The city's yellow taxi fleet will go entirely hybrid within five years, Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced Tuesday.
Nearly 400 fuel-efficient hybrids have been tested in the city's taxi fleet over the past 18 months, with models including the Toyota Prius, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, the Lexus RX 400h and the Ford Escape.
Under Bloomberg's plan, that number will increase to 1,000 by October 2008, then will grow by about 20% each year until 2012, when every yellow cab — currently numbering 13,000 — will be a hybrid. (USA Today)
1.09.2008
Florida manatee deaths decreased in 2007
The number of endangered manatees that died in Florida waters last year dropped by 24 percent, according to preliminary report on Monday from the state's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
The commission, which in December postponed a decision on whether to remove the manatee from the state's endangered species list, said 317 manatees died in 2007 compared to 417 in 2006, the highest death toll on record. (Reuters)
The commission, which in December postponed a decision on whether to remove the manatee from the state's endangered species list, said 317 manatees died in 2007 compared to 417 in 2006, the highest death toll on record. (Reuters)
A restaurant with no checks
At the Karma Kitchen in Berkeley, Calif., customers pay what they want – including nothing – for a meal.
Patrons of Karma Kitchen don't need to fight for the check at the end of a meal. There isn't one. Instead, the "guests" of this restaurant are handed a gold envelope with a handwritten note on the outside that says, "Have a lovely evening." Inside a bookmarker-sized card states: "In the spirit of generosity, someone who came before you made a gift of this meal. We hope you will continue the circle of giving in your own way!" (CS Monitor)
Patrons of Karma Kitchen don't need to fight for the check at the end of a meal. There isn't one. Instead, the "guests" of this restaurant are handed a gold envelope with a handwritten note on the outside that says, "Have a lovely evening." Inside a bookmarker-sized card states: "In the spirit of generosity, someone who came before you made a gift of this meal. We hope you will continue the circle of giving in your own way!" (CS Monitor)
New National Park for Russian Tigers
Endangered northern Amur (Siberian) tigers have received a boost to their protection through the creation of a new national park in the Russian Far East. The Russian Government signed a decree declaring the new Aniyuiskii national park in December, making it the third established in the Khabarovsk province this year, lessening the extreme pressures on the tigers from uncontrolled logging, construction and wildfires. (Good News Network)
Maldives president saved by Boy Scout
Maldives President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom escaped a stabbing attack Tuesday, thanks to a Boy Scout who reportedly pinned down the attacker. (United Press International)
1.08.2008
New car runs on air
A French engineer, with backing from an Indian firm, has developed a car that runs on compressed air. (BBC video via Great News Network)
Japan Suspends Humpback Whale Hunt
After negotiations with the chairman of the International Whaling Commission (IWC), Japan has agreed not to target humpback whales during its annual whale hunt that is underway in the seas off Antarctica. While whaling for scientific research is legally allowed under the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling, Japan's program is highly controversial worldwide. (Wildlife Extra)
11 rescued 3 months after Russian shipwreck
Rescuers have reached 11 people who survived a shipwreck and then were stranded in the Russian wilderness for almost three months, Russian media reported Saturday.
The castaways — eight men and three women — were picked up Friday and appeared to be in good health. (CBC)
The castaways — eight men and three women — were picked up Friday and appeared to be in good health. (CBC)
China bans plastic shopping bags
China launched a surprise crackdown on plastic bags on Tuesday, banning production of ultra-thin bags and forbidding its supermarkets and shops from handing out free carriers from June 1.
China uses too many of the bags and fails to dispose of them properly, wasting valuable oil and littering the country, China's cabinet, the State Council, said in a notice.
"Our country consumes huge amounts of plastic bags every year. While providing convenience to consumers, they have also caused serious pollution, and waste of energy and resources, because of excessive use and inadequate recycling," it said. (Toronto Star)
China uses too many of the bags and fails to dispose of them properly, wasting valuable oil and littering the country, China's cabinet, the State Council, said in a notice.
"Our country consumes huge amounts of plastic bags every year. While providing convenience to consumers, they have also caused serious pollution, and waste of energy and resources, because of excessive use and inadequate recycling," it said. (Toronto Star)
For Iraqi Refugees, Art May Be Avenue to New Life
Many of the more than 2 million Iraqi refugees now in Jordan and Syria are hoping to build new lives elsewhere. For young artists forced to flee Iraq, talent is one way out. Invitations from Europe are the prize: an opportunity to perform and, hopefully, find a new life. (NPR)
1.07.2008
TV Show Saves Boy's Life
An 11-year-old boy survived an avalanche after having been completely buried under the sliding snow for 33 minutes. When Max Zilvitis of Park City, Utah, was found, he had no pulse and wasn't breathing.
Max's father, Brian Zilvitis, made a frantic 911 call just moments after digging himself out from beneath the sudden avalanche, only to discover that Max was buried alive — somewhere underneath as much as a five-foot blanket of snow. (Gimundo)
Max's father, Brian Zilvitis, made a frantic 911 call just moments after digging himself out from beneath the sudden avalanche, only to discover that Max was buried alive — somewhere underneath as much as a five-foot blanket of snow. (Gimundo)
New Jersey abolishes death penalty
The US state of New Jersey has joined the global trend towards ending capital punishment. The state’s governor, Jon Corzine, signed a bill to abolish the death penalty on Monday.
The state’s assembly voted to replace execution with life imprisonment without parole on 14 December. Forty-four voted in favour of the bill, 36 against.
Amnesty International hopes and believes that the passing of this bill marks a turning point in the use of the death penalty in the US. New Jersey is the first US state to abolish capital punishment under law in the modern death penalty era, commencing in 1972. (Amnesty)
The state’s assembly voted to replace execution with life imprisonment without parole on 14 December. Forty-four voted in favour of the bill, 36 against.
Amnesty International hopes and believes that the passing of this bill marks a turning point in the use of the death penalty in the US. New Jersey is the first US state to abolish capital punishment under law in the modern death penalty era, commencing in 1972. (Amnesty)
Free days offered at French national museums
Many national museums in France, including the venerable Louvre in Paris, will be offering free admission in the coming months. 18 museums will be participating in an experiment to get the public to experience high culture, the country's Culture Ministry announced. (CBC)
Kid-friendly Sweden aims to better record with parenting classes
Already considered one of the best countries for raising children, Sweden aims to better its record by offering even more classes to help mums and dads improve their parenting skills.
The Scandinavian country now gives all parents of newborns the opportunity to attend classes and discussion groups to ease them into their new role. But the state is bent on expanding its free-for-all education to parents of older children as well. (AFP)
The Scandinavian country now gives all parents of newborns the opportunity to attend classes and discussion groups to ease them into their new role. But the state is bent on expanding its free-for-all education to parents of older children as well. (AFP)
DNA evidence frees Texas man jailed 26 years for rape
A Texas man who spent 26 years in jail for raping his neighbour was released from a Dallas prison on Thursday after a DNA test cleared his name.
Charles Chatman, 47, was released on his own recognizance after a judge recommended at a court hearing on Thursday morning that his 1981 conviction be overturned. (CBC)
Charles Chatman, 47, was released on his own recognizance after a judge recommended at a court hearing on Thursday morning that his 1981 conviction be overturned. (CBC)
1.04.2008
Americans opt for healthy eating, not diets
Dieting has fallen out of favor while trying to eat more healthfully is in, a marketing research firm that tracks what Americans consume said on Friday.
Twenty-nine percent of women and 19 percent of men are on diets, based on the responses of 26,000 American adults, compared to 10 years ago when 35 percent of women and 23 percent of men said they were dieting, according to Port Washington, New York-based NPD Group Inc. (Reuters)
Twenty-nine percent of women and 19 percent of men are on diets, based on the responses of 26,000 American adults, compared to 10 years ago when 35 percent of women and 23 percent of men said they were dieting, according to Port Washington, New York-based NPD Group Inc. (Reuters)
Wii used as part of rehab
Heidi Mackenzie may look like she's just having a bit of competitive fun, but she and her boxing partner are engaged in a serious form of rehab.
Last summer, Heidi was in a car accident that left her paralyzed from the waist down. She broke her arm and could barely move it, but after sessions with Wii, she has regained strength in her shoulder. (CNN)
Last summer, Heidi was in a car accident that left her paralyzed from the waist down. She broke her arm and could barely move it, but after sessions with Wii, she has regained strength in her shoulder. (CNN)
Happiness may be good for your health
A happy heart just might be a healthier one as well, new research suggests.
In a study of nearly 3,000 healthy British adults, lead by Dr. Andrew Steptoe of University College London, found that those who reported upbeat moods had lower levels of cortisol -- a "stress" hormone that, when chronically elevated, may contribute to high blood pressure, abdominal obesity and dampened immune function, among other problems. (Reuters)
In a study of nearly 3,000 healthy British adults, lead by Dr. Andrew Steptoe of University College London, found that those who reported upbeat moods had lower levels of cortisol -- a "stress" hormone that, when chronically elevated, may contribute to high blood pressure, abdominal obesity and dampened immune function, among other problems. (Reuters)
Homeless World Cup film to premiere at Sundance
KICKING IT, directed by Susan Koch and produced by Ted Leonsis, AOL vice chairman emeritus, is an intimate look at homeless athletes who find a greater goal on the football field as they journey with 48 nations to the Cape Town 2006 Homeless World Cup.
The film chronicles the lives of seven players taking a once in a lifetime opportunity to represent their country while overcoming poverty and addiction. The players come from war torn Afghanistan, the slums of Kenya, the drug rehab clinics of Dublin, Ireland, the streets of Charlotte, North Carolina, the overflowing public shelters of Madrid, Spain, and the shadow culture of the illegal rural immigrants to the big city of St. Petersburg, Russia. (press release at homelessworldcup.org)
The film chronicles the lives of seven players taking a once in a lifetime opportunity to represent their country while overcoming poverty and addiction. The players come from war torn Afghanistan, the slums of Kenya, the drug rehab clinics of Dublin, Ireland, the streets of Charlotte, North Carolina, the overflowing public shelters of Madrid, Spain, and the shadow culture of the illegal rural immigrants to the big city of St. Petersburg, Russia. (press release at homelessworldcup.org)
New York City window washer who fell 47 floors is awake and talking to family
Doctors say they have never seen anything like it.
A window washer who fell 47 stories from the roof of a Manhattan skyscraper is now awake, talking to his family and expected to walk again. (CBC)
A window washer who fell 47 stories from the roof of a Manhattan skyscraper is now awake, talking to his family and expected to walk again. (CBC)
1.03.2008
Junk food ad ban comes into force
A total ban on adverts for unhealthy food and drink products around TV programmes for under-16s has come into force. It extends similar restrictions already in place for shows aimed at children under 10 years old.
The new curbs affect commercials for food and drink products high in fat, salt and sugar.
Adverts around youth-oriented and adult programmes which attract a significantly higher than average proportion of viewers under-16 will also be affected, Ofcom said. (Guardian)
The new curbs affect commercials for food and drink products high in fat, salt and sugar.
Adverts around youth-oriented and adult programmes which attract a significantly higher than average proportion of viewers under-16 will also be affected, Ofcom said. (Guardian)
New Fuel Standards for Beijing in Drive for Cleaner Olympics
Beijing introduced new vehicle fuel standards on Tuesday for gasoline and diesel, in another bid to ensure the "green Olympics" China envisioned. Also this week, the city registered its 246th "blue sky day" on Monday, beating by one its goal for the year, to reduce the familiar smoggy haze in time remains a key concern for next year's Olympic Games. (GNN)
Fast-food worker returns $185,000 check
McDonald's employee returns check to bank after finding it on sidewalk
Reggie Damone just wanted to jot down a phone number when he picked up what he thought was litter on a sidewalk this week. But what he found was an envelope containing a $185,000 check. (Associated Press)
Reggie Damone just wanted to jot down a phone number when he picked up what he thought was litter on a sidewalk this week. But what he found was an envelope containing a $185,000 check. (Associated Press)
Thousands of Quebec travellers win free vacation contest to begin New Year
Thousands of Quebec travellers have won a free vacation contest to ring in the New Year.
The "Let It Snow promotion" by itravel2000.com, Canada's largest online travel retailer, offered holidayers who booked through the company a chance to win their vacation package, flight or hotel if five inches (12.7 centimetres) of snow fell at one of four airports nearest them - specifically Montreal, Toronto, Halifax and Calgary - on New Year's Day. (CBC)
The "Let It Snow promotion" by itravel2000.com, Canada's largest online travel retailer, offered holidayers who booked through the company a chance to win their vacation package, flight or hotel if five inches (12.7 centimetres) of snow fell at one of four airports nearest them - specifically Montreal, Toronto, Halifax and Calgary - on New Year's Day. (CBC)
2007 had fewest plane crashes since 1963: report
2007 was one of the safest years in modern aviation history, with the lowest number of crashes worldwide in 44 years, an airline watchdog said on Wednesday. (CBC)
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