Estonia’s parliament approves same-sex marriage

#1

Estonia’s parliament approves same-sex marriage

It’s the first central European country to do so. It is a rebuke to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has invoked the West’s “moral degeneracy” as one justification for his war against Ukraine.

#2

Indonesia to cut tuna harvest in bid for more sustainable fishery

Indonesia will reduce its overall tuna catch by 10% over the course of three years, citing unsustainable current levels of fishing.

#3

California Supreme Court repeals decades of rulings shielding police from lawsuits

State law does not provide “a sweeping immunity for any and all acts police officers may perform within the scope of their employment,” Justice Leondra Kruger said in the 7-0 ruling.

#4

EU requires smartphones to have user-replaceable batteries by 2027

For “portable batteries” used in devices such as smartphones, tablets, and cameras, consumers must be able to “easily remove and replace them,” reducing costs for consumers and reducing e-waste.

#5

Blue whales return to California at levels not seen since before the whaling industry

The current estimates suggest that as many as 2,000 blue whales travel up from Mexico to Southern California waters every year, a large chunk of a global population that may be topping 25,000.

#6

More than half the population of India supports same-sex marriage

Same-sex marriage in India is not currently legal and queer couples in the country are only afforded certain rights if they live together as a cohabitating couple.

#7

First-of-its-kind study reveals how psilocybin helps treat alcohol dependence

“Participants reported that the psilocybin treatment helped them process emotions related to painful past events and helped promote states of self-compassion, self-awareness, and feelings of interconnectedness,” the authors wrote.

#8

Spain to get majority of electricity from renewable energy in 2023 for first time ever

Spain will become the first of Europe’s five highest energy-consuming countries to pass this symbolic 50% marker.

#9

Germany hands back centuries-old masks to Colombia

The wooden objects are highly revered by the country’s Indigenous Kogi mountain people, and their return is the latest in a string of cultural restitutions by Germany and other European nations.

#10

Microparticle therapy reverses MS in 100% of mice, cures one third

The finding has the potential to lead to new treatments for not only multiple sclerosis but other autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes.

Remember

The country’s landmark registered partnerships gave those in same-sex relationships most rights of married heterosexuals, but not the right to adopt or obtain joint custody of a child.

Imagine

In 2001, The Netherlands became the world’s first country to legalize same-sex marriage. Decades later, following significant cultural change in former Soviet bloc, the entire continent had followed suit.

Raising Wholeness

Raising Wholeness is a U.S.-based organization that offers classes and coaching to help educate parents on raising their children with practices that help them embody their own wholeness in order to role model and nurture the fullest potential in their children.

Survey results

Last week, I ran a poll to see whether you all find significant value in the longer form good news article I usually begin this newsletter with. The results were as follows…

37% said they prefer short stories/headlines only
33% said they love longer stories
30% said they had no preference

Because of that, I’m going to take a pause on the longer stories, at least for now. This is mostly just about giving myself a little less to do and making life more spacious. My plate has been filling up with clients and other opportunities lately. So I’ve been feeling more and more stretched to get it all done every week. Writing these articles isn’t necessarily something that gives me a huge spark, but I was curious to what degree it offered you all something significant. Now that it seems clear that these longer articles aren’t totally vital to most of you, this feels like a little gift to myself to make things more easeful and spacious.

Is there something in your life you can unburden yourself of? What might be one responsibility you can let go of to make your daily existence a little more easeful and spacious?

Peter Schulte

Purpose & Leadership Coach

Founder & Executive Director, Spark of Genius

Bellingham, WA USA / Lummi & Nooksack lands

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