Sunday Summary - 21 December 2025

Are you tired of hearing about all the bad things that have been happening lately? With the ongoing war in Ukraine, the continued conflict between Israel and Palestine, and Climate Change becoming an increasing threat, it is easy to develop a pessimistic outlook on the world. Thus, we have collected some positive news of the past week. 

More than a quarter of new cars sold in 2025 are electric 

A recent analysis by the energy think tank Ember showed that in 2025, more than a quarter of new cars sold were electric. The analysis followed monthly available data from 60 countries that accounted for over 97% of global electric vehicle (EV) sales in 2024, focusing on the passenger car market. Currently, there are 39 countries where EVs account for more than 10% of new car sales, which stands in stark contrast to 4% in 2019.

The results show a clear shift in global patterns, as emerging markets are surpassing advanced economies such as those in Europe, the US, or Japan. According to Ember’s global Electricity and Data Analyst Euan Graham, “In 2025, the centre of gravity has moved. Emerging markets are no longer catching up, they are leading the shift to electric mobility.” Especially ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) emerges as a new leader in transport electrification. 

In Singapore and Vietnam, EVs accounted for 40% of sales, exceeding those in the EU and the UK, while Indonesia surpassed the US for the first time this year – with EV representing 15% of the market share. In the first quarter of 2025, Thailand sold even more EVs than Denmark, achieving a 20% share. Similar patterns are evident in Latin America, as Uruguay reaches a 27% share of  EVs, approximately aligned with the EU. Mexico and Brazil demonstrate consistent growth and currently surpass Japan (EV share has remained 3% since 2022). 

EVs are roughly three times more efficient than cars with internal combustion engines, leading to significant decreases in oil consumption, thus affecting fossil fuel demand – even in countries that heavily rely on fossil fuels for energy, such as in Brazil.

This report emphasizes the policies that support the push for this transformation and illustrates how battery electric vehicles can greatly decrease the need for fossil fuels. It also suggests that our assumption about advanced economies being the leaders in sustainable development might be an illusion. Just as Euan Graham stated, “the center of gravity has shifted.” 

‘My Voice, My Choice’ – EU Parliament backs cross-border abortion access 

What started as a European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) called  ‘My Choice, my Voice’, has now been ratified by the Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) this Wednesday. 

The petition gathered signatures from more than 1.12 million EU citizens from all 27 member states and advocates for financing a voluntary, opt-in system to assist countries in delivering abortion care to European women who are unable to obtain it in their home country, thus seeking it in another country. 

This initiative reflects the ongoing lack of consensus about abortion law in Europe. The spectrum ranges from almost complete prohibitions in Poland and Malta to more liberal regulations in the Netherlands and the UK, with integration into constitutional rights, as recently passed in France. Those stances were also evident in the votes regarding the proposal, being 258 in favor to 202 against, with 79 abstentions as well as the discussions in the Parliament plenary on Tuesday evening. 

Proponents of the initiative asserted it would help decrease unsafe abortions and guarantee equal rights for women across the bloc. Following the plenary, Abdir Al-Sahlani from Renew states: “This vote is a huge win for every woman in Europe. The EU has finally shown that sexual and reproductive health care is a basic human right.” This sharply contrasts with the views of opposing factions, mainly from conservative circles, who reject it as an ideological maneuver and a form of EU overextension into domestic policy. MEP member of Patriots for Europe Margarita de la Pisa Carrión describes it as “betrayal”, stating, “The Commission should not have allowed a proposal in an area they don’t have competence in, such as abortion, especially when it requires financial aid to overcome national laws.” 

Although this parliamentary vote remains advisory, it has the potential to impact the Commission’s decision. This fund may significantly affect thousands of European women who cross the border every year to another EU country for abortion services. 

UK rejoins Erasmus+ in 2027 

Last Wednesday, the UK and EU announced a major package of agreements, including the UK’s association to the Erasmus+ programme for the academic year 2027-28. The UK agreed to an amount of 570 pounds, which reflected a 30% reduction relative to the standard conditions outlined in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. This deal is one of the approaches to rebuilding cooperation between those two partners, after the UK left the Erasmus programme shortly after Brexit. 

The deal allows students to attend partner universities and higher education institutions overseas by providing grants to assist with living expenses. Students who participate typically pay fees to their home schools, while extra expenses are supported through grants funded by taxpayer money. Through this program, students in the UK can spend a year studying at a European university as part of their degree without incurring additional costs, and the same applies to European students.

In addition to Erasmus+, the two partners also consented to initiate discussions on integrating electricity markets and established a deadline to finalize a food and beverage trade agreement and a connection to carbon markets next year.

These agreements mark an important advancement in EU cooperation, reflecting a renewed dedication to integration through education, youth movement, and international partnerships.

Remember the raccoon that broke into a store blacked-out drunk?

Pictures of a raccoon passed out inside a liquor store in Virginia have circulated widely on the internet for the past weeks. The animal was captured and released unharmed into the wild by animal protection officers shortly after. The photo was of the “trashed panda,” inspiring the merchandise company “Bonfire” to make a charity merchandise campaign with prints on hoodies and shirts, where all proceeds went towards the Hanover County Animal Protection and Shelter. Thanks to how popular the merch became, the fundraiser has now raised over $250,000 to support animal care at the shelter.