Obama signs the sexual assault Survivors’ Bill of Rights into law
In a rare show of bipartisanship, the Sexual Assault Survivors’ Bill of Rights was passed unanimously in the House and Senate, and then swiftly signed into law by the president.
Nations
Poland unveils glow-in-the-dark bicycle path that is charged by the Sun
Poland just unveiled an amazing new bike path that glows bright blue at night! The path near Lidzbark Warminski is illuminated by phosphor, a synthetic material that lights up after it’s charged by sunlight.
Germany becomes world’s first country to ban the internal combustion engine
In a monumental moment for the climate movement, the European nation’s federal council, the Bundesrat, passed a resolution to ban all gas-powered cars beginning in 2030, the first national ban of its kind. Germany has the fourth largest car manufacturing industry in the world.
Pakistan adopts new law to tackle ‘honour killings’
New legislation mandates life imprisonment of “honour” killers – even if victim’s relatives forgive the murderers.
Guatemala becomes fourth country in the world to eliminate onchocerciasis, known as ‘river blindness’
Of the six countries in the Americas where transmission of the debilitating disease was present in the 1990s, Guatemala accounted for about 41% of the 568,000 people at risk.
The income gap began to narrow under Obama
In a report released Friday, the president’s Council of Economic Advisers argued that the Obama administration’s policies on taxes, health care and other issues were responsible for a historic achievement in reducing inequality.
Obama sets aside 10 million acres in California for renewable energy and conservation
Interior Secretary Sally Jewell approved Wednesday a plan to set aside 10.8 million acres of public land in the California desert for mostly conservation, with a dash of renewable energy.
Germany unveils world’s first zero emissions hydrogen-powered passenger train
French company Alstom unveiled the first-ever passenger train powered completely by hydrogen at this week’s Berlin InnoTrans trade show.
France becomes first country to ban plastic plates, cutlery
The initiative is one small part of the country’s Energy Transition for Green Growth Act, as lawmakers aim “to make France ¦ an exemplary nation in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, diversifying its energy model and increasing the deployment of renewable energy sources.”
U.S. Senate approves $270 million in funding for Flint water crisis
The Senate on Thursday approved legislation to spend $270 million to aid the residents of Flint, Mich., and other poor communities that have suffered from lead-contaminated water, attaching the funds to a broader bill authorizing $9 billion to repair ports, dams, levees and other water infrastructure in 17 states.