UK Breaks its Renewable Energy Record
The UK has generated a record amount of energy from renewable sources in the second quarter of 2013, a full 15.5% of its total production – a jump of 5.8% compared to the same period last year. -Department of Energy And Climate Change
Tanzania Bans Plastic Bags
The manufacturing, importing, buying and using of thin plastic bags is now banned in Tanzania. Bags are blamed for harming livestock, blocking drains and reducing soil fertility. (Read All Good Bites)
No U.S. Forces Die in Afghanistan, First Month in Years
No U.S. military forces died in Afghanistan during the month of March, marking the first such month in more than seven years and the third time since the war began more than 12 years ago, according to the CNN Library, which tallies the casualties.
Scottish Crime Falls to 39-year Low
Crime in Scotland has fallen to the lowest level since 1974 with homicide and other violence plummeting by more than 20 percent. Even robbery and theft rates dropped despite the recession. - Scotsman
Decrease of American Women Smoking
For the first time in 40 years, less than 20 percent of women smoke (one third of women smoked in 1965). Wanna quit? Free help line (800) 784-8669.
Number of Happy Russians Breaks Record
The number of happy Russians rose to a record 82 percent in April, eclipsing the previous high of 77 percent recorded in March 2008, All-Russia Public Opinion Research Center reported on Monday. - from Ria Novosti
US Finally Regains the Jobs Lost in the Recession
The U.S. economy has reached a milestone: It has finally regained all 8.8 million private-sector jobs it lost during the Great Recession. March 2014 job growth figures also signaled that stronger gains could lie ahead. -AP
Worldwide Air Crashes in 2006 Lowest in 53 Years
Air travel is getting safer as the number of plane crashes worldwide fell to its lowest level in 53 years during 2006. Even while air travel increased by 4 percent over the previous year, 22 fewer commercial flights ended in disaster.
Sudan Lifts Ban on Opposition Newspaper
A Sudanese official said in late January the government has lifted a ban on an opposition newspaper, a week after Khartoum announced that it would hold a national dialogue to address freedom of expression. -AP
Charitable Giving Grew in 2012 – Both Corporate and Personal
Individual charitable giving in the United States grew almost 4 percent last year, while corporate donations rose at triple that rate, according to the annual Giving USA report. - Reuters
Colombian Cocaine Production Plummets (Link fixed)
Production of pure cocaine in Colombia decreased by 25 percent in 2011 capping off a decade of decline during which the potential for production had dropped by 72 percent, according a U.S. government survey of drug production released yesterday. -AP
US Gun Crime Plunges Over Last Two Decades
Mirroring the fall generally in violent crime, gun homicides and crimes involving guns have fallen sharply over the last two decades in the United States -- down 39 percent since 1993, reports the Justice Department. (Reuters)
Trends: Teens Eating Better, Exercising More
Teenagers are eating less sugar, more fruits and vegetables, and exercising more, which may be cutting obesity rates, a new study shows. -NYTimes
Mayors Combat Greenhouse Gases in US
More than 160 mayors have pledged to curb greenhouse gases in their cities according to the guidelines of the Kyoto Protocol. (2005)
Brazil’s Carbon Emissions Dropped by 39 percent
Greenhouse gas emissions in Brazil fell by nearly 39 percent in the five years before 2010, largely because of reductions in the amount of forest loss, according to a new government report.
Half of Scotland’s Power Comes From Renewables
Almost half of Scotland's electricity consumption now comes from renewable source. Green energy output rose by almost a third in one year. (The Herald)
Homelessness in Tokyo Drops 75% in 10 Years
The number of homeless people in Tokyo dropped to a record low, plummeting from 6,731 people in 2004 to 1,697 in August. (WS Journal)
Gamestop Raises $2.8Mil for St. Jude’s Hospital Charity Drive
During Gamestop's 3rd annual fundraiser for children suffering from extreme illnesses at St. Jude's hospital, customers donated $2.8 million dollars in December, exceeding the gaming store’s original goal of $1 million. (Gamestop)
HIV Drops in India
The prevalence of new H.I.V. infections has fallen significantly in southern India, the region most heavily infected. The decline by more than a third from 2000 through 2004 was attributed to increasing use of condoms. — Lancet, 06/3/31
UN Finds Global Hunger Easing in 2010
The number of people in the world suffering chronic malnutrition fell for the first time in 15 years -- down 9.3 percent in 2010, according to the United Nations' food agency. - FAO