Nepal eliminates trachoma as a public health problem
The country becomes the first in WHO’s South-East Asia Region to defeat the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness.
Good News Links
The Church of Scotland has voted to allow ministers to conduct same-sex marriages
The Church of Scotland has voted to draft new laws that would allow ministers to conduct same-sex marriages.
National Geographic launches multiyear initiative to reduce single-use plastics
National Geographic has announced a new, global commitment to tackle the problem of single-use plastics with the launch of Planet or Plastic?, a multiyear initiative aimed to reduce single-use plastic entering the world’s oceans.
Two thirds of E.U. cities have climate change plans
66% of EU cities have a mitigation or adaptation plan in place. The top countries were Poland — where 97% of cities have mitigation plans — Germany (81%), Ireland (80%), Finland (78%) and Sweden (77%).
America’s incarceration rate is at a two-decade low
The nation’s incarceration rate has declined every year since 2006 and is now at its lowest point since 1996.
Brazil’s solar capacity expected increase by 358% in 2018
Brazil now has 320 MW of distributed solar generation, a sector which grew 270% in 2016, 304% in 2017, and is expected to increase by 358% in 2018.
Maryland becomes 11th state to ban ‘gay conversion therapy’ for minors
Maryland Gov. Lawrence J. Hogan, a Republican, signed the Youth Mental Health Protection Act into law on Tuesday, making the state the 11th to ban gay conversion therapy for minors.
Boko Haram has been routed from the 24 local areas in Nigeria they used to administer
Boko Haram, and by extension ISIS/ISIL, has been routed from the 24 local areas in Nigeria they used to administer. Bolstered by international assistance, the Nigerian army has led this regional fight against terrorism.
Costa Rica to ban fossil fuels and become world’s first decarbonised society
New president embraces ‘titanic and beautiful task’ of complete renewable energy transition.
Pakistan passes historic transgender rights bill
The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act allows people to choose their gender and to have that identity recognized on official documents, including national IDs, passports and driver’s licenses.