“Remarkable” results for new maternal RSV vaccine in Phase 3 trial
Maternal vaccination reduced rates of severe medically attended lower respiratory tract illness due to RSV by 81.8% across the first three months of life.
Today (2017 C.E. - 2025 C.E.)
Niue designates its entire exclusive economic zone as a marine park
The small island nation in the South Pacific Ocean has designated its entire exclusive economic zone — an area about the size of Vietnam — as a multiple-use marine park called Niue Nukutuluea.
Ethiopia’s warring sides agree to a permanent cessation of hostilities
This “monumental” breakthrough formally ends a two-year war that has displaced millions and threatened to destabilize a swath of the continent.
Trans people in the U.S. can now easily update their gender with the Social Security Administration
The Social Security Administration has announced that it is now possible to self-select sex on Social Security records without the need to provide any legal or medical proof of a gender change.
Tokyo begins issuing same-sex couples partnership certificates
Some hope this may be a step towards the whole of Japan embracing equality. It is currently the only country in the G7 group of developed nations which doesn’t recognize same-sex unions.
Fish eggs make stunning comeback in Bangladesh’s Halda River following conservation efforts
The Halda River — the world’s only gene bank for pure Indian carp fishes — has resumed hosting fish eggs in recent years, after fish eggs had all but disappeared from the river in 2016.
Norway to pay Indonesia $56 million for drop in deforestation and emissions
In the deal, the Nordic country will pay Indonesia, home to the world’s third-largest tropical forests, to keep its forests standing, thereby reducing its emissions.
Radioactive implant wipes tumors in unprecedented pre-clinical success
Across all the models tested, the scientists report a 100% response rate. They deployed the treatment against pancreatic cancer specifically, but believe the results bode well for its wider application.
France to plant one billion trees by 2030
President Macron vowed to replant 1 billion trees within 10 years, or 10% of the French forest, after massive summer wildfires ravaged huge areas of the country, especially in the southwest.
Indonesia to put 2 million electric motorbikes on road by 2025
Indonesia is hoping to reduce its carbon footprint by 29% by 2030. One way they plan to do so is to help put two million electric motorcycles on the road by 2025 through a new subsidy program.