CRISPR therapy for rare blood disease delivers “life-changing” results
Targeting a pair of rare genetic blood diseases, the experimental therapy has so far been 100 percent effective in all 22 patients treated.
North & Central America
This archive covers progress stories from North and Central America, spanning the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and the nations of Central America. Readers will find reporting on health, environment, community resilience, and policy advances across the region.
Charlotte passes LGBTQ nondiscrimination law
Charlotte, North Carolina has passed an ordinance to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity after years of delays and billions of dollars.
Dole and Piñatex are partnering to scale up vegan leather production
Piñatex turns pineapple leaves into vegan, petroleum-free leather products. Now, Piñatex will have access to waste leaves from Dole’s Philippines farm, one of the largest pineapple plantations in the world.
Endangered Southern Resident orcas get new protection from U.S. government
The National Marine Fisheries Service on Friday finalized rules to expand the Southern Resident orca’s critical habitat from the Canadian border down to Point Sur, California, adding 15,910 square miles (41,207 square kilometers) of foraging areas, river mouths and migratory pathways.
Veteran homelessness in the U.S. decreased by nearly 50% between 2009 and 2018
Many veterans have connected with rapid re-housing through the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Supportive Services for Veteran Families program. In 2015 alone, the SSVF program helped nearly 100,000 veterans and about 35,000 children remain in their homes or quickly exit homelessness,
Tesla claims 92% battery cell material recovery in new recycling process
For years now, Tesla has been working with third-party recyclers to recover materials from their end-of-life battery packs. But the automaker has also been working on its own “unique battery recycling system.“
For first time, average pay for supermarket and restaurant workers in the U.S. tops $15 an hour
Overall, nearly 80 percent of U.S. workers now earn at least $15 an hour, up from 60 percent in 2014. Job sites and recruiting firms say many job seekers won’t even consider jobs that pay less than $15 anymore.
Canadian government blocks development of controversial proposed Alberta coal mine
Environment and Climate Change Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said the project would have likely caused harm to surface water quality, to threatened species, and to the physical and cultural heritage of the Kainai, Piikani and Siksika First Nations.
‘Big Three’ automakers join Biden in electric car promises
Ford, GM, and Stellantis (including its subsidiary Chrysler) have vowed that up to 50% of their car sales will be electric by 2030.
U.S. to return Gilgamesh tablet and 17,000 other looted artifacts to Iraq
The U.S. will return more than 17,000 ancient artifacts, including the Gilgamesh Dream Tablet, after authorities recently reached a repatriation agreement with Baghdad to return artifacts seized from dealers and museums.