Getting the week off to a bright start with a collection of good news snippets.
South Africa to end its captive lion industry in a major move for conservation that would outlaw the heavily criticized “canned hunting” of the big cats and sale of their bones, as well as popular tourist experiences like petting cubs. South Africa’s announcement was praised by wildlife groups that want to see the iconic species left to live in the wild or in recognized conservation parks.
Marriage certificates in England and Wales will now include the names of both parents of each half of the couple, rather than just the father’s. Many will lwonder why it has taken so long. The Home Office says the reform “corrects a historic anomaly”.
The Biden administration is outlining a plan to sharply increase conservation of public lands and waters over the next decade, recommending a series of steps to achieve a nationwide goal to conserve 30 percent of U.S. lands and waters by 2030. Titled America the Beautiful, the report calls for a decade-long effort to support voluntary conservation and restoration efforts on public, private and tribal lands and waters from Maine to California as well as in Alaska and Hawaii.
Nigerian farmers are being urged to go organic because of the numerous benefits. National Coordinator for Organic Agriculture, Dr Jude Obi, said: 'If we want to live healthily, if we want to have a good life, if we want to enjoy good taste in our food, if we want to have food products that do not deteriorate quickly after harvest, then we must go organic.'
Good new for pollinators: EU court upholds ban on insecticides linked to harming bees. European Union’s top court dismisses appeal by Bayer against partial ban on use of substances on certain crops.
Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey has hailed the fastest recovery in modern times as Britain surges back from the worst recession in over three centuries. The Bank is predicting a 7.25pc jump in growth this year, well ahead of the 5pc it forecast three months ago and the biggest rise since the height of the war effort in 1941.
Tourists visiting New York may soon be able to get vaccinated under the bright lights of Times Square or in the shadows of the Empire State Building or Brooklyn Bridge. That is the future that the New York City mayor, Bill de Blasio, is envisioning with a new initiative that would park vaccination vans in popular tourist spots across the city that can administer the 'one jab' Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine to anyone who wants one.
Pfizer and BioNTech seek full FDA approval of coronavirus vaccine in US for everyone over the age of 16.
Its tube network is legendary, its bus routes a triumph of town planning - even its cycle superhighways are winning plaudits. Now campaigners are calling on London to embrace the oldest, most egalitarian form of transport available: walking. The walking charity Ramblers has laid out proposals for six walking routes across the capital which would link up green spaces and provide millions of people with a greater incentive to walk. It's hoped the next mayor will adopt the plans.
Dive in Deeper
Dog thinks through a problem...
This is what happens when you've got a giant stick, a narrow bridge, and no thumbs! Unless, of course, you're a clever dog.