China is to get tough on executives responsible for causing severe pollution in rivers and lakes by fining them up to half their salary. The Water Pollution Prevention and Control Law goes into effect June 1.
China targets Company Executives in Fight Against Pollution
Visionaries Take on Life, Evil, and the Universe at TED Conference
Acclaimed thinkers and doers are gathering on the picturesque California coast to candidly discuss evil, beauty, the future and how to save humanity. The names of attendees at the annual Technology, Entertainment and Design (TED) Conference is safeguarded to provide liberating privacy to “Tedizens” ranging from scientists, singers and sociologists to poets, entrepreneurs and politicians. You can view videos of “TED Talks” on www.ted.com/talks.
Most Muslims ‘Desire Democracy’
“The largest-ever survey of Muslims worldwide — 50,000 adults in 35 nations — shows that a vast majority want Western democracy and freedoms, but do not want them to be imposed.” The Gallup poll was featured on the BBC News.
Beauty Salons Tackle Domestic Abuse (Video)
A new program is tackling domestic violence by enlisting the help of beauty salons. Employees are educated on how to spot and help abuse victims. Bianca Solorzano reports.
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Five Things Happy People Do
“Sages going back to Socrates have offered advice on how to be happy, but only now are scientists beginning to address this question with systematic, controlled research. Although many of the new studies reaffirm time-honored wisdom (“Do what you love,” “To thine own self be true”), they also add a number of fresh twists and insights.” (O, The Oprah Magazine)
N.Y. Philharmonic Performs Historic Concert in North Korea (UPDATED w/ Video)
The New York Philharmonic played an historic concert in Pyongyang on Tuesday opening with both countries’ national anthems to emphasize the goal of improving ties between the US and communist North Korea. The US orchestra helped to open ties with the Soviet Union in 1959 and today earned a 5-minute standing ovation from high-level North Koreans.
Results of Nursing Program Encouraging
“There could be an end to the nursing shortage in Kansas thanks to a 10-year, $30 million state funding and matching grant program that was signed into law in 2006, which led to an increase of 507 students.” (MorningSun.net)
Women Participation in Pakistan Election is Encouraging
“The participation of a large number of women in Monday’s elections is a significant development that will pave the way for gender equality in politics. Additionally, fifteen female candidates secured National Assembly seats.” (Daily Times of Pakistan)
Congo, Rwanda and Uganda Unite to Save Mountain Gorillas
Borders will matter less to central Africa’s mountain gorillas, following the launch of a strategic conservation plan which covers adjoining areas of Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Hero Dog Bitten Defending Little Girl
“Roary the Staffordshire bull terrier turned lifesaver when he saw a deadly brown snake rear to strike three-year-old Ebony Davis. The dog jumped on the 1.5-metre snake, bit it and swung it clear of Ebony and her father in the backyard. Its bravery nearly cost him his life.” Read the full story with dramatic ending at Australia’s Herald Sun. Thanks to Jessica for sending the link!
Cop Helps Set Sentence for his Shooter After 20 Years: A Donation to Charity
A former Chicago cop agrees to a bit of restorative justice for his shooter who was extradited from Canada after 20 years of clean living to face charges of aggravated battery and skipping bail. Full report at the New York Times: 4 Decades After Shooting, Effort to Make Punishment Fit the Crime. Thanks to Alex T. for sending the link!
Arab Women Break Tradition by Touring Their Country Alone
Sending a small message to society to say “women can do so”, four young Emirati women have toured the country in a car breaking tradition by travelling alone without a male relative. The Emirati Women’s Traveller Group was featured in Gulf News.com.
Ghana Adopts National Peace Plan
“Ghana has adopted a new peace plan dubbed National Architecture for Peace” to foster “respect for the rule of law, transparency, accountability and free and fair elections”, which have been “achieved for the past seven years” and ultimately lead to a durable internal peace. (Modern Ghana.com)
Empowering West African Women With Diesel Engines
The mechanization of domestic tasks such as milling or husking grains (normally done with a mortar and pestle or grinding stone) can transform the time-consuming actions into profitable economic activities for rural West African women. The Diesel engines responsible for such transformation are being distributed in Burkina Faso, Mali and Senegal by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) with help from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Free Elections Give Pakistanis Chance to Restore Democracy
“The parliamentary election in Pakistan is an encouraging sign in a troubled region of the world — free elections judged to be scandal-free. Jubilant Pakistanis say they have taken their country back from military rule with a shot at restoring constitutional guarantees and due process.” (From a Detroit News Editorial)
Islamic extremists did not carry the day as some worried they might, see article below.
Marine Saves Iraq Dog Giving it New Florida Home
It all started with simple acts of kindness toward an abused and injured dog, just one more victim in the war in Iraq. Then, Marine Maj. Brian Dennis informed his family of his intention to adopt the homeless mutt. “This dog who had been through a lifetime of fighting, war, abuse … is going to live the good life.” (Tampa’s BayNew9.com) Thanks to Adrianne J. for the link!
Peace Plan Unveiled for City
Salinas police and city officials held a press conference to launch a new campaign intended to reduce local violence. The effort is called CAPSTONE, which stands for “City At Peace: Supporting and Transforming Our Neighborhoods.” (Californian.com)
Harness the Sunshine: Vitamin D Offers Amazing Health Benefits
Everyone’s talking about vitamin D. Last week Dr. Oz declared on Oprah that most Americans need to increase their intake of D in order to ward off disease and reap major health benefits. A new book, the Vitamin D Cure, offers the lowdown on the only “Sunshine Vitamin” — vitamin D.
Blind Cat And Dog — The Best Of Friends
“Born completely blind and shunned by his owners, an alsatian puppy had a tough start to life.” But since a family adopted the dog after hearing the story, he has became best of friends with their blind cat. See the photo and story on The Daily Mail Thanks to Jessica for sending the link.
India Small Businesses Funded by New Google Loan Group
The philanthropic arm of Google has teamed up with the Soros Economic Development Fund and Omidyar Network to create a $17 million company that will invest in small- and medium-size businesses in India, the kind that are too big for micro-loans.
