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.
SpainSpain donates more than
US$58 million
to Guatemala
for reconstruction,
as well as programs
to improve juvenile
nutrition, education, and
other relief endeavors.
Allen and Violet LargeElderly Canadian couple,
Allen and Violet Large,
gives away 98% of their
US$11.2 million lottery
money to charities,
organizations,
and family members.
Adan Abobaker, United KingdomHomeless hero
Adan Abobaker
unhesitatingly dives
into the freezing River
Thames to rescue
a drowning woman
in London.
Nguyễn Thị Phương, Âu Lạc (Vietnam) Nguyễn Thị Phương
of Thạch Đài village
in Âu Lạc (Vietnam)
promptly notifies
the shop owner
and returns a gold bar
when she discovers it
in her newly bought
second-hand jacket.
Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh HasinaBangladeshi Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina
approves a strict national
wildlife protection law
which prohibits
the killing of
endangered animals.
European Union and Judge Marc JaegerWith Judge Marc Jaeger's
rescinding of
the suspension of a ban,
the European Union now
prohibits trade
in products from all
commercial seal hunts.
Randall Arauz, Costa RicaBiologist and Costa
Rican Marine Turtle
Restoration Program
President Randall Arauz
campaigns to halt shark
finning in Costa Rica.
Fiji the Staffordshire dog, New Zealand
Fiji, the Staffordshire dog,
saves her human
companion in Southland,
New Zealand,
from a house fire by
licking her awake when
their house caught fire.
SPECIAL THANKS
of the MONTH
The Bill & Melinda Gates FoundationThe Bill & Melinda
Gates Foundation
pledges US$500 million
for projects that improve
access to financial
services for less fortunate
people worldwide.
NorwayNorway will donate
€173 million to finance
worldwide programs
to halt tuberculosis,
malaria, and AIDS.
Norway signs
an agreement with Cuba
to donate US$850,000
for cholera medicine
and medical equipment
that will be used
by Cuban doctors
working in Haiti.
European UnionThe European Union
donates US$165 million
to South Africa
for the improvement
of the nation's
primary schools, as well
as €45 million
to Rwanda, Burundi, and
the Democratic Republic
of the Congo for road
repairs and improving
the energy sector.
AustraliaAustralia donates
US$160 million to fund
the construction of
two bridges across
major tributaries of
the Mekong River
in Âu Lạc (Vietnam).
USAUS Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton
announces
a US$150-million donation
from the US government
to assist the government
of the Palestinian Authority.
JapanJapan plans to donate
US$60 million to assist
developing countries
with programs to
preserve biodiversity.
The United States and JapanTo empower women
in Afghanistan,
the US announces
US$44 million in aid
while Japan pledges
to increase assistance.
The United NationsThe United Nations
donates US$36 million
to help Uganda
develop a national
climate change plan.
The UN Children's Fund, the European Union, and EthiopiaThe UN Children's Fund,
the European Union,
and the government
of Ethiopia collaborate
in a US$30-million program
to enhance water and
sanitation for districts
in northern Ethiopia.
Israel's Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor & the Arava GroupIsrael is planning a center
for sustainable energy,
research and
development, with
the Ministry of Industry,
Trade and Labor
and the Arava Group
contributing
US$15 million each
to the project.
Inter-American Development Bank The Inter-American
Development Bank loans
Honduras US$27.5 million
to improve healthcare
services to women
and children.
RussiaRussia donates
US$8 million
to Kyrgyzstan to assist
in improving the lives
of her citizens.
UK's Department for International DevelopmentAs part of a €6.6 million
aid package,
UK's Department
for International
Development
sends doctors, nurses,
and support staff to assist
in halting the cholera
outbreak in Haiti.
BelgiumBelgium donates
€4 million to Morocco
to enhance infrastructure,
social services,
and other areas
of the United Nations
Millennium Development
goals.
GermanyGermany announces
a US$4.1-million donation
to Morocco
to support the nation's
Solar Energy Project.
Garth Brooks US country music singer
Garth Brooks
holds benefit concerts
in Nashville, Tennessee,
with 100% of
the US$3.5 million
in proceeds going to help
the state's flood-affected
residents.
European CommissionThe European Commission
donates US$2 million
to Indonesia for victims
of a tsunami and
volcanic eruption
in Mentawai Islands
and Central Java.
The European Commission
seeks quotas agreement
from member states
that would ensure
the improved survival
of the endangered
bluefin tuna.
BrazilBrazil donates
US$1 million to
the Democratic Republic
of Congo to benefit
women in their recovery
from acts of violence.
South KoreaSouth Korea is donating
US$287,000
for the construction
of temporary shelters
for earthquake-affected
Haitians.
Jolie-Pitt Foundation The Jolie-Pitt Foundation
donates US$150,000
to SOS Children's
Villages - USA
to support its care
for orphaned and other
less fortunate children.
Band Aid Charitable TrustBand Aid Charitable
Trust donates US$86,000
to build a pipeline
to provide fresh water
for Somali refugees
in Ethiopia.
GrenadaTo assist in
post-hurricane recovery
on St. Lucia and
St. Vincent islands
in the Caribbean,
Grenada's Cabinet
Subcommittee authorizes
a US$74,500 cash donation
toward agricultural
rehabilitation,
and mobilizes shipments
of clean drinking water.
Japanese Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon The Japanese Embassy
in Beirut, Lebanon,
donates over US$22,000
to improve the health care
of Palestinian refugees
living in remote areas.
South KoreaSouth Korea donates
US$20,000 in emergency
humanitarian aid
to Colombia for
flood-affected residents.
Guatemala, Panama, and ColombiaGuatemala, Panama,
and Colombia
send planes filled with
humanitarian aid to help
hurricane-affected
Costa Rican brethren.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Venezuelan President
Hugo Chavez sends
14 tons of humanitarian aid
to Colombia to help
flood-affected residents.
Argentina Argentina sends
humanitarian relief
personnel and tablets
to supply 600,000 liters
of clean drinking water
to the hurricane-affected
island nation of
Santa Lucia.
CAREAside from bringing aid
to the flood-stricken
Pakistani people,
the Switzerland-based
humanitarian
organization CARE
works to get
safe drinking water
to residents in need.
Doctors Without BordersAn appeal from
France-based charity
Doctors Without Borders
results in a donation
of tents for 700 families
living in one of
the world's largest
and most overcrowded
refugee camps
in Dadaab, Kenya.
The Red Crescent Authority and Dar-al-Birr Society of Dubai The Red Crescent
Authority and
Dar-al-Birr Society
of Dubai in the United
Arab Emirates donate
funds to construct homes
and dig fresh water wells
for disadvantaged
Muslim families
in southern
Âu Lạc (Vietnam).
Cuban President Raul Castro Cuban President
Raul Castro announces
that another 300 doctors,
nurses and other medical
personnel are being sent
to Haiti to treat
the cholera epidemic.
Rotary International Humanitarian organization
Rotary International
raises funds to help
natural disaster-affected
Indonesian residents
in central Java.
The Red Crescent Authority of the United Arab EmiratesThe Red Crescent
Authority of
the United Arab Emirates
pledges financial aid
to assist the rebuilding
of homes for typhoon-
affected residents
in the Philippines.
The United Nations Children's Fund The United Nations
Children's Fund launches
a new campaign
in African countries
to protect young girls
from the tradition
of genital cutting.
Aasif MandviIndian-born actor and
comedian Aasif Mandvi
hosts a comedic event
to raise funds for those
affected by
the recent floods.
Belinda Stronach FoundationJoining the One Laptop
Per Child campaign,
the Canadian
Belinda Stronach Foundation
gives 5,000 laptops
to children of
aboriginal communities
across the country.
The United Nations Children's Fund and partners
The United Nations
Children's Fund and
partners establish
child friendly spaces in
Sindh Province, Pakistan,
to help special needs
youngsters of
flood-affected families.
Elettra Wiedemann, Solar Electric Light Fund, Cindy Crawford, Iman, Christy Turlington, Elle Macpherson and othersOrganized by
model Elettra Wiedemann
in partnership
with organization
Solar Electric Light Fund,
proceeds from
a celebrity auction
of gowns donated by
supermodels including
Cindy Crawford,
Iman, Christy Turlington,
Elle Macpherson
and others will bring
solar power to benefit
clinics in Rwanda,
Haiti, and other countries
in need.
Robin WilliamsHollywood actor and
comedian Robin Williams
is donating 100%
of the proceeds from
his comedy performances
in Christchurch,
New Zealand, to help
with the city's post earth-
quake rebuilding efforts.
Life for Relief and Development, USAUS-based Life for Relief
and Development
inaugurates two new wells
with mechanical pumps
to provides access
to clean drinking water
in the rural regions
of Kabul, Afghanistan.
Patricia Harris, Patrick Duncan, Christine Hall, and 13 other individuals in Washington, DC, USAPatricia Harris,
Patrick Duncan,
Christine Hall,
and 13 other individuals
in Washington, DC, USA,
donate one of
their kidneys to
16 recipients in need.
15 firefighters in Michigan, USAFifteen firefighters
in Michigan, USA,
donate their monthly
paychecks to help cover
the medical expenses
of a kidney transplant
of a retired colleague
and friend.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Iranian President
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
auctions his car to benefit
the Mehr project
that provides
affordable housing for
less fortunate families.
India's Health and Agriculture MinistriesIndia's Health and
Agricultural Ministries
are collaborating to
provide alternative cash
crops for tobacco farmers
and workers to cultivate.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov Russian Foreign Minister
Sergey Lavrov assures
that Russian soldiers will
not return to Afghanistan,
but support for
eliminating illegal drugs
will continue
via consultations with the
Afghan Interior Ministry.
Architecture for HumanityNonprofit Architecture
for Humanity is
dedicated to providing
design, building, and
development expertise
worldwide to those in need.
King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi ArabiaKing Abdullah bin
Abdulaziz Al Saud hosts
2,000 Palestinians for
this year Hajj pilgrimage.
Executive Director Josette Sheeran and the UN World Food ProgramDuring her visit
to North Korea,
Executive Director
Josette Sheeran states
that an appeal is being
made by the UN
World Food Program to
fund a nutrition project
for women and children.
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad Former Malaysian
Prime Minister
Mahathir Mohamad
urges for the nation's
avoidance of nuclear
power development,
encouraging sustainable
energy instead.
Facebook, Twitter, Philippine weather and relief agenciesThrough the use of social
networking websites
such as Facebook
and Twitter by
Philippine weather and
relief agencies, real-time
weather advisories
are credited with
saving thousands of lives
in times of disaster.
Afghan government, Afghan Saffron company, United States, France and the Netherlands, With help from
the United States,
France, the Netherlands,
Afghan Saffron company,
and other organizations,
the Afghan government
is implementing
programs to cultivate
saffron instead of
poppy to reduce
opium production.
Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia has
approved a smoking ban
in the nation's airports.
Ka Pa'alanaThe nonprofit group
Ka Pa'alana sets up
a pre-school four days
a week at Keaau beach park
in Waianae, Hawaii,
USA, to serve children
without homes
or living in shelters.
Participating mayors at the Mayors Climate Summit in Mexico CityOne hundred thirty-eight
mayors from 43 nations
gathered in Mexico City,
Mexico, for the Mayors
Climate Summit
to pledge their help in
mitigating global warming.
Sonic PeacemakersConsisting of famous artists
and groups worldwide,
Sonic Peacemakers uses
music to foster peace and
greater understanding
among cultures.
US President Barack Obama and Portuguese Prime Minister Jose SocratesUS President Barack Obama
meets with Portuguese
Prime Minister
Jose Socrates and
conveys his country's
commitment to collaborations
toward the goal
of economic stability.
First Lady of Syria Asma al-Assad and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad First Lady of Syria
Asma al-Assad honors
88 newly literate women
with Certificates of
Appreciation in Tartous,
on Syria's coast;
their achievements is
a reflection of President
Bashar al-Assad's belief
that knowledge
is the cornerstone of
comprehensive development
in the country.
Montevideo, UruguayTo raise health awareness,
Montevideo, Uruguay,
installs giant cigarettes
in a plaza, labeled
with the toxic chemicals
they contain.
Prince William of Wales and the Royal Air Force Search and Rescue Prince William of Wales
and the Royal Air Force
Search and Rescue
save the life of a man
who has collapsed
at 3,000 feet elevation
on Mount Snowdon in
Wales, United Kingdom.
Sir Roger MooreUnited Nations
Children's Fund
Goodwill Ambassador
and British Hollywood
actor Sir Roger Moore
visits Kazakhstan
to raise awareness and
support for vulnerable
children and those
with disabilities.
Shahbaz Bhatti, PakistanConcluding that
Christian woman
Asia Bibi is innocent
of charges of blasphemy,
Pakistan's Federal
Minister for Minorities,
Shahbaz Bhatti,
recommends her release.
IndiaThe affordability and
advancements of India's
medical system enable
a 4-year-old girl
from Baghdad, Iraq,
to receive innovative
microsurgery that
restores her hearing.
Sanctuary for Health and Reconnection to AnimalsTo promote the vegan diet
and organic farming,
Sanctuary for Health and
Reconnection to Animals
and Nature offers
instructions, internships,
and training programs
in India, Europe,
and the US.
Key Monastery The ancient Key Monastery
in the Himalayan
Spiti Valley appeals to
local residents to refrain
from animal slaughter
during this festive season
and, instead,
consume vegetarian fare
based on principles
of compassion.
Researchers at the Universities of Leeds and Manchester, UKResearchers at
the Universities of Leeds
and Manchester in the UK
report that parents
are most influential
in educating their
children about alcohol,
recommending that they
provide more information
about its potential harms
and health risks.
Stephanie Blain, CanadaCanadian researcher
Stephanie Blain develops
software that enhances
the communication
of individuals with
disabilities by translating
physiological signals
into music.
US environmental and health expertsEnvironmental and
health experts in the US
state that of the 84,000
chemicals on the market
today, only about
200 have been tested for
their effects on children.
Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da SilvaWith a wish to uphold
human rights,
Denmark, Finland,
Iceland, Norway
and Sweden, as well as
Brazilian President
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva,
join urging Iran
to commute
the death sentence
of adultery-accused
Ms. Sakineh
Mohammadi-Ashtiani.
UAE's Ministry of Education, Emirates Wildlife Society-World Wildlife
Fund, the Denmark-based Foundation for Environmental Education , and
HSBCLaunched by the Ministry
of Education,
Emirates Wildlife
Society-World Wildlife
Fund, Denmark-based
Foundation for
Environmental Education,
and HSBC,
the United Arab Emirates
inaugurates
a green schools program.
ItalyItaly donates €3 million
to Yemen to preserve
biodiversity of the
archipelago of Socotra,
as well as pledging
scholarships and
entrepreneurial training
to Saudi Arabia
to enhance economic
cooperation between
the two countries.
Group of scientistsWith Indonesia's rate
of deforestation being
one of the highest
in the world, a group of
scientists worldwide
urges the government
to add to its protection
policy non-pristine
forest areas.
Mexican civil society organizationsMexican civil society
organizations call
on the government
to pass comprehensive,
long-term policies
that reduce emissions
and create a low-carbon
economy to protect
the nation's people
and her ecosystems.
CNNGo and Edison HungCNNGo publishes
an article about
Hong Kong's vegan
Loving Hut Wan Chai,
as well as
the environmental benefits
of a plant-based diet,
written by journalist
Edison Hung.
Gordon Hardy, UKGordon Hardy of
Ainsdale, Southport,
in the UK leaves
his entire fortune of
more than US$2.2 million
to benefit animals.
Leonardo DiCaprioDespite perilous challenges
during his trip,
Oscar-nominated actor
and environmental
advocate Leonardo DiCaprio
arrives at St. Petersburg,
Russia, to donate
US$1 million
for tiger conservation.
Ady Gil, USAUS entrepreneur
and animal lover,
Ady Gil, donates
US$50,000
in matching funds to
Farm Sanctuary's
Adopt-A-Turkey program
to encourage
the celebration of a
compassionate Thanksgiving.
Mega International Commercial Bank Company, Formosa (Taiwan) Mega International
Commercial Bank Company
in Formosa (Taiwan)
donates US$6,600
to support the work
of the Life Caring
and Animal Rescue
Organization Taiwan.
Anonymous Australian swimmerWhen a snorkel tour
guide is bitten by a shark
off the coast of
western Australia,
an anonymous Australian
swimmer comes to her
rescue by grabbing the
shark's tail until it let go.
Participants of the United Nations Convention on Biological DiversityDuring the United Nations
Convention
on Biological Diversity
in Nagoya, Japan,
representatives
from over 190 nations
discuss ways
to better protect
the planet's ecosystem
and endangered species.
European Union and 15 European nationsFifteen European countries
will collaborate with
the European Union to
form six marine protected
zones in the northeast
Atlantic region.
Project EcoKidsProject EcoKids'
4-week course teaches
school children
in the Philippines about
energy conservation,
waste management, and
minimizing resource use.
Boeing CompanyUS-based Boeing Company
adopts new software
that saves aircraft fuel
and reduces emissions.
HaloIPT company, UKUK-based company
HaloIPT demonstrates
a new recharging system
that wirelessly recharge
parked electric vehicles.
Dr. Iain Douglas-HamiltonFor his lifetime of devotion
to elephant protection,
British zoologist
Dr. Iain Douglas-Hamilton
is honored with the 2010
Indianapolis Prize.
USAThe US Senate
unanimously passes a law
to ban cruelty videos
that show abuse and
killing of small animals.
Bagmara's villagers, IndiaBagamara villagers
in Tripuri, India, preserve
their ancient reverence
for cows by not milking
or drinking cow's milk,
which would deprive
a calf from nourishment.
Local residents of FinlandThanks to
increased protection
and conservation efforts
by local residents,
populations of
the endangered Saimaa
ringed seal in Finland
grow from 10 to 270.
Local government of Qinling Mountains, ChinaThe local government
of Qinling Mountains
in China allocates fund
to provide food daily
for a group of
golden monkeys
when the cold weather
destroyed their food sources.
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, United KingdomThe Royal Society
for the Protection of
Birds urges residents
to place food outdoors
to help birds survive
the extreme
winter conditions.
Loving Care Station and Wonder Pet Hotel, Formosa (Taiwan) The Loving Care Station
in Taichung City,
Formosa (Taiwan),
makes the adoption of
dog and cat companions
more accessible through
the participation of 14
animal companion shops,
one of which,
the Wonder Pet Hotel,
feeds canines in their care
a veg diet.
Indonesian maritime policeIndonesian maritime
police rescue 87
endangered green turtles
from illegal capture,
successfully releasing
them back into the wild.
The European CommissionIn an effort to abolish
the cruel practice
of shark finning,
the European Commission
asks scientists,
the industry, NGOs
and other parties
to offer opinions t
oward successfully
revising existing law.
Harvey Nichols, Sir Roger Moore, and PETAThrough
the campaign efforts of
Sir Roger Moore and
PETA, the celebrated
London department store
Harvey Nichols promised
to eliminate foie gras
from its restaurant menus.
Northern Ireland's police, Belfast Fire and Rescue Service and the Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to AnimalsAfter two days of
rescue attempts,
Northern Ireland's police,
the Belfast Fire
and Rescue Service,
and the Ulster Society
for Prevention of Cruelty
to Animals successfully
retrieve a young canine
from a 10-meter hole.
Animals Lebanon and Vargem Grande Paulista SanctuaryWith the help of
Animal Lebanon,
a zoo-rescued chimpanzee
has been relocated
to his new home
at Vargem Grande
Paulista Sanctuary
in São Paulo, Brazil.
Mexican Navy and school childrenAssisted by
the Mexican Navy,
180 school children
in the Oaxacan city of
Salina Cruz return 4,100
endangered Olive Ridley
turtles to the sea.
Elizabeth Parker, USAUpon discovering
the sad fate of
an unhealthy horse,
Elizabeth Parker
of Missouri, USA,
purchases the equine and
nurses her back to health.
Animal Rescue Marina staff , UruguayAnimal Rescue Marina
staff in Piriápolis,
Uruguay, saves a baby
La Plata River dolphin
from being stranded
and injured on the beach
in a fishing net.
April's Pet Grooming and 6 pet grooming services in Florida, USASeven pet grooming
services in Florida, USA,
help clean and groom
65 Shih Tzu canines
found abandoned
in a rural neighborhood.
Bill Richardson, USANew Mexico Governor
Bill Richardson petitions
the US Department
of Agriculture to stop
laboratory experiments
on 186 chimpanzees
and to allow them
to remain in their family
unit at a non-research
primate facility.
Ellen Degeneres, Farm Sanctuary, and other welfare organizations and individualsAnimal welfare
organizations and
individuals such as
US television host and
vegan Ellen DeGeneres
promote the adoption
of turkeys from shelters
as a way to celebrate
Thanksgiving.
Dubai Animal Rescue CentreDubai Animal Rescue
Centre provides shelter
and medical care for
a large variety of abused,
injured,
and abandoned animals.
Kerala State's dentists, IndiaDentists in the state
of Kerala, India,
successfully seal
a 50-centimeter long
crack in an elephant's tusk
that had been
causing discomfort.
Jessica YeoAustralian soprano
Jessica Yeo's refusal
to stop performing CPR
on her beloved dog
when she suffered
near suffocation from
an allergic reaction
results in the saving
of the canine's life.
Pamela AndersonIn a letter to Indian
Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh,
Hollywood actress
Pamela Anderson calls
on India and the world to
reject all leather apparel
in an effort to end animal
suffering and cruelty.
SPECIAL
CONGRATULATIONS
of the MONTH Dilma Rousseff, BrazilDilma Rousseff has been
elected as Brazil's
first female president.
Mikhail Gorbachev, Russia Former Soviet president
and Nobel Peace Prize
laureate Mikhail Gorbachev
is honored
at the 2010 German
Environmental Awards
for his eco-protective
efforts.
Russia and NorwayNorway and Russia
sign historical
border agreement
that will permit visa-free
travel for residents within
the shared border zone
of the two countries.
Nancy Khadhori, Hala Qarrisah, and two other women Nancy Khadhori,
Hala Qarrisah,
and two other women
have been appointed
by King Hamad bin Isa
Al Khalifa of Bahrain
to the nation's
upper chamber of
the National Assembly.
The Care Institute of Medical SciencesThe Care Institute of
Medical Sciences opens
in Gujarat state, India,
offering state-of-the-art
medical care along with
eco-friendly construction
and design.
Canadian scientistsCanadian scientists
discover a way to
transform a person's
own skin cells into blood,
which could eliminate
the need for outside
transfusions as well as
bone marrow transplant
donors.
United Arab EmiratesA study conducted by
the United Arab Emirates
General Women's Union
reports a 99.9% reduction
in the nation's maternal
mortality rate since 2004.
Researchers from the University of Pretoria and the University of South AfricaResearchers from
the University of Pretoria
and the University
of South Africa provide
clean water daily to a
Limpopo Province school
using a six-meter
high net to gather water
via fog condensation.
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai Zimbabwean
Prime Minister
Morgan Tsvangirai
is honored with the
International Association
of Political Consultants'
Democracy Medal
in Paris, France.
Nepal, China, and OmanNepal, China,
and Oman rank as
the three countries
making the fastest
development gains
in recent decades by
the 2010 United Nations
Human Development
Index.
The Tsimané Mosetene, BoliviaThe indigenous
Tsimané Mosetene of
Bolivia has been awarded
the UN-sponsored
Equator Prize 2010
for their efforts to
preserve their culture
and traditions as well as
the integrity of
the natural environment.
Researchers from the UK and South KoreaResearchers from the UK
and South Korea discover
that they can grow
stem cells from
a yew tree whose bark
is a natural source of
an anti-cancer compound.
British scientistsTrial procedures of
a new high-powered
laser developed
by British scientists
that can unblock
clogged arteries
in just minutes have been
very successful in
not only reducing time
spent in surgery
but also in speeding
patients' recovery.
Dr. Will ZimmermanDr. Will Zimmerman,
Professor of Chemical
and Process Engineering
of the University of
Sheffield of Great Britain,
is honored with
the Royal Society's
Brian Mercer Award
for his invention
that uses carbon dioxide
to nurture algae.
The Khadi and Village Industries Commission, IndiaThe Khadi and Village
Industries Commission
in India is developing
solar spinning wheels
to produce “green cloth,”
as well as double
the earnings of spinners.
American Ballet Theatre's dancersThirty-five dancers
from the American
Ballet Theatre
are warmly welcomed
as they arrive to perform
at the International Ballet
Festival in Havana, Cuba,
for the first time
in 50 years.
Jane Pierantozzi Jane Pierantozzi
has been named
by Delaware Online as
“The News Journal's
25 Who Matter”
for her outstanding work
of safeguarding the lives
of our canine
and feline friends.
Ethical Vegetarian Alternative, BelgiumThe Belgium-based
organization Ethical
Vegetarian Alternative
(EVA) commemorates
a decade of promoting
the compassionate
plant-based lifestyle.
Randall Arauz, Costa RicaBiologist and Costa
Rican Marine Turtle
Restoration Program
President Randall Arauz
is bestowed with
Sweden's 2010
Göteborg Awards for
Sustainable Development
for his efforts
to stop shark finning
in Costa Rica.
SPECIAL SALUTE
of the MONTH
Vancouver and David Cadman
Vancouver,
British Columbia, has
allocated US$100,000
to support community
plant-based food endeavors,
with City Councilor
David Cadman
supporting the shift to
the sustainable vegan diet.
Norway, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Colombia, Moldova and Montenegro
Norway, Belgium,
Spain, Portugal,
Colombia, Moldova,
and Montenegro have
completely disposed
of all cluster munitions
stockpiles following
the enactment
of the Convention
on Cluster Munitions.
Russia and North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Russia pledges to partner
with member nations
of the North Atlantic
Treaty Organization
in monitoring
other countries' nuclear
programs and to support
nuclear non-proliferation.
Bolivian President Evo Morales
The social policies
of Bolivian President
Evo Morales' administration
are resulting in greater
educational opportunities
for the physically
disabled and
disadvantaged students.
Meningitis Vaccine Project, World Health Organization, and PATH
Led by the World Health
Organization
and the Seattle-based,
nonprofit PATH,
the Meningitis Vaccine
Project has developed
a new affordable vaccine
that will help prevent
epidemics in Africa.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization
The North Atlantic
Treaty Organization
announces plans
to reduce by half
the number of troops
stationed in Kosovo.
US President Barack Obama
White House spokesman
Robert Gibbs affirms US
President Barack Obama's
commitment to closing
the Guantánamo Bay
detention facility.
Russia
Russia opens a new plant,
the largest in the world,
in Western Russia
to help eliminate
stockpiled weapons.
North Korea and South Korea
The first of two groups
of South Koreans
travel to North Korea's
Mount Kumgang resort
to be reunited with their
northern relatives for
the first time in 60 years.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev
To protect
the constitutional rights
of Russian citizens,
Russian President
Dmitry Medvedev vetoes
a proposed Parliamentary
bill that would
restrict street rallies.
Californian voters, USA
Californians vote down
a measure that proposes
the legalization
of growing and
possessing marijuana.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia's Ministry
of Health bans the sale
of tobacco within
a five-kilometer radius
of two pilgrimage sites
in the holy cities
of Mecca and Medina.
European Parliament
The European Parliament
approves visa waivers for
Formosan (Taiwanese)
citizens traveling to the
25 European countries
under the Schengen
Agreement, as well as
the three non-Schengen
European Union member
states of Romania,
Bulgaria, and Cyprus.
Cuban President Raúl Castro and Cuba
Cuban President
Raúl Castro announces
plans to reorganize
the employment sector,
providing retraining
to enable individuals to
work on higher demand
jobs or be self-employed.
Montevideo, Uruguay
To raise health awareness,
Montevideo, Uruguay,
installs giant cigarettes
in a plaza, labeled
with the toxic chemicals
they contain.
45 wealthy US citizens and Patriotic Millionaires for Fiscal Strength
Forty-five wealthy
US citizens associated
with Patriotic Millionaires
for Fiscal Strength
call upon US President
Barack Obama
to allow their taxes
to be increased as their
way to support a fiscally
responsible nation.
Ronaldo and Zinédine Zidane
World-renowned
soccer players and UN
Goodwill Ambassadors
Ronaldo and
Zinédine Zidane will join
other European all-star
players in a match to
benefit disaster-affected
residents of Pakistan
and Haiti.
Linda Welsh, USA
Linda Welsh has co-founded
Sage Mountain Center
in Montana, USA,
to promote public
awareness of issues
regarding sustainability,
healthy living,
and the vegan lifestyle.
Dr. Kendall Lee and his team of surgeons at Mayo Clinic Neural Engineering Laboratory, USA
Dr. Kendall Lee and
his team of surgeons at
the Mayo Clinic Neural
Engineering Laboratory
in Minnesota, USA,
successfully perform
deep brain stimulation
on a patient as he plays
the violin to correct
his condition
of essential tremors.
China's State Administration of Cultural Heritage and State Oceanic Administration
China's
State Administration
of Cultural Heritage
and State Oceanic
Administration
sign an agreement
to work together
in protecting underwater
relics and archaeology.
Singapore
Singapore allocates
10% of the nation's
land area to nature
preserves and parks.
Peruvians
Peruvians from
the Andes highlands
collect bird droppings
as organic fertilizers
for their organic farms
while taking care
to safeguard the birds.
Michele Speranza
Thanks to
Italian policeman
Michele Speranza,
two statues missing from
Italian museums are
returned to Rome, Italy.
United Kingdom
The British government
has established a
545,000-square-kilometer
marine reserve around
the Chagos Archipelago
in the Indian Ocean,
banning
commercial fishing
in the “no take” zones.
Turkish President Abdullah Gül
Turkish President
Abdullah Gül speaks
in favor of freer access
to the Internet after
a court lifts a public ban
from popular video
sharing website YouTube.
Conservation summit champions [Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India,
Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand and Âu Lạc
(Vietnam)], Vladimir Putin, World Bank, and the International Forum on
Tiger Conservation
Co-hosted by
Russian Prime Minister
Vladimir Putin
and the World Bank,
the International Forum
on Tiger Conservation
has launched
for discussions on how
to restore the tigers'
dwindling numbers, with
conservation champions
that include Bangladesh,
Bhutan, China,
India, Indonesia,
Cambodia, Laos,
Malaysia, Myanmar,
Nepal, Thailand and
Âu Lạc (Vietnam).
The European Union Councils' Working Group of Veterinary Experts
To establish higher
standards across
the organization
for animal welfare,
the European Union
Councils' Working Group
of Veterinary Experts
advises similar
legislation among
all member states.
Sri Lankan Prime Minister DM Jayaratne
Sri Lankan Prime Minister
DM Jayaratne announces
the government's plans
to ban animal sacrifices
at religious events
across the country.
Frank Pisani and Fremantle Sea Rescue
Frank Pisani of
Fremantle Sea Rescue is
one of the first rescuers
on scene to help
a shark-bitten snorkel tour
guide off the coast
of western Australia
after an anonymous
swimmer has saved
her from the shark.
Taichung City, Formosa (Taiwan)
Taichung City
in Formosa (Taiwan)
is working to provide
homes for feline and
canine friends through
The Loving Care Station
project.
Andrew Fox, Rodney Fox, and other divers, Australia
Legendary shark survivor
and conservationist
Rodney Fox, his son,
Andrew Fox,
and other divers free
a great white shark from
the plastic strap binding
his torso and one fin
in South Australia.
Dylan Jacketta, USA
Master Deputy Police
Officer Dylan Jacketta,
rappels 80 feet down
a ravine to rescue
a stranded Springer
spaniel in Colorado.
Pamela Anderson
Hollywood actress
Pamela Anderson
calls on Israel's
Ultra-Orthodox men
to switch from traditional
fur hat apparel
to support a bill that
would completely ban the
fur trade in the country.167
SPECIAL APPLAUSE
of the MONTH
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
To help in continuing
peace talks with Palestine,
Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu
asks his Likud Party
to support a 90-day
settlement construction
freeze in
Palestinian territories.
Seoul, South Korea
The city of Seoul,
South Korea,
bans corporal punishment
in all public
and private schools.
UN International Telecommunications Union
The UN International
Telecommunications
Union installs 100
new broadband
satellite terminals
in severely flood-affected
areas of Pakistan
to re-establish
essential communication,
including
medical consultation
via mobile phone.
Networking in Brazil's Semiarid Region
Networking in Brazil's
Semiarid Region initiates
a harvesting and
storing rainwater project
that builds household
water tanks for people
living in the semiarid
region of Brazil.
Formosa (Taiwan)
Formosa (Taiwan)
initiates a care network
of government agencies,
local authorities,
and non-governmental
organizations
to assist immigrants.
Lord Chancellor Kenneth Clarke, Britain
Britain's Lord Chancellor
Kenneth Clarke proposes
sending inmates
committed of drug-related
crimes to rehabilitative
treatment facilities
rather than prisons.
Cambodia and Thailand
Cambodian and Thai
foreign ministers sign
an agreement that allows
residents to travel freely
between the two countries
without visa fees.
The European Union
The European Union's
approval of visa-free
travel to Schengen zone
countries for citizens
of Bosnia and Albania
results in a surge
of biometric passports
issued daily as travel
is opened to nearly
all of western Europe.
Russia
To mitigate
tobacco harms,
the Russian Parliament
bans smoking
in public areas of
the State Duma building.
Pakistan
Pakistan announces plans
to enlarge health warning
pictures and messages
on cigarette packaging
to bring greater awareness
of the harms
of tobacco smoking.
The Dragon-Tiger School, Ukraine
The Dragon-Tiger School
in Crimea, Ukraine,
helps youths overcome
drug addictions
through mental and
physical exercises.
The US Food and Drug Administration
The US Food and Drug
Administration proposes
designs for graphic
health warning labels
to be placed on cigarette
packs and cartons.
San Francisco, California
The city of San Francisco
in California,
United States passes
a law that prohibits
fast-food chains
from giving out toys
to children along with
unhealthy meals.
Dr. Margaret Chan
To help millions avert
poverty due to illness
and large medical bills,
World Health
Organization
Director-General
Dr. Margaret Chan calls
for universal health care
coverage across the globe.
Turkic-Speaking Countries Policy Support Foundation
The Turkic-Speaking
Countries Policy Support
Foundation donates funds
to publish the poem
“Gulustan” by prominent
Azerbaijani poet
Bakhtiyar Vahabzade in
Kyrgyz and Azerbaijani
languages to promote
Azerbaijani literature.
Aulacese (Vietnamese) embassy in Laos, the Vietnamese Writers'
Association, the Lao Writers' Association, and Vietnamese Investment and
Business Cooperation Association in Laos
Organized by the
Aulacese (Vietnamese)
embassy in Lao
and Aulacese
and Lao associations,
a poetry night
in Vientiane celebrates
the solidarity of writers
from both nations.
Queensland, Australia
Queensland, Australia,
has implemented
an eco program
which assists Ipswich's
residents reduce
their power bills
to a combined total of
US$2.3 million a year.
Bangladesh
The Bangladeshi
government launches
a nationwide program
to connect villages
to the Internet as well as
increase access
to information and
services for all citizens.
Chandigarh, India
To help resolve
water scarcity issues,
Chandigarh, India, is
requiring all large homes
and businesses to install
rainwater harvesting
technology
by the end of 2010.
Ireland
Noting a nearly
20% decline in smoking
among young people
in Ireland, British
researchers attribute
the healthy trend to a ban
on the display
of tobacco product.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires, Argentina,
offers tax incentives
to residents
to create roof gardens.
Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa
As part of Sri Lankan
President Mahinda
Rajapaksa's "Let's Grow
and Build the Country"
campaign,
the nation's army will
plant thousands of trees
across the island.
The Los Angeles Board of Supervisors
In California, USA,
the Los Angeles
Board of Supervisors
approves a ban on free
disposable plastic bags,
and a requirement
to charge for paper bags
in an effort
to decrease pollution.
US airport restaurants
US-based
Physicians Committee
for Responsible Medicine's
dietitians report that
82% of the restaurants
in major US airports now
offer at least one low-fat,
high-fiber, cholesterol-
free vegetarian meal.
International Meatless Day-Animal Rights Day in Malaysia
An estimated 12,500
Malaysians participated
in the International
Meatless Day-Animal
Rights Day in Malaysia.
Honduran government, community, and environmental organizations
The Honduran government,
community,
and environmental
organizations have
collaborated to prepare
a bill focusing
on rehabilitating and
cleaning up Lake Yojoa.
General Motors
General Motors begins
production of
a new hybrid electric car
that offers extended
range of 50 miles
on a full electric charge,
and 260 additional miles
through a back-up
gasoline engine.
Stanford University graduate students, USA
Stanford University
graduate students
in California, USA,
develop a recyclable
laptop designed
to be taken apart
for recycling
in just two minutes
without any tools.
Sara Spence
Graduate student
Sara Spence of
the University of
New South Wales
designs a compostable
plastic water bottle
from vegetable starch.
Orissa, India
The state of Orissa, India,
approves a seven-month
fishing ban along
a long stretch of coastline
to protect Olive Ridley
turtles who come ashore
to gather in shallow
waters and lay eggs.
Luay Othman, Syria
Upon receiving
an overpayment
of US$2,300
for his village crops,
Luay Othman of
Mals village in Syria's
Idleb province
immediately returns the
money to the state bank.
Pet shelters, Singapore
To improve animal welfare,
participating shelters
in Singapore announce
plans to provide
adoption cards
that can be redeemed
for free goods, services
or a discount on health care
for adopted
animal companions.