Scotland joins growing global movement towards a four-day workweek
Scotland plans to launch a trial four-day workweek. Workers will have their hours reduced by 20%, but won’t suffer any loss in compensation.
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.
Arizona abolishes peremptory challenges to improve juror diversity
As reported by Vox, this practice leads to the disproportionate dismissal of jurors of color, and “multiple studies suggest that peremptory strikes play a major role in producing juries that are whiter than the population as a whole.”
Four tuna species recovering after decade of fishing quotas
In IUCN’s Red List update, the seven most commercially fished tuna species were reassessed. Four moved in a positive direction thanks to countries enforcing more sustainable fishing quotas and successfully combatting illegal fishing.
Charlotte, NC launches peer-run alternative to psychiatric hospitalization
The facility is entirely run by those who have experienced mental illness, psychiatric hospitalizations, homelessness, incarceration, or substance use. It is designed to be an alternative for those who are without physical injury who would otherwise be admitted to a psychiatric facility by an emergency room.
Bryan Ruby becomes the first active professional baseball player to come out as gay
“I want to help create a world where future generations of baseball players don’t have to sacrifice authenticity or who they really are to play the game they love,” said Bryan Ruby of the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes.
China steps in to regulate brutal ‘996’ work culture
Many workers in China currently work more than 300 hours a month, far exceeding legal limits. Now, the Chinese government is stepping in to curb these abusive practices.
Walgreens becomes newest member of the $15 an hour club
The $15 increase, which applies to both full- and part-time workers, will be phased in and completed by November 2022.
Serbia foregoes lengthy, costly permits for rooftop solar panels
The Serbian government has completely flipped on solar permitting, going from extremely difficult to unbeaten ease and convenience, promising to accelerate the uptake of renewable energy in the country,
European bank Intesa commits to exclude Amazon oil from headwaters region of Ecuador and Peru
Intesa’s exclusion covers all financial products and services, as well as advisory services, and applies to projects and companies involved in exploration, production, and pipeline transport of Amazon oil.
China bans written exams for six- and seven-year-olds as it retools education system
Beijing on Monday banned written exams for six- and seven-year-olds, as part of sweeping education reforms aimed at relieving pressure on pupils and parents in China’s hyper-competitive school system.