U.S. FDA approves first-ever long-acting HIV medication
The monthly injection treatment replaces the need for some to take daily pills. The company says the price of the injections is comparable to the cost of the pill versions.
2021 C.E.
French central bank to drop coal and limit oil and gas in portfolio
The Bank of France, which manages 22 billion euros, will no longer invest in companies that generate more than 2 percent of their revenues from coal by the end of 2021 and will drop this threshold to zero percent by 2024.
Joe Biden halts Keystone XL pipeline construction
The 1,700-mile pipeline was planned to carry roughly 800,000 barrels of oil a day from Alberta to the Texas Gulf Coast, passing through Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma.
Morocco aims for 50% renewable energy by 2030
By 2030, Morocco wants to be at 50% renewable energy (for electricity needs), and it aims to reach 100% renewables by 2050.
Gothenburg, Sweden develops world’s first zero-emissions zone
The developers hope to make the city one of the world’s largest-scale testing grounds for zero-emission technologies. If the initiative works as proposed, Gothenburg Green City Zone will implement 100% emission-free transport modes by 2030.
Joe Biden signs sweeping executive order fighting anti-LGBTQ discrimination
Biden’s order tells the heads of all executive agencies to ensure that they are interpreting bans on sex discrimination in U.S. federal law to also “prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation.”
Joe Biden moves to re-enter the U.S. into the Paris Agreement
Hours after being sworn in as the president of the United States, Joe Biden signed an executive order that will move the country to rejoin the Paris climate agreement — a strident reversal of America’s environmental policy over the past four years.
Kamala Harris becomes the U.S.’s first female, first black, and first Asian-American Vice President
Ms. Harris, who is of Indian-Jamaican heritage, was sworn in just before Joe Biden took the oath of office to become the 46th U.S. president. She has already broken historic barriers for women and people of color in the U.S.
Vegan restaurant is awarded Michelin Star for first time
The restaurant is in southwestern France and was started by chef Claire Vallée, a 41-year-old former archeologist who became a vegan after a trip to Thailand.
World-first biomarker test can predict depression and bipolar disorder
Australian scientists have developed and validated a world-first test that is claimed to accurately measure levels of a brain protein known to be associated with depression and bipolar disorder.