China will open its huge FAST telescope to scientists globally
The “Sky Eye” parabolic dish is the world’s largest Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST) used for spotting pulsars and other energetic astronomical targets.
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.
Argentina makes abortion legal in landmark vote
Argentina becomes the first large Latin American country to ditch stringent antiabortion regulations in a vote expected to boost feminist movements across the predominantly Catholic region.
E.U. bans exporting unsorted plastic waste to poorer countries
The European Union’s executive branch announced new rules for plastic waste—including a ban on some exports to poorer countries—that will take effect on January 1.
St. Kitts And Nevis begins construction of Caribbean’s largest solar generation and storage system
The project consists of a fully integrated 35.7 MW solar photovoltaic system and a 14.8 MW lithium-ion battery energy storage system.
New Zealand buys enough COVID vaccine for its Pacific Islander neighbors
New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Hon Nanaia Mahuta confirmed NZD $75 million of assistancehad been earmarked to support Pacific and global vaccine access and roll-out.
E.U. approves world’s largest green stimulus
EU lawmakers agreed to provide a €672 billion recovery fund boost for the EU economy. 37% of the funding has to go to projects that help the climate.
Bhutan Parliament votes to decriminalize homosexuality
Sixty-three of the 69 members of the Bhutan Parliament voted in favor of making gay sex legal; the other six were absent.
France to become the first country to label electronics with repairability tags
France is reported to begin rolling out ‘repairability tags’ on devices from January 2021, with some other European countries following suit after that.
Canadian government commits over $3 billion for nature-based climate solutions
The government has proposed providing up to $3.16 billion to partner with provinces, territories, NGOs, Indigenous communities, and more to plant two billion trees.
E.U. leaders agree to cut emissions by 55% of 1990 levels by 2030
The deal was reached after the EU agreed on a $2.2 trillion budget Thursday evening that includes funds for transitioning away from fossil fuels.