In today’s edition of Squirrel News, we’re talking about a landmark climate case filed by residents of a tiny Indonesian island, Nepal’s big win in the fight against rubella, and a stethoscope that can spot heart valve disease and abnormal rhythms within seconds.
Indonesian islanders take Swiss cement giant to court over climate damage
In the latest case of legal action against questionable environmental practices, residents of a tiny Indonesian island have filed a landmark climate case against Swiss cement multinational Holcim, arguing that their home is being swallowed by rising sea levels.
Nepal eliminates rubella as a public health problem
Thanks to the success of immunisation campaigns and various disease-surveillance programmes, the highly contagious infection is no longer considered a major health issue in the landlocked Southeast Asian country.
AI stethoscope could detect serious heart conditions in seconds
Following a study involving over 200 GP surgeries across london, researchers have found that a modern version of the 1816 stethoscope can spot heart valve disease and abnormal rhythms within a few moments, with plans to roll the device out across the UK.
Scottish trial shows that a four-day workweek offers multiple benefits
The trial found an increase in both productivity levels as well as staff satisfaction and wellbeing levels, with 98% of participants in the experiment judged morale and motivation to have improved.
South Korea bans mobile phones and smart devices in school classrooms
The law, which will come into effect as of March 2026, is the result of a bipartisan effort to reduce the impacts of smartphone addiction, as a growing body of research points to its harmful effects.
Australia to ban apps used for stalking and creating deepfake nudes
Under the reforms announced on Tuesday by the Australian government, tech platforms will be responsible for preventing access to “nudify” and undetectable online stalking tools. In recent years, Australia has introduced a series of sweeping legal reforms aimed at curbing online harm, including the world’s first ban on social media use by minors.
New data shows low fertility rates could rise by men sharing work at home
Countries where men do more housework and childcare have higher fertility rates according to research by Nobel Prize-winning economist Claudia Goldin. Studying two country groups, Goldin showed that while state-subsidised childcare helps, men’s participation at home is a bigger factor.
The Indian retreats taking the shame out of separation
Break Free Stories are divorce healing camps designed to build a community of women going through similar experiences. The two-day nature-themed retreats accommodate 15-20 women from different backgrounds to build a sense of solidarity and change ideas about toxic marriages.
HMP Barlinnie’s eight-week programme has so far involved 14 families with children aged 5-12. The weekly sessions tackle topics such as positive parenting and raising healthy kids, before the fathers are joined by their children for activities, from fitness and rough-and-tumble play to “fundamental movements” like throwing, catching and bouncing.
Senegal’s “schools for husbands” lower maternal mortality, shift gender roles
Across West Africa, men often have the final say in major household decisions, included health-related ones. A programme in Senegal is hoping to change that: respected male community members learn about “positive masculinity” in health and social issues and promote them in their communities.
