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The Aravind Eye Care System, India

The Aravind Eye Care System organization in India is awarded the US$1.5 million Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize for its exemplary contributions in bettering the lives of others.

Ten Middle East-based philanthropic organizations

Ten Middle East-based philanthropic organizations, including Dubai Autism Center; Dubai Cares; Friends of Cancer Patients Society; the General Women’s Union; Gulf for Good; Life for Relief & Development; Make-A-Wish Foundation; United Arab Emirates Red Crescent Authority; United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF); and finally, the Zayed Higher Organization for Humanitarian Care, Special Needs and Minors Affairs are recognized for their giving endeavors in the premiere Noble Humanitarian Awards Middle East.

Mohamed Abourahim Gebril, Magdi Omar Al-Osta, and Mohammed Abuzoda

Mohamed Abourahim Gebril, Magdi Omar Al-Osta, and Mohammed Abuzoda are designated as International Climate Champions by the Libyan Climate Change Group. 

Buan Civil Power Station, Kim Young-Gyu, the Korea Coast Guard, Asiana Airlines, and Seoul City Councilwoman Ha Ji-Won

South Korea’s National Assembly Climate Change Forum awards individuals and organizations across public, civil and citizen sectors for their dedicated efforts to reduce global warming effects. 

Korean and US researchers

Korean and US researchers create a device called the ion concentration polarization that produces drinking water from seawater using just a small amount of energy.

Solar Impulse aircraft

The Swiss-designed Solar Impulse aircraft successfully completes a 90-minute sun-powered flight over Switzerland with a goal of flying around the world by 2012.

US Pulitzer Prize recipients

US-based media organizations “The New York Times,” “The Washington Post,” “The Philadephia Daily News” and online-only news agency ProPublica win the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for Journalism, while Paul Harding, Rae Armantrout and Jennifer Higdon are honored, respectively, for Fiction, Poetry and Music. 

Natalie Portman

Vegan actress Natalie Portman is recognized by British newspaper “The Independent” as the Best Green Celebrity due to her many eco- and animal-activism endeavors. 

Kitty Crowther

Belgian illustrator and author Kitty Crowther is chosen for Sweden’s 2010 Astrid Lindgren Memorial award and its more than US$690,000 cash prize for her outstanding children’s stories. 

Monique Trương

Aulacese (Vietnamese)-born Monique Trương, author of “The Book of Salt,” is honored as a 2010 Guggenheim Fellow.

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First Lady Michelle Obama, USA

US First Lady Michelle Obama invites children from a local elementary school to help plant this year’s vegetables in the White House organic garden as part of a larger effort to encourage healthier eating habits.  

Maans Gaardfeldt and Jonas Larsson, Sweden

Swedish university students Maans Gaardfeldt and Jonas Larsson quickly construct a website to assist travelers in finding alternative ways to get home after flights were canceled in the wake of Icelandic volcanic eruptions. 

Donn Moss, North Carolina, USA

Donn Moss of North Carolina, USA has volunteered 47,000 hours as a way to give back to the hospital that helped his recovery after an accident 28 years ago.

Katherine Heigl

American actress Katherine Heigl receives the Presidential Service Award from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for her dedicated efforts in canine rescue and adoption.

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Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and US President Barack Obama

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and US President Barack Obama sign the new START treaty, which formalizes their countries’ agreement to a mutual reduction in nuclear arms.

International Co-operation, Italy

Italy-based organization International Co-operation helps 1,000 urban households in Kenya grow their own vegetables by providing materials for farming-in-a-bag. 

San Francisco, California

San Francisco, California becomes the first city in the USA to adopt a weekly Vegetarian Day at the request of the vegetarian groups In Defense of Animals and the San Francisco Vegetarian Society.