War veteran’s fundraising efforts, blood donation accessibility for gay men, LGBT+ protection in Virginia
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Photo: Martin Kníže / Unsplash (CC0)
In today’s edition of Squirrel News, we’re talking about a 99-year-old war veteran’s mammoth fundraising project, a relaxation in blood donation guidelines for gay men, and increased LGBT+ protection in Virginia.
A 99-year old war veteran has raised over £23 million for the UK’s NHS
Captain Tom Moore initially only hoped to raise £1000 by walking 100 laps of his garden, and has been described as a “one man fundraising machine” by the Duke of Cambridge.
Virginia has become the first southern US state to make discrimination against LGBT+ individuals illegal
The bill passed by governer Ralph Northam means that those with non-traditional gender or sexual identities are protected under the state’s civil rights laws.
The F.D.A. have announce a relaxation in blood donation guidelines for gay men and others
The discriminatory 12-month waiting period for male donors who had sex with another man was implemented in 2015, to replace a lifetime ban instigated during the 1980s AIDS crisis. It has now been reduced to three months.
School and hospital caterers in the UK pledge to cut meat served in their meals by 20% in order to reduce their environmental impact
The removal of approximately 9 million kilograms of meat equates to roughly 45,000 cows, and will substantially improve the healthiness of the service.
A region in the southern Philippines will hold their first autonomous governmental elections in 2022
Whilst there is still work to be done in order to prevent corruption and influence from clan politics, the move is a breakthrough for democracy in Bangsamoro.
Native American tribal members are embracing technology to preserve their languages
With over 90% of indigenous tongues at risk of extinction, their digital documentation not only protects the language itself, but also the knowledge that comes with it.
A women-lead company has employed 18 deaf workers who use sign language to promote eco-friendly lifestyle
The Ethiopian firm is slowly pushing the plastic-loving capital away from environmentally damaging options, supporting social initiatives while they do so.
Women in Rohingya refugee camps are mobilising their communities to prevent the spread of COVID-19
Female volunteers in the Bangladeshi camps are collaborating with UN Women in order to educate and protect an already vulnerable group, with positive results.