Pearl Jam and Loomstate collaborate with Target for charity

When I first heard that Pearl Jam was partnering with Target, I glanced out the window to see if pigs were soaring overhead. After all, the Seattle-bred grunge band set the bar for not selling out in the '90s -- taking on Ticketmaster to reduce its exorbitant ticket fees and shunning arena-band fame and fortune with all their might.

But, true to form, the band's collaboration with the discount retailer was inspired by altruism. Together with upscale organic clothing brand Loomstate, the band has created a limited-edition T-shirt -- sold exclusively at Target stores and on Target.com -- to raise money for the National Hunger Relief Program (www.feedingamerica.org.) All proceeds from the tee sales will benefit the charity.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/alltherage/2009/09/pearl-jam-and-loomstate-collaborate-with-target-for-charity.html

Good News From the HIV Vaccine Trial: The Success That Came From Failure

Last year the prospects for an HIV vaccine looked so bleak that some scientists began to talk about calling off the search all together. But today, the AIDS research community is reenergized—and surprised—by new data showing for the first time that a vaccine can partly stop transmission of the virus in humans.

Many in the community had not expected the vaccine to succeed, and they still don't understand exactly how it works. It's "a humbling reminder of how little we actually know," says Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, which helped fund the trial. But it's also the best lead the field has produced in a decade—and that means that instead of stopping the search for a fully effective AIDS vaccine, it's time to rev things up.

http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/thehumancondition/archive/2009/09/24/good-news-from-the-hiv-vaccine-trial-the-maybe-cure-that-almost-wasn-t.aspx

Prostate cancer discovery paves way for new drugs

New tests and treatments for prostate cancer could be developed following the discovery of genetic code variants that triple the chances of developing the disease.

Scientists screened the DNA of tens of thousands of men to identify the nine previously unknown risk areas.

The research highlighted at least two genes that could be targets for new treatments.

One, known as NKX3.1, helps control how cells die and may have a key role in cancer.

Drugs that could help men with a defective NKX3.1 gene are already in clinical trials.

Another gene called ITGA6 that is important for cell growth, movement and survival could also be a potential drug target. When overactive it is associated with some prostate cancers.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/6211685/Prostate-cancer-discovery-paves-way-for-new-drugs.html

Coldplay donate £1 million to children's charity

The band delve deep for charitable cause     
September 21, 2009

Coldplay have donated £1 million to the children's charity Kids Company.

The charity which helps underprivileged children, received the donation from the band who have generously given the cash to help the organisation achieve its goals.

http://www.nme.com/news/coldplay/47433

Broad Ocean Conservation Goals Pose Significant New Challenges

A comprehensive new ocean management plan proposed yesterday by the Obama administration aims to make sweeping changes in federal management and set ocean conservation as a top national priority. But translating those lofty goals into new approaches in agency management for land and water resources may prove difficult, ocean experts say.

http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2009/09/18/18greenwire-broad-ocean-conservation-goals-pose-significan-24019.html

UNICEF honors Shakira

World famous Colombian singer Shakira received the 'Child Right Award' from UNICEF Germany on Monday, the organization's press office reported.

"Shakira has committed herself to the children and young people of the world' Regine Stachelhaus, Executive Director of UNICEF Germany, said at the presentation of the award in Offenburg, Germany.

http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news-lite/115-people/6020-unicef-honored-shakira.html

Kids help protect the environment

SM BEACH — Forty screaming fourth graders, imitating everything from a great white shark to an octopus, raced across the sand at Muscle Beach next to the Santa Monica Pier.

Flinging themselves at the feet of Heal the Bay volunteers, they tore open pouches containing food — animal figurines — or trash. The kids who found animals hurried back to their waiting classmates, while those with the not-so-tasty trash headed to the temporary animal hospital for a checkup.

The "Fatal Food Relay" was just one of the many activities aimed at teaching kids about keeping the oceans clean at Heal the Bay's Education Day on Friday. The event hosted more than 700 third, fourth and fifth graders from L.A. County Title 1 schools and helped kick-off California's Coastal Cleanup Weekend.

"I was excited to be out here because it's a lot of fun working together as a team to clean up the beach for the environment," Christopher Jackson, a third grader at Wisdom Academy for Young Scientists, said.

http://www.smdp.com/Articles-c-2009-09-18-62207.113116_Kids_help_protect_the_environment.html

Gisele Bundchen Named UN Environmental Ambassador

Supermodel Gisele Bundchen is named the new UN Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Environment Programme on Sunday (September 20) in New York City's Washington Square Park.

The 29-year-old Brazilian beauty will help the program to "raise awareness and inspire action to protect the environment," according to the organization.

Read more: http://justjared.buzznet.com/2009/09/20/gisele-bundchen-environmental-ambassador/#ixzz0RjG21UT9

Spinal advance gets rats running

Hopes that people with spinal injuries could one day regain leg movement have been raised by research in rats.

US, Russian and Swiss scientists used drugs and electrical stimulation to train the animals, whose spinal cords had been cut, to run on a treadmill.

Their movement was "almost indistinguishable" from normal steps, they said.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8263787.stm

FDA approves vaccines for 2009 H1N1 influenza virus

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved four vaccines against the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. The vaccines will be distributed nationally after the initial lots become available sometime within the next four weeks.

"Today's approval is good news for our nation's response to the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus," said Commissioner of Food and Drugs Margaret A. Hamburg, MD. "This vaccine will help protect individuals from serious illness and death from influenza."

http://www.healthcarefinancenews.com/news/fda-approves-vaccines-2009-h1n1-influenza-virus

Lower Gas Heating Costs Are Good News for Consumers

By Pam Sohn, Chattanooga Times Free Press, Tenn.

Sep. 17--The economy's chill may leave at least one warm spot in consumers' hearts and pocketbooks for the winter heating season.

Natural gas prices fell last month to the lowest levels in seven years after an Energy Department report showed reserves of gas are at a record high for this time of year.

"It's good news for consumers," said Jonathan Cogan, an information specialist with the Energy Information Administration, a division of the U.S. Department of Energy.

http://www.waterworld.com/index/display/news_display/s-135400100.html

Good News as Pilot Escapes KingAir Crash at Hayward Airport

A 2001 Beechcraft KingAir B200, crashed at the Hayward Airport (KHWD) just after noon today. The aircraft is registered to Henry Broadcasting Nevada Inc.

The aircraft was heading to San Carlos. Historically, the plane appears to fly to San Carlos and Carson several times a month. Some sources are stating that it was a maintenance flight.

A problem ocurred during or just after takeoff that resulted in the crash. The pilot was able to walk away from the aircraft of his own power, despite what appears to be extensive damage to the airframe. There were no other occupants

http://www.examiner.com/x-23255-SF-Private-Aircraft-Examiner~y2009m9d17-Good-News-as-Pilot-Escapes-KingAir-Crash-at-Hayward-Airport

US to scrap missile defence plan

The United States is to abandon plans to build a missile defence system in Poland and the Czech Republic, the Czech prime minister has announced.

Jan Fischer said Barack Obama, the US president, had notified him of the change of plan by telephone.

The defence shield was to have seen a battery of 10 missile interceptors deployed in Poland and a radar station built in the Czech Republic.

http://mwcnews.net/content/view/33206/0/

New Africa International Trade Centre in Ethiopia

By Dorcas Ilunga -

Addis Ababa (September 17, 2009) -

Construction of a modern multi-million Africa International Trade Centre is under way in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa.

The trade centre to be called Addis Africa International Trade Centre will be the first of its kind in Africa and will among other things enhance business and economic interaction among Africans.

http://www.goodnewsethiopia.com/2009/09/17/new-africa-international-trade-centre-in-ethiopia/

U.S., Canada, and Mexico Submit Proposal to Reduce Super Greenhouse Gases Under Ozone Treaty

Washington, D.C., September 15, 2009 - Today, on the eve of the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, and for the first time in the history of the Montreal Protocol ozone treaty, the North American leaders submitted a joint proposal today to amend the treaty explicitly for climate protection.  The proposal would phase down hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs, chemicals used as substitutes for CFCs and HCFCs in refrigeration and foam blowing.

http://www.enn.com/press_releases/3093

Berkebile wins $100K award for commitment to environment

Robert Berkebile, the founding principal of BNIM Architects, has been selected to receive a $100,000 Heinz Award for promoting green building design and helping restore communities through sustainable architecture and planning.

The Heinz Awards are presented by the Heinz Family Foundation in Pittsburgh in memory of the late U.S. Sen. John Heinz. This year, the awards were presented for commitment to the environment.

http://kansascity.bizjournals.com/kansascity/stories/2009/09/14/daily11.html

CollectAPhone.com Helps Save the Environment and Helps Non-Profit Organizations Raise..

NEW YORK, Sept. 16, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- "Going green" is a social movement
 that was created to increase the awareness of environmental conservation. It is
about using the Earth's resources more efficiently by conserving natural
 resources, minimizing pollution, reducing garbage in landfills, and protecting
forests and wildlife. Greening your lifestyle is easier than most people think,
 and it often involves saving money in the process. It is our responsibility to
the environment to maintain its natural resources, and cell phone recycling is
 an important part of that. "Going green" will not only make our lives healthier
and more enjoyable, it may even help save Earth's natural beauty and its
 wildlife.

CollectAPhone is a green company committed to this important cause. Based less
 than an hour from New York City, their mission is to protect the environment by
collecting one million used cell phones this year, and that's not all. Every
 phone collected will be used to raise money for charities.

http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS121779+16-Sep-2009+GNW20090916
 

Orlando Police officer rescues kittens at Events Center ORLANDO

ORLANDO - An Orlando Police officer helped rescue two kittens that were apparently stranded on a metal beam on an outside wall at the Orlando Events Center.

The kitten rescue occurred at about 9:30 p.m. Tuesday after a citizen stopped an officer at Church Street and Bryan. The kittens were heard "meowing" about 50 feet from the ground on top of an 8-inch metal beam, according to Orlando Police Sgt. Barb Jones.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/orl-bk-orlando-kitten-rescue-091609,0,4687677.story

Good news for travelers as hotel room rates drop

The average decrease in room rate at hotels around the world was 17 percent on-year in the same period. The average price per room is now lower than it was five years ago.

http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2910107

HHS Gives Millions to States for Adoption

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded $35 million to 38 states and Puerto Rico.  The Adoption Incentives program is part of the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997.

Kathleen Strottman, executive director of the nonpartisan Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, said her group has been working to have this important program reauthorized.

"I think it's a wonderful step forward," she said. "It shows an incredibly important first sign from the Obama administration that this is an issue that they care about."

—Nima Reza

http://www.citizenlink.org/content/A000010970.cfm

Big Cat Rescue director up for Animal Planet hero award

By LEIGH SPANN

News Channel 8

Published: September 14, 2009

TAMPA - It takes a lot to be a hero, and for one Tampa man it takes a lot of meat.

Scott Lope, director of operations at the nonprofit wildlife sanctuary Big Cat Rescue, helps house and feed nearly 115 large cats every day. Cable television channel Animal Planet has rewarded his work in educating the public about the plight of these animals by naming him a finalist for its Hero of the Year.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/sep/14/big-cat-rescue-director-animal-planet-hero-award/news-breaking/

http://www.bigcatrescue.org/

Good News, Retro-Geeks: Commodore 64 on IPhones

By David Sims
TMCnet Contributing Editor

Aging geeks, nostalgic for those halcyon days of your youth, you're in luck: Aarhuis, Denmark-based Kiloo and Manomio haven reportedly  released the Commodore 64 Emulator for the iPhone and iPod touch on Apple's (News - Alert) App Store. 

Yes, you heard right: That same Commodore 64 users loved in lieu of a social life. The iPhone (News - Alert) Emulator is based on the "original and all-time famous" 8-bit home computer released in August 1982.

http://headsets.tmcnet.com/topics/headsets/articles/64245-good-news-retro-geeks-commodore-64-iphones.htm

Nanosolar Reaches Solar Cell Efficiency of 16.4% and Starts Mass Production

by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 09.14.09

Science & Technology (solar)

Cheap, Efficient Solar Cells You Can Print
For a while, everybody was talking about Nanosolar. They were the Tesla Motors of solar panels, in a way. But for the past year, they've kept quiet and this led some people to doubt that the company really would be able to deliver on what it had promised. Was it all hype? Well, Nanosolar has now broken radio silence and the news are good. They've simultaneously released information about three things, along with a very cool video (check it out below) that shows what the inside of their factories look like, including the brand new one in Germany.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/09/nanosolar-solar-power-efficiency-germany-factory-mass-production.php

Speedier Vaccine Access Raises Odds Swine Flu May Be Controlled

By Tom Randall and Jason Gale

Sept. 15 (Bloomberg) -- Speedier-than-expected delivery of a swine flu vaccine is providing health authorities a better chance of controlling the first pandemic in 41 years and raising hopes of protecting almost half the world's population.

The U.S. plans to begin vaccinations in the next three weeks, earlier than previous estimates of mid-October, as it faces an "unprecedented" fall outbreak, said Nancy Cox, director for the flu division of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Her comments came just days after the the first tests found a single shot to be effective in 8 to 10 days in healthy adults. The next challenge is getting the immunization to people and convincing them to take it, she said.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601081&sid=a3lX.B2NP5AA

Baby of the 9s

philstar.com) Updated September 13, 2009 12:00 AM

LA CROSSE, Wisconsin – No doubt. The nines have it. Chuck Berendes of La Crosse said he will never forget the birthday of this third child, born Wednesday on the ninth day of the nine month in the year 2009. Nor will Berendes and his wife, Polly, forget Henry Michael's arrival time — at 9:09 a.m. by Cesarean section at Franciscan Skemp Medical Center in La Crosse.

But they got the biggest laugh when the newborn was placed on the delivery room scale following his birth. Berendes said it was a metric scale so the doctor did the math in his head, but to make sure, he had the nurse also do the conversion. Berendes said they broke into laughter when the nurse told them Henry weighed 9 pounds, 9 ounces.     – AP

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=504841&publicationSubCategoryId=473

Teri Hatcher turns superwoman as she works up a sweat in charity triathlon

By Chris Johnson
Last updated at 8:12 AM on 14th September 2009

She may be one of the Desperate Housewives, but Teri Hatcher proved she is no wimp after taking part in a charity triathlon today.

While her hapless alter-ego Susan Mayer may have run a mile at the though of such a gruelling routine, Teri did far more than that as she swam, cycled and then ran for the arduous event.

The 44-year-old actress has been in training for the past few month and put her hard work into action today for the Nautica Malibu Triathlon in Los Angeles.

The mother-of-one, who was raising funds for the Children's Hospital Los Angeles, and was joined by her 11-year-old daughter Emerson Rose.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1213181/Teri-Hatcher-turns-superwoman-works-sweat-charity-triathlon.html#ixzz0R4bNg6PM

International charity sale held in Beijing

Madam Le Aimei, wife of Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and the Foreign Ministry's Honorary Ambassador for Poverty Alleviation, delievered the speech at the ribbon cutting ceremony.

On September 12, the international charity sale "Love Knows No Borders" for children's education in poor areas of China's Yunnan Province was held south of Ling Long Tower, the Olympic Green in Beijing, which was hosted by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of P.R.C. and co-hosted by Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Beijing Municipality and People's Government of Chaoyang District of Beijing.

The activity was initiated by Madam Le Aimei, wife of Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and the Foreign Ministry's Honorary Ambassador for Poverty Alleviation.

More than 70 countries' embassies to China and representative offices of international organizations including European Union (EU), World Bank (WB),the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR) etc., and Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, Association of Former Diplomats of China (AFDC) and 5 departments of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China,which set up over 80 charity sale booths during the acitity.

http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90778/90857/90861/6756081.html

Multiple Sclerosis Discovery

(ABC 6 NEWS) -- A team of scientists at the Mayo Clinic recently discovered two genes that could lead to a better understanding of multiple sclerosis.

For more than 50 years researchers have been trying to figure out why some people recover and others succumb to the debilitating disease.

Doctor Allan Bieber's discovery brings hope to tens of thousands of people with multiple sclerosis.

http://kaaltv.com/article/stories/S1134512.shtml?cat=10151

UN tree-planting campaign reaches 4 billion mark

10 June 2009 – The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) announced today that its campaign to plant 7 billion trees worldwide – in a bid to pressure nations to "seal the deal" on an ambitious new climate change pact this December – has passed the halfway mark.

More than 4 billion saplings have been planted as part of UNEP's Billion Tree Campaign, which has mobilized thousands of people in 166 countries to put more trees on the planet by the end of 2009.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=31096&Cr=copenhagen&Cr1

Thousands of bikers ride in Maine charity ride

September 13, 2009 13:37 EDT AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) -- Thousands of motorcyclists revved their engines Sunday for the 28th annual Toy Run, which is billed as the state's largest single charity event of the year. The ride each year brings in thousands of toys, which are distributed to needy children throughout Maine during the Christmas holiday season.

http://www.wgme.com/template/inews_wire/wires.regional.me/2cc1076d-www.wgme.com.shtml

World Champion Philadelphia Phillies score over $10.2 Million for charity!

Even after their season ends with a World Series win, the Philadelphia Phillies continue the magic. Throughout the year, members of this thoughtful and dedicated organization donate time, money, and heart to making things better for people in need. A quick glance at their 'community calendar' is dizzying, as these heroes work tirelessly for what they believe in.

http://www.examiner.com/x-11713-Philadelphia-Celebrity-Charity-Examiner~y2009m6d11-World-Champion-Philadelphia-Phillies-score-over-102-Million-for-charity

Twenty thousand hectares of land for tree planting

By gna - Ghana News Agency
Science/Nature | Mon, 29 Jun 2009

Bolgatanga, June 29, GNA - About 26.6 million tree seedlings of various species will be grown on 20,000 hectares of land all over the country this year.

Mr. Mark Woyongo, Upper East Regional Minister, who said this in Bolgatanga at the launch of the VSO XChange Programme, said government had already released funds for the survey, demarcation and preparation of the land.

This, he said, would provide jobs for the youth as it was estimated to create 12,600 jobs and an estimated 160,000 metric tonnes of food crops to be produced from the plantations.

http://www.modernghana.com/news/224510/1/twenty-thousand-hectares-of-land-for-tree-planting.html

Richard Gere: Celebrity, Gentleman, & first Native Philadelphian to receive prestigious award

I was researching Philadelphia-born celebrities for this article, and to my surprise (and delight), I learned that Richard Gere was born right here, in the City of Brotherly Love. I did some digging to see if Mr. Gere was the charitable type, and I was happy and relieved to discover that he is, indeed, a generous gentleman. And as it turns out, the apple didn't fall far from the tree…

Richard Gere's father has volunteered for Meals on Wheels, which began in Philadelphia in 1954, for almost twenty years. The program was the first home-delivery meal program in America. Supporting the cause, which is obviously close to his father's heart, Gere became a spokesman for Meals on Wheels, and in 2007, appeared in the charity's first-ever advertising campaign with his father.

http://www.examiner.com/x-11713-Philadelphia-Celebrity-Charity-Examiner~y2009m7d23-Richard-Gere-Celebrity-Gentleman--first-Native-Philadelphian-to-receive-prestigious-award

Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt give U.N. refugee agency $1 million

by The Associated Press

Thursday June 18, 2009, 8:47 AM

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have donated $1 million to the U.N. refugee agency providing aid to hundreds of thousands uprooted by violence in Pakistan.

The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees says it is grateful for the donation from the Jolie-Pitt Foundation. It said Thursday the money will go to alleviating suffering caused by the "most challenging humanitarian crisis of the past decade."

http://www.nola.com/movies/index.ssf/2009/06/angelina_jolie_brad_pitt_give.html

Wild-flower programme aims to bring back bees

Basel-based agrichemical concern Syngenta has launched a five-year programme designed to help farmers by bringing bees and other pollinating insects close to fields.

"The number of pollinating insects has declined significantly across Europe in recent years because of loss of feeding sites and breeding areas," Jon Parr, head of Syngenta's crop protection division, said in a statement. "Our aim is to help reverse this trend."

http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/science_technology/Wild_flower_programme_aims_to_bring_back_bees.html?siteSect=514&sid=10958833&cKey=1247644667000&ty=nd

Report: Clean Energy Economy Creates 1.7 Million Jobs

America's emerging clean energy economy will create 1.7 million jobs and spur $150 billion in clean investments a year if our nation takes strong action, according to a new report from the Center for American Progress. Today, CAP and the Political Economy Research Institute at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst released The Economic Benefits of Investing in Clean Energy, the first study to project the combined effect of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and the Waxman-Markey American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACESA) on the US economy.

http://wonkroom.thinkprogress.org/2009/06/18/clean-energy-jobs-report/

US pushes peace process in Israel

George Mitchell, the US envoy to the Middle East, has reaffirmed Washington's friendship with Israel during a visit aimed at pushing for renewed peace efforts in the region.

Mitchell met Ehud Barak, Israel's defence minister, in Tel Aviv on Sunday, the first of three US officials set to visit Israel and other countries in the Middle East this week.

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/07/200972615443080272.html

North Korea Frees Fishermen

Associated Press

SEOUL –North Korea freed four South Korean fishermen and their boat on Saturday, an official said, the latest in a string of goodwill gestures that indicate Pyongyang's desire to patch up relations with Seoul.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125153627615369273.html

Swine Flu Vaccine Study Says One Shot May Be Enough

A new study from an Australian vaccine manufacturer suggests that just one shot of vaccine may produce a robust enough response in the immune system to protect people from being infected by the 2009 pandemic A/H1N1 swine flu virus. The news is expected to be welcomed by health authorities because it means more people can be protected more quickly as vaccine becomes available.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/163633.php

People Profile: Ellen Dorsch of Creative Women

By Mamo Gebrehiwot (mamo@goodnewsethiopia.com) – September 10, 2009 -

The Company: Creative Women Hand-Woven Textiles is a Vermont, USA-based wholesale company working directly with women in Ethiopia and Swaziland and bringing traditionally inspired contemporary accessories and home textiles, all hand-made and hand woven. Creative Women is a member of the Fair Trade Federation.

http://www.goodnewsethiopia.com/2009/09/10/people-profile-ellen-dorsch-of-creative-women/

Neighborhoods band together to make solar easy

Posted by Carrie Sturrock September 03, 2009 07:00AM

If you've been thinking about going solar, now is the time to do it. It may never get this cheap again.

Southeast residents have banded together to purchase solar installations at a group discount and navigate the sometimes intimidating questions of "Where do you go to buy them?" and "How much should you pay?"

http://blog.oregonlive.com/pdxgreen/2009/09/neighborhoods_band_together_to.html

Tweeting For Charity: Twestival Events Begin

A series of fundraising parties organised on social networking sites will begin today from London to Alaska and Bogota.

More than 130 cities are holding Twestival Local events over the weekend in an attempt to raise $400,000 for charities around the world.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Technology/Twestival-Local-Begins-Twitter-Organised-Charity-Events-To-Be-Held-Around-The-World-This-Weekend/Article/200909215378110?lpos=Technology_First_UK_News_Feature_Teaser_Region_0&lid=ARTICLE_15378110_Twestival_Local_Begins%3A_Twitter_Organised_Charity_Events_To_Be_Held_Around_The_World_This_Weekend

Charity project aids 465 orphans

A total of 465 children in Qatar have been sponsored by Qatar Charity under its 'Orphan Smile' programme, a senior official said.
QC's Qatar office director Abdullah Jassim al-Jassim said the programme included the monthly sponsorship payment to the children's guardians, educational and health care expenses, as well as skills development.

http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=310395&version=1&template_id=36&parent_id=16

Thousands of couples to say 'I do' on 9/9/9

From Times Online

September 9, 2009

The date September 9 2009 has seen a big surge in weddings around the world.

From lovestruck British emergency service workers to superstitious Chinese sweethearts, tens of thousands of couples have been seduced by the symbolism and the symmetry of the date to tie the knot.

http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/relationships/article6827188.ece

Asian firms prodded to go ‘green’

Thursday, September 10, 2009 | MANILA, PHILIPPINES

SENIOR OFFICIALS of 26 countries have agreed to work together to encourage businesses to adopt environment-friendly practices, a Cabinet official yesterday said.

http://www.bworldonline.com/BW091009/content.php?id=052

Hubble’s latest, greatest views revealed

NASA declares 'mission accomplished' with dazzling new images

By Alan Boyle

Science editor

msnbc.com

updated 12:25 p.m. ET Sept. 9, 2009

Astronomers unveiled the latest batch of Hubble's greatest hits on Wednesday, all taken since the space telescope was upgraded in May during NASA's final shuttle servicing mission.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32757086/ns/technology_and_science-space/

Firefighters end stuck cat's four day tree saga

Firefighters rescued a stray cat from a tree – ending the miserable moggy's four-day plight.
The cat was brought down from the tree in Northcote Road, Strood, on Saturday, August 22.
The RSPCA looked after the stray and as no owner came forward she has now been found a loving new home.

http://www.kentnews.co.uk/kent-news/Firefighters-end-stuck-cat_s-four-day-tree-saga-newsinkent27951.aspx?news=local

Japan's new government seeks deeper cuts in greenhouse gases

Tokyo - Japan's premier-designate said Monday that his incoming government wants to make deeper cuts in the country's emissions of greenhouse gases. Yukio Hatoyama, who is slated to become the next prime minister after his Democratic Party of Japan won last week's parliamentary election, said the party wants emissions cuts of 25 per cent by 2020 from 1990's levels. That goal compares with an 8-per-cent cut envisioned within the same timeframe by outgoing Prime Minister Taro Aso of the Liberal Democratic Party.

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/284516,japans-new-government-seeks-deeper-cuts-in-greenhouse-gases.html

Moody's: Israeli recession is over, prospects are good

By TheMarker Correspondents and Agencies , By Moti Bassok and Tal Levy

Israel has high levels of economic, institutional and financial strength, and the country's recession now appears to be over, Moody's Investor Services said yesterday in its annual report on Israel.
The international rating agency left Israel's long-term government foreign currency bond rating at A1 with a stable outlook.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1110787.html

Thousands go the extra mile for charity run

Sep 7 2009 by Nathan Bevan, South Wales Echo

HUNDREDS lined the streets yesterday to cheer home the runners in the HSBC Cardiff 10k run.

More than 3,000 people, including internationally-renowned classical singer Katherine Jenkins and rugby star Mike Phillips, pounded the roads around the sun-lit capital on Sunday morning to help raise money for the Children's Kidney Centre at the University Hospital Of Wales.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/cardiff-news/2009/09/07/thousands-go-the-extra-mile-for-charity-run-91466-24621103/

Organic Coffee Is Hot On College Campuses

College food services increasingly choose organic coffee despite economy

Greenfield, Mass. (Vocus/PRWEB ) September 9, 2009 -- Whether a result of bottom-up pressure from students or top-down decision-making from proactive faculty and food service administrators, organic coffee is more available than ever on college campuses these days, according to the Organic Coffee Collaboration, a project of the Organic Trade Association (OTA) (www.ota.com/organic_and_you/coffee_collaboration.html).

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/09/prweb2849034.htm

South Africa launches child vaccination campaign

Tuesday, 08 September 2009

The doctor praised for re-energising South Africa's Health Ministry launched a major campaign Monday to get vaccinations and immunity-boosting vitamins to 3 million children across the country over the next two weeks.

Temporary clinics were set up and health workers were going door-to-door for two weeks starting Monday in the campaign aimed at reducing deaths from diarrhea, pneumonia and measles.

http://www.africagoodnews.com/health/south-africa-launches-child-vaccination-campaign.html

Sumner community gardens: For area green thumbs, the concept keeps on growing

DEBBIE CAFAZZO; The News Tribune | • Published September 09, 2009

A little more than 18 months ago, a community garden was just a germ of an idea sprouting in the minds of some folks in Sumner.
But during the course of two summer seasons, Sumner Community Gardens has blossomed into a huge success, attracting more than 200 families who share gardening space at two lush sites near the heart of the city.

http://www.theolympian.com/food/story/964558.html

Over 20 Indian CEOs to be auctioned online

By    siliconindia news bureau

Tuesday,08 September 2009, 19:45 hrs

Bangalore: Over 20 Indian CEOs will soon be auctioned online. Through an initiative called 'Shadow a CEO', the Hyderabad based Indian School of Business (ISB) will allow its students to bid in an online auction to connect them with their favorite CEO.

The objective of this auction is not just to provide an opportunity to the current and future business leaders to network, but also to involve corporate India in a social cause. Funds raised from the auction will go to an NGO of the CEOs' choice.

http://www.siliconindia.com/shownews/Over_20_Indian_CEOs_to_be_auctioned_online-nid-61040.html/1/2

Thinking Pink.... Breast Cancer Foundation in Sierra Leone

Posted by Roland Bankole Marke on Sep 9, 2009, 00:11

Breast cancer is a serious nightmare in Sierra Leone that affects both men and women. But access to medical facilities is not easily available, sometimes non existence. I spoke to the founder of Thinking Pink Breast Cancer Foundation Mrs. Cremelda Pratt about this foundation. The following extract is from an insightful interview I had with her.

http://standardtimespress.net/cgi-bin/artman/publish/article_4201.shtml

Renewable energy act 'good news' for green sector: trade group

Central News Agency
2009-09-06 12:00 AM

The Taipei-based European Chamber of Commerce Taipei (ECCT) applauded Taiwan's recent passage of an act aimed at promoting renewable energy development, saying that it is good news for Taiwan's green energy industry.

The European trade group says in the latest edition of its bimonthly magazine Euro View that for many years the delay in passing Taiwan's renewable energy act has caused harm to the renewable and green energy industry and describes the passage of the act in mid-June as a significant milestone.

http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php?id=1049837&lang=eng_news&cate_img=logo_taiwan&cate_rss=TAIWAN_eng

Saved by an unlikely angel

By SHARON LEM, SUN MEDIA

Dany Mercado wept yesterday when he met the "angel" who saved his life.

Mercado, a 26-year-old Kitchener engineering student had been diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2002 and was fighting for his life with chemotherapy awaiting a bone marrow transplant. Meanwhile, south of the border, Dr. Wes Hamilton, 30, of Abilene, Tex., became a bone marrow donor during his first year of medical school in 2002. He donated the blood that gave Mercado a new lease on life on a whim because he was hungry and the program was offering free food.

http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2009/09/03/10728801-sun.html

Sailors saved after 'hit-and-run'

Two sailors had to be rescued when their yacht was in a collision with a fishing vessel in a "hit-and-run" in rough seas off the Dorset coast.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/dorset/8239200.stm

Montreal's 'miracle baby' survives heart troubles

Doctors and his parents beamed with pride and love as they described Panagiotis Baltzis as the youngest — he turns one next week — and smallest baby in Canada to have made a full recovery after being hooked up to a heart-lung machine and a device called a Berlin Heart. There are only about 10 such cases known in the world, doctors said.

http://www.calgaryherald.com/health/Montreal+miracle+baby+survives+heart+troubles/1697479/story.html

Good News From Africa

07 Sep 2009 08:24 am

The continent of Africa has seen output expand 6½ times between 1950 and 2001. Of course, the population has grown nearly fourfold, so GDP per capita has only increased 67 percent. But that's hardly stagnation.

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2009/09/good-news-from-africa.html

Southern California Residents Hear Good News About Wildfires

September 6, 2009 at 10:57pm

Good news today for southern california residents, after fire officials say L-A area communities are out of harm's way.A U-S forest spokesman says the station fire was forty nine percent contained as of yesterday afternoon.Crews built fire lines to keep the flames away from foothill communities.

http://www.keyc.com/node/27280

Good news on swine flu – for now…

By Geoffrey Lean UK Last updated: September 7th, 2009

So far, so good – but fingers crossed. The World Health Organisation has just reported that it has not detected any mutuation which would make the H1N1 swine flu virus more deadly. "It is not causing more severe illness than before", says its spokesman Gregory Hartl. "There have been no changes in the behaviour of the virus".

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/geoffreylean/100008713/good-news-on-swine-flu-%E2%80%93-for-now/

Scientists Discover 3 More Genes With Links to Alzheimer's Disease

By David Brown

Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, September 7, 2009

Studies Shine Light on Production, Removal of Toxic Proteins

Two European research teams have identified three genes that affect a person's risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, the most common cause of dementia in the elderly.

The new genes appear to have at least as big a role as four others discovered in the last 15 years that are known to play a role in Alzheimer's.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/06/AR2009090601160.html?hpid=topnews

Pilots fly to the rescue of abandoned animals

By Sharon L. Peters • USA TODAY • September 7, 2009

From Saturday through Sept. 20, small-plane pilots — who for 18 months have been volunteering their planes, fuel and time to fly pets from high-kill shelters to areas where there's space and demand for them — are aiming to fly 5,000 animals.

In the 18 months since PNP was born, 604 pilots have signed up, and more than 1,000 animals have been flown.

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090907/FEATURES01/909070311/Pilots+fly+to+the+rescue+of+abandoned+animals

Cure for AIDS? Possible AIDS Vaccine in the Works

Researchers in California believe they have hit the jackpot in modern medical breakthroughs. The cure for AIDS.

The researchers have published a study in the journal Science, demonstrating two powerful new antibodies which could hold the key to achieving a viable AIDS vaccine. It has been well known for several years that a very small percentage of people are immune to the HIV virus, but it was never discovered quite how. Now, researchers were able to isolate the antibodies that neutralize a high percentage of the virus's different forms currently in circulation worldwide.

http://planetsave.com/blog/2009/09/04/cure-for-aids-possible-aids-vaccine-in-the-works/

Global recession ending: OECD

By Brian Love

PARIS (Reuters) - The global recession is coming to an end faster than thought a few months ago and may already be over, but recovery will rely on massive government spending and low interest rates for some time, the OECD said on Thursday.

The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development issued forecasts showing a broad return to economic expansion in the third quarter of 2009.

http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE5821Z420090903

Hundreds Saved From Philippine Ferry Sinking

By CARLOS H. CONDE

Published: September 7, 2009

MANILA — Only two passengers remained missing Monday afternoon after nearly 1,000 were rescued following the sinking of a ferry in the southern Philippines, transportation officials said.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/08/world/asia/08ferry.html