In today’s edition, we’re covering a new agreement among WHO member states on preventing and managing future pandemics, Nepal’s push for electric vehicles and cleaner air, and a sharp decline in disposable vape use in the UK as a nationwide ban approaches.
Elizabeth Jacyshyn-Owen
Happiness grows with basic income, first national park city in North America, mental health programme for farmers
We’re closing the week talking about the results of a long-term study that shows just how universal basic income improves the happiness levels of recipients, a win for the National Park City movement in the USA, and a new mental health treatment model supporting hard-to-reach farmers.
EU countries test social prescribing, Thailand bans smacking of minors, Afghanistan’s secret schools for girls
We’re wrapping up the week at Squirrel News talking about 22 healthcare and research institutes across Europe trialling prescribing social activities to improve health, Thailand’s new law banning the corporal punishment of minors, and the clandestine movement helping girls continue their education in Afghanistan despite Taliban restrictions.
26 stories on progress and solutions from March 2025
With March drawing to a close, it’s the perfect time for our monthly roundup! Our editors have hand-picked the stories that caught their attention over the past four weeks: from historic peace deals and increased protections for Indigenous groups to medical breakthroughs and environmental wins, there’s a lot to cover in today’s edition.
Landmark territory protects uncontacted tribes, towns give away free chickens, better health through storytelling
We’re closing the week talking about Colombia’s decision to create a first-of-its-kind protected area for isolated Indigenous groups, the European towns tackling food waste by giving away chickens, and the Brooklyn nonprofit that shows how storytelling can improve seniors’ survival rates.
Paris votes to pedestrianise 500 streets, Black-owned alternatives to Amazon, the towns that invent their own money
Today at Squirrel News, we’re talking about a successful referendum to pedestrianise 500 more streets in Paris, an ethical marketplace highlighting Black-owned businesses, and the microcurrencies keeping money in local communities.
