We’re wrapping up the week at Squirrel News talking about a series of major peace deals set to end decades of conflict, a mammoth island restoration project taking place in New Zealand, and a video game pilot that spots the early signs of neurodegenerative disease.
Damascus and Kurdish-led SDF sign historic peace deal
The peace agreement and corresponding ceasefire deal between the government in Damascus and Syria’s Kurds hopes to bring an end to hostilities and grants first-time rights to the marginalised minority.
Armenia and Azerbaijan agree on treaty aiming to end decades of conflict
The two post-Soviet countries have engaged in a series of wars since the late 1980s – but a sudden breakthrough has seen both governments agree to the text of a peace agreement to draw a line over hostilities.
New Zealand is set to carry out its biggest island restoration project ever
The initiative teams up the New Zealand government, MÄori and Moriori Indigenous communities, and a variety of local organisations to remove invasive species and restore native wildlife.
Oregon law currently lets 17-year-olds marry, despite being unable to vote or purchase tobacco or alcohol products. Between 2000 and 2021, approximately 3,600 minors were married in Oregon. While child marriage is still legal in 37 states, Oregon joins 13 states with laws banning minors from getting married.
A Black-led church is turning underused land into affordable housing
The Virginia-based church plans to construct 192 apartments and 40 townhomes, working with community groups to develop a housing plan that meets the church’s financial goals while keeping rent costs low.
New video game could detect symptoms of Alzheimer’s and dementia early
The Mind Guardian uses both traditional medical tests and artificial intelligence to determine whether or not a player is showing signs of neurodegeneration.
The deaf scientists rewilding British Sign Language
A team of researchers and educators with hearing loss has created more than 400 British Sign Language signs related to environmental science, helping to make discussions about climate protection more inclusive.
The global projects fishing plastic from the oceans
Millions of tonnes of waste are washed out to sea every year, but a growing number of initiatives across the world are hoping to make a dent in the problem.
A Denver barbershop opens its doors for people leaving prison
R&R Head Labs’ aims are twofold: to educate customers on the potential of an often dismissed population, as well as to give the formerly incarcerated a fresh start.
Prison-based programme interrupts the cycle of violence
As part of a curriculum grounded in principles of restorative justice, The California Institution for Men connects survivors with those who have caused harm.
