The Good News Thread
 

Seeing as currently a lot of very heavy topics being discussed, here’s a place to refresh your soul.

Feel free to post more happy/upbeat news stories.



https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/lost...-in-his-honor/

Aww like homeward bound

Loved that film so much!

Kaz will love this.
1st story
Dog returns home in India

When the cat fell down the waterfall I think that was the first time I ever wanted to kill myself

Trauma inducing ass movie

Coupled with Lion King, Animals of Farthing Wood and All Dogs go to heaven

Don’t forget Watership down

Tbh tho the animals of farthing wood was genuinely so distressing and sad, I can’t believe it was made into a movie

Literal childhood and adult nightmares about that.

Why don’t we chuck Marley and Me in the mix too. And Hachi!

Thought this was supposed to be a good news thread :joker:

The gospel is the “good news” because it contains the exceedingly wonderful
message of God’s redemption of sinful humanity through the death and
resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. The gospel is the heart, the central core
of Christian preaching.

The English noun gospel comes from the Anglo-Saxon term godspell,
meaning “glad tidings.” It is translated from the Greek evangelion, which
means “good message.” Originally, the word was related to news of military
triumph. But when the New Testament was recorded, its writers assigned the
term gospel to the “good news” of salvation in Jesus Christ.

The gospel encompasses the entire communication of redemption and
salvation to humans as preached by Jesus Christ and His followers (Matthew
4:23; Romans 10:15). Later, the term gospel was also applied to the four
historical records of Jesus Christ’s life written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and
John. These four men are the original “evangelists,” or writers of the
evangelion.

--------------

so repent you vile Tibb sinners

:hee:

https://www.sunnyskyz.com/good-news/...-Of-Year-Gift#

Chimpanzees may actually be capable of speech, study of old footage suggests…


A new examination of controversial old footage of chimpanzees suggests the apes may be capable of learning to speak human-like words given the right circumstances.

The study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, suggests that chimpanzees likely possess the basic brain building blocks to produce “first words” similar to those spoken by human babies in their babbling stage.

This adds to the notion that great ape vocalisation abilities are underestimated, according to the international team of researchers from the UK, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Scientists have wondered for decades why humans are the only primates to have evolved speech even though some great apes like gorillas and bonobos have learned to communicate via vocal sounds and gestures.

Researchers have speculated this could be due to differences in throat organisation as well as variations within the brain.

Past research has hinted that chimpanzees may be an outlier among apes with the ability to speak human words, albeit at a rudimentary level under special circumstances.

In one study decades ago, a husband–wife duo coaxed their adopted chimp over several years to say simple words like “mama” and “papa”.

The work was discredited, however, because of ethical concerns that the infant chimp was taken away from its mother from the wild.

The new study assessed such documented cases of chimpanzee communication and subjected the recordings to phonetic analysis.

Scientists found three recorded videos suggesting that chimps could be taught to speak human words in a rudimentary way.

In particular, chimpanzees may be capable of utilising their voice, jaw and lips to speak individual syllables.

They may even be capable of achieving a contrast in how they pronounce consonants and vowels, researchers said.

In one of the old videos recorded by the husband and wife team, the adopted chimpanzee can be heard saying “papa” at least three times and the word “cup” once.

Two other videos assessed in the new study, including one shared in 2007 on YouTube, capture chimps uttering the word “mama”.

While the chimp vocalisation methods seem different from human speech, researchers said these attempts are “essentially word-like”.

They further conducted an online experiment in which human listeners naive to the origins of the recordings “reliably perceived” the chimpanzee utterances as syllables “ma-ma”.

However, citing a limitation of the study,, researchers said their analysis is based on secondary data, sourced from historical footage.

They called for controlled ethical experiments to validate the findings and investigate the conditions in which chimpanzees may acquire human speech-like vocalisations.

“Great apes can produce human words; the failure to demonstrate this half a century ago was the fault of the researchers, not the animals,” scientists concluded.

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/chimpanzee...093226253.html

Missing for 12 Years, Beloved Cat Named Artie Finally Reunited with His Family…

A Welshman has been reunited with a family cat who has been lost for 12 years.

Then just 17 years old, Theo-Will McKenna was attending a university near the family’s home in Connah’s Quay, Wales when their cat Artie got out and never came home.

McKenna remembers staying out for hours with a bag of treats but couldn’t locate their beloved white and grey cat. McKenna would visit once a week for months to look some more, but gradually lost hope of ever seeing Artie again.

“It didn’t feel real. I thought there was no way it could be him,” he added. “It had been 12 years—he went missing when I was 17. I thought no cat could survive 12 years on the street.”

Artie then received some much-needed medical treatment, “removed some teeth, treated his hyperthyroidism, and took out some precancerous lumps in his ears,” McKenna said, adding that while Artie’s days on the streets were behind him, new challenges remained—like getting used to McKenna’s other cat.


“I reached the point where I thought that either, God forbid, something had happened to him, or someone else [had] taken him in,” he said.

Then in 2024, residents of a home in Connah’s Quay called a local veterinarian after a grey and white cat appeared in their backyard one day, and stayed put for four days straight.

The respondent vet found that the cat, who turned out to be the missing Artie, was carrying a microchip registered to Theo-Will McKenna’s mother and a contact number for North Clwyd Animal Rescue (NCAR).

NCAR got the call and came to pick up Artie, but with the microchip registered to an old phone number, they took to Facebook to try and find the McKennas. One of Theo-Will’s friends apparently recognized Artie and sent the post to him

“They got him stable and then posted on their Facebook page, explaining that he’d been found… My friend saw it and sent me the post—it took me a second to recognize him, because he looked so bedraggled and skinny,” McKenna said.

“We’re still in the trial period, but he’s been completely fine. He’s purring up a storm every time I go near him… My other cat has been a little bit wary, but we’ve been doing introductory methods and getting her used to his smell. It’s a slow process, but I’m absolutely determined that he’s staying with me.”

Black rhino raised in Yorkshire has calf in Rwanda…

A black rhino raised at a North Yorkshire zoo has given birth to a calf after being released in Rwanda.
Olmoti, an eastern black rhinoceros, arrived at Flamingo Land in 2015 with her mother Samira.
In 2019, Olmoti was transferred to Akagera National Park in Central Africa as part of a relationship between Rwanda and the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA).
Drew Bantlin, a regional conservation manager for African Parks, confirmed Olmoti recently had her calf, adding: "The team has seen Olmoti and the calf twice this week and report they continue to do well."
The father of the calf is Mandela who, along with Olmoti, was one of five black rhinos transferred through EAZA, Flamingo Land said.
A photo of the mother and baby was taken during an aerial patrol, with a camera trap also capturing them in the national park.

Breeding programmes have taken place across Europe to help boost black rhino numbers, as they are listed as critically endangered by the World Wildlife Fund.
The schemes have been so successful that 10% of the entire world population lives in European zoos, leading to some being sent back to where the animals originally came from.
Olmoti arrived at Flamingo Land when she was nine months old from a zoo in Zurich and was later moved from North Yorkshire to the Czech Republic.
In 2021, Olmoti's mother gave birth to a male named Jabali, the first black rhinoceros to be born at Flamingo Land.

:lovedup:

I can't watch anything where animals are harmed even though I know it's not real. I watched Game of Thrones recently and I was genuinely worried for the dragons...

Never watch those films I listed then, will destroy you :laugh:

I never will. I remember watching Bambi as a child and sobbing till my throat hurt.

Yeah that was tough. All Dogs Go to Heaven was the saddest but was also a nice story (about them dying).

…I haven’t watched All Dogs Go to Heaven…but there is also Hachi/A dog’s tail as well, which is obviously based on a true story…and although it’s heartbreaking, it’s also pretty beautiful and uplifting in showing that incredible dog/dog owner bond …

It's strange I can watch war films, gangster films, people getting shot and blown up all over the place but if a dog whimpers, I'm finished.

The good news is that Ben is now prepared for a riot if one kicks off near him tonight. He bought a balaclava earlier

…:laugh:…delicates, regular, cool wash or Hedwig’s…?…

Herd Of Cows Saves Stranded Baby Seal

Video link - https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/ent...b00c150d61ee9e

Morrisons opens 'Kids corner' with books, games and puzzles to keep entertained this summer…


It’s good news for families as Morrisons has launched Kids Activity Stations in partnership with the National Literacy Trust.
The project in all their stores is aimed at boosting literacy for children and their ‘Kids Corner’ includes a book swap, games and puzzles helping to make every visit into Morrisons supermarkets fun for kids and families this summer.
The idea builds on the Little Libraries which Morrisons launched in 2021 with Canterbury-based children’s author, Rebecca Smith who approached Morrisons asking for help to tackle the issues surrounding children’s literacy.
All of Morrisons 397 cafés nationwide will be kitted out with the stations which will host activity sheets and games to keep kids entertained whilst learning - free colouring crayons will also be available for kids to use.
Additionally, the ‘Kids Corner’ book swap scheme aims to keep reading skills sharp during the summer holidays.
When children have access to books, they are more likely to enjoy reading and be better readers.
Yet research conducted by National Literacy Trust shows that, due to the rising cost of living, 1 in 5 (20%) parents say they are buying fewer books for their children, increasing to 1 in 3 (36.1%) of those who are struggling financially as a result of the crisis.
The Morrisons Foundation, which supports charities making a positive difference in local communities, has donated £100,000 to fund the scheme.
In recent months, Morrisons has also introduced a range of child-friendly initiatives to keep little ones entertained during school holiday shopping trips.
Kids can now play shopkeeper at the child-friendly checkouts and have a go at scanning their items before taking them home.
Plus, child-sized trolleys are available for kids to mimic their parents’ shopping routine, making the shopping trip a fun and engaging experience.
In addition to the new Kids Activity Stations, Morrisons is reminding families of its Kids Eat Free offer.
Families can enjoy a complimentary child’s meal with the purchase of an adult main meal over £5, available daily for any child under 16 in Morrisons cafés nationwide.
As part of the deal, or for just £3.50, kids can enjoy a sandwich, snack, and drink.
With choices like ham or cheese sandwiches paired with snacks such as Hula Hoops, Babybels, fruit bags, flavoured milk, Robinsons Fruit Shoot, or Cawston Press Juice.
Are you doing something to help people or make the world a better place to live in? Let us know news@goodnewspost.co.uk
The hot meal options are sure to be a hit too, with favourites like Chicken Nuggets, Chips & Beans, Bangers and Mash, or the new Tomato and Cheese Beans Nachos, all typically priced at £3.50 each.
Joseph Clark-Bland, Morrisons Corporate Affairs Manager - Community & Morrisons Foundation, said: “We understand the importance of keeping children entertained and nourished during the summer holidays.
“By offering a fun way to hone their literacy skills alongside the National Literacy Trust, plus, free meals in our Cafés, we aim to support families and make every visit to Morrisons enjoyable and memorable.”
Jason Vit, Head of Local Areas at the National Literacy Trust, said: “We are thrilled to collaborate with Morrisons to create exciting spaces where children and families can access books and fun activities for free over the summer.
“When children have access to books and enjoy reading, it can boost their confidence and wellbeing and help them do better at school. But our research shows that too many children are missing out on these benefits because they don’t have books at home or at school.
“The Kids Activity Stations in Morrisons cafés will help more children and families unlock the magic of books this summer.”


https://goodnewspost.co.uk/morrisons...d-this-summer/

…seal of approval for the cows…?…we think so…:love:…

:laugh:

That’s a great idea. :clap1:

Newcastle United introduces ‘sound shirts’ for deaf supporters…


Newcastle United have collaborated on shirts that allow deaf fans to ‘feel’ the noise of St James’ Park for the first time
The roar of the crowd reacting to a match-clinching goal makes for an unforgettable sporting moment – and now deaf fans can ‘feel’ the electric big stadium atmosphere thanks to sensory ‘sound shirts’.

Newcastle United kit sponsor Sela developed the world-first tech alongside the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) to make live football more accessible to people with hearing loss.

It uses microphones placed around St James’ park to convert noise into digital sound. The data transmits wirelessly to shirts equipped with haptic technology – the same sensory feedback you get from typing on your phone – to recreate stadium noise as touch sensation.

It’s part of the Unsilence the Crowd campaign, an initiative that’s designed to provide an inclusive football experience for deaf fans. It follows research by the RNID which discovered that almost three-quarters of people who are deaf or have hearing loss believe haptics can improve the match-day experience.

Lifelong Magpies fans David Wilson and Ryan Gregson were among the first to road test the kit as they watched their team see off raiders Tottenham in a 4-0 win in April – and declared it a huge win. “For the first time, I felt included 100%,” said Gregson, speaking through a sign language interpreter. “To experience the noise through vibration was just wonderful.”
“I’ve never felt anything like it,” added Wilson.

Haptics secreted on different areas of the shirt signify specific crowd reactions. Vibrations in the shirt sleeves mean the home team is singing. Buzzing in the back of the shirt means an away goal. “It was very quiet round the back,” Gregson joked.

Sela, a Saudi Arabian events and marketing company, will now offer the tech at all Newcastle home ties, and hopes more clubs will follow its lead.

“We would welcome the whole football family to join us by adopting the technology. By acting now, we can collectively make watching live football matches an incredible experience for everyone who loves the game,” said Sela VP Ibrahim Mohtaseb.

Teri Devine, director for inclusion at RNID, added: “One in five adults in the UK are deaf or have hearing loss, but people often face barriers in everyday life – including in live sports events. It’s fantastic to see Sela and Newcastle United leading the way in championing this technology which has the potential to have a real and lasting impact on how people who are deaf and have hearing loss experience live sports.”

Paralyzed Man Sets Off to Cycle Entire Length of Britain on a Motorized Bike Controlled by His Chin…


A 47-year-old paralyzed man hopes to become the first person to cycle the entire 1,000-mile length of Britain using a motorized bike controlled by his chin.

Andy Walker set off on his epic voyage from Lands End today, in a specially made quad-cycle with the goal of arriving at John O’Groats in two weeks—and he’s raising thousands for a charity involved in motor neuron disease (MND), an incurable brain condition.

The ex-competitive swimmer was 28 when he suffered a spinal cord injury after hitting a rock as he dove into the sea from Goa, India. He was left paralyzed from the neck down, and local doctors gave him just a one percent chance of survival.

But he refused to give up. He underwent a major operation at a hospital specializing in spinal injuries in Delhi, and was later flown back to England, where he spent a further eight months at Sheffield Northern Hospital.

“Since my accident, I’ve had absolute conviction and determination to lead a full and rewarding life,” said Walker. “Taking on these extreme challenges helps me continue to live my dream and make a difference to other people.”

Andy previously rode 350 miles across Kenya on a motorized quad bike and says he is motivated to complete these extreme charity challenges to “transform” the lives of others.

“This will be physically and mentally tough for me, but I’ll be able to get through it with the support of my friends and family, and knowing the money I raise will help transform the lives of so many people.”

Andy team, including his cousin Lisa and lifelong friend Alan, will be traveling across the country this month, taking in some of the UK’s most beautiful landscapes. They’ll start in Cornwall before heading through Shropshire, and then go up to the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District, before reaching John O’Groats in Scotland.


One of Andy’s heroes is former rugby league star Rob Burrow who died recently at age 41 from MND, after relentlessly campaigning to raise awareness of the disease. A third of the money Andy raises on GoFundMe will go toward building the new Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease, in partnership with Leeds Hospitals Charity.

Paul Watkins, the director of fundraising for that charity, said Andy embodies the famed rugby player’s legacy.

“Andy is embodying Rob Burrow’s famous quote, ‘In a world full of adversity, we must dare to dream’.

“His positive attitude and determination has proved he can overcome his own barriers to inspire others.

“This challenge is an incredibly difficult one, so for someone to be doing that on a bike controlled only by their chin, is truly incredible.

In addition to raising money for charities, Andy has also set up a motivational speaking company, called Living Your Dreams, to help inspire others to live life to the fullest.

In 2019, Andy was awarded the MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire, a title bestowed on Brits for outstanding achievements or service to the community over the long term).

At the time, he said, “I’m a bit of a character… Getting awards and MBEs isn’t what my life is about.

“I try to support people—and that’s what the challenge was all about, raising money and awareness for such a great cause. I’ve had so much support from my family and from the charity, so if I can help somebody I will.

“My main aim has been to prove that life goes on.”

https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/para...d-by-his-chin/





…Andy…:lovedup:…an incredible guy…

Good on him :love:

Good news as England’s first official Hedgehog crossings installed…

England's first official hedgehog crossing road signs have been unveiled in Kingston, south-west London.
Some 150,000 hedgehogs are killed every year on roads across the country. Experts believe that these deaths are contributing to the animal’s decline in the UK.
Kingston council have now installed four newly approved crossing signs in Old Malden where about 100 of these animals thrive in the large gardens and green spaces.
The new signs feature a hedgehog with white quills inside a red triangle, designed to be easily visible to drivers.
This design was approved by the Department for Transport in December last year.

https://i.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc...3Ali/giphy.gif


…marvellous hedgehog advancement…:flutter:…

Could a mod/admin possibly sticky this thread please?

…this story is from May 2024, so a few months ago but still a good story to know…

From living on a bench to hosting huge lockdown quizzes…

A once homeless man who shot to fame during the Covid pandemic when his virtual pub quiz went viral around the world has shared his "inspiring" life story in a new book.
Jay Flynn's weekly quiz became a lifeline for millions who struggled with the isolation of lockdown and raised more than £1m for charity.
It also earned Jay a regular quiz slot on Zoe Ball’s Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2.
It's certainly been remarkable rags-to-riches story for the now 41-year-old from Darwen, Lancashire.
Jay had been homeless for two years and slept on a riverside bench on the Embankment in London.
He said he could see no way out before he was "saved" by a homeless charity 15 years ago.
"I hit rock bottom, fell through rock bottom and went even further down," he said.
"They rebuilt me so I could integrate back into society and become the person I am today."
In his newly published autobiography, The Quizmaster: From Life on the Streets to a Global Quizzing Sensation, Jay said he wanted to show that "sometimes you can find the answers you’re seeking in the most unexpected places".

After turning his life around, Jay became a pub landlord in Lancashire and ran a weekly quiz night.
When the Covid restrictions came in, he moved the quiz online, intending for it to only be for his regulars.
"I wanted to do something for the quiz teams in Darwen because I knew some of them would be on their own," he explained.
"I put a message on my social media and it went viral and blew up.
"By the time that first quiz came around there were half a million people interested and around 250,000 watched - it was the best of mistakes I've ever made in my life!"
Word spread fast and the quiz was soon attracting millions of views as well as celebrity guests.
Jay said lots of people wanted to monetise it on his behalf but "I am not for that in any way shape or form - it was supposed to be something for people to enjoy."
And so he thought it would be better if charities could benefit instead.
"We raised £200,000 for Alzheimer's research the day Steven Fry was on," he said.
"For someone like me who never claims to be a professional quiz host to suddenly go from not being well known to having Stephen Fry and Jonathon Ross appearing on a quiz of mine just doesn't feel real."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ck7lgr7m1z1o

An orangutan mom lost 2 babies. Then a zoo brought in 30 women to teach her how to breastfeed...


For months, 30 women breastfed their babies in front of a pregnant orangutan as part of a plan to teach the expecting mother how to care for her newborn at the Dublin Zoo in Ireland.

Mujur, a critically endangered Bornean orangutan, had given birth twice before, but both of her babies died, with Mujur failing to show the maternal qualities needed to keep them alive, the zoo said Tuesday. So when she became pregnant again, the zoo hatched a plan for a unique parenting class.

"In preparation for the birth of this newborn, Dublin Zoo has been working with Mujur for months, leaving no stone unturned in our efforts to give her the best chance possible to develop these necessary maternal qualities," the zoo said.


In 2016, when the International Union for Conservation of Nature listed Borenan orangutans as a critically endangered species, the organization noted the animal's population was on the decline. The organization estimated there were around 104,700 Bornean orangutans at the time — a sharp decline from an estimated 288,500 animals in 1973. The numbers could drop to just 47,000 by 2025, the conservation organization warned. Major threats to the species include habitat loss, illegal hunting, fires and climate change.

Orangutan females typically give birth every three to five years, and only to one infant at a time, the Dublin Zoo said. Orangutans have the longest period of dependence on the mother of any land-dwelling animal, including humans, according to the Smithsonian National Zoo. Newborn orangutans are completely dependent on their mothers for food and transportation for the first few years of their lives.

"This means that maternal qualities are absolutely vital for the wellbeing of the infant," the Dublin Zoo said.

To teach 19-year-old Mujur the maternal skills she needed, the Dublin Zoo showed the pregnant orangutan videos of other orangutans feeding their babies. The zoo also asked for volunteers from lactation groups in Dublin and surrounding areas.

"Mujur was extremely interested in watching the women feed their babies through the glass, even mirroring some of their actions," the zoo said.

Mujur did show maternal care toward her son after his July 31 birth, but she wasn't putting him in the right position for feeding. The zoo typically would not intervene, but because of the importance of the newborn orangutan and his genetic profile — inherited from his father, who died in February at age 45 — the zoo ultimately separated the unnamed newborn orangutan from Mujur and began bottle-feeding him.


He's getting around the clock care now and will eventually be cared for by Monkey World, a specialist institution in the U.K. that's more suited to hand-raising orangutans.

"The whole team has already fallen hopelessly in love with him, and it will be difficult to say goodbye, however we are confident that he is being sent to the best possible place for him to continue to develop and thrive," the Dublin Zoo said.