Two hotels in Saint John are offering school groups free accommodations if the roads are too dangerous to travel.
The management of the Fort Howe Hotel and Courtenay Bay Hotel made the decision on Monday following a weekend accident that killed seven Bathurst High School basketball players and a teacher.
(READ the story from the CBC)
Every week in Israel, thousands of Jewish families open up their homes to an Arab family. The latter are only fictional characters — from the hit Israeli sitcom Arab Work — but still, many say this is a critical marker in (pop culture) history. (Photos, story and audio at NPR)
“An 88-year-old Cambridgeshire man has starred in his first ballet after taking up dance at the age of 79.” (BBC) Thanks to Mary and Chris for the submission!
General Motors Corp. is planning on making biofuel with garbage at a cost of less than a dollar a gallon, the company’s chief has said.
The US automaker has entered into a partnership with Illinois-based Coskata Inc. which has developed a way to make ethanol from practically any renewable source, including old tires and plant waste.
Hundreds of San Diegans spent their day saving the environment by dusting off those old computers, printers, and VCRs and bringing them to a special event, hosted by TV’s 10News. (I Love A Clean San Diego sponsored this event.)
For youth “aging out” of the foster care system at age 18, thrust out on their own, homelessness or crime can be a consequence of efforts to support themselves. Now, a service in Milwaukee gives young adults the guidance, financial assistance, and occasional “kick in the butt” needed to move their lives forward in a positive direction.
Tired of gas prices? A prototype for an “extreme hybrid” car that runs for 40 miles at 60 m.p.h. on electric battery power alone is on exhibit at Detroit’s International Auto Show.
A corporate billionaire and a working class mechanic have nothing in common until they’re forced to share a hospital room. Once there they discover a common spark of eagerness for devoting the rest of their lives to accomplishing all their unfulfilled desires. As many as possible before they “kick the bucket.”
Together they embark on the road trip of a lifetime, becoming friends along the way and learning to live life to the fullest. Each goal checked-off gives them the joy that had hitherto been elusive.
The film, The Bucket List opened on Christmas Day with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman in the title roles inspiring the public to make their own life lists and start tackling some of their own goals now, instead of waiting for “the right time.”
“Scientists are making strides in the fight against Alzheimer’s, improving their understanding of the devastating brain disease and searching for new drug treatments, including 10 different approaches to dealing with Alzheimer’s that are close to or in clinical testing.” (Louisville Courier-Journal)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy wants to include happiness in measurements of French economic growth, to help explain “the growing gap between statistics that show continuing progress and the increasing difficulties (French people) are having in their daily lives.”
India’s Tata Motors has unveiled what is being called the world’s cheapest car — the $2,500 Nano.
The four-person sedan, also called the People’s Car meets all safety and environmental requirements, said the company’s founder, even getting 50 mpg with lower emission levels than modern scooters of India.
“Singapore opened a new “green” airport terminal on Wednesday, boasting 919 energy-saving skylights, a butterfly garden and over 200 species of foliage spread over enough floor space to cover 50 soccer fields.” (Reuters)
The trend towards total abolition of the death penalty has continued with Uzbekistan becoming the latest country to put an end to executions. From 1 January 2008, it becomes the 135th country in the world to abolish the death penalty in law or practice. Capital punishment has now been replaced with life or long-term imprisonment.
(READ the news from Amnesty Internationl)
The people in Baghdad delightedly woke up early on Friday morning to watch the extraordinary snowfall on their neighborhoods for the first time in memory. Jubilant children and elderly gathered in the yards and on the roofs and some in the streets dancing. Thanks to Shannon G. for the tip!
Australia’s government said Thursday it hoped to phase out the use of plastic bags from the nation’s shopping centres by the end of the year.
“A black Labrador that bit a 13-year-old boy’s foot repeatedly, waking him up, is being credited with saving the boy and two of his friends from a house fire.” (Associated Press via MSNBC)
“A Swedish company plans to harness the body heat generated by thousands of commuters in Stockholm’s railway station using it for heat in a nearby office building.” (Associated Press)
The Good News Network is an extremely important initiative. I recommend that each person makes it a habit to visit the website at least once a day. Positive information benefits us emotionally, physically, and mentally. It can contribute in a meaningful way to a happier and healthier life.– Tal Ben-Shahar, Harvard University psychology professor
In a courageous journey of personal transformation, fueled by friendship and the ability to trust after so many years, a man is able to lose 400 pounds. He is now best friends with his trainer, fitness correspondent for Good Morning Arizona, Chris Powell. (Video, photos and story at ABC News)
The French and Indians have produced a new car that is powered by compressed air. Not only is it good for the environment, it’s good for your pocketbook, traveling 200 km on a tank of compressed air costing 1.5 Euro per fill-up.
