Measles deaths dramatically cut by 74 per cent worldwide - UN health agency

Measles deaths have plummeted by some 74 per cent worldwide since 2000, the United Nations announced today, while warning that the problem has still not been eradicated.The estimated number of people dying from measles each year dropped dramatically from an estimated …

One-stop shop to keep children safe on internet

Help is at hand for parents who fear for their children's safety while using the internet with the launch today of a government scheme aimed at keeping children safe in cyberspace.

The UK Council for Child Internet Safety will bring together more than 100 public and …

Alex's Lemonade Stand for Childhood Cancer Research

In 2000, a 4 year old cancer patient named Alexandra "Alex" Scott announced a seemingly simple idea -she was holding a lemonade stand to raise money to help "her doctors" find a cure for kids with cancer. The idea was put into action by Alex and her older brother, …

A sanctuary that's 600 cats' meows

On a central California ranch, Lynea Lattanzio feeds and cares for feral and abandoned cats.

'C'mon babies, let's walk!" Lynea Lattanzio, a fit 50-something woman with curly brown hair, slides open her kitchen door and five, 10, 15 cats rush through the opening like …

Pride of Britain Awards: honouring the UKs heroes and heroines at glittering event

If this Britain is broken, someone forgot to tell the glittering gathering of heroes, stars and celebrities last night.

They forgot to tell Bernard Butler, the lorry driver who ignored his own heart condition to rush into the path of a 50ft chemical fireball to save a …

Struggling swans rescued by boat

An inshore rescue boat helped two injured swans from a lake in Somerset after they swallowed fishing hooks.

Staff from the Secret World wildlife centre at East Huntspill called the rescue boat after a walker spotted the birds struggling in Highbridge Lake.

The swans …

Good News From Pakistan

There's been a shakeup in Pakistan's feared and reprehensible Inter-Services Intelligence agency (ISI), reports Time's Omar Waraich. Historically, the ISI supported-arguably created-the Taliban (and Al Qaeda) as a counter to India's power in Afghanistan. But the new …

Attitude Fights Colds

Cheerfulness helps the body brush off the common cold. A smile a day may keep the doctor away. Happy people are better able to laugh off the common cold, according to a study. On the other hand, depressed people are more likely to complain about their symptoms whether …

The Alchemist: A Fable About Following Your Dream

More parable than novel, "The Alchemist" uses the story of young shepherd Santiago's search for his Personal Legend as an allegory for everyman's struggle to break from the comfortable confines of conformity and pursue his life dreams. Along the way, of course, our …

Attack Your Limitations: Turn Your Weaknesses Into Strengths

Something that has always intimidated me from starting something new has always been a deep worry about my shortcomings. I know that I have weaknesses, and I'm afraid they'll lead to my failure.

I've learned in recent years, however, that those weaknesses can be turned …

Massive diamond found in Lesotho

Miners in Lesotho have discovered a huge gem stone which may become the largest ever polished round diamond.

The stone weighs 478 carats and is the 20th largest rough diamond ever found, said Gem Diamonds.

The company said the uncut rock was recovered recently from the …

Greener, Cleaner Crude Oil from Algae

A New Zealand company says it has has produced the first samples of green crude oil at a commercially competitive price.

The biodiesel, made from wild algae grown on human sewage, was a world first, Marlborough-based company Aquaflow Bionomic Corporation said.

Aquaflow …

Norway pledges up to $1 billion for Amazon preservation

BRASILIA, Brazil -After Britain and Norway's commitment of US$210 million in June to conserve rainforests in the Congo Basin. Norway will give another US$1 billion to Brazil by 2015 to preserve the Amazon rain forest, as long as Latin America's largest nation keeps …

Google joins project to get Africa online

Google is planning to launch a network of satellites to bring internet access to three billion people in Africa.

The search engine has joined forces with cable television magnate John Malone and bank HSBC to set up 03B Networks.

Google claims the new technology could …

More than 1/2 of Afghan provinces are now poppy free

The number of opium-free provinces rose from 13 to 18 after extensive anti-drug efforts in the north and east. Anti-drug officials were particularly proud that Nangarhar _ last year's second highest-producing opium province _ was free of the drug this year.

"This is a …

7 Essentials For Living Your Fullest Potential

Most of us have heard something like this before: "You have a lot of potential," or in school, "You have so much potential, work hard and you might realize it."

The only problem is no one seems to tell us where to start or how to achieve our fullest potential. After …

The Fifth Festival of Life

The Festival of Life is now a well-established event on the sustainable lifestyle scene and is the biggest living food festival in Europe with a range of activities from music to meditation; feasting to fasting; dancing to chanting; children's edutainment to natural …

Boy's Dream Won't Be Derailed

John Thomas Robertson's Love of Trains Has Transformed Into a Way to Help Others. Twelve-year-old John Thomas Robertson has always had an affinity for trains. "I've been into trains probably from the day I was born," said John, who's nicknamed JT. "When I was very …

Cartooning in the cause of peace

TEL AVIV - It might not look like it on CNN, but the majority of people who live in Israel and the region - Jewish and Arab Israeli citizens along with Palestinians - are rooting for peace. There are dozens of projects bringing Arabs and Jews together to show the …

Burn bright - Four steps to keep from burning out

Four ways to recharge your energy while you're changing the world. When you think of someone standing up to battle the status quo, you probably envision a lonely individual facing insurmountable odds. After all, in films like Norma Rae, Erin Brockovich and To Kill a …