society

Prince William, David Beckham and Yao Ming for WildAid

The Duke of Cambridge, David Beckham, and Yao Ming are speaking out to protect rhinos for future generations in this WildAid message. The trio met in London in September 2013 to film two messages that began airing globally, with targeted outreach in China and Vietnam, beginning in January 2014 as part of WildAid's demand reduction campaign and the Royal Foundation's United for Wildlife Collaboration.

“'The End of the Wild' aired last week in China, and it airs on Animal Planet this Autumn. Yao Ming is an incredible ambassador for +WildAid & also now for United for Wildlife!”

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Yao Ming: "Say No To Ivory"
To better understand what’s happening to these species as a result of Asian demand for ivory and rhino horn, Yao Ming traveled to Africa for the first time to come face-to-face with some of the world’s most majestic species - the elephant and the rhino.  read more »

August 13, 2014 Jimmy Fallon Pays Tribute to Robin Williams to honor the late comedian, choking back tears, before doing his best impersonation of the legend -

*update* Mashable 02 March 2016 (Wednesday): A tunnel with rainbow arches that connects the Golden Gate Bridge to greater Marin County has officially become the Robin Williams tunnel. The tunnel was unofficially known as the Waldo Tunnel. The California State Senate last year approved a resolution to change the tunnel's name to honor the late actor and comedian. Williams grew up and lived in the Bay Area. The two signs — one for each side of the tunnel — cost $3,000 that was paid for using private donations.

*update* 21 August 2014 Robin Williams's Ashes Scattered in San Francisco Bay near his home just one day after his death, per his official death certificate

*update* 20 August 2014 2014 Emmys: Billy Crystal to pay tribute to Williams, his longtime friend and fellow comedian, at next week's Emmy Awards. At 2013 Emmys, Williams honored his friend and mentor Jonathan Winters.

Unbreakable bond. Christopher Reeve: the greatest gift from Robin Williams is laughter

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The Navy's Newest Destroyer Is a Drone, the first ship with a brain of its own
Among the high-tech features included on the USS Zumwalt—cannons that fire rocket-propelled, GPS-guided rounds and stealth design that gives the 610-foot ship the radar signature of a small fishing vessel—there’s also a computer intelligence capable of preparing the ship for battle and engaging enemy targets on its own. Think of it as a gigantic floating drone: “Most UAVs [unmanned aerial vehicles] are a few million dollars,” says Wade Knudson, who heads the Zumwalt project for Raytheon (RTN), which made most of the ship’s computer systems. “This is a $5 billion UAV.”  read more »

Colorado lawmakers unsure how to spend marijuana tax revenue

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"Saving Grace":
In this Sundance Audience Award-winning comedy from director Nigel Cole, newly widowed Grace (Brenda Blethyn) finds herself in financial ruin when she discovers that her dearly departed husband has left her deep in debt. With the help of her gardener, Matt (Craig Ferguson), Grace applies her green thumb to ganja plants -- and soon, everyone in her small English town is getting high on more than life.

Critical reaction to the film was generally positive and it received favorable notice for an independent British comedy film, eventually grossing $24,325,600 worldwide, following its theatrical release in the United States.

[2013] Reuters: Uruguay becomes first country to legalize marijuana trade  read more »

Above: 2 cruise ships, 2 captains on the run
Capt. Lee Joon-seok of the Sewol
Capt. Francesco Schettino who was in command of the cruise ship Costa Concordia

The heroes: when HMS Birkenhead, a British ship, began to sink off the coast of S Africa in 1852, there were not enough serviceable lifeboats for all the passengers, and the soldiers famously stood firm, allowing the women and children to board the boats safely.

The heroine: Park Jee Young, 22, who by witness accounts helped passengers escape the S. Korea ship Sewol, 102 years to the day since the Titanic sank in April 1912.

The hero: Capt. Edward J. Smith went down with the Titanic. The Cunard liner RMS Carpathia arrived on the scene where she brought aboard an estimated 705 survivors.

From S. Korea TV - astonishing video of final minutes of stricken ship Sewol. Heartbreaking tragedy.

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Abandon ship? In recent maritime disasters, captains don't hang around  read more »

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Watch the Queen's Christmas Day message 2013 in full
The Queen reflected on prominent events from the past year during her Christmas broadcast - from the service that marked the 60th anniversary of her coronation to the birth of Prince George

"balance between action and reflection"
"reflection, meditation, prayer help to renew us"
"family, friendship, neighborliness"
"principle and service"

Her broadcast began with the Queen telling her audience how a man she once knew gained a clearer insight into the world after spending a year in a plaster cast recovering from a back operation.
She said: "He read a lot, and thought a lot, and felt miserable. Later, he realised this time of forced retreat from the world had helped him to understand the world more clearly.
"We all need to get the balance right between action and reflection. With so many distractions, it is easy to forget to pause and take stock."

The Queen, who was dressed in a single crepe wool primrose dress which she wore to William and Kate's wedding in April 2011, also said in her broadcast: "As with all who are christened, George was baptised into a joyful faith of Christian duty and service. After the christening, we gathered for the traditional photograph.

"It was a happy occasion, bringing together four generations."

The Queen also looked back over the past 12 months to the 60th anniversary of her coronation, celebrated with a national service in June.

She said: "I myself had cause to reflect this year, at Westminster Abbey, on my own pledge of service made in that great church on Coronation Day 60 years earlier.  read more »