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
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
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.
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.
With a Shrimp on the Barbie: Australia Named Happiest Nation – Again!
For the third year in a row Australia has been named the happiest place to live among developed nations, according to the latest ranking issued by the Organization for Economic Cooperation. The US placed 6th, after Sweden (2nd), Canada (3rd), Norway (4th) and Switzerland.
EU’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Sink to Lowest Since 1990
Greenhouse gases fell by 3.3 % in the European Union in 2011 to the lowest reported level of emissions since 1990 -- even while the economy gained 1.6 % in GDP. The total EU emissions that year were 18.4 % below 1990 levels, according to data compiled by the European Environment Agency.
Electric Utility Emissions 70% Cleaner Than in 1990
Yearly measurements from the 100 largest power producers in the U.S. show that emissions from sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are 70 percent lower than they were in 1990, according to a new report that highlights progress in the nation's electric power sector. Mercury is down 40 percent since 2000, the first year it was tracked.
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)
NBA Player Comes Out as First Openly Gay US Pro Athlete
NBA player Jason Collins, 34 came out as the first openly gay professional athlete in America, drawing surprise and praise from fans and teammates. (2013, US News)
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.
Americans Haven’t Been This Optimistic Since Jan 2007
The number of Americans who say things are going well in the country has reached 50% for the first time in more than six years, according to a new national poll from CNN.
Mexican drug homicides fall 14 percent in four months
Mexico said on April 11 that killings linked to organized crime fell 14 percent in the first four months of the presidency of Enrique Pena Nieto, who has vowed to reduce murder, kidnapping, and extortion. (Reuters)
82% of Airline Flights Arrived on Time in 2012
Nearly 82% of airline flights in the U.S. arrived on time in 2012, an improvement of almost 2% over 2011. Air Tran, Delta, US Airways, Alaska, and Hawaiian Air had the best on-time numbers and Virgin Air was judged the best airline overall.
First Asian-American Judge Ever in Virginia
Prosecutor John M. Tran, elected to the Fairfax County Circuit Court on April 4 by the state's General Assembly, became the first Asian-American to serve as a judge in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Record Number of Women Sworn into New U.S. Congress
On January 3, 2013, a record number of women were sworn in as members of the 113th U.S. Congress. 80 new congresswomen joined a total of 20 female senators to produce a record number serving in both chambers.
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
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
Olympic Stadium Lighting is Made in Iowa
The US Olympic uniforms may have been made in China, but the stadium lighting was made in America. A company called Musco, in Muscatine, Iowa has lit every Olympic game since 1984 -- as well as center court at Wimbledon, the World Trade Center site and probably your kid's sporting field. (Musco.com)
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
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