In today’s edition of Squirrel News, we’re talking about an organisation enabling former inmates to become lawyers in the US, the first active NFL player to come out as gay, and the Japanese government suggesting a healthier work-life balance through four-day working weeks.
The Formerly Incarcerated Law Students Advocacy Association (FILSAA) assists people with criminal records through free LSAT training and mentoring programmes to pass the Bar Exam.
Florida’s prisons incentivise better behaviour through a culture of respect
For those who stay clear from disciplinary reports for more than four years, the Everglades Correctional Institution offers paid education, career counseling, and more to facilitate reintegration into society.
Japanese government proposes four-day working week
In an initiative hoping to improve its work-life balance, the country known for long working hours has recommended that companies allow their employees to work four days per week instead of five.
Bank facilitates the opening of accounts for homeless people
HSBC’s No Fixed Address service has helped over 1000 homeless people to open a bank account, which would otherwise require evidence of a fixed residence.
Hollywood actors assemble to found school for low-income students
In a move to make Hollywood more inclusive, George Clooney, Kerry Washington and Don Cheadle created the Roybal School of Film and Television to facilitate young people’s entry into the entertainment industry.
Scandinavian cities move towards zero-carbon emissions in construction
Oslo, Kopenhagen and Helsinki are to invest in electrically powered vehicles, pre-assembly of buildings and capturing data of the process whilst making use of their vast renewable energy sources.
Two women lead battle against electronic waste in India
Sowete-u K. Letro and Bendangwala Walling initiated e-Circle, a movement and collection centre to reduce India’s electronic-waste which is educating people throughout the country.
Scientists hope to preserve northern white rhino through artificial fertilisation
The in vitro fertilisation technique might help to impregnate the two otherwise infertile female rhinos, as part of an conservation campaign to bring back a healthy herd of the animals.
Although close to the brink of extinction in 1995, the Kakapo’s population has increased to over 200 individuals due to a successful conservation scheme using artificial eggs and specialised breeding schedules.
