Good Bites Archives - Good News Network

S&P Upgrades U.S. Credit Outlook To ‘Stable’

Standard & Poor's today revised upward its credit outlook on the United States government from negative to stable, citing recent increases in tax receipts and steps taken to address longer-term budget issues. - Reuters

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

Aid From Rich Nations Doubled in 4 Years

Industrialized nations are giving more economic assistance to the world's impoverished states, revealed the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development in statistics released on Jan. 29, 2007. Aid rose by 8.8 percent in 2005, the fifth consecutive annual increase, and had more than doubled since 2001.

Trucker Drives Million Miles, No Accidents

Michael Crone was honored by his Indianapolis trucking company for his consistantly safe driving -- over one million miles with no accidents in his 20-year career. The 43-year-old truck driver was the 13th in the company’s history to achieve the mark.  (Read More Good Bites)

Major Democratic Achievement for Afghanistan

Last week's presidential election in Afghanistan marked the first-ever democratic transfer of power from one elected leader to another in Afghan history.

Fewer Pirate Attacks on World Seas in 2011

With more international boats patrolling the high seas, piracy in 2011 dropped for the first time in five years. Pirate attacks in the South China Sea were cut by almost two thirds and Bangladesh incidents plunged by more than half. -Associated Press

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)

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)

Underage and Binge Drinking in US is Drying Up

Today’s youth are smarter about alcohol, says a 2017 study of 30,000 American high school students annually. The number who reported drinking in the last 30 days declined by 18%; while binge drinking dropped by 14% over a 15-year period.

Number of Gray Whales Seen Migrating South Doubles From Year Ago

The number of gray whales spotted migrating south off the Southern California coast in December was double what it was compared with the same period last year, reflecting a possible population boom for the once endangered species. (LA Times)

Nepal Achieves Zero Poaching Year for Rhinos

Nepal's efforts to cut wildlife crime has led to a zero-poaching year for rhinos in 2011, largely attributed to the addition of 44 new range posts across several protected areas. - World Wildlife Fund

Ivory Cross-Border Trading Banned by eBay

eBay announced this week a ban on international trading of elephant ivory from all its sites worldwide after an animal welfare group found that 94 percent of the ivory up for auction there was potentially illegal.

Singapore Opens “Green” Airport Terminal

"Singapore opened a new "green" airport terminal on Wednesday, boasting 919 energy-saving skylights, a butterfly garden and over 200 species of foliage spread over enough floor space to cover 50 soccer fields." (Reuters)

Toyota Surpasses 5 Million Mark in Hybrid Electric Car Sales

Toyota's electric hybrid car sales passed the 5 million mark in March, 2013, a milestone for the industry. The company started selling the Prius, the world's first mass produced gasoline-electric passenger car in 1997.

Highway Deaths in 2011 Reach All Time Low

US highway deaths declined again last year, reaching their lowest rate, when compared to miles driven, since record-keeping began in 1921, according to government data. Overall, traffic fatalities have plummeted 26 percent since 2005. -Associated Press

Whale Numbers Booming for Great Barrier Reef

The number of whales migrating off Australia's Queensland coast is predicted to hit a 50-year high this season, said the species conservation manager for the reef.

Cyprus Leaders to Resume Direct Peace Talks

The leaders of divided Cyprus are to enter direct peace negotiations on September 3 aimed at ending the 34-year-old division of the island -- Europe's last cold war divide. (Read More)

Suicide Rate Drops in Young Men

"The suicide rate among young men in England and Wales is at the lowest level for 30 years," reports the BBC. For males aged 15 to 24, the overall suicide rate dropped from 16.6 per 100,000 people in 1990 to 8.5 per 100,000 in 2005. Amongst men aged 25 to 34, overall suicide rates declined almost seven percent. (Read All Good Bites)

World Sea Piracy Falls for Third Straight Year

"World sea piracy fell for a third straight year in 2013, as Somali pirates were curbed by international naval patrols and improved ship vigilance." (AP)

HP Recycles Plastic Bottles Into Printer Cartridges

Hewlett-Packard has manufactured some 200 million printer ink cartridges using a new process that utilizes 100% post-consumer content, like recycled plastic water bottles.