Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders launched talks in what is seen as the best chance in decades to reunite their divided island. The rival leaders held the 90 minute historic meeting in their divided capital, Nicosia. Cyprus has been divided since 1974, and it is hoped the talks between the two moderate statesmen can end a conflict which threatens Turkey’s EU membership hopes.
The Organic Lunch Lady (Video)
Oak Grove School in Calif. is planting the seeds of healthy living by offering an organic all-vegetarian school lunch, and a nutrition lesson that will last long after these kids leave school.
TV Networks and Stars Raise 100M With Unique TV Cancer Special
A galaxy of stars and the three major TV networks united in a rare televised fundraising event to “stand up” to cancer. ABC, CBS and NBC joined with Hollywood stars on Friday night – including cancer survivors such as Christina Applegate, Patrick Swayze, and Lance Armstrong. The telethon raised $100 million.
Abandoned NYC Rail Line Being Remade as Park
In a desolate corner of Manhattan’s West Side as wrecking balls loomed, a campaign will triumph in turning a 13-mile-long elevated railway track into a park. A spokesperson for the city Planning Commission, says the project will attract tourists and provide for affordable housing in the area. (AP story in Contra Costa Times)
HP Ships PCs in Fabric Bags to Win Green Packaging Contest
A Hewlett-Packard laptop computer that’s packaged in a recycled bag rather than a box has won a contest for less wasteful packaging. The winner of Walmart’s Home Entertainment Design Challenge is the Pavilion dv6929 Entertainment Notebook that cuts product packaging by 97 percen, which not only conserves fuel but also reduces CO2 emissions by removing the equivalent of one out of every four trucks previously needed to deliver the notebooks to Walmart stores and Sam’s Club locations around the country.
Jumper With Chute Problem Survives Mile-High Mountain Fall (UPDATED)
A Norwegian jumper survived a spine-chilling crash from a mile-high mountain. Hans Lange struggled to straighten out his parachute before slamming into a rock wall and crashing into a tree top. He survived with a broken leg. (Fox News has the story )
New Breast Cancer Screening Tool Shows Promise
A new screening tool works three times better than mammography at finding tumors in women who have dense breast tissue, which can confound mammograms, U.S. researchers said on Wednesday. It is called, molecular breast imaging, or MBI.
Saving Real Lives via the Virtual World (Video)
A group of software developers in the UK are promoting a new kind of video game designed to help in real-life situations. They’re called ‘serious games’ and train people to deal with adverse situations such as medical emergencies.
Exercise May Improve Memory in Older People
Regular, moderate exercise may help improve memory in older people and delay the onset of dementia, a study in Australia shows. Here is the Reuters link.
(Photo courtesy of Sun Star)
Shareholders Vote for Climate Change Resolutions in Record Numbers
2008 was a good year for enviros in the boardroom. A record 57 climate related shareholder resolutions were filed this year—a figure that has doubled over the past 5 years. Support for these measures averaged more than 23% among shareholders– another all time high. (Environmental News Network)
Phelps Starts Foundation With Olympic Winnings
Fourteen-time Olympic Gold Medalist Michael Phelps today announced the establishment of the Michael Phelps Foundation and made his first donation by committing the well-publicized $1 million bonus he will receive from Speedo(R) for winning eight gold medals.
Bulgarian Economy Turns From Making Guns to Growing Roses
A valley in Bulgaria’s mountains, for decades known for making AK-47 rifles, now has blossomed into a supplier of organic rose oil for beauty products, reviving a centuries’ old industry. Every morning at dawn hundreds of villagers hustle through fields of rose bushes to pick fresh blooms still damp with morning dew. (Reuters News has the story)
Hopes Raised for Block on Cancer
Scientists say they have taken a big step towards blocking a chemical vital to the growth of many cancers, an enzyme which, when active, helps keep cells in an “immortal” state. The chemical is at work in more than nine out of ten types of tumour.
(Read details of the latest report from journal Nature at BBC)
– Photo of cell carcinoma by Ed Uthman via CC license, on Flickr
Jerry Lewis Telethon raises Record $65M for MDA
Entertainer Jerry Lewis helped raise a record $65 million in pledges and contributions through his 43rd annual MDA Labor Day Telethon in Las Vegas. Lewis performed his signature song, You’ll Never Walk Alone, during the 12-hour broadcast.
Katrina Hero Continues to Help Families 3 Years Later
From her home 1,000 miles away in Washington, Liz McCartney was haunted by images of Hurricane Katrina’s destruction. She and her boyfriend decided to move to New Orleans to help families rebuild their lives. She founded St. Bernard Project, which has rennovated homes that were devestated for more than 120 families, with help from 6,000 volunteers. (This CNN Heroes feature offers story and video)
Czech Firm Plans Giant Wind Farm
A Czech power firm is to build what it says will be Europe’s largest onshore wind farm, in a 1.1 billion-euro project. Construction of the wind farm will start in September and it is due to begin operating in 2009.
Colombian Guerilla Faction Gives Up Arms
The last remaining 45 guerilla fighters of the Guevarista Revolutionary Army have handed over their weapons on August 21st. Peace Commisioner Luis Carlos Restrepo said, “We believe it is possible to negotiate with individual blocs and fronts and offer them a dignified way out.” (BBC has the full story )
Wild New Kites at International Kite Festival (Video)
Kite fliers who gather for the Bristol International Kite Festival show off huge 3-D kites, fly in groups sychronized to music and exhibit handmade patchwork kites.
Plan Aims to Save Britain’s Red Phone Booths
Thousands of red phone booths endangered in Britain because of increased mobile phone usage, may get a new lease on life thanks to a scheme that will allow adoption by local governments for a small fee. (Daily Telegraph.co.uk)
Diaper Saves Baby’s Life in Fall
A disposable diaper halted the fall of an 18-month-old baby from a third-floor window Tuesday night and saved his life in Recife in northeastern Brazil, local media reported Wednesday. According to reports the diaper got hung up on a nail.