Israel formally bans LGBTQ+ conversion therapy
While the Health Ministry has advised against conversion therapy for years, no formal prohibition had been issued against the practice until now.
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.
U.S. to install roughly 400,000 EV chargers along its highways
The U.S. Departments of Energy and Transportation announced that they will dedicate $5 billion over the next five years to the project.
Italy makes protecting environment part of its Constitution
The constitutional law, approved by parliament on Tuesday, says the state must safeguard the environment, biodiversity and the ecosystem “also in the interest of future generations”.
Norway to add gender-neutral pronoun to official Norwegian language
The gender-neutral third-person singular counterpart to the feminine “hun” and the masculine “han” will be “hen.”
Scotland to plan millions of trees next to rivers in bid to protect wild salmon
Fisheries scientists have found rivers and burns in the Highlands and uplands are already too warm in summer for wild Atlantic salmon as they head upstream to spawn, increasing the threat to the species’ survival.
Iceland to end whale hunting from 2024
Iceland’s current quotas for 2019-2023 allow for the hunting of 209 fin whales and 217 minke whales every year.
Indonesia and Malaysia to hold joint patrols against illegal fishing
The patrols are expected to beef up maritime security against illegal fishers in the Malacca Strait and the North Natuna Sea, as well as protect the rich marine biodiversity there.
Xiomara Castro becomes Honduras’ first female president
Castro, a democratic socialist, won a landslide victory in last year’s presidential election after campaigning on a radical agenda to counter years of governance plagued by corruption and scandal.
Cuba bolsters conservation efforts with new 271 square mile Marine Protected Area
The MPA will protect mangrove forests, seagrass beds and coral reefs, and boost the nation’s overall marine protected coverage to 28.5% of its marine continental shelf.
Thailand set to become first nation in Asia to decriminalize marijuana
Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced that the Narcotics Control Board had approved the dropping cannabis from the ministry’s list of controlled drugs.