Major French dictionary adds non-binary pronouns for the first time
An entry for iel and iels was added to the dictionary Le Robert that says: “Third person subject personal pronoun – singular and plural – used to refer to a person of any gender.”
Today (2017 C.E. - 2025 C.E.)
This archive spans the years 2017 through 2025, a period marked by rapid advances in clean energy, medicine, technology, and social equity. It collects documented breakthroughs, policy wins, and scientific achievements from the present era. If you want evidence that progress is real and ongoing, this is where to look.
U.S. Education Department announces $2 billion of student loans will be cancelled within weeks
Borrowers who are pursuing public service student loan forgiveness will be able to count previously ineligible student loan payments, get credit for late student loan payments that were late, and more.
India greatly enhances solar module manufacturing incentive
India has increased its incentive package for solar module manufacturing by a factor of 5, to $3 billion. This scheme is part of India’s efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in renewable power equipment.
Pfizer to allow developing nations to make its treatment pill
U.S. drug company Pfizer will allow its experimental Covid-19 treatment pill to be made and sold in 95 developing nations. The deal could make the treatment available to 53% of the world’s population.
Brian Michael Smith becomes the first trans man to be named one of People’s Sexiest Men Alive
In 2019, he became the first out Black transgender man cast in a regular role on a network series with 911: Lone Star.
American Psychological Association apologizes for role in promoting and perpetuating racism in U.S.
The APA passed two other resolutions: one on what the APA and the field of psychology must do to dismantle racism, and another committing to eradicating inequality in health and healthcare.
Ecuador will expand the marine reserve encircling the Galápagos Islands
The current Galápagos Marine Reserve covers 133,000 square kilometers. The extension protects an additional 60,000 km2, protecting an important migration route for hammerhead sharks and leatherback turtles.
Facebook to stop targeting ads based on race, sexual orientation, and politics
Facebook said it decided to make these changes to “address feedback from civil rights experts, policymakers, and other stakeholders on the importance of preventing advertisers from abusing the targeting options we make available.”
Indian state of Andhra Pradesh to buy 7 GW of solar power
The state will enter perhaps the largest solar power purchase agreement with the Solar Corporation of India. Utilities will supply the power to over 1.8 million farmers for nine hours a day for free.
World’s first wind turbine designed to harness typhoon energy erected in The Philippines
The Japan-based Challenergy’s “Magnus Wind Turbine” features vertical blades spinning around a horizontal axis rather than the long blades spinning from a vertical axis in normal wind turbines.