In a letter to Congress yesterday, the leaders of the big three U.S. automakers pledged to double production of flexible-fuel vehicles by 2010. They hope with this commitment to provide incentive to fuel providers to produce ethanol and other biofuels and install pumps to distribute them. They’ve produced 5 million flexible-fuel vehicles so far, which can run on gasoline or fuel blends of up to 85 percent ethanol. They project an additional 1 million vehicles this year and 2 million annually by 2010. (AP)
U.S. Automakers to Double Production of Flexible-Fuel Vehicles
Extinct Quail Sighted in India
The Manipur Bush-Quail is known to be shy. It is also believed to have been extinct for nearly 80 years. A prominent ornithologist has made history by sighting this shy little bird in the north-eastern Indian state of Assam. (BBC)
Over 6 Million Acres of New Protected Areas Established in the Amazon
On June 6, 2006, the Brazilian government announced the creation of protected areas of the Amazon rainforest totaling 6.2 million acres, including The Juruena National Park, now the third-largest park in Brazil.
The Amazon is the world’s largest river basin and the source of one-fifth of the earth’s fresh water. It has the world’s highest diversity of birds and freshwater fish, as well as the planet’s largest rainforest, which is home to more than one third of all species.
The Amazon’s ecosystem currently is threatened by illegal logging, slash-and-burn agriculture and other human activities, and forests are being destroyed at an alarming rate.
Brazil’s decree was a big step in the ARPA plan. It established The Juruena National Park, the third-largest park in Brazil (4.7 million acres) and the Rio Iriri Extractive Reserve, an additional 1 million acres adjacent to Terra do Meio.
US Senate Passes DoD Renewable Energy Amendment
The US Defense Department has made great strides toward increasing its usage of renewable energy sources. In 2005, DOD generated over 8% of its electricity from renewable sources, and issued an internal memo urging pursuit of the goal of generating or acquiring 25% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2025.
The US Senate passed a new amendment last week that would make this goal law. The measure, sponsored by Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and co-sponsored by Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), is an amendment to the Department of Defense Authorization bill and was passed Tuesday with unanimous consent. . .
Study Shows Laughter Reducing Heart Disease Risk
In March 2005, Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore presented results for the first time that showed laughter is linked to healthy function of blood vessels. The magnitude of benefit observed was similar to that produced by aerobic activity.
"Given the results of our study, it is conceivable that laughing may be important to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease," says principal investigator Michael Miller, M.D., director of preventive cardiology at the University of Maryland Medical Center and associate professor of medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. "At the very least, laughter offsets the impact of mental stress." . . .
Humble Grocer Quietly Gave Away Millions
Waldemar Kaminski, who quietly ran a food stand in Broadway Market for more than 50 years, has been revealed to be a self-made millionaire and philanthropist who anonymously gave millions to Buffalo charities and neighbors in need… He made his hidden fortune in the stock market, carefully investing his hard-earned money over the course of his lifetime. (6/23/06) Buffalo News
States Demand Clean Air, Adopt California’s Greenhouse Gas Limits
More states are saying the EPA doesn’t go far enough in forcing the car makers to raise emission standards in their new models. State politicians want cleaner air and are trying to force carmakers to provide it.
On Friday, Massachusetts joined Oregon, Connecticut and five other states in adopting California’s tough greenhouse gas rules, which limit the amount of carbon dioxide and other gases that can be emitted from vehicle tailpipes. These new rules would supplement federal exhaust pollutant standards. Two other states are in the process of adopting the rules.
The Washington Post reports that the status quo reaction from the Bush administration favors automakers, important because federal waivers would be needed before states can impose new rules.
NYC Courtesy Tops the World, Survey Says
Readers Digest conducted a survey in big cities to see if courtesy was dead. Are people really more rude than they were 20 years ago? The Digest sent reporters into retail establishments to see how many would hold the door, would help them pick up papers dropped by accident, would say ‘thank you’ at the register. They’ve ranked 35 cities around the world in a sort of kindness index.
The verdict was unexpected but delightful… NEW YORK City topped them all!
In the end, four out of every five people they encountered passed the Readers Digest courtesy test — making New York the most courteous city in the world. Imagine that. (All the courtesy reported here.)
First Whooping Cranes Hatch in Midwest in Over 100 Years
Last week wildlife officials in Wisconsin celebrated the birth of two whooping crane chicks marking the first time in over 100 years that a whooping crane has hatched in the wild in the Midwest.
“With the hatching of the first two wild chicks from the migratory whooping crane reintroduction, another chapter in wildlife history has been made. The journey took six long years of dedication, vision and believing it could happen — as well as the blood, sweat and occasional tears of the many partners that worked on the project. This is truly the start of a new generation of wild things…and a symbol for restoring our wild places,” said John Christian, co-chair of the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership.
Warren Buffett Gives Away His Fortune
Warren Buffett, the world’s second richest man – who’s now worth $44 billion – will start giving away 85% of his wealth in July – most of it to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. (CNN)
The Gates Foundation is focused on world health — eradicating diseases like malaria, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis — and on improving U.S. libraries and high schools.
Black and White Twins
Both Kylie and her partner Remi Horder, 17, are of mixed race. Their mothers are both white and their fathers are black. "It doesn’t matter to us — they are just our two gorgeous little girls." …Check out this gorgeous family photo in the Daily Mail!
Afghan Rapper Wins Fans with Message of Peace
Modern music was banned in Afghanistan under Taliban rule. Now one young man donning baseball cap and shades is introducing hip hop to the people and winning fans with a message of national pride and peace.
DJ Besho answers reporters’ questions in English. "My message is peace, a fight against drugs, against the people that do not try to learn something for this country, to love this country, to do something for this country. The BBC-TV has a video. Here’s a little more on him at the HipHopMusic blog.
Cameroon, France Sign Africa’s First Debt-for-Nature Swap
France and Cameroon have signed a debt-for-nature swap that aims to conserve some of the most pristine and threatened rainforest in Africa. Under the agreement, at least US$25 million will be invested over the next five years to protect parts of the Congo River Basin, the world’s second largest tropical forest after the Amazon. (ENS) … yay, France…
Blogger Freed From Prison in Egypt
After six weeks in detention, Egyptian blogger Alaa Abdel-Fatah was finally released Thursday. The Christian Science Monitor reported May 17:
Web community rallies to free Egyptian blogger:
Mr. Abdel-Fatah is one among hundreds of demonstrators detained last month while protesting the treatment of two judges who claimed that recent Egyptian parliamentary elections were rigged. Abdel-Fatah and his wife, Manal Hassan, published a widely read blog called Manalaa.
His blog serves as a meeting point for hundreds of Internet-savvy and politically active young Egyptians. It says, “We also offer free hosting and free aid in developing a website for any cause we find worthy or interesting and for any speech that is censored or prosecuted in Egypt.” In November 2005, the blog won a top award from Reporters Without Borders for promoting freedom of expression. Abdel-Fatah was also featured in the June 1 Time magazine.
Red Cross Connects Brothers Separated by War in Sudan
The American Red Cross of Alaska recently helped reconnect local Anchorage resident Tor Gach with his brother, who lives in a refugee camp in Ethiopia, through the home delivery of a Red Cross Message.
Originally from Sudan, Tor Gach lost contact with his brother more than a year ago, having received no replies to the multiple letters he sent. Solace finally came in an unexpected form when a Red Cross vehicle drove up to his home.
"Most of my family lives in areas of armed conflict, and I was fearful that the Red Cross were bringing me bad news about my family†. . .
Omega-3 Fish Oil Better ADHD Treatment
OMEGA-3 fish oil can be more effective than stimulant drugs like Ritalin commonly prescribed for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to new research. (NutraIngredients.com )
In addition to better attention and behavior, the study showed improvements in the children’s vocabulary.
“This might be attributed to enhanced reading ability, which has been found in other studies of children with learning difficulties who take fish oil,” researcher Natalie Sinnm said.
“Alternatively, it might have resulted from improvements in attention. Fish oil is believed to work via its effects on brain function. Sixty per cent of the brain is composed of fats, with the most important being polyunsaturated omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These must be obtained through diet and can be found in dark leafy vegetables, walnuts, linseeds and oily fish.” (FishUpdate.com)
‘Mind Over Matter’ No Longer Science Fiction
Typing on a keyboard now requires only the power of the mind. Brain Computer Interfaces will provide life-changing opportunities for 10 million people with paralyzed bodies. (AFP via Physorg.com)
12-Year-Old Surgeon Certain to Cure Cancer
Akrit is an incredible boy, aged 12, living in India who performed his first sugery at seven. Now he works with 76 adults on his theoretical cure for cancer. He sees his duty as stopping “all the suffering in the world.” He is sure of himself, compassionate of others, and declares that for the sake of others, “I won’t waste my talent.”
A documentary was made about his extraordinary intelligence, you can find the entire film on youtube, but here is a clip.
Ten-Yr-Old Raises Money to Save 4000 Acres of Rainforest
A Guyana news agency reports on the Lemonade Stand in Maryland, USA that raised money to save 4000 acres of Guyana rainforest. Alex Rice and his Cub Scout Troop raised $350.00 that was matched by Conservation International (CI), and CI-Guyana… Public Service at its finest!
Homeless Find Benefits in Internet World
The wired and wireless web is allowing the homeless to better communicate with the world. (Wired)