We thank the following
and those unknown
persons, groups, agencies,
organizations and
governments for their
loving and selfless actions
that bring meaningful
comfort and assistance
to others.
May your lives be graced
by the Divine
with evermore joy
and fulfilling reward.
EgyptEgypt donates
US$300 million
to South Sudan for water
and electricity projects,
as well as training
courses and scholarships
for students.
The United Arab Emirates and Emirati organizationsThe United Arab
Emirates government
and Emirati organizations
gave over US$2.4 billion
in grants and loans in
2009 for humanitarian,
infrastructure, and
development projects in
more than 90 countries.
South KoreaSouth Korea donates
medicines and
other relief supplies
valued at US$50 million
to Peru to assist residents
following extreme cold.
AustraliaAustralia donates
more than US$43 million
to Papua New Guinea
churches to support
health and education
projects for
the disadvantaged.
European UnionThe European Union
announces
a new donation of
US$39 million to help
the less fortunate and
flood victims in Pakistan;
and donates €18 million
to boost food security
in Burkina Faso.
European CommissionThe European
Commission announces
US$20 million
of food aid to Niger
to help alleviate
extreme food shortages;
and donates €15 million
to support displaced
Somalis at the
Dadaab Camps in Kenya.
The Kuwaiti Fund for Arab Economic Development
The Kuwaiti Fund
for Arab Economic
Development donates
US$14.4 million
to Gambia to support
higher education.
The Canary Islands, SpainThe Canary Islands is
the first region in Spain
to ban bullfighting
in 1991.
Governor Jack Markell, USA Governor Jack Markell
of Delaware, USA,
signs a new law that sets
the standards of operation
for the state's
animal shelters with
a goal of eliminating
euthanization.
40 US billionairesBillionaires Warren Buffet
and Bill Gates launched
a charity campaign in
which 40 US billionaires
sign the pledge to give
at least half of
their fortune to charity.
Caring for Kaela International children's
organization Caring
for Kaela's many projects
focus on improving
the lives of the children
of Chad, as well as
strengthens communities
and supports
the peaceful development
of the country.
A Roof for My CountryEstablished by a group
of university students
in Chile, A Roof for
My Country's teams
of university students
build housing
for the underprivileged
throughout Latin America.
Best Friends Animal SanctuaryAs the largest of its kind
in the US, Best Friends
Animal Sanctuary
provides new animal
residents with care
as they seek
a new home,
or are welcomed for life.
Indiana's Greene County Health Department and State Police and the Humane SocietyThe Greene County
Health Department
and the State Police
in Indiana, USA, rescued
more than 70 dogs
who are now being
rehabilitated by
the Humane Society.
Orange Dog and Jan FolkOrange Dog's founder
Jan Folk establishes the
Freedom Flights program
to fly canines from
American shelters to their
new homes in Canada.
Jo-Anne McArthurCanadian photojournalist
and vegan
Jo-Anne McArthur,
founder of We Animals,
dedicates her life
to portraying the sentient
nature of animals, often
bringing to light in vivid
imageries the cruelty
of the animal industries.
Five teenage girls in Delaware and Shelley Wright-Estevam, USAWith the help of
their riding teacher,
Shelley Wright-Estevam,
five US teenage girls
in Delaware rescue
a horse from slaughter.
Kaleigh McMichael, USASix-year-old
Kaleigh McMichael
of North Carolina, USA,
raises US$80 from a
lemonade and cookie sale
for the Rockingham
County's first-ever
animal shelter.
Trương Xuân Thức, Âu Lạc (Vietnam) Noticing a truck
on the tracks, train driver
Trương Xuân Thức
chooses to risk his life
to save all passengers
on board by using
the emergency brakes
to quickly stop the train,
and thereby lessening
the collision, instead of
using the slower-acting
regular brakes.
Mongolian Member of Parliament Dr. Ulaan Chultem Mongolian Member
of Parliament
Dr. Ulaan Chultem
bravely jumps into a river
to rescue a family of four
who have been caught
in a whirlpool.
Peter Deardorff, Robin Adair, and Shane Berube, USAPeter Deardorff,
Robin Adair,
and Shane Berube
disregard their own
safety to enter
a burning mobile home
in Washington, USA,
to rescue a child
and an infant.
Brett Hartje, USADue to his alertness
and quick actions,
14-year-old jet skier
Brett Hartje successfully
pulls a sinking swimmer
to safety.
Gage the police dog, New ZealandNew Zealand's police
dog Gage gave his life
in the line of duty to
save his human partner.
Dottie the fox terrier, USA
Dottie the fox terrier
in North Carolina, USA,
finds and brings help
to her weakened
human caregiver
who has fallen on
the rocks during a walk.
SPECIAL THANKS
of the MONTH Ana Serrano Revollo, BoliviaAna Serrano Revollo
has co-authored
a Bolivian law that bans
the use of all wild and
domesticated animals
in circuses in Bolivia.
China's National Development and Reform Commission China's National Development and
Reform Commission
allocates US$100 billion
toward infrastructure
projects to improve the
people's living standard.
The International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the United States, and other donors The International
Monetary Fund,
the World Bank,
the United States,
and other donors have
cumulatively waived all
of Haiti's remaining debt
of US$696 million.
GermanyGermany is establishing
a US$500 million climate
fund to provide loans for
small-scale sustainable
and energy efficient
projects in Brazil, China,
India, Indonesia,
Morocco, the Philippines,
South Africa
and other nations.
The United Nations The United Nations
donates US$250 million
to Serbia to support areas
including sustainable
development,
governance,
and the promotion
of regional stability
and collaboration.
The European UnionThe European Union
donates €135 million to
Morocco for agricultural
and social policy reforms,
integration of
rural populations, and
a national literacy plan;
and has funded projects
that provide
safe drinking water to
five Gambian villages.
The World Bank The World Bank issues
a US$120 million
interest-free loan to
Uganda for agricultural
development projects.
US Agency for International Development The US Agency
for International
Development donates
US$105 million to Niger
for food security,
nutrition, and agriculture.
A donation from
the US Agency for
International Development
enables the launching
of Haiti's first textile
job training center
which plans to prepare
2000 people for
employment annually.
The United StatesThe United States
donates an additional
US$60 million to
fund healthcare,
school rebuilding, and
after-school programs
for Palestinian refugees
in Palestine, Syria,
Lebanon, and Jordan.
Global communityThe global community
extends aid to help
Pakistani flood victims:
the United Nations,
European Union,
Germany, Afghanistan,
Saudi Arabia,
the United States, Iran,
United Arab Emirates,
Qatar, Yemen, Kuwait,
Iran, Sri Lanka,
Malaysia, Japan,
Canada, Brazil,
Indonesia, India,
King Mohammed VI
of Morocco,
the Emir Sheikh Sabah
Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-
Sabah, the Malaysian
Medical Relief Society,
the Kuwait Red Crescent
Society, the Iranian
Red Crescent Society,
Canada's Presbyterian
World Service
and Development,
Canadian Foodgrains Bank,
US-based Direct
Relief International,
the Islamic
Development Bank,
the United Arab Emirates
television and radio stations,
Pakistani singer
Shehzad Roy,
Pakistani ricket player
and now-politician
Imran Khan,
Pakistani stars,
Pakistani charity
the Edhi Foundation, and
Pakistani Cricket Board.
The German Development BankThe German
Development Bank
donates €47 million
to Mozambique to raise
education standards and
provides better access
to schooling,
especially for women.
President Hu Jintao and other state leader, China Chinese President
Hu Jintao and other
state leaders donate
a total of US$29 million
in personal contributions
to aid fellow citizens
affected by landslides
in Zhouqu County.
King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa of Bahrain King Hamad bin Isa
Al-Khalifa of Bahrain
donated US$26.5 million
to the nation's Royal
Charity Organization
(RCO), a portion of
which is being used
for the construction
of kindergartens
to offer free education
for orphans.
The United Nations World Food Program
The United Nations
World Food Program is
providing US$15 million
in food aid to Niger for
people facing shortages
following prolonged drought.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency The Japan International
Cooperation Agency
donates US$7.8 million
to upgrade seven
reservoirs in the province
of Quảng Ngãi
in Âu Lạc (Vietnam).
The United Arab Emirates Red Crescent Authority The United Arab
Emirates Red Crescent
Authority announces
plans to donate
US$7.6 million toward
meals and clothing
to benefit Emirati
and international citizens
during the holy month
of Ramadan.
GermanyGermany is donating
US$7 million to help
Âu Lạc (Vietnam)
and Laos with
climate change projects.
JapanJapan donates
US$4.7 million to
Uganda to help relieve
a drought situation,
address health concerns,
and build longer-term
community resiliency
through a cash or food
for work program
in the Karamoja region.
The United States and the state of CaliforniaThe United States
donates US$4.5 million
in equipment to Russia
to help extinguish
the nation's wildfires,
as well as US$50,000 for
relief items for on-duty
personnel; and the state
of California sends
thousands of
protective clothing items
for firefighters.
The European Union and AlgeriaThe European Union
allocates €4.2 million
to Yemen to help
the less fortunate,
and Algeria donates
US$1 million to help
the country's war victims.
The Asian Development Bank The Asian Development
Bank launches a wind
farm project of more than US$3.8 million to bring
wind energy to rural
and remote villages
of the Philippines,
Nepal, and Mongolia.
The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies The International
Federation of
the Red Cross and
Red Crescent Societies
donates US$3.3 million
to repair the homes
of Philippine families
in Kalinga province
following two major
typhoons in 2009.
The European Union and Germany The European Union
and Germany donate
€2.1 million and
€200,000, respectively,
to assist the Philippines
with better preparation
for natural disasters.
Canada, Greece, and the United KingdomRelief donations
for Pakistan following
catastrophic floods
include US$2 million
in emergency assistance
from Canada, €100,000
in humanitarian aid
from Greece, and 2,000
all-weather tents from
the United Kingdom.
BoliviaBolivia donates
US$2 million in rice to
Cuba to support recovery
from crop damage
caused by extreme
weather events in 2008.
The National Institutes of Health, USA The National Institutes
of Health in the USA
awards US$2 million to
an international
research team
for the development of
a new test that would
help dentists detect oral
cancer quickly and easily.
The US Department of DefenseTo help develop peaceful
industries in Afghanistan,
the US Department
of Defense is donating
a US$1 million contract
for two facilities where
Afghans can complete
the final stages of
traditional carpet preparation.
RussiaRussia donates
US$1 million of grain
and wheat flour to Yemen.
Syria and Miles of Smiles 2To assist those in need
in Palestine's Gaza Strip,
Syria is delivering
116 tons of food relief,
while the European
medical convoy
Miles of Smiles 2
is transporting €1 million
in ambulances, medical
supplies and equipment.
Partners for Peace and Development to Palestinians in Europe“Partners for Peace
and Development to
Palestinians in Europe”
has organized
a €1 million European aid
convoy that delivers
ambulances, medical
supplies, and medicines
to the Palestinian people.
Ben Sater, USAEighteen-year-old
Ben Sater of Texas, USA,
raises more than
US$1 million from
golf tournaments,
donating the proceeds
to a hospital that had
provided him with free
treatments as a child.
Sharjah Islamic Bank, United Arab Emirates Sharjah Islamic Bank in
the United Arab Emirates
donates US$540,000 to
support the federation's
Red Crescent Authority
clinic in Sharjah.
Spain and GermanySpain and Germany each
donates €500,000 to aid
in the recovery process
of war victims returning
home or resettling
in other communities
in Mindanao, Philippines.
Hong KongHong Kong donates
US$258,000
in humanitarian relief
to those in Shaanxi
Province affected
by catastrophic floods
in northwest China.
The Red Crescent Authority in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab EmiratesThe Red Crescent
Authority in
Ras Al Khaimah,
United Arab Emirates,
donates US$100,000
in aid for disadvantaged
families and individuals.
The Formosan (Taiwanese) Red CrossThe Formosan (Taiwanese)
Red Cross donates
US$100,000 to China
to help victims of
the mudslide in Zhouqu,
Gansu Province.
Graziano Gervas, Beat Fey, and Matthias Dudler, SwitzerlandSwiss cyclists
Graziano Gervas,
Beat Fey,
and Matthias Dudler
complete their 3-year,
12,000 kilometer bicycle
trip from Zurich,
Switzerland, to Shanghai,
China, raising more than
US$75,000 for
SOS Children's Villages.
10-year-old Hanna Brait, USATen-year-old Hanna Brait
of Massachusetts, USA,
raises over US$30,000
to give back to the
Make-A-Wish foundation
for helping her
when she was suffering
from lymphoma.
The United Nations World Health Organization The United Nations
World Health
Organization sends
430 metric tons
of medical supplies and
equipment in the largest-
ever delivery of such aid
to Afghanistan.
Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia sends
a second plane carrying
relief items for
flood victims in Pakistan,
along with 150 tons
of fresh dates to
distribute to the people.
The International Organization for Migration, the UN Food and
Agriculture Organization, the Afghan Red Crescent Society, and other
agenciesThe International
Organization for Migration,
the UN Food and
Agriculture Organization,
the Afghan Red Crescent
Society, and other
agencies send relief aid
to eastern Afghanistan
for families affected
by floods.
Armenia, Azerbaijian, Belarus, Bulgaria, China, France, Italy, Kazakhstan, Poland, and UkraineThe international
community sends aid
to Russia to control
the wildfires: Armenia,
Azerbaijian, Belarus,
Bulgaria, China, France,
Italy, Kazakhstan,
Poland, and Ukraine.
Globus ReliefGlobus Relief of Utah,
USA, coordinates the
shipment of 10 containers
of humanitarian aid for
distribution in El Salvador
to assist residents
in hurricane recovery.
LibyaLibya sends
13 metric tons of flour
as well as relief materials
to Mauritania
to assist residents
affected by flooding.
Senegal, South Korea, Canada, and UK-based charity PlanThe government of
Senegal - with donations
from South Korea,
Canada and
UK-based charity Plan -
funds the construction
of a new water tower
in Ndiagne Walo.
Doctors Without Borders Doctors Without Borders
provides medical and
humanitarian assistance
to victims of flooding
in Leh, India.
Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, Russian volunteers, charities, and the Russian Orthodox ChurchUkrainian President
Viktor Yanukovych
pledges assistance to
Russia in coping with
her massive forest fires,
as national volunteers,
charities and the Russian
Orthodox Church also
begin collecting funds
and necessary items
for fire victims.
The Arab Parliament The Arab Parliament
delivers three convoys
of humanitarian aid
to Palestine's Gaza Strip
for the holy month
of Ramadan.
The European Union and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization The European Union
has funded 14 sites in
Chad to grow spirulina,
a protein- and
nutrient-rich food that the
United Nations Food and
Agriculture Organization
has identified to be
an affordable solution
to global nutrition.
The United Nations Children's Fund In addition to providing
Afghan students with
safe drinking water
and sanitation facilities,
the United Nations
Children's Fund
announces plans to equip
8,000 additional schools.
The United Nations Children's Fund and Kiwanis International The United Nations
Children's Fund and
US-based Kiwanis
International join efforts
to stop tetanus by
providing immunizations
to women and
their future babies
in 40 countries in Africa,
Asia, Europe,
and North America.
World Vision World Vision provides
humanitarian aid
to assist people in China
in recovering from some
of the worst flooding
in decades.
King Abdullah II and Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan King Abdullah II
and Queen Rania Al
Abdullah of Jordan
announce the donation
of funds for orphans
to cover all educational
expenses, including
tuition, accommodation,
books, and
medical insurance.
South Korean volunteer doctors of Smile for Children, Aulacese (Vietnamese) doctors, and SK Telecom With funding from
SK Telecom,
volunteer physicians of
the South Korea's
Smile for Children
perform cleft lip
and palate surgeries on
Aulacese (Vietnamese)
young people with
the assistance of
Aulacese colleagues.
EgyptEgypt continues to keep
the Rafah border crossing
between Gaza and Egypt
open to alleviate
the suffering and improve
treatment of Palestinians
in Gaza.
Former US President Jimmy Carter and the government of North KoreaDuring a visit by
former US President
Jimmy Carter,
the government of
North Korea frees
a detained American
citizen, and expresses
the country's commitment
to denuclearization
and wishes to return
to the six-party talks.
All with Voice's Cuban and Nicaraguan medical specialists The All with Voice
medical group of
85 Cuban and
25 Nicaraguan medical
specialists completes
a volunteer mission
of bringing care to more
than 100,000 persons
in need in often remote
regions of Nicaragua.
Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow of Scotland, United KingdomFormer salmon farmer,
Magnus MacFarlane-
Barrow of Scotland,
UK, quit his job and
sold his house to help
the Bosnian refugees
in 1992 and since then
has fed more than
400,000 children
worldwide through
his organization,
Mary's Meal.
Mayor Yuri Luzhkov of Moscow, RussiaMayor Yuri Luzhkov
of Moscow, Russia,
has signed a decree
prohibiting the sale of
any beverages containing
more than 15% alcohol
between the hours
of 10 pm and 10 am.
New ZealandNew Zealand funds
the construction of
a solar power plant,
supporting the Tongan
Government's
10-year plan to boost
its alternative energy
sources.
Dr. Devi Shetty and the Udayer Pathey Endowment program, IndiaThe Udayer Pathey
Endowment program,
founded by renowned
cardiac surgeon
Dr. Devi Shetty of India,
offers financial assistance
to rural students
to fulfill their dreams
of becoming doctors.
200 Israeli hikersTwo hundred
Israeli hikers in India's
Ladakh region decide
to stay instead of
being rescued, donating
their time and expertise
as well as contributing
all their extra clothing
to assist flood-stricken
residents.
Aulacese (Vietnamese) President Nguyễn Minh Triết Aulacese (Vietnamese)
President Nguyễn Minh Triết
has signed pardons
to release over 17,000
detainees, 37 of which
are foreign nationals.
Chief Judge Royce C. Lamberth, USAIn the interest of
preserving the human life
of embryos, Chief Judge
Royce C. Lamberth of
the Federal District Court
in Washington DC, USA,
orders a halt
on government funding
of embryonic
stem cell research.
ChinaTo stabilize food prices,
China is introducing
new measures to expand
vegetable production
and supply by pledging
more funds and
encouraging banks to
lend to vegetable producers.
China places a
moratorium on licenses
permitting endangered
wild animals to be used
for entertainment
purposes, also requiring
more reporting from
zoos, wildlife safaris,
circuses and so on to
minimize maltreatment of animals.
Germany, private donors, organizations, and companiesThanks to the support
and donations of
the German government,
as well as private donors,
organizations and
companies, a 335-seat
cinema reopens for
the first time in 23 years
in the West Bank city
of Jenin, Palestine.
A group of teenage girls in Tennessee, USAA group of teenage girls
in Tennessee, USA,
give air conditioners
to the less fortunate
to keep them cool
during the hot summer,
purchased with money
they raised by washing cars.
Countries that have ratified the Convention on Cluster Munitions TreatyOn August 1,
all countries that have
ratified the Convention
on Cluster Munitions
treaty are officially
required to stop
producing, storing, or
transferring landmines.
Pang Shupei, ChinaAs a grassroots weather
forecaster in China,
23-year-old Pang Shupei's
timely warning of
a severe rainstorm helps
evacuate and saves
the lives of more than
60 people.
King Mohammed IV of Morocco King Mohammed IV of
Morocco grants pardons
or reduced sentences
to nearly 1,000 inmates.
Members of the Blind and Deaf Society, Kyrgyzstan Members of the local
Blind and Deaf Society
in Kyrgyzstan make
mattresses and sheets
to donate to returning
residents whose houses
were destroyed by war.
AlgeriaAlgeria assists
schoolchildren in Gaza
by sending uniforms
and supplies
for the beginning
of the school year.
Lebanon's Parliament
Lebanon's Parliament
has passed a law that
grants Palestinians living
in the country basic
civil rights, while
lifting the restrictions
on employment.
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon During the Peace
Memorial Ceremony
in Japan, United Nations
Secretary-General
Ban Ki-moon urges all
nations to be completely
free of nuclear weapons.
United Nations
Secretary-General
Ban Ki-moon announces
a new panel whose mission
is to help lift people
from economic hardship
while addressing
climate change
and ensuring
environmentally friendly
economic development.
39 Aulacese (Vietnamese) doctors Thirty-nine
Aulacese (Vietnamese)
doctors provide
free medical check-ups
and treatment
for the less fortunate in
the northeastern province
of Rattanakir, Cambodia.
Dr. Liu Chi-chun, Formosa (Taiwan) and Taiwan Root Medical Peace Corps personnelDr. Liu Chi-chun,
founder of Taiwan Root
Medical Peace Corps,
leads a team of trained
personnel to perform
free medical services in
remote areas of Nicaragua.
Organization for Migration International Organization
for Migration
provides young adults
in Arauca, Colombia,
with training to operate
businesses such as
internet cafes, computer
maintenance shops,
gymnasiums, and
domestic appliance stores.
Shannon Galpin and Mountain2Mountain
Founded in 2006
by American
Shannon Galpin,
Mountain2Mountain
is dedicated to providing
education, vocational
training, and employment
for the girls and women
of Afghanistan.
Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak and the Red Crescent Authority of the United Arab Emirates Under the patronage
of Sheikha Fatima bint
Mubarak,
the Red Crescent Authority
of the United Arab
Emirates launches
a campaign to provide
free health care for
disadvantaged children
worldwide.
Dr. Abel Albino and the Cooperative for Infant NutritionFounded by
renowned physician
Dr. Abel Albino,
the nonprofit Cooperative
for Infant Nutrition helps
children in Argentina,
Paraguay, and Gambia
receive proper
nourishment to promote
robust development both
physically and mentally.
The European Union and the UN Children's Fund The European Union
partners with the UN
Children's Fund to
help end female
genital cutting by holding
regular educational meetings
in selected countries
to raise awareness
for constructive change.
Queen Sirikit of Thailand Queen Sirikit of Thailand
dedicates her time
to humanitarian,
health, education,
environmental
preservation and wildlife
protection works,
and is devoted to
the people of Thailand.
Formosan (Taiwanese) First Lady Chow Mei-ching and World Vision TaiwanFormosan (Taiwanese)
First Lady Chow Mei-ching
makes an appearance
to show support
for a Taipei County rally
sponsored by
World Vision Taiwan
to help raise awareness
of global poverty.
US First Lady Michelle Obama US First Lady
Michelle Obama
is calling on Congress to
pass the Child Nutrition
Bill which would
allocate funds to bring
healthier meals
to American schools.
Bangladesh's High Court Bangladesh's High Court
rules that corporal
punishment will be
banned from schools
across the country.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva Brazilian President
Luiz Inácio Lula da
Silva appeals to
Iranian President
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
and the government
of Iran to allow a woman
sentenced to death
to be permitted
to seek asylum in Brazil.
Sara NetanyahuSara Netanyahu, wife of
Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu,
appeals to Interior
Minister Eli Yishai
to allow the children of
foreign workers to stay in
Israel with their families.
Sailors aboard the USS Harry S. TrumanA team of sailors aboard
the USS Harry S. Truman
rescue eight Iranian
mariners after their vessel
has been consumed
by flames.
Innocence Project of TexasThe perseverance
and diligent efforts of
the Innocence Project o
f Texas in the US have
proven the innocence
of Michael Greene,
prompting his release
after 27 years of detainment.
Association on Smoking Control, China China's Association
on Smoking Control
calls for an end to
smoking scenes in movie
and TV production
to protect young people
from the harmful habit.
Aretha Franklin and Dr. Condoleezza Rice, USAUS singer and renowned
“Queen of Soul”
Aretha Franklin along
with former
US Secretary of State
Dr. Condoleezza Rice
perform a duet together
in Pennsylvania, USA,
to benefit less fortunate
students.
Brad Pitt and Make It Right FoundationCommemorating
five years since
Hurricane Katrina
in Louisiana, USA,
award-winning
Hollywood actor Brad Pitt
tours eco-homes
built by his
Make It Right Foundation,
saying that
the organization plans
to construct 100 more
houses.
Two private boats Two private boats rescue
10 Aulacese
(Vietnamese) sailors
floating in two
tiny traditional bamboo
basket boats after their
vessel sank in
Âu Lạc's (Vietnam)
north-central coast.
Bạch Mai Hospital, Japan, and the Embassy of JapanThanks to the generosity
of the government of
Japan and the Embassy
of Japan in
Âu Lạc (Vietnam),
physicians at Bạch Mai
Hospital successfully
treat an avian flu patient
with a Japanese-developed
blood filtration method,
free of charge.
Lifeboat crew volunteers of Porthcawl's Royal National Lifeboat Institution, UKBritish lifeboat crew
volunteers of Porthcawl's
Royal National Lifeboat
Institution rescue
a 12-year-old from
the sea after his dinghy
was swept away by
a strong offshore wind.
Tamara Eslich, USAChiropractic doctor
Tamara Eslich
of Colorado, USA,
successfully treats
children with attention
deficit disorders
medication-free
by increasing exercise
and human interaction.
Russian doctorsIn the aftermath
of thousands of fires,
a panel of expert Russian
doctors recommends
fresh fruits
and vegetables, and
the avoidance of meat
and dairy consumption,
to treat smoke inhalation.
Judge Jeffrey S. White, USAUS federal district court
Judge Jeffrey S. White
overturns a previous
ruling and halts future
plantings of genetically
modified beets for
commercial purposes.
British medical researchers British medical
researchers conducting
a study of nearly 3,000
people conclude that
those who replace
high fat, sugar and
processed food diets
with more fresh fruits,
vegetables and
whole grains have
better lung health.
Dr. Roberto Brambilla and Global Footprint NetworkBased on data
from Global Footprint
Network that
all global resources
have run out due to high
human consumption,
Italian Dr. Roberto
Brambilla states that the
keys to a better balance
include eating less meat,
riding a bicycle,
and using sustainable
energy sources.
Christiana Figueres During climate talks
at Bonn, Germany,
new UN climate chief
Christiana Figueres
states that urgent action
is needed and calls on
nations to take feasible
steps in addressing
climate change.
German newspaper “Die Zeit” and Iris RadishGerman newspaper
“Die Zeit” features a
cover story by journalist
and literary critic
Iris Radish in which
she highlights
the urgent ethical and
environmental reasons
for humanity to switch
to a plant-based diet.
NOAH, NorwayNorway-based animal
rights organization,
NOAH, sponsors
the first ever veg festival
in Oslo, Norway.
Try Vegan PDX, USA
Try Vegan PDX hosts
the first Vegan Iron Chef
Competition in Portland,
Oregon, USA.
San Rafael de Alajuela Hospital, Costa RicaSan Rafael de Alajuela
Hospital in Alajuela,
Costa Rica, organizes
a green fair for the
community to promote
sustainable practices
for healthier living.
India's navy divers India's navy divers
find bags of pesticides
and insecticides that
have been dumped
in the Rayarom River and
begin careful operations
to remove
the toxic substances.
Governor Rubén Costas of Santa Cruz, BoliviaProvincial Governor
Rubén Costas of Santa
Cruz province in Bolivia
calls for a ban on fishing.
The Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, USAThe Kauai Island Utility
Cooperative in Hawaii,
USA, allocates more than
US$11 million to update
its facilities in an effort
to protect the lives
of endangered and
threatened seabirds.
Prince Charles of Wales and Paradise Park, United KingdomPrince Charles of Wales
has announced the launch
of a £120,000 initiative
to restore the endangered
red squirrel to parts of
the United Kingdom,
with Paradise Park
in Hayle, Cornwall,
contributing
to the project by raising
and releasing them
into the wild.
13-year-old Anna Barowsky, USAThirteen-year-old
Anna Barowsky of
Massachusetts, USA,
donates a US$750
bulletproof vest to
a police dog from money
she has earned through
fundraising efforts.
Missouri, USAHorse slaughter
continues to remain
illegal in Missouri, USA,
after public response
to a legislative measure
attempting to reintroduce
the practice caused it
to be voted down.
Xie Zheng, ChinaChinese vegan singer
and rock star Xie Zheng
organizes and
participates in
“Don't Eat Friends”
concerts, and has
established the Chinese
animal protection
organization
“Don't Eat Friends.”
Liam Thompson, United KingdomLiam Thompson, former
slaughterhouse worker
and British freelance
journalist, calls for
efforts to switch
to healthier diets
that are also more
environmentally-friendly.
Lewis Pugh, United KingdomBritish pioneer swimmer
and environmentalist
Lewis Pugh calls for
a radical shift in thinking
to effectively address
climate change.
Kathlene Schurma of Locket's Meadow Farm, USAKathlene Schurma of
Locket's Meadow Farm
in Connecticut, USA,
rescues horses from
a kill pen and gives them
a new home.
UK Environmental Agency officialsAs water levels drop
to record low levels,
Environmental Agency
officials in the
United Kingdom
have sent out personnel
to rescue hundreds of fish
still trapped in
drying riverbeds
in the normally wet areas
of England, Wales,
and Scotland.
US federal agenciesCollaboration among
US federal agencies
has resulted in robotic
technological advances
that could see an end
to certain animal testing
as soon as 2011.
Dr. Josh Harrill, USA Dr. Josh Harrill of the US
Environmental Protection
Agency is working
to end the cruel practice
of using animals
for chemical testing
as he develops a method
that employs safely
harvested human cells
instead.
Animal Rights Alliance, Switzerland Sweden-based
Animal Rights Alliance
provides evidence that
fur farms are in violation
of animal welfare laws,
calling on the national
government
to ban mink farms.
Sir Paul McCartneyIn a letter to the US
National Aeronautics and
Space Administration
(NASA),
Sir Paul McCartney urges
the cessation of the cruel
space radiation testing
on monkeys.
ScientistsScientists have helped
repopulate
the Galápagos island
of Española, Ecuador,
with the once endangered
giant tortoises.
US District Judge Donald Molloy US District Judge
Donald Molloy reinstates
protected status for
the once nearly-extinct
grey wolf to allow
its populations to
continue recovering.
Chen Qian, ChinaChen Qian coordinates
an initiative in China
to promote caring
for all cats and dogs.
Sandrine Feydel and “The Mermaid's Tears: Oceans of Plastic” Directed by Sandrine
Feydel of France,
the award-winning
French documentary
“The Mermaid's Tears:
Oceans of Plastic”
portrays
the destructive effects
of plastic pollution
on the world's oceans
and marine animals.
Assemblyman Anthony Portantino and the Department of Motor Vehicles in California, USAAt the suggestion
of Assemblyman
Anthony Portantino,
the Department of Motor
Vehicles in California,
USA, agrees to add
an animal safety advisory
in the state driver's
handbook that cautions
against leaving dogs
in hot, unattended cars.
Wildlife At Risk, Âu Lạc (Vietnam) Aulacese (Vietnamese)
organization Wildlife
At Risk expands
its postcard awareness
campaign to include three
rare endangered species:
elephants, tigers,
and bears.
Kevin Costner Award-winning and
animal-loving Hollywood
actor Kevin Costner
lends his support
to the Canada-based
Orange Dog
Foundation's mission
of flying dogs from
overcrowded shelters
in the USA to Canada,
where they find
new loving homes.
30 Russian animal activists and volunteers Thirty animal activists
and volunteers in Russia
use shovels and buckets
of water to dig
a barrier ditch that
successfully protects
1800 dogs and retired
circus animals from
the region's flames.
New Zealand Department of Conservation personnel, Far North Whale Rescue, and Project Jonah, and volunteersMore than 200
rescue volunteers,
including New Zealand
Department of
Conservation personnel,
as well as volunteers
from Far North Whale
Rescue and Project Jonah,
race to save whales
stranded on Karikari
Beach in New Zealand.
Thailand's navyThailand's navy releases
to the sea over 750
green turtles from
the Royal Thai Navy's
Sea Turtle Conservation
Center.
Biologists at John U. Lloyd Beach State Park, USABiologists at
John U. Lloyd Beach
State Park in Florida,
USA,
help new loggerhead
turtle hatchlings
by ensuring their safe
passage in the moonlight
toward the ocean waters.
Volunteers in Washington state, USAVolunteers rescue
hundreds of thousands
of oysters from
dry conditions where
they have been washed
up at Central Kitsap beach
in Washington state,
USA, by moving them
closer to the water.
Dr. Hanta Rasamimanana, MadagascarFor more than 30 years,
Dr. Hanta Rasamimanana
of Madagascar
has been advocating
for the preservation
of lemurs who are now
endangered due to
deforestation.
Chuck Leavell Acclaimed American
musician and dedicated
conservationist
Chuck Leavell of
the Rolling Stones has
planted over 1 million
trees on land
shared with his wife.
The European Commission The European
Commission plants
5000 trees to offset
carbon emissions caused
by its Tanzania's offices,
and pledges to continue
planting 5000 trees
annually.
10-year-old Daniel Roller and Katie Roller, USAIn addition to
the donations from
community members
and out-of-state donors,
10-year-old Daniel Roller
of Bremerton,
Washington, USA,
sells his possessions
while mother Katie Roller
sells her wedding ring
to raise money for their
dog's surgery after he has
been found injured.
Pamela AndersonCanadian actress and
vegan animal advocate
Pamela Anderson
works with People
for the Ethical Treatment
of Animals in rescuing
“special needs” cats,
offering to help pay
for their veterinary care.
The Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals The Scottish Society
for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals joins
other animal welfare
groups in urging
the government to
ban the annual hunt
of baby gannet seabirds.
The American Humane Association The American Humane
Association launches
a website to provide
free training and
information in an effort
to increase shelter
pet adoptions and
reduce animal euthanasia.
Andrew Eckersley and an anonymous surferAn anonymous surfer
and beachgoer
Andrew Eckersley
diligently work
to help a beached
great white shark
in New South Wales,
Australia,
to return to the ocean.
Kathleen Georgevich, USAKathleen Georgevich of
New Jersey, USA, retires
from corporate work
and dedicates her time to
support animal adoptions
through free
consultations and training
sessions so residents
can offer the best care
to their adopted
a dog or cat.
Washington Animal Rescue League, USAThe US-based Washington
Animal Rescue League
welcomes nine dogs
from Kuwait who
lost their shelter due to
a fire and needed
a cool place to protect
from high temperatures.
Dr. Louis-Etienne Gayet, FranceSurgeon Louis-Etienne
Gayet of the University
Hospital Centre
in Poitiers, France,
lends his skills to save an
injured 8-year-old gorilla.
Savas Karatas and animal rights advocatesTurkish documentary
filmmaker Savaş Karataş,
together with animal
rights advocates,
urges people not to
visit dolphinariums
as he brings attention
to the plight of dolphins
in captivity.
Ashley Huffman, USAAshley Huffman of
North Carolina, USA,
dashes onto a highway
to rescue a hawk that had
been struck by a vehicle
in traffic and transfers
him immediately
to a nearby
Humane Society for help.
Don Mattade, USAProfessional tree climber
Don Mattade of Oregon,
USA, saves the life of
a young osprey eagle
tangled in a twine
and dangling 100 feet
in the air as he scales
a tree to free the bird.
6-year-old Will Murphey-Helms, USASix-year-old
Will Murphey-Helms of
Florida, USA, organizes
a donation drive
for a sea turtle rescue
organization upon
learning of the plight of
marine animals after the
oil spill off the US coast.
British newspaper “The Sun” and the Kremlin School of RidingAfter being cruelly
harnessed to a parasail
and flown in the air
as a publicity stunt,
Anapka the Russian donkey
has been purchased
by British newspaper
“The Sun” and is now
being cared for
by the Kremlin School
of Riding until
she finds a new home.
The Anti-Cruelty Society, Chicago, USAThe Anti-Cruelty Society
of Chicago, Illinois,
USA, shares suggestions
to help safeguard
precious canine friends
during the extreme heat.
SPECIAL SALUTE
of the MONTH
Nayara Goncalves, USAWhen a man in Florida,
USA, pulled a gun and
asked for all the money,
20-year old store worker
Nayara Goncalves
complies but also calmly
reasons with him,
resulting in his gratitude
and subsequent departure
without taking
any money.
Australia Australia allocates
US$273 million to
modernize the nation's
health care system
through the development
of online consultation
services as well as
physician access.
Âu Lạc (Vietnam) Âu Lạc (Vietnam)
allocates US$12.5 million
to bring good schooling
and healthcare services
to students from nine
ethnic minority groups
in rural border areas.
Britain, the European Commission, Australia, the United States, China,
UK-based Oxfam, ActionAid International, UK-based ShelterBox, the
Pakistan Red Crescent and International Committee of the Red CrossInternational community
extends aid to Pakistani
flood victims: Britain,
the European Commission,
Australia,
the United States,
China, UK-based Oxfam,
ActionAid International,
UK-based ShelterBox,
the Pakistan
Red Crescent and
International Committee
of the Red Cross.
USAUS combat operations
in Iraq ends two weeks
ahead of schedule
on August 19
with the departure of
the last 4,000 troops.
Queen Noor of Jordan Queen Noor of Jordan
offers her support to
Russian President
Dmitry Medvedev
and US President
Barack Obama for
their efforts to eliminate
nuclear weapons globally.
LibyaLibya announces
compensation eligibility
for former prisoners who
were detained without a
trial and those convicted
but whose name
was later cleared.
Finnish President Tarja Halonen Finnish President
Tarja Halonen approves
a new tobacco ban
designed to eventually
ban all smoking
in the country.
Prayasam Indian non-governmental
organization Prayasam
empowers underserved
children in West Bengal
to become agents
of positive change,
as well as provides
programs in nutrition,
preventive health,
training in first aid
and media, and other
educational endeavors
for teachers.
US District Judge Henry H. Kennedy, Jr. US District Judge
Henry H. Kennedy, Jr.,
orders the release of
Yemeni national
Adnan Farhan Abd Al
Latif due to insufficient
evidence for his
continued detainment at
the Guantanamo facility.
Iceland's ParliamentIceland's Parliament
passes legislation
that seeks to safeguard
investigative journalists
and their sources.
The Constitutional Court of Serbia The Constitutional Court
of Serbia's recent
decision disallows
excessive penalties
and upholds the freedom
of the press.
ItalyThe Italian government
issues coupons to enable
low-income families to
go on holiday and enjoy
the country's rich cultural
heritage and
natural beauty.
The United States Agency for International Development and the Ogaden clanWith the assistance of
the United States Agency
for International
Development,
the Ogaden clan from
both sides of
the Kenya-Somalia
border is putting years
of discord behind them
in their joint construction
and management
of a maternity wing
at the local health clinic.
Interfaith religious leaders in California, the Christian Trinity United
Methodist Church in Florida, and the National Association of
Evangelicals Sixty interfaith religious
leaders in California,
the Christian Trinity
United Methodist Church
in Florida, and
the National Association
of Evangelicals call
for understanding
and respect of all faiths.
Formosa (Taiwan) Formosa (Taiwan)
amends laws to allow
colleges to accept
students from mainland
China, as well as
recognizing most degrees
from mainland schools.
Hassan Mohamoud Mohamed, SomaliaVolunteer ambulance
driver Hassan
Mohamoud Mohamed
of Mogadishu, Somalia,
risks his own safety
to transports patients
in the conflict-ridden city
to local hospitals.
UK's Fruit and Vegetable Task Force The UK's Fruit and
Vegetable Task Force
recommends low-fat and
low-salt composite foods
such as fruit salads,
vegetable soups and pasta
sauces as a way
to encourage
the consumption of
five portions of fruit
and vegetables daily.
Professor Oscar B. Zamora, the PhilippinesProfessor Oscar B. Zamora
of the University
of the Philippines
at Los Baños affirms
the effectiveness
of organic growing
practices in adapting
to and mitigating
climate change.
“1 Million Women” campaign, Australia Australia's
“1 Million Women”
campaign seeks to
address global warming
through women's pledges
to reduce a collective
million metric tons of CO2.
Governor I Made Mangku of Bali, IndonesiaGovernor
I Made Mangku of Bali,
Indonesia, implements
an initiative that supports
a pristine environment
and sustainable practices
on the island.
Aulacese (Vietnamese) and Indonesian wildlife officials Aulacese (Vietnamese)
and Indonesian wildlife
officials agree to work
together in halting
the illegal trade of
timber and wild species.
200 green companies, Formosa (Taiwan) In Taipei,
Formosa (Taiwan)
more than 200 companies
collectively offer over
10,000 green employment
opportunities in the
island's first-ever job fair
for the alternative
energy industry.
Friends of Animals, Croatia Friends of Animals
in Croatia urges eateries
to enhance its offerings
of animal-free fare
to keep the business
of the many visitors that
follow a plant-based diet.
Wang Wenxi, China Sixty-six-year-old
Wang Wenxi of China
designs an automatic bed
to help individuals
survive earthquakes.
SPECIAL
CONGRATULATIONS
of the MONTH
Sri Lanka Sri Lanka allocates
US$2 million to promote
organic fertilizer.
The World Health Organization The World Health
Organization donates
US$240,000
to the King Hussein
Cancer Foundation
to support treatment
for disadvantaged Iraqi cancer patients in Jordan.
IranIran announces
the launch of two new
network channels to be
broadcast worldwide,
one in the Arabic language
and the other in Spanish.
Stella Cornelius The United Nations
Association of Australia
honors Jewish peace
activist Stella Cornelius
with the International
Peace Award
for her lifetime of work
and commitment
to social justice,
conflict resolution and
harmonious relations.
Michael Green, USAMichael Green of Texas,
USA, has been
exonerated and released
after 27 years
of detainment.
Zachary Muburi, Kenya Kenyan diplomat
Zachary Muburi
has been appointed as
the first Head of
the United Nations Office
to the African Union.
EthiopiaFifty-five social service
facilities such as
health amenities,
safe water centers,
and primary schools have
become operational in the
Moyale Woreda district
in Somalia, Ethiopia.
The Australian Greens and Adam Bandt The Australian Greens
win their first
lower Parliament seat
in a general election
as Adam Bandt is elected
to the House of
Representatives for the
Division of Melbourne.
Georges Laraque, Canada Retired professional
hockey player and
vegan Georges Laraque
is appointed new
Deputy Leader of the
Green Party of Canada.
25 OrganizationsSponsored by
the United Nations
Development Program,
the Equator Prizes honor
25 outstanding grassroots
organizations
in equatorial countries
for efforts that help
to reduce poverty through
conservation and
sustaining biodiversity.
Jeff BridgesAward-winning
Hollywood actor
Jeff Bridges is appointed
National Speaker for
Share Our Strength's
“No Kid Hungry”
campaign.
Cung Hoàng Kim, USA Nineteen-year-old
Cung Hoàng Kim
of Texas, USA, has been
crowned US Miss 2010.
Anna Gorbacheva, Russia Russian opera soprano
Anna Gorbacheva is
awarded top honors
at the International
Singing Competition
for Baroque Opera
in Austria.
Homai Vyarawalla, Mr. S. Paul, Benu Sen, and K.G. Maheshwari India's first woman
photojournalist,
Homai Vyarawalla
of Vadodara,
photographers Mr. S. Paul,
Benu Sen, and
K.G. Maheshwari
have been honored with
the premier Life Time
Achievement Award
to commemorate
the Golden Jubilee
Celebrations of
Photo Division.
Elon Lindenstrauss, Ngô Bảo Châu, Stanislav Smirnov, and Cédric Villani The Fields Medal,
the world's highest honors
in mathematics,
has been conferred upon
Elon Lindenstrauss
as the first-ever Israeli
to be commended;
Aulacese (Vietnamese)
Ngô Bảo Châu and
Cédric Villani of France;
and Stanislav Smirnov
of Switzerland.
Coco Ton Chi Ting, Hong Kong Fourteen-year-old
Coco Ton Chi Ting of
Hong Kong receives
top honors at the 19th UN
Environment Program
International Children's
Painting Competition
for her work warning of
the effects of pollution
on animals
and planet Earth.
Felix Sanchez Cuban writer Felix Sanchez
wins the Julio Cortazar
Ibero-American
short story prize
for his literary work,
“The Boundaries
of Death.”
The National Geographic ChannelThe National Geographic
Channel's new
7-hour miniseries,
“Great Migrations,”
is being narrated by
award-winning actor and
vegetarian Alec Baldwin
in its premiere this fall.
Chen Shikong, ChinaChen Shikong wins
first prize in the slogan
competition hosted
by China Awareness
Campaign for Non-pure
Bred Cats and Dogs.
Palestinian childrenIn Gaza Strip, Palestine,
6200 Palestinian children
fly kites simultaneously,
setting a new
world record.
St. Laurence O'Toole Pipe Band, IrelandThe century-old
St. Laurence O'Toole
Pipe Band from
Dublin, Ireland, wins the
2010 World Pipe Band
Championships
held in Scotland, UK.
Yasmin Fudakowska-Gow Canadian vegan
yoga instructor
Yasmin Fudakowska-Gow
completes 32 hours
of uninterrupted yoga,
setting a new
Guinness world record.
Japanese beverage manufacturers Japanese beverage
manufacturers affirm
the growing popularity
of alcohol- and sugar-free
beer-flavored beverages.
JapanA survey in Japan
finds smoking to be
on the decline for
a consecutive 15 years,
with this year also marking
the lowest smoking rate
for the country
since data began to be
collected in 1965.
Phil Mickelson, USA Champion US golfer
Phil Mickelson switches
to a plant-based diet
that consists primarily
of fruits, vegetables,
and whole grains.
Connie Culp, USA In Ohio, USA,
47-seven-year-old
Connie Culp's
injured face has been
successfully rebuilt
after more than
30 medical procedures.
Organic farming business Brooklyn Grange, USA In New York City, USA,
organic farming business
Brooklyn Grange fills
nearly 40,000 square feet
on top of a building with
hundreds of thousands of
organically grown plants
that provide
fresh local produce
for New Yorkers.
SPECIAL APPLAUSE
of the MONTH
LebanonThe Lebanese
government allocates
US$100 million
for a new social plan,
designed to improve
the livelihoods of the
nation's less fortunate.
British Health Minister Anne Milton British Health Minister
Anne Milton calls for
the US$79 million in funds
currently allocated
to provide only milk
to low-income children
at school to be used
instead by low-income
families to purchase more
fruits and vegetables.
Aki Ra, CambodiaCambodian Aki Ra,
who was forced
to set landmines
when he was a boy,
now leads the Cambodian
Self Help Demining team
to assist
in clearing the munitions
from rural villages.
Khartoum, Sudan Sudan's capital city
Khartoum bans
the practice of
water pipe smoking, or
shisha, in public places.
New York's State Health Department, USAThe State Health Department
of New York, USA,
announces the launch of
a television anti-smoking
campaign featuring
graphic public service
announcements designed
to raise motivation for
prevention and quitting
of the harmful habit.
BangladeshIn Bangladesh,
225,000 SONO filters
have been distributed
to help remove lethal
arsenic and other toxic
metals from local
tube wells to restore
the water's safety
for human consumption.
The US Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration The US Department
of Energy's
National Nuclear
Security Administration
announces that the last
W62 warhead, originally
produced in the 1970s,
has now been dismantled.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations member countries, China, Japan, and South Korea The Association of
Southeast Asian Nations
member countries,
together with China,
Japan and South Korea
establish emergency
rice reserves to help
ensure adequate
food supplies during
times of need and to keep
food prices stable.
New ZealandNew Zealand's government
drafts legislation
that bans alcohol sales
in retail outlets to youths
under age 20 to reduce
alcohol-related deaths
and binge drinking.
Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi of the United Arab Emirates, Hamas
leaders in Palestine, and Islamic Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
of Iran On the occasion
of Ramadan,
Supreme Council member
and Ruler of Ajman,
Sheikh Humaid bin
Rashid Al Nuaimi of the
United Arab Emirates,
has ordered the release
of 67 inmates of
all nationalities;
Hamas leaders
in Palestine have freed
100 detainees in Gaza;
and Islamic
Supreme Leader
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
of Iran has donated
US$70,000 to help
pay the offenses for less
fortunate inmates so that
they may be released.
Governor Pat Quinn of Illinois, USAAlong with creating
a commission to reduce
violence in communities,
Governor Pat Quinn
of Illinois, USA,
signs a bill that provides
school officials with
information about
student crime victims,
designed to protect all
parties from further harm.
Dr. Ali al-Dabbagh and IraqDr. Ali al-Dabbagh,
official spokesperson for
the government of Iraq,
affirms his nation's wish
to resolve all issues
with neighboring Kuwait
in the interest of
fostering renewed
bilateral relations.
Italy's ParliamentItaly's Parliament ratifies
the Stabilization and
Association Agreement,
supporting the speeding
of Serbia's integration
into the European Union.
China's General Administration of Press and Publication China's General
Administration of Press
and Publication issues
a statement affirming
a broad range of
media members' rights
that are protected by law.
The UN Human Rights Council Advisory Committee The UN Human Rights
Council Advisory
Committee urges for an
end to the discrimination
of anti-leprosy laws.
Saudi Arabia The Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia announces
plans to increase
medical research
in an effort to eliminate
various diseases, reduce
health care expenses
and improve health
among all citizens.
The United Nations Environment Programme In Afghanistan,
the United Nations
Environment Programme
organizes an event
that brings communities
together and encourages
harmonious engagement
through a focus on caring
for natural resources.
Nashat Majeed, Iraq Professional musician
Nashat Majeed of Iraq
holds guitar lessons
for groups of children
twice a week in Bagdad
to teach them
the harmony-building
language of music
and also enhance
their peace of mind.
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization The UN Food and
Agriculture Organization
has launched a new
online system where
fire spots are observed
via satellite and
transmitted in nearly
real time with email alerts
sent for quick response.
China's Ministry of Education China's Ministry of
Education introduces
a comprehensive program
to allow students from
low-income families to
enroll in universities and
pay off their tuition later
through subsidized loans
and reduced fees.
Canadian high school studentsMotivated by their
concern in observing
the elderly, a group
of Canadian high school
students develop
a new wheelchair
braking system that
automatically activates
from pressure applied to
the armrest as the person
is standing up.
Sports Ministry, Russia Russian Sports Ministry
hosts a forum
and International Sport
Movie Festival
to encourage healthier
lifestyles through greater
engagement in sports.
The United Nations Environment Program The United Nations
Environment Program
launches an online
resource center offering
guidelines and training
materials to conduct
humanitarian and
relief activities with
greater consideration
for conserving resources
and the environment.
The United KingdomThe UK announces
a rebate program
for low-carbon vehicles,
offering up to ₤5,000
to encourage
greener driving.
Thừa Thiên-Huế, Âu Lạc (Vietnam) Thừa Thiên-Huế
province is planting
4,500 hectares of trees
along the north central
coast of Âu Lạc (Vietnam)
each year, along with a
US$1.8 million program
where more than
240,000 hectares of
forested lands are being
assigned to individuals
and organizations to
protect them.
Producers Guild of America The Producers Guild
of America is sponsoring
a movement to support
green movie productions
through a nationwide
database of eco-friendly
products and services.
Delta Airlines US-based Delta Airlines
announces plans
to offer organic and
vegan meal options
through its main terminal
facility at
the LaGuardia Airport
in New York City, USA.
Jah Doves of Rwanda Rising musical stars
like the six-man band
Jah Doves of Rwanda
are spreading messages
of peace and harmony
through their lyrics
and songs.
Craig Goldwyn, USACiting the inhumane
and health-harming
conditions of
factory farms,
US Chef Craig Goldwyn
is going meatless for
30 days, hoping to
expand his cooking skills
as he personally
experiences the benefits
of the animal-free diet.
A group of Moscow residentsA group of enthusiasts
in Moscow, Russia,
has set up the country's
first eco-loft where
all lights are fitted with
eco-efficient bulbs,
taps are installed with
water meters, and only
biodegradable bags are
used as an example and
encouragement toward
an eco-lifestyle.
Nicole Kidman Oscar-winning actress
Nicole Kidman
has planted a garden
at her Tennessee home
in the US, where
she grows vegetables
for her family to help
ensure that her two-year-old
daughter eats a healthy,
organic diet.
SPECIAL KUDOS
of the MONTH
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Palestinian President
Mahmoud Abbas and
Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu
accept invitations from
the US government to
meet in Washington, DC,
and re-start direct
peace negotiations.
German Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg In an interview, German
Defense Minister
Karl-Theodor zu
Guttenberg outlines
a new model for the
military that would end
conscript-xion and reduce
combat forces by a third.
University students, PalestineA team of university
students in the
West Bank, Palestine,
build a solar vehicle
for a school project.
The Humane Society of the United StatesFollowing the recall
of more than
500 million eggs,
the Humane Society
of the United States calls
on the egg industry
to end the cruel and
disease-spreading
confinement of hens in
crammed battery cages.
SPECIAL SUPPORT
of the MONTH
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Wishing to prevent
the suffering of animals
in captivity,
the Royal Society for
the Prevention of Cruelty
to Animals calls for a ban
on importing elephants
to British zoos.