# World

Viet Nam Ranks Second on the Happy Planet Index

Despite complaints of traffic jams and overcrowded hospitals and schools, Viet Nam is considered the second happiest country in the world in terms of sustainable well-being -- behind Costa Rica, with Colombia third. The ranking, the Happy Planet Index, was compiled and released by the New Economics Foundation, a UK independent think tank that wanted to create an index to measure the sustainability of a country and the happiness of its people (how efficient is their happiness).

# World

Ice Cream Company Delivers Joy Across Afghanistan

In a nation wrenched by decades of war, perhaps it is no surprise that one of Afghanistan's most successful brands manufactures what is sorely lacking in the country: joy. The Herat ice cream factory dips vanilla bars in chocolate, and creates orange sorbets and frozen cones that are sold in each of the country's 34 provinces, a rare success for a business benefitting from no foreign investment.

# World

Baboon Adopts Stray Kitten, Carries it Everywhere (Video)

At a petting zoo in Israel, a baboon has adopted a tiny kitten who recently strayed into its cage and then refused to leave. The baboon now cares for the kitten, checking it for fleas, and rarely lets the feline out of her sight.

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Color-bombs Fill India's Beautiful Holi Festival of Spring

The major Holi festival of India was celebrated last week -- a riot of color and and gaiety marking the coming of Spring, the season of hope and joy. Family and strangers rush with excitement down every street corner pouring colored powders on passers by.

# World

Vancouver is Top Quality-of-Life City in N. America, Vienna Tops World

Vancouver is rated first among North American cities for quality of life, in a closely watched annual survey, followed by Ottawa, Toronto and Montreal in second, third and fourth places. San Francisco won the fifth spot. On a global basis, once again, the top city in the world for quality of life is Vienna.

# World

Drab to Fab: English Town Colors Rainbow on Beach Inspired by Turkish Steps

A Kent seaside town is today alive with color after volunteers painted its drab gray steps with hues of pink, yellow, lime and violet. A local community group, Ramsgate Town Team, was inspired by a story in the Good News Network about a Turkish man painting dozens of steps in his hometown.

# World

Saskatoon Woman, 105, Delights in Polar Bear Wish Coming True

At age 105, Pauline Page is still working on her bucket list, but she can now cross off a visit to see wild polar bears, reports the CBC.

# World

New START Treaty Brings Good News on the Eve of Christmas

By a vote of 71 to 26, the U.S. Senate Wednesday ratified the New START arms reduction treaty between the United States and Russia that will reduce each nation's nuclear arsenals to their lowest levels in more than a half century.