Virginia governor signs LGBTQ nondiscrimination measure into law
Gov. Northam signed the Virginia Values Act, making it the first in the South and the 21st across the United States to pass anti-discrimination protections for the LGBTQ community.
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Catholic institutions divest from fossil fuels
So far, more than 150 Catholic banks, universities, foundations, and others have pledged to end their investments in fossil fuels.
‘Rice ATMs’ provide free rice for people out of work in Vietnam due to COVID-19
For these people who are suddenly without income, businessmen and donors have set up machines that dispense free rice at several cities across Vietnam.
E.U. to allow markets to sell insect-based foods in ‘breakthrough moment’
In the next few weeks, the European Union’s Food Safety Authority is expected to classify several types of insects as safe for human consumption.
Vietnam to ship 450,000 protective suits to United States to support COVID-19 response
“This shipment will help protect healthcare professionals working on the front lines against COVID-19 in the United States and demonstrates the strength of the U.S.-Vietnam partnership,” the U.S. embassy in Hanoi said.
Pakistan enacts largest social assistance program in nation’s history for COVID-19
The $1 billion program, which aims to cover 12 million families, is meant to assist them to “buy rations so that they don’t go hungry.”
The world’s first zero emission all-electric construction site launches in Norway
More than 20% of Norway’s CO2 emissions come from heavy-duty construction equipment, motivating the Oslo government to say all new, public buildings must be built with “fossil-free” construction machinery.
72% of new energy capacity worldwide came from renewables in 2019
In 2019, nearly three-quarters of all new energy sources were renewable, the most ever since data collection began in 2001, according to a new report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
Blood plasma taken from COVID-19 survivors could aid recovery, new study shows
In several of the patients the virus cleared up entirely, leading the authors to conclude that plasma “can serve as a promising rescue option” for severe COVID-19 cases.
New magnetic brain therapy relieved depression in 90% of the participants in small trial
“There’s never been a therapy for treatment-resistant depression that’s broken 55% remission rates in open-label testing,” the team says.