In 2023, we once again committed to digging up the most positive, optimistic and just straight up good news, and summarising the best bits here for you every month. No matter how bleak the rest of the news may get, know that you can come to this article whenever you need a reminder that things do, in fact, get better. There was plenty of good news to celebrate in 2022, here’s what is giving us cause to smile 2023.
January
Highest Number Songs of By First Nations Artists in Triple J Hottest 100
The Hottest 100 countdown for 2022 included an all-time high of 10 songs by First Nations artists – up from the previous record of 6 songs in 2020. It includes two songs by Thelma Plus (Backseat of My Mind, 21 and The Brown Snake, 66); four by King Stingray (Camp Dog, 27, Let’s Go, 35, Yellow (Like A Version), 43, and Lupa, 94); Wish You Well (31) by Baker Boy, featuring Bernard Fanning; Kid Laroi’s Thousand Miles (33); Ripple (46) by Sycco; and Handful by Beddy Rays (83). See the other stats from the countdown on Triple J.
Portugal Enters Debt-For-Nature Swap With Cape Verde
Cape Verde currently owes the Portugese government about €140 million – in a new deal, Portugal has agreed to not collect this debt, instead allowing Cape Verde to make the payments into its own climate investment fund. The money can then instead be used to fund Cape Verde’s renewable energy transition and other climate mitigation projects. While the deal will initially begin with the €12m worth of repayments schedule between now and 2025, it will eventually apply to the entire debt owed. Debt-for-nature swaps are important, allowing small nations like Cape Verde – who have contributed little to climate change but are most vulnerable to its effects – to better protect themselves. Read more on Euro News.
Australia Breaks Renewable Energy Generation Record in 2022
Wind, solar and hydro-generated electricity supplied just over 40% of the power on the National Energy Market in December 2022 – the highest level ever achieved, breaking the previous record (35.8%) from December 2021. Because renewable energy is so cheap, it also meant there was a record low of expensive and dirty black and brown coal-generated electricity on the NEM. Good. Read more on the Guardian.
February
New $5 Note to Honour First Nations People
The Reserve Bank of Australia announced that it will be replacing the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the $5 note with a new design that “honours the culture and history of the First Australians”. Traditionally a portrait of the reigning British monarch has appeared on the banknote, which would mean that soon-to-be coronated King Charles III would have replaced QEII on the new $5 note. Treasurer Jim Chalmers said while “the monarch will still be on the coins, the $5 note will say more about our history and our heritage and our country.” The RBA will design the new note in consultation with First Nations Australians. Read more on The Guardian.
Spain Makes History Strengthening Abortion, Transgender, Period and Fertility Rights
Spain passed a powerful set of laws to advance equality in the country, led by Equality Minister Irene Montero. It is now the first country in Europe to give workers paid menstrual leave, letting them take paid time off for period pain. Abortions will now become legal to perform in a state hospitals (to overcome private facilities denying the procedure), and 16 and 17 year olds can now have a pregnancy terminated without needing parental consent. Free period products will now be available in schools and prisons, while hormonal contraceptives and the morning after pill will be available for free in state-run health centres. And (yes, there is more!) the Spanish government also approved an entire package of reforms to strengthen transgender rights. Citizens over the age of 16 can now change their legally registered gender without medical supervision – previously, a formal gender dysphoria diagnosis from multiple doctors was required. The law reforms also ban conversion therapy and provides state support for lesbians and single women seeking IVF treatment. Learn more about the changes on NPR.
Finland Abolishes Infertility Requirement For Transgender People
Finland has followed Spain’s example, changing a cruel, outdated law that required transgender people to be infertile in order to legally change their gender. Until now, Finnish law required transgender people to provide a medical certificate to prove they were infertile or sterilised before the government would recognise their gender identity. The new bill allows transgender adults to provide self-declaration when changing their legal documents, rather than submit a psychiatric and fertility assessment. Matti Pihlajamaa, Amnesty International Finland’s LGBTI rights advisor, said in a statement: “By passing this act, Finland has taken a major step towards protecting trans people’s right to self-determination” Read more on Associated Press.
Ozone Layer On Track To Recover by 2040
According to the UN, the ozone layer is officially on track to recovery within four decades! The report presented at the American Meteorological Society’s annual meeting stated that the ozone layer will be back to it’s 1980 ‘pre-thinning levels’ by around 2040. In places where the layer is thinnest – like Antarctica, where there’s currently a giant gaping hole – it will take a bit longer, but may be fully restored by 2066. World Meteorological Organisation Secretary-General Professor Petteri Taalas said: “Ozone action sets a precedent for climate action. Our success in phasing out ozone-eating chemicals shows us what can and must be done – as a matter of urgency — to transition away from fossil fuels, reduce greenhouse gases and so limit temperature increase.” Read more about our progress on EuroNews.
5th Person Confirmed Cured Of HIV
A 53-year-old man in Germany is the fifth person to be cured of HIV. The patient underwent a stem cell transplant, which is usually exclusively done in cancer patients as a last resort, and after stopping his HIV medication four years ago there is now no detectable virus in his body. Stem cell transplants are an extremely high-risk procedure that essentially replaces a person’s entire immune system. While the primary use of the treatment has been for cancer, it has worked for HIV in a few cases. “It’s really a cure and not just ong term remission,” said Dr. Bjorn-Erik Ole Jensen, who presented details of the case. With about 38.4 million people globally living with HIV, this is a huge win and a sign of hope. Learn more about the cure on ABC News.
March
Australia Passes Gender Pay Gap Transparency Bill
Federal government passed the Workplace Gender Equality Amendment (Closing the Gender Pay Gap) Bill 2023, which forces companies with more than 100 workers to publish their gender pay gap data. This data will then be made publicly available on the Workplace Gender Equality website – this transparency is crucial, as secrecy around pay is one of the main reasons a gap exists in the first place. The 2023 pay gap is 13.3%, although this varies across industries. The new laws will come into effect from early 2024. Read more on Women’s Agenda.
AI Detects Breast Cancer 4 Years Before It Develops
AI is being used in cancer screening technology to pick up potential issues long before they develop into something harmful. In March, a computer-assisted detection (CAD) was used in Hungary to detect a woman’s breast cancer four years before it developed. CAD helps review images, assess breast density and flag high-risk mammograms that may have been missed by radiologists. After identifying any trouble spots radiologists can then determine what additional tests may be appropriate for the patient. It can also tell a technologist if a mammogram is faulty and needs to be redone. CAD is reported to improve cancer detection rates by 13%. Read more about the groundbreaking tech on The New York Times.
Brazil Forces Illegal Miners Out of Indigenous Lands
Brazil has ousted 85% of illegal gold miners from the Yanomami territory, its largest Indigenous reservation, and will remove mining operations from six more reserves this year. For years, Yanomami Indigenous leaders have said the expansion of illegal mining on their territories was causing widespread environmental degradation, including mercury-polluted water sources, as well as increasing threats, violence, and disease among their community. Newly elected President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva declared the situation a humanitarian crisis. According to Reuters, police are now seeking international cooperation on law enforcement in the region, including using new tech to determine whether seized gold has been illegally sourced from the area. Read more on Reuters.
Nearly 200 Countries Sign Historic High Seas Treaty
After two decades of planning and a gruelling 38 hours of negotiations, almost 200 countries have reached a historic agreement to protect the world’s oceans. The High Seas Treaty aims to classify 30% of the seas as protected by 2030 – also known as the 30×30 pledge initially made at COP15. Protected areas have a limit on the level of fishing, shipping routes, and exploration activities (like deep sea mining) that can take place. The treaty also establishes a conference of the parties that will meet periodically to check in on progress, discuss issues around governance and biodiversity, and hold member states accountable for delivering on the promises made. Read more on The Guardian.
April
Mattel Introduces Barbie Doll With Down’s Syndrome
Mattel has introduced a Barbie doll with Down’s Syndrome as part of its ‘Fashionista’ range, the company’s “most diverse and inclusive doll line” yet. The new Barbie was developed in partnership with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) in the US and has been welcomed by disability rights campaigners, who believe that the realistic representation of the doll will help promote understanding and acceptance of people with disabilities. The Barbie doll has almond-shaped eyes, a smaller nose, and a slightly open mouth, features typical of people with Down’s Syndrome. The rest of the Fashionista range includes Barbies with different body types, skin tones, and abilities to better reflect the diverse world we live in. Read more on The Guardian.
ACT Becomes First Australian Jurisdiction To Make Abortions Free
The ACT’s decision to offer free, universal access to abortions is a significant milestone in Australia’s reproductive rights landscape. The new legislation covers out-of-pocket costs with government funding, meaning that people can access free abortions regardless of their income or circumstances. Residents of the ACT will have access to medical abortion services up to nine weeks gestation at various medical clinics, including via some telehealth services. Additionally, MSI Australia offers surgical abortions up to 16 weeks gestation. Read more about the milestone on Women’s Agenda.
UK and Netherlands Announce World’s Biggest Clean Energy Line
The U.K. and the Netherlands have announcing the new LionLink project – the world’s largest energy line, providing 1.8 gigawatts (GW) of clean electricity from an offshore wind farm, to power homes in both countries. LionLink is four times bigger than the existing NordLink link between Germany and Denmark, is expected to power 1.8 million homes. Not only will the project bring down energy costs and reduce carbon emissions, it will also improve energy security and independence in the U.K. and Netherlands, protecting them from the volatility of external factors like Russia’s war on Ukraine. LionLink is expected to be operational in the 2030s. Read more on EuroNews.
Ghana Is First Country To Approve Malaria Vaccine
Ghana has become the first country in the world to approve the new Oxford R21 malaria vaccine, specifically for children aged up to 3 years old who are most vulnerable to the disease. The vaccine, developed by researchers at the University of Oxford, was found to be 77% effective in the latest research – significantly higher results than the older Mosquirix vaccine by GSK. Malaria is a leading cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa, with 5.3 million cases and 12,5000 related deaths in Ghana in 2021. Oxford scientist Adrian Hill says: “This is the first time a major vaccine has been approved first in an African country before rich nations”. Read more about the vaccine on Al Jazeera.
May
Ecuador’s Historic Debt-for-Nature Deal Safeguards Galapagos Islands
Ecuador has achieved the world’s largest “debt-for-nature” deal – converting US$1.6 billion in debt into a US$656m loan from Credit Suisse. Ecuador will repay this loan over the next 18 years while allocating approximately US$17m annually to support conservation efforts in the Galapagos Islands. The funding to environmental programs is expected to start in September with an initial focus on sustainable fishery, climate resilience, and patrolling key marine species and ecosystems. Learn more on Euro News.
Gumatj Clan Wins Historic Land Rights Case
In a triumph for Indigenous land rights, the Federal Court of Australia ruled that the Commonwealth owes compensation to the Gumatj Clan for granting a license to a mining company to operate on Gumatj country in 1968 without the group’s consent. The case was initiated in 2019 by the late Yunupingu, a legendary land rights activists and Australian of the Year. The decision came just weeks after his death. Some legal commentators suggest the government may have to pay up to $700m in compensation for how it acquired and used land in the Northern Territory from 1911 to 1978. The Gumatj Clan’s victory represents a significant step towards justice, empowering Indigenous communities and reinforcing their rights to their ancestral lands. Read more about the win on the National Indigenous Times.
Mona Chalabi Wins Pulitzer for Illuminating Jeff Bezos’ Absurd Wealth
Iraqi journalist Mona Chalabi won a Pulitzer Prize for her captivating New York Times article highlighting Jeff Bezos’ extraordinary wealth. Through her unique illustrative style, Chalabi masterfully compared Bezos’ staggering riches to median wealth, exposing the absurdity of such vast fortunes through comparisons to time, temperature and bagels. Her Pulitzer Prize win not only recognizes Chalabi’s exceptional talent and her contribution in an industry that dominated by the white, wealthy male voice, but emphasizes the power of data journalism in shedding light on societal inequalities. Learn more about Mona Chalabi on Esquire.
AI Discovers Potent Antibiotic Against Superbug
Scientists have discovered a new antibiotic for a hospital superbug, identified by an AI model trained to analyse their data. In the published study, the team explained how they trained an AI algorithm to screen more than 6000 antibacterial molecules and predict which ones would be able to kill the bug. It identified 240 for laboratory testing, and those tests resulted in the discovery of the antibiotic ‘abaucin’. The discovery of Abaucin opens up new possibilities for targeted treatments against antibiotic-resistant bacteria and offers hope in the fight against these lethal superbugs. Read more about the discovery on The Guardian.
June
Germany To Pay Holocaust Survivors $1.4 Billion
The German government has pledged to pay more than US$1.4 billion next year to Holocaust survivors around the world. The compensation was negotiated between Germany’s finance ministry and the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, an organisation representing Jewish Holocaust survivors also known as the Claims Conference. The aim to is help survivors live a life of dignity after enduring decades of persecution and having lost so much – including loved ones and property. Almost $890 million will be used to provide home care and supportive services for frail and vulnerable Holocaust survivors, and $535m is allocated to direct payments to survivors (in the form of monthly pensions or one-off payments). Learn more on NPR.
NSW Passes New RSA Requirements to Detect Drink Spiking
The NSW parliament has passed a law requiring drink spiking and sexual awareness training for all bar staff in pubs, clubs and venues. It will now be included in the state’s Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) training, thanks to a campaign by not-for-profit sexual violence prevention group What Were You Wearing? whow brought a petition with over 20,000 signatures to the parliament, forcing a debate. The organisation is now looking to take change drink-spiking laws in ACT, launching their Canberra team with ten members ready to initiate meaningful dialogue about the culture of sexual violence and ways to prevent it. Read more in Canberra Weekly.
Switzerland Approves Net-Zero Climate Law
Swiss citizens have voted ‘Yes’ to a new climate law that will help the country achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Switzerland currently imports around three-quarters of its energy, including all fossil gas, from overseas. Conscious that these resources aren’t infinite, the new Climate and Innovation Act aims to encourage the adoption of clean energy through financial incentives. The government has pledged 2 billion francs (approximately AU$3.3 billion) over a decade to support this transition. Individuals who replace their fossil fuel-dependent heating systems and companies investing in climate-friendly technologies also stand to benefit from these initiatives. Read more about the new law on Euro News.
ACT Passes New Bill To Protect Intersex People
The ACT passed Australia’s first bill that protects the rights and choices of intersex people in medical settings. The Variations in Sex Characteristics (Restricted Medical Treatment) Bill, will stop deferrable treatments on intersex people until they are old enough to take part in the decision. The ACT government will establish a Variation in Sex Characteristics Psychosocial Support Unit at the Canberra Hospital to support intersex people and their families, and provide resources and training packages to support health professionals providing these services. This bill is also the first time an Australian government has acted on international human rights bodies’ recommendations about intersex human rights. Learn more about the bill on 9News .
Olivia Chow Becomes First Chinese-Canadian Mayor
Toronto has elected its first woman of colour mayor, Olivia Chow. Not only is Chow the first Chinese-Canadian mayor-elect, as a progressive she is also ending more than a decade of conservative leadership in Canada’s most populous city. At the age of 66, Chow won from a list of 102 candidates – the largest ever to run in Toronto. She has promised to raise Toronto’s low property taxes and provide greater assistance to tenants struggling with the housing crisis. In her acceptance speech, Chow told supporters: “If you ever doubted what’s possible together, if you ever questioned your faith in a better future and what we can do with each other, for each other, tonight is your answer.” Read about Chow’s historic win on The Guardian.
July
Court Ruling Stops Nuclear Waste Dump in South Australia
The Barngarla people have won their legal battle to stop nuclear waste facility being built near Kimba, South Australia. The traditional owners said they were not properly consulted about the radioactive waste facility before it was approved in 2021, and that it would impact a sacred site. The Federal Court has agreed that the government did not follow the appropriate decision-making process in selecting the site, and will now have to review the plans for the facility. Jason Bilney from the Barngarla Determination Aboriginal Corporation (BDAC) chairman Jason Bilney said: “The money … that the government’s spent to take us to court could be better spent for the rest of Australia, everyday Australians and the community”. Read more about the case on ABC.
John Green’s Viral Campaign Convinces Johnson&Johnson To Make Turberculosis Drug More Accessible
The pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson is partnering with Swiss nonprofit, Stop TB, to distribute a lower-cost generic version of its tuberculosis (TB) treatment in low- and middle-income countries. The company made the decision after pressure from the #PatientsNotPatents viral campaign created by author and Internet personality John Green. #PatientsNotPatents called on J&J to not renew its exclusive patent on TB treatment SIRTURO, which has prevented cheaper versions being sold in poor countries. Now, Stop TB can offer licenses to tender, procure, and supply generic versions of SIRTURO in 44 additional countries – doubling the reach of this lifesaving tuberculosis treatment. Read more on Good Good Good.
Louise Taylor Is First Indigenous Woman Appointed As Supreme Court Judge
Kamilaroi woman Louise Taylor has been appointed as a judge on the ACT’s Supreme Court, making her the first Indigenous woman to sit on a Supreme Court in Australia. Taylor will join an expanded ACT Supreme Court as its sixth judge. It is the second time Taylor has made history; in 2018 she was appointed the ACT’s first Indigenous magistrate. Throughout her distinguished legal career, Taylor has held notable roles as both a prosecutor and a Legal Aid officer. As a prosecutor, she specialized in criminal law, and additionally served as the Chair of the ACT Women’s Legal Centre for ten years. The ACT Supreme Court is actually quite heavily dominated by female judges, with just one man on its bench. Find out more about Justice Taylor on Women’s Agenda.
Medication To Treat Alzheimer’s Disease Is Approved
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the drug ‘Leqembi’ for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. It is the first medication to demonstrate convincing evidence of slowing some of the cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer’s disease. The drug works by clearing a sticky brain plaque linked to the disease. This approval means that U.S. Medicare will now cover the cost of the medication, making it more accessible to those in need. The FDA’s approval also gives hope that Australians may also be able to soon access Lequembi – our Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is currently evaluating the drug (called Lecanemab in Australia) for local approval. Learn more about the new drug at the ABC.
August
Victoria Shuts Down Coal-Fired Power Station Loy Yang A a Decade Early
The Victorian government has officially announced that the Loy Yang A coal-fired power station is set to shut down by 2035 — 10 years earlier than planned. According to Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio, this move will bring Victorians closer to their goal of 95% renewable power generation by 2035. AGL Energy owns the station, and says it will put $30 million towards “repurposing” the existing site. Although it is great news that this coal power station is being closed early… AGL is Australia’s biggest single carbon polluter, so there is still a big question mark over what the company “repurposing” the site means. AGL will be submitting a rehabilitation plan to the state by 2025, so keep an eye out for that. Learn more on ABC News.
Kiri Nathan Makes History As First Māori Designer to Open New Zealand Fashion Week
New Zealand Fashion Week opened with a Māori designer for the first time in the event’s 20-year history: Kiri Nathan. She is known for weaving together culture and tradition into her contemporary designs, and showcasing bespoke pieces in her shows. Nathan said: “I feel when you do a runway show, and especially one that holds the responsibility of being the first Māori to open that, you need to make some handcrafted, bespoke and meaningful pieces.” In one highlight from the show, a model revealed the Māori word for hope, ‘Tumanako’, sprayed onto her garment. See more highlights on NewsHub.
Federal Government Announces $200 Million in Funding For Women’s Sport
The federal government has announced $200 million in funding for women’s sport. The announcement comes after the historic success of the Women’s FIFA World Cup and calls from many soccer figures, including Matildas captain Sam Kerr, for the government to invest in local, grassroots women’s sport. The funding will be under the new ‘Play Our Way’ program, which aims to improve sporting facilities and equipment for women and girls. An expert panel has also been established to help design the program, including former athletes Liz Ellis, Lauren Jackson, Madison de Rozario and Tal Karp. Learn more on SBS.
Young People Hold Montana Accountable By Winning Landmark Climate Case
A group of young people in Montana, USA have won a lawsuit accusing state officials of violating their constitutional rights by promoting fossil fuels. The plaintiffs claimed a “stable climate” is a fundamental part of the right to a “clean and wholesome environment”, as protected by the state’s constitution. Montana is a significant coal and natural gas producer, and the ruling means the government must take climate change into account when making decisions about new and existing fossil fuel projects. It’s part of a growing global movement of young people using the courts and government institutions to secure meaningful climate action – like 19-year-old climate activist Anjali Sharma teaming up with independent Senator David Pocock on the Duty of Care Bill here in Australia. Learn more about the Montana win on The Guardian.
September
Chioma Nnadi Becomes First Black Woman To Lead A Vogue Magazine
London-born fashion journalist Chioma Nnadi has been appointed Head of Editorial Content at British Vogue. Chioma will be the first Black woman to hold the top role at British Vogue, and at any Vogue magazine. In an interview with Vogue World, the new head of editorial said: “Things have changed a lot. When I started out, there was one other Black person working in the building, and we both went to the same college. It wasn’t the same place it is now. Obviously, matters of diversity and inclusion should always be on the agenda, but it feels like more of an open conversation now, and that feels to me like progress.” Get to know Chioma Nnadi on The Guardian.
Australia’s Biggest Brands Reshoot Ads To Include People With Disabilities
Some of Australia’s most well-known brands have re-shot commercials to include a person with a disability, as part of Dylan Alcott’s Shift 20 Initiative. The Shift 20 Initiative aims to improve disability representation, inclusion, and promote accessibility within Australia’s advertising and media landscape – while nearly 20% of Australians have a visible or non-visible disability, only 1% of ads include them. Production for the new ads included both talent and crew with disabilities, for brands including ANZ, AAMI, Bonds, Kia, McDonald’s, Oral-B, NIB, Pantene, Uber and Weet-Bix. Learn more about the campaign on AdNews.
India Approves Bill to Allocate 33% of Parliament Seats For Women Candidates
A bill requiring India’s parliament to set aside one third of seats for women has passed the upper house – 27 years after it was initially proposed in 1996. Nearly 50% of India’s 950 million registered voters are women, but their participation in politics is extremely low – only 13% of MPs are women (104 out of 788). Although virtually confirmed, the bill will need to be officially approved by at least 14 of India’s 28 state legislatures to become enshrined in the constitution. Rohini Pande, director of the Economic Growth Center at Yale University, told Vox that the new policy could also mean an increase in minority and caste representation too. “As we move up the caste distribution, we have more conservative social norms of women’s role outside the household. So the women who are more likely to join politics are actually from lower castes.” Learn more about the bill on Reuters.
Mexico Set To Have First Woman President
Mexico will elect its first woman president next year, with women candidates nominated for the two major parties. Claudia Sheinbaum, a former climate-scientist and Mexico City mayor, will represent the ruling left-wing Morena party. Xóchitl Gálvez, a sitting senator with Indigenous roots, will represent the opposition National Action Party. Despite being a conservative, Gálvez has backed progressive policies on issues such as the environment and LGBTQ+ rights. Both candidates are pro-choice and have confirmed that they will keep popular anti-poverty policies in place. It’s a result of the current political mood in Mexico, with the Supreme Court decriminalising abortion across all 32 states. These new changes will allow both candidates to consider including abortion care and access in the federal healthcare system. Get informed on the historic election on the Guardian.
October
Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke Has Become New Zealand’s Youngest MP at 21
Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke won the Hauraki Waikato electorate in New Zealand’s federal elections, making the 21-year-old the youngest ever elected MP. She is a member of Te Pāti Māori (the Māori Party), and Hauraki-Waikato is one of the reserved Māori electorates. Maipi-Clarke won the seat from sitting Labour member Nanaia Mahuta, who held the electorate for 20 years and was the country’s longest-serving female MP. Maipi-Clarke runs a māra kai, a Māori community garden that educates local children about gardening whilst honouring Māori tradition and culture. She has also written a book encouraging young people to look into Māori practices to heal themselves. Maipi-Clarke hopes to continue her role as a “guardian for Māori language, the land and for traditional knowledge.” Learn more about Maipi-Clarke’s win on Stuff NZ.
California Will Requires Large Companies To Reveal Their Carbon Emissions
In a world first, California will now require large companies doing business in the state to report their carbon emissions. The new laws will require companies with more than $1bn in annual revenue to report how much carbon is being produced from their operations and electricity use. It applies to around 5300 corporations, including Chevron, Wells Fargo, Amazon and Apple. California regulators must put a system in place for reporting emissions by January 1, 2025 and the law is expected to be implemented by 2026. By 2027, they will also be required to report emissions generated by their supply chains and customers. Another bill passed requires businesses with more than $500m in yearly revenue to disclose their climate-related financial risks beginning in 2026. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is also working on a federal rule that would make similar requirements of public companies. Learn more about the new laws on Guardian US.
Cervical Cancer Treatment Breakthrough After 20 Years
Researchers funded by Cancer Research UK have found that a course of cheap, existing drugs before radiotherapy treatment for cervical cancer reduces the patient’s risk of death by more than 33%. The trial found that after five years, 80% of those who received a short round of induction chemotherapy before chemoradiation were alive and 73% had not seen their cancer return or spread. Of the group who received just the standard treatment, 72% were alive and 64% had not seen their cancer return or spread. Scientists say its the biggest breakthrough in treating cervical cancer in 20 years. According to the BBC: “Because the two chemotherapy drugs are cheap, accessible, and already approved for use in patients, experts say they could become a new standard of care relatively quickly.” Read more on BBC.
UNESCO Says 50 Million More Girls In School
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) reported there are now 50 million more girls in school than in 2015. It translates to an addition 22.5 million girls in primary school, 14.6 million more in lower secondary, and 13 million more in upper secondary education. Completion rates for girls have also increased from 89% in primary school (up from 86%) and 61% in high school (up from 54%). Although this is great news, it remains a work in progress with 122 million girls still out of school around the world. Read the full UNESCO report.
FIFA Bans Former Spanish Football President Luis Rubiales After Sexually Assaulting Player
The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has banned Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Spanish Football Association (RFEF), from all football-related activities for three years. This follows the misconduct he performed this year at the Women’s World Cup final where he forcibly kissed player Jenni Hermoso on the lips at the trophy ceremony in which Spain beat England. Rubiales is also under criminal investigation in Spain for the same incident and is subject to a restraining order to prevent him from contacting Hermoso. Should FIFA have imposed a longer ban? Definitely – Rubiales committed serious misconduct and in our view should be banned for life. But for the notoriously corrupt and male-dominated organisation to impose real consequences is a good sign that the noise we make about this is creating positive change. Read more on SBS.
November
BlakCast Becomes Australia’s First Indigenous Podcast Network
Mundanara Bayles has launched Australia’s first-ever Indigenous-owned and led podcast network, BlakCast, in partnership with iHeart Radio. Podcasts on the network will include Black Magic Woman, Yarning Up, Curtain the Podcast, Unapologetically Blak, Meet the Mob and Coming Out Blak. The network aims to not only showcase First Nations stories, but also allow First Nations’ peoples to reclaim their own narratives and shape a more inclusive media scene in Australia. “For a Blak woman to launch a Blak podcast with the number one podcast publisher in the country, that’s a big deal,” Bayles told NITV. Read more on Radio Info.
Australian High Court Rules That Indefinite Immigration Detention Is Unlawful
In a landmark decision, the high court overturned over a 20-year-old precedent, now ruling that indefinite immigration detention is indeed unlawful. The judges unanimously agreed on the decision. The Australian government has placed hundreds of displaced peoples in immigration detention since the 2004 ruling that “noncitizens without visas could be detained indefinitely, so long as the government intended to remove them as soon as reasonably practicable.” The average amount of time a non-citizen is held is 708 days. Currently, there are 124 people who have been detained for more than five years – the new ruling has prompted the release of more than 140 detainees from immigration detention centres around Australia, so far. Learn more on Guardian Australia.
South Africa Set To Become First African Country To Introduce Shared Parental Leave
In October the South African High Court ruled that “all categories of parents, whether by birth, adoption or surrogacy, should have equal leave durations.” This month, on the back of this landmark decision, the government announced that South Africa is set to become the first country in Africa to introduce shared parental leave. Previously, mothers were entitled to four months of leave and fathers or partners were allowed a maximum of 10 days. The new ruling will allow parents to choose how to “divide four months leave between them after the birth of their baby, or adopting a child”. Single parents of any gender can take the entire leave by themselves. The government has two years to refine and develop the law. Read more on The Guardian.
US Surgeons Perform World’s First Whole-Eye Transplant
A team of surgeons in New York have performed the world’s first transplant of an entire eye. The patient is Arkansas man Aaron James, who survived a work-related high-voltage electrical accident that destroyed the left side of his face, his nose, mouth and left eye. Because this world-first eye transplant was part of the broader face transplant, the transplanted eye is not communicating with the brain through the optic nerve – however, doctors still have hope for vision to be restored. Dr. Eduardo Rodriguez told Reuters: “The mere fact that we transplanted an eye is a huge step forward, something that for centuries has been thought about, but it’s never been performed.” It brings the medical field a step closer to restore vision to sightless eyes. Read more on Reuters.
December
First Baby Born In Australia From A Transplanted Uterus
Kirsty Bryant has become the first woman in Australia to give birth from a transplanted uterus. Kirsty gave birth to Henry Bryant on December 15, at the Royal Hospital for Women in Sydney, via caesarian section, weighing a healthy 2.9 kilograms. Kirsty had previously gone through a 16-hour surgery in January to receive a uterus donated by her mother, Michelle, as part of a research trial. Professor Brännström, performed the world’s first successful uterus transplantation in Sweden. He returned to Australia for Henry’s birth and shared that “this gives hope to other women with uterine factor infertility that they can carry a child of their own without the need for other options such as adoption and surrogacy.” The Sydney hospital has received approval to conduct six more uterine transplant surgeries as part of the clinical trial, which is anticipated to continue for the next three years. Learn more about Kirsty and Henry on SBS.
Pope Francis Approves Catholic Priests To Bless Same-Sex Couples
Pope Francis has approved a ruling allowing Catholic priests to bless same-sex and unmarried couples. This is a radical and much-welcomed shift away from a 2021 ruling from the Vatican doctrine office, which barred any blessings, saying God “cannot bless sin.” The change was announced in a declaration released from the Vatican’s doctrine office, which states, “When people ask for a blessing, an exhaustive moral analysis should not be placed as a precondition for conferring it. For those seeking a blessing should not be required to have prior moral perfection.” The new ruling says it opens “the possibility of blessings for couples in irregular situations and for couples of the same sex.” Although the stance on same-sex marriage has not yet changed, this is absolutely a step towards more inclusion and recognition for LGBTIQA+ Catholics in the church. For more information on the declaration, check out the ABC.
First Tiny Victorian Grassland Earless Dragons Born After 50 Years
The Melbourne Zoo welcomed 26 hatchlings of Tiny Victorian Grassland Earless Dragons this month. The dragons are listed as critically endangered and until January 2023 had not been sighted for more than 50 years and were believed to be extinct. The recently hatched dragons offspring are being nurtured in controlled climate settings and looked after by a dedicated caretaker. The nursery for the hatchlings and the caretaker’s role were made possible by a $246,000 contribution from Colossal Biosciences, an American company specializing in genetic engineering and de-extinction. Colossal’s CEO, Ben Lamm said, “Colossal, in partnership with Zoos Victoria, is proving that when we combine next-generation science with a focus on animal stewardship we can protect and preserve the diverse and lost species of our planet.” Read more about the tiny dragons on DEECA.
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