Nepal registers its historic first same-sex marriage
Nepal has just become the first South Asian country to recognize a same-sex marriage after it formally recognized the marriage of Maya Gurung and Surendra Pandey who wed in 1997.
Today (2017 C.E. - 2025 C.E.)
Panama copper mine to close after Supreme Court rules concession unconstitutional
Minera Panamá will have to close the Cobre Panamá mine after the country’s highest court unanimously ruled that the terms of its contract were unconstitutional. The decision comes amid nationwide protests that blocked roads and shipping routes as Panamanians fought back against expansion of the mining sector due to its damaging environmental impacts.
U.S. Inflation Reduction Act has driven $92 billion investment in EV production and 84,000 jobs
Investment in new manufacturing capacity for zero-emissions vehicles, batteries, and critical minerals have jumped more than 250%, climbing from $14 billion in the year before Inflation Reduction Act’s passage to $51 billion in the year since its passage, according to the Clean Investment Monitor.
Gulfstream completes first-ever transatlantic flight with 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel
SAF is designed to cut aviation carbon emissions by using sources that rely much less on fossil fuels: include maize, seed oils, algae, animal fats, oils, greases, farm residues, and more. According to Gulfstream, SAF has the potential to reduce net carbon emissions by 70%.
New Jersey to ban sales of gas-powered cars by 2035
Under the state Department of Environmental Protection’s “Advanced Clean Cars II” rule, manufacturers must ensure that 43% of new light-duty vehicles they make in 2027 are electric, with the percentage rising annually to 100% by 2035. Most consumer cars and pickup trucks are considered light-duty.
Massachusetts becomes fifth state in the U.S. to make prison calls free
“Ensuring that individuals in state and county prisons can keep in contact with their loved ones is key to enhancing rehabilitation, reducing recidivism, and improving community safety,” Governor Healey said in a written statement.
Canada bans import, export of elephant ivory and rhino horns including hunting trophies
According to HSI, the African elephant population has declined by 96% over the last century, and poachers in Africa kill as many as 25,000 elephants and 1,300 rhinos every year. Poaching is the most significant threat to these species, experts say.
E.U. agrees to ban exports of waste plastic to poor countries
“The EU will finally assume responsibility for its plastic waste by banning its export to non-OECD countries,” said Pernille Weiss, a Danish member of the European parliament. “Once again, we follow our vision that waste is a resource when it is properly managed, but should not in any case be causing harm to the environment or human health.”
The United Arab Emirates opens the world’s largest single-site solar farm
The 2-gigawatt (GW) Al Dhafra solar farm is 22 miles (35 km) from Abu Dhabi and features almost 4 million bifacial solar panels. It will power nearly 200,000 homes and eliminate over 2.4 million tons of carbon emissions annually.
For the first time, U.S. prisoners graduate from top university
Northwestern University’s Prison Education Program has now welcomed its inaugural graduating class of incarcerated students. Around 100 students are enrolled in the Northwestern program across Stateville Correctional Center for men and the Logan Correctional Center for women.