what's right

Air pollution has long been one of Europe’s biggest environmental and public health challenges. But after decades of stricter regulations, cleaner technologies and coordinated action, the continent is seeing measurable progress. A new report from the European Environment Agency shows that emissions of major air pollutants continue to decline across Europe. Since 2015, emissions of harmful pollutants such as sulphur oxides and nitrogen oxides have fallen by around 3% to 5% each year, thanks largely to cleaner vehicles, tighter industrial standards and a gradual transition towards cleaner energy. The improvements are having real benefits. Cleaner air means fewer cases of asthma […]

Great schools don’t always have the biggest budgets or the newest buildings. Sometimes, they simply have the biggest impact on their communities. That’s why the Institución Educativa Distrital Gerardo Paredes, a public school in Bogotá, has been named one of the Top 10 finalists in the World’s Best School Prizes 2026, in the category of Supporting Healthy Lives. Chosen from thousands of applications around the globe, the school is now competing alongside institutions from countries including India, Brazil, Australia and the United Kingdom. The recognition reflects an educational model that goes far beyond academic results. Located in a community facing

For much of the 20th century, humpback whales were hunted to the brink of extinction. Today, thanks to decades of conservation, one of nature’s most spectacular recovery stories is unfolding just off the coast of Rio de Janeiro. Sightings of humpback whales in Rio have surged in recent years as the South Atlantic population continues its remarkable recovery. Scientists estimate that the population has grown from around 2,000 whales in the early 1980s to approximately 35,000 today—bringing it close to its pre-whaling numbers. It’s a dramatic turnaround made possible by international protections introduced after commercial whaling was halted in the

Sometimes, progress is measured not by grand technological breakthroughs, but by how we choose to treat the most vulnerable living creatures. Scotland has become the first nation in the United Kingdom to bring into force a near-total ban on glue traps, one of the most controversial methods of rodent control. The new law makes it illegal for members of the public, businesses and pest controllers to use glue traps except under very limited licence exemptions, reserved for situations where there is a serious threat to public health or safety and no humane alternative is available. Glue traps work by immobilising

Sometimes, protecting the future begins by restoring the past. California has approved the return of 136 acres of rugged coastline in Mendocino County to the Indigenous nations whose ancestors cared for the land for thousands of years. The transfer of Blues Beach and the surrounding coastal bluffs marks the first time land managed by the California Department of Transportation has been returned to Indigenous tribes, representing a historic milestone in the state’s growing “Land Back” movement. The land will be transferred to Kai Poma, a nonprofit created by representatives of the Sherwood Valley Band of Pomo Indians, the Round Valley

Some of the best ideas don’t come from governments or global organisations. Sometimes, they begin as a university assignment. That’s exactly what happened in Nevada, where occupational therapy student Sara Gudiel created a six-week life skills programme to help teenagers and adults with Down syndrome navigate the transition to independent adult life. What started as a class project has now become a national programme that will be rolled out at all 62 Gigi’s Playhouse centres across the United States and Mexico. The programme focuses on practical everyday skills that many people take for granted: preparing healthy meals, personal care, communication,

Some acts of kindness last for a day. Others last for decades. For the past 30 years, teams of Japanese volunteer doctors, nurses, dentists and pharmacists have travelled regularly to rural communities in Vietnam, providing free medical care to people who would otherwise struggle to access it. What began as a small humanitarian initiative has grown into one of the longest-running international volunteer medical missions in the region. Since the programme began in 1995, more than 17,000 Japanese medical professionals and volunteers have participated in the missions. Together, they have provided free consultations, surgeries, dental care, medication and health education

For billions of people around the world, access to clean drinking water is becoming one of the defining challenges of our time. Climate change, population growth, and prolonged droughts are placing enormous pressure on freshwater supplies. But a new breakthrough from China offers hope that one of the world’s most abundant resources—seawater—could become far more accessible. Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Shenzhen University have developed a new solar-powered desalination technology that converts seawater into safe drinking water using only sunlight. The system requires no electricity from the grid and successfully operated outdoors for an entire year, demonstrating

When we think of the shift to renewable energy, we often picture governments launching billion-dollar programmes or introducing generous subsidies. But one of the world’s fastest solar revolutions happened in a completely different way. Over the past three years, Pakistan has quietly become one of the world’s biggest importers of solar panels. In 2025 alone, it imported more Chinese solar panels than almost any other country, despite having no major national subsidy programme, no nationwide rooftop initiative, and no generous feed-in tariffs. Millions of households, farmers and businesses simply decided that installing solar panels made economic sense. The numbers are

As countries search for smarter ways to accelerate the clean energy transition, Australia has come up with an idea that’s both simple and practical: give people free electricity when there’s an abundance of solar power. EnergyAustralia has launched a new initiative called Solar Sharer, offering eligible households three hours of free electricity every day between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. That’s the time when rooftop solar panels and large solar farms are producing more electricity than the grid often needs. Rather than letting that surplus go to waste, the programme encourages people to shift energy-intensive activities to the middle of

When people think about environmental news, it’s often stories of deforestation and habitat loss. But in Italy, the trend is moving in the opposite direction. For the first time since the Middle Ages, forests now cover more than one-third of Italy’s land, surpassing 100,000 square kilometres. Even more remarkably, since 2020, forests have overtaken agricultural land in total area, making Italy more forested than it has been in centuries. The expansion brings important environmental benefits. Forests absorb carbon dioxide, help regulate water supplies, protect soils from erosion, reduce the risk of landslides, and provide habitat for countless species of plants

At a time when schools around the world are racing to integrate artificial intelligence into classrooms, Norway is taking a different approach. The country has announced a near-total ban on the use of generative AI tools in elementary schools, arguing that young children need to master the basics before relying on powerful digital assistants. Under the new rules, children aged six to thirteen will generally not be allowed to use AI tools in school. Students aged fourteen to sixteen may use them only under teacher supervision, while older teenagers will be taught how to use AI responsibly as preparation for

Colombia is on the verge of making history. The country’s Congress has unanimously approved Latin America’s first nationwide law banning female genital mutilation (FGM), a practice recognized internationally as a violation of human rights. The bill now awaits the signature of President Gustavo Petro. The significance of this moment extends far beyond Colombia’s borders. For many people, FGM is often associated with parts of Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. But the new legislation formally acknowledges that the practice also exists in Latin America, particularly within some remote Indigenous Embera communities in western Colombia. By addressing the issue openly, Colombia

Progress doesn’t always happen overnight. Sometimes it arrives through years of advocacy, court cases, and citizens refusing to give up on equal treatment under the law. That’s why a recent decision by Nepal’s Supreme Court is being celebrated by LGBTQ+ advocates across Asia and beyond. The court has ruled in favour of marriage equality, strengthening legal recognition for same-sex couples and reinforcing the principle that all citizens deserve equal protection and dignity. The ruling builds on nearly two decades of progress in Nepal. In 2007, the country’s Supreme Court became one of the first in South Asia to recognize the

Some of the most powerful good news stories don’t involve a new breakthrough — they show a breakthrough delivering real-world results. This week, researchers reported that young women in England who received the HPV vaccine now have a risk of dying from cervical cancer that is described as “close to zero.” In fact, among women who were offered the vaccine at ages 12 to 13, researchers found no recorded deaths from cervical cancer during the study period. The HPV vaccine was introduced to protect against the human papillomavirus, a common infection that causes the vast majority of cervical cancer cases.

In an age of smartphones, streaming platforms, and endless digital distractions, there is some encouraging news from the world of education: more children and teenagers are enjoying reading again. New research in the United Kingdom has found the first significant increase in reading enjoyment among young people in five years. After a prolonged decline, the number of children who say they enjoy reading in their free time has started to rise, offering a hopeful sign for educators, parents, and literacy advocates. Why does this matter? Because reading for pleasure is one of the strongest predictors of educational success, vocabulary development,

For decades, Mexican workers have put in some of the longest working hours in the developed world. Now, the country is undertaking one of the most ambitious labor reforms in its modern history — a change that aims to improve quality of life for millions of people without reducing their pay. The reform gradually reduces the standard workweek from 48 hours to 40 hours between 2027 and 2030. Importantly, the new constitutional and labor law changes explicitly prohibit employers from reducing wages or benefits as working hours decrease. In other words, workers will gain more free time while keeping the

One of the most encouraging stories from Europe this month isn’t about a new law or a scientific breakthrough. It’s about something equally important: institutions responding when citizens raise concerns about transparency, environmental protection, and the public interest. In Albania, anti-corruption prosecutors have frozen assets linked to a company involved in a controversial luxury resort project on a protected stretch of coastline. The action comes as authorities investigate allegations related to property titles connected to the development and follows weeks of growing public scrutiny. What makes this story noteworthy is not the controversy itself, but the way democratic checks and

One of the biggest public health success stories of the past half-century just reached a remarkable milestone. According to new survey data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only 9% of American adults now smoke cigarettes. That’s roughly one in eleven adults and marks the lowest smoking rate ever recorded in the country. It’s also the first time the adult smoking rate has fallen so far into the single digits. To understand how dramatic that change is, consider this: in the mid-1960s, around 42% of American adults smoked. Nearly half the population regularly used cigarettes. Today, that

As artificial intelligence and cloud computing continue to expand, communities across the world are facing a growing question: who should pay for the massive infrastructure needed to power huge data centers? This week, Tennessee offered a clear answer. A newly enacted law requires data center owners to cover the full cost of the electrical infrastructure and grid upgrades needed to support their facilities, rather than passing those expenses on to ordinary households and businesses. The legislation also prevents utilities and local governments from absorbing those costs on behalf of data center operators. The issue has become increasingly important as modern

One of the most encouraging medical stories of the year comes from an international cancer trial that is giving new hope to patients who had run out of treatment options. Researchers have been testing a cancer injection called amivantamab on patients with advanced head and neck cancers that had either returned or stopped responding to both chemotherapy and immunotherapy. These are among the most difficult cases doctors face, where treatment options are often extremely limited. Yet the results have exceeded expectations. In a trial involving 102 patients across 11 countries, tumours shrank or disappeared completely in 43 patients. Most remarkably,

Thousands of people in Hungary are preparing to celebrate a moment that many thought would take years to achieve. Hungarian police have officially approved the 2026 Budapest Pride parade, allowing the event to proceed legally after a period of intense political and legal battles over freedom of assembly and LGBTQ+ rights. The decision marks a significant shift from the previous year, when authorities attempted to prevent the event from taking place. Rather than disappearing, however, the movement grew stronger. Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets of Budapest in a remarkable display of solidarity, attracting support from civil

Australia has established a major national park to protect endangered koalas, linking forest habitats and supporting wildlife conservation efforts along the New South Wales coast.

A local tax on large corporations has generated nearly €880 million for climate projects in Portland.

A new Australian study is adding serious weight to the growing global movement for the four-day work week. Researchers followed dozens of companies that reduced working hours without cutting salaries, and the results were striking: employees reported lower stress levels, better sleep, improved mental health, and a stronger sense of balance between work and personal life. But the benefits did not stop there. Businesses also saw positive outcomes, including improved productivity, higher employee engagement, and reduced burnout. Rather than harming performance, shorter work weeks appeared to help workers stay more focused and motivated during their time on the job. The

In a significant pushback against the expansion of surveillance technology, London Mayor Sadiq Khan has intervened to stop the city’s police force from moving forward with a controversial data deal involving Palantir Technologies. The proposed agreement would have allowed the Metropolitan Police to expand its use of Palantir’s powerful data-analysis systems — technology often associated with predictive policing, mass data integration, and large-scale surveillance operations. Critics, including civil liberties groups and privacy advocates, warned that the deal raised major concerns about transparency, accountability, and the growing role of private tech companies in policing. Why is Palantir controversial? The company has

For years, PFAS chemicals — often called “forever chemicals” — have been one of the most worrying forms of pollution on Earth. They’re used in everything from non-stick cookware to waterproof clothing and industrial products, and they’re notorious because they don’t naturally break down in the environment. These chemicals have now been detected in rivers, drinking water, wildlife, and even human blood across the planet. Researchers have linked some PFAS compounds to cancers, immune system problems, fertility issues, and developmental disorders. But now scientists are making real progress toward solving the problem rather than simply monitoring it. Researchers studying contamination

In a first-of-its-kind move, the state of Minnesota has passed a law banning online prediction markets such as Kalshi and Polymarket — platforms where people can wager money on everything from elections to sports and political events. Supporters of the ban argue that these platforms are essentially gambling disguised as financial markets, and that they create serious ethical and social risks. Critics have warned that allowing people to profit from wars, elections, disasters, or political instability can incentivize manipulation and normalize speculative betting on public life. The law, signed by Governor Tim Walz, would make operating or promoting prediction markets

Research suggests singing, painting, and museum visits may help slow biological ageing.

A study finds Chile’s extended maternity leave helped mothers remain in formal employment after childbirth.

The European Union is preparing a major new policy initiative that could significantly reduce the role of American tech giants like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google in handling sensitive government data across Europe. The proposed plan — known as the “Tech Sovereignty Package” — would limit foreign cloud providers from processing highly sensitive public-sector information such as health records, legal documents, and financial data. At the heart of the debate is a growing concern about digital sovereignty: the idea that countries should maintain control over critical infrastructure and sensitive information rather than depending heavily on a handful of foreign corporations. European

A new artificial placenta may help scientists test medication safety during pregnancy more accurately.

Scientists used AI to uncover Parkinson’s subtypes, paving the way for more personalised treatments.

Afghan women footballers regain the right to compete internationally, becoming a symbol of resilience and hope.

Etsy bans real animal fur, signaling a major shift toward more ethical fashion practices.

A 24-minute music session could help reduce anxiety, offering a simple and accessible mental health boost.

New EU rules force companies to prove eco claims, making sustainability labels more honest and trustworthy.

New research links serotonin to tinnitus, opening the door to better, more targeted treatments.

New WNBA deal boosts pay and revenue sharing, reshaping the future for players and the sport.

Up to 1,000 whales spotted in Antarctic waters, marking a strong recovery after decades of decline.

New universal plasma could speed up emergency care and reduce shortages.

South Korea guarantees basic mobile data after limits, benefiting millions and framing internet access as a communication right.

Study finds rainforests can regain over 90% biodiversity in 30 years if protected and allowed to regrow naturally.

Rhinos return to Uganda after 40 years, rebuilding a wild population following decades of poaching.

Over 10% of the ocean is now protected, marking progress toward a global 30% conservation goal.

Human urine from festivals is being turned into fertiliser to grow forests and cut waste.

Scientists reveal full 3D map of clitoral nerves, improving surgery outcomes for women.

Studies show cleaner, greener neighbourhood spaces can reduce gun violence and burglary by removing neglected areas and increasing community presence.

A historic medical milestone has been reached in the fight against Sickle Cell Disease. Doctors in New York have successfully cured patients using a revolutionary gene-editing therapy — offering hope to millions of people living with the painful condition. Sickle cell disease is caused by a genetic mutation that makes red blood cells become rigid and crescent-shaped instead of round. These distorted cells block blood vessels, leading to severe pain, organ damage, and a shortened life expectancy. The new treatment uses CRISPR Gene Editing, a powerful technique that allows scientists to precisely modify DNA. Instead of trying to manage symptoms,

From Hammerhead Shark to Cheetah, new protections under a global treaty signal progress in the fight against wildlife trafficking and species decline.

A quiet environmental transformation is happening around the world: former golf courses are being “rewilded” — turned back into thriving natural ecosystems. For decades, golf courses have taken up vast amounts of land, often requiring heavy water use, fertilizers and pesticides. But as some courses close or fall into disuse, communities are choosing a different path — restoring these landscapes to nature instead of redeveloping them. One striking example comes from Scotland, where a former golf course at the Plock of Kyle has been transformed into a rich natural area filled with wildflower meadows, wetlands and peat bogs, now home

Animal welfare groups call it a historic step as Norway’s chicken industry plans to end the use of fast-growing breeds by next year.