Record number of women of color running for U.S. Congress in 2020
At least 266 Black, Latinx, Asian, Native American, Middle Eastern and North African women are running for the House and Senate, shattering 2018’s numbers.
Citizens
A million people in the U.K. have quit smoking since the start of the pandemic
More than one million people in the U.K. have given up smoking since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new study by the nonprofit Action on Smoking and Health. Almost half (41%) said it was a direct response to heightened health concerns due to COVID-19.
Thousands protest in Poland demanding release of LGBT activist
Several thousand people waving rainbow flags protested on Saturday in the center of Warsaw to demand the release of an LGBT activist accused of hanging rainbow banners over statues and damaging an anti-abortion campaigner’s van.
Missouri voters approve Medicaid healthcare expansion
Voters made Missouri the 38th state to approve expanding Medicaid health care coverage to thousands more low-income adults. As many as 250,000 more adults could choose to be covered by government health insurance beginning in July 2021.
Greta Thunberg launches open letter demanding world leaders take immediate action on the climate crisis
Greta Thunberg has launched an open letter signed by thousands of activists and celebrities, and hundreds of scientists demanding global leaders take measurable, immediate action to genuinely tackle the climate crisis.
Female US Army soldier makes history by becoming the first woman to become a Green Beret
In a major achievement for women in the armed forces, a soldier became the US Army’s first female Green Beret Thursday, US Army Special Operations Command announced.
Valentina Sampaio becomes first openly trans model in Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue
The model Valentina Sampaio has made history by becoming the first openly transgender model to be featured in Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit issue. The 23-year-old Brazilian has been selected as a model for the issue that will be released on 21 July.
Madeline Swegle makes history as US Navy’s 1st Black female fighter pilot
The U.S. Navy celebrated a historic moment this week as it announced Lt. j.g. Madeline Swegle was set to become its first Black female tactical fighter pilot. Swegle has earned her wings as a U.S. Navy fighter pilot and will receive her “Wings of Gold” in late July.
More than 2 million people in India gather to plant 250 million trees
More than 2 million people gathered Sunday at river banks, farmlands and government buildings in northern India while trying to practice social distancing to plant 250 million trees as part of a government plan to tackle climate change.
170,000 young people from 23 countries participate the UN’s Tide Turners Plastic Challenge
Tide Turners, launched in 2019 by the UN Environment Programme encourages young people to alter their attitude towards plastic consumption and spark behavioral change in their communities.