The Australian government will take the historic step of offering a formal apology to Aborigines “as early as possible” in the new parliament, Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin said Monday.
GM to Fill Historic Order for 1,700 Hybrid Buses
Major new orders from transit agencies in Washington D.C., Philadelphia and Minneapolis/St. Paul for up to 1,732 GM hybrid-powered buses will almost triple the current fleet worldwide and save an estimated 2.4 million gallons of fuel annually, enough to fill 300 tanker trucks.
The delivery will include the largest single hybrid bus fleet acquisition in history – an order for 952 by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.
“Last month, DaimlerBuses received orders from New York City and Ottowa for 1,052 Next Generation diesel-electric hybrid transit buses,” reports the Environmental Leader.
You Really Can Make Yourself Younger, Says Study
“People who take exercise are biologically (in their cells) younger – by up to nine years – than those who don’t, says a new study.” This may explain why exercise reduces heart attacks, diabetes, cancer, and other diseases that show up more readily in the aged. (Times Online )
Muslim Conscientious Objector Allowed to Stay in Canada
A conscientious objector from Turkey hoped that Canada could provide a haven from mandatory military service or prosecution in his home country. In December he learned that his application for permission to stay in Canada, on humanitarian and compassionate grounds, was approved. (Mennonite Central News)
Previewing the Super Bowl Ads (Video)
From Dorito’s “Battle of the Bands” to Bud Light’s drinking cavemen, this year’s Super Bowl commercial line-up is as lavish — and funny — as ever. From the Wall Street Journal comes this video preview.
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Cell Phone Can Read Documents for Blind
A Nokia cell phone loaded with software can take pictures of a document, like a ten dollar bill, and translate it into a vocal description. In addition it can be used for a restaurant menu, phone book or fax. (Associated Press via ABC.com)
George Clooney Named UN’s Messenger of Peace
Hollywood heart-throb George Clooney has been apointed a United Nations. Messenger of Peace by the Organization’s chief, Ban Ki-moon who recognized the actor as a tireless advocate for ending war and famine in Darfur.
Dolls for World Peace
Elderly women in an assisted living center are recapturing life by making dolls for children in Darfur. Two thousand dolls have been made, each one soft and cuddly to serve the smallest child, and the project has grown. Dolls for World Peace has become “an intergenerational effort as disabled adults, girl scouts and people from the homeless shelter have joined them in making dolls.”
Hockey Stars to Help Ice Global Warming
500 NHL hockey players have purchased carbon offsets to produce zero emissions during their extensive travel schedule for 2008, said Canadian environmentalist, David Suzuki in early January. “To have … all these great heroes to Canadian kids taking a stand on one of the most important issues of our time is wonderful.” (Toronto Star covered a press conf. in Dec. 2007)
Brazil to Crack Down on Recent Rise in Deforestation
Brazil announced it will send police and environmental agents to the rainforest in an emergency move aimed at stopping an alarming rise in deforestation of the Amazon over the past five months. (video and story below)
Activists Win: New Jersey Scraps Plan to Buy Amazon Rainforest Timber
A Victory for those working to end ancient rainforest logging: The city council of Ocean City in New Jersey voted 6-0 last Thursday to cancel a $1.1 million purchase of timber originating in the Amazon rainforest, thanks to pressure by environmental groups, including Ecological Internet, which runs Forests.org, a forest news web site.” The purchase would have violated a ten-year-old pledge by the council to avoid using rainforest timbers. (MongoBay.com )
Honest New Yorkers Follow Clues to Find Camera Owner
Alan Murphy had been planning a trip to America for years. After visiting Florida and New York City, before heading home to Australia, Murphy left his Canon digital camera on the seat of a taxicab. He was devastated to lose the pictures but a few weeks later learned that a pair of honest, industrious New Yorkers would be sending the camera back, after finding it in the cab and tracking down its owner by following the clues in the photos. A fascinating, inspiring tale of kindness. (Associated Press via Wash. Post) Thanks to a GNN viewer for the tip!
Desperate Housewife Steps Up for Breast Cancer Patients
“Desperate” to raise awareness, Marcia Cross meets with lawmakers to pursue positive changes in women’s healthcare The Desperate Housewives star delivered on behalf of Lifetime Network 20 million signatures to congresswomen in support of legislation to mandate minimum hospital stays for mastectomies. Read the full story at ABC.com.
Inspirational Basketball Player Defies Disability
A boy plays division 1 basketball, averaging 18.6 points per game, even though he was born with only one hand. His coach says “They ought to build a monument of him, all about defying the odds and playing for the right reasons.” (Metro) Thanks to Ashley B. for the link!
Trucker Drives Million Miles, No Accidents
Michael Crone was honored by his Indianapolis trucking company for his consistantly safe driving — over one million miles with no accidents in his 20-year career. The 43-year-old truck driver was the 13th in the company’s history to achieve the mark. (Read More Good Bites)
Dropping 110 Pounds Transforms Woman’s Life
Deciding she’d had enough at 250 pounds, Heather Davis took it upon herself to make lifestyle changes through regular exercise and a healthier diet to lose weight. In 12 months she lost 110 pounds, not through fad diets but by adopting a healthy regimen. Now working towards her master’s in public health, she wants to use her experience and knowledge to help others win against obesity. (Story at CNN.com)
DR Congo Peace Agreement Welcomed After Ceasefire in Country’s East
The Democratic Republic of Congo government on Thursday officially declared a ceasefire in the embattled east following a peace deal signed by warring parties, the defense ministry said. President Joseph Kabila has promised to bring peace to the region after the end of two civil wars between 1996 and 2003 in which 4-million people died.
Magical Moments in Winter
I just want to say that we can all seek magical moments, even in the midst of winter.
A group of us met on the phone last night for a LIVE Great Mentors tele-seminar with Carol Adrienne, a beloved life coach. Even though both Carol and I were dealing with throat and nose concerns, in some phase of a head cold, our symptoms fell to the background as we began connecting on the very personal level that these tele-seminars provide.
Thanks to Carol and all the wonderful people on the call who asked questions — were mentored by Carol — and shared their wonder.
To hear the free recorded call (a 70-minute program delivered via US phone number) or more information about signing up to learn about my Great Mentors tele-seminars, check out GreatMentoring.com.
There, you can download a previous program for free and listen on your computer or ipod, as my New Year gift to you. The program featured David Neagle, a success coach, delivering the Secrets of the Mind-Money Connection. (Just scroll down to see David’s picture.)
Indiana Coach Bares Feet for Charity
A college basketball coach strode the court yesterday in bare feet to raise awareness for poor kids worldwide who have no shoes. At the last minute Converse donated 10,000 pairs of shoes pushing the total number donated to more than 100,000 for a US charity called Smaritan’s Shoes.
Rain Power: Harvesting Energy from the Sky
Researchers who study energy harvesting see energy all around us – we just need to find a way to capture that energy. One of the latest energy harvesting techniques is converting the mechanical energy from falling raindrops into electricity that can be used to power sensors and other electronics devices. (story at physorg.com)