New York governor signs law raising age to own semiautomatic rifle
New York’s Legislature passed the bills last week, pushing the changes through after a pair of mass shootings involving 18-year-old gunmen using semiautomatic rifles.
Associated Press
In historic shift, far fewer teens face adult U.S. courts
Data reported to the FBI each year by thousands of police departments across the country shows the percentage of youths taken into custody who were referred to adult courts dropped from 8% in 2010 to 2% in 2019.
Major Japan railway now powered exclusively by renewable energy
Tokyu Railways’ trains running through Shibuya and other stations were switched to power generated only by solar and other renewable sources starting April 1.
Washington State launches first-in-the-nation missing Indigenous people alert system
The law attempts to address a crisis of missing Indigenous people — particularly women — through a system similar to Amber Alerts.
Target to keep stores closed on Thanksgiving for good
“You don’t have to wonder whether this is the last Thanksgiving you’ll spend with family and friends for a while,” Target CEO Brian Cornell wrote in a note to employees.
Portugal becomes fourth E.U. country to stop using coal plants
The Pego plant located 90 miles northeast of Lisbon stopped generating over the weekend, as Portugal became the fourth E.U. country to stop burning coal to produce electricity.
Largest Dutch pension fund to divest from fossil fuel producers
The ABP fund is a wealthy and influential investor that manages the pension savings of more than 3 million Dutch workers and has some 15 billion euros invested in fossil fuel production.
Tehran police will no longer arrest women for failing to observe Islamic dress code
For nearly 40 years, women in Iran have been forced to cover their hair and wear long, loose garments.
U.S. to erase student debt for those with severe disabilities
The Biden administration will automatically erase student loan debt for more than 300,000 Americans with severe disabilities that leave them unable to earn significant incomes. The move will wipe out more than $5.8 billion in debt.
U.S. Department of Agriculture to permanently boost food stamp benefits by 25 percent
The Biden administration has approved a significant and permanent increase in the levels of food stamp assistance available to needy families—the largest single increase in the program’s history.