Short News
Giant wind turbine smashes record
A Danish offshore wind turbine has set a new energy record. In just 24 hours, the turbine generated enough electricity to power a US household for 20 years.
Getting India on track
India has begun building a huge new railroad net, where freight trains will be able to get up to speed instead of clogging up the rails for passenger trains.
Price of ivory slashed
In just three years, the market price of ivory has been halved. This impacts the poachers’ profits and may give new hope for the endangered African elephant.
Togo stops grotesque disease
After years of effort, the country of Togo has successfully stopped transmission of the disease elephantiasis, which handicaps people by swelling their limbs.
End of landmines in Belarus
The last of Belarus’ 3 million landmines have now been destroyed. This makes Belarus the 159th country in the world to get rid of the insidious weapons.
Big death penalty drop
The number of executions worldwide fell by 37 percent in 2016. The USA is now at the lowest level of executions since 1991.
China shuts down ivory factories
China has now shut down one-third of officially sanctioned ivory workshops and retailers in the first move towards a ban on the domestic trade in ivory.
US cities to go green
25 US cities have now committed to transition to 100 percent renewable energy, including larger cities like San Diego, Salt Lake City and Madison.
El Salvador bans all metal mining
El Salvador becomes the first country in the world to ban all metal mining. The decision aims to protect the country’s diminishing water sources from pollution.
New hope for bird in danger
After considerable NGO pressure, Greenland has agreed to strongly limit the hunting of the common guillemot bird, because it is no longer common in Greenland.
Smart idea makes cities more clean
Barcelona is testing a new idea to make parts of the city nearly free of cars. This makes the air cleaner and people can use the roads for other things.
Indian railway stations go solar
India is aiming at turning it´s more than 7000 railway stations into major solar power producers. Work had already begun on the first 300 stations.