Sierra Leone abolishes capital punishment
The decision to abolish capital punishment is a significant step forward for fundamental human rights in Sierra Leone and will be especially beneficial to women and girls found guilty of murdering an abuser.
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Iberian Lynx claws its way back from extinction thanks to conservationists
Spain’s Iberian Lynx is the world’s most endangered species of felines. But conservation efforts have successfully increased the cat’s numbers tenfold since 2002, with 1,100 Iberian Lynx living in the wild at the end of last year.
Maine bans toxic ‘forever chemicals’ under groundbreaking new law
Maine has enacted a groundbreaking law that will ban the use of toxic PFAS compounds in all products by 2030, except in instances deemed “currently unavoidable”.
Walmart to pay 100% of college tuition plus books for its workers
Walmart will be investing nearly $1 billion over the next five years to help roughly 1.5 million part-time and full-time Walmart and Sam’s Club associates in the U.S. earn college degrees or learn trade skills.
U.S. FDA allows automatic ‘generic’ swap for brand-name insulin
The move will allow pharmacists to automatically substitute the cheaper version, just as they do with generic pills for other kinds of drugs. It could save diabetics and health plans millions of dollars annually.
Nepal nearly doubles its wild tiger population since 2010
In an amazing show of progress for wildlife, Nepal is on track to become the first of the world’s countries to double its wild tiger population since 2010.
Bayer to pull glyphosate products, including Roundup, from U.S. home and garden market
In 2015, the World Health Organization declared that glyphosate is “probably carcinogenic to humans.” Bayer now faces tens of thousands of legal claims from U.S. customers.
Psychedelics company approved for PTSD therapy study using MDMA in Canada
During the study, research, medical, and therapist staff at Numinus will collect data on the safety and effectiveness of MDMA-assisted therapy to inform Health Canada and support making MDMA-assisted therapy available to individuals living with PTSD in Canada.
Ethiopia to shift from beef to chicken production under updated climate plan
The government is promoting smaller livestock to limit the rise of methane emissions, in a plan that is 80% dependent on international finance.
Whatcom County in Washington State first in U.S. to ban new fossil fuel infrastructure
Whatcom County’s council unanimously passed a measure that bans the construction of new refineries, coal-fired power plants and other fossil fuel-related infrastructure.