
the reputations of the corporations.

Positive News Network views this news as a sign of
progress and know that India will discover what many
American firms already know those with physical
and mental challenges can make a siginificant contribution
to the community when given the opportunity.

Herbal Hope in Breast Cancer Battle

Herbal hope in breast cancer battle
by John InnesThe Scotsman

On November 5; The Scotsman reported: New studies
conducted at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois,
USA, are showing that a compound found in evening primrose
oil inhibits the growth of breast cancer and helps drugs given
to women once the disease has spread to other parts of the
body to work more effectively.

'Results of the study reveal a valuable means by which an
inexpensive herbal medicine might regulate breast cancer
cell growth,' said Professor Ruth Lupu.

Positive News Network views this news as a sign of progress
and positivity in the field of health.

'In laboratory tests, a substance found in the [evening primrose]
oil not only suppressed an important breast cancer gene but also
amplified the effects of a drug [Herceptin] used in advanced stages
of the disease.'

The substance in the oil is called gamma-linolenic acid (GLA),
which is also found in borage oil and black currant seed oil. It
was 'found to inhibit the action of a gene responsible for about
30 per cent of breast cancers'.

The article noted that, 'In the tests, GLA did not appear to
affect normal cells.' In previous research at Northwestern
University, GLA was also found to enhance other drugs
targeted for breast cancer, such as Taxol, Taxotere, and
Navelbine, and enhance 'anti-oestrogen drugs such as
Tamoxifen and Faslodex'.

Dr Sarah Rawlins, of the charity Breakthrough Breast
Cancer pointed out that these tests were done on cancer
cells, not patients with cancer cells, so more research is
needed to know the effect of GLA on patients with
breast cancer.

Positive News Update 11-3-05

Hi Everyone,

This Blog is still evolving and
I urge you to check it regularly.

My goal is to post Positive News
here at least 2-3 times a week.

--Mr. Positive!

PS Did you see the fantastic Special Edition
of US NEWS & World report that came out
last week? "America's Best Leaders" you
can review online at www.usnews.com
Amazing people doing amazing things
all over the World.

POSITIVE PEOPLE

Mrs. Rosa Parks - A Life Well Lived

Last week America lost a brave and principled
individual whose simple act ignited the Civil
Rights movement and altered the course of
American history.

Her life was a powerful illustration of the capacity
of one person to change the world.

HEALTH NEWS

"Forty million people in this country (US)
suffer from diagnosed cardiovascular disease,
and an even larger number don't yet know
that they have a heart problem..."
--Dr. Dean Ornish

New Recipe for Heart Health
Eat Well, Exercise and Meditate?

Health Plus the Vanderbilt University staff and
faculty wellness program newsletter cited two
recent studies on the Transcendental Meditation
Program (TM) and noted that the technique is a
simple, practical way to combat anxiety and
relieve stress.

The first study was published in Stroke, a journal
of the American Heart Association (AHA). It showed
that the accumulation of fatty plaques on artery
walls actually diminished in people who practised
TM for 20 minutes twice a day.

In the study, one hundred thirty-eight African
American adults with borderline or high blood
pressure were randomly assigned to either a
Transcendental Meditation (TM) program
or an education program about heart
disease risk factors.

The results showed that those in the meditation
group reduced their risk of a heart attack by
11 per cent and their risk of a stroke from
between 7.7 per cent to 15 per cent.

The heart disease education group had actually
increased their risk factors.

The second study was published in Psychosomatic
Medicine. The research indicated that Transcendental
Meditation results in greater decreases in systolic blood
pressure than relaxation alone.

The study looked at 32 healthy adults, 16 men and
16 women, between the ages of 39 and 55. The
participants were tested before and during 20 minutes
of open-eyed relaxation, 20 minutes of TM (TM group),
and 20 minutes of eyes-closed relaxation (control group).

The TM group experienced significant decreases in systolic
blood pressure and total peripheral resistance (constriction
of the blood vessels) during both phases of the study.

It noted that preliminary research has indicated strong
belief systems can positively affect wound closure, pain
levels, medication usage, and the length of hospital stay
for patients treated for heart disease.

EDITORS NOTE: Dr. Dean Ornish led the way in 1990
with his NY Times Bestseller. Dr. Dean Ornish's Program
for Reversing Heart Disease: The Only System
Scientifically Proven to Reverse Heart Disease
Without Drugs or Surgery

There's more and more evidence of what once was
considered "new age" "far out" "alternative" medicine
actually works. I'm sure we will see more studies with
simular results in the future.