Because the average first-year college student today spends over $900 on textbooks, Web sites have sprung up offering price-comparison tools that help save 50 percent or more. Innovative book rental programs are also popping up around some schools. And, to tackle the root of the problem, 27 states have introduced legislation to force a change at the level of colleges and publishing houses.
Millions of Books Going to Burkina Faso Children
The Burkina Faso government will distribute millions of free books to primary school students and launch a pilot project to eliminate fees for schooling in a push to curb the number of people in the country growing up without even basic education.
Accomplishments in Two Years Since Katrina
The Katrina clean-up efforts by the Army Corps of Engineers in Louisiana have been substantial over the past two years judging by the list of accomplishments released by their field office this month: Almost 6,700 storm-destroyed homes have been demolished and hauled to landfills statewide. 260,000 tires have been recycled. More than 8,000 salt water killed trees have been removed from public right-of-ways, mulched and recycled… (more)
Doctors Offering No-Interest Loans to Patients
"For medical procedures not typically covered by insurance, millions of consumers have arranged financing through more than 100,000 doctors and dentists that offer a year or more of interest-free monthly payments." (New York Times)
Flying Saucer Cars Launched
A hover car which can fly up to 10ft in the air has been showcased by a company in the US. (Video)
German Orchestra in Iran on Landmark Visit (Video/text)
A German orchestra in Tehran is helping improve ties between Europe and Iran, arranging cultural exchanges and performances. (Video and Text)
Israeli and Palestinian Teens Map Out Peace Plan in Helsinki
"Israeli and Palestinian teenagers, meeting in Finland, put their names Wednesday to their own blueprint for Middle East peace, one that envisions two separate states and the eradication of terrorism." (AFP)
Amid Lingering Chaos, Hope for New Orleans’ Future
"For me, despair about the city’s future began to turn into hope. As urban planners converged on the city, as the Bring New Orleans Back commission began its work, as old residents and newcomers arrived, many of us began to see the devastation as an opportunity to create something better than what we had lost." An NPR reporter shares with some residents a hopeful outlook, even among the lack and loss. (NPR)
New Hope for Chinese Dolphin Thought Probably Extinct
A creature believed to be the rare Chinese white dolphin has been sighted — and videotaped — in the Yangtze river, an expert said Wednesday, renewing hope for a mammal recently declared as probably extinct. Thanks to Lynn J. for the tip!
Lace Builds Structure for Rio’s Poor (Video)
In Rio’s biggest favela, a cooperative focuses on improving the lot of local women, while also giving a boost in stature to Brazilian handicraft. These poor women are proving that luxury items like lace and embroidery can be created by the humblest of all. (Video)
Angelina Jolie Spotlights Plight of Iraqi Refugees as Goodwill Ambassador (Video/text)
Actress and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie is visiting Iraq and Syria to raise awareness of the plight of hundreds of thousands of Iraqi families who have fled the violence in their home country.
“I have come to Syria and Iraq to help draw attention to this humanitarian crisis and to urge Governments to increase their support for UNHCR and its partners,” Ms. Jolie said.
“My sole purpose in both countries is to highlight the humanitarian plight of those uprooted by the war in Iraq.”
Today, the Academy Award-winning actress crossed into Iraq from Damascus, the Syrian capital, arriving at the makeshift Al Waleed border camp housing 1,200 stranded Iraqi refugees who are unable to flee their country. She also observed dozens of Iraqis making their way into Syria at a border checkpoint.
According to UNHCR estimates, over 4.2 million Iraqis have been displaced, with 2.2 million within the war-torn nation and two million in neighbouring countries.
“It is absolutely essential that the ongoing debate about Iraq’s future include plans for addressing the enormous humanitarian consequences these people face,” she said, adding that in her role as UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, she will concentrate on humanitarian issues and leave politics to others.
In Iraq, she also paid a private visit to United States troops and other multinational forces based in the area.
Yesterday, Ms. Jolie arrived in Syria and visited a UNHCR centre in Damascus where she met some of the thousands of Iraqi refugees – almost one-quarter of them being victims of violence and torture – registering with the UN agency.
Spending hours talking to Iraqi refugees in their homes, she recognized Syria for opening its borders and for its generosity to Iraqis.
Tens of thousands of the refugees are unemployed, and many young people are missing out on an education and their futures.
Late last month, UNHCR and the UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF, jointly launched a $129 million education appeal to send 155,000 Iraqi refugee children to school throughout the Middle East. Yesterday, the United States announced it will contribute $30 million to the fund.
Photo: Staff Sgt. Jon Cupp
The 10 Fastest Green Cars on the Planet
“Ten cars — funky, fun and each the fastest for its power source, from an American-built, ethanol-fueled roadster that runs like the wind, to a three-seat urban buggy from France that runs on the wind.” (Wired) Tip to Andrew.
Cucumbers Go Full Monty in Name of Good Cause
Throughout the world “people power” is gaining momentum — even in the vegetable stands. The Women’s Institute issued an ultimatum to grocers in the UK to reduce the overabundance of plastic packaging. Now, ‘Naked’ cucumbers have been approved for display in the Co-op stores and been judged by customers to last “just as long” as shrink-wrapped fruit.
(The Daily Mail)
There’s a moral to this story and a pithy way to phrase it… Share your ideas below.
78-Year-Old Tramp a Hit on Facebook
Gordon is legendary in his hometown as the tramp who can accurately predict the time even though he never wears a watch. A local college student paid homage to him on Facebook and now thousands round the world share photos and memories of him asking, “What’s The Time, Gordon?” (Meridian News TV on YouTube)
Tunnels to Prevent Carnage of Canadian Salamanders
Every year hundreds of salamanders are killed by cars on a Canadian highway that stretches between their home in the woods and a lake where they breed. Now the government plans to build four tunnels under the road in a hopeful attempt to protect the local amphibians. (Reuters) Thanks to Lynn J. for the link!
‘House of Plastic Bottles’ Rises in Serbia
A retired Serbian physics professor has built a house with plastic bottles in the place of bricks, using 14,000 containers his students collected as litter from the countryside. The plastic bottles offer great insulation!
Beaming Away Cancer with Simple Radio Waves
Leukemia patient and former broadcast engineer, John Kanzius, has developed a new cancer-fighting technique that uses radio waves to destroy cancer-causing agents. He’s not a doctor but scientists are thrilled with his idea and are two years away from human trials. (Video)
Movie to be Made on Gautama Buddha’s Life
A historical epic is to be filmed about the life and teachings of the Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, a South Asian production team said today.
Weeding by Example: New Orleans Boy Inspired to Help Rebuild
Steve Hartman tells the tale of a New Orleans boy determined to help his community rebuild, even if it means doing it one blade of grass at a time, mowing and weeding land untouched since the hurricane… (Video)
For text of the full story (a report that brought tears to my eyes, this boy is so inspiring) visit CBS News.
Donate to Jack and his non-profit group, called the Mow-Rons at their website.
Or watch, the video below (YouTube):
Project Hope Teaches Poor Kids in Rural China
Fifty-nine volunteer graduates from 22 Chinese colleges and universities set out on Sunday for 29 rural primary schools on a one-year teaching mission to help educate the poor. Read about Project Hope and the 13,285 rural schools built over 15 years. (Thanks, Andrew!)