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Sweeping South America: indigenous pride

Andean languages are making a comeback as long discriminated-against cultures push for acceptance.

LIMA, PERU - Hilaria Supa is an iconoclast in the Peruvian legislature, where the congresswoman insists on speaking in her native Quechua. In doing so, Ms. Supa says, she hopes to create a new era of inclusion for the indigenous who have long been discriminated against in Peru. » Full Story

Taking on the Amazon: Swimmer's diary
Slovenian marathon swimmer Martin Strel became on Friday the first person to swim the entire length of the Amazon.

Strel says "I want to promote a message of clean rivers, clean water and friendship, because these rivers and water have to stay clean, otherwise the world will collapse. The Amazon river is still very clean, local people use it as a natural resource and I think the Amazon should stay clean forever." » Full Story

Are ya kidding me?! No complaints for 21 days

KANSAS CITY, MO. - We all complain, right? It’s just human nature. The pastor of a Kansas City church asked his flock to take a pledge: to swear off complaining, criticizing, gossiping or using sarcasm for 21 days. And now, the idea has begun to spread far beyond middle America. » Full Story

Bid to halt bumblebee decline
A national drive to help boost the number of bumblebees in Britain has been launched.

Studies show that three species of the insect have become extinct in Britain, while another nine are endangered. Conservationists from the University of Stirling want gardeners to help them get a better idea of the national distribution of bumblebees. » Full Story

Dam project aims to save Aral Sea

Alek, a local fisherman, pulls the net out of the glittering water, full of fish- just two years ago he could not have even dreamt of this catch. "All thanks to the dam," Alek grins as he throws the fish into a growing pile on the bottom of his rowing boat. » Full Story

Vietnamese Buddhist Leader Seeks to Heal Wounds of War

HO CHI MINH CITY, Eighty-year-old monk Thich Nhat Hanh has been back in his native Vietnam for a month, holding a series of ceremonies aimed at healing the wounds of the Vietnam War.   » Full Story

The 100 Friends Project

Every year, with contributions from many people, Marc Gold goes to Third World Countries looking for the neediest people he can find.  He puts the money to work in the most compassionate, appropriate, culturally compatible, constructive and practical manner possible. » Full Story

Koreans resume family reunions
Video reunions for families split by the division of the Korean Peninsula have been held for the first time in 13 months.

There were emotional scenes as long-lost relatives were able to see and speak to each other for the first time via video link-up.
» Full Story

Owner Says Dog Saved Her With 'Heimlich'

CALVERT, Md.  (AP)— Toby, a 2-year-old golden retriever, saw his owner, Debbie Parkhurst, choking on a piece of fruit and  began jumping up and down on her chest. She believes the dog was trying to perform the Heimlich maneuver and saved her life. » Full Story