Singapore eradicates rubella
Over the past decade, rubella cases have decreased dramatically in the Western Pacific Region, as millions of babies and young children have been reached with vaccines.
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New blood cancer therapy successful in three-quarters of trial patients
The Phase 1/2 trial data from Janssen Research & Development covered hundreds of myeloma patients. Based on preliminary trial data, the FDA has granted it “Breakthrough Therapy” designation.
Shark-fishing gear banned across much of Pacific in conservation ‘win’
The measure adopted by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission is seen as a major and potentially precedent-setting win for conservationists.
The Wirangu people now have native title over part of their traditional lands in South Australia
The Wirangu have been granted native title to more than 5,000 square kilometres of land on South Australia’s west coast.
Heat pump sales are soaring around the world
Sales of the climate-friendly heating technology are set to hit record levels, especially in Europe where some countries are seeing sales double in the first half of 2022 compared with the same period last year.
E.U. agrees to new law preventing import of goods linked to deforestation
The law will require companies to produce a due diligence statement showing that their supply chains are not contributing to the destruction of forests before they sell goods into the EU – or they could face hefty fines.
South Korea achieves near 100% food waste recycling
In 1996, South Korea recycled less than 3% of its food waste. Today, it has East Asian nation has achieved a near 100% food waste recycling rate after implementing a country-wide mandatory composting scheme in 2013.
Oregon governor pardons over 45,000 marijuana convictions
Oregon Governor Kate Brown has announced today that she has issued pardons to everyone caught possessing up to an ounce of marijuana prior to its legalization in 2016.
South Korean supreme court rules transgender parents can change legal gender
A lower court had previously ruled that a woman, who was born a biological man, could not change her legal gender due to the fact that she had had a child who was still a minor when she had been a man.
Canada expands its pollution pricing rules
The federal carbon price floor was a charge of CAN$40 per ton on carbon emissions in 2021, and this fee will rise to CAN$170 per ton by 2030.