Humpback whales no longer endangered, Australian officials say
Australia passed an anti-whaling policy in 1979, and the Guardian reports there are now as many as 40,000 individuals alive in the wild, after reaching a low of 1,500 decades ago.
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.
Germany aims to get 100% of energy from renewable sources by 2035
Economy Minister Robert Habeck has described the accelerated capacity expansion for renewable energy as a key element in making the country less dependent on Russian fossil fuel supplies.
E.U. adopts new tolling rules in watershed moment for green trucking
By May 2023, haulers operating zero-emissions trucks — battery electric or hydrogen — must be given discounts of at least 50% on distance-based road tolls.
India’s National Medical Commission forbids conversion therapy throughout the country
Any doctor in India found engaged in LGBTQ conversion therapy is now liable to be prosecuted for professional misconduct.
Wales offers £1,600 a month to care leavers in basic income pilot
Every 18-year-old leaving care will be offered £1,600 a month for two years.
Officials said it was the highest amount offered on a basic income scheme anywhere in the world.
U.S. Federal Reserve approves rules banning its officials from trading stocks, bonds, and cryptocurrencies
The rules “aim to support public confidence in the impartiality and integrity of the Committee’s work by guarding against even the appearance of any conflict of interest,” according to the Fed.
Kuwait overturns law used to prosecute transgender people
The law had criminalized “imitation of the opposite sex”, giving Kuwaiti authorities free rein to arrest and prosecute people whose appearance did not match the gender on their official identification card.
Israel formally bans LGBTQ+ conversion therapy
While the Health Ministry has advised against conversion therapy for years, no formal prohibition had been issued against the practice until now.
Norway to add gender-neutral pronoun to official Norwegian language
The gender-neutral third-person singular counterpart to the feminine “hun” and the masculine “han” will be “hen.”
Cuba bolsters conservation efforts with new 271 square mile Marine Protected Area
The MPA will protect mangrove forests, seagrass beds and coral reefs, and boost the nation’s overall marine protected coverage to 28.5% of its marine continental shelf.