Indian Railways records zero deaths in 2019 for the first year ever
While between 1990-1995 an average of more than 500 accidents took place every year, a decade later between 2013-2018 only an average of around 110 accidents took place every year.
Nations
This archive collects stories from Good News for Humankind involving nations — countries and their governments — as key actors in progress. Across 1,807 articles, you’ll find reporting on policy wins, international cooperation, and measurable improvements in health, climate, rights, and more.
Pakistan saw 31% reduction in terrorism in 2019
In its annual report, the Center for Research and Security Studies said that a 30.71 per cent drop in fatalities was observed in 2019, down from 980 last year to 679 this year.
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.S. FDA approves pancreatic cancer treatment shown to double patient lifespans
The drug Lynparza was developed by AstraZeneca and Merck as a maintenance treatment for patients with a specific gene mutation whose cancer spread beyond the pancreas.
Israel green lights hundreds of wind turbines in north
Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz vowed that Israel will move into a coal-free era of power production by the end of 2025, five years earlier than originally targeted.
Palau becomes first country to ban ‘reef toxic’ sunscreen
The International Coral Reef Foundation said the banned chemicals were “known environmental pollutants – most of them are… incredibly toxic to juvenile stages of many wildlife species”.
Tunisia becomes the first Arab nation to offer sex education in schools
Tunisia will become the first country in the Arab world to introduce sex education at schools, the executive director of the Tunisian Association of Reproductive health said.
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%.
Mainland Spain registers first coal-free day
Mainland Spain went coal free from 23:50 local time on 13 December until 21:20 on 15 December — making 14 December the first day of no coal burn since records began.
Germany bans gay conversion therapy for minors
Germany is banning gay conversion therapy for minors saying the practice that purports to make patients straight has no scientific basis and often causes psychological harm.