A “functional cure” for HIV to begin human trials
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave approval to Excision Biotherapeutics to use its innovative HIV treatment in Phase I/II human trials.
Business
Wright Electric plans to put 100-passenger electric airplanes in service by 2026
Wright Electric plans to build a fleet of the converted electric planes, which will have a range of about one hour or 460 miles. It’s enough range to go from San Francisco to Los Angeles.
Private prison operator must pay inmates minimum wage for work, U.S. federal jury rules
The court found that GEO Group, a private prison operator that runs the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma, WA, is violating the state’s minimum wage laws by paying its workers $1 per day.
Costco raised its minimum wage to $17 an hour
Costco has around 180,000 US employees, and 90% of them work hourly. Costco’s new starting wage puts the chain $2/hr above Amazon, Target, and other top retailers’ minimum wage, and $5/hr above Walmart.
Largest Dutch pension fund to divest from fossil fuel producers
The ABP fund is a wealthy and influential investor that manages the pension savings of more than 3 million Dutch workers and has some 15 billion euros invested in fossil fuel production.
McDonald’s to trial McPlant plant-based burger in the U.S.
McDonald’s is looking to expand its menu to include purely plant-based options, and began trialing its first such offering, the PLT, in Europe and Canada in 2019.
NFL to end race-based testing in dementia claims
“Race-norming” made it harder for black players to prove they suffered from injuries linked to their careers. The draft agreement means thousands of retirees may qualify for compensation.
AXIS Capital becomes first North American insurer to commit to phase out coal business
AXIS Capital announced new measures restricting insurance and investments in coal, tar sands oil, and Arctic oil and gas, as part of the company’s efforts to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Zimbabwean startup Yanaya introduces new range of plant-based milk
Plant-based milks also have a much lower impact on the environment, as they use less carbon, water, and land.
Historic Microsoft agreement allow customers to more easily repair devices
The move is being described as a “first of its kind victory,” as Microsoft becomes the only major company to bow to the whims of a shareholder resolution regarding the “right-to-repair.”