Thousands of Cubans have lined up to apply for the opportunity to farm idle government plots of land, in a new program devised by the Communist leaders to boost food production. 5,515 Cubans requested farm plots on Wednesday after the program’s start date was move up after Hurricanes Gustav and Ike destroyed much of Cuba’s food production. (AP via MSNBC )
Cubans Line up for Chance to Use Idle State Land
Toyota Joins Climate Group to Cut Corporate Greenhouse Gases
The European branch of the world’s largest car maker, Toyota, became one of six companies to join the Climate Neutral Network (CN Net), a United Nations Environment Program initiative bringing together organizations which pledge to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“The participation of a major company like Toyota is a sign that private companies are increasingly playing their part on the road to a low-carbon society,” said Angela Cropper, the Deputy Executive Director of UNEP. Toyota has sold more than 1.5 million hybrid cars worldwide.
Greener, Cleaner Crude Oil From Algae
A New Zealand company says it has produced the first samples of green crude oil at a commercially competitive price, made from wild algae grown on human sewage.
The biodiesel is extracted from the algae’s natural oils and produces 90 percent less emissions than regular diesel.
(READ the story in the New Zealand Herald)
Norway Pledges Billion Dollars to Save Amazon Rain Forest
Norway’s Prime Minister announced Tuesday that Oslo will donate up to a billion dollars to a Brazilian fund devoted to rescuing the Amazon rain forest. Norway, the first country to pledge money to the fund, will donate as much as $130 million next year.
Medical Breakthroughs Give New Hope Across the Board
Major medical advancements in research this century are transforming diseases and common health problems bringing hope to millions. From alzheimers to glaucoma, MS to migraines, and diabetes to dental crowns, breakthroughs are rapid and real. Here are nine developments set to change the medical landscape this decade.
Opium Cultivation in Afghanistan Drops by a Fifth
Opium cultivation in Afghanistan has gone down by a fifth as compared to last year, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reported last month. Thanks in part to good local leadership coupled with a drought, the Afghanistan Opium Survey 2008 showed a 19 percent decrease in opium cultivation to 157,000 hectares, down from a record harvest of 193,000 in 2007.
“Last year the world got hit by a heroin tsunami, almost 700 tons,” noted UNODC Executive Director Antonio Maria Costa. “This year the opium flood waters have started to recede.”
3 Billion Africans to Get Broadband
Google is helping develop a system to bring high-speed internet connections to three billion people developing countries in Africa and elsewhere. The service will utilize satellites and is due to begin in 2010. (Read more on BBC News)
Solar Costs to Plummet, Says Executive
GT Solar, which makes equipment used to produce polysilicon and solar products, expects polysilicon prices to fall to nearly one-tenth their current level in 2010 as production capacity comes on line, Chief Executive and President Thomas Zarrella said on Monday. (Reuters News has the story)
Asia Stocks Rebound (with Video) US Stocks, too
Shares largely higher as U.S. stages $85 billion dollar rescue of major insurance company, AIG. Markets cheer the U.S. government effort to avert a worsening financial crisis. (US Stocks Rally, story below video)
An Orphaned Moose Followed Me Home
This sounds like something out of Readers’ Digest, but recently a neighbor went for a walk up Falls Creek (near our home), found a baby moose in some distress in the creek, got him out of the creek, tried to send him on his way, tried to find the mother, but eventually the moose stumbled back into the creek, was rescued again, and followed Jonathon home.
Lottery Windfall for Education in Virgina
The lottery has been funding education in Virginia for 8 years — this year, $455 million in profits going to the public schools. Now, your losing lottery tickets could end up funding your own college education. In a new innovative twist on the popular Match 3 game, you can enter your non-winning ticket numbers by mail, internet or text message in a sweepstakes drawing for one of 20 $50,000 college scholarships established with the Virginia College Savings Plan.
Jolie and Pitt Give Two Million Dollars to Fight Disease in Ethiopia
Superstar couple Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have donated two million dollars to help children affected by AIDS and tuberculosis in Ethiopia, announced the nonprofit group Global Health Committee (GHC) announced Monday.
Buyers of Low-Fuel Cars Get a Sales Tax Exemption
A new sales tax exemption that encourages Washington car shoppers to choose hybrids and alternative-fuel vehicles will save them an estimated $18.6 million over the next two years. (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
Ruling Inspires New Hope For Transgender People
With the decision by Maryland’s highest court last week to block a referendum petition, Montgomery County’s law banning discrimination against transgender people takes effect immediately. The measure, passed by the County Council last year, prohibits discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations to transgender people. (Washington Post)
Quickly Attract Things You Want NOW: New Tool
I am starting to use an incredible new tool for attracting into my life everything I desire for the future — and, quicker than ever.
http://mindmovies.com
It’s like VISUALIZING on STEROIDS!
It feels like any dream can come true now and so easily…. Visualization is a great way to consciously change your mind. Sports stars like Tiger Woods know the power of visualizing in creating the reality you want.
–a successful business
–a happy family
–a deeper spiritual connection
–financial security
–a healthy body
–rewarding friendships
Do you want to change your programming — those LINKS or GROOVES in your brain — so that you
can actually see and ACCEPT new opportunities? This is a wonderful way to do that.
Mind Movie is the name of this cutting edge visualization tool that will help you create the life you want.
Please check out this video for details:
http://mindmovies.com/vid1/?11031
I can’t wait to hear from you once you have made your movie. I might post mine on the Good News Network forums, although they are quite personal (what I want, and what I dream of creating).
With a big good news hug, (and thanks to Sun Star who supplied the photograph)
~ Geri
Cartoonists for Peace
It might not look like it on CNN, but the majority of people who live in the Middle East – Jewish and Arab Israeli citizens along with Palestinians – are rooting for peace. There are dozens of projects bringing Arabs and Jews together to show the positive face of the Middle East: Interns for Peace, Chefs for Peace, Belly Dancers for Peace, bloggers, musicians and even dentists in the name of peace.
One of the latest projects to land in Israel is Cartooning for Peace, founded by famous French political satirist, Jean Plantureux (Plantu). This past June, cartoonists from around the world gathered in Israel and the Palestinian Authority at four simultaneous exhibitions in Ramallah, Bethlehem, East Jerusalem and Holon.
Rip Tide Survival for Father and Autistic Son Adrift at Sea
After a rip current swept Walter Marino and his 12-year-old son, Christopher, out to sea, darkness fell, and the sound of rescue helicopters and boats died away. Despite the danger, Christopher, who has autism, was enjoying himself. The boy lacks a fear of death because of his autism and finds comfort in the water, Marino told CNN. Their unique circumstances helped keep them alive for more than 12 hours in the open ocean, Marino said. (Read the CNN story)
Dog Dials 911 to Get Help for Owner
Police say a service dog trained to use the phone called 911 and got help when his Scottsdale, Ariz., owner suffered a serious seizure. Buddy, an 18-month-old German shepherd, used his teeth to press programmed buttons until a 911 dispatcher came on the line.
Bangladesh Commits to Addressing Climate Change
Leaders in Bangladesh have created a National Climate Change Fund to help them anticipate the effects of climate change. The plan will also focus on the link between climate change, poverty, and health.
(read the full story at Environmental News Network)
Company Invents Tree Free Paper
Chicago paper company GPA has recently invented paper that does not require trees or water to make. The paper is made from inorganic mineral powders and is resistant to water, grease, and oils.
(Read the full story at Environmental News Network)