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EPA Vetoes Permit for Largest Mountaintop-removal Mine Ever Proposed

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Jan 14, 2011

mountaintop removal

The Environmental Protection Agency yesterday issued its first-ever retroactive denial of a mining permit, rejecting plans for the largest-ever mountaintop-removal coal mine in Appalachia. The agency vetoed the crucial Clean Water Act permit for the Spruce Mine in Logan County, W.V., which had earlier been approved by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The EPA had warned the company to revise its plan to be more protective of water quality and affected ecosystems. It reviewed more than 50,000 public comments on the proposed mine before issuing the denial.

Fashion Icon Donna Karan Honored for Haiti Relief Efforts

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Jan 13, 2011

Donna Karan honored in DC for Haiti service

One year after a devastating earthquake rocked the island nation of Haiti, thousands of families remain sheltered due in large part to efforts supported by fashion designer, Donna Karan.

Deeply moved by the earthquake’s impact on the Haitian people, Karan’s Urban Zen Foundation partnered with ShelterBox, an international disaster relief organization to provide emergency shelter and life-saving equipment to disaster survivors.

Wave of Gifts in Name of Comic Book Heroes Continue for Japan’s Orphans

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Jan 13, 2011

NICE license plate

A wave of anonymous donations in the name of a 1960s comic superhero, a character who began as an orphan, is spreading across Japan, benefiting homes for underprivileged children and other charities.

The donations are giving average Japanese citizens something to find hope in, becoming part of “a heartwarming story in a time of social anxiety,” said national broadcaster NHK, who has made this a top news story this week.

(READ the stories at CNN.com and Reuters)

Obama’s Fun Side: 18 Great Photos From the White House

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Jan 12, 2011

obama plays in snow with daughter

Since Barack Obama moved to the White House, he has tried to confront the enormous challenges facing America with a super-serious — some say, professorial — tone. But that doesn’t mean he isn’t finding fun, playing practical jokes, and celebrating the seasons with family and special guests.

Here are 18 moments from the lighter side of the Obama presidency. Tell us which ones are your favorites:

Good News for Haiti: Two New Factories

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Jan 12, 2011

haiti church, EU government photo

Haiti could use some good news, and so on the anniversary of the nation’s ruinous earthquake, read about business and government leaders signing a deal for a big factory, and the reopening of a historic market.

In a cavernous hall filled with idle sewing machines, the chairman of the South Korean apparel giant Sae-A Trading Company inked a deal to bring 20,000 jobs to Haiti.

Haiti Public Health Progress ‘Encouraging’

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Jan 12, 2011

UNICEF in Haiti

A year after the devastating Haiti earthquake, there has been “encouraging” progress in public health in the island nation.

One high spot has been the almost complete recovery of HIV/AIDS programs in the country, according to an article online in the New England Journal of Medicine. The network of clinics already in place has helped address other health concerns, like cholera as well.

Although obstacles remain, the authors said the country’s public health infrastructure has made some steps forward.

(READ the article in MedPage Today)

Obama’s Fun Side: 18 Great Photos From the White House

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Jan 11, 2011

President Obama hoists a baby - WH photo

Since Barack Obama moved to the White House, he has tried to confront the enormous challenges facing America with a super-serious — some say, professorial — tone. But that doesn’t mean he isn’t finding fun, playing practical jokes, and celebrating the seasons with family and special guests.

Here are 18 moments from the lighter side of the Obama presidency:

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama’s hands rest on the railing of a boat during their tour of St. Andrews Bay in Panama City Beach, Florida, after the Gulf oil spill, Sunday, Aug. 15, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton congratulates President Barack Obama on the House vote to pass health care reform, prior to a meeting in the Situation Room of the White House, March 22, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

President Obama greets his mini-me, a young visitor to the Oval Office, Feb. 5, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

“On a weekend trip to Acadia National Park in Maine, the President showed his daughters, Malia and Sasha, how to skip stones during a hike in the park.” (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

In Baltimore, as the President was about to speak to House Republican leaders at the GOP House Issues Conference, he suggested to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood – a Republican – that he provide blocking for him as he entered the room. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Dyan shakes Obama's hand

“Sometimes the unexpected happens. At a cafe in Missouri, I was trying to capture patrons snapping photos of each other with the President when this guy did what wise-guys do.” (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Bo, the Obama’s family pet, plays in the snow during a blizzard on the south grounds of the White House, Feb. 10, 2010. (Pete Souza)

Bo, the Obama family dog, sits by a larger-than-life holiday decoration of himself in the East Garden Room of the White House, Nov. 30, 2010. Some 80 volunteers helped create the 4 foot statue, which is made of 40,000 pipe cleaners. (Pete Souza)

Thousands of Muslims Form “Human Shield” to Defend Christians From Terrorism

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Jan 11, 2011

Coptic Deacons in mass, Egypt - CC license

On New Year’s Day, a devastating terrorist bombing at a Coptic Christian church in Egypt killed 21 people and injured 79 others. It was assumed the culprits were Muslim extremists, intent on targeting those they saw as heretics.

The following week, as Egyptian Copts attended mass at churches across the country to celebrate their Christmas, “thousands” of Muslims, including “the two sons of President Hosni Mubarak,” joined them, acting as “human shields” to protect them from possible terrorist attack.

The Muslims organized under the slogan “We either live together, or we die together.”

(READ the story at Think Progress)

Thanks to Nancy Peske for submitting the link!

Thousands of Muslims Form “Human Shield” to Defend Christians

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Jan 11, 2011

Coptic Deacons in mass, Egypt - CC license

On New Year’s Day, a devastating terrorist bombing at a Coptic Christian church in Egypt killed 21 people and injured 79 others. It was assumed the culprits were Muslim extremists, intent on targeting those they saw as heretics.

The following week, as Egyptian Copts attended mass at churches across the country to celebrate their Christmas, “thousands” of Muslims, including “the two sons of President Hosni Mubarak,” joined them, acting as “human shields” to protect them from possible terrorist attack.

The Muslims organized under the slogan “We either live together, or we die together.”

(READ the story at Think Progress)

Thanks to Nancy Peske for submitting the link!

20 Industries Where Jobs Are Coming Back

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Jan 11, 2011

barbque joint in Austin

In the US economy, the good news is finally starting to outweigh the bad. The private sector — especially small and medium sized businesses — has been adding jobs for several months in a row now.

Everybody wants to know where the jobs are. Here are 20 fields where jobs are starting to return…

(READ the story in US News)

Thanks to Amber ‘Miller’ Monroe, for submitting the link on our Facebook Fan page!

Edison Signs Deals for Seven New Solar Power Plants

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Jan 11, 2011

solar mirrors

Southern California Edison has signed contracts with two companies for the construction and operation of seven solar power plants in the state, including one that the utility said would be among the largest single solar photovoltaic installations in the U.S.

(READ the story in the LA Times)

First Day of Historic Voting in Sudan is Peaceful

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Jan 10, 2011

sudan votes

Tens of thousands of people across Southern Sudan went to the polls Sunday to vote in a historic referendum on a whether to allow Southern Sudan to become a new independent nation.

President Obama wrote in an Op-Ed Sunday, “Today — after 50 years of civil wars that have killed two million people and turned millions more into refugees — this is the opportunity before the people of southern Sudan.”

Brazil’s Successful Social Program: Pay the Poor

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Jan 10, 2011

food program in Bolivia

In the past seven years, the income of poor Brazilians has surged as the number of those in poverty has fallen from 22 percent of the population to 7 percent.

Several factors contribute to Brazil’s astounding feat. But a major part of Brazil’s achievement is due to a single social program that is now transforming how countries all over the world help their poor.

(READ the Fixes column in the New York Times)

Ten-year-old Seizes Silicon Valley Can-do Spirit to Help the Homeless

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Jan 9, 2011

boy-paints-sun

At age ten, Jai Mehra took a tour of the local homeless shelter with his parents and was told that because of budget cuts, their homework program was being cut.

This preyed on his mind. And the way he figured it, a quiet place to study with help from a tutor was even more important to kids living in a homeless shelter. They’ve got all kinds of stress that kids who have their own homes don’t have to worry about.

“I asked my mom if it was OK if I tried to help,” said Jai, who finally decided to become a fundraiser.

(READ the Mike Cassidy column in the Mercury News)

Paid Actors Spread Undercover Joy in Chicago – Get Happy!

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Jan 8, 2011

hug-street-scene

In order to bring smiles to the faces of people in downtown Chicago, local philanthropist Richard Driehaus hired some performance artists to create displays of joy for unknowing pedestrians.

The ‘Get Happy’ experiment easily confirmed that joy begets joy. The video, produced by the group, 500 Clown, can do the same for you.

“We hope this gets you happy and we invite you to spread joy to strangers and loved ones anyway you know how. We would love to work with you on creating a 500 Clown Get Happy in your city, neighborhood, town, college or board meeting. Contact [email protected].

THANKS to Nic for sending the link!

Green Tea Cuts Dementia Risk Says Study

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Jan 8, 2011

green tea

Regularly drinking green tea could protect the brain against Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, according to scientists at Newcastle University.

The study showed chemicals created when the tea is digested help prevent the degeneration of brain cells.

Similar research has hinted the beverage could also help protect against some forms of cancer.

(READ the story in the BBC)

From Boughs to Biofuels: Recycling Christmas Trees for Energy

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Jan 8, 2011

Fir tree photo by Kconnors at morguefile

What can be done with the Christmas trees laying naked along roadsides or left unsold in vacant lots? With a little ingenuity and science, Christmas trees can be recycled in other uses, such as biofuels or even fish habitat.

Surplus Christmas trees in Australia could become jet fuel after completion of a new plant built by the airline Qantas.

And, according to a team of scientists at Virginia Tech, leftover trees may someday be used to produce hydrogen fuel.

(READ more Tainted Green)

Fir tree photo by Kconnors at morguefile

Fourth-grader’s ‘Hammer’ Move Saves Classmate From Choking

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Jan 8, 2011

CNN video of boy with hammer anti-choking move

When a classmate started choking on a Cheeto during lunch Wednesday, Tyler Hudson took action.

Tyler, a fourth-grader from Frank Elementary School in Houston, Texas, quickly performed the Heimlich maneuver to save the girl’s life.

He didn’t know what the move was called but said it was his instincts that took over.

WATCH the video below or read the story at KHOU…

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