Kansas City becomes first major American city with universal fare-free public transit
Free bus service, which is expected to cost about $8 million, has been pitched as a major help to low-income residents who rely on transit to commute to work.
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Yokohama recognizes partnerships for LGBT couples
The city of Yokohama near Tokyo began issuing certificates recognizing the partnerships of sexual minority and common-law couples on Monday.
Zambia halts mining permits in pristine wilderness
Besides being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Zambia’s Lower Zambezi National Park is 1,500 square miles of classic African bush (about half the size of Yellowstone).
Hong Kong voters deliver landslide victory for pro-democracy campaigners
Hong Kong’s voters have delivered an unprecedented landslide for pro-democracy candidates in local elections, in a powerful show of solidarity with the city’s protest movement and rebuke to the government over its handling of the crisis.
Survey of 167 countries shows tolerance toward LGBT people rising globally
The rise in acceptance of LGBT people was particularly marked, rising from about one in four people expressing acceptance a decade ago to almost a third in the latest report.
United States enacts animal cruelty bill into law, making it a federal felony
Animal cruelty has officially become a federal felony after President Donald Trump signed the bipartisan bill, Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act, into law.
27 countries pledge $9.7 billion for climate action in the global South
Countries from around the world have pledged more than $9.7 billion to replenish the Green Climate Fund (GCF), which was established in 2010 by the 194 countries to serve as a key channel for delivering climate finance to developing countries.
Researchers create AI system that predicts epileptic seizures with 99.6% accuracy
The system will give people suffering from epilepsy warning that a seizure is imminent, enabling them to take medication—or alert a friend, relative or medical professional.
Humpback whales in the South Atlantic have recovered from near-extinction
A new count shows the population off Brazil went from about 450 in the 1950s to 25,000 now
EasyJet becomes world’s first carbon-neutral airline by offsetting all emissions
EasyJet will begin to offset emissions from its 331 planes immediately. It will become the world’s first major airline to operate net zero carbon flights across their entire network.