World News: Fewer Cholera Deaths, and Turtles Returned to Sea

In this twice-weekly edition of Good News for Lefties and the World, host Beowulf Rochlen shares stories of political change, public health progress, people demanding better, and efforts to protect wildlife and the environment. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić conceded defeat after a closely contested parliamentary election, where his Serbian Progressive Party faced a challenge from student-led opposition accusing the government of corruption. In Brazil, another Trump-aligned candidate, Flávio Bolsonaro, also lost, to leftist Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Somalia has reduced cholera deaths by 93% and re-established its national medicines regulatory authority after more than three decades. Meanwhile, Sudan increased coverage of a third dose of pentavalent vaccine from 38% to 71% in a single year, protecting more children against five potentially deadly diseases despite the ongoing war. Across Europe, hundreds of thousands of people have protested the rising cost of living and deteriorating public services. In France, students and workers have rallied for investment in education, better conditions in schools, affordable housing, and a fairer future for young people. In Bali, authorities returned 20 protected green sea turtles to the ocean after rescuing them from a suspected smuggling attempt. And the European Union has opened applications for nearly 41,000 free rail travel passes for 18-year-olds, giving young people the chance to explore Europe and access discounts on travel, culture, and more. Finally, Greenland’s parliament has unanimously voted to ban deep-sea mineral extraction through 2029, with a possible extension, citing the need to protect the marine environment and an economy that depends on fishing. Follow the links in the episode notes to learn more about these stories, and share the show with a friend to help spread some global positivity.