A young elephant who lost a foot to a poacher's trap in Cambodian received a prosthetic foot. The 5 year old elephant now bounds around the Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre.
The mother of a 14-year-old teenager is suing four major Australian banks for refusing to discuss her son's bank accounts over privacy concerns. The teenager was selling fake items on eBay and earning over $6,000 a day. The teenager went on a $200,000 shopping spree. The mother also tried to seek assistance from teachers, counselors, principals, travel agents, business owners, and bank representatives.
Blind and Injured Elephants Serenaded by Piano on Mountaintop
As his 50th birthday present to himself, Paul Barton dragged a piano to a Thailand mountaintop to serenade blind and injured elephants on his birthday. What do you play for elephants? Slow Movement 2 from Beethoven's Pathetique Sonata of course.
In December 2011, a baby seal strolled into a cat door in Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, and put his flippers up.
After hearing a lot of "racket", she went downstairs to see what the cats were up to because she thought the cats had brought a rabbit or another animal into the house. She thought she was hallucinating when she saw a seal pup lounging on her sofa.
After taking a few photos and video, she called the SPCA and they called the Department of Conservation. The conservation representative netted and boxed the seal to return it to the ocean. During the vehicle transport, the seal got out on the box, sat in the front seat and accidentally turned on the radio.
Any living being deserves to live their life comfortably. Disabled animals always hold a place in my heart. Here is Carli Davidson's portraits of disabled pets.
Bristol resident James Byrne accidentally sawed off his thumb last December. After an attempt to reattach his thumb failed, plastic surgeons replaced the thumb with a big toe instead. Byrne stated he need his thumb back for his job as a paver, thus, he is grateful to have it back.
Australia now offers passports with the genders F, M, and X. Australian Senator Louise Pratt, Australia's first parliamentarian with a transgendered partner, who was born female but now a man, stated the change was a huge step forward.
Robert McClelland, the Attorney General, stated the new changes allow transgendered people to find traveling much easier. "Most people take for granted the ability to travel freely and without fear of discrimination," he said. "This measure will extend the same freedoms to sex and gender-diverse Australians."
Birmingham police were baffled when a rash of apartment burglaries that showed no forensic evidence, no surveillance or signs of forced entry. So, Birmingham police setup a sting with a flat monitored with video cameras. After setting up the sting, the monitoring alerted the police several hours later to the intruder. Police caught teenager Bubba Ambala red handed.
Graeme the cat visits railway station twice a day to drop off and pick up his owner
Graeme, the cat, of Melbourne, Australia, meticulously walks along to the station, uses the subway to cross the tracks, drops his owner off, and returns in the evening to pick her up. He carefully waits behind the yellow line and knows exactly which train she will be exiting from. Graeme is popular with many train riders, who generally know him by name.
Physicians in Sweden have used leeches to save a woman's face after her own dog bit off a chunk of it. A total 358 leeches were used in the operation to continually suck blood and to increase healing in her face. The woman will need some reconstructive surgery in the future.
Team Canada builds TRTL Solar Shell Home for the Solar Decathlon
Team Canada has built a sustainable residence with a solar roof, energy efficent systems with sustainable materials. TRTL, which stands for Technological Residence, Traditional Living, was designed closely with the first nations communities of Treaty 7 with respect to their traditions and culture. The modular home is specifically designed for Southern Alberta and hopes to help alleviate housing issues. The design will be submitted by Team Canada for the Solar Decathlon.
Russian-based Arch Group has designed structure for private, safe sleeping for two in only 4 square metres. This unit can be placed in any bus station, train station or airport.
Yep. Trike racing... Seems insane, but kind of cool.
Dogs In Schools to Curb Bullying
Kansas educators have implemented a creative solution to bullying in schools--dogs. Dogs teach children social responsibility and compassion. When teaching school-aged children about internalizing feels about being treated poorly, children can easily related to an animal being treated poorly. I hope this strategy works to curb bullying in schools.
Brazilian Lucas Jatoba has been living abroad in Australia. He was so greatful for all the wonderful gifts in his life, he decided to give out 30 gifts to strangers when he turned 30 years of age. The video is very beautiful and inspirational.
Next summer, New York City and Alta Bike Share will provide bikes for public use. Annual memberships will be cheaper than monthly MetroCards and the first 30 minutes of bike use is free. Way to go New York City!
Japanese artist Ako Tsubaki creates beautiful sand art in a vase. Can you guess what the sand art will become?
Cat With Two Legs Learns To Walk Again
A cat found with its two hind legs missing is learning to walk again. He can balance steadily for a brief moments. Originally, vets believed Deuce was attacked, but later decided he probably lost his legs in a farming accident.
Deuce has since gone to a humane society with hopes for adoption.
Earlier this year, Michael Fishbach and his friends were boating in the Sea of Cortez when they found a humpback whale floating in the water. It appeared to be dead, having been trapped in a fishing net for a long time. Fishbach discovered that she was still alive — but only barely. They worked hard for an hour with only one knife to cut the net away and free her. Once freed, the whale showed its appreciation to her rescuers.
Artist Mark Nixon made a wind chime sculpture under a bridge with 600 50mm diameter gold anodized aluminum pipes ranging in length from 120 mm up to 3750 mm. The art installation recently exhibited at Sculpture by the Sea in Aarhus Denmark.
A man grieving the loss of his Rottweiler accidentally set his house on fire while cremating his dog in Dale City. He had requested the authorities to pick up the dog's remains, but they informed him to bring it in. His car was too small, so he decided to cremate it on the property. After pouring gasoline on the remains, the flames transferred up the side of the house and on to the roof. The house suffered extensive fire and smoke damage. The dog's remains remained on a tarp next to the house. The animal control authorities eventually came to remove the dog's remains from the property.
Groups of baboons kidnap, train and raise dogs as pets. Bizarre and difficult to watch at times. Nonetheless, it kind of makes sense when you think of how humans do the exact same thing.
A Melbourne man, Vu Ho, 54, has paid upwards of $60,000 to keep his beloved companion home after the Greater Dandenong City Council threatened to remove his pet Baa. The Greater Dandenong City Council local laws officers hit him with a $220 fine on February 25 for "keeping livestock on land under half (a) hectare". Baa has lived with Mr. Ho for over 10 years. Mr. Ho says Baa is a close member of his family. If he loses the case on September 7, he faces $30,000 in legal costs plus a similar bill for the council's lawyers. The council updated the laws late last month, exempting cats and dogs from the term "livestock"
Shirley and Jenny were two circus elephants that were chained up most of their circus days except when they were forced to perform for audiences. Shirley adopted Jenny when she was calf and become her surrogate mother. Soon after, Shirley was moved and Jenny was forced to continue performing for next 23 years of her life until she sustained a leg injury. After she was injured, she was dumped on an animal welfare's doorstep. The animal welfare organization was barely equipped or funded to care for an injured elephant. An animal activist contacted an elephant sanctuary and had Jenny transferred there.
Jenny's first days at the sanctuary were spent in isolation. Because she was miserable without company of her kind, she was urged to spend more time with the herd. Coincidentally, Shirley was sent to the same elephant sanctuary years earlier. Upon recognizing each other, both Shirley and Jenny trumpeted as they bumped their ample bodies together in a typical gesture of affectionate camaraderie. Both elephants were happy to see each other after so many years apart. Immediately, the old friends were inseparable and soon were joined by another duo, Bunny and Tarra.
Unfortunately, Jenny's leg injury become critical and she worsened. When she became too weak, Shirley led her to a shaded valley area to lay down. Shirley used her truck to help Jenny stay comfortable. When the situation became to unbearable to bear, Shirley left to mourn the loss of her friend. Bunny and Tarra stayed with Jenny, trumpeting and easing her comfort, until she passed away.
I am a huge fan of actor Johnny Deep. His character roles are diverse and delightful to watch. Artist Derek Eads has created a poster with each of Depp's characters.
Marine Sculptures Using Ocean Plastic Debris
Oregon artist Angela Pozzi was frustrated by the waste debris that washed up on the beaches near her home. So, she decided to create art sculptures of marine life out of the ocean debris. The exhibit is titled Washed Ashore Project.
Three girls are the winners of the Google Science Fair, a co-ed science competition. Lauren Hodge studied the effects of different marinades on the level of carcinogens in chicken, Naomi Shah studied indoor air quality and asthma, and Grand Prize Winner Shree Bose studied ways to improve ovarian cancer treatment for women who have built up a resistance to chemotherapy drugs. Way to go girls of science!
Depressed Ferret Flees Circus with Monkey and Parakeet
A ferret, monkey and parakeet have run away from a circus in East Siberian city of Chita apparently due to "depression from the bad weather." The monkey was found in a doghouse cuddling with the dog. The whereabouts of the ferret and parakeet are unknown.
New York cyclist Casey Neistat consistently received tickets for biking outside the bike lane. He created this video to prove it is not safe to bike in the bike lanes in NYC.
Terminally Ill Owner and Dog Reunited
When homeless Kevin McClain was found by paramedics living in a Wal-Mart parking lot with lung cancer, he was moved from a hospital to a hospice. His beloved dog Yurt, whom he raised from a pup, was transported to an animal shelter. Mr. McClain yearned for his beloved companion as his health worsened. Paramedic Jan Erceg, who also worked at the animal shelter, arranged for one last visit before McClain passed away. Yurt has since been adopted by a loving family.
Jerusalem rabbis sentence canine reincarnation of lawyer to death by stoning
A Jerusalem rabbinical court sentenced a dog to death by stoning after determining the dog was the reincarnation of a famous secular lawyer, who insulted the court's judges 20 years ago. Thankfully, the dog managed to escape.
Bela: L'Homme Chat is short documentary shot during Cannes Film Festival 2011.
"Bela" follows the day in the life of a street performer named Bela Erdei or "the cat man". Bela, a recognizable face to some, travels hours by train throughout the south of France to perform with his affectionate house cats. An affable and eccentric character who has a real passion for what he does.
Do we influence genders to be masculine or feminine? What if we allowed children to choose what colour they prefer or what toys to play with. A preschool in Sweden addresses all children as friends, not "him" or "her", allowing each individualistic child to define their gender role and preferences. But will the genderless programming create a more neutral and equal dynamic between boys and girls?
Farmer Requires License to Remove Fish from Flooded Fields
Martin Reid of Sabrevois, Quebec, was previously fined $1,000 for fishing with a license to remove fish from flooded fields of his farm in 1993. He is concerned he may be fined a second time up to $100,000. Each permit obtained only lasts 2 weeks. Reid explained. "I have to transport them so as not to damage them, by containers with water inside. If some of them die, I have to bury them." Canadian bureaucracy at its best.
Viva Italia! There has been a lot of controversy the past few years regarding the fashion industry exclusively using waif-like, anorexic-looking models. Interestingly, maybe 1% of the women on the planet are a size 0. Nonetheless, Vogue Italia published a stunning cover with three plus-size models (I loathe this term) of Tara Lynn, Candice Huffine and Robyn Lawley, who all look absolutely stunning.
Ninety-Year-Old Tortoise Becomes Mother For First Time
A 90-year-old tortoise of the Dubbo Western Plains Zoo in Australia has given birth to a baby tortoise for the first time. The father could one of 2 tortoises in their 40s.
Cheerleader Booted for Refusing to Cheer for Rapist
A Texas cheerleader Hillaire was axed from the team when she refused to cheer for her date-rapist. She is trying to fundraise funds to fight her case. When she decided to come forward with her statement, high school officials at Texas’ Silsbee High School told her to keep quiet. When the case was taken to the appeals court, it was dismissed, and her family is now required to pay $45,000 to cover the school’s legal fees. Basketball player Rakheem Bolton pleaded to the charge of misdemeanor assault, and was allowed back on the basketball team. After she was kicked off the cheerleading team, she was publically branded a slut. The allowance of Rakeem Bolton to continue to play basketball with the full support of the high school, as well as the way the court system and high school officials have behaved in Texas, reinforces that an alleged sexual assaulter can get away with date-rape. Truly a sad tale indeed.
A new opera titled Two Boys at the ENO London Coliseum, highlights the Internet culture (or lack there of) developing online. Social networking (Facebook, Twitter) is watering-down communication style to low levels. “Do you want to be my friend? Can I poke you? What’s your comment?”
Woman sues ex-fiance after being impaled on fence while urinating from his veranda
An Australian woman is suing her ex-fiance after impaling herself from falling from an unsecured veranda. The woman has sustained extensive injuries to her urinary system, as well as her lower abdominal and pelvic regions. She claims she was urinating off the veranda that was not secure nor appropriately lit.
Niu Niu, a cat, has taken a fondness to helping in the raising of chicks in China. The owner, a farmer, caught the cat getting into the chick's box and fear the cat was going to eat them. The cat frozen red-handed, then until the owner noticed the chicks playing with the cat. Now the owner lets the cat chick-sit while he is at work.
Someone in Hampshire, UK reported a tiger relaxing on a golf course and the police were mobilized to capture the dangerous beast. (Un)fortunately, the wild tiger turned out to be stuffed.
Dog Fights for Recover After Being Shot and Buried Alive
A dog is slowly recovering after being discovered buried alive, bound and shot that was accidentally discovered by animal welfare officers investigating neglected dogs in a field. They heard the muffled whimpering of an animal. After looking under a wooden plank, they discovered "Star".
Couple Sentenced to Stand In Wadding Pool Wearing Life Jackets
A young couple who were swept away in a river without wearing life jackets have been sentenced to stand in a wadding pool with life jackets and hand out boating safety educational pamphlets.
NY Sunworks, a non-profit organization, has teamed up with Manhattan School for Children to build the first green roof in the city. The collaborative team plans to building over 100 green roofs on schools.
Four liger cubs born in Xixiakou Wildlife Zoo were at risk when their tiger mother stopped nursing them. A dog that recently nursed some puppies was enlisted to help.
Canadian indie ISP owner recounts how corrupt monopoly drove her out of business
ISPs are dirty, but regulators refuse to investigate
The Canadian CRTC has received numerous complaints regarding ISPs' net neutrality and throttling bandwidth services, but fails to investigate complaints.
Jeff Gurwin, 28, proposed to his girlfriend, Caitlin Fitzsimons, 27, both of New York by commissioning graffiti artists to create a Scrabble-themed mural.
A six-year-old Croatian boy has an apparent ability to attract metal to his body. Health professionals have investigated his special abilities and have not been able to find a scientific explanation for his unique gift.
Imagine a bakery where it suggests its customers pay what they can afford or deem reasonable for fresh baked goods. Would this business model work? Could the little bakery that could survive? Apparently so.
Panera Bread has adopted this model in three of its 1500 stores in the United States. During the first year, sixty percent of customers pay the suggested amount, twenty percent pay more and twenty percent pay less. One customer even paid $500 for a meal. Sometimes pay it forward really does work.
Legless Chinese man has planted 3,000 trees in 10 years
A retired veteran Chinese man has planted 3,000 trees in 10 years in northern China. Every morning, the 62-year-old rises at 5:00 am, puts on his prosthetic legs and climbs mountains and plants trees. Truly inspirational.
Wonderful animation featuring art with books by Maurice Gee.
Modular Apartment
Could you live in a tiny apartment? Christian Schallert lives in an apartment of 258 square feet in Barcelona. With some creative, innovative design, he has created all the necessities of city living in this small space.
Recently, I saw this censored Sesame Street segement with The Count. It is amazing how your brain fills in the omitted dialogue. I could not stop laughing while viewing it.
The Greenest House in Chicago is a Self-Sufficient Clean Tech Showcase
The Smart Home designed by Michelle Kaufmann was showcased at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. The house features numerous environmental design initiatives including energy-efficient heated radiant subfloors, Low-E windows, mechanized shading, recycled flooring and tile, and a green roof.
When I saw the Smart Home in an online article a few years ago, I knew I wanted to eventual live in it. The only drawback is the real estate in Vancouver is exorbitant.
Designer Shinichiro Ogata of Wasara has created beautiful, compostable tableware out of tree-free biodegradable composite materials bamboo, reed pulp and bagasse (an agricultural waste byproduct). Starter kits start at $20.
Pantene is launching plant-based packaging in Western Europe. Len Sauers, Vice President of Sustainability, the new packaging is expected to cut the company's fossil-fuel consumption by 70 percent and reduce their greenhouse-gas emissions by 170 percent.
LEED Platinum Vancouver Convention Centre Takes Home Top Ten AIA COTE Award
The new Vancouver Convention Centre has won an AIA Cote Award for its LEED Platinum sustainable design integrating ecology, habitat restoration, energy efficiency, and integration into the urban environment. Bravo LMN Architects, Musson Cattell Mackey, DA Architects + Planners, the Province of British Columbia, and the City of Vancouver.
