The Ivory Coast is building a wall to protect nature reserve from pollution
Though the Banco National Park provides valuable ecosystem services to the city, the park has been suffering from pollution and illegal tree felling in recent years.
Nations
German lawmakers approve minimum wage increase
Some 6.2 million workers in Germany are set to benefit from a minimum wage increase to to €12 ($12.90) per hour – an increase of €2.18 per hour effective on October 1.
In historic shift, far fewer teens face adult U.S. courts
Data reported to the FBI each year by thousands of police departments across the country shows the percentage of youths taken into custody who were referred to adult courts dropped from 8% in 2010 to 2% in 2019.
Finland is the first country to pass a legally binding carbon negativity act
Finland’s parliament recently passed a new Climate Change Act which legally binds it to its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2035 and negative emissions by 2040.
Vietnam develops ‘world’s first’ African swine fever vaccine for commercial use
African swine fever, one of the most devastating livestock diseases, was first detected in Vietnam in February 2019 and forced the country to cull around 20% of its hog herd last year.
Germany returns stolen colonial treasures to Namibia
The decision is part of reparations for a period of colonial rule during which Germany committed a genocide against the Namibian people.
Morocco extends paid paternity leave
The new measure aims to offer Morocco’s working-class a paid parental leave of 15 days, up from the current three-day leave.
Switzerland votes for default organ donations to save more lives in the country
Under this new ‘presumed consent’ model, people who do not wish to become organ donors after death must explicitly say so.
New Zealand passes landmark climate legislation, helping switch to EVs
One of the boldest and biggest parts of the plan will support lower- and middle-income families’ transition to electric vehicles and low-emission transportation options.
Global population of one-horned rhino soars due to conservation efforts in India
The International Rhino Foundation announced the milestone, reporting that the population now numbers 4,014 individuals—up from just 100 individuals 50 years ago.