Around the World
Oxford University Study Suggests World Poverty is Rapidly Shrinking
via happynews.com
World poverty is shrinking and developing countries are becoming less poor according to a new study by Oxford University.
Nepal, Rwanda and Bangladesh were the 'star performers' of the 22-country study carried out by the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), followed by Ghana, Tanzania, Cambodia and Bolivia.
The report predicts that some of the poorest countries in the world could see acute poverty eradicated within 20 years.
'Vertical Forest' Skyscrapers Coming to Italy
via happynews.com
In Milan, a new kind of skyscraper is under construction. Once complete later this year, the two-building project will be covered in greenery, an effect that gives the buildings their name: Bosco Verticale, or Vertical Forest.
The two buildings (26 stories and 18 stories) will be quite literally covered in green: 480 big and medium-size trees, 250 small trees, and roughly 11,000 groundcover plants, according to the firm. It's the equivalent of a hectare (almost 2.5 acres) of forest on the sides of the buildings, the firm says.
But the trees and bushes and plants aren't just for show. The designers explain that they will also help to filter out air pollution, a major problem in big cities like Milan.
(Boeri Studio ) An artist rendering of the finished skyscrapers.
Photo by Hossein Attar