The oldest known U.S. wild bird, a 60 year-old Laysan albatross named Wisdom, is a new mother. The bird, which has likely logged 50,000 miles per year in flight as an adult, returned to Midway Atoll to nest and was spotted a few weeks ago with a new chick by a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist.
America’s Oldest Wild Bird is a New Mom at 60
Senate Rejects House Attempt to Roll Back Environmental Laws
The U.S. Senate yesterday rejected the House of Representative’s attempt to roll back some of the nation’s laws protecting public health and the environment. The House’s continuing resolution (HR1) would have stopped the Environmental Protection Agency from implementing a U.S. Supreme Court order and curbing carbon dioxide and other dangerous greenhouse gas pollutants under the Clean Air Act.
Illinois Abolishes Death Penalty to Avoid Mistaken Executions
Illinois has banned the death penalty, becoming the sixteenth state to abolish capital punishment. Gov. Patrick Quinn signed the bill to end the practice and commuted the sentences for 15 inmates on Death Row to life in prison without parole.
“We cannot have a death penalty system in our state that kills innocent people,” Quinn said. “Unfortunately that system was in grave danger of doing exactly that in 20 different instances in Illinois.”
Severe Cerebral Palsy in Premature Babies Drops 93%
Better care during pregnancy and birth is the main reason behind a staggering 93 percent plunge in rates of severe cerebral palsy in premature infants born in Canada, a new study discloses.
“Overall survival has increased trememdously,” said Dr. Jan Willem Gorter of the CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research at McMaster University, who took part in the study.
Queen Elizabeth to Make First-ever State Visit to Ireland
Queen Elizabeth II will visit to the Republic of Ireland later this year—the first ruling British monarch to visit the country in a century.
It’s a highly symbolic visit by the 84-year-old queen, marking the vast improvement in relations between the two countries in recent years.
Toyota 100 Cars for Good Program Gives Vehicles to 100 Non-Profits
Toyota announced Monday its “100 Cars for Good” program, which will award 100 vehicles over the course of 100 days to 100 deserving nonprofit organizations based on votes from the public.
Non-profit organizations can apply online anytime until March 21 on Toyota’s Facebook page for a chance to win a new car — anything from an eco-friendly hybrid Prius, to a Tundra pick-up truck for carrying supplies.
Moratorium on Amazon Deforestation for Soy Production Proving Effective
The Brazilian soy industry’s moratorium is proving effective at slowing deforestation for soy production in the Amazon rainforest, according to a new study published in the journal Remote Sensing.
Libyan’s Free Citizens Step Up to Fill Governement Gap
In eastern Libya, Benghazi is a city on the edge, but civil society is stepping up after the collapse of the state.
Organized teams of neighbors are headquartered at a local school working on next steps, like education on what a Constitution and pluralistic government looks like, creating newsletters to keep the community informed, and sending aid to those in need.
Tunisians Forget Their Own Problems to Help Libyan Refugees (Video)
Having endured the tumult of their own revolution, Tunisians have traveled from far and wide to serve food and bring supplies to refugee camps along the Libyan border.
Generosity and compassion, they say, are part of the spirit of their revolution.
Even the US military is helping out, with a transport plane carrying hundreds of guest workers fleeing Libya back to their home countries.
Tunisians Forget Their Own Problems to Help Libyan Refugees (Video)
Having endured the tumult of their own revolution, Tunisians have traveled from far and wide to serve food and bring supplies to refugee camps along the Libyan border.
Generosity and compassion, they say, are part of the spirit of their revolution.
Even the US military is helping out, with a transport plane carrying hundreds of guest workers fleeing Libya back to their home countries.
International Women’s Day: Three Women Turned Pennies into Empowerment
Today is the 100-year anniversary of the founding of International Women’s Day—a day to celebrate the achievements of women worldwide and to rekindle efforts toward their advancement.
Celebrating the centennial, performer Annie Lennox will lead a charity march across London’s Millennium Bridge, joining in spirit with 25 countries that have officially recognized the holiday, including the U.S. Afghanistan, Russia, Ukraine, Vietnam and Zambia.
Many women in places like Rwanda, Colombia and Cambodia face two choices: Accept a life in historical poverty, or strive for a brighter future. With hopes of building a business, three women stand out as examples of how to choose the latter.
Slain Hero a Finalist for Civilian Medal of Honor
A Houston man killed last year protecting a woman from a gun-wielding purse snatcher has been named a finalist for an award created by U.S. servicemen who have been recognized for similar selfless acts during war.
20 people from across the country were selected to be considered for the “Citizen Service Before Self Honors” from the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation, a recognition given every year to men and women who have shown courage and sacrifice to help others.
(READ the story at the Houston Chronicle)
Teen Recovering From Brain Injury Models New Pitching Helmet to Protect Others
Gunnar Sandberg, who recently returned to his high school baseball diamond after nearly dying from a line drive off his skull a year ago, introduced a new helmet prototype that he hopes will become standard equipment for youth leagues nationwide.
‘Amazing’ Hug-a-Hero Dolls Imprinted With Photo of Deployed Parents
Thousands of kids whose parents are overseas serving in the military cling to the memory of hugging their daddy or mommy thanks to the Hug-A-Hero doll, which is imprinted with a photo of their parent in uniform.
The dolls, which are free to families, help kids cope while mothers or fathers are away, said executive director Lisa Berg of Hudson, Florida.
“There’s nothing else like it,” Berg said. “They’re hugging their parent.”
Alamae is 7 years old and loves to keep her doll close. “She brings her daddy to school and shows him to everyone,” said her mom, Amanda Beltran. “It is her favorite thing to take for show and tell — it makes her so proud!”
“These dolls are the most amazing thing ever created,” added Mrs. Beltran.
Operation Hug-a-Hero was started three years ago by the Michigan company Daddy Dolls.
Currently, there’s a waiting list of 800 military children.
You can get more information or provide a doll by donating on their website www.operationhugahero.org.
‘Amazing’ Hug-a-Hero Dolls Imprinted With Photo of Deployed Parents
Thousands of kids whose parents are overseas serving in the military cling to the memory of hugging their daddy or mommy thanks to the Hug-A-Hero doll, which is imprinted with a photo of their parent in uniform.
The dolls, which are free to families, help kids cope while mothers or fathers are away, said executive director Lisa Berg of Hudson, Florida.
“There’s nothing else like it,” Berg said. “They’re hugging their parent.”
17 New Small Business Tax Cuts for 2010
Since January 2009, President Obama and Congress has passed or extended 17 small business tax cuts and credits, including the exclusion of up to 75% capital gains on key small business investments and new tax credits for hiring Americans who had been out of work for at least two months.
Volunteer Cuddlers Soothe Tots with Touch (Video)
Parents can’t always be there to hold their babies who are in the hospital for an extended period, but that’s where a group of core volunteers step in.
Sometimes they soothe children who are regularly admitted over years, and the two keep in touch.
WATCH the video below from MSNBC…
Have you ever volunteered to perform this service?
A Teen with Cancer Chooses Opportunities Over Depression
A high school junior’s life was turned upside down. But she was determined to not fall into depression.
“I could no longer attend school and my life became a balancing act between doctor’s appointments and studying at home,” wrote Shelby Makris in a special for the Los Angeles Times. “I had a choice to make: Delve into depression or grasp the opportunities I still had to make the most of them. I decided to go for it.”
She completed every assignment that her classmates were given, she upped the capacity of her charity work (ironically, she was president of her school’s Make-a-Wish Foundation club), and every day she is getting a little bit healthier.
“I have proved to myself that I am a much stronger person than I thought I was.”
(READ her essay in the LA Times)
Veterans Form Human Shield to Protect Soldier Funerals From Protesters (Video)
The U.S. Supreme Court this week ruled in favor of the rights of Westboro Baptist Church members to protest at soldiers’ funerals, reaffirming the protections in the U.S. Constitution for free speech.
But, that doesn’t mean the soldier’s family must listen to the repugnant speech or view the extremist language on the picket signs. 900 bikers from around the country are making sure they don’t have to.
The Patriot Guard Riders, many of them former veterans, protect funeral-goers from the hurtful speech by creating a ‘wall’ of American flags and soaring patriotic music to shield families from the protest.
Since the high court ruling, new members are rushing to join the Patriot Guard Riders, a charitable organization formed in Kansas in 2005, after bikers belonging to the American Legion first heard about the Westboro Baptist protests and decided to take action.
The group doesn’t confront the protestors at all. Instead, they shield the family from the brunt of the abuse.
(WATCH the video below)
Thanks to Nancy Peske for submitting the story!
Veterans Form Human Shield to Protect Soldier Funerals From Protesters (Video)
The U.S. Supreme Court this week ruled in favor of the rights of Westboro Baptist Church members to protest at soldiers’ funerals, reaffirming the protections in the U.S. Constitution for free speech.
But, that doesn’t mean the soldier’s family must listen to the repugnant speech or view the extremist language on the picket signs. 900 bikers from around the country are making sure they don’t have to.
The Patriot Guard Riders, many of them former veterans, protect funeral-goers from the hurtful speech by creating a ‘wall’ of American flags and soaring patriotic music to shield families from the protest.
