Magnesium is the ninth-most common element in the universe and a common element dissolved from seawater. Now it is fueling cars and engines while emitting zero carbon dioxide. Mitsubishi may have it ready for commercial use by the end of this decade. (Inventor Spot)
Robots Clear Waterways of Deadly Mines
Andrew submitted this link to an AP story about a new technology developed for clearing deadly underwater mines. The ultimate in lifeguards, this robot is on a kamikaze mission. (Physorg.com)
Jessica the Hippo, A Most Unusual Family Pet (Video)
Although hippos kill more humans than any other mammal in Africa, Jessica the hippopotamus has become part of the family in a South African home, even roaming into the kitchen for a snack.
She eats with the family’s dogs before going up river to cavort with a pod of wild hippos. She always returns home to the game warden who found her washed up after a flood when she was only one day old.
(WATCH the priceless video)
SHARE the Video With Your Friends…
Chihuahua Saves Baby from Rattlesnake (Video)
A couple living on a farm near Masonville, Colo., said their 1-year-old grandson was rescued from a rattlesnake by the family’s chihuahua. Play video or click ‘Read more’ for full UPI article.
Cat Senses Final Hours of Elderly Patients
I came across a wonderful story about a cat who snuggles up beside citizens of a nursing home four hours before they die. It’s happened so often that nurses now know when to call family members and let them know when their loved ones are near death. Oscar’s story is in the Providence Journal.
Also read the New England Journal of Medicine article on Oscar.
India Elects First Woman President
“Pratibha Patil became the first female president of India last Saturday in a landslide election described as an historic step forward for women there.” (AFP)
Dam Demolition Frees Fish for Spawning
"The Sandy River in Oregon will be a free-flowing river for the first time in nearly a century — and no longer a hindrance to steelhead and salmon returning to spawn — thanks to the demolition of two dams underway as utility company turns to wind power. (MSNBC)
Soldiers Want To Rescue 24 Iraqi Orphan Boys
You may have heard some of the news coverage in the past few weeks about an Iraqi orphanage for boys with cerebral palsy and similar illnesses, found by a National Guard patrol who discovered the boys living in squalid conditions; no food or clothing, etc. Well, here’s some good news about efforts to help the boys, from our Inspired! Individuals section.
A Wisconsin Guardsmen, Maj. Scott Southworth, who has already adopted a special needs orphan from Iraq after being stationed there, has begun organizing an effort to attain entry visas and find families to host all 24 of these unfortunate special needs boys. He has already heard from families in Vermont and Arizona. The wonderful story is on a video here: WISN-TV Milwaukee.
News Anchor Resists Lindsey Lohan Story
A CNN news anchor briefly joining the resistance movement against celebrity-centered gossip-portrayed-as-news by asking publicly for a Lindsey Lohan story to be jettisoned from his teleprompter script. (12 seconds of conscience) Read about the Paris Hilton protest here.
Lost with Harry Potter
EDITOR’S BLOG —
I’ve just emerged from three days curled up with the latest (and greatest ) Harry Potter book, The Deathly Hallows. This final chapter of the seven-book epic delivers a masterpiece of plot and emotion. I’m not generally a reader of fiction. Next to my bedside usually stands a small stack of non-fiction books. The exception is any summer weekend when a new Potter book is released. At our home, my son and daughter and I compete for possession of the heavy tome in a rush to become enthralled by the latest harrowing escapade of the magical wizard and his crew. This final book does not disappoint…
Paris Launches Green Transport Citywide (Video)
Electric trams, low-cost bicycle rentals, dedicated bus lanes and, before long, commuter buses. Paris has pulled out all stops in its efforts to offer environmentally friendly ways of getting around town. The left-wing city government has made transport reform one of its top priorities. Bikes for rent in Paris offer cheap one-way transport citywide (photo and video by AFP)
Twin Pandas Born in Panda Baby Boom
A Chinese research facility welcomes its second set of panda twins this month. (Video)
India Prisons Inject Culture to Reform Inmates
Prison authorities in southern India are planning to introduce thousands of inmates to poetry, literature and music in a novel rehabilitation program that also sheds some light into their lives…
Hundreds of Latinos Hit the Streets to Clean Them
Five hundred mostly Latinos cleaned up litter on Charlotte streets to show their good citizenship and lift spirits in a community going through some tough times. (Charlotte Observer) Thanks to SG for the link!
Layoffs at Lowest Level in Ten Years
Washington D.C. – U.S. Workers experienced fewer lay-offs in 2006 than at any period over the past ten years. The positive trend of continued employment indicates an economic cycle of strong growth and the fact that businesses may be better accounting for peaks and valleys.
The Food Dudes: Making Kids Want Their Veggies
The UK has one of the lowest fruit and vegetable intakes in Europe, and as a consequence, Britain now has one of the worst heart disease records in the world. Obesity is also on the increase. Children, in particular, are eating too much junk food, and now the government is trying to do something about it.
Schoolkids are being inspired to eat more fruit and vegetables by new cartoon superheroes, called "Food Dudes," who get their powers whenever they eat their greens — or choose fruit over fries.
Can a television program be far behind?
Federal Court: U.S. Must Disclose Info on Guantanamo Detainees
A federal appeals court unanimously ruled on Friday that Guantanamo prisoners have the right to access all evidence against them to challenge their designation as "unlawful enemy combatants." (Reuters)
Kids Against Hunger Stems Starvation for 20 Million
Kids who volunteer with Kids Against Hunger learn that no matter how young they may be, they can make a difference. They help to create and distribute nutrition-packed meals for hungry children all over the world.
Richard Proudfit, a Minnesota businessman, founded the organization after traveling to Honduras on a hurricane relief mission where he witnessed widespread starvation. He came back home determined to do something. Since then, he and his volunteers have delivered 20 million meals…
Proudfit gained the support and know-how of food scientists at Cargill, Pillsbury, General Mills, and Archer Daniels Midland to develop nutritionally hefty meals that would combat malnutrition as well as hunger. The chosen ingredients included protein, rice and vitamins. Approximately 20 million of these meals have been shipped to 32 countries so far.
The Kids Against Hunger program began as a small locally based effort to help package the meals for Proudfit’s Feeding Children International. However, before long, the idea of kids helping other kids to combat hunger grew in popularity and local branches of Kids Against Hunger have sprung up all over the country.
One local group is based in Brighton, Iowa, and was founded by Don Fields. Fields says that the children in the program are being positively impacted by making a difference in others’ lives. Fifteen-year-old Brianna, a member of the Iowa branch of Kids Against Hunger, says, “It’s really fun to know you are making a difference in the world” (MSNBC).
Currently, there are more than 20 packaging groups for Kids Against Hunger across the country who help to ship meals to starving children. There are more than 40, 000 volunteers for Kids Against Hunger who have packed approximately 9 million servings of food that will be sent to people in need.
In 2006 alone, Kids Against Hunger sent meals to 11 countries, and in recent months, it has sent meals to Niger, India, Haiti, Honduras, the Philippines and local food banks in Minnesota. Also in recent months, Project Handclasp (a partnership with the U.S. Navy) has distributed meals to Central and South America.
If you know a group that can help with the Kids Against Hunger project, please visit the Feeding Children International Web site. For a list of domestic and international satellite branches of Kids Against Hunger or to start your own local branch, please visit www.feedingchildren.org.
Global Shipping Ban on Toxic Paints
Environmental groups finally achieved, after ten years of lobbying, a global ban on the use of tributyltin (TBT) as a cleaning agent for ships, due to its harmful effects on marine wildlife. Shipping states within the 167-member International Maritime Organization (IMO) ratified the legislation that sealed the ban on all anti-fouling paints which contain TBT, effective next year.
Puppy Born with Heart-Shaped Mark Brings Luck and Celebrity
A chihuahua puppy has become Japan’s latest heartthrob after he was born with a heart-shaped mark on his coat. The dog, named “Heart-kun,” was born in May to a breeder and pet shop owner, who believes the puppy has brought her luck. She’s even won the lottery.