Chicago Gun Violence is Down for 8th Month in a Row
Chicago Gun Violence is Down for 8th Month in a Row, according to city crime report. (ABC News)
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.
Connecticut Became 14th US State to Ban Civil Forfeiture
With unanimous votes in the House and Senate, Connecticut became the 14th US state to ban civil forfeiture of cash or property without a criminal conviction. (Forbes)
Leprosy Has Been Almost Entirely Defeated
Leprosy has been almost entirely defeated: Worldwide cases have dropped 97% since 1985, and it is now easily treatable, with a global target of 2020 as the year when no more children will suffer from the deformity.
First Year With No Deaths in Alaska Fishing Industry
Thanks to more stringent safety procedures governing the dangerous commercial fishing industry, zero commercial fishing deaths were recorded for the 2015 season. (Alaska Dispatch News)
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)
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)
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)
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.
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)
Family Violence Down 14% in Canada
Rates of family-related physical assaults in Canada declined 14% from 2009 and 2013. (Statistics Canada)
Albuquerque Residents Recycle Big in 2014
Albuquerque residents smashed their recycling record in 2014, collecting 70 percent more than they did in 2013. (KOAT)
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)
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.
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)
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)
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)
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.