Hawaii becomes first U.S. state to ban shark fishing
The penalties for breaking the statute are steep: $500 for a first offense, $2,000 for a second, and $10,000 for any subsequent violations.
2023 C.E.
Brain circuit breakthrough paves way for opioid addiction treatments
Scientists at the Texas A&M University have identified a specific circuit in the brain from which many negative emotional states stem from during fentanyl withdrawal and could be the reason many chronic users relapse.
South Africa introduces new incentives for renewable energy
Businesses will be able to reduce their taxable income by 125% of the cost of a renewables investment. Individuals will be able to claim a rebate to the value of 25% of the cost of solar panels.
E.U. Parliament votes to effectively ban new combustion engine cars by 2035
Final approval is expected to be given by March, meaning the world’s largest trading bloc will soon officially be on track to almost completely phase out vehicles powered by combustion engines.
South Korea court recognizes same-sex couple rights for first time
In a landmark ruling, the Seoul High Court found a government health insurer did owe coverage to the spouse of a customer after the firm withdrew it when it found out the pair were gay.
Utah to ban LGBTQ conversion therapy
The Utah State Legislature has unanimously approved a bill that enshrines into law a ban on LGBTQ conversion therapy. It now goes to Governor Spencer Cox, who has signaled support for it.
Saudi Arabia to send its first female astronaut into space
Rayyanah Barnawi will join the crew of the AX-2 space mission, Axiom Space’s second all-private astronaut mission to the International Space Station in the second quarter of 2023.
Rhinos, elephants, and buffaloes are rebounding in Uganda
Since 1983, the population of buffaloes has grown 77 percent, reaching 44,163 in 2021. And over the same period, the population of elephants grew nearly 300 percent, reaching 7,975.
The E.U. to invest more than $270 billion in its own “green deal”
The Green Deal Industrial Plan will simplify regulation to help get proposed green projects up and running faster, accelerating access to investment, developing programs to train skilled workers in green industries, and more.
Ecuador establishes new reserve protecting over 3 million acres of forest
The Tarímiat Pujutaí Nuṉka Reserve of Andean and Amazonian forests in the Morona Santiago province of eastern Ecuador, where numerous Shuar and Achuar communities have for years been fending off numerous drivers of deforestation.