Japan approves first abortion pill
Japanese activists have been pushing for years for approval of the pills, with similar medications made available decades ago in other countries as Japan lagged ever further behind.
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Mexico approves mining reforms to protect environment, Indigenous people
Under the new reform, Indigenous communities will receive 5% of a mining operation’s profits. Concessions will no longer be granted in areas with water shortages or in protected areas.
Washington state becomes 10th U.S. state to ban assault weapons sales
The ban applies to all semiautomatic rifles less than 30 inches in length, as well as other semiautomatic firearms with features such as thumbhole stocks and additional hand grips.
India aims to turn 90 airports carbon-neutral by 2024
Cochin International Airport has already been deemed the first ‘green airport’ in the world, for which it was awarded the ‘Champions of Earth’ award in 2018, the United Nation’s highest environmental honor.
Pope Francis gives women right to vote in bishops’ meeting for first time
Francis approved changes to the norms governing the Synod of Bishops, a Vatican body that gathers the world’s bishops together for periodic meetings, following decades of demands by women to have the right to vote.
Funders launch pledge to support tribal-led restoration & conservation efforts in the U.S.
Fifteen funders have already committed $102.5 million to support the Tribal Nations Conservation Pledge goals across the country since its launch in March.
EVs to capture one-sixth of global market in 2023 amid record growth
While last year, the IEA projected that EVs would account for 21 percent of global sales in 2030, it now projects EVs will reach 35 percent of sales by that year.
Smart running and cycling highway in Dubai runs on 100% renewable energy
The Loop by URB in Dubai is a sustainable urban highway meant for runners, pedestrians, and cyclists. It uses kinetic power to run on 100% renewable energy, is irrigated with 100% recycled water, and also integrates vertical farms into its design.
Hydrogel prevents brain cancer returning in 100% of test mice
Scientists at Johns Hopkins University have developed a hydrogel that can be applied to the cavity in the brain left behind after a tumor is removed, slowly releasing medication to kill any cancer cells left behind.
E.U. lawmakers approve world’s first carbon import tax
At the core of the broader EU package is a so-called “Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism” (CBAM), which seeks to incentivize non-EU nations to increase their climate ambitions.