Latvia elects the first openly gay head of state in Europe
The country’s parliament has elected Edgars Rinkēvičs to be its next president. Rinkēvičs publicly came out as gay in November 2014.
Europe
U.K. researchers develop machine learning algorithm for quickly and accurately predicting heart attacks
Compared to existing methods, the researchers found that CoDE-ACS could rule out a heart attack in more than double the number of patients, with an accuracy of 99.6%.
Planes in the E.U. will have to be partly powered by sustainable fuel
By 2025, 2% of fuel offered at EU airports must be sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). This must rise to 6% by 2030, 20% by 2035, and 70% of by 2050.
Helsinki University makes Parkinson’s disease breakthrough
Scientists at the University of Helsinki have demonstrated that certain strains of bacteria are probable causes of Parkinson’s disease in most cases. This finding may make it possible to prevent the debilitating disease.
British wind power overtakes gas for the first time
Almost a third of Britain’s electricity, some 32.4% came from wind farms in the first quarter of 2023 compared with 31.7% from gas-fired power plants, marking the first quarter where wind power output was higher.
Sweden to build world’s first permanent e-road by 2035
The first of its kind in the world, the e-motorway that charges EVs while they drive may lead to an expansion of a further 3,000 km of electric roads in Sweden by 2045.
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.
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.
E.U. parliament passes historic law forcing companies to track deforestation
A new law, passed with an overwhelming majority by the European Parliament, requires companies to demonstrate their products aren’t sourced to deforested land or land with forest degradation, or else risk heavy fines.
Germany to ban new gas and oil heating beginning in 2024
A recently approved bill stipulates that any heating system installed in new or old buildings after January 1, 2024 must be 65% based on renewable energy.