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Kosovo has been officially cleared of landmines after a humanitarian mission concluded its work. The Halo Trust, a charity focused on mine clearance, announced that the project is finished, stating the cleared land will help the country recover. Over 800,000 people were displaced during the war in 1998 and 1999, and many returned to find landscapes littered with mines. The Halo Trust reported that 150 people were killed or injured by mines in the first month alone. Today, the cleared land supports agriculture and infrastructure projects, aiding the post-war economy. According to the World Bank, average life expectancy in Kosovo is now 78 years, just one year less than in the US. Atholl Stewart, programme manager for Halo Kosovo, noted that the real impact of removing mines is measured in what the land makes possible over time.

Germany has set a date to quit fossil fuels by 2045. The government published a roadmap to transition away from coal, oil, and gas, including plans to ramp up renewables and accelerate electric vehicle rollouts. This aligns with the global methane pledge agreed at Cop26. However, the Climate Action Tracker reports that Germany is already off track to meet its existing obligations. Despite fierce debate among politicians regarding flexibility for struggling car manufacturers, this move reflects a wider shift where some nations are establishing their own exit strategies despite opposition from petrostates at recent climate conferences.

A new cancer test developed by the University of Manchester could prevent thousands of women from undergoing invasive checks. Currently, diagnosis involves internal ultrasound scans, biopsies, and hysteroscopy, which is costly and painful. The new test detects cancer by analyzing cells collected from urine and vaginal fluid. In a trial with 1,864 women, it identified more than 80% of cancers and was 98.8% accurate in ruling out the disease. Prof Emma Davidson stated that this simple test could safely reassure many women earlier in the diagnostic pathway if further studies confirm its findings in routine practice.

Thailand has eliminated rubella as a public health problem, described by the World Health Organization as a major milestone. Rubella is a contagious viral infection that can cause miscarriage or birth defects if caught during pregnancy, but it is preventable through vaccines. Dr Nilesh Buddha of the WHO said Thailand’s achievement demonstrates that elimination is possible with strong political commitment and community trust. Thailand joins over 130 other nations that have eliminated the disease as a public health problem.

The High Seas Treaty has reached 100 ratifying countries, including Australia, Germany, and Canada. This treaty provides the first legal framework to conserve life on the high seas, covering nearly half the planet’s surface. Currently, less than 1% of international waters are fully protected. Rebecca Hubbard of the High Seas Alliance noted that reaching 100 nations marks real momentum for ocean protection. The report warns that progress at sea is slow and that damaging practices like bottom trawling still occur in conservation zones.

A new patient safety scheme called Martha’s Rule will be rolled out to all A&E wards in England. Named after Martha Mills, who died of sepsis at age 13, the scheme allows patients to seek a second opinion if they are concerned about their care. Between September 2024 and June 2025, 4,906 calls were made to helplines at hospitals trialling the scheme, with 241 leading to potentially life-saving interventions. NHS England announced the expansion to all A&E wards this week, a move welcomed by the NHS Alliance for enhancing care safety.