A historic number of LGBTQ candidates in the U.S won their elections this year
According to the LGBTQ Victory Fund, a record of at least 340 out LGBTQ people won – beating 2020’s record of 336 for the most in US history.
Today (2017 C.E. - 2025 C.E.)
Israel and Jordan agree to team up to save Jordan River
The agreement, struck at COP27 in Egypt, where world leaders are discussing how to mitigate the climate crisis, marks an important, albeit initial, step in cooperation.
After 14 years of advocacy, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s president signs new Indigenous peoples law
The country’s Indigenous pygmy people are now legally recognized as a distinct people with rights and must consent before the government and industries can exploit their land.
Indonesia seals $20 billion deal with G7 to speed up clean energy transition
Under the partnership, Indonesia will aim to cap its emissions from the power sector by 2030, faster than the initial target of 2037, and to generate 34% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030.
Mormon church endorses U.S. federal marriage equality bill
The 17-million-member Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints now supports a bill that codifies the recognition of same-sex marriages performed in any state by other states and the federal government.
Experimental vaccine stops deadly drug from entering the brain
In tests performed on rats at the University of Houston, the vaccine was shown to be effective at keeping one of the deadliest street drugs from reaching the brain, while not producing any significant side effects.
Toledo City Council approves medical debt relief legislation
In a 7-5 vote, council members approved legislation to create a partnership between the city and a nonprofit group called RIP Medical Debt to relieve debt for eligible Toledo residents.
Indonesia adds sustainability to its timber legality system
In the past, the system was designed only to ensure that all timbers produced in Indonesia were from legal sources, not from illegal deforestation.
Second oil company cancels its oil and gas lease in the Alaskan Arctic
Knik Arm Services has canceled its oil and gas lease for a tract of land in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, following fierce opposition by the Indigenous Gwich’in committee and environmental groups.
UN launches satellite-based system to pinpoint global methane hot spots
The Methane Alert & Response System, part of the UN Environment Programme’s International Methane Emissions Observatory, will be the first-ever publicly available global database of methane hot spots.