England abolishes penalty for sleeping on the street, record number of river barriers removed in 2024

June 13, 2025

Hello dear Good News community,

I’m always amazed by the laws that exist - and that some are still in effect in 2025. Take England, for example: The British government plans to repeal a law from 1824 that criminalizes sleeping on the street. After more than 200 years, this will finally come to an end.

Enjoy reading, Selina

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England abolishes penalty for sleeping on the street

The British government plans to repeal a law from 1824 that criminalizes sleeping on the street. The aim is to ensure that homelessness in England and Wales is no longer treated as a criminal offense. In recent years, convictions under this law had already been in significant decline. Source: BBC

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Record number of river barriers removed in Europe in 2024

In 2024, 542 dams, weirs, culverts, and locks that had been blocking rivers were removed, according to a report by Dam Removal Europe. This marks an 11 percent increase in the number of river barrier removals compared to the previous year. As a result, more and more waterways are returning to their natural course. Source: THE GUARDIAN

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Study: Climate protection boosts the economy

A new OECD study shows that ambitious climate protection not only reduces emissions but also drives economic growth. If countries take the 1.5-degree target seriously, the global economy could grow by 3% more by 2050 - and by 13% in the long term. Source: SMART WATER MAGAZINE

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Hours instead of months: New method restores old oil paintings much faster

Engineer Alex Kachkine from MIT has developed a method that allows oil paintings to be restored much faster than before. Using AI, precisely tailored, ultra-thin laminate masks are created to cover damaged areas with the missing paint. The technique is reversible but not suitable for all artworks. Source: THE GUARDIAN

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Students turn jerseys into upcycled fashion for charity

The Blackburn Rovers soccer club invited students to repurpose old jerseys - otherwise destined for the landfill - by turning them into a clothing collection. The upcycled pieces will be auctioned off for charity. The campaign is part of „Green Football’s Great Save”, an initiative that promotes the reuse of football jerseys. Source: BBC

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Golden eagle spotted in northern England for the first time in a decade

A golden eagle has been spotted in northern England for the first time since 2015. In many areas, the bird was considered extinct. Since April 2025, it has been seen multiple times by conservationists. Whether it will settle permanently in England remains unclear. Source: MONGABAY

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Best regards,

Bianca Kriel & Selina Mahoche