France’s Metisses Music Festival seeks to promote social and cultural crossovers in what often feels like an ethnically divided nation. One fast-rising star performing here is Abd Al Malik, a French rapper of Congolese origin whose background and music embodies the spirit of the festival — Rap with a conscience. (BBC) Thanks to Andrew for the link!
15,000 Children Sing for Sick Boy at Shea Stadium
A charity group called Songs of Love has recorded 12,000 original songs personally for sick children, including this song for seven-year-old Ronald Sterling, who loves baseball but can’t go to the ball park. 15,000 kids who were gathered in a baseball stadium in New York City sang the song just for Ronald, led by Bob McGrath, host of the TV series Sesame Street… Their voices rang out from the stands, ”Ronald Sterling, you’re a grand-slam home run, you’re our champion.”
South African Corporations Thinking Green
South African banking giant ABN AMRO says climate change is a big factor in choosing who to do business with in the future. "If they are engaged in businesses we don’t agree with, we do not deal with (them)… these include oil, gas, nuclear, gambling, animal testing, building dams and logging." This will be the first year that South Africa will participate in the Corporate Carbon Disclosure Project and, along with Brazil, the only developing nations to do so. (Mail and Guardian)
First Time in 50 Years, Peace Train Crosses Korea
For the first time in more than half a century, trains crossed from South to North Korea on Thursday through a sunny opening in Cold War politics. Launched by a “celebration with fireworks, bands, balloons and hundreds of people waving the ‘unification’ flag,” the peace train represented new hopes for peaceful reunification of the divided country.” (Wash Post) UPDATE: 21 May- Similarly, commercial shipping began to open up on the peninsula when a North Korean cargo ship arrived in South Korean waters for the first time in more than 50 years on Sunday.
Billions of Dollars Pledged to Cut Urban Energy Use
"Sixteen of the world’s biggest cities, five banks and one former president have pledged to invest billions of dollars to cut urban energy use" and ease global warming… "Participating banks would provide up to $1 billion each in loans that cities or private landlords would use to upgrade heating, cooling and lighting systems in older buildings." Savings accrued through reduced energy costs, typically 20–50 percent, could be used to pay the money back. (NY Times)
Success Coach Provides Inspiring Advice in Online Videos
Start succeeding now! Get a jumpstart on your motivation and attitude from Robin Sharma, a success coach who provides little bursts of inspiration via video. I’ve selected eight good ones to spark your next project or change…
He reminds us, in short pithy statements, what it takes to win and how to become the successful people we were meant to be. Learn how to Concentrate to Win, Beat Procrastination, and Be Stretched Daily. Sharma quotes the great masters, as well as current business successes, like an executive from Liz Claiborne who advises, “Let people see you sweat.”
Sharma is author of the new book, The Greatness Guide: Powerful Secrets for Getting to World Class. Watch his video below about how he beats procrastination.
Superman’s Kryptonite Found?
Dr. Chris Stanley was enlisted as an expert when workers in a Serbian mine found a mineral they could not identify as any previously known. The chemical formula, sodium lithium boron silicate hydroxide, was not referenced in the scientific literature, but it was referenced in literature — specifically that of science fiction. A Web search by Dr. Stanley revealed that the new mineral closely matches the chemical composition of kryptonite as described in the latest Superman film…
The chemical formula of the new mineral was written on a case containing kryptonite that Lex Luthor had stolen from a museum in the film Superman returns. The sole difference seems to be that Superman’s kryptonite also contains fluorine whereas the new mineral does not.
According to the comics and films, kryptonite is supposed to be green, glowing and radioactive, however the real mineral is white, powdery and non-radioactive, although Dr. Stanley, a mineralogist at London’s Natural History Museum, claims that it does fluoresce a pinkish-orange color when exposed to ultraviolet light. Even if the fluorine were present, as in the kryptonite of lore, the mineral would remain white and non-radioactive.
The new mineral was recently put on display at Belgrade’s Museum of Natural Sciences and visitors turned out in large numbers to catch a glimpse of it. Green lighting ensured the mineral took on the green hue of legend, a sight that conjured a world stranger than fiction.
The mineral, discovered by the mining group Rio Tinto, is to be formally named Jardarite after the name of the place where the mine was located in Serbia.
The commercial value of the mineral and its potential usage is not clear until further testing is done and the amount of the mineral deposit is assessed. Both boron and lithium are commercially viable elements used in industry to produce various products such as borosilicate glasses and lithium batteries.
Michael Little works in analytical chemistry and has almost 20 years experience in the research based pharmaceutical industry. Michael resides in Laval, Quebec, with his wife and three children. Michael has written occasional science articles for GNN since 2007.
Chevy Fuel Cell Car Goes 300 Miles Without Refueling — on Hydrogen
General Motors made history yesterday as its Chevy Sequel became the first electric fuel cell vehicle to achieve 300 miles on one tank of hydrogen, in and out of traffic on public roads, while producing zero emissions.
"With this drive, General Motors has reached an important milestone, said Larry Burns, GM vice president, research & development and strategic planning. "And we did it while producing zero emissions, as a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle only emits water."
100 Success Stories for Endangered Species
In honor of the second annual Endangered Species Day, May 18, a Web site celebrates the success stories and details conservation efforts that led to population booms for 100 endangered plants and animals since the landmark law giving federal protection was enacted in 1973. Species on the road to recovery from all 50 states and every territory are highlighted on the Web site, created by the Center for Biological Diversity.
EPA Giving $71M to Cities in 38 States To Clean Up Industrial Pollution, Blight
Abandoned gas stations and industrial sites may be cleaned up in your city with Environmental Protection Agency funds made available Monday. Seventy-one million dollars in federal funds were offered to 38 states and two territories for clean-up of polluted areas. (AP)
Skyscraper to Produce Its Own Energy
Introducing the ‘Energy Tower,’ a skyscraper to be built in Dubai that will produce 100 percent of its own power. The skyscraper will have a huge wind turbine on its roof and and array of solar cells stacked upon its sleek figure. (Meta Efficient)
DOE Offers $200 Million for Small-Scale Cellulosic Biorefineries
The U.S. Department of Energy announced on May 1st that it will provide up to $200 million over five years to support the development of small-scale cellulosic biorefineries in the U.S. The projects will involve designing, building, and operating biorefineries at one-tenth of commercial scale. The small-scale biorefineries will convert cellulosic biomass — trees, grasses and agricultural residues — into liquid transportation fuels such as ethanol, as well as biobased chemicals and products… (Thanks to Sophia, for the link!)
Koala Conservation Goes Global
"Australian and U.S. researchers hope to lift koala populations by chilling the marsupials’ semen and sending it to zoos around the world." (The Border Mail) Thanks to Kay for the link…
Work Begins on Brad Pitt’s Green Project in 9th Ward
"Construction is to begin on an environmentally friendly new home, based on the winning design in a competition launched by movie star Brad Pitt. Folks in the 9th Ward, a Hurricane Katrina-devastated area, celebrated near bundles of hay that were used to outline the site of the first house, which will serve as a model home and visitor center while construction of other houses are under way. Expected to be complete around the second anniversary of the storm, the home will be made with energy-saving materials such as metal roofing and recycled textiles." (WWLTV.com) Read GNN-i stories on the launch of the project in April, 2006, and the unveiling of the winning design in September.
Gates Foundation Gives $7.1M to Support Gulf Coast Housing
"The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation said Thursday it would give $7.1 million to Gulf Coast organizations to help the people whose homes were destroyed by hurricanes Katrina and Rita and those who have been employed to work on the cleanup." (AP) Thanks to Jessica for link
An American Rebuilds Paradise Lost to War in Africa (Video)
Fifteen years after a brutal civil war, Greg Carr, an American philanthropist believes the key to revitalization in Mozambique, one of the poorest spots in Africa, is a long-forgotten park called Gorongosa. It was once the most popular tourist destination and boasted the densest wildlife on the continent, but the park and its animals were ravaged by war. Carr personally has pledged $40 million to restore the park and bring the tourist dollars back — at the same time bringing the nation back from poverty… (Video 6:29)
(Video produced by the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting and Azimuth Media; Visit their website for photos and blogs about the project.)
Jolie-Pitt Foundation Donates $1M in Darfur
Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie and actor Brad Pitt have donated $1 million towards the humanitarian effort assisting millions of people affected by the crisis in Sudan’s Darfur region, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has announced.
“The donation from the Jolie-Pitt Foundation will go to three agencies playing key roles in Darfur and neighboring Chad: the UN refugee agency; the International Rescue Committee and the international non-governmental organization, SOS Children’s Villages,” UNHCR said in a press release issued on Thursday.
All three agencies are active in providing life-saving humanitarian assistance to the more than 2 million people displaced within Darfur and the 240,000 refugees from Darfur living in camps in eastern Chad.
“This generous donation comes just months after Angelina Jolie made a personal visit to a refugee camp in Chad and it shows, once again, her and Brad Pitts’ commitment to helping refugees and the displaced,” said Michel Gabaudan, UNHCR’s regional representative for the United States and the Caribbean.
“As Goodwill Ambassador, Jolie’s continued support of UNHCR and those we seek to help is a powerful force in ensuring they are not forgotten.”
Ms. Jolie has visited the region three times. During her recent visit to the Oure-Cassoni camp she said she was struck by the sense of hope she encountered and by the widespread desire for peacekeepers to be deployed in eastern Chad.
It was in Oure-Cassoni where the actress met staff working for SOS Children’s Villages, who are providing psychological assistance to traumatized children.
“The children benefit enormously from the therapy,” said Yolan Broek, project leader of the Emergency Relief Programme of SOS Children’s Villages in Chad. “Children who at first did not speak, did not eat and who were isolated in their own worlds, are now playing happily and are able to interact with others.”
Photo: UNHCR
Iraqi Baby Admitted to Israel for Lifesaving Surgery
Israeli officials approved entry to Israel for a three-week-old Iraqi baby in need of lifesaving heart surgery, a complex procedure not available in neighboring countries. "Sam Muhammad and his mother had been waiting in Jordan for the permission to be treated in Haifa. Entry for four other Iraqi children in need of heart surgery, along with four escorts, were also approved. Muhammad was born with transposition of the great arteries and must be operated on within the next several days." (Jerusalem Post ) Link submitted by Daniel Keebler
Boy Gets Heart Transplant Thanks to Cell Phone
Hospital officials in Pennsylvania tried to contact a family awaiting a heart transplant. Their son’s organ had arrived and he needed to get to surgery immediately. The mom’s cell phone was turned off due to attendance at a jazz concert, so the sheriff’s department called Sprint Mobile to track the family’s phone using global positioning. When the concert was stopped, and the family’s name announced, the boy was whisked away in the nick of time, while the crowd offered a standing ovation. (CNN)
Gov. Schwarzenegger Signs Global Warming Pact with Victoria, Australia
The premier of the state of Victoria, Australia, has signed an agreement with Arnold Swarzenegger to tackle global warming. The memorandum signed Friday establishes a partnership to cut emissions and encourage the development of clean energy. The pact may mark the first cooperative effort to lessen climate change that links jurisdictions from two hemispheres.
