Weekly successes highlighted: Mexico reduces poverty, more positive developments detailed
Mexico has seen a significant decrease in poverty rates since 2018, with over 13 million people lifted out of poverty. The drop in poverty is attributed to the policies of former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who has been President since December 2018 and introduced various social programs aimed at poverty alleviation. The number of Mexicans living in poverty fell from 51.9 million in 2018 to 38.5 million.
In the realm of transportation, electric vehicles (EVs) are gaining traction, particularly in western Europe. It is predicted that EVs will account for every fifth new car entering western European roads during 2025. This surge in EV adoption can be partly attributed to the arrival of lower cost models, making electric vehicles more accessible to motorists. However, it's important to note that while EVs produce no tailpipe emissions, they have an environmental footprint of their own to contend with, and contribute just as much to congestion.
The UK has also seen a boom in the literature sector. The chain Waterstones has pledged to open 10 new shops per year. Meanwhile, Denmark, known for its love for literature, is planning to abolish its book tax to combat a reported decline of reading among young Danes.
In Scotland, a remarkable event occurred with the birth of Princeling, the first translocated eagle chick born in southern Scotland. This is significant as work is ongoing to revive eagle habitats amid dwindling numbers.
The energy sector is undergoing a transformation as well. More than 16.1GW of new renewable energy capacity was given the go-ahead during the three-month period, a 195% rise on the same quarter last year. This shift towards cleaner energy is a flagship policy of the new Labour government, which pledged to decarbonise the electricity grid by 2030.
In healthcare, access has deteriorated for many Mexicans, and improvements in living standards have been mainly in the north. A positive development, however, is that people who get hearing aids in their 60s to combat early stage hearing loss could slash their risk of developing dementia compared to those who don't, according to a new US study.
In education, almost one fifth of boys in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland achieved at least a grade 7 (A) in their GCSE results, the closest the gender gap has been since 2000.
Lastly, scientists claim to have developed a new 'superfood' supplement that could halt the rapid decline of UK honeybees. The prototype of the solar-powered blanket, designed by a Scottish schoolgirl named Rebecca Young, is being trialled by a Glasgow-based charity supporting rough sleepers.
Time magazine recognised Rebecca Young as one of its Girls of the Year for her design of a solar-powered blanket for homeless people. Other Girls of the Year include Rutendo Shadaya, Coco Yoshizawa, Valerie Chiu, Zoé Clauzure, Clara Proksch, Ivanna Richards, Kornelia Wieczorek, Defne Özcan, and Naomi DeBerry.
Green groups advocate for fewer cars on the roads, electric or otherwise, to combat congestion and reduce emissions. Denmark has the world's highest book tax at 25%, but is planning to abolish it to encourage reading among the younger generation.
These developments highlight a global shift towards sustainability, innovation, and social responsibility. As we move forward, it will be interesting to see how these trends continue to evolve.
