In our weekly good news round-up, we feature three positive stories from across the week that showcase incredible innovation, significant breakthroughs, and exciting progress within the realms of healthcare, climate and sustainability, equity and inclusion, workplace wellbeing, social impact and more.
Here are our favourite positive stories of the week, 5 to 11 August, 2024.
1. Wind and solar power overtake fossil fuel-generated power for the first time
The EU has seen a ‘historic shift’ in its power sector, as new analysis reveals that wind and solar generated more electricity in the European Union than fossil fuels over a six-month period.
In the first half of 2024, wind turbines and solar panels produced 30 per cent of Europe’s electricity, while the share of fossil fuel generation declined to 27 per cent, as reported by energy think tank Ember.
The new report from Ember found that 13 EU member states now generate more electricity from solar and wind than from fossil fuels. Read more of the story here.
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2. Breakthrough drug for Parkinson’s is transforming patients’ lives
A video shared via the NHS England Instagram has revealed one man’s incredible transformation thanks to a new breakthrough drug that has curbed his debilitating Parkinson’s tremors.
The footage shows the jaw-dropping change in patient Damien Gath, as the 52 year-old makes a cup of tea, before and after taking the medication. The transformation occurred within just a few days of wearing a portable pump that slowly releases foslevodopa-foscarbidopa (or Produodopa), a drug recently approved by the NHS for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. Read more of the story here.
RELATED: Exciting innovations in treating Parkinson’s
3. First refugee athlete wins medal at the Olympics
There have been many feel-good, history-making moments throughout Paris 2024 — including the moment boxer Cindy Ngamba secured the Bronze in the middleweight category and became the first refugee athlete ever to win a medal at an Olympic Games, in any sport.
Bronze medal winner Cindy Ngamba on Thursday 8 August, 2024. (Image: Instagram: @refugeeolympicteam)Born in Cameroon and based in the UK with refugee status, as she looks to resolve her citizenship, Cindy lost a split-decision verdict in the semi-final to Panama’s Atheyna Bylon. Atheyna, who now has a place in Saturday’s 75kg final, also makes history as Panama’s first Olympic boxing medallist, and fourth medallist from any sport.
The Caribbean island nation of Dominica also landed its first ever gold Olympic medal, thanks to triple-jumper Thea LaFond.
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This news item came from: https://business.itn.co.uk/positive-stories-of-the-week-parkinsons-breakthroughs-and-olympic-firsts/
