Egypt’s State Council swears-in the nation’s first female judges
Ninety-eight women were sworn in before the council’s chief judge Mohammed Hossam el-Din as the first female judges in the country’s history to join the State Council.
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.
Luxembourg first in Europe to legalize growing and using cannabis
Luxembourg legalized home cannabis cultivation in October 2021, allowing adults 18 and over to grow up to four plants at their primary residence — becoming the first country in Europe to take this step. Possession of up to three grams was downgraded from a criminal offense to a misdemeanor, with fines dropping from as much as €2,500 to as little as €25. Justice Minister Sam Tanson framed the change as harm reduction, aiming to pull everyday users out of an illegal supply chain she described as full of “misery.” The government also signaled plans to channel future revenue from regulated sales into prevention, education, and addiction care. It’s a quietly significant moment for European drug policy — a small country choosing public health over prohibition, and giving its neighbors something concrete to learn from.
India to install EV chargers every 50 kilometers of national highway by 2023
NHAI will install an EV charging station along the national highways every 50 kilometers by 2023. This is over 40,000 kilometers of highways, with a plan of almost 700 charging stations.
Barbados elects first ever president ahead of becoming republic
The government announced the plan to move to a republic status last year. It said “the time [had] come” for Barbados to “fully leave our colonial past behind”.
Biden plans for 700% increase in community solar by 2025
If the Biden Administration reaches its targets, it would result in $1 billion in energy savings. Further, clean energy would create jobs while providing cheaper and sustainable energy for Americans.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announces plans to regulate cancer-causing ‘forever chemicals’
A handful of states including New Jersey, Vermont, Michigan, and New York, have already moved to regulate the chemicals on their own while the EU has banned many of the chemicals outright.
Pakistan’s first Transgender Protection Centre opens in Islamabad
The Transgender Protection Centre would provides legal aid, basic health facilities, psychological counselling, and temporary shelter, among other services.
Bangladeshi government to become secular, reverting to 1972 Constitution
The announcement from Bangladesh’s junior information minister Murad Hassan came on a day when the country was battling a radical Islamist violence against Hindu temples and Durga Puja pandals.
Biden administration plans massive offshore wind expansion
The seven lease sales are part of Biden’s plan to generate 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy in the next nine years and could create up to 77,000 jobs.
Endangered Siberian tigers are bouncing back in China
Experts say the tigers’ reemergence in the region is largely due to Chinese national policies favoring environmental stewardship.