Iceland is using extreme tech to harvest clean energy from volcanoes
Iceland currently runs on 100% renewable energy, making them a global leader in the fight against climate change.
Nations
This archive collects milestones and progress stories involving nations — countries and their governments — acting to improve lives, protect rights, or address shared challenges. From policy breakthroughs to international cooperation, these stories show what countries are doing right.
New law gives Indian mothers 26 weeks of paid maternity leave
India passed a law to more than double its paid maternity leave, adding 14 weeks to the 12 already guaranteed by the government, reports the BBC.
Life expectancy improves for blacks in the U.S., and the racial gap is closing, CDC reports
African Americans have made significant gains in life expectancy, and the mortality gap between white and black Americans has been cut in half since 1999.
The United Nations just launched its first large-scale ethereum test to send funds to refugees
For the next month, cryptographically unique coupons representing an undisclosed number of Jordanian dinars will be sent to dozens of shops in five refugee camps across the nation.
E.U. mounts legal challenge over Hungary’s record on democracy
The European Union has launched a legal action against Hungary in a deliberate swipe at a country that stands accused by many in Brussels of backsliding on its commitments to democracy.
U.K. launches first research programme on greenhouse gas removal
The U.K. has launched a £8.6 million national research programme to investigate how to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, the first of its kind.
U.K. achieves first coal-free day since Industrial Revolution
According to the National Grid, the U.K. did not use coal to generate electricity for a full day on Friday 21 April, the first time since the Industrial Revolution.
20,000 schools to install rooftop solar in Pakistan
The government of Pakistan’s second largest province, Punjab, has affirmed its commitment to the installation of rooftop solar power systems on around 20,000 schools.
Japan has officially recognized a same-sex couple as foster parents
Japan has officially recognised a same-sex couple as foster parents, marking a first for the country and signalling a growing recognition of LGBTQ rights in Japan.
FDA approves first treatment for severe type of multiple sclerosis
“We’ve been banging on a wall with a bunch of drugs, and we finally put a big crack in the wall,” said Dr. Jerry Wolinsky.