334: Bangladesh will adapt to the future

Some hope was handed to Bangladesh today, in the form of UK aid to support the low-lying nation's adaptation to climate change. According to today's linked article from the BBC, the aid will be used to strengthen sea defences and to 'climate proof' buildings - for example, building schools on stilts to protect them against flood waters and constructing multi-purpose cyclone shelters. New, more resilient crops will likely be needed too. Developing country governments and NGOs have argued for fast and flexible funding from international donors to help poorer communities prepare now for the likely impacts of climate change. Up to $50bn per year may be needed. The new support to Bangladesh is just a drop in the ocean, therefore, but it gives the country a fighting chance. And it may be - should be - a sign of further support to come.

333: peace deal signed in Tripoli

Some positive news from Lebanon today, as leaders met in Tripoli in an effort to end sectarian violence, which has dominated the port and surrounding area in recent months. According to today's linked article from Lebanon's Daily Star newspaper, Sunni and Alawite leaders agreed and signed a truce deal committing all parties to refrain from violence. It also confirmed that those displaced through the fighting should return to their communities, with compensation for those whose homes have been damaged and temporary shelter for those in need. The Lebanese Armed Forces have been drafted in to keep the peace. Those engaged in the talks have stated their optimism that the truce will hold, as all parties were involved. The stakes are high - so let's hope they're right... (Photo from Daily Star.)

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332: India offers friendship to Pakistan's President-elect

Some promising news from India today, as the country's Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, extended a welcoming hand across the border. As today's linked article from Gulf News reports, Singh congratulated Asif Ali Zardari upon his Presidential election victory in Pakistan, and said he was hoping for increased friendship and partnership between the two South Asian nations. Zardari - the widower of former Pakistani premier and recent Presidential candidate Benazir Bhutto - has given positive signals about co-operation with India in the past. So it's an opportune moment. Let's hope both leaders can make the most of it.

331: city hotels as sign of greener times

This is a very interesting article - because through a relatively narrow story it hints at bigger changes taking place. The article, from the UK's Independent newspaper, highlights the many eco-hotels springing up in cities across the world. Though the idea of environmentally sustainable getaways is nothing new, the article points out that these have largely taken the form of rural retreats. Now, however, both boutique hotels and bigger city chains are going green - employing everything from kitchen gardens to microgeneration to composting, in an effort to strengthen their environmental credentials. As you will see from the article and accompanying photos, many of the hotels in question are very comfortable and stylish too - so you can still have a great, relaxing holiday in beautiful surroundings, without compromising on cutting waste and reducing your carbon footprint (though best if you travel by train, I suppose). Green doesn't have to be mean - or boring! (Photo from the Independent.)

330: 'Garden of Eden' to be protected

According to today's linked article from the New Scientist, the ancient Iraqi wetlands - which some people think may be the original Garden of Eden cited in the Bible - could soon be listed as a World Heritage Site. This status would afford them greater protection, which is why the UN launched the plan to list them. Unfortunately, during Saddam Hussein's regime, the wetlands were drained following a dispute between the then president and the Marsh Arab communities living there. It wasn't just the Marsh Arabs who lost their long-standing homes - birds and fish did too. Following Saddam's downfall, however, local communities and UN agencies have worked to revive the wetlands and are already making progress. With a WHS designation, the wetlands may yet be restored to their ancient glory...

329: waste-free village models sustainable future

Time for a bit of photo journalism, I think. This story-in-pictures comes from the UK's Guardian newspaper. It showcases the Japanese village of Kamikatsu. Five years ago, the people of Kamikatsu set themselves a very high goal - by 2020, they aim to go waste-free. To do so, they are attempting to recycle or reuse every last bit of household waste, putting an end to landfill and incineration. The photographs are fascinating, with several showing local residents composting, sorting recyclables, even washing plastic containers and hanging them out to dry. Kamikatsu has only 2000 residents, but their committed efforts show what can be done - what we all should try to do. Setting the goal together and putting the facilities in place to make the goal easier to achieve - futuristic, yes, but not rocket science... (Photo from the Guardian, of a sign that apparently says 'Zero waste by 2020'.)

328: Cypriot peace talks start in earnest

Regular RTBH readers will know that I've been following - for many months - the cautious steps now being taken towards peace and reunification in Cyprus. The European island has been divided for more than 30 years, but today UN facilitated peace talks began between the Greek Cypriot President and the Turkish Cypriot leader. And according to today's linked article from the Associated Press, the two leaders were upbeat about the prospects of achieving success where previous efforts have failed. Indeed, the talks have been billed as the 'most promising' since the island was first divided - so let's hope they live up to their promise!

327: democracy to return to Angola

This is a truly hopeful story about the Southern African nation of Angola, as it prepares for its first elections in 16 years. As today's linked article from the BBC reports, Angola is still recovering from years of civil war, during which millions of people were displaced and many others died. For this reason, and as there has been no recent census, it's now very hard to know where people are living - an important prerequisite for voter registration in most countries. And voting will be made yet more difficult when polls open on Friday, given the lack of basic infrastructure such as roads and telecommunications in many areas. But Angolans are determined to overcome these challenges. To do so, they are employing a range of new technologies - PDAs, solar-powered fax machines, voting cards complete with fingerprints and holograms... plus many 'old fashioned' human observers, local and international. These measures will help ensure votes are counted efficiently and without risk of fraud. And where ballot boxes cannot be collected by road, the electoral commission has said it will use helicopter or boat. People will be sent text messages to remind them to vote. It's a massive financial commitment, of course - but what price the restoration of democracy?

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326: the power of community

I found this fascinating article in the UK's Independent newspaper today, which assesses the phenomenon of 'crowdsourcing', whereby people - often 'amateurs' rather than 'professionals' in a particular field, from across the world - come together online to create, innovate and solve problems. As the article sets out, crowdsourcing takes many forms - sometimes led by big business, but more often by small enterprises or just a small group of people with a project idea - but it always involves people freely pitching in to achieve a shared goal, often for little or no remuneration. And the article gives examples of many projects tackled in this way - from designing t-shirts, to developing software, and even to searching for extra-terrestrial lifeforms! Anything that benefits from teamwork, in short, which must account for most challenges humanity faces... Makes you wonder what we could achieve if we put our collective mind(s) to work, doesn't it? Decisively addressing climate change? Finding innovative solutions to seemingly intractable conflicts? Who knows? Who dares to hope...?

325: beetle provides cancer research clue

A major breakthrough in basic science, which could accelerate cancer research, was announced today - all thanks to a team of scientists from Philadelphia ... and the red flour beetle. As today's linked article from philly.com reports, scientists had been trying to decipher the protein telomerase for many years, since its role in helping cancer cells multiply was first identified around two decades ago. But they'd had little luck. The human form of the protein was too unstable. As a result, the Philadelphia scientists searched through data on other species - and eventually found the red flour beetle, which produces a less complex form of the protein that could be studied, and this enabled its structure to be mapped. This is the first step of many that will be required to develop new cancer drugs, but it's a vital step. Researchers will now know more about this important protein, and that's key if they're to work out how to deactivate it.

324: kids helped to lose weight, get fit - and feel better

This is a really promising tale, about a couple of kids from Rotherham in the UK, who had been bullied because of their weight and totally lacked confidence. That is, until they attended a six-week fitness camp this summer - so today's linked article from the BBC reports. The camp helps kids make healthy eating choices and to take regular exercise. Throughout the camp, participants are told how much weight they are losing, and this builds their confidence. It certainly seems to have worked for the kids in the BBC article - who have said they feel taller, slimmer, and generally better. When they get home, they and their families will be supported for a further four months to make sure their progress - and optimism - is sustained. What's more, it's all funded by the National Health Service - so families needn't lose weight from their wallets at the same time. Based on my time in the US to date, I can't help thinking that the Rotherham experience could translate well to the other side of the Atlantic, though I've never heard of anything like it here. Definitely something worth watching though...

323: Afghan Olympian given hero's welcome

I'm on vacation at the moment, in Jamaica - blogging in the middle of a hurricane! This is a new and interesting experience, to say the least. As I browsed through the web, and simultaneously wiped my laptop free of rain every few seconds, my attention was grabbed by this lovely story from the BBC. As the linked article reports, Afghanistan's first Olympic medallist, Rohullah Nikpai, returned home today and received a hero's welcome. Even during his layover in Delhi, he was paraded through the airport and decorated with flower garlands - and when he arrived in Kabul he was met by the country's Vice-President, and then driven through the streets in a open-top truck to the national stadium, which was packed with well-wishers. Nikpai won a bronze in Taekwondo, which is a hugely popular sport in today's Afghanistan, with more than 700 clubs training around 25,000 athletes. And it looks set to become more popular with this Olympic success. (Afghanistan's previous best performance in the Olympics was a fifth placed wrestler in 1964.) As Nikpai said "I hope this medal will bring a better future for my country, both in terms of peace and friendship... what matters is showing the world that our flag can rise as well." (Photo from BBC online.)

322: junk ship proves its point

A ship called 'Junk' - and made from it too - docked safely in Honolulu today, at the end of it's 3-month trip from California to raise awareness about plastic debris and its effect on marine life. As today's linked article from MSNBC reports, the two-man crew had constructed 'Junk' from ocean debris - part of a Cessna's fuselage, salvaged boat masts and 15,000 plastic bottles for floatation. They'd had some scary moments, running low on food and watching as some of the plastic bottles filled with water and sank after a storm, but they made it in the end. The trip was arranged by the 'Junk' project run by the Algalita Marine Research Foundation. In addition to the crew, another member of the project team provided remote support and raised money and awareness. The project's key message is that single-use plastics should be banned as they generally end up in the ocean or persist elsewhere harming fish, flora and fauna. As if to prove this point, a fish caught by the crew - which they'd hoped to eat - was found to be filled with pieces of undigested plastic. I hope that 'Junk' (the raft, the project and the problem) gets the attention it deserves.

321: hope that tourists will return to Baghdad

I love the optimism that emanates from this story. According to today's linked article from Newsday, officials in Iraq are calling for designers to submit proposals for a huge ferris wheel that will one day grace the city's skyline. It is hoped that the ferris wheel, which is being called the Baghdad Eye, will be 650 feet tall - making it much taller than the famous London Eye, which comes in at 450 feet. While hugely ambitious, it's not the only tourist attraction in Baghdad. The city has a zoo, pools, parks and restaurants, and there are plans to recreate the 'lovers island' in the middle of the Tigris, once a favoured destination of honeymooners. The private sector is beginning to invest in this infrastructure (e.g. building luxury hotels) alongside the government. All in all, it's a sign that Baghdad's spirit has been undiminished by the violence of recent years. The city and its people have a vision for the future - one it seems they want visitors to share.

320: paraplegics may walk again

Thank you very much to RTBH reader Titus for sending in today's linked article from Reuters. I must say, it's a fascinating read and also really good news. As the article reports, an Israeli man has invented a device that can enable those paralyzed below the waist to walk again. It's similar to a crustacean's exoskeleton in terms of how it supports the body, and it can be manipulated using controls attached to crutches operated by the arms. Users can choose to sit, stand, walk, descend or climb. The robotic device then moves, when body sensors detect the user leaning forward. Experts say the benefits are both physical and psychological: as well as exercising different muscle groups and extending the torso, standing up enables users to make eye contact with others and to get on 'level terms' with them. This is very empowering, as user Radi Kaiof - paralyzed 20 years ago while serving as an Israeli paratrooper - testifies in the article. Although the inventor won't be able to use the device himself, sadly - he's paralyzed too, but does not have enough control of his arms to operate the suit - it will be on the market in 2010, and will cost about the same as an advanced wheelchair. Definitely a breakthrough invention. Let's hope that healthcare providers step up to the plate, to make it available to those who need it. (Photo from Reuters.)

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If you want to see the ReWalk in action, click here for a Reuters video.

319: hope at last in Zimbabwe

There were cautious expressions of hope in Zimbabwe today, as the new Parliamentary speaker was sworn in. As today's linked article from the BBC reports, Lovemore Moyo - a member of the main opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change - hailed the beginning of a new era, in which the Parliament becomes a more effective check on Mugabe's regime. Only time will tell whether this hope is well-placed, of course, but today certainly ushered in some change.

318: Chinese civil society boosted by Olympics

Post 237 on this blog, back in June, brought you an article from Yale's news site that suggested China's civil society was maturing and having greater impact, particularly on environmental agendas. Today's linked article, from German news site Die Welt, would seem to support that thesis. The article argues that the Beijing Olympic games - which closed today, of course - have given impetus to certain segments within China's civil society. Specifically, those working to tackle pollution and reduce waste have been able to rally people around their cause as the country worked to 'get in shape' for the games. Meanwhile, those working to improve the rights of disabled people have been given a boost by the attention-grabbing Paralympics, which will open in Beijing on September 6th. As the article points out, there are many other issues that appear to have made less progress, but the recent successes of the few may nevertheless give heart to others seeking change.

317: dog saves abandoned baby in Argentina

A dog in Argentina has rescued a newborn baby after it was abandoned by its teenage mother, CNN reported today. According to the article linked above, the dog found the baby in a field and carried it home, eventually placing it amongst its own puppies. Apparently, the temperature had dropped to 37 degrees Farenheit, and doctors said the baby would have found it difficult to survive the night had the dog not rescued it. The baby was taken to hospital but is said to have suffered very few injuries. The 14-year-old mother later presented at the hospital and is also being treated. Meanwhile, according to various news reports today, the dog has become something of a celebrity and is being hailed as a hero by the local community. It certainly is an amazing tale, revealing a depth of maternal instinct that cuts across species. (Picture from Channel 9/CNN.)

316: rebuilding Liberia's education system

Way back on day Forty-One of this blog, I posted a story about a Liberian teen who was about to start university at age 14, having educated himself against the odds. Today, I found this hopeful article on allAfrica.com, reporting on the priority that President Sirleaf's government has given to expanding the country's education infrastructure and supporting poorer families to keep their children, especially girls, in school. Fortunately, it seems that NGOs, UN agencies and foreign donors are lining up in support of the Liberian government's goal - and this support will be necessary to make progress, given the extent of the challenge. The country has a literacy rate of just 20% currently. But commitment from the top, and money in the budget to back it up, give Liberia a fighting chance. Hopefully it won't be too long before all Liberia's children are in school and doing well, even if they can't all get to university at 14!

315: follow your nose to detect cancers

Fascinating story this one, from the BBC. As today's linked article reports, US researchers have discovered that certain types of skin cancer - basal cell carcinomas - give off a scent, which they can pick up using a machine they've developed. In a similar UK study, researchers are exploring whether bladder cancer might be identified in a similar way, through subtle changes in the smell of a patient's urine that dogs can be trained to detect. And it's even been postulated that lung cancer tumors might be detected through specific odors in a patient's breath. Certainly, if deemed sufficiently accurate, such tests would be a welcome non-invasive method of diagnosis - and I suppose it would give further weight to the idea that dogs are mankind's best friends.