PNN-Positive News Network

Positive News Update

2007-12-11T15:12:00.000-06:00

US studies show how fruits and vegetables reduce cancer

A growing body of research that shows fruits and vegetables,
especially richly colored varieties, can reduce the risk of cancer.

Just three servings a month of raw broccoli or cabbage can
reduce the risk of bladder cancer by as much as 40 percent,
researchers reported this week.

Researchers at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo,
New York, surveyed 275 people who had bladder cancer and
825 people without cancer.

They asked especially about cruciferous vegetables such as
broccoli and cabbage. These foods are rich in compounds called
isothiocyanates, which are known to lower cancer risk.

The effects were most striking in nonsmokers, the researchers
told a meeting being held this week of the American Association
of Cancer Research in Philadelphia.

US: Solid job gains, wage growth in November

Employers added a solid 94,000 jobs to their payrolls in
November, the unemployment rate held steady at 4.7 per cent,
and wages grew briskly, encouraging signs the nation's
employment climate is holding up in the face of turbulence in
the housing and credit markets.

US President Bush celebrates peace
with Northern Ireland leaders

Northern Ireland leaders Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness,
bitter enemies turned partners in government, concluded their
first joint visit to Washington with a celebration of peace with
President Bush at the White House.

Paisley and McGuinness, who formed an alliance in May after
decades of turmoil in Northern Ireland, smiled and chuckled
with Bush during their meeting in the Oval Office.

``I congratulate you for seizing the moment and writing a
hopeful chapter,'' Bush told them.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

UK: All homes could be wind powered by 2020

Every home in the country could be supplied by wind power alone
in 2020 by making full use of the wind-swept seas around the
country, Energy Secretary John Hutton said on Monday. Britain
has some of the best wind conditions for generating electricity
in the world.

Iran, IAEA in new talks to clear nuclear doubts

Iran and a team from the UN nuclear watchdog started a fresh
round of talks on Monday in Tehran to resolve doubts about the
Islamic Republic's nuclear work. The International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA) delegation arrived in Iran's capital on Sunday,
less than a week after a US intelligence report said Iran halted its
nuclear weapons program in 2003.

Iran denies ever having had such a military program but
welcomed the report that contradicted the US
administration's assertions that Tehran was actively
working on a nuclear bomb.

European Union, Africa open first summit in seven years

Leaders from the European Union and Africa met on Saturday to
forge a new strategic partnership at their first summit in seven
years. The call for a fresh start comes at a time when many African
countries' economies are growing more rapidly than in several
decades, thanks to a commodities-fuelled boom.

Pressured by China's growing investment and influence in Africa,
the Europeans aim to agree an ambitious action plan with the
world's poorest continent to revitalise trade—but also to improve
cooperation in areas like immigration and peacekeeping.

These are all signs of Positive progress that we are making
toward health, peace and sustainability!

Positive Financial News

2007-10-02T13:05:00.000-06:00

US:Dow Jones passes 14,000 for record high

Wall Street began the fourth quarter with a huge rally Monday, sending the Dow Jones industrial average to a record close. Stocks were buoyed by a growing belief that the worst of the credit crisis has passed. The Dow rose to 14,087.55, surpassing its closing record set in mid-July. Broader market indexes also rose sharply with the Standard and Poor's 500 index nearing its all-time trading high.

Brazil stocks, currency soar as Wall Street rallies

Brazil's stock market surged to a record on Monday and the national currency rallied past a seven-year high, boosted by US financial markets and increased investor appetite for riskier assets.

Canada: Broad rally sees Toronto stocks jump 100 points

The Toronto Stock Exchange's main index kicked off the fourth quarter with a 100-point gain on Monday, as strength in resource and financial issues led a broad-based rally.

European shares at two-month high, banks lead gains

European shares rose for the second straight session on Tuesday as global stocks hit record highs with shares of financial institutions leading the rally. The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index rose to its highest level since 26 July. Around Europe, London's FTSE 100 index, Frankfurt's DAX, and Paris's CAC-40 all gained. MSCI's main world equity index and many Asian markets also hit records.

Hong Kong shares set life high

Hong Kong blue chips jumped 3.9 per cent on Tuesday and China plays leapt 5.6 per cent amid a broad-based rally, as investors cheered a record high on Wall Street. The benchmark Hang Seng Index cleared the 28,000-mark for the first time to end up 1,057.28 points at a fresh record of 28,199.75. Trading volume was unprecedented.

Indian shares hit record, post 10th straight gain

Indian shares hit a ninth successive record high and posted a 10th straight rise on Monday -- their longest winning streak in two years.

Korean leaders meet at historic summit

The second summit between the divided Koreas since World War II began Tuesday in Pyongyang, North Korea. Formal talks between leaders of the two countries begin Wednesday. During the 125-mile journey by road from Seoul, South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun stepped out of his vehicle to walk across the border that divides the Koreas in the center of the Demilitarized Zone -- the first time any Korean leader has crossed the land border.

Positive News Update

2007-05-29T13:17:00.000-06:00

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas
and Israeli Prime Minister to meet

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will meet
next week, and efforts to halt the latest
convulsion of Israeli-Palestinian violence
are sure to dominate the agenda.

On Monday, Abbas appealed to militant groups
to take the first step in forging a new ceasefire
with Israel, saying the alternative would be the
collapse of the Palestinian coalition government.

Diplomats begin work on climate accord

More than 1,000 diplomats from 166 countries
and organizations began work Monday on a new
accord to control greenhouse gases, as they
negotiated the key elements of a treaty to
succeed the 10-year-old Kyoto Protocol,
which expires in 2012.

Democratic Republic of Congo:
More rebels hand in arms in Ituri

Another group of militias from one of the last
active rebel movements in the troubled Ituri
district of eastern Democratic Republic of
Congo (DRC) has handed in its weapons under
an ongoing demobilization, disarmament,
and reintegration (DDR) process, United
Nations sources said.

LEDs emerge to fight fluorescents

As lightbulbs are being banned worldwide
due to their contribution to global warming,
light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, are stepping
into the void by being more energy efficent,
bright, and long-lasting.

Consumers haven't warmed to compact
fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) which take less
energy than traditional bulbs but the
quality of light has not been satisfactory.

Solar power heads mainstream
as costs drop

Advances in solar technology should make
the renewable energy more cost-effective
and allow its use to spread more quickly
to the public -- making it mainstream in
three or four years -- says an environmental
research group report.

What are you thankful for?

2007-04-28T08:50:00.000-06:00

I am thankful for my arms and hands because...
whenever I need a helping hand I have two nearby!

Get to know Tawana Williams, she's a good friend,
and you'll better understand my quote above.
http://www.tawanawilliams.com

--Dave

Please share what you are thankful for by commenting
on this post.

US - Positive News 3-3-07

2007-03-03T10:23:00.000-06:00

US, EU reach open skies agreement

The US and European Union have reached a tentative
agreement that would give airlines greater freedom
to choose trans-Atlantic routes and potentially
lead to lower fares, the government announced Friday.

Environmental Protection Agency proposes
cuts in diesel exhaust

The US Environmental Protection Agency is proposing
to reduce diesel exhaust from trains and ships, a
move supported by some environmentalists.

Manufacturing report calms markets

A better than expected performance from the US
manufacturing sector in February helped calm
investors on Thursday.

February's reading of 52.3, though the index was well
above the January reading of 49.3 and Wall Street's
expectation of 50. A reading above 50 indicates
growth for the sector.

Number one milk company says 'No' to clones

Milk from cloned cows is not welcome at the nation's
biggest milk company. Dean Foods Company of Dallas,
Texas said Thursday that its customers and consumers
don't want milk from cloned animals.

'Numerous surveys have shown that Americans are not
interested in buying dairy products that contain milk
from cloned cows and Dean Foods is responding to the
needs of our consumers,' the company said in a statement.

Whole Foods to buy Wild Oats for $565 million

Whole Foods Market Inc said Wednesday it will pay $565 million
for Wild Oats Markets Inc, a chain of natural and organic food
markets in the United States and Canada.

Wild Oats has annual sales of about $1.2 billion, and
operates 110 stores in 24 states, and British Columbia,
Canada.

International Positive News Update - 3-3-07

2007-03-03T10:15:00.000-06:00

Argentine leader lauds economic recovery

Argentine President Nestor Kirchner spoke
of his government's performance on the
economy and human rights during his
state-of-the-nation address Thursday.

In his main speech of the year, President
Kirchner said that Argentina's economy grew
8.5 per cent in 2006 as it continues its
strong recovery from a 2002 financial collapse.

French government wants food warnings

Less fat, less sugar, less salt: Even the
mostly svelte French are cracking down.
Beginning Thursday, the government ordered
food ads to carry cautions telling the French
to stop snacking, exercise, and eat more fruits
and vegetables.

Other European countries have already taken
measures along the lines of France.

Koreas agree to resume family reunions

North and South Korea, holding their first
high-level talks since Pyongyang conducted
a nuclear test, agreed Friday to resume
reunions of families that have been separated
by their divided border.

Peru launches campaign to promote punctuality

Sirens wailed, church bells rang, and a sea of
confetti fluttered through Lima's historical
central plaza at the stroke of noon Thursday,
alerting Peruvians to synchronize their watches
at the start of a nationwide campaign to
promote punctuality.

South Africa and Iceland to enhance trade cooperation

Following the opening of Iceland's South African Embassy
in Pretoria, South Africa's Foreign Affairs Minister
Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma met with his Icelandic counterpart
on Tuesday 27 February to determine ways of increasing
trade between their countries.

International Positive News Update 1-28-07

2007-01-29T06:13:00.000-06:00

POSITIVE PROGRESS TOWARDS PEACE

Sinn Fein votes to back police - a 1st
by Shawn Pogatchnik

The Associated Press
28 January 2007

DUBLIN, Ireland (AP)- Sinn Fein members overwhelmingly
voted Sunday to begin cooperating with the Northern
Ireland police, a long-unthinkable commitment that
could spur the return of a Catholic-Protestant
administration for the British territory.

The result—confirmed by a sea of raised hands but
no formally recorded vote—meant Sinn Fein, once
a hard-left party committed to a socialist revolution,
has abandoned its decades-old hostility to law and order.

The vote, taken after daylong debate among 2,000
Sinn Fein stalwarts, represented a stunning triumph
for Sinn Fein chief Gerry Adams, the former Irish
Republican Army commander who has spent 24 years
edging his IRA-linked party away from terror and
toward compromise.

It strongly improved the chances of reviving
power-sharing, the long-elusive goal of the 1998
Good Friday peace pact, by Britain's deadline
of March 26.

``Today you have created the potential to change
the political landscape on this island forever,''
Adams told the conference.

Earlier, many speakers said for decades they had
dreamed of defeating the province's mostly Protestant
police force and forcing Northern Ireland into
the Irish Republic.

Some IRA veterans recalled beatings inflicted on
them by detectives during interrogations. Others
noted they had served long prison sentences for
attacks on police, more than 300 of whom were
killed during the IRA's failed 1970-1997 campaign.

But nearly all speakers said they were voting to
dump their party's anti-police position for the
sake of peace.

``This shows that the war is over. And if the war
is over, we have to build the peace,'' Adams said
in an interview during an earlier break in debate.

Positive News is pleased with this important step
towards peace in Northern Ireland

Report: Koreas' nuclear talks to resume
The Associated Press
28 January 2007

SEOUL (AP) - South Korea's foreign minister says
the next round of international talks on North
Korea's nuclear program should resume by early
next month, a news report said Friday.

Foreign Minister Song Min-soon made the comments
to South Korean correspondents in Beijing,
according to Yonhap news agency, a day after he
met with his Chinese counterpart, Li Zhaoxing,
and State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan.

The nuclear disarmament talks—which consist of
the United States, China, the two Koreas, Japan
and Russia—should be held before Feb. 10, Song
said without elaborating.

In Tokyo, the Kyodo news agency reported that
the participants are considering resuming their
next meeting in Beijing beginning Feb. 8, citing
unidentified officials.

The ITAR-Tass news agency quoted Russia's nuclear
envoy, Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov,
as saying the most likely dates for resumption of
the talks are Feb. 5-8, but the participants must
still reach agreement on 'concrete details of
the agenda.'

A Japanese Foreign Ministry official said he was
aware of the reports but denied the date has been
decided.

Positive News is pleased to see these talks resume
and we view this as progress towards a peaceful
solution.

POSITIVE ENVIROMENTAL TRENDS

German renewable energy sector
shows impressive growth

GreenPrices

On 28 January 2007 GreenPrices reported:
2006 was a year of impressive growth for
the German renewable energy sector.

German wind power installations grew by
23.5 per cent in 2006, while renewable
energy use grew by 11.6 per cent, leaving
the country just 12 per cent short of its
renewable energy target for the year 2010.

The country overall decreased its CO2
emission by an impressive 10 million tonnes.
This, together with the above-mentioned
results has made Germany one of the undisputed
leaders of the green energy sector.

Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel stated
that his ministry would focus next on
formulating a plan to for the development
and usage of renewable heating.

The new program will operate through a
series of subsidies and mandatory
percentages.

Can energy projects play a role
in reducing poverty?

According to the recently released report
'Improving Lives: World Bank Progress on
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in
Fiscal Year 2006' by the World Bank.

The World Bank said that in 2006 it funded
renewable energy projects for a total value
of $668 million, supporting 34 projects in
61 developing nations.

The World Bank report also said that affordable
energy availability was crucial to the elimination
of poverty and malnutrition, since almost all
food needs to be cooked to be properly digested.

The Bank will continue to focus on supporting
renewable energy development in Asia and Africa,
giving more attention to 'solar home-lighting
systems, small hydropower systems, and wind
power and biomass energy production using wood
and animal and crop residues'.

An example of a successful third world project
is a project in Bangladesh where 90,000 homes
have received solar power systems, which the
Bank said is regarded as 'the world's most
successful solar power initiative'.

Also the bank has supported a successful forest
management project in Senegal that produces
wood on a sustainable basis, reducing deforestation,
and generating local income.

Through other projects, solar power has been
used to light public areas in Bolivia and
district heating in Serb schools has been
improved.

US Positive News Update

2007-01-21T07:51:00.000-06:00

US News Update

Anti-smoking milestone reached in U.S.

Thirty years after it began as just another quirky
movement in Berkeley, Calif., the push to ban
smoking in restaurants, bars and other public
places has reached a national milestone.

For the first time in the nation's history, more
than half of Americans live in a city or state with
laws mandating that workplaces, restaurants or
bars be smoke-free, according to Americans for
Nonsmokers' Rights.

``The movement for smoke-free air has gone from
being a California oddity to the nationwide norm,''
said Bronson Frick, the group's associate director. `

`We think 100 percent of Americans will live in
smoke-free jurisdictions within a few years.''

New Housing Starts Rise

The Commerce Department reported Thursday
that housing construction rose 4.5 percent in
December to a seasonally adjusted annual rate
of 1.642 million units.

Analysts cautioned that the December figure could
be overstating the extent of the rebound since it
was probably influenced by warmer-than-normal
weather last month.

Employment Numbers Improve

The Labor Department reported Thursday that
applications for jobless benefits totaled a seasonally
adjusted 290,000, down 8,000 from the previous
week when claims had fallen below 300,000 for
the first time in six months.

The back-to-back improvements pushed claims to
the lowest level since the week of Feb. 18, 2006.

NY Subway Hero Saves Stranger

Wesley Autrey from Harlem dove in front of a subway
train earlier this month to save a man who had fallen on
the tracks.

The January 2nd incident, when he saved Cameron
Hollopeter by pinning him down between the rails,
allowing the train to pass over both of them.

Now, he is encouraging all people to find the hero within
themselves. "There's a hero in all of us, you just have to
act on the moment, you know,” said Autrey.

“Don't be afraid, go for it. That's it.”

“This angel has dropped down from heaven onto the
platform of 137th Street and he has gotten his wings,”
added Manhattan Assemblyman Keith Wright. “And
his job is to make sure the rest of us get our wings as well."

Wesley Autrey was applauded by Governor Eliot Spitzer
and the state assembly in Albany. He has received numerous
acknowledgements and awards and even appeared on
the tonight show with Jay Leno.

Autrey says he remains in contact with Hollopeter,
and their families plan to get together soon.

I'm back...

2007-01-21T07:37:00.000-06:00

Hello Everyone,

I appreciate your patience with my absence. My
plan is to update this blog each week for you!

Please feel free send me your Positive News.

THX, Dave

PS STAY POSITIVE!

Positive News Update

2006-11-21T10:08:00.000-06:00

After 26 Years Secret Santa Introduces Himself!

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The answer to one of the happiest
mysteries in the Kansas City area is being revealed this year.

A man who has given away millions of dollars and become
known as Secret Santa for handing out Christmas cash to
the needy is allowing his name to be publicized after 26 years.

But the reason for the revelation is an unhappy one. Secret
Santa has cancer. He wants to start speaking to community
groups about his belief in random acts of kindness, but he
can't do that without telling people who he is.

The man who has spread cheer for 26 years is Larry Stewart,
58, of Lee's Summit, who made his millions in cable television
and long-distance telephone service.

Stewart told The Kansas City Star that he was the man who
would walk up to complete strangers, hand them $100 bills,
wish them "Merry Christmas" and walk away, leaving
astonished and grateful people in his wake.

He handed out money throughout the year, but he said it was
the Christmas giving that gave him the most joy.

Now, he wants to inspire others to do the same. He said
he thinks that people should know that he was born poor,
was briefly homeless, dropped out of college, has been fired
from jobs, and once even considered robbery.

But he said every time he hit a low point in his life, someone
gave him money, food and hope, and that's why he has devoted
his life to returning the favors.

A Positive News subscribe shared this story and we support,
the promotion of "Random Acts of Kindness" at the holidays
and all year long.

Think About This: Even a small gift to a stranger can give you the
same benefits - you don't need to be wealthy to participate - a gift
of your time is always appreciated too!

Positive News Update 10-18-06

2006-10-18T11:35:00.000-06:00

Sorry it's been so long between updates
but here are just a few of the Positive News
headlines from around the world.

PNN views these developments as proof
positive that there are many Positive
developments in our world.

First woman wins Bahrain parliament seat
AP - Tue Oct 17, 5:22 PM ET

MANAMA, Bahrain - A British-educated civil
servant has become the first-ever female to
serve as an elected member of Bahrain's
parliament, the Gulf kingdom said Tuesday.

U.N. peacekeepers relish calm in Lebanon
AP - Tue Oct 17, 7:10 AM ET

NAQOURA, Lebanon - The Italian soldier newly
assigned to patrol south Lebanon was confident
he was welcome in one of the world's tensest regions.

Kidnappers free U.S. missionary in Haiti
AP - Wed Oct 18, 1:17 AM ET

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti - A U.S. missionary
was kidnapped as he left his church in northern
Haiti and later freed unharmed, his family said
early Wednesday.

Landmines cleared from strategic
Mozambique railway line
AFP - Tue Oct 17, 8:00 PM ET

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The last landmines and
unexploded ordnance blocking Mozambique's vital
Sena Railway line have been removed, thanks
largely to some 13 million dollars (10 million euros)
in US aid, the US State Department said.

PM says Japan won't build atomic weapons
AP

TOKYO - Japan's prime minister struggled
Wednesday to stifle talk of a move to build a
nuclear bomb, a concept once considered
unthinkable in the only nation ever attacked
with atomic weapons. "The debate is finished,"
Shinzo Abe said.

And just for fun did you know about this...

Clown convention opens in Mexico
AP - Mon Oct 16, 11:33 PM ET

MEXICO CITY - There was hardly room for all
the big feet and rubber noses as hundreds of
clowns from across Latin America opened a
four-day convention in a Mexico City theater
on Monday.

Positive News Update 9-12-06

2006-09-12T21:01:00.000-06:00

Blogs help with government oversight

When watchdog groups that monitor federal
spending wanted more information on 1,800
"pork barrel" projects buried in a House
appropriations bill, they listed them on the
Internet and asked readers to dig deeper.

Within days, details began pouring in. "It's
probably the biggest expansion of government
oversight that we'll ever have," says Thomas
Schatz of Citizens Against Government Waste,
one of the groups pioneering the effort.

"It will turn every American into a watchdog."

Burundi says last rebel group to disarm

It will take several weeks to disarm Burundi's
last rebel group, the FNL, after it signed a
ceasefire deal solidifying the end of a 12-year
civil war, but this move signifies a vital
development toward long-term peace in Burundi.

Haitian gang members surrender guns

Haitan gang members surrendered their guns
Monday in the first handover of weapons in a
UN-led effort to disarm hundreds of Haitian
criminals, while onlookers cheered in an impromptu
ceremony. The men handing in guns said they
were tired of fighting.

Microbes can clean up toxic waste dumps - scientist

On 11 September 2006 Reuters reported: An
Australian scientist has discovered toxic waste
loving microbes, which may help clean up the
environment.

Megha Mallavarapu, from a government-backed
environmental research centre based in South
Australia state, told Reuters that microbes, which
were found in old waste sites in Australia, can break
down industrial contamination such as waste petroleum
and chlorine, making the soil safe for humans.

Not only is the soil safe but the ground water becomes safe too.

Ozone layer on the mend but recovery delayed - UN

According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
and the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP),
the earth's ozone layer, which filters dangerous solar radiation,
is on the mend after decades of damage.

The two agencies noted, however, that the recovery process
is going more slowly than expected, with revised projections
of partial recovery over parts of the earth by 2049—five years
later than originally predicted, Reuters reported.

Attack on U.S. Embassy fails in Syria

DAMASCUS, Syria — Attackers tried to blow up the U.S.
Embassy in Damascus on Tuesday but were thwarted by
Syrian guards in a fierce gunbattle. Three of the four
attackers and a Syrian guard were killed. No Americans
were hurt.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but Imad
Moustapha, Syria's ambassador to the United States, said
it was "logically possible" that an offshoot of al-Qaeda
called Jund al-Sham was responsible.

Positive News Network views these news stories as a
reminder of the rising positivity in our world.

Positive News Update 8-30-06

2006-08-29T22:48:00.000-06:00

Here's a few of the 'Positive News"
Headlines from around the world.

These stories show amazing trends
toward enviromental improvement,
prosperity and peace...enjoy!

Argentina moves to clean up
its dirtiest river

After years of neglect, Argentina's Supreme Court
is demanding the cleanup of the Matanza-Riachuelo
river basin, which is home to more than 10 per cent
of the country's total population.

Bumper crop of US wind farms
boosts turbine makers

Electricity generating, clean energy wind farms are going
up at record-breaking speeds across the United States.

Hungary: Biofuel production
to increase tenfold

The Hungarian Minister of Agriculture has announced
that the country plans to increase biofuel production,
currently at 70,000 tonnes, to ten times that amount
by the year 2010.

Japan makes plans for greener cars, batteries

Japan, the world's third-largest oil consumer, has
announced a plan to help reduce its reliance on oil
in the transportation sector by introducing
state-of-the-art environmentally friendly
vehicles in stages.

Japan's unemployment rate continues to fall

Japan's unemployment rate continues to fall for
the eighth consecutive month, which indicates
that the labour market is continuing to improve.

Somali Islamists and the interim
government prepare for peace talks

The interim government of Somalia and leaders of
the Islamist faction that currently controls the
capital, Mogadishu, have agreed to meet for
peace talks.

India, China can sustain stability in the region,
says official Chinese People's Liberation Army

India and China are moving in the direction of
sustaining peace and stability in their neighbourhood
and not just on their frontiers, a top official of the
Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) said.

Oil prices lift stocks higher

Wall Street rebounded Monday as energy prices
fell on signs that Tropical Storm Ernesto won't
hit the Gulf of Mexico and as investors grew
optimistic about a series of major economic
reports on tap this week.

Send us your Positive News!

The Dash Poem Movie - almost 1 million views in a week!

2006-07-25T18:53:00.000-06:00

I shared the following link in last week's newsletter
for www.TheDashMovie.com and I just got word
earlier today from www.SimpleTruths.com that
almost 1 million people have seen it since!

That just blows my mind - the movie is fantastic,
it really makes you think about what's important!

Check it out - it's only 3 minutes but it really
has an impact. It's based on the world famous
poem "The Dash" by Linda Ellis
www.TheDashMovie.com

Enjoy your Dash...Mr. Positive, Dave Boufford

Positive News Update 7-25-06

2006-07-25T18:39:00.000-06:00

Homeless man rewarded
for returning bonds

Detroit: A homeless Detroit man who returned
$20,738.88 in savings bonds he found in a dumpster
to their rightful owner has been rewarded with
cash and a job.

Charles Moore, who found the bonds while sifting
through clothing in a dumpster outside a local church,
was given $100 by the family of Ernest Lehto, who
bought the bonds in the 1980's, The Detroit News
reported.

But the rewards did not stop there. Two suburban
businessmen, inspired by Moore's actions, awarded
the man $1,200 for his honesty and found him a job,
WXYZ-TV, Detroit, reported Tuesday.

The 31 savings bonds, with a total face value of $8,900,
had matured to $20,738.88 after being purchased for
$4,450 about 20 years ago, the Detroit News reported.

"The lesson of it all is; best policy is honesty
and honesty pays off," Moore said.

DiCaprio turns hero in Madonna concert

New York: Actor Leonardo DiCaprio, helped two
wheelchair-bound fans at a Madonna concert,
and became a real hero for them.

According to pagesix.com, Francesco Clark, who
worked at Harper's Bazaar until a car accident
left him a quadriplegic, had front row seats at
one of the Madonna's concerts.

However, when the pop diva came onstage the
crowd rushed forward his wheelchair was
almost knocked over.

Clark's friend said, "He couldn't see anything
because people were all standing around him.
He tried to move to the front, but no one would
budge, and nobody cared. Then the security
guard came over and was being rude and told
him to move."

At that point DiCaprio came over and said,
"Why don't you come sit with me and I'll
just move over?"

A few moments later he moved another
wheelchair-bound person next to Clark.

Alaska crews rescue 23 from listing ship

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Helicopters hoisted 23
crew members from a listing cargo ship to safety
overnight, ending a daylong rescue effort as
10-foot waves slapped the ship’s tilting deck
hundreds of miles off Alaska’s Aleutian Islands.

The morning of July 25, with the crew safe on
Adak Island, the Coast Guard and the ship
operators turned their attention to trying
to salvage the massive car carrier.

The 654-foot Cougar Ace cargo holds nearly
5,000 cars that were being shipped from
Japan to Canada when it began tilting to its
port side late Sunday night.

Clinton Calling For Preassure on Sudan

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton called on
Sunday for pressure to be exerted on Sudan's
government to accept a larger and stronger
peacekeeping force to restore peace in the
country's western Darfur region.

The conflict, which began in early 2003,
has killed 200,000 people, forced another
2 million to flee their homes and spilled
over into neighboring Chad.

'Manatee girl' named young eco-hero

A 17-year-old's dedication to education about
manatees earns her the title of 2006 International
Young Eco-Hero.

When Dara Shore talks to people in her hometown
of Long Island, N.Y., about manatee protection,
they usually respond with: "What's a manatee?"

"And that's one more person that gets educated,"
Shore said.

Shore, 17, became interested in manatee protection
when, as a second-grader, she saw manatees during
a visit to Sea World.

The plight of the water mammals, scarred by boat
propellers, touched her heart. "I was just infuriated"
that they were injured so frequently, she said.

Shore acted on her feelings and soon afterward
started her own organization, Mission Manatee.

"I give talks to schools and raise money for the
Save the Manatee Club," she said. "It's about
involvement. We all need to do our part."

She remembers raising $300 in one afternoon.
Shore was recently named 2006 International
Young Eco-Hero for her continuing efforts to
educate young children about the plight of the
manatee.

"Educating people is important, no matter where
they live," she said. "There may not be any
manatee in New York, but a lot of people have
grandparents who live in Florida and own boats.

"So maybe if they hear safe boating advice from
their grandchildren, they'll be more likely to
listen," Shore said.

Positive New Network applauds all of these
people who have taken action this past week
to make the world a better place for all.

Message from Mr. Positive!

2006-07-14T09:57:00.000-06:00

A combination of things have kep me from posting to this blog
the past couple of months. I appreciate your patience and will
now be resuming my weekly updates.

In times like these everyone can use a little good news, in digging
around I found some interesting stories that didn't make the
headlines this month.

I hope you enjoy them and will share your positive news
with us here at PNN.

Thanks, Dave

Positive News Update 7/14/06

2006-07-14T09:24:00.000-06:00

I bet these stories didn't make the
front page of your newspaper.

Iraq: Restrained Ramadi offensive
suggests US charm

IRIN News reprorted on 7 July 2006 that hundreds
of families returned to the city of Ramadi, some 110km
west of the capital, Baghdad, two weeks after the
US military launched an unusually restrained
offensive there.

'Residents began returning to Ramadi after being
informed by those who had remained behind that
US troops were not targeting civilians,' said Ahmed
Barak, a spokesperson for the Iraqi Aid Association
(IAA).

On 19 June, thousands of US and Iraqi troops
descended on Ramadi in the restive western
Anbar governorate with the ostensible aim of
restoring stability.

Insurgents had reportedly been in control of much
of the densely populated city, in which street battles
remain common.

According to Barak, while about 1,500 families fled
Ramadi in advance of the attack, more than 1,000
families have since returned. 'Returnees received
some assistance while they were displaced, but this
was only for a short period,' said Barak.

'And those that have returned say they're being
well-treated by the US and Iraqi militaries in Ramadi.'

Local doctors, meanwhile, say there were no civilian
causalities during the course of the offensive, while
residents say that US and Iraqi troops—unlike in
previous episodes—behaved respectfully.

'We didn't flee our home because US troops didn't tell
us to leave,' said Ramadi resident Muhammad Gazi, 55. '

They knocked at our door and politely asked
permission to enter—we were absolutely
astonished.'

US military sources say that this approach is part
of a strategy of adopting more culturally sensitive
tactics when dealing with local populations.

As part of the new charm offensive, US marines
have also begun repairing some of Ramadi's
water-purification and power plants.

'For the first time, US troops have started
getting the Iraqi people on their side,' said Barak.

'Locals are generally afraid of them, but a kind
word can do a lot to end violence.' Residents,
meanwhile, hope that the restraint shown by
the US military will become the rule rather
than the exception.

Positive News Network News comments:
PNN recognises that real problems remain
in the region, but views this as a step in a
more positive direction.

Indonesia approves law
cementing peace deal

7/11/06

JAKARTA, Indonesia the Associated Press
reported that Indonesia passed a law Tuesday
granting tsunami-ravaged Aceh province greater
autonomy and paving the way for elections,
cementing the terms of a landmark 2005 peace
accord with separatist rebels.

The 2004 tsunami that killed more than 131,000
in the province speeded up efforts to end the
29-year civil war that killed 15,000 people.

The rebels handed in all of their self-declared
840 weapons and gave up their long-held
demand for independence, and the government
pulled nearly half of its 50,000 troops from the region.

The 116-page law, rushed through Indonesia's
notoriously slow parliament, gives Aceh control
over 70 percent of its mineral wealth—including
significant oil and gas reserves.

It also allows the former rebels to run in elections
expected later this year for the governor's post and
other senior positions either as independents or
as representatives of their party—both of which
would have been illegal under old laws.

Positive News Network News comments: PNN
recognises that real problems remain in the region,
but views support for national reconciliation as a
step in a positive direction.

Sunni bloc in parliament to end boycott

11 July 2006

BAGHDAD, Iraq: Various wire services reported
that the largest Sunni bloc in parliament will end
its legislative boycott following a call for calm and
unity by radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr,
the head of the bloc said Tuesday.

The Iraqi Accordance Front suspended its participation
in parliament meetings this month after one of its
members was kidnapped in a Shiite neighborhood
in Baghdad.

Female legislator Tayseer al-Mashhadani is still held
by her kidnappers. ``We have decided to attend the
meetings as of tomorrow in response to the call by
Muqtada al-Sadr,'' Adnan al-Dulaimi, whose bloc
holds 44 seats.

Many Sunnis blamed al-Sadr's Mahdi Army militia
for the kidnapping, although the organization has
denied any involvement. Al-Sadr has called for unity
amid rising sectarian tension here.

Positive News Network News comments: PNN
recognises that real problems remain in the region,
but views support for national reconciliation as a
step in a positive direction.

Gun violence down: Police

10 July 2006

Toronto police are optimistic that gun violence
will continue to decrease in the Canadian city.

Police say shootings were down by about 16 per cent
— '137 this year compared to 164 at the same time
last year'

Toronto police are optimistic the city will see a vast
improvement over last year's 'summer of the gun.

Police are seizing guns as aggressively as years past',
Staff Inspector Brian Raybould, head of homicide and
a member of the police force for 37 years as saying,
'we'll keep trying to improve.'

Positive News Network views this news as a
sign of rising positivity in the Toronto.

Togo: Inching towards peace

In a step aimed at ending years of political hostilities,
most of Togo's feuding politicians have agreed on the
general lines of a framework for holding free and fair
elections.

After several months of talks to shore up political
dialogue in the divided country, seven of the nine
groups taking part signed off on a deal late Thursday
that aims to steer Togo onto a peaceful path to
elections expected at the end of next year.

Togo's 'national dialogue' is one of 22 pledges made
by Togo in 2004 to the European Union in order
that Brussels restore aid that was cut off in 1993
due to concerns over human rights and democracy.

Positive News Network News comments: PNN
recognises that real problems remain in the region,
but views support for national reconciliation as a
step in a positive direction.

British dismantling last N Ireland tower

BELFAST, Northern Ireland - The British army
said Wednesday its last watchtower along the
Northern Ireland border will be dismantled
next week, ending decades of high-profile
surveillance in an Irish Republican Army
power base.

The watchtower overlooking the border village
of Forkhill is the last of 16 such observation posts,
which British army engineers erected in the
mid-1980s to hamper movements of the
outlawed IRA in the so-called ``bandit country''
of South Armagh.

Several of the watchtowers were torn down
following Northern Ireland's Good Friday
peace accord of 1998.

Last year, Britain announced that eight
remaining posts would disappear by mid-2006
in response to the IRA's decision to surrender
its weapons stockpiles and declare its 1997
cease-fire permanent.

Positive News Network News comments: PNN
recognises that real problems remain in the region,
but views this as a step in a positive direction.

Positive News May 23, 2006

2006-05-23T21:10:00.000-06:00

US NEWS

Hospital purchasing group signs deal
with major organic food distributor

More than 2,000 hospitals in the U.S. now have
access to natural and organic foods, thanks to a
deal announced last week between MedAssets,
a leading group purchasing organization for the
health care industry, and United Natural Food
Incorporated (UNFI), the largest publicly traded
wholesale distributor to the natural and organic
foods industry.

The deal, which is the first contract between a
major health care buyer and organic food distributor,
reflects the growing demand in the health care
industry for healthy food options.

MedAssets purchased more than $200 million
worth of food and supplies for 2,400 hospitals
in the U.S. in 2005.

ADM to build new ethanol plant in Iowa

Archer Daniels Midland Co. plans to build a new
dry-mill ethanol plant that will allow the company
to produce 275 million gallons of the corn-based
fuel each year.

The new plant in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is expected
to be finished in the second half of 2008, subject to
approval by federal regulators, the company said.

It is the second new dry-milling ethanol plant
announced by Decatur-based ADM this year.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Colombia's homicide rate is the
lowest in nearly two decades

Colombia's peace process with demobilized
paramilitaries was back on track Monday,
following misunderstandings that arose
after a court overturned a law dealing
with peace talks.

Since the demobilization in 2003, Colombia's
homicide rate is the lowest in nearly two
decades.

Bolivia's new President vows to give
unfarmed land to indigenous peoples

Bolivia's President Morales announced that his
government plans to redistribute as much as
54,000 square miles of unfarmed land to the
poor: 'We are defending the right of our
indigenous peoples to their own resources.'

Morales, a former protest leader whose ruling
Movement Toward Socialism party grew out
of the land reform movement, seems
determined to use Bolivia's natural resources
for the benefit of the poor Indian majority.

Chile announces big spending plans

President Michelle Bachelet said Sunday that
Chile will use some of the billions of dollars
from its booming copper exports to advance
her social agenda, creating 130,000 jobs while
investing in health, housing and education.

In her first state-of-the nation address,
Chile's first female president said the big
spending plans did not mean the government
will abandon its fiscal discipline.

She vowed to maintain annual budget surpluses
of at least 1 percent of gross domestic product.

Positive News Update 4-26-06

2006-04-25T19:17:00.000-06:00

China shows positive signs
of maintaining peace in Asia

During a recent speech, New Zealand's National
Party leader Don Brash discussed the importance
of China as a peacekeeper in the Asian Pacific.

He stated that signs are very encouraging that
China is fulfilling it role in a positive way.

Mr Brash made these statements while addressing
the US New Zealand Partnership Forum, in
Washington DC. According to him, the only two
potential security issues in the areas are the nuclear
ambitions of North Korea and the China-Taiwan relations.

In both cases, the speaker said, China's role in
maintaining the peace is of primary importance.
As reported by Radio New Zealand, Mr Brash said
signs are very encouraging that China is adopting a
very responsible stance on both matters.

Energy, environment top
World Bank economic meeting

World Bank economic policymakers are turning
their attention to how wealthy nations can help
developing countries meet their energy needs
while protecting the environment.

They (are) also assessing a report examining how
development agencies can reinforce good government
practices and fight corruption.
These matters topped the agenda of the World Bank's
steering committee, whose meeting on Sunday winds
up the spring session of the bank and its sister
institution, the International Monetary Fund.

Nepal reinstates lower
House of Parliament

Nepal's King Gyanendra defused weeks of protests
by reinstating the lower House of Parliament, which
he said would 'bear the responsibility of taking the
nation on the path of national unity and prosperity'.

US NEWS

First Lady announces
global literacy conference

United States First Lady Laura Bush announced
an initiative Monday to combat global illiteracy,
saying that more than 800 million people around
the world can't read.

The first lady said a conference on global literacy
will be held in New York in September during the
opening of the 61st session of the U.N. General
Assembly.

The conference will be held in conjunction with the
departments of Education and State, USAID
and UNESCO.

``Across the globe, more than 800 million people
are illiterate,'' said Mrs. Bush, honorary ambassador
for the United Nation's Decade of Literacy.

``Eighty-five percent of them live in just
34 countries, concentrated in regions affected
by poverty. And more than two-thirds of the
771 million adults who cannot read a simple book,
or write a basic sentence, are women.''

She spoke at luncheon attended by 35 ambassadors
from six continents.

Power plant waste eyed
for green building

Henry Liu, a retired civil engineering professor
at the University of Missouri-Columbia, USA,
wants to make eco-friendly construction material
out of fly-ash, a waste product of coal-burning
power plants.

He quickly found a willing partner in utility
companies such as Associated Electric
Cooperative Inc. in Clifton Hill, which
provided fly ash for his first phase of
research; and Ameren UE, which is
doing likewise for Liu's latest round
of tests.

``It's absolutely pure stewardship, the beneficial
use of what otherwise might be considered waste,''
said Mark Bryant, an Ameren official who oversees
its coal combustion byproducts.

Cement manufacturers and brick makers already
use fly ash—which has strong adhesive properties
—as an additive. But unlike those efforts, Liu's bricks
are made almost entirely of the powder.

Clay-fired bricks are heated in kilns to temperatures
of 2,000 degrees, burning fossil fuels that produce
air pollution and green house gases.

The limestone used to make Portland cement found
in concrete bricks also must be burned at high
temperatures, emitting similar pollutants into
the atmosphere.

No such emissions exist with fly ash bricks, said Liu,
who in 1965 moved from Taiwan to the United States,
where he earned graduate and doctorate degrees at
Colorado State University before joining the
Missouri faculty.

Liu, a native of China, added that fly ash bricks
are cheaper and more uniform in size than
conventional bricks, he said.

Pat Schaefer, sales manager for Midwest Block
and Brick in Jefferson City, calls Liu's research
intriguing—and savvy.

``The architectural world is pushing tremendously
toward sustainable, green-type buildings,'' he said.
``One hundred percent recycled would fit very
well in that industry.''

Every week the Positive News Network documents
the rise of a better quality of life dawning in the
world and highlights the positive stories that are
often overshadowed in the mainstream media.

A Note About Our Audio Post!

2006-04-11T20:12:00.000-06:00

This is new to us so while we are learning
please be patient with us...Thanks for your
understanding!

We are working on improving the quality if you
would like to download these files to your Mp3
player or just like a higher quality sound please
click here and you will be taken to our website
where you will find the files posted for you.

http://www.positivenews.net/podcast.htm

Thanks, Dave

Positive News Update

2006-04-11T19:54:00.000-06:00

Positive News Update 4-12-06

2006-04-11T18:39:00.000-06:00

US NEWS

Prominent US company to invest
in 'green technology'

As a prominent North American venture capitalist
and one of Silicon Valley's most respected investors,
John Doerr's decision to champion green technology
as the next big thing is generating attention in the
United States venture capital community.

MrP: This trend has been growing and renewable,
'green-energy' will be the hot business for the next
several years (that's what I feel!)

$30,000 in Cash Discovered by Volunteer

Some more positive news – One Hurricane
Katrina volunteer in New Orleans was helping
to gut a storm-damaged house and came
across the unexpected.

Trista Wright picked up something green from
the rubble and discovered it was a $100 bill.
After digging deeper, Wright gathered more
than $30-thousand dollars in cash which she
turned over to the authorities.

The homeowner was contacted and figured
her father had stashed the money as hard
times insurance.

Was it a miracle? Indeed the homeowner
and a local pastor agree that it was.

Prescription drug prices – are dropping
thanks to healthy competition.

The Food and Drug Administration says an
analysis shows that when just two generic
versions of a brand-name medicine arrive
in the marketplace, there is a dramatic
discount of about 52 percent of the price
of the generic drug compared to the
brand-name version’s cost per dose.

Smoking Ban Working?
YES, it appears so...

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
researchers say there’s a connection between
the decline of heart attack rates and the banning
of smoking in public places.

One example cited is the nearly 30 percent
drop in heart attacks in Pueblo, Colorado
after smoking was prohibited in places
such as restaurants and bars.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Kuwaiti women go to the polls
for the first time.

In a history-making election, Kuwaiti women
went to the polls for the first time. Not only
did they vote, but some ran as candidates to
fill a seat in Kuwait’s Municipal Council.

One 28-year-old woman says her gender is
now getting some attention and, in her words,
“we became equal.”

Still, Islamic tradition prevailed. Men and
women had to vote separately in different
locations at the polling station.

Israel boosts renewable energy incentives

The Public Utilities Authority of Israel has
moved to increase its support of businesses
using renewable energy.

Peace talks bring the Ivory Coast closer
to disarmament

After high-level peace talks, Ivorian and regional
officials have called for a single programme to
tackle disarmament and national identification.

Even More Positive News

2006-04-04T19:44:00.000-06:00

Ginger, pepper treat difficult cancers

Ginger can kill ovarian cancer cells while the
compound that makes peppers hot can shrink
pancreatic tumors, researchers told a conference
on Tuesday.

Their studies add to a growing body of evidence
that at least some popular spices might slow or
prevent the growth of cancer.

WALMART is now offering organic food!

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is throwing its weight behind
organic products, a move that experts say could
have the same lasting effect on environmental
practices that Wal-Mart has had on prices by
forcing suppliers and competitors to keep up.

Putting new items on the shelf this year, from
organic cotton baby clothes to ocean fish caught
in ways that don't harm the environment, is part
of a broader green policy launched last year to
meet consumer demand, cut costs for things like
energy and packaging.

Wal-Mart plans to double its organic grocery
offerings in the next month and continue looking
for more products to offer in areas such as grocery,
apparel, paper and electronics.

Stephen Quinn, vice president of marketing, told
an analysts' conference this month that Wal-Mart
would have 400 organic food items in stores this
summer "at the Wal-Mart price."

Now Walmart is often bashed in the media,
I thought this was a very positive for
everyone involved in organic foods.

Just think if the biggest retailer in the world
goes "green" ANYTHING can HAPPEN!

Positive News Update

2006-04-04T19:30:00.000-06:00

A Family's Prayers Answered

For 10 years, Tanya Nicole Kach says she was
told that her parents didn't want her, that she
was stupid and no one cared about her but the
middle school security guard who was keeping
her in his home.

It took her a decade to build the confidence to
come forward, but on Wednesday she finally
learned the truth as she hugged her father,
Jerry Kach, in a tearful reunion.

Kach's father, Jerry, said, "I just say thank you,
there is a God and he brought my little girl
back home."

Hawaii Boasts Lowest Jobless Rate in U.S.

At 2.4 percent, Hawaii's unemployment rate for
January, the most recent figure available, is the
lowest in the country.

The national average, which was 4.7 percent in
January, rose to 4.8 percent in February,
according to the Labor Department.

In other words, it's a great environment for those
seeking work on the islands, said Beth Busch,
president of Success Advertising Hawaii, which
organizes several job fairs each year.

Afghan Christian Released
Given Asylum in Italy

ROME -- The Afghan man who faced the death
penalty for converting from Islam to Christianity
received asylum Wednesday in Italy, despite
requests by lawmakers in Afghanistan that he be
barred from fleeing the conservative Muslim country.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai defended the
release of a Christian convert on Tuesday, saying
the judiciary had acted properly and had not been
swayed by the international outcry over the case.

This Just in...

2006-03-22T08:03:00.000-06:00

ETA Announces Permanent Cease-Fire

MADRID, Spain - The Basque separatist group
ETA on Wednesday announced a permanent
cease-fire, bringing a dramatic end to a
decades-long campaign of violence and closing
the door on one of Western Europe's last active
armed separatist movements.

For more on this story click here

The amazing positive part of the story in addition
to the obvious benefits of a cease fire the wire report
goes on to say "that many Spaniards believed that
after the 2004, terror attacks in Madrid, ETA had
effectively been stymied.

The belief was that popular revulsion over
terrorism made deadly violence politically
unthinkable for the group.

Peace is possible!

Positive News Update 3-22-06

2006-03-21T18:15:00.000-06:00

Here's a quick view of some of this week's
Positive News. We continue to witness
progress on all fronts and these stories
demostrate there is progress being made.

US NEWS

Wal-Mart doubling organic food offerings

Having paid close attention to the growing demands
for organic food over the last few years, Wal-Mart,
already a major retailer of groceries, has decided it
wants to create a niche for itself: over the next two
weeks, it will double its stock of organic foods.

Cigarette sales hit a 55-year low in 2005

Cigarette sales have fallen by more than 21 percent
since state attorneys general negotiated a landmark
settlement with the industry eight years ago, newly
released figures show.

The National Association of Attorneys General said
Wednesday that the 378 billion cigarettes sold in the
United States last year marked the lowest number
sold since 1951, a time period in which the U.S.
population more than doubled.

``The continuing long-term decline shows that we
are winning the battle against cigarette smoking,''
the attorneys general of Iowa, Idaho, California
and Utah said at the association's annual spring
conference.

Cigarette sales declined 4.2 percent last year from
2004, one of the largest one-year percentage
decreases since 1999.

New software tackles color blind challenges

In a world where more and more work is conducted
online, few efforts have gone into improving the view
for people with color blindness, even though about
8 per cent of men and roughly a half of 1 per cent of
women have some form of it.

Now 'EyePilot' has been developed. The new program
gives colourblind people several ways to filter multi-
chromatic images on their computer screens and lets
users pinpoint particular shades on a screen or shift
hues to bring out easier-to-detect contrasts.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Hong Kong launches non-smoking campaign

The Department of Health in Hong Kong has begun
a campaign to educate patrons not to smoke in
restaurants in preparation for a total ban on
restaurant smoking that will occur in 2007.

Study shows tofu, oatmeal lower cholesterol

Researchers in Toronto, Canada, report that a
diet including tofu, oatmeal, and nuts can
significantly lower cholesterol.

The diet includes low-fat dairy products, and
substituting soy products for animal foods
when possible.

The more dieters combine foods rich in viscous
fibre, such as oat bran, barley, okra, and eggplant,
as well as raw almonds and walnuts, the more
their cholesterol dropped.

Research study shows global
drop in blood pressure

According to a new study published by the
British Medical Journal, levels of unhealthy
blood pressure have declined worldwide.

Physicians and researchers suspect that the
decline has more to do with lifestyle changes
than medication.

Dr Hugh Tunstall-Pedoe, author of the study
and professor of cardiology and epidemiology
at Ninewells Hospital Medical School, in Dundee,
Scotland, commented: 'There is a lot more to
health than popping pills; there is a greater
dimension to blood pressure and its control
than simply a prescription of medication.'

I encourage all of you to look out for more
Positive News Stories and share them here.

Thanks, Mr. Positive!

Positive News Update 3-15-06

2006-03-14T18:37:00.000-06:00

Fresh from the wires here's a couple
of positive stories and one just for fun!

Burundi agrees to peace talks with rebels

Burundi has agreed to peace talks with the last
group of rebels holding out from a series of deals
that ended the central African nation's 12-year
civil war, a government spokesman said.

The announcement came a day after the head of
the National Liberation Force, or FNL, said his
Hutu rebel group was ready for negotiations.

Chile to give seniors free hospital care

Newly inaugurated President Michelle Bachelet
has said that all Chileans older than 60 will
immediately begin receiving free care at public
hospitals.

Bachelet said she also plans to increase pensions
earned by Chileans and grant government
pensions to elderly citizens who lack an income.

Rome's chief rabbi visits city mosque

Rome's chief rabbi recently visited the main
mosque in the Italian capital. He is the city's
first chief rabbi ever to do so in a move to
increase dialogue between religions and offer
the Jewish community's support to Muslims
in Italy.

Study shows ethanol good for the
environment and the economy

A recent study refutes the notion that it takes
more energy to produce ethanol than the
corn-based fuel saves.

Scientists at the University of California-Berkeley,
USA say there's a 20 per cent net energy gain
by using fossil fuels to make ethanol compared
to gasoline.

Ethanol producers say the study shows that
cleaner-burning ethanol is good for both the
environment and the economy.

``The new study reaffirms what we already
know: Ethanol is energy positive, and it grows,''
said Bruce Rastetter, CEO of Hawkeye Renewables
in Iowa Falls.

Nanotechnology May Repair
Damaged Brains

TUESDAY, March 14 (HealthDay News)

Rodents blinded by brain damage had their vision
partially restored within weeks after being treated
with nanotechnology developed by bioengineers
and neuroscientists at the Massachusetts Institute
of Technology.

The findings provide evidence that similar strategies
might someday work in humans.

The findings appear online this week in the journal
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The Brain Injury Association of America
has more information about types of brain injury.

Click here for more

New Technique Rapidly
Detects Harmful Bacteria

Mar. 13 -- Scientists developed a rapid and efficient
way to identify the presence of pathogenic bacteria
within an unknown mixture of microbes.

Using this sequencing-based method, the research
team successfully distinguished between two closely
related microbes -- a pathogenic soil bacterium and
an anthrax bacterium.

This new method should advance the study of microbes
in the environment and improve the ability to distinguish
between benign and harmful bacteria.

Woman Shows Off Five-Pound
Monster Mango

KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii - When Colleen Porter
took her mango to the local grocer, it wasn't to
sell it, but to weigh it and show it off.

Colleen Porter, already a state mango record holder,
has been confirmed by the Guinness Book of World
Records as growing the world's heaviest mango —
5 pounds, 7 ounces.

The monster mango appears to be close to the size
of a human head. Now that's a huge mango!

Click for more

Positive News Update March 7, 2006

2006-03-07T12:01:00.000-06:00

Here's some of the Positive News I discovered
in the past week...it reinforces my belief that
there's many positive news stories out there,
if that's what you are looking for...Dave

New Positive TV Show

First, most publicity around TV is geared towards
shows that are racy or raunchy and the uproar
they create. I prefer to applaud TV shows that
inspire and uplift you.

ABC's new show "Miracle Workers" is a
very positive show that deserves your attention
and time.

Miracle Workers is a life-changing new series
about real people overcoming insurmountable
odds with the help of an elite team of medical
professionals.

Think "Extreme Home Makeover" with a
medical twist. Each week, the show will feature
two stories of ordinary people who will be helped
by the medical team and have their lives transformed.

Last night's show was amazing and I'm sure you'll
enjoy future episodes. Check your local listings for
days & times.

Now with all the "American Idol" publicity this
story caught my attention...

Young Muslims Find Pop-Star Role Model

With a British accent, Islamic lyrics and trendy
video clips, 25-year-old Yusuf has become a
music idol to a young generation of Muslims
eager to reconcile their religious impulses with
the appeal of modernity and pop and to proudly
display an Islamic identity many feel is under attack.

He rejects the "clash of civilizations" theories fueled
by the current angry exchanges over cartoons of
prophet Muhammad.

He seeks to dispel stereotypes and to show that the
Western and Muslim cultures he straddles can coexist.

Click here for the rest of the story...

College Students Pass on Spring Break
Parties to Work on Katrina Relief Projects.

College kids from across the United States have
answered the call to forsake March parties in
Daytona Beach, Florida, and Cabo San Lucas,
Mexico, in favor of fixing and cleaning homes,
schools and community centers in Alabama,
Mississippi and Louisiana.

Click here to read more...

If you're a BlackBerry User Here's
Some Very Positive News!

The maker of the BlackBerry e-mail device
Friday said it settled its long-running patent
dispute with a small Virginia-based firm,
averting a possible court-ordered shutdown
of the BlackBerry system and a disruption
of wireless service for millions of users.

Whew! That was close...

A New Tool for Students
and History Buff's Too!

The Biographical Directory of the United
States Congress, from 1774 through 2005,
is the definitive reference book about federal
lawmakers and it's online for the first time.

The entries in the directory's 16th edition,
the first update since 1989, were written
by congressional historians to provide basic
information — dates, places and positions
— rather than personal stories.

Occasionally, though, startling tales appear
amid the plain facts.

To View The Biographical Directory
of the U.S. Congress, please click the
link below.

http://www.gpoaccess.gov/serialset/cdocuments/hd108-222/

Olympic champion Cheek donates prize money to Darfur

2006-02-14T14:14:00.000-06:00

Fresh from the Olympic's
here's a Positive Story.

TURIN, Italy - US speedskater Joey Cheek
credited his decision to donate any prize
money from a Winter Olympic gold medal
to a Sudanese relief project with helping him
capture the 500m title Monday.

Cheek will donate the 25,000 dollars he will
receive from the US Olympic Committee for
his victory to "Right to Play", an athlete-driven
charity organization, with the money earmarked
for the battle-ravaged Darfur region.

"I knew if I ever did something like this, I wanted
to be able to give something back," Cheek said. "The
best way I can say thanks is to donate my money
to help somebody else."

Cheek, who will ask each of his handful of sponsors
to donate money as well, skated the two best 500m
races of his career to win gold in a combined time of
1:09.76, beating runner-up Dmitry Dorofeyev
by .65 of a second.

The humanitarian crisis in Darfur has claimed
between180,000 and 300,000 lives, and displaced
more than two million people.

Cheek's role model is former Norwegian speedskater
Johan-Olaf Koss, who made a similar contribution in
1994 when the program was called Olympic Aid.

"The things he has done for other people have been
an inspiration for me," Cheek said. "It's my hope that
I can assist some people and walk in his large shoes."

Positive News Update 2/9/06

2006-02-09T18:58:00.000-06:00

Positive Helth News
from assorted wire reports

CANCER DEATHS HISTORIC DROP!

For the first time in more than 70 years,
annual cancer deaths in the United States
have fallen.

The number of cancer deaths dropped to
556,902 in 2003, down from 557,271 the
year before, according to a recently
completed review of U.S. death certificates
by the National Center for Health Statistics.

It's the first annual decrease in total
cancer deaths since 1930, when nationwide
data began to be compiled.

Now that's Positive News!

Positive News Update

2006-02-07T19:51:00.000-06:00

These short summaries are of positive
stories that appeared over the last week
on the various news wire services.

Positive News offers these as proof that
not all the news is negative and there's
so much good happpening around the
world to celebrate. --Mr. Positive

US NEWS

African American's role in journalism
to be featured

African American's contributions to jorunalism
are on display in the US capitol as part of Black
History Month, which celebrates the positive
role that African Americans have had in the
development of the culture of the US.

Nutritionist campaigning against junk
food in schools

Nurse and diabetes educator Stephanie Rose,
a member of the Idaho Falls school wellness
committee, is campaigning to eliminate junk
food in schools.

Federal law has directed that all school districts
have a policy in place by the end of June, related
to getting rid of school junk food.

Vermont programme helps refugees
start companies

The US-based Vermont Refugee Micro Enterprise
programme has assisted nearly 40 refugees from
Africa, Vietnam, and Bosnia in getting their own
businesses started in their new homeland of
Vermont, USA.

The programme ass been very successful largely
because of agencies which supplied bilingual
counselors, many of whom are refugees themselves.

Jordan's King Abdullah visits New Orleans,
offers aid

King Abdullah II of Jordan toured some of the
city's most devastated neighbourhoods Friday
and discussed ways Jordan might help the city.

New Orleans' mayor, Ray Nagin, reported that
the King asked him why the support for rebuilding
is so slow. saying, 'I think the international
community may be poised to help us fill the gap.'

Rock star and activist Bono calls for
US to increase aid to poor

Quoting from Islamic, Jewish, and Christian texts,
rock star and activist Bono has called for the US
government to give an additional one per cent of
the federal budget to the world's poor.

One per cent of last year's budget would have been
about $26 billion. Bono spoke at the National Prayer
Breakfast, which was attended by President Bush
and members of Congress.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Northern Ireland negotiations resume

Negotiations to revive a Catholic-Protestant
administration for Northern Ireland have
resumed after a 14-month hiatus during which
the Irish Republican Army (IRA) pledged never
to resume 'armed struggle'.

The governments of Britain and Ireland jointly
oversaw the discussions.

Philippines holds new round of peace talks

The Philippine government and the Muslim
separatist rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation
Front (MILF) have begun a new round of peace talks.

Central to the discussion is the resolution of the
'ancestral domain' issue, i.e. of areas generally
considered by the Muslims to be their ancestral home.

Samsung Group apologetic over scandals,
offers US$800 million to charity

South Korean conglomerate Samsung Group said
today that it would donate more than US$800 million
in corporate and private assets to charity as part of
an apology for several scandals involving presidential
campaign donations and several internal financial irregularities.

Scottish and Southern Energy to invest
£2.4m in renewable energy

The utility corporation Scottish and Southern
Energy (SSE) has announced it will invest
£2.4 million in a fund devoted to renewable
energy projects in the east of Scotland.

The decision followed a report issued by the
government that emphasized the importance
of cutting greenhouse gas emissions and
securing alternative sources of energy.

Positive News Update 1-17-06

2006-01-17T18:59:00.000-06:00

INTERNATIONAL NEWS:

Brazil: Settling debt to the IMF
will allow more social projects

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has
said that by settling the country's debt with the
International Monetary Fund, Brazil will be able
to put the millions of dollars saved in interest
payments into social, educational, and health
programmes, as well as into highways and
civil construction.

Israel: Acting Prime Minister seeks to
begin work on peace with Palestine

Acting Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said
in his first policy statement today that he hopes
to start working on a final peace settlement with
the Palestinians after Israel's March elections,
and hinted that Palestinians in Jerusalem might
not always be under Israeli rule.

Thailand: Southern army chief and
new Muslim religious leaders meet
for peace talks

Lt. Gen. Ongkorn Thongprasom, Royal Thai
Southern Army commander, and 92 newly-
appointed Muslim religious leaders and Islamic
committee members from Thailand's southern
provinces convened together for a peace-building
conference.

US NEWS

Poll: Most Americans see significant
racial progress

An AP-Ipsos poll has found that most Americans
believe that there has been significant progress
in achieving racial equality in the US, although
African Americans are more skeptical.

An authority in the area noted that progress
in the last 50 years had been great, but intermittant.

Schools offer healthier
vegetarian lunches

For years, school cafeterias in the US have offered
vegetarian lunches, but the food was often bland
and greasy.

Student demand, concerns over the obesity rate in
US children, and commitment to giving students the
building blocks for academic excellence have prompted
changes in the direction of proper meal nourishment
in some US schools.

For years, school cafeterias have tried to please students
with vegetarian offerings. The American School Food
Service Association says more than a third of U.S. high
schools have meatless items that include salads and
cheese pizza.

However, a new trend—vegetarian-only lunch lines—has
started in the unlikeliest of places—the South, home of
the ``Stroke Belt,'' long known for its trademark fried
and fatty foods and higher rates of heart attacks and
strokes than other parts of the country.

In the middle of a national obesity epidemic in which
up to 30 percent of U.S. children are overweight or obese,
these healthier lunches are just one way to have a Positive
effect on the problem.

Positive News Update for 1-10-06

2006-01-10T08:50:00.000-06:00

The Positive News Update provides short
summaries of Positive News from around
the world.

Positive News sees this news as proof of
growth and progress toward a better
world for all.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Japan's Prime Minister meets in Turkey
to discuss Middle East peace

9 January 2006 - Japan's Prime Minister
Junichiro Koizumi arrived in Turkey today
to discuss Middle East peace.

The Japanese leader had also planned on
visiting Israel and Palestine but cancelled
as a result of the ill health of Israeli
leader Ariel Sharon.

Turkey offers to help economy and
peace in Middle East

8 January 2006 - To encourage the progress
of peace and nourish economic growth in the
Gaza Strip, Turkey and Palestine have agreed
that a coalition of Turkish businessmen will
administer an industrial region in the Gaza Strip.

Israel is expected to sign the agreement shortly.
The project is expected to provide 6,000 jobs.

Nelson Mandela's New Year Resolution
is 'to better serve people'

Mandela, the 87-year-old anti-apartheid hero,
disclosed in a recent article that his New Year's
resolution is 'to better serve people' as he
would like to them to see their desires fulfilled,
or 'realize their wishes' as he put it.

Cheap laptops planned for world's
poorest kids

A cheap laptop boasting wireless network access
and a hand-crank to provide electricity is expected
to start shipping in February or March to help
extend technology to school-aged children worldwide.

The machines are to sell for $100, slightly less
than its cost. The aim is to have governments
or donors buy them and give full ownership to
the children.

Honda to mass-produce solar batteries

19 December 2005 - The Japanese business
paper Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) has
reported Honda Motor Company plans to
build a facility in Kumamoto, Japan, to
mass-produce solar batteries starting
in 2007.

Sudan villagers engineer their
own comeback

Two years ago, farms in Lattit, Sudan, were arid
wasteland and the villagers refugees. Now there
is reason for hope as green fields stretch into the
distance, producing food for sale and to feed
hundreds of families who have returned and are
proud that they, not aid agencies, have engineered
their own comeback.

US NEWS

Hybrid car buyers to receive tax breaks

The US Internal Revenue Service is offering tax
breaks on hybrid cars in 2006 ranging from
$3,150 to $250.

The new year will bring more savings for buyers
of at least 13 gas-electric vehicles, with those
showing the most improvement in fuel efficiency
securing bigger tax breaks for their new owners.

US venture capitalists embrace
solar energy

In the first three quarters of this year, US
venture-capital firms funnelled $67.7 million
into the solar-energy sector, up from $31.4
million for all of 2004.

Just two years ago solar-power companies,
which now lead the renewable energy sector,
struggled to turn any profit. Consumer demand
and higher oil prices have played a critical role
behind the boom.

One small step means giant leap for
spinal cord research

TerraDaily reported: Researchers at the University
of Toronto have developed a new device that is
helping people with spinal injuries, that are not
expected to improve, to walk.

All patients improved over the course of 18 weeks
with the device. Some patients had injuries as old
as 24 years.

The device is designed for people whose conditions
cannot improve through conventional therapy. By
sending 'functional electrical stimulation (FES),' i.e.,
controlled bursts of electricity, step frequency,
stride length and walking speed progress.

'This is a group of patients in which recovery is not
expected,' Professor Milos Popovic of the Institute
of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering in
Toronto told TerraDaily, 'We got them on a treadmill
and worked with them and 18 weeks later we saw
quite a considerable improvement.'

Some patients had injuries as old as 24 years.
All improved over the course of 18 weeks.

WOW! That's great news for all who are
injured this way...

Natural Gas Prices Decline 10 Percent!

2005-12-27T16:48:00.000-06:00

From Wire Reports

NEW YORK - Natural gas futures plunged
10 percent Tuesday, settling at their lowest
level in three and a half months amid forecasts
calling for mild U.S. weather over the next week.

It was the third straight decline for natural
gas prices, which have fallen 23 percent since
Wednesday, and the selloff triggered a decline
in other energy futures.

Happy New Year!

2005-12-27T16:08:00.000-06:00

Just wanted to let you know that the
Positive News Update will be back
next year!

Please be safe and have a happy holiday!

--Dave

Positive News 12-14-05

2005-12-13T18:46:00.000-06:00

US NEWS

NBC DECIDES PAMELA ANDERSON
POLE DANCING IS NOT FOR PRIME TIME!

The networks are constantly being bashed for their
programming decisions and this time they got it right!

"Elton John: The Red Piano," a Las Vegas extravaganza
taped at Caesars Palace, aired Monday night without
a segment which featured a scantily clad Pam Anderson
doing her best impression of a stripper.

After an assessment by its standards and practices
department the network decided the material didn't
mesh with the time slot.

"We believed the content was not appropriate for 8 p.m.
-7 central time and decided to pull the song from the
special," NBC said in a statement Tuesday.

In Shift, US Agrees to Future Climate Talks
Stephen Leahy, Inter Press Service (IPS)

BROOKLIN, Canada, Dec 10 (IPS) - More than
150 nations agreed early Saturday to launch
formal talks on mandatory post-2012 reductions
in greenhouse gases at the U.N. conference on
climate change in Montreal.

A last minute capitulation by the U.S. to participate
in future climate change discussions on a non-Kyoto
track led to the final agreement.

"This has been one of the most productive U.N. climate
change conferences ever," said Richard Kinley, acting
head of the United Nations' Climate Change Secretariat.

"This plan sets the course for future action on climate
change," said Kinley in a statement. "The environmental
community is very pleased with the outcome," agreed
Matthew Bramley of the Pembina Institute, a Canadian
environmental NGO.

"Getting the U.S. to agree to something opened the door
for some countries to sign on to formal post-Kyoto talks,"
Bramley told IPS Saturday morning.

Canada played a key role by being determined to get an
agreement, he said.

The full story click here

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Iraqis Go to the Polls in 15 Countries

AMMAN, Jordan - Hundreds of thousands of Iraqi
expatriates voting in 15 countries around the globe
in parliamentary elections Tuesday said they want
stability and an end to the violence in Iraq.

But their ideas of how to get there were as divided
as their communities back home. Sunni Arab, Shiite .
and Kurdish concerns were reflected among many
of the Iraqis living in neighboring countries, Europe
and the United States.

Voters came from all stages of their country's stormy
past — those who fled Saddam Hussein's regime,
others who left amid the 2003 U.S.-led invasion or
took refuge abroad from the relentless bloodshed
that followed.

Iraqis living outside Iraq and born on or before
31 December 1987 can participate in the Iraq
Out-of-Country Voting Program for the forthcoming
Council of Representatives Elections according to
the Iraqi Constitution.

Registration and voting will take place at the same time,
from 13 to 15 December 2005.

The countries hosting the vote were chosen because
they had the largest concentrations of Iraqis: Australia,
the United States, Britain, Canada, Denmark, France,
Germany, Austria, Iran, Jordan, the Netherlands,
Sweden, Syria, Turkey and United Arab Emirates.

For more information click here

Oldest Maya Mural Uncovered in Guatemala
By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID,
AP Science Writer

WASHINGTON - Archaeologist William Saturno
said Tuesday he was awe-struck when he uncovered
a Maya mural not seen for nearly two millennia.

Discovered at the San Bartolo site in Guatemala,
the mural covers the west wall of a room attached
to a pyramid, Saturno said at a briefing.

In brilliant color, the mural tells the Maya story
of creation, he said. It was painted about 100 B.C.,
but later covered when the room was filled in.

"It could have been painted yesterday," Saturno
said in a briefing organized by the National Geographic
Society, which supported his work and will detail the
finding in the January issue of its magazine.

On the Net:

National Geographic: http://www.nationalgeographic.com

Virgin Spaceport to Be Built in N.M.
By JANE WARDELL,
AP Business Writer

LONDON - Virgin Galactic, the British company
created by entrepreneur Richard Branson to send
tourists into space, and New Mexico announced
an agreement Tuesday for the state to build a
$225 million spaceport.

Virgin Galactic also revealed that up to 38,000
people from 126 countries have paid a deposit
for a seat on one of its manned commercial flights,
including a core group of 100 "founders" who have
paid the initial $200,000 cost of a flight upfront.

Virgin Galactic is planning to begin flights in late
2008 or early 2009.

For more info click here

Positive News Network celebrates these Positive
developments in our world and continues to see
progress toward a more just and positive world.

More Positive News!!!

2005-12-06T16:33:00.000-06:00

Mazda Offers Bonus If
Employees Walk to Office
from AP Wire Report

TOKYO - Japanese automaker Mazda Motor
Corp. is recommending its employees walk to
the office, rather than commute by car, as part
of an effort to improve their health and protect
the environment, a company spokesman said Friday.

Those meeting a set of requirements by going to
the office on foot are eligible to receive 1,500 yen
($12) a month, Mazda spokesman Ken Haruki said.

Aimed at improving employees' health and to
promote environment protection, Mazda
introduced its "Eco-walk commutation allowance"
on Thursday, Hakuki said.

Mazda, Japan's fourth-largest automaker based in
Hiroshima, is the first Japanese car company to
encourage its employees to walk and offer a
monetary incentive, he said.

Yamaha Motor Co., a major Japanese motorcycle
maker, introduced a similar eco-walk commutation
system for its employees a year ago.

Positive News suggest that every employer
look into developing a plan like this it's
good for everyone!

Positive News Update 12/7/05

2005-12-06T16:13:00.000-06:00

US NEWS

Productivity strong, factory orders up
By Tim Ahmann (Reuters)

WASHINGTON - U.S. business productivity
grew swiftly in the third quarter and factory
orders rebounded in October, the government
said on Tuesday, suggesting a robust economy
with little price pressure outside of energy costs.

Separate reports showed some softening in retail
sales after a strong kickoff to the holiday sales season
and a drop in pending home sales, the latest sign of
moderation in a housing market after a red-hot five-year run.

The Labor Department said nonfarm business productivity
advanced at a 4.7 percent annual rate in the third quarter,
the swiftest increase in two years.

The strong productivity gain pushed unit labor costs --
a key gauge of profit and price pressure -- down at a
1 percent pace despite a solid 3.7 percent rise in
hourly compensation.

California Teen Wins Science Competition
By JUAN-CARLOS RODRIGUEZ, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - A 16-year-old California boy
won a premier high school science competition
Monday for his innovative approach to an old
math problem that could help in the design of
airplane wings.

Michael Viscardi, a senior from San Diego, won
a $100,000 college scholarship, the top individual
prize in the Siemens Westinghouse Competition in
Math, Science and Technology.

Viscardi said he's been homeschooled since fifth grade,
although he does take math classes at the University
of California at San Diego three days a week.

His father is a software engineer and his mother,
who stays at home, has a Ph.D. in neuroscience,
he said."It's unbelievable," Viscardi said of his win.
"It's so incredible that I'm in shock right now."

Viscardi tackled a 19th century math problem known
as the Dirichlet problem, formulated by the mathematician
Lejeune Dirichlet.

The theorem Viscardi created to solve it has potential
applications in the fields of engineering and physics,
including airplane wing design.

He said he worked on it for about six months with a
professor at UCSD."He is a super-duper mathematics
student," said lead judge Constance Atwell, a consultant
and former research director at the National Institutes
of Health.

"It was almost impossible for our judges to figure out the
limits of his understanding during our questioning. And
he's only 16 years old," she said.

Anne Lee, 17, a senior at Phoenix Country Day School
in Paradise Valley, Ariz. and Albert Shieh, 16, a junior
at Chaparral High School in Scottsdale, Ariz., shared
the $100,000 top prize in the team category.

They improved computer technology that could help locate
the genetic roots of some inherited diseases like Alzheimer's,
autism and bipolar disorder.

Lee and Sheih met at the gene research center at which
they both have internships. They were assisted on their
project by members of the institute."I would have been
happy with anything," Sheih said.

Lee said dissecting a cow's eyeball early in her academic
career inspired and encouraged her to study science.

As part of the winners' celebration, they will get to ring
the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange at the
end of the business day Monday.

The Siemens Foundation, founded in 1998, aims to increase
access to higher education among gifted students studying
math, science and technology.

The foundation distributes nearly $2 million annually
in scholarships and awards. Nineteen students competed
in the national finals — six individuals and six teams.

Besides the winners' prizes, finalists won scholarships
ranging from $50,000 to $10,000. Team members
share awards.

On the Net:Siemens Foundation: .
http://www.siemens-foundation.org

Too often we hear about teens involved in drugs, crime
and violence it's nice to hear positive information
about a group of successful teens. -Ed

Postal Service Climbs Out of Debt
By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - The Postal Service is in a
position not many Americans can claim: debt free.

But even a projected surplus won't stop next month's
postal rate increase, which the service says is needed
to cover a congressionally mandated expense.

Once $11 billion in the red, the post office paid off the
remaining $1.8 billion of its debt in 2005, postal Chief
Financial Officer Richard Strasser said Tuesday.

It's the first time the Postal Service has been without
debt since it was organized from the old post office
in the 1970s.

On the Net:
U.S. Postal Service: http://www.usps.com

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Bill Gates, pledges to train teachers in
Bangladesh in computer skills.

DHAKA (AFP) - Bill Gates, billionaire
philanthropist and chairman of software
giant Microsoft, pledged to train teachers
in impoverished Bangladesh in computer skills.

Gates, who met Prime Minister Khaleda Zia
amid tight security after a series of deadly
blasts by Islamic extremists in recent months,
told the agency he intended to sign an agreement
that would result in new IT training courses for teachers.

Microsoft has also said it wants to work with the
Bangladesh government to expand the use of
computers in education and modernise the
country's banking and telephone sectors.

Last year, Microsoft announced an expansion of
programs in Asia as part of its international
campaign to improve access to computers.

Gates, who was in Bangladesh on a one-day visit
with wife Melinda Gates, is recognised as one of
the world's leading philanthropists.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, founded
in 1995, works to improve public health and
education in developing countries.

Many times people bash Bill Gates and his
Microsoft company and overlook all the good
he has brought to our world.

Bill Positive News loves you and we are
grateful for all you do each day.

Positive News Update 11-30-05

2005-11-29T22:02:00.000-06:00

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

2005-11-22T14:33:00.000-06:00

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

2005-11-16T15:16:00.000-06:00

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

2005-11-16T15:12:00.000-06:00

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

2005-11-15T08:51:00.000-06:00

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

2005-11-14T11:29:00.000-06:00

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

2005-11-09T06:32:00.000-06:00

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

2005-11-06T10:10:00.000-06:00

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

2005-11-06T09:57:00.000-06:00

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

2005-11-01T14:45:00.000-06:00

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.

International Positive News

2005-10-30T06:31:00.000-06:00

Darfur: Landmark peace meeting being held

A landmark conference in Darfur aims at reconciling
the feuding factions of the main rebel group, the
Sudan Liberation Movement, in preparation for
next month's peace talks with the government.

An influential think tank had recently warned that
divisions among the Darfur rebels could derail efforts
by the African Union to bring peace after 32 months
of conflict.

An estimated 800 delegates were expected to attend
the meeting, along with 200 invited guests, including
observers from the United States, the European Union,
the United Nations, and the African Union as well as
Sudanese political leaders and intellectuals.

The article noted that 'up to 300,000 people have died
in Darfur since the ethnic minority rebels launched their
uprising in early 2003'.

PNN view's these peace talks as very positive development
in resolving this terrible situation.

North Korea's leader Kim praises
China's efforts in nuke talks

North Korea's leader praised Beijing's effort to
ensure peace on the Korean Peninsula after he
promised the Chinese President Hu that Pyongyang
will take part in the next round of nuclear talks.

Hu's government is making 'serious efforts to
ensure peace and stability on the neighbouring
Korean Peninsula. We highly appreciate this,' Kim says.

Philippines: Govt signs peace pact
with renegade guerrilla group

Government negotiators signed a ceasefire agreement
with former communist guerrillas who were still waging
a separate war in the Philippine island of Mindanao.

Chief negotiator Franklin Quijano said the peace solution
was the result of community efforts, and that it would
'open the gate for development in the affected areas'.

PNN sees these developments as a very positive sign
that peace in the world is possible and in fact is in the
process of emerging everywhere!

Market for organic products expands worldwide

The 'Organic Products and Foreign Trade' seminar in
São Paulo, Brazil, showcased the economic reality that,
in addition to Europe, the US, and Japan, other regions
of the world are waking up to the value of eating foods
without pesticides.

The organic products market has an annual turnover
of US $25 billion worldwide. Mr. Positive views these
developments in agriculture as very healthy for both
our people and the planet.

I'm confident that less chemicals in the human body
and the enviroment will have a positive effect on our health.

The Positive News About the Rising Cost of Oil

2005-10-30T06:10:00.000-06:00

The Positive News About the Rising Cost of Oil

Yes there's a positive side to this situation. Have you
noticed the new commercials yet? Have you heard about
the upcoming invasion of the hybird cars, suvs and trucks?

This is very positive news and there are even tax incentives
for purchasing these vehicles.

GM, Ford, Chrysler are all in a rush now to develop and
market their own hybrid vehicles to catch up with the
Japenese automakers Honda, Toyota and Nissan.

In fact, I was surprised to learn that even Porsche, BMW
and Mercedes were planning to introduce hybrid models!

Now it's been 30+ years since the last "energy crisis" here
in the states but this time it looks like the tide is turning for
alternate fuel vehicles and alternate energy in general.

I understand that not everyone can rush out and afford
a new hybrid but with so many coming to market the
prices will slowly normalize and the transition from
an oil dependent transportation system has begun.

Several other developments are on the horizon for
alternative energy and I sense this time it's for real.

FBI: US Murder Rate Drops to 40-year low!

2005-10-19T07:55:00.000-06:00

POSITIVE NEWS - US Murder Rate Hits 40-Year Low

There were 391 fewer murders nationwide in 2004
than the year before, the FBI said.

Last year's total of 16,137 murders (out of 300
million people) is a decrease of 3.3% from 2003
and is the lowest murder rate since 1965.

The rates for all seven major crimes were down,
and the overall violent crime rate reached a
30-year low, according to the FBI.

I have a couple of questions for you to consider.

1) Did you learn about this story online,
on the newspaper, or on your local or national
radio station or TV newscast?

I found it on page 4a in my local paper.

I tend to think news like this should be on the
front page of every paper and the lead story
on the evening news.

2) What do you think?
Please email me your thoughts or post a comment below.

Positive News Update 10-19-05

2005-10-18T14:39:00.000-06:00

Here's a couple of examples of how
a disaster can bring the world closer.

Please do what you can to help...
http://www.networkforgood.org

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

U.N.: Countries Have Pledged $165M in Aid
to victims of the South East Asia Earthquake

GENEVA - Countries have pledged some $165 million
to aid the victims of the devastating weekend earthquake
in South Asia, the United Nations said Thursday.

"We are in a hurry; we should all be in a hurry to
rush assistance to victims," said Yvette Stevens,
an emergency relief coordinator of the U.N. Office
for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

The U.N. estimates some 4 million people were affected
by Saturday's earthquake, including 2 million who lost
homes ahead of the fierce winter.

So far, some 30 nations have contributed relief
supplies and manpower.

Quake prompts dramatic accord
on Kashmir contacts

The catastrophic earthquake which shattered
Pakistani Kashmir opened a door to reconciliation
with Pakistan's old foe India on Tuesday.

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf made
a dramatic appeal to India to allow the
quake-stricken people of divided Kashmir
to help each other deal with the catastrophe.

India agreed with unusual speed.

"We will allow every Kashmiri to come across
the Line of Control and assist in the reconstruction
effort," Musharraf told a news conference in
the region.

"We would also like to facilitate the political leaders
on both sides to go across and interact each with other
and assist each other in whatever reconstruction effort,"
he said.

He said Pakistan would accept anything New Delhi
offered, short of a military crossing of the Line
of Control -- a ceasefire line and de facto border
dividing Kashmir and its people.

IMMEDIATE NEEDS

Although longer-range planning to help survivors
through the harsh Himalayan winter has started,
large numbers still need immediate help but are
cut off by landslides.

Helicopters, back in the air after weekend rains
grounded the only means of getting aid deep into
the mountains quickly, deliver supplies and bring
down people who had lain injured since their
remote world was shattered.

But they have not been able to reach everywhere.

The lowest estimate of the number of people
left homeless in Pakistani Kashmikr is 1 million.
They urgently need winter tents, and Musharraf
again appealed for tents to shelter people who
have lost everything.

Would you like to help? Start here
http://www.networkforgood.org

US NEWS

Ben & Jerry's returns to social issues

Ben & Jerry's, the ice cream brand whose
image and marketing was built on social
consciousness, tonight revives that tradition
in its first TV ad campaign in a decade.

The ads focus on issues, not ice cream.
In the first of five commercials to run
throughout the year, Ben & Jerry's takes
on the decline of family-owned farms in the USA.

CEO Walt Freese admits that Ben & Jerry's
has been soft in recent years on continuing
its founders' tradition of social consciousness.

"Ben & Jerry's has tremendous heritage in
leading with its values. Over the last few years,
we've honored our values, but we haven't stepped
out there boldly the way that (founders) Ben
Cohen and Jerry Greenfield taught us to lead."
says Walt Freese, who became CEO a year ago.

The campaign comes as some ad giants are spending
more on social responsibility programs and ads:

• GE in May announced its Ecomagination program
- a $1.5 billion program of research for less-polluting
technologies - and is running a corporate ad.

• Starbucks, which already offers coffees that promote
fair pay for growers and environmentally sound cultivation,
recently announced it will donate $10 million over five
years for clean drinking water around the world through
sales of its Ethos bottled water.

• British Petroleum has been advertising its environmental
awareness and is spending $350 million over several years
to create energy-efficient products.

Such spending is a cost of doing business in a global economy
with consumers connected by e-mail and blogs, says Steve
Lippman, vice president of social research at Boston-based
Trillium Asset Management, which invests in socially
responsible funds and companies.

"Customers expect companies to act responsibly," he says.
"In business terms, it's basic risk management. Customers,
employees and potentially investors can turn against you
if they don't like what they see. And the Internet (lets)
activists get the word out faster."

Social Security Announces 4.1 Percent
Benefit Increase for 2006

Monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security
Income benefits for more than 52 million Americans
will increase 4.1 percent in 2006, the Social Security
Administration announced yesterday.

Lose weight, enjoy a better sex life: study

Obese women who start to lose weight will also see
an improvement in the quality of their sex lives,
according to a U.S. study released on Monday.

Even a moderate weight loss reduced complaints
of feeling sexually unattractive and led to improved
desire, according to the study presented at the
annual meeting of The North American Association
for the Study of Obesity (NAASO) in Vancouver.

"If people experience benefits and rewards from
their weight loss and health efforts, it may motivate
them to continue a healthy lifestyle," said Martin
Binks, director of behavioral health at the Duke
Diet and Fitness Center in Durham, North Carolina.

Positive News Update 10-05-05

2005-10-04T09:02:00.000-06:00

US NEWS - THE ECONOMY

Orders to U.S. factories show
best increase in three months.

WASHINGTON - The Commerce Department
reported that orders rose by 2.5 percent to
$395.2 billion, led by strong demand for
computers and other electronic products.

The increase followed a 2.5 percent drop in July
which had fed worries that manufacturing, an
energy-intensive sector of the economy, could
falter as crude oil prices climbed to record levels.

However, the August rebound and a big jump in
September in a closely watched gauge of
manufacturing sentiment should ease those worries.

The Institute for Supply Management said that its
index surged to a 13-month high of 59.4 percent in
September despite the surge in energy prices and
the battering the economy took from Hurricanes
Katrina and Rita.

September was the industrial sector's
28th consecutive month of growth

The Institute for Supply Management said its
manufacturing index advanced to 59.4 percent
in September from 53.6 percent the month before,
for the industrial sector's 28th consecutive month
of growth.

It was the highest reading since the gauge hit 59.6
percent in August 2004 and well above the 54 percent
reading that analysts had expected.

A reading above 50 indicates the sector is expanding;
below 50 indicates manufacturing activity is shrinking.
The index is compiled from a survey of purchasing
executives in industries across the country.

Record High Construction Spending

In Washington, meanwhile, the Commerce Department
reported that construction spending climbed to a record
high in August, helped by a renewed boom in housing.

Even bigger gains are expected in coming months, spurred
by the massive rebuilding required in the wake of Katrina,
which hit the Gulf Coast on Aug. 29, and Hurricane Rita,
which struck the coast last month.

The Commerce Department said total August construction
spending rose by 0.4 percent, the biggest increase in three
months.

It pushed building activity to an all-time high of $1.11 trillion
at a seasonally adjusted annual rate.

The increase did not include any hurricane-related activity
because Katrina did not strike until late in August. But the
government said all the spending on the rebuilding of homes
and businesses in coming months will add to the construction figures.

HEALTH NEWS
Fighting prostate cancer with pomegranates
Ivanhoe.com

A promising new study from the University of Wisconsin
Medical School in Madison, Wisconsin, USA, suggests that
pomegranate juice may ward off prostate cancer.

Pomegrantes are found to contain powerful antioxidants
that are effective at killing cancerous cells as well as keeping
cancerous tumours from growing as rapidly as they would otherwise.

Researchers tested pomegranate extract on cancer cells grown
in the laboratory and found the more extract applied to the cells,
the more likely the cells were to die.

Ivanhoe quoted the authors of the study saying, 'Based on the
present findings, it is tempting to suggest that the fruit
pomegranate and its associated antioxidants may possess
a strong potential for development as a chemo-preventive
and possibly therapeutic agent against prostate cancer.'

INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Less is more: Working miracles in Nepal's rice fields
SciDev.Net

SciDev.Net reported: A new method of growing rice called
'System of Rice Intensification' (SRI) that has been tried
and tested in about 20 countries, is now catching on in Nepal.

Without requiring farmers to flood their fields or use chemical
fertilizers and pesticides, farmers report they have bigger
harvests and better incomes while using fewer seeds and less water.
The normal variety of local rice is used.

Positive News Network views this news as a sign of rising positivity
in the field of enviroment, documenting the growth of life-supporting,
evolutionary trends.

The new technique was developed in 1983 by Henri de Laulanie,
a French Jesuit priest in Madagascar. Tens of thousands of farmers
have adopted the method in the few years since researchers
introduced it into Cambodia.

Using ordinary rice and not genetically modified varieties, the secret
to success is said to lie in the cultivation method. Typically, a paddy
field needs 50 kilograms of seed per hectare, so the new method
which uses only ten kilograms of seed or less per hectare is
more economical.

Used in India, Laos, Sri Lanka, and elsewhere, farmers continue
to report that SRI provides bigger harvests and better incomes,
for less investment in seeds and water.

Positive Trends

Kadhafi seeks 'friendship' with United States

Libya's President Moamer Kadhafi said that his country is seeking
'friendship' with the United States. In a surprise announcement
by Kadhafi in December 2003, he said that Libya was giving up
the quest for weapons of mass destruction.

As a result, diplomatic relationships with the United States were
restored in June 2004. With his recent speech, the President kept
up the momentum towards normalizing relations.

Sharon and Abbas agree to meet

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian leader
Mahmoud Abbas agreed Sunday to hold their first summit
since Israel's pullout from Gaza as part of their efforts to
restart the stalled Middle East peace process.

The announcement came as a new flare-up in fighting
eased in recent days.

South American leaders call for trade zone

South American Presidents committed themselves to
establishing a continental free trade zone. No deadline
was set for a 32-point plan that would lead to an
economic bloc, unified by modern roads, railroads,
bridges, and airports.

The South American summit was attended by the
Presidents of Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Paraguay, Ecuador,
Venezuela, Brazil, and Argentina.

Positive News Update 9-14-05

2005-09-14T06:18:00.000-06:00

US NEWS

People to People

From the Blessed Dressed Thrift Shop
in New Orleans to Camp Algonquin in
Cary, Illinois. People are coming together
and helping each other through one of the
largest disasters to ever strike America.

People like our friends from WestJet,
Canada's Low-Cost Airline.

On August 31, the Turn Around Crew
(baggage/ground crew) in Calgary
assembled a team of volunteers to
deliver 11,000 pounds of equipment
and Search and Rescue personnel to
aid in the humanitarian relief effort.

Famous People from all areas of entertainment
from sports, movies stars, musicians, actors in
fact every walk of life are all pitching in to help.

In ways we haven't seen since 9/11, and while
private efforts cannot approach the magnitude
of resources that state, local and federal agencies
can bring to bear in an emergency such as
Hurricane Katrina, they serve as an example
of what individual determination can accomplish.

Here's a few more examples...

Two private charter flights organized and paid for
by former Vice President Al Gore ferried 270 ill
New Orleans residents to safety during a period
when the federal relief effort had hardly begun.

While Gore has criticized the slow federal response
to the disaster, he declined interviews concerning
his personal relief efforts.

In the same spirit, former Rockets basketball player
and television sports analyst Kenny Smith almost
single-handedly organized an exhibition game in
Houston at Toyota Center over the weekend that
raised millions of dollars for storm relief.

The event also brought some of the game's biggest
stars for morale-raising visits to storm shelters at
the George R. Brown Convention Center and Astrodome.

"This was the most important basketball game that's
ever been played," declared Smith, a veteran of Houston's
NBA championship teams. "This game meant more to
more people than anything else."

The efforts of the Houston branch of the Society for
the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals provided care
and shelter for hundreds of stranded pets and relieved
the anxieties of already distraught flood victims.

Texas oilman Boone Pickens and his wife, Madeleine,
chartered a Continental jet to fly a planeload of dogs
out of Baton Rouge to animal shelters on the West Coast
in a project dubbed Operation Pet Lift.

Animal protection organizations are continuing to struggle
to find shelter and transport for an estimated 50,000 cats
and dogs abandoned or lost in the storm zone.

Such individual efforts to comfort storm victims have been
multiplied thousands of times among the volunteers who
flocked to Houston relief shelters and worked round the
clock, once again demonstrating the heart of this community
and its generosity toward others.

To help the animals that survived the flood
please contact The US Humane Society: www.hsus.org
or the ASPCA www.ASPCA.org

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

For the first time in history, there is a feasible plan
to end extreme poverty in our lifetime, and you can
help make it happen.

IN PRAISE OF MTV!?! While many in the media are
always ready to pounce on MTV for the videos they find
in questionable taste, far too often the media overlooks
the positive ways the channel attempts to inform and
involve it's viewers in the greater social good.

The Diary of Angelina Jolie and Dr. Jeffrey Sachs
in Africa premieres September 14 at 7 PM and
coincides with the United Nations World Summit
on Poverty.

More than 1 billion people face extreme poverty living
on less than one dollar a day, and more than 22,000
people die every day from extreme poverty and
preventable diseases - needlessly.

The facts are staggering - but there is hope.

There is a now feasible plan to end extreme poverty
in our lifetime, and Sauri, a cluster of villages in Western
Kenya, helps to show the world how we can make that happen.

In this special think MTV episode of Diary, actress and
United Nations Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie
journeys to Kenya with the world's leading expert on
poverty, Dr. Jeffrey Sachs.

On their journey, they witness how the challenges of hunger,
disease and isolation in Africa are being overcome in this small
village beset by hunger, AIDS, and malaria.

Spending two long days in Sauri, Sachs exposes Jolie to
every corner of village life to reveal his vision for ending
extreme poverty by 2015.

In a small hut, he demonstrates how a simple $10.00 bed net
keeps families safe from Malaria, a disease that kills over three
million people every year.

In an open field, Jolie learns how basic instruction in proper
farming techniques and fertilizer use can produce enough
food to keep villagers alive on land that has failed to yield
sustainable crops for generations.

And, in a moving sequence featuring the town's young people,
Jolie discovers how free school lunches are giving children a
reason to come to class and learn - and that one computer is
connecting this tiny village to the rest of the world.

The images and stories that often emanate from Africa are bleak.
But, The Diary of Angelina Jolie with Dr. Jeffrey Sachs in Africa
offers actual solutions to famine, plague, and conflict.

Thanks to the vision of Dr. Sachs and the humanitarian concerns
of Jolie - Sauri has a message for the rest of the world - it is alive
and fighting back.

More: http://www.mtv.com/thinkmtv/features/global/diary/angelina_jolie/

NOTE: If Hurricane Katrina has taught us anything it is that
we are all in this together and a committed group of people
can do AMAZING things for their fellow humans.

Positive News Weekly 9-7-05

2005-09-07T16:25:00.000-06:00

Hello,
If you are able to read this message than
you are truly lucky! To all our friends with
family and friends in the Gulf region our
thoughts prayers are with you.

Several people have asked me
"What's Positive about this
"Mr. Positive"???

My first response is yes it's a very difficult
situation BUT there's plenty of Positive
Stories coming out of this event.

Tragedies like these I beleive serve as
important reminders to all of us that
we all need each other and we can all
do something to help one another.

I'm humbled by all the hero's, the survivors,
the rescuers,the millions who are opening
their hearts, their wallets and in many cases
their homes.

In my neighborhood 3 young girls had a stand
selling lemonade and cookies to raise donations,
another family's collecting cans, our neighboor
(a nurse) has volunteered to provide medical
care and my daughter is out cleaning cabins
that will be used to house evacuees, my wife and
Iwill be providing food and clothing to the
evacuees in our community.

I am also supporting the Red Cross
www.redcross.org andHabitat for Humanity
www.habitat.org

Unfortunately none of this giving and kindness
would have happened without Katrina. No, I would
not wish for anything like this to happen anywhere
but it's nice to know that after events like this and
the Tsunami we can all put aside our differences
and come together to help each other.

Here's just a few of the examples of the help provided
by our friends and neighbors.

World Community Offers Support to Victims
of Hurricane Katrina Pledges of aid flood in from
individuals, governments, organizations around
the world.

Washington -- Nations throughout the world
continue to offer aid to the victims of Hurricane
Katrina and express their support for the United
States as it responds to a far-reaching natural disaster.

"There are numerous offers, and there are a lot of
countries that want to help," State Department
spokesman Sean McCormack said at a September
6 press briefing.

"We have 90-plus offers of assistance from around
the world," he said. McCormack said Germany is
sending high-speed pumps to remove water out of
the city of New Orleans.

The Netherlands is offering assistance in rebuilding
levees to keep the water out. Aid has been offered
from Italy, Mexico, the United Kingdom and Canada,
according to McCormack.

NATO is offering to provide meals ready to eat.
Disaster relief experts from the United Nations
and the European Union are working with their
counterparts in the U.S. Office of Foreign Disaster
Assistance in the Agency for International Development.

As of September 6, the official list of donor countries includes:

Afghanistan-$100,000, Armenia-$100,000,
Australia-$7.6 million,Azerbaijan-$500,000,
Bahamas-$50,000, Bahrain-$5 million,
Bangladesh-$1 million, Belgium-Med/logistics teams
to Red Cross, Canada-2 helos, 32-person rescue team,
Air Canada evacuation flights, medical supplies,
China-$5.1 million cash and relief supplies,
Djibouti-$50,000, Finland-3 logisticians to Red Cross,
France- tents, tarps, MREs, water treatment supplies
Gabon-$500,000, Georgia-$50,000, Germany-MREs
and high speed pumps, Greece-cruise ships, private
offer, ICRC-web-based tracing system, India-$5 million
Israel-tents, first aid kits, baby formulaItaly-generators,
water pumps/purifiers, tents, med supplies
Japan-$1,000,000 cash, generators, tents, blankets,
bottled water, Kuwait-$400 million in oil, $100 million cash,
Maldives-$25,000 cash, Mexico-bedding, MREs, baby care
items, personal hygiene kits, NATO-coordinating European
assistance offers, Norway-$1.54 million in relief supplies,
Organization of American States-$25,000 cash,
Qatar-$100 million cash, Republic of Korea-$30 million cash
and in-kind donations, Saudi Arabia-$255 million from Aramco,
Singapore-3 helos, Sri Lanka-$25,000 cash, Taiwan-$2 million cash,
medical supplies, Thailand-Large amounts of food, UAE-$100 million cash,
UK-MREs, UN OCHA-UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination
Team and Logisitics support, UN WHO-Public health officers and
logisticians, Venezuela-Up to $1 million to Red Cross

Deion Sanders calls on athletes to give
NFL.com wire reports

OWINGS MILLS, Md. Baltimore Ravens cornerback
Deion Sanders challenged all professional athletes to
donate at least $1,000 apiece through payroll
deductions to benefit the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Flanked by teammates and Louisiana natives Ed Reed
and Alan Ricard, Sanders called for each team in the
NFL, NBA and Major League Baseball, as well as
other pro sports, to help him reach a goal of
$1.5 million to $3 million for the cause.

NBA players pledge further support to Gulf Coast
By Roscoe Nance, USA TODAY

The NBA Players Association increased its pledge of
financial support for victims of Hurricane Katrina by
$1.5 million Tuesday. It also announced that it is
partnering with Feed The Children, the Christian
non-profit international relief organization based in
Oklahoma City in Operation Rebound, to help with
the recovery effort.

Operation Rebound actually began last week and
90 tractor trailers filled with food, water, clothes
and other supplies have already made deliveries in
Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, which were
directly affected by the storm. Supplies have also
reached shelters in Tennessee, Georgia and Texas
where evacuees are housed. Another 30 trucks will
be dispatched later this week.

CELEBS ARE HELPING IN TOO!

Oprah, Jay Leno, Harry Conick Jr., John Travolta,
Kelly Preston, Tim Robbins, John Cusack, REM,
Tim Mcgraw, Faith Hill, Hilary Duff, Alan Jackson,
Juvenile, Velvet Revolver, 3 Doors Down and
The Juliana Theory are the newest names in
the media who are eager to help.

A Few of the Many Corporate Donors Lowe's
and Customers Donate More Than $5 Million
to Date for Hurricane Katrina Relief - PR Newswire

Lowe's customers have responded to calls for donations
for those affected by Hurricane Katrina by contributing
an unprecedented $3 million in eight days to the
American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund in Lowe's
stores nationwide.

BP Increases Commitment to Relief for Katrina Victims
PR Newswire

In response to the escalating need for aid and assistance
for victims of Hurricane Katrina, BP Foundation has
increased its contribution to relief efforts to a total
of $10 million.

THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

IMAGINE if we could always put aside our differences
and work together...what a wonderful world it will be!

STAY POSITIVE!
Mr. Positive!
Dave Boufford

Web Sites
PNN-Positive News Network
http://www.positivenews.net

Mr. Positive! (View the Rules Movie)
http://www.mrpositive.com/rules.html

Dream no small dreams for they have no power to move men.--Goethe

Positive News Update 8-30-05

2005-08-30T15:12:00.000-06:00

US NEWS

The Big Story is Hurricane Katrina

FEMA the Government's emergency response
unit has moved swiftly, staging teams near the
path of the Hurricane before it even hit land,
then sending them in quickly.

Now the American Red Cross and multi-government
agencies are all mobilizing to assist the survivors.
While the rescue efforts continue at an astounding pace.

So, where's the Positive News?

Ask anyone who was pulled to safely by the brave
helicopter crews of the US Coastguard or the equally
as brave firefighters, who are going door to door by
boat to rescue those who are trapped by the rapidly
rising waters in New Orleans.

Our "First Responders" again show us why they are
the true heroes and we are all very lucky to have
them in each and every community here in America.

Volunteers Mobilized Nationwide
to Support Katrina Relief
Lesly C. Simmons, Staff Writer, RedCross.org

The American Red Cross has mobilized thousands
of volunteers to respond in the aftermath of Hurricane
Katrina, which struck the Gulf Coast area.

The Red Cross plans to send close to 2,000 volunteers
in the area to begin the initial response in the next few days.

“Volunteers are truly the lifeblood of the American Red
Cross, and we are calling on them now by the thousands
to help support relief efforts in Louisiana and other states
after Katrina,” said Pat McCrummen, American Red Cross
disaster spokesperson.

“We are looking at a long term, very significant response
to this storm.” The Red Cross is mobilizing every available
resource from across the country including thousands of
staff and volunteers to respond to this storm.

Red Cross volunteers and donors are neighbors helping neighbors.
To help please contact your local Red Cross or go online
http://www.redcross.org/

Could simple changes in diet and exercise
keep prostate cancer at bay?

On 22 August 2005 Ivanhoe.com reported: Researchers
from the University of California, San Francisco, studied
93 men with early stage prostate cancer and found that
those who followed a routine including a vegan diet with
regular exercise and relaxation sessions for one year had
significantly reduced PSA levels (protein markers for
prostate cancer).

The control group, who followed 'usual care' for a year
experienced increases in their levels.

One of the study's authors, Dean Ornish MD, was quoted
as saying, 'This adds new evidence that changing diet and
lifestyle may help to prevent prostate cancer.'

Scientists try to harness wave energy

As the price of a barrel of oil continues to surge,
scientists are turning to the ocean as a possible
source of alternative energy.

The potential for harnessing the power of waves
has drawn serious study by Oregon State University,
US federal and state agencies, and communities
along the Oregon Coast.

'There's a real good chance that Oregon could turn
into kind of the focal point in the United States for
wave energy development and I think that would
be a boon to the economy,' said Gary Cockrum,
spokesman for the Central Lincoln People's
Utility District.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

China's leader to address US worries

President Hu Jintao hopes to ease American concerns
about China's growing economic and military might
when he visits the US next week.

'He will use this opportunity to deliver this important
message to the US leadership and the US public that
China is a force for peace and China's development is
peaceful in nature,' said the director of the Foreign
Ministry's North America division.

Nothing to fear in Palestine, ceasefire to continue

Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmand Kuray said yesterday
that militants would renew their ceasefire pledge despite
recent attacks on Israel.

Representatives from Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Brigade
of Al-Aqsa Martyrs all met with visiting Egyptian
intelligence head Omar Suleiman to recommit to the ceasefire.

Pakistan, India agree to free prisoners

In a goodwill measure that comes as part of the peace
process between the two countries, India and Pakistan
agreed today to release hundreds of fishermen and
other civilians in each other's jails.

Both sides also agreed to provide better consular access
to prisoners, notify each other of arrests, and join forces
to stamp out terrorism.

Positive News Update 8-17-05

2005-08-16T19:56:00.000-06:00

PNN - The Positive News Network, Inc.
www.positivenews.net

All Positive News, All the Time...
News You Can Really Use!

++++++++++++++++++
Positive News Update
++++++++++++++++++

First, Please View My New Positive Person's Website.
Eric Latham www.walkaboutamerica.com

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

China, Thailand cut trade deal

China signed a bilateral trade agreement with
Bangkok, one of 11 such agreements needed in
order for China's entry into the World Trade
Organization (WTO).

Thai Deputy Prime Minister Supachai Panitchpakdi
was quoted at the signing as saying, 'The agreement
not only is testimony to our long-standing relationship
but signals the emergence of China's economy as part
of the world economy.'

India-Pakistan: Peace returning to war-ravaged
mountain region

The mountainous Kargil region witnessed armed conflict
between Pakistan and the Indian army in 1999 and subsequent
frequent shelling from the Pakistani side.

The area is now returning to normal as a direct result
of the 2003 ceasefire - the schools in the region are holding
regular classes and the local economy is showing signs of revival.

South Korea, North Korea jointly celebrate Liberation Day

In a spirit of harmony, North and South Korean officials came
together to celebrate the 60th anniversay of independence
from Japanese occupation.

China Daily noted that the opening ceremony of the four-day
event 'played to the people's apparent desire for unification'.

Turkish organic agriculture development

Akyigit Textile manufacturers in Turkey have recently invested
30 trillion Turkish Liras (TL) in organic agriculture. The article
reports that 'They plan to become a leader in the [agricultural]
sector by developing 'Organic Agricultural Villages'.

US NEWS

Organic agriculture: Long term tests study shows
yields equal to conventional farming

'A long-term study of organic farming shows that corn and
soybean yields could rival those of conventional farming,
while offering major benefits in soil fertility, drought resistance,
and water pollution.'

The article on 'The Why Files', a web site which explains the
actual science behind news stories, looked at the practicality
and profitability of organic farming and concluded that the
future of organics is bright.

US: Experimental hybrid cars get over 200 mpg!

Monrovia-based Energy CS has converted two Toyota Priuses
to get up to 230 mpg by using powerful lithium ion batteries.
It is forming a new company, EDrive Systems, that will convert
hybrids to plug-ins for about $12,000 starting next year, company
vice president Greg Hanssen said.

Experimental, fuel efficient 'plug-in' cars are getting serious
attention from automakers and politicians. Prominent conservatives
have joined Set America Free, a group that wants the government
to spend $12 billion over four years on plug-in hybrids, alternative
fuels, and other measures to reduce foreign oil dependence.

Fashion magazines showing more body types

Editors of women's magazines say they are using more average
women and fewer models to reflect changing body types and to
help self-conscious teens see that not everyone is perfect.

'Everyone is beautiful, it's just a matter of confidence, and we try
to show that,' said the editor of Seventeen magazine.

'Green' roofs sprouting across US skylines

The latest trend in office high-rise insulation is bridging the gap
between urban landscape and nature by planting trees, shrubs,
and flowers on the roof. Green roofs mitigate the temperature
of the building, reduce air pollution in the city, and absorb
storm runoff.

Project seeks to preserve dying languages

David W. Lightfoot is helping spearhead a government initiative
to preserve dying languages, believing each is a window into the
human mind that can benefit the world at large.

'If we are going to lose half the world's languages, that endangers
our capacity to understand the genetic basis of language,' said
Lightfoot who heads the directorate of Social, Behavioral, and
Economic Sciences at the National Science Foundation.

STAY POSITIVE!
Mr. Positive!
Dave Boufford

Web SitesPNN-Positive News Network
http://www.positivenews.net

Mr. Positive! (View the Rules Movie)
http://www.mrpositive.com/rules.html

Dream no small dreams for they have no power to move men.
--Goethe

PNN-Positive News Network All Positive News,
All the Time...News You Can Really Use!

Copyright 2005 PNN-Positive News Network
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Please send us your positive news, stories
and quotes! mrp@positivenews.net
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Positive News Update 8-10-05

2005-08-10T07:04:00.000-06:00

PNN - The Positive News Network
www.positivenews.net

All Positive News, All the Time...
News You Can Really Use!
++++++++++++++++++
Positive News Update
++++++++++++++++++

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

U.S. tests suggest that Bird flu vaccine works on people

An experimental vaccine seems to protect people against
the bird flu strain that experts fear could spark a deadly
global pandemic, a U.S. government scientist says.

Anthony Fauci, the director of the U.S. National Institute
of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said Sunday that the
U.S. government planned to arrange for mass production
of the vaccine to start as early as mid-September.

Government scientists tested the vaccine on about 450
healthy adults under age 65. Preliminary results from
115 of them showed an immune response that scientists
believe is strong enough to protect against the H5N1
strain of avian flu.

The strain has killed millions of birds as it spreads in
Asia and Russia, along with more than 50 people in A
sia since 2003.

Men do have trouble hearing women, scientists find.

LONDON - Men who are accused of never listening by
women now have an excuse -- women's voices are more
difficult for men to listen to than other men's, a report said.

The Daily Mail, quoting findings published in the specialist
magazine NeuroImage, said researchers at Sheffield
university in northern England discovered startling differences
in the way the brain responds to male and female sounds.

Men deciphered female voices using the auditory part of
the brain that processes music, while male voices engaged
a simpler mechanism, it said.

The Mail quoted researcher Michael Hunter as saying,
"The female voice is actually more complex than the
male voice, due to differences in the size and shape of
the vocal cords and larynx between men and women,
and also due to women having greater natural 'melody'
in their voices."

B.C. sailor saves 3-year-old boy
From the CBC News Site

A three-year-old boy is recovering after an unknown
hero pulled him from under a capsized boat off British
Columbia's Gabriola Island. Jerry Lushman says a man
on board another boat, the 12-metre sailboat Outrageous,
came to the rescue when a five-metre craft holding Lushman,
his son Zachary and another man overturned on Saturday.

The man, whom Lushman knows only as Clayton, jumped
into the water and saved Zachary, who was trapped under
the smaller boat. "He threw me a life-jacket, and then he
dived into the water and he went up under the boat,"
Lushman told CBC Radio. "

And he told me to get off the boat, because he might have
to slip it. "So I started swimming towards the sailboat and
he went up under and pulled my son out. "He said he was
right there. As soon as he put his hand up under the boat,
my son was right there. And he pulled him out.

"As I was swimming back, I heard him say, 'The kid is all
right.' And I was so relieved." Darren Morely of the Victoria
Rescue Co-ordination Centre said members of the Outrageous
crew are crediting Zachary's life-jacket with saving his life.

But Morely believes the rescuer's efforts were what really
saved the boy. "It's a very brave thing to do. I mean, the
water temperature is between 10 and 15 degrees Celsius,"
he said.

"And, you know, you're safely aboard your own boat and you
leave it in order to effect the rescue of others. It's a dangerous
maneuver, but it certainly worked."

US NEWS

Discovery Lands Safely in California

The space shuttle Discovery landed safely atEdwards,
Air force Base in California. After two weeks in space
resupplying theInternational Space Station, testing out
a new technique for fixing tiles on the heat shield to the
dramatic removal of two protruding thermal tile fillers
from the underneath of Discovery.

The mission was a big success for NASA."Congratulations
on a truly spectacular test flight," Mission Control said
after Discovery came to a stop on the concrete runway
at 5:11 a.m. PDT. "Welcome home, friends."

Now from Prevention Magazine...

Anyone who enjoys a sport like tennis or golf knows that
having a partner who plays as well as you do--or even
better--motivates you to practice more and play harder.

"So why wouldn't that same dynamic work for people
who diet together?"

To test the theory 109 people who wanted to lose weight,
and their dieting partners were studied. Sure enough, those
who had a successful partner dropped twice as many pounds
after a year of serious weight loss effort than those who
dieted on their own.

BACK TO SCHOOL

Wendy Kopp isn’t a household name. But her creativity and
perseverance is changing America. In 1988, from her dorm
room at Princeton University, then-college senior Wendy
Kopp developed a plan to call upon the most talented members
of her generation to teach for two years in the nation’s neediest
urban and rural public schools.

Wendy envisioned a new national service corps called
Teach For America that would heighten our country's
commitment to its most disadvantaged children.

Teach For America, has grown from a one-person startup
operating in a borrowed office to a full-scale social movement.

This coming school year over 3,000 corps members will
teach students in disadvantaged schools across the country.

Teach for America now has over 9,000 alumni, former
teachers from the corps working from all professional
sectors to expand educational opportunities for children.

Wendy’s dream has become a blueprint for a new civil rights
movement, a movement that demands educational access
and opportunity for all children in America.

PNN salutes Wendy Kopp and her dream that is truly
making a difference in the lives of so many children…
and making our world a better place!

For more information www.TeachForAmerica.org

STAY POSITIVE!
Mr. Positive!
Dave Boufford

Web SitesPNN-Positive News Network
http://www.positivenews.net

Mr. Positive! (View the Rules Movie)
http://www.mrpositive.com/rules.html

Dream no small dreams for they have
no power to move men.--Goethe

Positive News Update 8/3/05

2005-08-03T14:52:00.000-06:00

PNN - The Positive News Network
www.positivenews.net

All Positive News, All the Time...
News You Can Really Use!
++++++++++++++++++
Positive News Update
++++++++++++++++++

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

ALL 309 Survive Crash Landing in Toronto

TORONTO - All 309 passengers and crew survived
after an Air France Airbus burst into flames when it
overshot the runway and crashed into a gully at
Toronto's Pearson International Airport in a lightning
storm on late Tuesday.

IRA LAYS DOWN THEIR ARMS

BELFAST, Northern Ireland - The IRA has renounced
violence and stated its intention to disarm completely,
Gerry Adams, who is president of its political wing,
Sinn Fein, encouraged others to follow it into permanently
peaceful activity.

"I would like to think that as the import of the IRA's
decision starts to play out, sensible people within loyalism
will follow the example," he said.

British Plan For New Northern Ireland

BELFAST, Northern Ireland - The British army will slash
its garrison in Northern Ireland to peacetime levels, demolish
spy towers in Catholic areas and disband its overwhelmingly
Protestant local battalions within two years, commanders
said Monday.

The announcement of the cuts came as a decisive response
to the IRA's promise last week to disarm fully and cease violence.

Thailand, Japan agree to trade agreement

Thailand and Japan have agreed to forge a free trade agreement
and expect to sign the deal next April unless disagreements arise
over details, the head of the Thai negotiation team said Monday.

The agreement aims to reduce tariffs on $35 billion worth of trade
between the two countries. Japan is Thailand's single biggest trading
partner.

US NEWS

Fla. First State to Send Cell Amber Alerts

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Florida's Amber Alert system is being
expanded to cell phone customers, the first program of its kind
in the nation, Gov. Jeb Bush said Tuesday.

The free program will allow subscribers to receive text messages
on their phones when an alert is issued about a missing child."It's
another step forward in our effort to bring children home where
they belong," Bush said.

American Muslim Leaders Issue Fatwa

American Muslim scholars who interpret religious law for their
community issued an edict Thursday condemning terrorism
against civilians in response to the wave of deadly attacks in
Britain and other countries.

In the statement, called a fatwa, the 18-member Fiqh Council
of North America wrote that people who commit terrorism in
the name of Islam were "criminals, not ‘martyrs.'''

"There is no justification in Islam for extremism or terrorism,''
the scholars wrote. "Targeting civilians' life and property through
suicide bombings or any other method of attack is haram — or forbidden.

''"We pray for the defeat of extremism and terrorism,'' the scholars
wrote. "We pray for the safety and security of our country, the
United States, and its people. We pray for the safety and security
of all inhabitants of our planet.''

ON THE NET:Council on American-Islamic Relationswww.cair-net.org.

Positive News Update 7-27-05

2005-07-28T06:37:00.000-06:00

PNN - The Positive News Network
www.positivenews.net

All Positive News, All the Time...
News You Can Really Use!
++++++++++++++++++
Positive News Update
++++++++++++++++++

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Australian Prime Minister praises Iraq

Australia's Prime Minister held talks with Iraq's
government leader Monday during a surprise visit.

'We want Iraq to be free, independent and strong,'
said Prime Minister John Howard on meeting his
counterpart Ibrahim al-Jaafari.

'We want Iraqis to run Iraq's affairs and we see our r
ole as assisting the people of Iraq and Iraqi government
toward achieving that goal.'

Israel: Camera in a pill latest development
in miniature medicine

A traditional endoscopy involves fasting, sedation,
forcing a tube down the esophagus, a day of recovery,
and throat pain for a couple of days after that.

Now a patient can just swallow two miniature cameras
mounted in a clear pill the size of a vitamin, and after
waiting 15 minutes to make sure a computer captured
the 2,600 images taken during the 5-minute test, go home.

The pill, developed by Given Imaging of Yokneam,
Israel, passes from the body in 24 to 72 hours.

India : Sensex reaches all-time high

India's Sensitive Index (Sensex) has touched an
all-time high of 7505.60, a jump by 82.32 points
or 1.1 per cent, while Nifty jumped by 26.15 points
to touch 2,291.75.

The Security and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
has welcomed the bull run in bourses after this
historical high. Experts said that foreign institutional
buying is responsible for this.

Japan plans world's fastest computer

Japan has plans to start building a supercomputer next
year that can operate 73 times faster than the world's
fastest supercomputer, the government said Monday.

The American Blue Gene/L system supercomputer
currently holds the title of the world's fastest, capable
of 136.8 teraflops, or 136.8 trillion calculations per second.

The ministry wants to use the planned supercomputer
for research such as simulating the formation of a galaxy
and the interactions between a medicine and the human
body.

Colombian government offers to buy illegal coca

After a two-year offensive, the Colombian government has
forced rebels to retreat into the jungles. The rebels are major
drug traffickers and the primary buyers of the poor peasants
coca crops - the plant used to make cocaine.

The government has decided to buy the crops from the farmers,
destroy them, and require the farmers to sign a document
promising never to cultivate illegal crops again.

US NEWS

The Longest Soldiers Letter Ever Written!

Carly Goodwin’s ‘“Baby Come Back Home”
Solders’ Scroll’ Breaks 10-Mile Length

Country recording artist Carly Goodwin began a “Soldiers’
Scroll” for fans at the Country Music Association’s Music
Festival (Fan Fair) to write messages of support, love and
appreciation to our Armed Forces overseas.

The goal of “10-miles of messages” was reached on the last
day of Fan Fair, Sunday, June 12th, as of July 5th the scroll
has now passed the 12 mile mark and shows no sign of slowing
down.

From country legends such as The OakRidge Boys, Donna
Fargo and Tanya Tucker, to current country stars including
Brooks and Dunn and members of the Musik Mafia, all were
honored to include their message on the scrolls.

Senate Majority Leader Senator Frisk signed Saturday morning
at the Pancake Pantry. Attending Fan Fair as Carly’s guest on
Saturday, was Sema Olson, the mother of one of our wounded
soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

Carly and Sema met when Carly visited Sema’s son, Bobby,
at Walter Reed. Sema choked back tears as she said, “This
really warms my heart. You don’t realize, I walk through
protesters most days to get into the hospital to spend the
day with my son. We never see this kind of support for
what we’re doing. I’m so touched by this outpouring of love.
This will mean so much to our troops.”

The scrolls will be delivered by Carly within the near future.
These words of love and support will decorate many camps
throughout Iraq. Carly has spent the last 18 months touring
our US military bases throughout the US and has entertained
the troops at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba twice, due to the success
of her single, Baby Come Back Home.

Due to the overwhelming success of this project, Goodwin is
looking to take this project nationwide. For more information
on how you can sign the World’s Longest Letter to the Troops,
or start a “Soldiers’ Scroll” in your area, please contact
www.babycomebackhome.com

Payless Manager Receives Citizen Hero Award

Victims of a Lubbock fire thought they lost everything,
until they met Thomas Gonzales. Tuesday, he received
the Raymond Davis Citizen Hero Award.EMS responded
to a fire in Central Lubbock on January 18th.

The victim escaped with minor burns but his shoes were
destroyed in the fire so EMS went to Payless to buy shoes
for the victim. That's where Gonzales came in. Gonzales is
the store manager at Payless and gave EMS the shoes and
socks at a huge discount.

University Medical Center presented Gonzales with the
award Tuesday morning. It's named in memory of Lubbock
Paramedic Raymond Davis who died in the line of duty,
two years ago.

Late night rescue saves two men after boat sinks

ASTORIA, Ore. - Coast Guard rescue crews pulled two men
from a life raft early Tuesday morning after their 59-foot
fishing boat sank about 85 miles off the Oregon coast.

The two men were in good shape after issuing a distress call
that their boat, Georgine, was taking on water. The cause of
the sinking has not been determined. The boat is registered
out of Seattle.The two men were 68 and 23 years old. They
were taken to a hospital where they were treated and released.

STAY POSITIVE!
Mr. Positive!
Dave Boufford

PNN-Positive News Network
http://www.positivenews.net

Positive News Update 7-20-05

2005-07-22T07:53:00.000-06:00

PNN - The Positive News Network www.positivenews.net
All Positive News, All the Time...News You Can Really Use!

++++++++++++++++++
Positive News Update
++++++++++++++++++

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

We're NOT Afraid (A Message to Terrorist Everywhere)

UK: We’re not afraid is an outlet for the global community to
speak out against the acts of terror that have struck London,
Madrid, New York, Baghdad, Bazra, Tikkut, Gaza, Tel-Aviv,
Afghanistan, Bali, and against the atrocities occurring in cities
around the world each and every day. It is a worldwide action
for people not willing to be cowed by terrorism and fear mongering.

The historical response to these types of attacks has been a
show of deadly force; we believe that there is a better way.
We refuse to respond to aggression and hatred in kind. Instead,
we who are not afraid will continue to live our lives the best
way we know how.

We will work, we will play, we will laugh, we will live. We will not
waste one moment, nor sacrifice one bit of our freedom, because
of fear. We are not afraid has generated an amazing response and
the photos posted will warm your heart. The site has collected
almost 4,000 images of people showing that they are not afraid
of the terrorist!

For more info http://www.werenotafraid.com/

ED's NOTE: I love this site what a great response, well done!
PS I'm NOT Afraid either!

Iran's leader vows to aid Iraq stability

Iran promised Sunday to help curb raging violence in Iraq,
saying it has been cracking down on al-Qaida militants on
its soil and agreeing on closer security cooperation with
Iraq's visiting Shiite prime minister.

'The security and stability of both countries are interrelated,'
Khatami said in the meeting with al-Jaafari, according to
state-run radio. 'Tehran will do its utmost for the restoration
of stability and security' in Iraq.

New Harry Potter book is a record breaker
on both sides of the Atlantic.

UK: "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," the sixth
of J.K. Rowling's fantasy series, sold about 9 million copies
in Britain and the United States in its first 24 hours.

The only book in publishing history to open nearly as well
was Rowling's previous book in the series, "Harry Potter
and the Order of the Phoenix."

"Typically, a good book will take about four to six months
to go gold and very few books reach platinum in their first
year of publication. 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince'
achieved platinum in less than one day!" said Richard Knight,
the managing director of Nielsen BookScan, which Monday
reported just over 2 million sales in Britain.

In the United States, the new Harry Potter sold 6.9 million
copies in its first day — averaging better than 250,000 sales
per hour and easily outpacing the debut of "Order of the
Phoenix," which came out in 2003 and sold 5 million copies.

ED's note: In an age where there's so many gadgets competing
for childrens attention is nice to know millions are reading books
still. I believe reading is vital to success in life...well done J.K.!

NEW STUDY TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION REDUCES
BLOOD PRESSURE AND LENGTHENS LIFESPAN

On 17 July 2005 ninemsn.com.au reported: In a world where
non-drug mind-body approaches to reducing blood pressure
have not been capable of increasing lifespan, a new study has
stunned the scientific community.

New research published in the American Journal of Cardiology
indicates that Transcendental Meditation may not only reduce
blood pressure, but also lengthen one's life. Transcendental
Meditation is a technique for giving the body deep rest and
creating coherence in brain functioning, allowing individuals
to experience a phenomenon known as 'restful alertness',
which triggers the body's natural healing ability.

The new report is based on a review of data from two studies
on TM and blood pressure. Overall, men and women who
practiced Transcendental Meditation not only had lower
blood pressures than those in the other groups, but were
also 23 per cent less likely to die from any cause.

In particular, they were 30 per cent less likely to die from
cardiovascular disease, and 49 per cent less likely to die
from cancer. Dr Robert Schneider is the director of the
Institute for Natural Medicine and Prevention, funded
by the National Institutes of Health's National Center
for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

The 'integrated holistic' Transcendental Meditation technique
does not have any harmful side effects, Schneider said.

US NEWS

VIOLENT CRIME & MURDER RATES DECLINE IN US

Last month, The FBI released to the public, and to all of
the media, their compilations of crime statistics for 2004.

Here are the highlights of that report in case you missed it:

But before you read it, out of 270 Million people in the
United States, how many murders do you think were
committed in 2004?

Murders: The number of murders fell in 2004 for the first
time since 1999. The number of murders fell by 3.6 percent
nationwide, from 2003, with cities under 10,000 having the
largest decrease, 12.2 percent.

Cities with more than 1 million had the next largest decrease,
5.4 percent!

Total murders in the Unites States in 2004 were less than 15,900!

Pretty different perception now that we see the facts presented
as sensationally and prominently as the lone killers and headline
grabbing gang slayings etc. isn’t it?

The FBI also reported a nationwide DECLINE in ALL types
of VIOLENT CRIME.

Reported by America's Good Newsman Bill Bailey
www.drycreekpress.com

Disneyland celebrates 50th anniversary

Anaheim, CA: Disneyland was wildly innovative when it
opened on 17 July 1955. It used robotic figures, holographs
and panoramic movies in circular theatres to spin stories
for children.

With virtually no competition, the park had little trouble
capturing the imagination of the world. Over the years,
it has continued to pioneer new technology on thrilling
rides and now operates 11 theme parks worldwide.

The imagination of one man, Walt Disney has brought
smiles to million worldwide and it all started with his
dream in an old strawberry field.

Renewable energy enters financial mainstream

New York, NY: Six hundred top executives attended
the Renewable Energy Finance Forum - Wall Street
in New York City this past week.

'The high level of attendance from Wall Street and
the key players in this industry make it apparent
that renewable energy has become part of the
mainstream and is now a viable alternative to
conventional energy,' Chairman and CEO Howard
Berke of Konarka Technologies said.

This year's event saw a 50% increase in attendance
over last year, including more than 150 CEOs,
presidents and chairmen, as well as senior management
from over 300 commercial banks, investment banks,
investment funds, law firms, project developers,
equipment manufacturers, and government agencies.

The impressive participation and interest as well as
the broad range of possibilities presented, indicate a
promising future for renewable energy.

Please send us your positive news!
mrp@positivenews.net

STAY POSITIVE!
Mr. Positive!
Dave Boufford

Web Sites

PNN-Positive News Network
http://www.positivenews.net

Mr. Positive! (View the Rules Movie)
http://www.mrpositive.com/rules.html

Dream no small dreams for they
have no power to move men.--Goethe

PNN-Positive News Network
All Positive News, All the Time...
News You Can Really Use!

Copyright 2005 PNN-Positive News Network

Positive News Update 7-13-05

2005-07-13T06:52:00.000-06:00

PNN - The Positive News Network www.positivenews.net
All Positive News, All the Time...News You Can Really Use!

++++++++++++++++++
Positive News Update
++++++++++++++++++

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Positive News from London

First my heartfelt condolences to all of the people
affected by the events in London last week, especially
those who lost a loved one.

Most people would say it's very challenging to
find any Positive News coming out of the terrorist
attacks in London.

I find every tragedy renews my hopes for humanity
below are just a few examples of why.

TRUE ACTION HERO'S

"I looked down at myself and I saw that I was okay -
the next thing was to do something for the injured".

--George Psaradakis, Driver of the Number 30 bus
after a bomb exploded and blew off the top of the bus
he was driving killing 13 people.

"I didn't know if the tracks were still live or
whether another train would come round the corner
and hit us - but I just thought, 'Stuff it, if
I stay here I have no chance'."

--David Jeffery, a passenger on the Piccadilly
Line train from King's Cross who ran back to the
station to summon help

PROFILES OF COURAGE

"People should carry on with their lives, of course
be aware, but we cannot go into hiding, can we?

--Caroline Lake, 21, an Australian pub assistant manager
working in London

DEEPLY GRATEFUL

I would like to express my extreme gratitude to the
London Underground staff, Fire Brigade, ambulance
and hospital staff for their magnificent care and
support for the passengers of the Piccadilly train
disaster.

I was on that King's Cross train and for a moment
I thought my number was up.

However, I was extremely fortunate to only suffer
minor breathing difficulties due to the smoke and
soot inhalation.

The after care at the Royal London Hospital was
fantastic. Also a big thumbs up to the British
public, people came together to help their fellow
man and that really touched me.

My thoughts are with the families who have lost
loved ones and those who were injured in all the
incidents in London.
--STEVE JACKSON

G8 UPDATE

While overshadowed by the events in London the G8
accomplished several notable agreements. In addition
to debt being cancelled $50 Billion in aid was committed.

Extra resources would be provided for Africa's peacekeeping
forces to prevent conflict, he said, with 'enhanced support'
to fight corruption.

Action would also be taken to improve health and education
across the continent, with more help to tackle HIV/AIDS
and stimulate trade and growth.

Progress had also been made on the Middle East peace process.

Mr. Blair stated that the agreements reached during the summit
'would not change the world tomorrow - it is a beginning
not an end.' But he felt 'significant progress' had been
made on the major issues. For more go to http://www.g8.gov.uk

Kofi Annan, called the Gleneagles G8
"the greatest summit for Africa ever"

The Netherlands safer now

According to police reports the Dutch are less often victims
of crime. The Dutch feel more and more safe and secure. This
is not only a feeling, but citizens are actually less often
victims of burglary, car theft, destructive vandalism, bicycle
thefts, and assaults.

Two Koreas agree on cooperation, rice aid

South Korea agreed Tuesday to provide the communist North with
500,000 tons in rice aid as the countries vowed to boost economic
ties after Pyongyang announced it would end its boycott of
international nuclear disarmament talks.

The two Koreas also agreed the South would give the North
raw materials to help its impoverished population.

US NEWS

For Less than the Cost of a Latté a Day: Most of the Nation's
10 Million Young Uninsured Can Buy Individual Health Insurance

For very little cost, many of America's uninsured young adults
could afford individual health insurance in the majority of the
50 largest US cities.

An online insurance resource called eHealthInsurance
released a report entitled 'The Most Affordable Cities for
Individuals to Buy Health Insurance,' which lists the cities
with the most affordable health insurance options.

To find out how your city ranks read the report here
http://www.ehealthinsurance.com/

Tour de Lance (sorry I couldn't help myself)

Lance Armstrong took a giant step toward a seventh consecutive
Tour de France victory with a dominant ride yesterday on the first
Alpine climb of this year's race, retaking the overall lead -- which
he could hold all the way to the finish in Paris on July 24.

Not only is Lance a great athlete but is is an amazing Positive person
who has survived testicular cancer and raised over a $100 million dollars
to help others fighting all forms of this disease.

The Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) believes that in the battle
with cancer, unity is strength, knowledge is power and attitude is everything.

Our mission is to inspire and empower people with cancer to live strong.
We serve our mission through education, advocacy, public health
and research programs. For more info http://www.livestrong.org/

+++++++++++++++++++++++
Positive Thoughts for Today
+++++++++++++++++++++++

LOVE/RELATIONSHIPS:

Dare to dream, hope, believe, seek, feel, find, and love.
-Mike Hull

LEADERSHIP/SUCCESS:

IF YOU'RE THINKING AND WORRYING ABOUT SOMETHING
THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE - THEN YOU MIGHT AS WELL BE DOING IT!
(from the book - "you can do it" by Paul Hanna)

MOTIVATION/INSPIRATION:

If you find that thing you love, it doesn't necessarily
matter whether you do it well or not- you just need
to do it. -Stanley Tucci

STAY POSITIVE!
Mr. Positive!
Dave Boufford
Email Me Your Comments, Suggestion and Stories.

Positive News Update 7-6-05

2005-07-05T22:31:00.000-06:00

+++++++++++++++++
Positive News Update
+++++++++++++++++

I'm very excited by the two largest news events of
the past few days, the Live 8 Concerts which were
held in 10 different countries to raise awareness for
The Make Poverty History campaign and NASA
actually hit a comet with a probe that was launched
from Earth!

If we can pick off a comet from 268 million miles
away surely we can end hunger and extreme poverty!

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Live 8 Concerts a Huge Success

The largest musical event ever produced was held
this weekend in 10 different countries to raise
awareness and support for The Make Poverty
History campaign which was launched around
the G8 summit.

The Make Poverty History campaign has been
endorsed by the Dalai Lama, Pope Benedict XVI
and Nelson Mandela, along with scores of others
around the world.

They have something of an ally in British Prime
Minister Tony Blair, who holds the G-8 presidency
and hosts the three-day summit opening today
at nearby Gleneagles.

"This is not Live Aid 2, said Bob Geldof, the event
organizer. These concerts are the starting point for
The Long Walk To Justice, the one way we can all
make our voices heard in unison.

This is without doubt a moment in history where
ordinary people can grasp the chance to achieve
something truly monumental and demand from
the 8 world leaders at G8 an end to poverty.

The G8 leaders have it within their power to alter
history. They will only have the will to do so if tens
of thousands of people show them that enough is
enough.

By doubling aid, fully canceling debt, and delivering
trade justice for Africa, the G8 could change the
future for millions of men, women and children."

For more information:
http://www.one.org
http://www.live8live.com

G8 Summit Begins in Scotland Today

The G8, or the ‘Group of Eight’ Summit is an annual
gathering of leaders from the world’s eight wealthiest
and most powerful countries (Canada, France, Germany,
Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom and the
United States).

These leaders will gather in Scotland to decide the fate
of an entire generation living on less than ONE dollar a day.

On July 6th – 8th, President Bush and other G8 leaders
will discuss the major social, political and economic conditions
that leave nearly ONE billion people living in extreme poverty
– nearly half of whom live in Sub-Saharan Africa.

For more info http://www.g8.gov.uk

Head of top Mexican drug cartel arrested

A man believed to be the chief of Mexico's top drug cartel
was arrested in a shopping mall, and police were checking
his DNA and fingerprints to confirm his identity.

If confirmed, the detention of Vicente Carrillo Fuentes
would be a major blow to the Juarez cartel, the only
drug gang that hasn't had a top leader arrested amid
a nationwide crackdown.

India backs strategic Central Asian union

The External Affairs Minister of India, K. Natwar Singh,
called for the bolstering of economic and strategic ties
between India and Central Asian countries.

Natwar Singh expressed his support for a Central Asian
union shorty after arriving at the fifth Summit of the
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

Pipeline opens relations between Greece, Turkey

For the first time in 45 years, a Greek premier has accepted
an intivation to visit Turkey. Prime Minister Costas
Karamanlis accepted the invitation by Turkish leader
Recep Tayyip Erdogan during the inuaguration of a
natural gas pipeline on the border between the two countries.

Both leaders acknowledged that the pipeline had led to
a new level of communications.

US NEWS
Deep Impact Kicks Off Fourth of July With Deep Space Fireworks

After 172 days and 431 million kilometers (268 million miles)
of deep space stalking, Deep Impact successfully reached out
and touched comet Tempel 1.

The collision between the coffee table-sized impactor and
city-sized comet occurred at 1:52 a.m. EDT. "What a way
to kick off America's Independence Day," said Deep Impact
Project Manager Rick Grammier of NASA's Jet Propulsion
Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.

"The challenges of this mission and teamwork that went
into making it a success, should make all of us very proud."

For more info on this historic mission...http://www.nasa.gov

ZERO DEATHS FROM TORNADOS!

WASHINGTON - For the first time since record-keeping
started in 1950 no one was killed by a tornado in April, May
or June. Normally those are the top months for tornadoes
with an average of 52 fatalities, sometimes many more.

"That is prime tornado time, so it's amazing," said Joe
Schaefer, director of NOAA's Storm Prediction Center
in Norman, Okla.

It was an unusual tornado season, when the storms never
really formed over the major cities in the area known as
Tornado Alley, Schaefer said. Tornado Alley starts in
central and northern Texas and stretches north into
Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska and South Dakota.

Dan McCarthy, a warning meteorologist at the center,
called it "truly a unique situation and one that we are
very happy to report."

On the Net:NOAA Storm Prediction Center:
http://www.spc.noaa.gov
NOAA National Weather Service:
http://www.nws.noaa.gov
NOAA Tornadoes Page:
http://www.noaa.gov/tornadoes.html

US tax rebates approved for organic farms
in one Iowa county

Woodbury County, Iowa has become the first county
to offer farmers tax rebates if they switch from
conventional farming to organic farming.

The Board of Supervisors approved the policy to
encourage farmers to go organic.

Officials said that the incentive—up to 50,000 dollars
in rebates—is designed to 'help build a strong organic
farming industry in the county, create jobs, and grow
the tax base'. The article noted that the new policy has
the support of the Iowa Farm Bureau and the Iowa
Farmers Union.

STAY POSITIVE!
Mr. Positive!
Dave Boufford

Web SitesPNN-Positive News Network
http://www.positivenews.net

Mr. Positive! (View the Rules Movie)
http://www.mrpositive.com/rules.html

Dream no small dreams for they have no power to move men.--Goethe

Positive News Update

2005-06-28T20:27:00.000-06:00

PNN - The Positive News Network
www.positivenews.net

All Positive News, All the Time...
News You Can Really Use!
++++++++++++++++++
Positive News Update
++++++++++++++++++

US NEWS

As Oil Hits $60 per Barrel Interest Rises
in Ethanol Substitute for Gasoline

There is a rising interest in E85, a blend of 85 per cent
ethanol and 15 per cent gasoline which sells for about
45 cents per gallon less than regular unleaded gasoline.

Promoters say it reduces dependence on foreign oil,
burns cleaner, and boosts farm economy because
ethanol is distilled mainly from corn.

More than 4 million flexible fuel vehicles—which can
run on any blend of gasoline and up to 85 percent
ethanol—are currently on the road in the United States,
according to government figures.

For more information:

National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition:
http://www.e85fuel.com

U.S. Department of Energy Clean Cities Program:
http://www.eere.energy.gov/cleancities

Consumer Confidence at A Three-Year High

Consumers' confidence in the economy gained
momentum in June, rising to a higher-than-expected
level for the second month in a row. The advance
reported by The Conference Board put consumer
confidence at a three-year high.

The business research group said its Consumer
Confidence Index rose to 105.8 this month from
a revised 103.1 in May, better than the 104.0
analysts expected. June's reading was the highest
since June 2002, when the index stood at 106.3.

"The improvement in consumer's mood suggests
that business activity and labor market activity will
continue to pick up over the next several months and,
with consumers in better spirits, and job concerns
remaining relatively steady, there is little reason to
expect a dramatic shift in consumers' spending,"
said Lynn Franco, director of The Conference Board's
Consumer Research Center.

Gold Star Mothers Change Membership Policy

Ligaya Lagman of Yonkers, NY paid the price of
memebership to the Gold Star Mothers Group
with the loss of her son in Afghanistan.

Earlier this year her application was denied because
while her son was a U.S. Citizen, she was not.

On Monday the group reversed a long standing policy
and voted to allow her and other non-U.S. Citizens to
join their group.

Mrs. Lagman was unavailable for comment but I
think it's Positive News that this group has changed
their rules toallow her and others who lost their
children in war to be honored.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

India-Pakistan peace process to move forward

Srinagar Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed
said that in spite of the stated positions on several
contentious issues, both India and Pakistan have
embarked successfully on the road of friendship
and amity.

Speaking at the seminar, 'Impact of turmoil on the
life in Kashmir', Sayeed said both countries have
realized the 'ground realities' and are well on the
way to dismantling the walls of hatred between each other.

Norway: Norsk Hydro buys half of wind power project

Norwegian energy and light metals group Norsk
Hydro ASA said it agreed to buy a one-half interest
in a British offshore windmill project as part of its
expansion into renewable energy supplies.

Such a wind farm could supply electricity for 175,000
British households, and reduce climate damaging
emissions of carbon dioxide by 700,000 tonnes
per year.

ON THE LIGHTER SIDE

North Plate, NE - Arthur Richardson wanted
to pull a prank and pretend to swallow a friend's
truck key. Well the prank back fired when the
key slipped out of his fingers and down his throat.

Richardson then went to a doctor who X-rayed
his stomach and got a clear picture of the key.
The doctor was confident that the key posed
no danger, but Richardson's friend needed to
use his truck.

So, Richardson and his friend took the X-rays
to John Somer'sof Al's locksmith who made a
working key from the X-ray "This is truly a
first in my career", said Somer's.

STAY POSITIVE!
Mr. Positive!
Dave Boufford

Email Me Your Comments, Suggestion and Stories.
mrp@positivenews.net

Positive News Weekly

2005-05-31T09:10:00.000-06:00

PNN - The Positive News Network www.positivenews.net
All Positive News, All the Time...News You Can Really Use!

Click Here to Listen to The Positive News Audio (Mp3 Format)

++++++++++++++++++
Positive News Weekly
++++++++++++++++++

US NEWS

Moderate activity may reduce ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer, a disease which has historically left women with few treatment options, is now considered to be preventable.

Canadian researchers have found that moderate physical activity may help women lower their chances of developing ovarian cancer, demonstrating that a healthy lifestyle can prevent tumour development in women.

Connecticut nears strict school junk food ban

Lawmakers want to make sure Connecticut students aren't part of the Pepsi Generation. Connecticut is on the verge of adopting the most far-reaching ban in the country on soda and junk food in public schools, in an effort to curb rising rates of childhood obesity.

Travellers heading to gym at airport

Some airline passengers are squeezing in a little exercise during layovers or flight delays.

One enterprising individual has launched a web site that now lists more than 50 health clubs in the United States and Canada.

Some are a short taxi ride away from the airport, others are even in airports or airport hotels.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Australia trying to halt research whaling

Australian officials are working to prevent a resumption of commercial whaling and halt Japan's scientific research whaling.

Even Prime Minister John Howard has joined the push, sending a letter to his Japanese counterpart, Junichiro Koizumi, saying Australia believes there is no basis for killing whales.
India and Russia should work for nuclear disarmament: Indian President

The Indian President said that India,as a responsible nation, will never allow nuclear proliferation.

While addressing the leaders of the Duma, Russia's Lower House in Moscow, he said that both Russia and India should work towards a nuclear weapons-free world.

Israel: Sharon vows to cooperate with Abbas

In addition to pledging cooperation with newly elected Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas,Ariel Sharon also promised to ask Israel's parliament to release 400 more Palestinian prisoners upon his return to Israel.

Sharon said Israel is already taking steps to help the economic and humanitarian conditions in the Palestinian territories, where unemployment is high. 'We are ready to do more.'

ON THE LIGHTER SIDE

A PERFECT GAME

OAKFIELD, N.Y. - Katie Brownell is in a Little League all her own. The 11-year-old - the only girl playing in the Oakfield-Alabama Little League program - pitched a perfect game Saturday for her Dodgers.

She struck out all 18 batters she faced in the six-inning, 11-0 victory over the Yankees.

Oakfield-Alabama officials said they can't remember anybody ever throwing a perfect game in this western New York league between Buffalo and Rochester.

In two games on the mound, Katie has struck out 32 of 33 batters. And she's hitting .714 through the team's first three games.

"She's been pitching for three years, but she really came on and excelled this year," said team manager Jeff Sage.

Katie was almost pulled out of Saturday's game until the scorekeeper reminded her coach she had a no-hitter going. Katie then kept mowing down the opposition and when the last batter was fanned, the crowd erupted. "Everybody congratulated me," she said.

President Bush said, "The fact that someone would pitch a perfect
game at any level of baseball is amazing. The fact that a person
would pitch a perfect game and strike out every batter is even
more amazing".

STAY POSITIVE!
Mr. Positive!
Dave Boufford

Positive News Weekly

2005-05-31T09:07:00.000-06:00

PNN - The Positive News Network www.positivenews.net
All Positive News, All the Time...News You Can Really Use!

++++++++++++++++++
Positive News Weekly
++++++++++++++++++

US NEWS

GATES DOUBLES FUNDS FOR DISEASE RESEARCH

Microsoft founder Bill Gates more than doubled his financing for key health research to $450 million Monday after telling assembled health ministers the world had a "historic chance" to tame killer diseases.

In a speech to the opening session of the World Health Organization's (WHO) annual assembly, the world's richest man said a combination of "astonishing" scientific advances and rising global awareness of the suffering caused by disease gave real hope for progress.

"We are on the verge of taking historic steps to reduce disease in the developing world ...(if) we match these accelerating capacities of science with the emerging moral awareness of global health inequities," he said.

The Gates Foundation pledge increases its funding commitment to unearthing solutions for 14 major health "challenges" to $450 million from an initial $200 million at the project's launch in late 2003.

"I am optimistic," Gates said. "I'm convinced that we will see more ground breaking scientific advances for health in the developing world in the next 10 years than we have seen in the last 50."

NJ SCHOOL TEACHES PRESCHOOLERS HEALTHY EATING

At one preschool, the ABC's stand for apples, broccoli and carrots. As schools nationwide contend with an epidemic of obese youngsters, the Nutritional Sciences Preschool at Rutgers University has been teaching children as young as 3 to choose fruit and vegetables over junk food.

And the kids seem to like it.

"We love broccoli!" 3-year-old sisters Sara and Molly Balsamo of Milltown told preschool director, Harriet Worobey, one day last week.

Founded in 1991, the half-day preschool's curriculum focuses on nutrition. While there is the standard preschool fare such as reading readiness, art and science, each day includes at least 30 minutes of nutrition lessons — some prepared by the dozens of Rutgers education and nutrition students who earn credits for helping out.

The teachers and student helpers incorporate the lessons into story time, sing-alongs, puzzles, art projects and puppet shows. The children also play "cook" or "restaurant" using the classroom's pretend kitchen and menus and help the adults prepare snacks in a real kitchen.

"I'm telling you, they love fruit, they will eat vegetables," said Worobey. "They're very interested in their bodies. They want to grow up healthy."

A study Rutgers did in 2000 on 35 preschoolers found that by semester's end, the group that was taught only standard preschool lessons was eating twice as much processed food as the group that learned about nutrition.

The latter group also sharply cut fast-food meals, a sign they might be influencing parents.
Mark Ginsberg, executive director of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, said considerable research shows what children learn young can set lifelong patterns.

"Teaching people behaviors that are health-promoting early in life, I think has the potential for enormous payoffs in time," he said.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

KUWAITI WOMEN GAIN RIGHT TO VOTE

KUWAIT CITY - Parliament extended political rights to Kuwaiti women Monday, but religious fundamentalists who opposed women's suffrage succeeded in attaching a clause requiring future female politicians and voters to abide by Islamic law.

It was not clear whether that meant a strict dress code or just separate polling stations and election campaigns.

Some of the women activists who ululated and sang the national anthem after the 35-23 vote enacting the law expressed concern about the vague restriction, but others refused to let it dampen their joy.

"I am overexcited. I can't believe this," said Rola Dashti, who said she would run in the next parliamentary elections, in 2007.

Women can now vote in all Middle Eastern nations where elections are held except Saudi Arabia. The Persian Gulf nations of Bahrain, Qatar and Oman all have held their first elections in recent years and have allowed women to cast ballots.

In Washington, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher called the development "an important step forward for the women of Kuwait and for the nation as a whole."

Kuwaiti women have reached high positions in the oil industry, education and the diplomatic corps, but few have demanded political rights.

ETHIOPIA 90% of REGISTERED VOTERS TURN OUT AT THE POLLS

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - The government of Ethiopia said late Monday it had won a majority of seats in parliament, while acknowledging that the opposition had won in the capital, Addis Ababa.

About 90 percent of voters turned out for a parliamentary election seen as a test of Ethiopian leaders' commitment to democracy.

The main opposition Coalition for Unity and Democracy — claimed earlier Monday that, by their count, they had won at least 185 seats across the country, including 23 seats in the capital.

More than 500 foreign observers, including European Union teams, monitored the polls.

Kemal Bedri, chairman of the National Electoral Board, said 90 percent of the more than 25 million who had registered voted. Polling stations were overwhelmed.
Those still in line after polls officially closed at 6 p.m. Sunday were allowed to vote, and polling in Addis Ababa lasted until 5 a.m. Monday.

Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, known as one of the continent's more progressive leaders, has pledged his sometimes authoritarian government would introduce greater democracy. Many had pointed to Sunday's race as a test of his commitment to reform.

ON THE LIGHTER SIDE

CUSTOMER TACKLES DEER IN WAL-MART

NORFOLK, Neb. - So exactly how do you stop a charging deer in Wal-Mart? You take away its credit card.

Shoppers at the Wal-Mart here wish they would have thought of that. It would have been a whole lot easier.
A deer without a grocery list entered through the doors of the supermarket part of the store Thursday.

The store's greeter didn't see the deer enter through the exit, but she did see the critter when it hit the slick floor and fell. It quickly recovered and went scurrying down the aisles.

After doing a little looking around, the deer was tackled by a customer. Others of the human persuasion then tied the deer's legs so it couldn't kick, placed it in a shopping cart and pushed it outside.

Officials took the animal to nearby Ta-ha-zouka Park and released it, unharmed.

Positive News Update

2005-03-23T11:03:00.000-06:00

TERRI SCHIAVO

Terri Schiavo, has been all over the news and the situation is
tragic for all involved but here's the Positive News people are
now talking and making their wishes known to their family's
and healthcare providers.

Wherever you find yourself in the debate that is going on with
Terri and her family, you can use this situation to protect your
family from ever having to go through a tragic situation like this
by taking action now.

Please see our links page for more information and resources
to assist you. http://www.positivenews.net/life_matters.htm

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

EGYPT - Palestinian militants agreed on Thursday to extend
until the end of this year a halt to attacks on Israel, a move
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon described as positive.

CHINA - China freed one of its highest-profile political prisoners
on Thursday. Rebiya Kadeer, an ethnic Uighur businesswoman
from the far- western Chinese region of Xinjiang thanked the
U.S. government for her release and vowed to continue working
on behalf of the Uighur people.

SECOND QUARTER HIRING INCREASE

Robert Half International Survey reveals slight growth in
Hiring in the Finance, Insurance, Real Estate and IT
Sectors of the economy.

CFOs Project Slight Hiring Increase in Second Quarter:
Greatest Growth Forecast in New England, East South
Central Regions

CIOs Forecasts Stable Second-Quarter Technology
Hiring: Strongest Job Growth Expected in Mountain
and East South Central Regions

FOR THE PET LOVER

Spring Festival of Dog Agility Launches 2005 Tournament
Season for East Coast Canine Sports Competition

Top canine sports athletes from across the U.S. will compete
April 22-24 at the Spring Festival of Dog Agility(R), a championship
qualifying event co-hosted by the United States Dog Agility
Association and the City of Myrtle Beach.

See http://www.usdaa.com/ for more information on
USDAA and dog agility.

ON THE LIGHTER SIDE: MAN SELLS VOICE!

Floyd Hayes, a New York City resident, put his "voicevertising"
services up for bid on eBay, offering to shout out a company's
brand name every fifteen minutes to the highest bidder.

Upon reading his ad, Halls Fruit Breezers hired Hayes for $750.

It only made sense that after shouting for a full week that Hayes
would need relief to help soothe his throat. Voicevertising provides
a humorous way to demonstrate how quickly Halls Fruit Breezers
work to provide relief.

For more information visit, http://www.hallsfruitbreezers.com/

COPYRIGHT AWARENESS WEEK, March 21-25

The U.S. Copyright Office will host students at the Library of
Congress in support of Copyright Awareness Week from
March 21 to 25.

This nonpartisan project of the Copyright Society of the U.S.A.
is designed to educate youth about the importance of copyright
and encourage greater understanding of its role in society.

During the week, students and teachers will visit the Library's
James Madison Building to meet with copyright specialists.

The orientation will include a tour of the Copyright Office exhibit,
a brief history and overview of current copyright issues and a
mini-workshop on how to register claims to creative works.

Students will learn about copyright as both users and creators.
For more information about copyright and the Copyright Office,
visit www.copyright.gov. To arrange for a visit to the Copyright
Office, teachers should contact Peter Vankevich, head of the
Copyright Information Section, at (202) 707-0600 or pmva@loc.gov.

FOR MORE POSITIVE NEWS www.positivenews.net

Positive News Update

2005-03-11T14:49:00.000-06:00

Hello Positive People!

I know that I should be positing more frequently here
but Positive News is heading into the Radio and Podcasting
world and right now there's only so many hours in my day.

The Positive News this week...

POSITIVE HEALTH NEWS

A happy marriage can help mend
physical wounds and the health
toll taken by a stressful job seems
to be eased when the worker has
a pleasurable home life.

This new research, reported at the American
Psychosomatic Society meeting, adds to the
growing evidence that marriage has an impact
on health.

In the wound healing study, 42 couples agreed
to let researchers use a suction device to create
several minor blister wounds on their skin in two
sessions about two months apart.

The outcome: "Even a simple discussion of a
disagreement slows wound healing," says
psychologist Janice Kiecolt-Glaser, who did
the study with co-author Ronald Glaser of
Ohio State University College of Medicine.

In earlier studies done by Kiecolt-Glaser,
hostile couples were most likely to show
signs of poorer immune function after their
discussions in the lab. Over the next few
months, they also developed more respiratory
infections than supportive spouses.

People with supportive spouses healed
faster and demonstrated better immune
system functioning.

Also, on the upside, good marriages may buffer
couples against the stress of demanding jobs
in which the worker has little control.

In a study with 201 married adults, those in
high-strain jobs had higher blood pressure at
the start, says University of Toronto psychiatrist
Brian Baker.

A year later, though, spouses in pleasurable
marriages actually improved a couple of
points in diastolic (bottom) blood pressure
readings, despite their rough jobs.

"You may not be able to get away
from the job stress," says Baker,
"but a good marriage soothes
people, minimizing bad effects
from the job."

Daily Meditation Lowers Blood Pressure

According to a report in the Journal of Hypertension
daily meditation caused a significant decrease in blood
pressure lowering the risk for heart disease.

For anyone confused about meditation I offer a simple
easy to use CD that teaches a guided meditation.

More information is located here.
http://www.mrpositive.com/products.shtml

More Positive News Coming Soon

The Cloning of Success by John Assaraf - "The Street Kid"

2005-02-18T15:04:00.000-06:00

WOW!!! The Street Kid Blew me away with his
presentation of the Cloning of Success Workshop
in San Diego last weekend.

This program was delivered as promised John
delivered with fantastic information, that was
very well presented with an easy to follow
step-by-step system to apply what you learned.

His session wasn't very "motivational" like so
many that rev your engines for a day or two
while you are there only to be let down later
when the seminar "high" wears off.

This seminar focussed on how to reprogram
your subconscious mind to create the results
you desire NOT exactly the tactics and strategies
that you would usually associate with a business
success seminar.

The biggest take away for me was that instead
of working with my conscious mind (stuffing more
info/tactics/strategies on top of what I already
know), I need to use my power center the subconscious
(which controls 87% of my outcomes and all of my habits).

John's techniques for doing this included many
strategies that I knew already but he showed
me a very different way to apply them, his
subconscious bombardment method which
is total saturation is brilliant (can't believe
I didn't think of it first!).

You want to change anything you have to work
on your beliefs...start with beliefs, your beliefs
drive your habits and the habits drive your
behavior and your results.

For years I have been "trying" thinking I needed
new/more information when I really needed "application",
"immersion" and "implementation".

Anyway as my friends in the UK say it was
"spot on" for me.

I highly recommend that you at the very least
read his book The Street Kid's Guide to Having it ALL
or attend his next live event in May click here
for more info The Cloning of Success

A new home study will be available in 30 days
from the event I attended also you can order
it at his web site
The Street Kid's Guide to Having it ALL

I hope this is helpful....Dave

PS On a scale of 1 - 10 John delivered a 20!!!!

The Daffodil Garden

2005-02-08T09:43:00.000-06:00

The Daffodil Garden
by Jaroldeen Asplund Edwards

Several times my daughter had telephoned to
say,"Mother, you must come see the daffodils
before they are over."

I wanted to go, but it was a two-hour drive from
Laguna to Lake Arrowhead. "I will come next
Tuesday," I promised, a little reluctantly, on her
third call.

Next Tuesday dawned cold and rainy. Still, I had
promised, and so I drove there. When I finally
walked into Carolyn's house and huggedand greeted
my grandchildren, I said, "Forget the daffodils,
Carolyn! The road is invisible in the clouds and fog,
and there is nothing in the world except you and
these children that I want to see bad enough to
drive another inch!"

My daughter smiled calmly and said, "We drive
in this all the time, Mother." "Well, you won't
get me back on the road until it clears, and then
I'm heading for home!" I assured her.

"I was hoping you'd take me over to the garage
to pick up my car." "How far will we have to drive?"

"Just afew blocks," Carolyn said. "I'll drive. I'm used
to this." After several minutes, I had to ask, "Where
are we going? This isn't the way to the garage!"

"We're going to my garage the long way," Carolyn smiled,
"by way of the daffodils." "Carolyn," I said sternly,
"please turn around." "It's all right, Mother, I promise.

You will never forgive yourself if you miss this experience.
"After about twenty minutes, we turned onto a small gravel
road and I saw a small church. On the far side of the church,
I saw a hand lettered sign that read, "Daffodil Garden."

We got out of the car and each took a child's hand, and I
followed Carolyn down the path. Then, we turned a corner
of the path, and I looked up and gasped. Before me lay the
most glorious sight.

It looked as though someone had taken a great vat of gold
and poured it down over the mountain peak and slopes.

The flowers were planted in majestic, swirling patterns
great ribbons and swaths of deep orange, white, lemon
yellow, salmon pink, saffron, and butter yellow.

Each different colored variety was planted as a group so
that it swirled and flowed like its own river with its own
unique hue. There were five acres of flowers.

"But who has done this?" I asked Carolyn. "It's just
one woman," Carolyn answered. "She lives on the
property. That's her home."

Carolyn pointed to a well kept A frame house that
looked small and modest in the midst of all that glory.

We walked up to the house. On the patio, we saw a
poster."Answers to the Questions I Know You Are
Asking" was the headline.

The first answer was a simple one. "50,000 bulbs," it read.
The second answer was, "One at a time, by one woman.
Two hands, two feet, and very little brain."
The third answer was, "Began in 1958."

There it was, The Daffodil Principle.

For me, that moment was a life changing experience.
I thought of this woman whom I had never met, who,
more than forty years before, had begun one bulb at a
time-to bring her vision of beauty and joy to an
obscuremountain top.

Still, just planting one bulb at a time, year after year,
had changed the world. This unknown woman had
forever changed the world in which she lived.

She had created something of ineffable (indescribable)
magnificence, beauty, and inspiration.The principle her
daffodil garden taught is one of the greatest principles
of celebration.

That is, learning to move toward our goals and desires
one step at a time often just one baby step at a time-and
learning to love the doing, learning to use the accumulation
of time.

When we multiply tiny pieces of time with small increments
of daily effort, we too will find we can accomplish magnificent
things. We can change the world.

"It makes me sad in a way," I admitted to Carolyn.

"What might I have accomplished if I had thought
of a wonderful goal thirty-five or forty years ago
and had worked away at it 'one bulb at a time'
through all those years.

Just think what I might have been able to achieve!"

My daughter summed up the message of the day
in her usual direct way. "Start tomorrow," she said.

It's so pointless to think of the lost hours of yesterdays.
The way to make learning a lesson of celebration instead
of acause for regret is to only ask,
"How can I put this to use today?"

Jaroldeen Asplund Edwards --- author

NOTE: This is a real garden by Mrs. Gene Bauer
of Running Spring, CA
http://doityourself.com/flowers/paintingwithflowers.htm

Anyone can visit during peak bloom time, early March
to early April. The garden is located below Running Springs,
California, in the San Bernardino Mountains.

From the city of Highland (about 60 miles east of
downtown Los Angeles), take Highway 330 toward
Running Springs.

Drive 14 miles into the mountains to the intersection of
Live Oak Dr. and Fredalba. Turn right on Fredalba and
proceed one mile. Park in the church parking lot.

From there, signs will direct you.

She has been through 2 fires in the last 4 years and has
lost many of the daffodils. Perhaps, only if you want to,
you can send her $5 in the mail so she can buy a few
new bulbs.

Mrs. Gene Bauer's Daffodil Garden
c/o St. Ann's Catholic Church
30480 Fredalba Rd.
Running Springs CA 92382

Testing 1-2-3...sometimes things do not go as planned here's what you can do about it!

2005-01-25T15:39:00.000-06:00

FAIL FAST!

Be willing in all your endeavors to
fail fast! What?

Yes, failing fast brings you to your
success much quicker.

Thomas Edision failed 9,000 times
before he perfected the electric light bulb!

(he reportedly said when questioned about
this that "He was glad to have found 8,999
ways not to invent the lightbulb!")

In his lifetime, he was awarded 1,093 patents,
more than any other person in U.S. history.

He truly mastered the art of failing fast.

Seek failure and then use the lessons from it
to adjust your actions. Our failures teach us
what we need to learn, improve or change to
reach our ultimate success.

Remember this next time you "fail" at something
and ask yourself "What lesson did I learn about
myself and my abilities that will help me next time?"

STAY POSITIVE!

Positive News Weekly

2005-01-12T05:33:00.000-06:00

Positive News Weekly is sent to thousands of
people worldwide via email and now RSS!

Hi Positive People,

Thanks for joining me here again this week.
I've selected a story that I have shared before
and its such a great life lesson that I thought
it was worth sharing again.

Also, there's a new book I'm reading that I
would like to tell you about in the book review
section below.--Dave

PS Check out the Positive Link below too,
it's something delicious and healthy!

The Positive News Network www.positivenews.net
All Good News, All the Time...News You Can Use!

++++++++++++++++++++
Positive Thoughts for Today
++++++++++++++++++++

LOVE/RELATIONSHIPS:

Joy increases as you give it, and diminishes as you
try to keep it for yourself. In giving it, you will
accumulate a deposit of joy greater than you
ever believed possible. - Norman Vincent Peale

LEADERSHIP/SUCCESS:

Problems are to the mind what exercise is to the
muscles, they toughen and make strong.
- Norman Vincent Peale

MOTIVATION/INSPIRATION:

People become really quite remarkable when they
start thinking that they can do things. When
they believe in themselves they have the first
secret of success.- Norman Vincent Peale

Who was.Norman Vincent Peale?

Norman Vincent Peale was an author, preacher
and speakerwho burst into public consciousness
with his best-selling book, The Power of Positive
Thinking and his magazine, Guideposts, which
is still published today.

++++++++++++++++
Positive News Weekly
++++++++++++++++

A carrot, an egg and a cup of coffee...

A young woman went to her mother and told
her about her life and how things were so hard
for her.

She did not know how she was going to make it
and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting
and struggling. It seemed as one problem was
solved, a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled
three pots with water and placed each on a
high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the
first she placed carrots, in the second she
placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground
coffee beans.

She let them sit and boil, without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the
burners. She fished the carrots out and placed
them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and
placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the
coffee out and placed it in a bowl.

Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me,
what do you see?" "Carrots, eggs, and coffee,"
she replied.

Her mother brought her closer and asked her
to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they
were soft.

The mother then asked the daughter to take
an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell,
she observed the hard-boiled egg.

Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip
the coffee. The daughter smiled, as she tasted
its rich aroma.

The daughter then asked, "What does it mean,
mother?" Her mother explained that each of
these objects had faced the same adversity ...
boiling water.

Each reacted differently.

The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting.
However, after being subjected to the boiling water,
it softened and became weak.

The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell
had protected its liquid interior, but after
sitting through the boiling water, its inside
became hardened.

The ground coffee beans were unique, however.

After they were in the boiling water, they had
changed....THE WATER. "Which are you?"
she asked her daughter.

"When adversity knocks on your door, how
do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or
a coffee bean?"

Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot
that seems strong, but with pain and adversity
do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart,
but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid
spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial
hardship or some other trial, have I become
hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same,
but on the inside am I bitter and tough with
a stiff spirit and hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually
changes the hot water, the very circumstance
that brings the pain when the water gets hot,
it releases the fragrance and flavor.

If you are like the bean, when things are at
their worst, you get better and change the
situation around you.

When the hour is the darkest and trials are
their greatest, do you elevate yourself to
another level?

How do you handle adversity? Are you a
carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

++++++++++
Positive Book
++++++++++

The Street Kid's Guide to Having It All
By John Assaraf

John Assaraf was a young thug and drug
dealer who has created an amazing life
from such a rough beginning in this
amazing book he share how he turned
his life around.

More than a biography this is more a
"How To Book"that can help "anyone"
create the life of his or her dreams.

I'm about half way through and I couldn't
wait to give thismy strongest recommendation.

If, you want more from life than you are
currently getting or you have a child, friend
that needs some guidance in their life, share
this book with them.

John Assaraf has an amazing story to share
and he holdsnothing back on what it took to
get there.

I'm sure you will agree this book is powerful.

You can purchase on Amazon
or www.thestreetkid.com

+++++++++
Positive Link
+++++++++

Foods that are good for you... foods that taste good.
That's what you'll find here in the AICR Recipe Corner.

There's no reason eating for better health can't
be exciting, fun and scrumptious. The AICR
(American Institute for Cancer Research) has
put together a wide range of recipes, from old
favorites to interesting new dishes, to help you
put tasty, healthy meals on the table.

Here's the Positive link - Bon Appetite'
http://www.aicr.org/information/recipe/

Until next time...STAY POSITIVE!

Mr. Positive!
Dave Boufford

Email: drb@mrpositive.com
Web: www.mrpositive.com

My New RSS Feed:http://feeds.feedburner.com/PositiveNews
My New Blog:http://mrpositive.blogspot.com

PS If you haven't seen my new motivational movie go here http://www.mrpositive.com/rules.html

PPS Please feel free to forward this to your friends.

Dream no small dreams for they have no power to move men.
--Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The Positive News Network www.positivenews.net
All Good News, All the Time...News You Can Use!

A Request from Singapore - If people want to help the people living in the affected areas PLEASE STOP CANCELLING YOUR TRIPS!

2005-01-10T09:26:00.000-06:00

Hi Mr Positive,

I'm based in Singapore and have been enjoying
reading your news every week. Sometimes, they
make me stop and think in this frentic life I
sometimes live.

As you can tell, I'm not a native English speaker
and I may not be able to find the most impactful
words for my thoughts, especially now...

You were talking about the 2nd Tsunami hitting
the areas affected - and we all see these waves
of generosity coming to Asia, from all over the
world, from within Asia, from companies, families,
individuals. Aid organisations are coordinating
efforts to bring help to those who need it most.

Despite the disaster, people in the affected areas
need to get back to their lives. I've got some friends
who, very fortunate, managed to survive. They all
have the same message and ask me to kindly spread
it... so... I am not sure how and then I thought of you..

If people want to help the people living in the affected
areas that had a strong tourist industry:

Please STOP CANCELLING your trips! Sustainable
development and reconstruction can only be done if
the tourists come back.

You can see details about the Phuket area for example
under http://www.image-asia.com/post_tsunami_phuket_krabi.htm

I don't want to say that the donations aren't needed
- they definitely are as a lot of those people affected
have lost everything - family, friends, even their
whole village.

But the cancellation frenzy right now does not help
those who would be able to start again...

With best regards from Singapore
Angelika

I'm curious about you. Was 2004 a fantastic year, a challenging year or (fill in the blank) year?

2004-12-31T08:10:00.000-06:00

Yes can you believe it another year has just ended?!

I hope you had a fantastic 2004 and all your dreams
and goals you desired came to you this year.

Both personally and professionally 2004 challenged
me like crazy and some days it was a real struggle to
Stay Positive! Yes the secrets out! Even with a name
like Mr. Positive I have my days but that's reality for
most of us.

We're challenged by situations, we respond, we learn
and we grow this year was a real growth process for me.

I'm curious about you. Was 2004 a fantastic year,
a challenging year or (fill in the blank) year?

You can write to me at mrp@positivenews.net and
share with me what kind of year you had and the lessons
you learned in 2004.

I learned (was reminded of) that Love is still the most
powerful, wonderful force in the world and that
relationships mean more than anything
(we all need each other).

I learned that reaching for the stars can sometime bring scars!

I learned that I my step children, really do care about me.

I learned there's always a way, if you are committed.

I learned in a moment everything can change dramatically.

NOW, it's time to start anew and start building on everything
Positive that happened and for me the month of December
has been incredibly Positive with many wonderful doors
opening and relationships forming.

I know 2005 will be very busy and exciting year for me
on many fronts and I'm so very grateful that I am here
alive in this world at this time with so many friends like
you from every corner of the Globe.

STAY POSITIVE! We Are Going to Thrive In O'Five!
Mr. Positive!

PS Write down your goals for 2005! (It works)

The Positive News About The Tsunami

2004-12-30T10:30:00.000-06:00

This post was developed from an email I received
earlier today about the events unfolding in South
East Asia.

This is a tragic situation but the Positive side is all
the people who have risen to the challenge to help
immediately! The world community is flying in
Doctors, Medicine, Money and Supplies to help
the survivors.

Volunteers from around the world are now traveling
to the area to assist their fellow human beings. This
is the Positive part of the story that we all should be
focused on right now!

Watch, learn, join with those who are contributing their
time, talents and resources to help total strangers recover
from this tragedy.

I believe that's why these things happen; they tend to
bring out the best in all of us and remind us we are all
in this together!

STAY POSITIVE!
Mr. Positive mrp@positivenews.net
Dave Boufford

4 RESOURCES TO JOIN FORCES WITH TO HELP

1) The International Red Cross and Red Crescent
societies in south Asia have begun to mobilize staff
and volunteers to affected areas to assist with the
immediate needs.

You can help by clicking here http://www.redcross.org/

2) Since its founding in 1982, AmeriCares has provided
more than $3.5 billion of short-term and long-term assistance
to more than 137 countries.

AmeriCares initial response includes a major airlift to
Sri Lanka and additional relief shipments to other affected
countries such as Indonesia, India, and Thailand.
http://www.americares.org/

3) CARE is on the ground in the most affected zones,
including India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand,
and we are responding to people in need as rapidly
as possible.

If you have questions or would like to make a donation,
please call 1-800-422-7385 online http://www.careusa.org/

4) Direct Relief International http://www.directrelief.org/
has prepared two initial emergency shipments to victims
of the Southeast Asian earthquake and tsunami.

The shipments will depart today, Wednesday, December 29.

The first shipment will be hand carried by US emergency
room physicians working with the Sri Lankan NGO VeAhavita.

The second shipment will be sent by air cargo to Direct Relief's
long-term partner, the Good Samaritan Social Service Association
(GSSSS) located in the Indian State of Tamil Nadu where the
tsunamis caused significant damage and loss of life.

The shipment, which weighs 3,000 lbs. and has a wholesale value
of $600,000, includes pharmaceuticals such as antibiotics,
antiparasitics, analgesics, respiratory agents, antiseptics,
and oral rehydration salts, medical supplies such as wound
dressings, bandages, sutures, surgical instruments, gloves,
and masks, and blankets.

These supplies have been requested by GSSS physicians
serving some of the hardest-hit coastal communities.
You can contribute at http://www.directrelief.org/

Join the world in creating the healing that our friends
and neighbors need at this challenging time!

The Positive News About The Tsunami

2004-12-29T08:53:00.000-06:00

The Positive News About The Tsunami

This post was developed from an email I
received earlier today about the events
unfolding in South East Asia.

This is a tragic situation but the Positive side is all
the people who have risen to the challenge to help
immediately!

The world community is flying in Doctors, Medicine,
Money and Supplies to help the survivors. Volunteers
from around the world are now traveling to the area
to assist their fellow human beings.

This is the Positive part of the story that we all should
be focused on right now!

Watch, learn, join with those who are contributing their
time, talents and resources to help total strangers recover
form this tragedy.

I believe that's why these things happen; they tend to
bring out the best in all of us and remind us we are all
in this together!

STAY POSITIVE!
Mr. Positive
mrp@positivenews.net
Dave Boufford

4 RESOURCES TO JOIN FORCES WITH TO HELP

1) The International Red Cross and Red Crescent
societies in south Asia have begun to mobilize staff
and volunteers to affected areas to assist with the
immediate needs.

You can help by clicking here
http://www.redcross.org/

2) Since its founding in 1982, AmeriCares has
provided more than $3.5 billion of short-term
and long-term assistance to more than 137
countries.

When a country is faced with hardship as a
result of hurricanes, floods, earthquakes or
terrorist attacks, AmeriCares responds
immediately with life-saving relief assistance
and continues its support as long as there is
a need.

AmeriCares initial response includes a major
airlift to Sri Lanka and additional relief shipments
to other affected countries such as Indonesia,
India, and Thailand.
http://www.americares.org/

3) CARE is on the ground in the most affected
zones, including India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and
Thailand, and we are responding to people in
need as rapidly as possible.

We join the governments of the stricken countries
to reach those in need in the most efficient and
effective manner possible.

CARE's emergency response will include provision
of items such as food, water purification tablets,
soaps, shelter materials, basic medical supplies
and cooking supplies.

If you have questions or would like to make
a donation, please call 1-800-422-7385
online http://www.careusa.org/

4) Direct Relief International
http://www.directrelief.org/
has prepared two initial emergency shipments
to victims of the Southeast Asian earthquake
and tsunami. The shipments will depart today,
Wednesday, December 29.

The first shipment will be hand carried by
US emergency room physicians working
with the Sri Lankan NGO VeAhavita.

The shipment which has a wholesale value of
$75,000, and contains three medical mission
boxes provided by Bristol-Myers Squibb as
well as additional pharmaceuticals, first aid
and surgical supplies, and diagnostic equipment.

The US physicians will join a team of Sri Lankan
physicians and deploy to hospitals in the affected
coastal region.

The second shipment will be sent by air cargo to
Direct Relief's long-term partner, the Good
Samaritan Social Service Association (GSSSS)
located in the Indian State of Tamil Nadu where
the tsunamis caused significant damage
and loss of life.

The shipment, which weighs 3,000 lbs. and
has a wholesale value of $600,000, includes
pharmaceuticals such as antibiotics,
antiparasitics, analgesics, respiratory agents,
antiseptics, and oral rehydration salts, medical
supplies such as wound dressings, bandages,
sutures, surgical instruments, gloves, and masks,
and blankets.

These supplies have been requested by GSSS
physicians serving some of the hardest-hit
coastal communities.

You can contribute at
http://www.directrelief.org/

Join the world in creating the healing that our
friends and neighbors need at this challenging time!

Happy Holidays!

2004-12-24T06:29:00.000-06:00

It's early on Christmas eve morning here and the house is quiet
and peaceful, my favorite time of the day. I really wanted to
wish each and everyone of you the Happiest of Holidays!

My Christmas message is one word LOVE!

Lasting
Open
Vocal
Energy

May your Love be Lasting to stand the test of time.
May your Love be Open and honest without fear.
May your Love be Vocal in both words and deeds.
May your Love be Energy that you feel to your very core.

May you be blessed with LOVE this year and always.

Happy Holidays!

Do you want a great Holiday read? Pick up a copy of
"7 Stories of Christmas Love" By my friend
and mentor Leo Buscaglia

“It's not enough to have lived. We should be determined
to live for something. May I suggest that it be creating joy
for others, sharing what we have for the betterment of
personkind, bringing hope to the lost and love to the lonely.”

Leo F. Buscaglia
Author, Teacher, Lover
1924-1998

Leo Buscaglia's ground-breaking Love Class at the
University of Southern California was the first class
ever on the subject of Love at the University level
and his 1972 Best-selling book called LOVE is a
classic that should be required reading for all of us!

I never thought I would find myself agreeing with the Pope!

2004-12-22T08:33:00.000-06:00

During his weekly address from a window at St. Peter's Square, he cautioned against getting caught up by materialism during the Christmas holiday. The pope discussed the symbolism of the Christmas tree - a sign of eternal life -

"The message of the Christmas tree is that life is 'evergreen' if you keep on giving, not material things, but the gift of yourself - whether through friendship or sincere affection, brotherly assistance or forgiveness, spending time together or listening to each other," he said.

I whole heartedly agree and over the last two years I have been shifting my material giving to worthy causes and giving my friends and family more of me! Most of us have all we really need from a material standpoint but have a huge deficit in the things that matter most like quality time with those we love.

Give the best gift you can this year give yourself, your time and not just during the holidays but all year long. I wish you all the happiest of Holidays. Going to Thrive in O'Five!

Derek Franklin's Holiday Fun Game

2004-12-18T06:38:00.000-06:00

For those of you who know Derek, you know he's a very creative and intelligent guy that knows Flash inside and out. Yesterday he sent me a link to a fun little holiday game he created and you can check it out and play by visiting his home page http://derekfranklin.com

My high score so far is 23.3...can you beat it??? (I bet you can) Anyway I just wanted to share this little treat with all of you today.

New Study Stress Causes Premature Aging, DNA Damage

2004-12-15T06:34:00.000-06:00

Scientists have identified the first direct link between stress and aging, a finding that could explain why intense, long-term emotional strain can make people get sick and grow old before their time.

Chronic stress appears to hasten the shriveling of the tips of the bundles of genes inside cells, which shortens their lifespan and speeds the body's deterioration, according to a study involving 39 mothers caring for chronically-ill children.

If the findings published (on 11/30/04) in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences are confirmed, they could provide the first explanation on a cellular level for the well-documented association between psychological stress and increased risk of physical disease, as well as the common perception that unrelenting emotional pressure accelerates the aging process.

"There is this deeply held belief that stress leads to premature aging," said Elissa Epel of the University of California at San Francisco who helped conduct the research. But this is the first evidence suggesting how that aging happens.

Click here for more information about stress and the Ultimate Relaxation tool to remove stress and tension from your body http://www.mrpositive.com/products.shtml