Good News Tuesday for April 11, 2023: Iran and Saudi Arabia Re-establish Diplomacy, Rip Current Rescue in Australia, Teen Births and Abortions Declining in NZ, Protecting Nature in Ecuador, and Help Landing a Plane without a Front Wheel

Seeking Balance One Tuesday at a Time

Iran and Saudi Arabia Re-establish Diplomatic Relations

After seven years of tension, Iran and Saudi Arabia formally restored diplomatic ties on Thursday and affirmed interest in regional stability and economic cooperation. China helped this process along having brokered an initial reconciliation agreement a month ago. AP has details HERE.

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Two Women Save Girls from Drowning in Australia

Elyse Partridge and Bella Broadley, young women in Australia, saved two girls from drowning in a rough rip current. They’ll be getting metals for bravery. Here are the details.

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Teen Births and Abortions Continue to Decline in New Zealand

In New Zealand, abortions and teen births have continued to decline. “The decreasing number of teenage births coincides with improved education and access to contraception,” statistician Michael MacAskill said. Here’s more from RNZ.

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Ecuador Communities Stop Mining Project to Protect Nature

People of the Intag Valley of Ecuador won a major legal victory on behalf of one of the world’s most biodiverse forests. On March 29, the Imbabura Provincial Court ruled that a Chilean copper producer had violated communities’ constitutional right to consultation as well as the rights of nature, thus canceling their mining licenses. Here’s more from Mongabay.

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Veteran Pilot Helps Rookie Land Plane after Front Wheel Fell Off

After 21-year-old Taylor Hash’s single engine plane took off, the front wheel fell off and bounced along the runway. Veteran pilot Chris Yates saw it happen and talked her down to a safe landing. Watch, listen, and be thrilled:

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Good News Tuesday for May 10, 2022: Sea Lion Pups, Decarbonizing Scooters, AI Testing, and Prosthetic Arms (x2)

Seeking Balance One Tuesday at a Time

Watching Sea Lion Pups in New Zealand

Volunteers in New Zealand are “babysitting” endangered sea lion pups. Meet one teen volunteer and read more about sea lion history in this article from CNN.

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Decarbonizing Scooters

The Taiwanese company Gogoro has created a system to convert polluting scooters to electric with battery swapping stations. Here’s the story and podcast from Voltz.

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Artificial Intelligence is Gradually Replacing Animal Testing

The company Smarter Sorting realized they could use a computational model to determine substance toxicity, “…which is not only faster, more cost effective, but also more humane,” says CEO Jacqueline. Claudia. Read about how AI can help reduce suffering from animal testing from FAST Company.

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Teenager Invents a Mind Controlled Prosthetic Arm

High school student Benjamin Choi created a “non-invasive, mind-controlled robotic arm … able to withstand weights up to about four tons…. And it only costs around $300 to manufacture.” Read this fascinating story from Smithsonian Magazine.

And in related news….

8-Year-Old Beknur Gets a News Prosthetic Arm made from Legos

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Good News Tuesday for Dec. 29, 2020: Learning by Radio, Vaccines for New Zealand’s Neighbors, the Woman who Stopped Monsanto, and the Girl who Saved a Shark

Seeking Balance One Tuesday at a Time

Distance Learning by Radio

In many places around the world, lack of internet and TV access prevents distance learning. This is particularly challenging for girls and young women who may be pressured to do more household chores or marry early since not going to school. An organization called Mercy Corps has been helping young women continue education using radio programs. To read about how this works in Nigeria, Nepal, and Jordan, click here.

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New Zealand Buys COVID 19 Vaccines for Pacific Neighbors

New Zealand’s government will be supporting its Pacific neighbors by making sure they have access to COVID – 19 vaccines. They will be purchasing enough vaccines for Tokelau, Niue, and the Cook Islands as well as Polynesian neighbors Samoa, Tonga, and Tuvalu if needed. I was curious how close these islands are to the New Zealand mainland and was surprised at the vast distances between these islands. Here’s more from The Good News Network.

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The Woman Who Stopped Monsanto

Indigenous Mayan beekeeper Leydy Pech was awarded the 2020 Goldman Prize often called the environmental Nobel. Ms. Pech formed and led a coalition that “successfully halted Monsanto’s planting of genetically modified soybeans in southern Mexico.” I hope you will read more about her work at the link below where you will find her brief but powerful acceptance speech. Leydy Pech – Goldman Environmental Foundation : Goldman Environmental Foundation (goldmanprize.org)

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Eleven Year Old Saves a Young Shark

At a beach in Australia, eleven year old Billie Rae saw a small shark stuck between some rocks. She quickly and carefully picked up the shark and carried it to safety. I can’t help but admire Billie’s poise and courage.

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Good News Tuesday for Sept. 29, 2020: Helping a Neighbor, A Pledge for the Planet, Friendly Abundance, and a New Job

Seeking Balance One Tuesday at a Time

North Dakota Farmers Rally to Help Neighbor after Heart Attack

When Lane Unhjem’s combine caught fire at harvest time he went into cardiac arrest. But about 60 farmers put their own work on hold to join to help their neighbor harvest his wheat and canola crops …. “in a record time of seven hours.” The Good News Network has more.

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Pledging 100% Renewable Energy in New Zealand in Ten Years

New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern and the Labour party have pledged to have their country running on 100% renewable energy by 2030 if re-elected. The Good News Network has more on their plan.

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Lonely Widower Receives an Abundance of Friends

I’ve lost Jo

My lovely wife and soul mate

I have no friends or family

No one to talk to

I find the unremitting silence

Twenty-four hours a day

Unbearable torture

Can anyone help me?

That’s what was on the sign Tony Williams put up outside his house in England. Before that, two newspaper ads and handing out cards didn’t work and Tony felt cursed with loneliness. Now, he has thousands of friends from around the world. A good reminder to not give up. Keep asking for what you need. Here’s more of the story.

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You’re Hired!

LeShenda Williams was homeless and sleeping in her car at Krogers in where she used to shop. Then she she saw a flyer that the store was having a job fair and decided to ask for a job. The manager saw something special in LeShenda (you will, too) and hired her. Now, LeShenda has an apartment furnished with help from her co-workers.

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Good News Tuesday for Aug. 11, 2020: Dolphin Sanctuary, Green University, Free Access to WiFi, New Zealand, and Baby Turtles

Seeking Balance One Tuesday at a Time

Dolphin Sanctuary

The world’s first permanent dolphin sanctuary and retirement center has opened in Bali with three residents rescued from a hotel where they lived in shallow, concrete pools. They are now receiving rehabilitation at the center and live in large, fifty foot deep pools of ocean water. You can read more about the center in this article, and learn about the three dolphins, Rocky, Rambo, and Johnny, on the website for the Umah Lumba Rehabilitation, Release, and Retirement Center.

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First Major University Goes 100% Green

The University of Queensland in Australia is the first major university to run on 100% green energy! Here’s more from Global Citizen.

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Cities Working to Make Free Internet More Accessible

I first came across the possibility of free internet sufficient for students when I read Dan’s WATWB post at No Facilities. Dan shared that a public-private partnership will be providing free WiFi for the city of Hartford, Connecticut.

Then, I read that the city of Philadelphia is working on a similar arrangement planning to “connect eligible student households with two years of high-speed internet, without any out-of-pocket expenses or installation fees.” Here’s that story from The Good News Network.

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New Zealand Goes 100 Days With No New Cases of COVID 19

After a swift and serious work to stop the coronavirus, New Zealand, a country of five million people, has seen no new cases in 100 days! Here’s more from MSN.

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Baby Sea Turtles Released in Bali

Today, we’re starting and ending with Bali, where volunteers released 10,000 Olive Ridley turtles into the ocean on Friday. The conservation initiative has concentrated way of collecting the eggs and keeping the baby turtles safe until released shown in this video.

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Good News Tuesday for 7/21/20: New Zealand Success, Honoring Civil Rights Hero John Lewis, Sudan Takes a Stand, a New Statue, and Knighthood

Seeking Balance One Tuesday at a Time

New Zealand Reports Zero Active Cases of COVID 19

The country of New Zealand has lifted most restrictions reporting zero active cases. This BBC article includes a video of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern who told reporters she did “a little dance” when she heard the news. Great job, New Zealand! And Great job, Prime Minister Ardern!

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Honoring the Legacy of a Life Well Lived

“You never become bitter,” Lewis said. “You never become hostile. You never try to demean your opposition.”

In 1965, Congressman John Lewis was almost killed in a peaceful protest crossing a bridge in Alabama. But he lived on, persevering for many years, working for justice. He died on July 17 at the age of 80. In March of this year, he was able to attend the annual re-enactment of the bridge crossing, saying, “I’m not going to give up. I’m not going to give in.”

That bridge is currently named after a confederate general. One way to honor the legacy of Congressman John Lewis will be to rename it the John Lewis Memorial Bridge. You can read more about the legacy of this man of justice in this article from NPR.

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Sudan Criminalizes Female Genital Mutilation

A law drafted last year by Sudan’s transitional government was ratified last week banning female genital mutilation with up to three years in prison for anyone who performs the procedure.  Another amendment allows Sudanese mothers to travel with their children outside the country without permission from their spouses. Last fall, authorities overturned laws controlling dress and prohibiting women from drinking alcohol. For background and details on these changes, please read this article from PBS

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A New Statue

In Bristol, England, a new monument depicting Black Lives Matter protester Jen Reid has replaced the statue of slave trader Edward Colston. You can read more in this NPR article.

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A Knight to Remember

Congratulations to Captain Sir Tom Moore who was knighted on Friday!

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Good News Tuesday: Australia’s Helpers, New Zealand’s Assault Weapon Ban, State Steps for the Planet, and We are More Alike than Different

Seeking Balance One Tuesday at a Time

Helpers in Australia

The fires in Australia are horrific. Today I want to hold up the helpers. Please join me in praying for their strength and safety and for a steady rain to fall over the fires.

Teams of firefighters and volunteers from all over the world are being deployed to fight bush fires in Australia like these  US and Canadian teams .

The Guardian has collected several good stories about generous helpers  in Australia. This link will take you to “Beautiful Gestures.”

The good news for this koala starts at 28 seconds into the video.

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New Zealand’s Ban on Assault Weapons

Independent reports more than 50,000 guns were turned in after New Zealand banned assault weapons.  The ban of lethal semi-automatic weapons was implemented after 51worshippers at two were murdered in March.

The six month buy back program ended in December, “with gun collection events staying open late as police reported in a last-minute surge.”

Provisional figures indicate 33,000 people handed in 51,000 guns, and another 5,000 weapons as part of a parallel amnesty in which owners could hand over any type of firearm without any questions being asked but without getting compensated.

Read Independent article here.

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Maine Bans Styrofoam & Oregon Gives Up Plastic bags

Maine has become the first US state to ban styrofoam (plastic foam) containers that take almost forever to break down. When this material does break down it turns into smaller plastic foam pieces that are dangerous to wildlife. The material is rarely recycled. The law goes into effect next year.  Read more here.

As of January 1st, Oregon has given up single use plastic bags! (Just one more reason for Oregon to be on my bucket list.) Here’s more on that story.

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We Are More Alike than Different

The Correspondent article below explores shows how we agree more than disagree.

“Driving our feelings of polarisation are what we might call the “antisocial media”: a continuous stream of contentious reporting and trending topics, consumed and shared by the groups with the loudest – and most extreme – opinions.”

….”Nearly 80% of Americans are in favour of higher taxes for the rich, two-thirds want the government to do more to combat climate change and conserve the environment, and roughly the same number say that immigrants strengthen society – twice as many as 25 years ago.”

  Rob Wijnberg

Read more here.

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Good News Tuesday: Redirecting Unused Food, Dissection Alternatives, Helping Koalas, and New Zealand’s Legislation for the Planet

Seeking Balance One Tuesday at a Time

 

Italian Law Directs Wasted Food to the Hungry

Global Citizen reports that Italy has passed a law to send unsold food to charities.  It’s shameful how much food is thrown away when so many people are hungry. The article gives example of how much of the food thrown away is edible:

“….if white rice is mis-labeled basmati rice, it’s food waste. If a vegetable is misshapen it’s food waste. If a cereal box has a tear, food waste. A can with a ripped label also food waste. A bruised fruit, yup, food waste.”

While some countries impose penalties for wasted food, Italy is providing incentives.

You can read more about Italy’s initiative here.

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Realistic Replica Can Save Frogs from Dissection

SynDaver—the world’s leading manufacturer of hyper-realistic, synthetic human and animal surgical trainers has created a realistic enough non-living frog model for dissection. Despite the replica being more expensive than a real frog, its synthetic tissues are reusable and free of harmful chemicals like formaldehyde. At least 3 million frogs are killed annually in the name of educational dissection. Isn’t it time we moved toward more humane educational pursuits?

If you’d like to read more about this innovation, click here for the Good News Network article.

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Helping Koalas and Kangaroos in Australia

A group of Dutch quilters making mittens for koalas and pouches for kangaroos suffering from fires in Australia. The mittens and pouches must be made entirely of cotton. Here’s the story from SBS  Dutch.

Other good news within this terrible fire, is that $1,705,390 has been raised to help animals in Australia. Here’s a link to the fundraiserfor the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital.  THANK YOU to all the helpers!

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New Zealand Commits to Becoming Carbon Neutral by 2050

“In a historic show of bipartisan agreement” New Zealand passed a new law that will require the nation to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2050.  The Good News Network provides details, and Prime Minister, Jacinda Arden, inspires:

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Good News Tuesday: Students Rising Above & Helpers in New Zealand

8 Year Old Refugee Living in a Homeless Shelter wins NY Chess Championship

Eight year old Tanitoluwa Adewumi, who goes by Tani, won the New York state championship for his age level. He started playing chess about a year ago in school. Tani and his parents are refugees from Nigeria and live in a homeless shelter in New York. Both of his parents are now working, and one of Tani’s chess coaches has started a gofundme page to help them get a house.  You can read more about Tani and his family here.

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Students Strike for the Planet

I’m filled with hope by so many young people around the world striking on behalf of the planet this past Friday. The first video is an in depth report from Australia. The second is more of an overview.

16 Year Old Planet Activist Nominated for Nobel Prize

Greta Thunberg, the 16 year old activist from Sweden has inspired thousands of students around the world to strike for the planet, has been nominated for the Nobel Prize. In August of 2018, Greta started the first school strike for climate. In December, she addressed the UN Climate Change Conference. Recently, Greta became the youngest person to be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.  Until I watched her Ted Talk, I didn’t know she has been diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome. She is intensely honest. Greta plans to strike from school “every Friday until Sweden is in line with the Paris Agreement.” Personally, she has stopped flying, stopped eating meat and dairy, and she does not buy new things unless it’s absolutely necessary

“The one thing we need more than hope is action. Once we start to act, hope is everywhere.” __ Greta Thunberg

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Look for the Helpers

The news from Christchurch New Zealand was horrible.  My goal is to remember those 50 people who lost their lives, find a way to honor them, and recognize those who’ve come to help. In my Goodnewsletter this morning, I found 12 stories of hope about the helpers – people who have rallied to help the victims of this tragedy.  Here are a few of those stories:

More than $3.5 million donated in 24 hours to help Christchurch shooting victims

Within hours of the Christchurch mosque attacks, people of various faiths rallied around Muslims

New Zealand will pay for Christchurch victims’ funerals regardless of immigration status
Survivor says ‘hero’ stopped New Zealand massacre by tackling shooter

You can sign up for the Goodnewsletter here.

#GoodNewsTuesday seeds to bring balance to media – One Tuesday at a time.

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