Amsterdam to buy out young people’s debt to offer ‘new start’
The debt-transfer project will start in February. Each person on the scheme will be given a coach with whom they will prepare a “guidance plan”.
Europe
HIV infections among gay and bi men fall by 71% in U.K. since 2012
The number of people diagnosed with HIV in the U.K. has dropped substantially since 2012. The drop has been attributed to a rise in the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (Prep).
Electric vehicles reach 25% market share in Iceland
Iceland now follows only Norway worldwide in the proportion of vehicles on the road that are fully electric.
Half of U.K. universities have committed to divest from fossil fuel
Seventy-eight of the U.K.’s 154 public universities have joined the divestment campaign, either divesting or pledging to divest hundreds of millions from the fossil fuel industry.
Same-sex marriage now legal in Northern Ireland
From Monday, same-sex couples will be able to register to marry, meaning the first ceremonies will take place in February.
New LED lamp has helped 90% of its dyslexic users to read ‘effortlessly’
The Lexilife team tested the light’s efficiency on 300 people with dyslexia—and 90% of participants said that they could “effortlessly read a text illuminated by the lamp.”
Denmark sources world record 47% of power from wind in 2019
European countries are global leaders in wind power but Denmark is far in front of nearest rival Ireland, which sourced 28% of its power from wind in 2018.
Germany cuts fares for long-distance rail travel in response to climate crisis
Fares for long-distance rail travel in Germany have dropped for the first time in 17 years, as climate protection measures came into effect with the new year.
U.K. renewables outperform natural gas for first quarter ever
In the third quarter of 2019 renewable energy sources provided a record 38.9% of the country’s electricity — exceeding natural gas for the first time ever, which provided 38.8%.
Audi accelerates electric vehicle plans with $12 billion investment
By 2025, Audi says that it will have “more than 30 electrified models in its product range” and “20 of which will be fully electric.”