A summary of positive health news around the world

From the www.globalgoodnews.com news site, including Ayurveda news, national health news, Transcendental Meditation research news and news of global health trends, including organic agriculture, traditional medicine and natural health care.

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Current Good News

EPA, Shanghai launch real-time air quality monitor

The United States' Environmental Protection Agency has teamed up with a Chinese environmental bureau to provide real-time air quality monitoring from the site of the World Expo in Shanghai. EPA officials said Monday the move will help the city as it works with other areas in the region to clear its often thick blanket of smog. (more)

Farmers use bees to save crops and elephants

Scientists have now discovered that elephants are truly afraid of bees and that the pachyderms even sound an alarm when they encounter them. The researchers hope this discovery can help save farmers' crops from elephants. And they hope it will save elephants too. (more)

Korean firms look to invest $130 million in Zambia

Korean companies will invest $130 million in steel construction, solar power, and other sectors of Zambia's economy, the southern African country's investment promotion agency said on Friday. (more)

Norway electric carmaker raises $40 million

Norwegian electric car maker Think Global said on Monday it plans to launch its vehicles in the United States this year and has raised $40 million from existing shareholders to fund operations. The new round of financing, which all of Think's major shareholders participated in, was oversubscribed, Chief Executive Richard Canny said. (more)

Nothing makes us happier than our families and loved ones - study

Nothing makes us happier than our families and loved ones, a new study shows, with face-to-face socializing beating reaching out to people online hands down. Almost two-fifths, or 40 per cent, of those surveyed said catching up with their loved ones after work was the happiest time of their day, while more than 20 per cent said they were happiest when eating with their families. (more)

Pakistani, Indian ministers to meet for talks

The foreign ministers of Pakistan and India will meet in Islamabad for talks this summer, as the nuclear-armed rivals try to resume a formal peace dialogue derailed by the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi made the announcement Tuesday and said, 'There are no quick fixes, but sincerity is there.' (more)

South Korea: Samsung Electronics to spend $21 billion on health, green energy

South Korea's biggest business conglomerate Samsung Group said on Tuesday it would invest 23.3 trillion won ($20.6 billion) by 2020 in new businesses including health care and green energy technology. Samsung picked solar cells, rechargeable cells for hybrid electric cars, light emitting diodes, and other investments for new growth areas. (more)

The good news report from Canada, 23-24 April

The Toronto Stock Exchange finished the week with its fifth straight gain on 23 April. Canadian retailers enjoyed the benefits of the country's strong economy as retail sales grew in February, marking the third consecutive month in which consumers increased their spending in stores. Also, 62 Canadian companies were on the The Forbes Global 2000 list of the world's biggest, most powerful companies. For details on these and other Canada news stories: (more)

US hiring hits 15-month high in March, openings up

US hirings touched their highest level in 15 months in March, while job openings also rose, according to a government report on Tuesday that confirmed a recovery in the labor market was gaining traction. 'The increase in hiring corroborates evidence from payroll and household employment survey data that March was a turning point for the labour market, and we expect further improvement in coming months,' said Nicholas Tenev, an economist at Barclays Capital in New York. (more)

US: First Lady lauds own 'mommy' ahead of Mother's Day

First Lady Michelle Obama said Friday that having three generations of family living in the White House and raising her two daughters there is truly special. Her voice breaking, Mrs Obama also paid tribute to her mother at a Mother's Day tea at the White House. 'There's no way that I could ever fully measure all that my own mommy has done for me,' the First Lady told more than 100 guests seated in the State Dining Room as she gestured toward her mother, seated at the head table. 'The opportunity to have three generations living in the White House, it's beautiful,' she said. (more)

US: First Lady releases recommendations to reduce childhood obesity

A government panel has made 70 recommendations to help reduce childhood obesity, including women breast-feeding their babies. First Lady Michelle Obama released the findings Tuesday as part of her campaign against childhood obesity. 'We want to marshal every resource -- public and private sector, mayors and governors, parents and educators, business owners and health care providers, coaches and athletes -- to ensure that we are providing each and every child the happy, healthy future they deserve,' Mrs Obama said. (more)

US: Wholesale inventories and sales rise in March

US inventories held by wholesalers rose for a third consecutive month in March while sales increased by more than double the expected amount. Rising demand is making businesses more confident about the future, a key development needed to sustain the recovery. It marked the 12th straight month that sales have risen at the wholesale level, an encouraging sign for the economic rebound. (more)