World's largest solar power plant with 258,000 mirrors opens in Abu Dhabi
-100-megawatt plant will power thousands United Arab Emirates homes
-It is hoped that it will also displace 175,000 tons of CO2 each year -Plant covers 2.5 sq/km of desert, equivalent to 285 football pitches
The 100-megawatt solar-thermal project in Abu Dhabi will power thousands of homes in the country and, it is hoped, displace approximately 175,000 tons of CO2 per year. The $600million (£398million) project dubbed Shams 1 took three years to build.
Incorporating the latest in parabolic trough technology, the plant features more than 258,000 mirrors mounted on 768 tracking parabolic trough collectors, covering an area of 2.5 sq/km, or 285 football fields.
PAIN IS TEMPORARY! It may last for a minute, or an hour, or a day, or even a year. But eventually it will subside and something else will take it's place. If I quit however, it will last forever.
I dare you to take a little pain. I dare you. I dare you not to go home. Somebody said "I feel bad, I'm gonna go home." Go through it. Your not going to die! At the end of pain is success. Your not gonna die because you're feeling a little pain. I'm not eating like I eat at home. That's why you're going to go to the next level, because if you ate like you ate at home, you're going to remain a boy or a girl. Its time to become men and women.
But I'm exactly where I want to be because I got to commit my entire being to this thing. I got to breath it, sleep it, eat it. Until you get there, you'll never be successful in life. But once you get there, I guarantee you the world is yours. So work hard and you can have whatever it is that you want.
Fire tornadoes are one of the most unpredictable natural phenomenas known to man, usually alighting in dry, heated and windy weather associated with intense bush fires. Also known as ‘the devil’s whirl’, they are usually around 200 feet tall and when they hit populated areas they are devastating. In 1923, a fire tornado killed 38,000 people in less than fifteen minutes across a district of Tokyo.
Fire tornadoes are rare in nature, but when they do start spinning they're even hotter than a regular fire. James Williams gets an explanation on how and why they occur from a fire protection expert.
Police Beat a Father To Death While He Begs For Help - Then Arrest Witnesses and Confiscate Video
BAKERSFIELD, CA -- Kern County deputies beat an intoxicated man to death in the street Tuesday night, then detained and intimidated witnesses, confiscated video evidence, and arrested another man who spoke out. David Silva was beaten with batons, left in a pool of blood until an ambulance finally arrived after he was already dead.
A female 9-1-1 caller named Selena told the dispatcher, "There's a man laying on the floor, and your police officers beat the (expletive) out of him and killed him." She said that she witnessed the victim do nothing wrong to cause 8 officers to bludgeon him to death. "These cops had no reason to do this to this man."
A 19-year-old male witness, Ruben Ceballos, was awakened around midnight by screams and loud banging noises outside his home. He said he ran to the left side of his house to find out who was causing the ruckus."When I got outside I saw two officers beating a man with batons and they were hitting his head so every time they would swing, I could hear the blows to his head." He said that Silva was on the ground screaming for help, but officers continued to beat him After several minutes, Silva stopped screaming and was no longer responsive, according to Ceballos.
Another witness, Jason Land, said that he witnessed the beating of David Silva. "They jumped out, reached for their bats, and beat that man until they killed him," he said, "right in front of my face." Land spoke up about what he saw and was arrested as retaliation. The witness was on probation and says police responded to his eyewitness report by claiming he was high on PCP and arrested him without any proof.
Witnesses also say that the victim's body was left to bleed out in the street for a prolonged period without any medical attention, wasting crucial minutes before the ambulance arrived. By that point, it was too late and CPR attempts were futile.
Other witnesses, including Melissa Quair, were harassed and told that they must surrender their cell phones as "evidence." Their houses were even searched as a crime scene in order to confiscate the video evidence.
The victim's brother, Christopher Silva, says his brother was murdered and wants justice. He is demanding that his brother's body be released so that he can see the result of the beating. He wants the confiscated videos to be released. "My brother spent the last eight minutes of his life pleading, begging for his life. The true evidence is in those phone witnesses that apparently the sheriff deputies already took. But I know the truth will come out and my brother's voice will be heard."
You are in the midst of a revolution. Modern Science is now beginning to confirm what Spirituality, Philosophy, Sages, Ancient teachings and psychedelics have been saying for millennia, that the entire Universe is One and that what we think of as "reality" is just an illusion.. And the only real thing in the Universe is Consciousness.
"If quantum mechanics hasn't profoundly shocked you, you haven't understood it yet." ~ Niels Bohr
There are two types of people in the world: those who choose to be happy, and those who choose to be unhappy. Contrary to popular belief, happiness doesn’t come from fame, fortune, other people, or material possessions. Rather, it comes from within. The richest person in the world could be miserable while a homeless person could be right outside, smiling and content with their life. Happy people are happy because they make themselves happy. They maintain a positive outlook on life and remain at peace with themselves.
The question is: how do they do that?
It’s quite simple. Happy people have good habits that enhance their lives. They do things differently. Ask any happy person, and they will tell you that they …
1. Don’t hold grudges.
Happy people understand that it’s better to forgive and forget than to let their negative feelings crowd out their positive feelings. Holding a grudge has a lot of detrimental effects on your wellbeing, including increased depression, anxiety, and stress. Why let anyone who has wronged you have power over you? If you let go of all your grudges, you’ll gain a clear conscience and enough energy to enjoy the good things in life.
2. Treat everyone with kindness.
Did you know that it has been scientifically proven that being kind makes you happier? Every time you perform a selfless act, your brain produces serotonin, a hormone that eases tension and lifts your spirits. Not only that, but treating people with love, dignity, and respect also allows you to build stronger relationships.
3. See problems as challenges.
The word “problem” is never part of a happy person’s vocabulary. A problem is viewed as a drawback, a struggle, or an unstable situation while a challenge is viewed as something positive like an opportunity, a task, or a dare. Whenever you face an obstacle, try looking at it as a challenge.
4. Express gratitude for what they already have.
There’s a popular saying that goes something like this: “The happiest people don’t have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.” You will have a deeper sense of contentment if you count your blessings instead of yearning for what you don’t have.
5. Dream big.
People who get into the habit of dreaming big are more likely to accomplish their goals than those who don’t. If you dare to dream big, your mind will put itself in a focused and positive state.
6. Don’t sweat the small stuff.
Happy people ask themselves, “Will this problem matter a year from now?” They understand that life’s too short to get worked up over trivial situations. Letting things roll off your back will definitely put you at ease to enjoy the more important things in life.
7. Speak well of others.
Being nice feels better than being mean. As fun as gossiping is, it usually leaves you feeling guilty and resentful. Saying nice things about other people encourages you to think positive, non-judgmental thoughts.
8. Never make excuses.
Benjamin Franklin once said, “He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.” Happy people don’t make excuses or blame others for their own failures in life. Instead, they own up to their mistakes and, by doing so, they proactively try to change for the better.
9. Get absorbed into the present.
Happy people don’t dwell on the past or worry about the future. They savor the present. They let themselves get immersed in whatever they’re doing at the moment. Stop and smell the roses.
10. Wake up at the same time every morning.
Have you noticed that a lot of successful people tend to be early risers? Waking up at the same time every morning stabilizes your circadian rhythm, increases productivity, and puts you in a calm and centered state.
11. Avoid social comparison.
Everyone works at his own pace, so why compare yourself to others? If you think you’re better than someone else, you gain an unhealthy sense of superiority. If you think someone else is better than you, you end up feeling bad about yourself. You’ll be happier if you focus on your own progress and praise others on theirs.
12. Choose friends wisely.
Misery loves company. That’s why it’s important to surround yourself with optimistic people who will encourage you to achieve your goals. The more positive energy you have around you, the better you will feel about yourself.
13. Never seek approval from others.
Happy people don’t care what others think of them. They follow their own hearts without letting naysayers discourage them. They understand that it’s impossible to please everyone. Listen to what people have to say, but never seek anyone’s approval but your own.
14. Take the time to listen.
Talk less; listen more. Listening keeps your mind open to others’ wisdoms and outlooks on the world. The more intensely you listen, the quieter your mind gets, and the more content you feel.
15. Nurture social relationships.
A lonely person is a miserable person. Happy people understand how important it is to have strong, healthy relationships. Always take the time to see and talk to your family, friends, or significant other.
16. Meditate.
Meditating silences your mind and helps you find inner peace. You don’t have to be a zen master to pull it off. Happy people know how to silence their minds anywhere and anytime they need to calm their nerves.
17. Eat well.
Junk food makes you sluggish, and it’s difficult to be happy when you’re in that kind of state. Everything you eat directly affects your body’s ability to produce hormones, which will dictate your moods, energy, and mental focus. Be sure to eat foods that will keep your mind and body in good shape.
18. Exercise.
Studies have shown that exercise raises happiness levels just as much as Zoloft does. Exercising also boosts your self-esteem and gives you a higher sense of self-accomplishment.
19. Live minimally.
Happy people rarely keep clutter around the house because they know that extra belongings weigh them down and make them feel overwhelmed and stressed out. Some studies have concluded that Europeans are a lot happier than Americans are, which is interesting because they live in smaller homes, drive simpler cars, and own fewer items.
20. Tell the truth.
Lying stresses you out, corrodes your self-esteem, and makes you unlikeable. The truth will set you free. Being honest improves your mental health and builds others’ trust in you. Always be truthful, and never apologize for it.
21. Establish personal control.
Happy people have the ability to choose their own destinies. They don’t let others tell them how they should live their lives. Being in complete control of one’s own life brings positive feelings and a great sense of self-worth.
22. Accept what cannot be changed.Once you accept the fact that life is not fair, you’ll be more at peace with yourself. Instead of obsessing over how unfair life is, just focus on what you can control and change it for the better.
(Reuters) - U.S. taxpayers are footing the bill for overseas lobbying that promotes controversial biotech crops developed by U.S.-based Monsanto Co and other seed makers, a report issued on Tuesday said.
A review of 926 diplomatic cables of correspondence to and from the U.S. State Department and embassies in more than 100 countries found that State Department officials actively promoted the commercialization of specific biotech seeds, according to the report issued by Food & Water Watch, a nonprofit consumer protection group.
The officials tried to quash public criticism of particular companies and facilitated negotiations between foreign governments and seed companies such as Monsanto over issues like patents and intellectual property, the report said.
The cables show U.S. diplomats supporting Monsanto, the world's largest seed company, in foreign countries even after it paid $1.5 million in fines after being charged with bribing an Indonesian official and violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act in 2005.
One 2009 cable shows the embassy in Spain seeking "high-level U.S. government intervention" at the "urgent request" of Monsanto to combat biotech crop opponents there, according to the Food & Water Watch report.
The report covered cables from 2005-2009 that were released by Wikileaks in 2010 as part of a much larger release by Wikileaks of a range of diplomatic cables it obtained.
Monsanto spokesman Tom Helscher said Monsanto believes it is critical to maintain an open dialogue with government authorities and trade groups in other countries.
"We remain committed to sharing information so that individuals can better understand our business and our commitments to support farmers throughout the world as they work to meet the agriculture demands of our world's growing population," he said.
State Department officials had no immediate comment when contacted about the report.
Food & Water Watch said the cables it examined provide a detailed account of how far the State Department goes to support and promote the interests of the agricultural biotech industry, which has had a hard time gaining acceptance in many foreign markets.
"It really goes beyond promoting the U.S.'s biotech industry and agriculture," said Wenonah Hauter, executive director of Food & Water Watch. "It really gets down to twisting the arms of countries and working to undermine local democratic movements that may be opposed to biotech crops, and pressuring foreign governments to also reduce the oversight of biotech crops."
But U.S. officials, Monsanto and many other companies and industry experts routinely say that biotech crops are needed around the world to increase global food production as population expands. They maintain that the crops are safe and make farming easier and more environmentally sustainable.
PROMOTION THROUGH PAMPHLETS, DVDs?
The cables show that State Department officials directed embassies to "troubleshoot problematic legislation" that might hinder biotech crop development and to "encourage the development and commercialization of ag-biotech products".
The State Department also produced pamphlets in Slovenia promoting biotech crops, sent pro-biotech DVDs to high schools in Hong Kong and helped bring foreign officials and media from 17 countries to the United States to promote biotech agriculture, Food & Water Watch said.
Genetically altered crops are widely used in the United States. Crops spliced with DNA from other species are designed to resist pests and tolerate chemical applications, and since their introduction in the mid 1990s have come to dominate millions of acres of U.S. farmland.
The biotech crops are controversial with some groups and in many countries because some studies have shown harmful health impacts for humans and animals, and the crops have been associated with some environmental problems.
They also generally are more expensive than conventional crops, and the biotech seed developers patent the high-tech seeds so farmers using them have to buy new seed every season, a factor that makes them unappealing in some developing nations.
Many countries ban planting of biotech crops or have strict labeling requirements.
"It's appalling that the State Department is complicit in supporting their (the biotech seed industry's) goals despite public and government opposition in several countries," said Ronnie Cummins, executive director of nonprofit organization Organic Consumers Association.
"American taxpayer's money should not be spent advancing the goals of a few giant biotech companies." Source : Reuters
“Three years after the initial explosion, the impacts of the disaster continue to unfold,” Doug Inkley, senior scientist for the National Wildlife Federation and lead author of the report, said in a press release. “Dolphins are still dying in high numbers in the areas affected by oil. These ongoing deaths — particularly in an apex predator like the dolphin — are a strong indication that there is something amiss with the Gulf ecosystem. The report, “Restoring a Degraded Gulf of Mexico: Wildlife and Wetlands Three Years into the Gulf Oil Disaster,” found that dolphins were among the hardest hit animals. As of just earlier this year, infant dolphins were dying six times faster than they did before the spill. Scientists aren’t even yet sure of the extent of the massive spill, given that it was impossible to fully clean up the chemical-laden, carcinogenic oil."
Like hundreds, possibly thousands, of workers on the cleanup, Griffin(chief cook for the cleanup workers) soon fell ill with a cluster of excruciating, bizarre, grotesque ailments. By July, unstoppable muscle spasms were twisting her hands into immovable claws. In August, she began losing her short-term memory. After cooking professionally for 10 years, she couldn’t remember the recipe for vegetable soup; one morning, she got in the car to go to work, only to discover she hadn’t put on pants. The right side, but only the right side, of her body “started acting crazy. It felt like the nerves were coming out of my skin. It was so painful. My right leg swelled—my ankle would get as wide as my calf—and my skin got incredibly itchy.”
The image below has been sent to us by an activist from the affected area, showing what BP claims to be sea foam. It is actually the poisonous chemical "Corexit".
If you won the lottery tomorrow...how would you spend the money? Buying fancy cars? Going on ridiculous vacations? Having $1 million worth of diamonds attached to your cellphone? As you read through this list keep in mind that every day an estimated 16,000 kids die of hunger. That amounts to 1 child every 5 seconds, and as ridiculous as some of the items on this list of the 25 most expensive things in the world are, it's hard not to feel a profound sadness on behalf of humanity by the time you get to the end.
Far away from the attention of the mainstream media, the
Indonesian army is slaughtering the native population of West Papua, while
making the way for western, Asian and Australian logging companies who are rapidly destroying the
second largest rain-forest in the world. Since 1969 when West Papua was unrightfully annexed by
Indonesia 500,000 Papuans have killed and many others raped, tortured and
dislocated. Most people are unaware that this is happening, so we have to take the responsibility of the media and raise awareness about this disaster.
Papua, the Indonesian part of the island of New Guinea,
belongs to the lungs of this world as it contains 31,5 million acres of
tropical rain forest.
If the trees were to be cut, it would mean a threat to the
livelihood and culture of many Papuan tribes. Deforestation means the
destruction of their medicinal and food resources, expelling their ancestors
and committing a heinous crime against nature. Deforestation will lead to
suffering, disaster and chaos for the Papuans The forests form a part of their
heritage.
In West Papua, Indonesia makes no pretense of negotiating
with traditional landowners; they are thrown off the land, destined to become
refugees or to be shot or forced into slave labor for the Indonesians. Canadian
and Australian logging companies have joined the Malaysians and the Japanese in
the race to destroy New Guinea's tropical forests. Concurrent with Australia
token gesture of giving the rock star Sting US $205,000 to support the
protection of Brazilian rain forests, an Australian company announced plans to
log a massive area of pristine rain forest in the Mamberamo River area -
600,000 hectares - in partnership with an Indonesian company (Sun Herald
5/28/89). Refugees from this area are exiled in Papua New Guinea camps along
with people from every region of West Papua.
This report from Channel 4 News in the UK shows the
degrading level of brutality that the Papuan people are exposed to on a daily
basis under Indonesian colonial rule.
Foreign journalists are banned from West Papua – the
Indonesian Government are desperate to hide the genocide from the outside
world. Even NGO groups like Red Cross and Peace Brigades have been expelled in
recent times. This disturbing footage was shot on mobile phones by Indonesian
soldiers as ‘trophy footage’ for them to show their families.
In West Papua there is no peace, no justice. There is only
killing, rape, torture, intimidation, bloodshed, oppression, village burnings,
racism and eternal suffering for those living under Indonesia’s colonial
occupation.
Please sign the petition to stop the ongoing violence and destruction:
Hundreds of pieces of dead American soldiers were incinerated by Air Force officials and then dumped in a Virginia landfill, for the first time putting hard numbers on the grisly scandal that has rocked the military’s largest mortuary, according to a report.
Abercrombie Says It Would Rather Burn Clothes Than Give Them To Poor People
An interview from 2 years ago with an Abercrombie and Fitch District Manager who requested to remain nameless will make the now-viral comments CEO Mike Jeffries made about fat people seem harmless and light-hearted.
The unnamed manager was asked how Abercrombie and Fitch responds to the requests by non-profit organizations to have their clothing donated to the poor.
The manager had no shame at all when admitting that the company downright refuses to send any clothing to those in need.“Abercrombie and Fitch doesn’t want to create the image that just anybody, poor people, can wear their clothing. Only people of a certain stature are able to purchase and wear the company name.”
Well.
A company that is actually known for having elegant people flaunt their brand could maybe get away with a comment like this, but we all know that
Abercrombie and Fitch is the preferred retailer for those who only think they have class and elegance, but really they’re a bunch of posers with bad attitudes and fake tans.
It seems like the world is finally figuring out that the glamorous ideals of A&F were really implemented by some of the most hideous personalities known to man. Here at Elite, we understand what truly commands stature, respect and admiration. One of the easiest ways to obtain these sacred qualities is by giving.
It’s people who dedicate their lives to helping those in need who should be endorsed and idolized, not those who don’t value compassion and generosity.
An honorable clothing company would be glad to give as much clothing as possible to the poor. We pray that A&F has changed its policy on the charity issue by now because ,if not, the retailer should be ashamed for not acknowledging the moral duty to serve those in need.
Despite the bad economy and all the people who could use a little help, Abercrombie and Fitch prefers not to sacrifice any bit of their superior, cliquey image in order to help anyone but themselves. This company is completely outrageous.
Think of all the clothing they could have donated to people like the Katrina victims, or for the Haiti relief. In today’s world, consumers are looking for altruistic companies, not those littered with biases and preoccupied with superficiality. This type of bad business will hopefully lead to negative results for this clothing giant.
The video above depicts two officers beating a man in a wheelchair. The events leading up to the incident are unclear. As the narrator/person filming the incident points out, the officers proceed to mace and kick the man
What can I do to help!? SHARE THIS EVENT, INVITE YOUR FRIENDS Share and Like Posts of http://on.fb.me/10dzpxO Promote the Marches, Help organicing Marches, Ask big Pages to Share MAM, Twitter #MAM, twitter #MarchAgainstMonsanto
The grassroots March Against Monsanto movement is spreading across the nation, and the initiative spells out an increasingly massive number of activists and concerned citizens who will ultimately be responsible for ending the GMO juggernaut through peaceful protest and the spread of information.
It really comes down to the basic understanding that what we want is real food — not chemical-laden junk that is riddled with genetically modified organisms. And of course Monsanto is responsible for the majority of such junk, holding a monopoly over the GM seed market with 90% of staple crop seeds under Monsanto control. Seeds that are sold to ignorant farmers who oftentimes end up killing themselves after they find that the seeds produce decreased yields and milk the farmers financially dry through the enforceable patents that come along with the seeds. Patents that Monsanto goons carefully enforce, preying upon small farmers through devious lawsuits and farm stakeouts.
Even organic and natural farmers are subject to such legal attacks, since it’s possible for the patented seeds (which India calls biopiracy) to blow over to such farms and begin to grow. This is also how widespread GMO contamination begins, to which the USDA simply responds ‘get insurance’. We can even go back decades to find that Monsanto was integral in the creation of the infamous Agent Orange, a Vietnam-era chemical warfare weapon which estimates say killed or maimed around 400,000 people and caused a startling 500,000 birth defects.
But the days where this information could hide as footnotes within the media are over.
March Against Monsanto Is Just The Beginning
The March Against Monsanto, which is a worldwide movement encouraging everyone to start their own local get together (here’s the Google document with all the organization info for every area) in defiance of the GMO juggernaut, is generating massive success. And with this success and media coverage comes awareness, which is absolutely essential. It was back in 2011 that I declared Monsanto be the worst company of 2011 in what became a media blitz campaign to spread awareness. Ultimately, it even led to one of my articles becoming the most highly shared articles of that year — something that I am extremely grateful to readers for.
March Against Monsanto is a lot like that campaign, as it is simple, accessible, and absolutely making waves in the media. Just wait until several thousand protesters converge on major cities demanding that our politicians enact legislation to combat Monsanto — a company which has numerous employees and former employees stationed within government.
But what’s more? Whatever comes after the March Against Monsanto will likely be even larger and more open source. It will likely take what worked with the March Against Monsanto campaign, enhance it, and apply it to more than just Monsanto as well. This is how we get our voices heard, through massive awareness movements like this. I encourage everyone to checkout the Google document and get involved in your area. Be friendly, pass out some articles from NaturalSociety, and spread the word — personable individuals are the most effective in communicating a message of truth to others.
Angelina Jolie's double mastectomy puts genetic key to breast cancer in the spotlight.
The developing science of DNA profiling helped the actress decide to have a double mastectomy
Even celebrities are mortal. They share our genes and, like us, cannot escape their inheritance. Angelina Jolie’s graceful and dignified account of her encounter with her own mortality in The New York Times will inspire millions.
It will also shine a light on the developing science of genetic diagnosis and DNA profiling which is increasingly allowing patients at high risk of inherited diseases to be identified so that they can take preventive action.
Did you ever wonder how it is that kids spend 13 years from kindergarten to high school supposedly being prepared for life, yet when they get out they don't have any real skills?
A boy has stunned medics with his ability to see in pitch black with eyes that glow in the dark.
Doctors have studied Nong Youhui's amazing eyesight since his dad took him to hospital in Dahua, southern China, concerned over his bright blue eyes.
Dad Ling said: "They told me he would grow out of it and that his eyes would stop glowing and turn black like most Chinese people but they never did." Medical tests conducted in complete darkness show Youhui can read perfectly without any light and sees as clearly as most people do during the day.
Could Nong Youhui be a Hybrid or Starchild? (A new and growing generation of extraordinary and gifted children are springing up across our planet). Is the human species evolving? Or possibly Extraterrestrial visitors tinkering with our DNA? Is this the beginning of a new cycle of human evolution? As always you decide.
A University of New Hampshire track and field star hailed as a hero after he quit the team so he can donate bone marrow has given two liters of it to a complete stranger.
Cameron Lyle, a senior, grabbed national attention last week when he said he would selflessly end his collegiate track and field career to give the gift of life to a 28-year-old leukemia patient.
Mr Lyle does not know the patient's name, but was told that he had been given just six months to live.
Fifteen-year-old Jack Andraka recently won the world's largest high school science competition for his development of a new, cheap and accurate test for detecting pancreatic cancer. [Note: We want you to see these talks exactly as they happened! The archive footage might be a little rougher than the usual TED.com talk.]
This first part of this video explores the disturbing effect the Internet has been having on our brain's ability to focus. I didn't get around to watching the second part, but it's probably more things like that about the brain and stuff.
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