Thailand set to become first nation in Asia to decriminalize marijuana
Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced that the Narcotics Control Board had approved the dropping cannabis from the ministry’s list of controlled drugs.
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.
U.S. to officially recognize trans & non-binary veterans’ genders
The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) announced that gender selections on paperwork will now include the options of transgender female, transgender male, non-binary, and other.
France ends ban on gay and bisexual male blood donors
France passed its first ban on men who have sex with men donating blood in 1983, in the early years of the AIDS crisis.
Germany to dedicate 2% of its land to wind power development
If successful, the plan will add up to 10 gigawatts of new onshore wind capacity every year for the rest of the decade.
The Philippines bans child marriage
Under the new law, culpable parties can face prison terms of up to 12 years for marrying or cohabiting with anyone under the age of 18.
Israel lifts surrogacy ban for same-sex parents
The new law will also grant equal access to surrogate pregnancy for all, including single men and transgender individuals.
Canada pledges billions of dollars to compensate Indigenous children
$15.75 billion USD will be allotted to Indigenous children who were unfairly placed in the welfare system, faced delays in accessing services, or did not receive them at all.
U.K. to pardon all past convictions of consensual homosexual activity
The new amendment will pardon any conviction over homosexual activity that is no longer a crime today and that did not involve anyone under the age of 16.
Psychedelics approved for medical use in Canada
Health Canada’s change to federal regulations makes restricted drugs psilocybin and MDMA more realistic alternatives to patients suffering life-threatening mental illnesses.
Pakistan confirms appointment of first female Supreme Court judge
A commission that decides on the promotion of judges on Thursday voted to make 55-year-old Justice Ayesha Malik the first female judge on the Supreme Court in the 75 years since the South Asian country’s independence.