16 Million More Americans Insured
More than 16 million Americans now have health insurance since Obamacare (the ACA) was enacted in 2010 and hospitals saved $7.4 billion in uninsured costs in 2014, alone, according to the HHS.
Canada’s Crime Rate Down to Lowest Levels Since 1969
Police-reported crime statistics for 2013 show overall declines for most types of crime, including the national homicide rate which fell to its lowest rate since 1966. (Report)
Family Violence Down 14% in Canada
Rates of family-related physical assaults in Canada declined 14% from 2009 and 2013. (Statistics Canada)
California Beaches Were Less Polluted in 2013
95 percent of California beaches earned A or B grades for water quality during the summer of 2013, a 2% improvement over 2012, according to an annual report. (LA Times)
Violence Against US Children Drops
A comparison of 50 types of violence against American children revealed significant declines of up to 50-63% in 27 of the categories, including assault, bullying, and sexual victimization -- and no increases -- between 2003 and 2011. - Study by Crimes Against Children Research Center. (CNN)
Albuquerque Residents Recycle Big in 2014
Albuquerque residents smashed their recycling record in 2014, collecting 70 percent more than they did in 2013. (KOAT)
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
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.
Brazil Slashes Extreme Poverty by 89% in a Decade
Brazil has reduced the number of its citizens living in extreme poverty by 89% in the last 10 years through the Bolsa Família income support program, with 70% of recipients being the working poor who now buy products and bolster the economy.
Signs of Coral Recovery for the Great Barrier Reef
Queensland scientists say baby corals are blooming again on the Great Barrier Reef, both in some of the shallows and also deeper areas, say scientists, which demonstrates the ability to bounce back after multiple impacts. (ABC)
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.
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
Crime in Colombia is Lowest in 30 Years
Overall crime in Colombia has plunged to levels not seen in more than 30 years, thanks to the efforts of the country’s security forces. (Dialogo-Americas.com)
Antibiotic Use in Children has Dropped
The number of children taking antibiotics has decreased over the past decade with fewer unnecessary prescriptions being written in every age group, according to a study in the March 2014 Pediatrics that examined the years 2000-2010. - American Academy of Pediatrics
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)
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)
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
World Manufacturing Ends 2013 on Strong Note
Global manufacturing ended 2013 on a strong note as major exporters like Japan, Germany, and Italy posted their fastest growth in years, and China saw no major slowdown in manufacturing output. (Reuters)
Measle Deaths Down 78 Percent
Deaths from measles have dropped 78 percent since 2000 as global vaccination campaigns curb outbreaks of the pneumonia-causing disease, according to the World Health Organization. (Bloomberg)
Florida Crime Rate Lowest in 30 Years
Florida's crime rate has dropped to its lowest level in more than 30 years. 2005 produced a 4 percent drop in overall crime rate, down for the 14th straight year.