World Food Prices Hit Lowest In Nearly 5 Years
Global food prices fell in March to their lowest in almost five years as supplies for most commodities, including cereals and meat, remained robust, the United Nations food agency in April. (Reuters)
Smoking Falls to Lowest Level in UK Since 1940s
The proportion of adults smoking in the UK has declined to its lowest level since recording started in the 1940s. (Guardian)
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)
Iran to Appoint Female Ambassador
Iran is set to promote its Foreign Ministry spokeswoman to be the first female ambassador abroad since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. (Telegraph)
EU to Beat 2020 Climate Change Targets
By 2020, the European Union will have cut its carbon emissions by 20 percent more than it had pledged it would under the Kyoto climate change treaty, according to an announcement made at a meeting of the bloc's environment ministers May 14.
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)
Shanghai Carbon Emission Market Cut 5Mil Tons of CO2
200 firms in Shanghai's carbon emissions trading scheme cut their CO2 output by 5.3 million tons in 2013, according to state-owned media in China.
China Sees Big Drop in Carbon Emissions
China cut its carbon emissions by 5 percent in the first half of 2014 - the largest drop in years, said the country's premier, Li Keqiang. (Xinhua)
26 Million Removed From Hunger Roles in a Year
According to a recent UN report, the number of hungry people in the world has now fallen to roughly 1 in 8— 26 million fewer than a year ago—an astounding achievement.
Germany Shatters Another Renewable Energy Record
Germany has shattered another record: In the first half of 2014, 31% of the entire country was powered by renewable energy. (Inhabitat)
Americans are Living Longer
Life expectancy in the US is at an all-time high of 78 years and 9 ½ months, according to a report released today by the CDC. (ABC)
EU Pledges $1.2 Billion to Fight Ebola
European leaders agreed to a $1.26 Billion funding boost for the fight against Ebola in West Africa. (VOA)
Arctic Bowhead Whale Population Thriving
The Arctic bowhead whale population is estimated to be around 17,000, up from 5,000 in the early 1980s, according to an Alaskan Eskimo commission.
Growth Spurt for US, India Economies
The U.S. economy grew at a brisk annual rate of 4.2 percent in the April-June quarter and India's economy expanded by 5.7%, according to official figures released this week.
Fewer Australians Reliant on Welfare Since 2001
A report shows working-age Australians are less reliant on welfare than they were a decade ago, with 5% fewer 18 to 64-year-olds receiving payments. (ABC)
Colombia Army and Rebels Meet in First-ever Peace Talks
Colombian military officers and leftist guerrillas from FARC met face-to-face for the first time in their 50-year war, starting talks on a ceasefire. (Reuters)
Canadian Smoking Rate is Lowest Ever
A national survey has found that the smoking rate among Canadians is at an all-time low, at 15 percent of the population. (The Star)
More People Living Longer in England, Wales
The number of people over the age of 90 has tripled since 1981 in England and Wales. The population living more than 100 years has quintupled, from 2,420 to 12,320.
Worldwide Renewable Energy Jobs Hit Almost 6.5 Million In 2013
Global renewable jobs hit almost 6.5 million in 2013, a 14 percent increase over the previous year, driven by the rising solar market and employment in China, says a report from the International Renewable Energy Agency.
Tesla Gives Away All its Patents To Spur Electric Car Growth
To further advance electric vehicle technology and address the carbon crisis, Tesla Motors has opened all its patents to its competitors, saying it will not initiate lawsuits against any who use their technology in good faith.