In today’s edition, we’re talking about Kenya’s rising access to electricity, Maryland hitting a big conservation goal six years ahead of schedule, and North Dakota’s new tribal national park preserving the scenic landscape.
Kenya on track to hit full electricity access by 2030
Access to electricity in the country rose from just 37% in 2013 to 79% in 2023, with urban areas seeing full access. The rise in universal access coincides with a shift towards clean energy tech, according to the International Energy Agency’s latest review.
Maryland becomes first US state to meet “30 by 30” conservation goal
Six years earlier than planned, the small state has managed to put in place permanent protections on almost 1.9 million acres of land. This saves it from development, and includes forests, farms, and coastal areas essential for wildlife, carbon storage, and clean water.
New tribal national park is designated in North Dakota
The Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation have established the Three Affiliated Tribes National Park, thanks to the purchase of 2,100 acres of a former ranch. Tribal Chairman Mark Fox said the aim of the park is to encourage recreational activities such as canoeing, kayaking and viewing wildlife.
Czech Republic now fully independent of Russian oil for the first time
With upgrades on the TAL pipeline from the west completed, government officials announced an end to the Czech Republic’s dependence on Russian oil supplies. Russia has provided the country with roughly half of oil imports for decades.
Scientists use live human brain tissue to speed up hunt for dementia cure
In a world first, a British team successfully exposed healthy brain tissue from living NHS patients to a toxic form of a protein linked to Alzheimer’s, taken from patients who died from the disease. The move offers an opportunity to see dementia developing in human brain cells.
More than 90% of schools in England ban mobile phone use, survey shows
The national survey, ordered by Rachel de Souza, the children’s commissioner for England, showed that headteachers have swiftly instituted bans on smartphone use during school hours. The survey of more than 15,000 schools found that 99.8% of primary schools and 90% of secondary schools have some form of ban.
California start-up finds a way to make butter equivalent sustainably from air
Scientists at Savor have developed a process combining carbon dioxide extracted from air and green hydrogen from water to form the building blocks of specific fats. The “butter” they make from this not only tastes just like the real thing, it is already being baked into croissants at a bakery in Berkeley.
Across Jordan, the proportion of women in paid work is among the lowest in the world, largely due to social and cultural norms. Entering the workforce is already a challenge for many, but a growing number of women are now breaking into a field traditionally dominated by men.
For the last quarter century, Somalia has been devastated by violent conflict, but a football team comprised exclusively of athletes who have lost limbs is helping amputees create a sense of community.
