Young Americans Turn to Old-Fashioned Domestic Lifestyle.

Published on Aug 24, 2012 by VOAvideo : An increasing number of Americans are growing their own food, making their own clothes and generally embracing the domestic lifestyle of their grandparents' generation. VOA's Julie Taboh reports that although there are no statistics yet, some experts say this do-it-yourself movement has been gaining momentum among the under-40 population.

US first direct involvement in cleaning up dioxin left from Agent Orange.

Landmark U.S. clean up of Vietnam Agent Orange announced: Chemical linked to cancer and birth defects

• First official clean up step comes four decades after end of conflict 
• Millions of gallons of chemical dumped over course of decade to destroy enemy cover 
• Comes as Vietnam and the U.S. forge closer ties to boost trade and counter China's rising influence

By Daily Mail Reporter | 9 August 2012

The United States has begun a landmark project to clean up a dangerous chemical left from the defoliant Agent Orange - 50 years after it was first sprayed by American planes on Vietnam's jungles to destroy enemy cover.

Work will now begin to remove Dioxin, which has been linked to cancer, birth defects and other disabilities, from the site of a former U.S. air base in Danang in central Vietnam.

The US sprayed millions of gallons of Agent Orange over the course of a decade.




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London Games:

‎...the Economics & Militarization of 2012 Olympics, this once in four years dedication to the Olympian Gods and Goddesses is getting over our heads, out of our hands & emptied our coffers?

Jul 28, 2012 : London has showcased the Best of British at the Olympics opening ceremony but it's the morning after the night before. And those who aren't so happy with the games are showcasing their reasons why. They wouldn't let them anywhere near the Olympic Stadium but hundreds of protestors have gathered down the road in mile end against what they call a militarized and corporate Olympic games.

The pursuance of “gross national happiness”.

THE ECONOMICS OF HAPPINESS :

NEW YORK – We live in a time of high anxiety. Despite the world’s unprecedented total wealth, there is vast insecurity, unrest, and dissatisfaction. In the United States, a large majority of Americans believe that the country is “on the wrong track.” Pessimism has soared. The same is true in many other places.

Against this backdrop, the time has come to reconsider the basic sources of happiness in our economic life. The relentless pursuit of higher income is leading to unprecedented inequality and anxiety, rather than to greater happiness and life satisfaction. Economic progress is important and can greatly improve the quality of life, but only if it is pursued in line with other goals.

In this respect, the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan has been leading the way. Forty years ago, Bhutan’s fourth king, young and newly installed, made a remarkable choice: Bhutan should pursue “gross national happiness” rather than gross national product. Since then, the country has been experimenting with an alternative, holistic approach to development that emphasizes not only economic growth, but also culture, mental health, compassion, and community.

Dozens of experts recently gathered in Bhutan’s capital, Thimphu, to take stock of the country’s record. I was co-host with Bhutan’s prime minister, Jigme Thinley, a leader in sustainable development and a great champion of the concept of “GNH.” We assembled in the wake of a declaration in July by the United Nations General Assembly calling on countries to examine how national policies can promote happiness in their societies.

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Japanese scientist creates radiation-absorbing powder

Japanese scientist creates radiation-absorbing powder

A Japanese university professor claims he has invented a radiation-absorbing powder which he believes will be useful at the disaster-hit Fukushima power plant.

­Tomihisa Ohta’s anti-radiation powder consists of a mixture of minerals including zeolite, which is said to capture radiation in water and absorb the isotopes of cesium, iodine and strontium.

The scientist said that experiments he has held with colleagues from Kumaken Kougyou Co, a chemistry company, showed that 1.5 grams dissolved in ten milligrams of water almost fully absorbs particles of caesium. The concentrate can also reportedly isolate radioactive particles of iodine and strontium from the water. Professor Ota believes that the discovery may be required at Fukushima-1 "to clear 67,000 tons of highly radioactive water accumulated in the station’s bottom rooms and tunnels.”

RT |  Published: 19 April, 2011,- read full report.

Global Food standards becoming more harmonized

VOAvideo on Mar 7, 2011 - There are nearly seven billion people in the world. It takes a lot of food to keep us alive. And the food we eat comes from all over the globe. GAP standards, good agricultural practices, have become more harmonized to meet a single international standard to benefit the farmer and the consumer. VOA's Philip Alexiou reports.

China's dirty secrets

AlJazeeraEnglish 101East | February 04, 2011 - China's juggernaut economy is the envy of the world, but at what cost to the country's people and environment? 101 East investigates.

"Sanitation and Water for All" meeting opens

WASHINGTON, DC, USA, 11 May 2010 UNICEF recently hosted the historic first annual High-Level Meeting on Sanitation and Water for All at World Bank headquarters in Washington, DC.

Sanitation and Water for All is a global partnership aimed at achieving universal and sustainable access to sanitation and drinking-water by firmly placing the issue on the global agenda. Its immediate focus is achieving the water- and sanitation-related Millennium Development Goals in the countries that are most off-track for reaching the MDG targets.

In this video, UNICEF Chief of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Clarissa Brocklehurst speaks about involving all sectors to increase investment in safe water and sanitation.

US health bill passes key hurdle

After months of compromise and often bitter debate in the US congress a multi-billion dollar healthcare reform bill has passed its first key vote in the Senate. Barack Obama, the US president, hailed the vote as a victory in the battle to push through a far-reaching overhaul of the American healthcare system.