All Points of Progress
Progress WatchLand mines could be almost completely gone within a decade, experts sayThe tide first began to turn against land mine use in 1997 when 122 countries signed the Mine Ban Treaty, and the number of land-mine casualties has decreased almost every year since then, reaching its lowest recorded point in 2013.
Progress WatchJob market: Consumers' confidence rises across the globeIn every region except Latin America, consumers now expect the job market to be good or excellent in the coming year. The number is the highest since before the Great Recession.
Progress WatchSince 1990, billions more have access to clean waterMore people worldwide have gained access to an 'improved' source of drinking water, or one that is not likely to be susceptible to outside contamination, says the World Health Organization.
Progress WatchDeforestation: Brazil is a success story for conservationIn key regions, private firms and governments are taking action.- In US, a decline in domestic violenceIn the two decades since the United States Congress passed the Violence Against Women Act, domestic violence has declined dramatically.
Progress WatchUN Millennium Development goals: World cuts extreme poverty in halfUN Millennium Development Goals report shows how 'bold targeting' has reduced the gap between boys and girls attending primary school, malaria mortality, and the number of people living without improved water sources.
Progress WatchObesity among young children fell 43 percent in past decade, CDC saysChanges to a federal nutrition program and Michelle Obama's nutrition and exercise campaign may have played a role in the dramatic decline in early-childhood obesity, some say.
Antismoking crusade has saved 8 million lives in 50 years, study saysThe surgeon general first warned of the dangers of smoking 50 years ago this month. The antismoking campaign that grew from that report has added 157 million years to lives that would otherwise have been cut short, a study says.
Progress WatchPoland takes top honors for 'most improved' in cutting red tapeIt's getting easier to do business in many countries, according to a World Bank report, with Eastern Europe and Central Asia making significant strides this year.
Progress WatchNeither heat nor gloom ... Afghan post office deliversAs the Afghan government struggles to develop, the post office has quietly managed to become one of the nation's most efficient institutions - and with extremely limited international assistance.
Progress WatchGot broadband? Access now extends to 94 percent of Americans.Every year, Internet access via broadband becomes available to millions more Americans, up from 92 percent last year to 94 percent, a recent report shows. Rural and tribal areas are the outliers.
Progress WatchKids Count report: America's children are advancing despite the economyThe widely-watched Kids Count annual survey on the state of America's children shows gains in health and education despite the poor economy. But advocates say raised poverty rates merit more attention from lawmakers.
Progress WatchUS violent crime rate down for fifth straight yearAlthough crime historically spikes during hard economic times, the US is currently bucking that trend. Both the national violent crime rate and murder rate were down in 2011, reports the FBI.
Progress WatchAs Europe peers into economic chasm, Africa's economy is risingReports by the African Development Bank, World Bank, and McKinsey show how Africa continues to offer a bright spot in the global economy.
Progress WatchIn Saudi Arabia, a quiet tide of reformDeclining the revolutionary model that Egypt established in overthrowing Mubarak, Saudi reformers are working for a shift in mind-sets as well as policies – and making headway.- Progress WatchSaudi girls find freedom in cleatsA high-energy evening soccer game between two girls' teams is part of a growing female sports movement in conservative Saudi Arabia.
Progress WatchWhy teen driving deaths have tumbled to historic lowsTraffic fatalities are hitting record lows for all drivers, but the drop among teen drivers is especially important, given that traffic accidents are the leading cause of death for teens.
Progress WatchUS air pollution hits 10-year low, report findsA report by the American Lung Association finds that air pollution has fallen to its lowest levels since the group began collecting data in 2000. The ALA credits the Clean Air Act.
Progress WatchFatal accident rate for US children and teens plunges since 2000Nationwide, the rate of unintentional deaths for children and teenagers fell 30 percent between 2000 and 2009, a recent report finds. Biggest reason: fewer fatalities per capita due to auto accidents.
Progress WatchBehind the big drop in euthanasia for America's dogs and catsFido and Fluffy are far more likely to survive a stint at the animal shelter today than 40 years ago. Population control and better practices by shelters and pet owners have improved the lot of dogs and cats.
