Nations

Blue bus

Senegal launches all-electric bus network powered by renewable energy

By / / Good News For Humankind

Senegal has successfully launched a transformative Bus Rapid Transit system in Dakar, featuring a fleet of 121 fully electric buses. As the first network in Sub-Saharan Africa to operate entirely on renewable energy, the initiative utilizes local solar power to transport up to 300,000 passengers daily. By utilizing dedicated lanes, the clean energy fleet cuts cross-city commute times in half while preventing nearly 60,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. This monumental project dramatically improves urban air quality and establishes Senegal as a pioneering leader in sustainable, green public infrastructure.

Satellite view of river system

Yangtze River showing remarkable ecological recovery following fishing ban

By / / Good News For Humankind

China’s Yangtze River is experiencing a remarkable ecological revival five years into a sweeping ten-year commercial fishing ban. Recent surveys reveal significant increases in overall fish biomass and the heartening return of critically endangered species in the world’s fifth largest river. Furthermore, thousands of former commercial fishers have been successfully transitioned into new roles as official river guardians. This massive conservation effort offers a hopeful, replicable model for global freshwater restoration.

Rob Jetten

Rob Jetten becomes The Netherland’s first openly gay prime minister

By / / Good News For Humankind

In a historic victory for representation and progressive politics, Rob Jetten has been sworn in as the first openly gay Prime Minister of the Netherlands. At 38 years old, the centrist Democrats 66 leader is also the youngest head of government in Dutch history. Jetten successfully formed a minority coalition government following a tense election that defeated far-right populist opponents. His platform prioritizes climate investment, economic fairness, and strong international collaboration. Jetten’s premiership powerfully reaffirms the Netherlands’ global legacy as a pioneer of LGBTQ+ equality and inclusive, cooperative democratic leadership.

Used computer parts

Malaysia bans electronic waste imports to protect the environment and public health

By / / Good News For Humankind

In a monumental victory for public health and environmental justice, Malaysia has enacted an immediate and absolute ban on the importation of electronic waste. By removing regulatory loopholes and launching a strict enforcement campaign, the nation is successfully preventing toxic heavy metals from polluting its soil and waterways. Authorities have already intercepted hundreds of thousands of kilograms of illegal e-waste at major ports, vowing to return the hazardous materials to their countries of origin. This decisive action establishes Malaysia as a leading force in Southeast Asia’s growing movement to reject global waste and prioritize ecological sustainability.

Arctic village

Canada to fund first Inuit-led university as part of major announcement for Inuit communities

By / / Good News For Humankind

The federal government has announced a $50 million investment to help build Canada’s first Inuit-led university, which is set to open its main campus in Arviat, Nunavut, by 2030. This landmark project aims to reverse historical inequities by allowing Inuit students to pursue culturally grounded higher education without leaving their homeland. The historic funding is part of a broader $228 million federal package that also includes vital investments in child welfare, food security, and the elimination of tuberculosis across northern communities.

Abandoned factory full of colorful textiles

E.U. bans the destruction of unsold clothing in bid to reduce waste and emissions

By / / Good News For Humankind

The European Union has officially adopted groundbreaking legislation banning the destruction of unsold clothing, apparel accessories, and footwear to drastically reduce waste and emissions. As part of the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, this new ban directly targets the massive environmental impact of fast fashion overproduction. Following France’s lead as the first country to implement such a ban, the E.U. is forcing large corporations to reuse, donate, or recycle excess inventory instead of incinerating it. This policy sets a powerful global precedent for transitioning the fashion industry toward a truly circular economy.

Medieval Indian sculpture

U.S.’s Smithsonian Institution to return stolen medieval sculptures to India

By / / Good News For Humankind

The Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art is officially returning three ancient bronze sculptures to India after an internal investigation confirmed they were illegally removed from Tamil Nadu temples in the mid-twentieth century. In a unique collaborative agreement, the Indian government will allow one returned sculpture, a tenth-century Shiva Nataraja, to remain at the Washington museum on a long-term loan for educational display. This arrangement highlights a growing international commitment to decolonizing museum spaces, prioritizing transparent provenance research, and fostering cross-cultural cooperation to correct historical wrongs.

African baby and mother

Sierra Leone opens its first-ever NICU in historic milestone for maternal health

By / / Good News For Humankind

In a historic milestone for global health, Sierra Leone has opened its first-ever neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at the new Maternal Center of Excellence in Kono District. This state-of-the-art facility, built by Partners In Health and the local government, was largely funded by the “Nerdfighteria” community led by Hank and John Green, who raised over $50 million. The center aims to drastically reduce maternal and infant mortality by providing advanced care, including piped oxygen and surgical suites, while serving as a teaching hospital for the next generation of local clinicians.

Elephant

Indonesia bans elephant riding in landmark welfare move

By / / Good News For Humankind

Following years of campaigning by animal welfare organizations, Indonesia has officially banned elephant riding at all tourism and conservation facilities. This landmark directive from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry ends a cruel practice that relies on brutal training and causes long-term harm to endangered elephants. Facilities must now transition to ethical, observation-based tourism models. This major policy shift prioritizes animal welfare over entertainment, setting a powerful example for responsible wildlife tourism across Southeast Asia.

Illustration of electric cars

Electric car sales outpace gas-powered cars in the E.U. for the first time

By / / Good News For Humankind

In a historic shift for the automotive industry, fully electric vehicles (EVs) have outsold petrol cars in the European Union for the first time. Data from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association shows that EVs captured 23.6 percent of the market in December 2025, surpassing petrol registrations. This milestone confirms that the transition to zero-emission transport is accelerating rapidly, driven by strong climate policies, falling costs, and growing consumer confidence. The achievement marks the beginning of the end for fossil fuel dominance on European roads.