Ayesha A. Malik to become Pakistan’s first woman Supreme Court justice
In a first in the country’s judicial history, the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) is going to elevate a woman judge to the Supreme Court when it meets on Sept 9.
Nations
Greenland halts new oil and gas exploration to combat the climate crisis
Despite the country having a substantial amount of potential oil deposits, the government has stated that the country has ceased further exploration in an effort to combat climate change and focus on sustainable development.
Indian government bans the manufacture, sale, and use of several single-use plastic items
The ban goes into effect in July 2020 and includes ear buds, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice-cream sticks, plates, cups, glasses, cutlery, and much more.
Endangered Southern Resident orcas get new protection from U.S. government
The National Marine Fisheries Service on Friday finalized rules to expand the Southern Resident orca’s critical habitat from the Canadian border down to Point Sur, California, adding 15,910 square miles (41,207 square kilometers) of foraging areas, river mouths and migratory pathways.
Veteran homelessness in the U.S. decreased by nearly 50% between 2009 and 2018
Many veterans have connected with rapid re-housing through the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Supportive Services for Veteran Families program. In 2015 alone, the SSVF program helped nearly 100,000 veterans and about 35,000 children remain in their homes or quickly exit homelessness,
For first time, average pay for supermarket and restaurant workers in the U.S. tops $15 an hour
Overall, nearly 80 percent of U.S. workers now earn at least $15 an hour, up from 60 percent in 2014. Job sites and recruiting firms say many job seekers won’t even consider jobs that pay less than $15 anymore.
Canadian government blocks development of controversial proposed Alberta coal mine
Environment and Climate Change Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said the project would have likely caused harm to surface water quality, to threatened species, and to the physical and cultural heritage of the Kainai, Piikani and Siksika First Nations.
‘Big Three’ automakers join Biden in electric car promises
Ford, GM, and Stellantis (including its subsidiary Chrysler) have vowed that up to 50% of their car sales will be electric by 2030.
U.S. to return Gilgamesh tablet and 17,000 other looted artifacts to Iraq
The U.S. will return more than 17,000 ancient artifacts, including the Gilgamesh Dream Tablet, after authorities recently reached a repatriation agreement with Baghdad to return artifacts seized from dealers and museums.
China pledges 2 billion vaccines globally through year’s end
A pledge by China to supply 2 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines to other countries this year expands the commitments made by a nation that is already the largest exporter of the shots by far.