Today on Squirrel News, New Zealand sets a deadline to ban ‘forever chemicals’ in cosmetics, a groundbreaking blood test offers hope for brain cancer detection, and a city in Minnesota curbs car theft surge.
New Zealand to ban ‘forever chemicals’ in cosmetics
New Zealand announces a ban on harmful ‘forever chemicals’ in cosmetics by 2026, addressing growing concerns over their indestructibility and links to severe health issues.
Source: The Guardian
World-first blood test for brain cancer promises higher survival rates
Researchers have developed a groundbreaking blood test capable of diagnosing brain cancers, including those previously hard to detect. This offers a non-invasive alternative to surgical biopsies and the potential to improve treatment outcomes significantly.
Source: The Guardian
EU agrees law on violence against women
The European Union has reached an agreement on a new law aimed at protecting women and girls from gender-based violence, forced marriages, female genital mutilation and cyber harassment.
Source: France 24
Tackling surge in car thefts with intervention strategies
St. Paul, Minnesota, curbed a surge in youth-driven car thefts, linked to a viral TikTok trend, by nearly 40% through prevention strategies and positive youth engagement.
Source: NPR
Facebook, Instagram to label all AI-generated images
To address AI misinformation, Meta will introduce technology capable of identifying and labelling AI-generated images on Facebook and Instagram.
Source: BBC
Personal outreach efforts reduce school absenteeism in Maine
In Sanford, Maine, targeted one-on-one outreach efforts are making strides in reducing school absenteeism, with students showing improvements in attendance.
Source: Stateline
Athletes champion climate action
A new wave of sports stars, including young athletes, are leveraging their platforms to advocate for climate change solutions.
Source: Positive News
The world’s first transport training center for people with disabilities
Dublin is set to welcome The Wayfinding Centre, the world’s first transport training facility dedicated to assisting individuals with disabilities and mobility challenges.
Source: RTE
Innovative travel solutions for blind, neurodiverse visitors
Tour operators and cities are breaking barriers for blind and and autistic travellers, offering guided adventures, sensory-rich city tours, and autism-certified experiences.
Source: Positive News
Trails building economic resilience in rural communities
Amidst natural disasters and economic fluctuations, the Lost Sierra region finds hope in a trail network initiative spearheaded by local enthusiasts.