Japanese master sailor and environmentalist Kenichi Horie, who has already sailed the Pacific in a boat he pedalled across, will launch this month a first-of-a-kind trans-Pacific voyage powered only by waves (in a boat made from recycled materials).
Sailor to Embark on World’s Longest Wave-Powered Voyage
Mauritania Fights to End Racism
“Since it gained its independence from France in 1960 Mauritania has struggled with ethnic tension between Arab and Afro-Mauritanians, but a new democratically-elected government is trying to heal the pattern of ethnic division.”
Vatican, Muslim Clerics Lay Groundwork For Landmark Talks
For a second day, Muslim and Catholic leaders sat down at the Vatican in Rome yesterday for talks to pave the way for what some are billing a historic meeting of the faiths later this year. The preparatory talks by five Muslim leaders and five Vatican officials are the result of a Muslim call for dialogue.
Pope Benedict XVI, a German theologian, is known for not being a big fan of airy gatherings that tend to offer little more than empty symbolism. Which is why the meeting in Rome — likely to take place in late spring or summer — is expected to delve into substantial issues, including the use of religion to incite violence. (Thanks to Aroldo Cardoso Jr. in Brazil for submitting the story idea.)
Australian is Saving Whales, Seals and Turtles With Incredible Passion
Rupert Imhoff, a young financier, is an animal rights hero in Australia. Through his online networking against cruelty toward marine animals, he has attracted 135,000 people to the cause.
R.G. reports to the Good News Network that because of Imhoff’s thorough research and keen debating points — along with his utter passion, “He has raised an insane amount of awareness.”
“His database of FAQ’s effectively is rebutting every single pro-whaling argument offered. The man had a vision — a world without whale slaughter — and he has taken action.”
2013 UPDATE: Watch a video of some of his successes…
Dogs to Sniff Out DVD Piracy in Malaysia
In response to pressure from the US movie industry which loses 6 billion dollars per year from pirated sales of DVDs, Malaysia has launched a squad of DVD-sniffing dogs to help root out large caches of illegal disks. (Associated Press has the story )
Unstoppable Nurse Uplifts Africa, One Orphan at a Time
Do you want to travel the world and apply your skills? Consider what Simin Marefat does in Africa. She plans nothing in advance (and has visited 62 countries). Upon her arrival she’d say, ‘I’m a nurse practicing in the United States. I’m here to offer my services.’ And they would put me to work.” (San Francisco Chronicle)
Drew Barrymore Donates $1 Million To UN Anti-Hunger Plans
American actress Drew Barrymore announced that she would donate $1 million to the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) to help the agency feed thousands of Kenyan schoolchildren. The personal donation kicks off WFP’s ‘Fill the Cup’ challenge in the US to raise enough funds to help feed 59 million children around the world for a year.
(While in Kenya, Drew met children with HIV to whom the WFP provides medicine and food. Copyright: 2007 WFP/Guillaume Bonn)
175,125 Coats for Those In Need
One Warm Coat, a non-profit organization supporting local coat drives announced that the first ever Warm Coats & Warm Hearts Coat Drive collected 175,125 coats this winter. The partnership between One Warm Coat, ABC’s “Good Morning America” and Burlington Coat Factory has made great strides in achieving the goal of ensuring anyone who needs a coat has one.
Researchers Discover Gene That Blocks HIV
“A team of researchers at the University of Alberta has discovered a gene that is able to block HIV, and in turn prevent the onset of AIDS.” Stephen Barr, a molecular virologist said, “The results are very exciting because they show that our bodies have a gene that is capable of stopping the spread of HIV.” (University of Alberta News) Thanks to Ellen for submitting the link.
Teen Finds She Has Four Kidneys, Wants to Donate
“A one in a million Leeds teenager has pledged to see if she can help patients desperately in need of a transplant – because she’s got FOUR kidneys.” (Yorkshire Evening Post) This story was submitted by Jessica on Feb. 21.
First Sioux Soldier Given Nation’s Highest Honor
It’s taken nearly 60 years for Master Sergeant Woodrow Wilson Keeble to become the first Sioux-American to be awarded the Medal of Honor, the nations highest, for heroic actions on the battlefield in Korea.
“A terrible injustice was done to a good man, to his family, and to history. And today we’re going to try to set things right,” said the president who awarded the medal posthumously to Keeble’s son.
(President George W. Bush bows his head during a prayer Monday, March 3, 2008 in the East Room of the White House, standing before two chairs in honor of U.S. Army Master Sgt. Woodrow Wilson Keeble, left, and his wife, Bloosom, moments before presenting members of the Keeble family with the Medal of Honor, posthumously, in honor of Keeble’s gallantry during his service in the Korean War. Keeble is the first full-blooded Sioux Indian to receive the Medal of Honor. – WH photo by Eric Draper)
“On behalf of our grateful nation, I deeply regret that this tribute comes decades too late. Woody will never hold this medal in his hands or wear it on his uniform. He will never hear a president thank him for his heroism. He will never stand here to see the pride of his friends and loved ones, as I see in their eyes now.”
Woody Keeble was already a decorated veteran of Guadalcanal in WWII, but volunteered to serve his country a second time. “Woody said he volunteered for Korea because, “somebody has to teach those kids how to fight,” Bush told the gathering of officials, family, friends. “He quickly became a mentor, a teacher, and a legend. He was so strong that he could lift the back of a jeep and spin it around.”
The heroism on the battlefield which earned him the Medal of Honor took place on October 20, 1951. U.S. forces were under attack by a furious assault. “One soldier said the enemy lobbed so many grenades on American troops that they looked like a flock of blackbirds in the sky. Allied forces had tried heavy artillery to dislodge the enemy, and nothing seemed to be working. The offensive was failing. American boys were dying.” But they had one advantage — his name was Woody.
“Soldiers watched in awe as Woody single-handedly took out one machine gun nest, and then another,” Bush said. ”When Woody was through, all 16 enemy soldiers were dead, the hill was taken, and the Allies won the day.”
Even at this late date there is a way for Americans to show their gratitude.
“We can tell his story. We can honor his memory” Bush insisted. “And we can follow his lead, by showing all those who have followed him on the battlefield the same love and generosity of spirit that Woody showed his country every day.”
Though decades went by while family members and friends worked to steer the paperwork through a beauracracy that could give the recognition he deserved, and though the paperwork was lost more than once, Bush said Woody never complained. “See, he believed America was the greatest nation on earth — even when it made mistakes.”
(NBC News)
Starbucks Barrista Donates Kidney to Customer
“For three years Starbucks barrista Sandie Andersen served coffee to regular customer Annamarie Ausnes, who has plycystic kidney disease. A typical Starbucks acquaintanceship — until one extended the offer of kidney.” New York Times
India Sets Up Anti-Poaching Force for Endangered Tigers
India on Tuesday opened a national wildlife crime prevention bureau aimed at intensifying a difficult fight against the poaching of tigers and other endangered species, officials said.
Facebook Reunion Leads to Kidney Donation (Video)
Two grade-school friends who reconnected thanks to the social networking site, Facebook, after more than a decade are becoming more than bosom buddies. One is donating a kidney to his rediscovered pal.
Teen Athlete Triumphant and Proud of her Amputated Legs
To Jessica Long, not having legs isn’t a disability — even with all of the pain. It’s an opportunity. The teen swimmer is a world-champ, despite being born without bones in her lower legs.
“If I had the option, I would choose to be this way,” she says. “I think it’s cool to be able to inspire people and be a role model,” as a member of the U.S. Paralympic Elite Swimming Team. “If I had legs, I probably wouldn’t be involved in swimming.”
“I don’t think I can imagine my life with legs.” (Read the story at Rivals High.com)
Thanks so much to Shannon G. for submitting the inspiring link! Visit JessicaLong.org and read more about this terrific teen.
Pakistani Party Wants to Win Over Insurgents
“The secular party that won last week’s elections in Pakistan’s northwest province plans to open peace talks with al-Qaeda-allied Islamic insurgents, instead of continuing the army offensives they say have killed, maimed and displaced untold numbers of civilians, driven recruits into the arms of the radicals, and fueled a surge in suicide bombings. To persuade militants to quit the insurgency, and to weaken the popular support that allows al-Qaeda to maintain a sanctuary in the region, the party pledges to build clinics, schools and roads for the area’s three million desperately poor people.” (MCCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS via Philly.com)
Most Romantic Marriage Proposal by Man Named Casanova
“This may go down as the most romantic marriage proposal in years. Brad Casanova — yes, that’s his REAL last name — pulled off a proposal involving a 17-destination scavenger hunt, a nearly seven-hour ordeal that took three months of planning, in order to give the woman of his dreams a memory to last a lifetime.” (Asheville Citizen-Times) Thanks to Linnea L. for the submission!
Super Soaker Inventor Aims to Cut Solar Costs in Half
Lonnie Johnson, the American inventor of the Super Soaker squirt gun, has patented what he calls a breakthrough new way to turn heat into power, something that could drastically reduce the cost of solar power and potentially harvest waste heat from engines, turbines, and even the human body itself, using no moving parts that could cause friction or mechanical breakdowns. (Popular Mechanics) Thanks to Tom for submtting the link.
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