Euro News

Bordeaux, France just surpassed Paris in a new ranking of the world's most beautiful cities, with Europe dominating nine out of the top 10 spots. The rankings are based on buildings that adhere to the 'golden ratio' for balanced and harmonious structures. Venice takes the lead as the most beautiful city, followed by Rome and Barcelona in second and third place respectively. Despite iconic landmarks, Paris lands at 12th place. In fifth place is the only non-European city to make the top 10: New York City.

9 Out of 10 of the World’s Most Beautiful Cities Are in Europe, Says New Ranking

CNBC

When Susannah Rosen was just 2½ years old, her parents noticed something that didn’t sit right. During bath time in their New York apartment, when her mother Sally Jackson encouraged her to kick her legs in the water, Susannah couldn’t.

What at first felt like a developmental delay quickly became something far more serious. “She was couch surfing and army crawling around the apartment at an age when toddlers typically take off running,” her father, Luke Rosen, recalled. When she tried to walk, her gait was wide, and her balance unsteady.

Eventually, the Rosens were told their daughter had a mutation in her KIF1A gene, a rare and devastating neurological condition known as KIF1A-Associated Neurological Disorder (KAND). The mutation causes a toxic gain of function—producing abnormal proteins that slowly damage nerves throughout the body and brain. At the time, there were no treatments. No clinical trials. No playbook. Just heartbreak.

Doctors warned that Susannah might never walk, and she’d likely develop seizures. “That was the beginning of our incredibly new and terrifying normal,” Luke said.

But it didn’t end there. With a recommendation from physician Dr. Wendy Chung, the Rosens launched KIF1A.org, a foundation aimed at finding 100 other patients with the same disorder. “We were told we had five years to find a treatment,” Luke said. Today, their foundation has connected over 700 families.

The search for hope led them to n-Lorem, a nonprofit founded in 2020 by Dr. Stanley Crooke, a pioneer in genetic medicine. His team develops customized antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapies for patients with ultra-rare—or “nano-rare”—diseases, affecting as few as one to 30 people worldwide. Treatment, once developed, is provided free for life.

Susannah became n-Lorem’s first patient to receive an ASO therapy designed specifically for her mutation. Delivered via a spinal procedure, the therapy swaps cerebrospinal fluid with a drug that allows normal protein production in her cells.

After her second dose, Luke noticed a shift. “Her tremor was gone. That’s not an FDA-approved outcome measure, but it meant the world to us,” he said. “We could have breakfast together. Just sit in quiet.”

Susannah has now been receiving ASO treatments for three years. It hasn’t been a cure. She still faces setbacks. The disease continues to challenge her. But it has given the Rosen family something they never expected to have again: time.

“We’re afraid the disease is catching up to the treatment,” Luke said. “And we just wish we had gotten this treatment for her five years ago. But I know the next kiddo will be younger. The treatment will reach every brain cell. I know it. Our gal is a pioneer.”

From that first moment in the bathtub to now, Susannah’s story has become a catalyst—not just for her own care, but for a growing global effort to treat the rarest of the rare. She is one of just 40 patients n-Lorem has treated so far. Hundreds more are waiting.

“Susannah’s amazing and tough as nails,” Luke said. “She’s helped us find a purpose we never asked for—but now can’t imagine living without.”

To learn more or support families like the Rosens, visit KIF1A.org.

A Father’s Fight: How One Girl’s Rare Diagnosis Sparked a Global Movement for a Cure

The Grammys are finally giving Fela Kuti his due.

Almost three decades after his death, the Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer will be honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Grammy Awards—the first African artist to ever receive the accolade.

The award comes two years after the Grammys introduced the Best African Performance category, signaling a broader recognition of African music’s global influence. Kuti’s son, Seun Kuti, said the honour acknowledges what fans across the continent and beyond have long known.

“Fela has been in the hearts of the people for such a long time,” he told the BBC. “Now the Grammys have acknowledged it, and it’s a double victory.”

Kuti died in 1997 at age 58, leaving behind more than 50 albums that blended jazz, funk, and traditional Yoruba music with searing political commentary. He used music not just to entertain, but to challenge oppression and speak truth to power—becoming one of Africa’s most potent cultural voices in the process.

His influence stretched far beyond Nigeria. The Afrobeat sound he helped pioneer became a global phenomenon, shaping generations of musicians, from his sons Femi and Seun to contemporary artists like Burna Boy, who cited Kuti as a major inspiration in his own Grammy-winning work.

Rikki Stein, Kuti’s longtime manager, called the award long overdue. “Africa hasn’t in the past rated very highly in their interests. I think that’s changing quite a bit of late,” he told the BBC. “Better late than never.”

Fela’s family, friends, and former collaborators will attend the ceremony to accept the award on his behalf.

The 68th Grammy Awards will take place on Sunday, 31 January 2026, with Trevor Noah returning as host for the sixth year in a row. Kendrick Lamar leads the pack with nine nominations, including album, record, and song of the year.

But it’s Kuti’s posthumous recognition that will mark one of the ceremony’s most symbolic moments—a nod not just to a legendary artist, but to the enduring power of African music to shape the world.

Fela Kuti Becomes First African To Receive Lifetime Achievement Award At Grammys

Positive.News

1. England’s murder rate hit a historic low
Contrary to political talking points claiming “lawless Britain,” new crime stats from the Office for National Statistics tell a very different story. The murder rate in England and Wales fell to its lowest level since 1977. Gun crime and knife crime also dropped, supported by hospital data showing fewer sharp object injuries. Domestic burglary and vehicle theft dropped by double digits. “Many aspects of violent crime and theft… have fallen,” said ONS’ Billy Gazard.

2. France voted to ban under-15s from social media
In a major push to protect kids from the influence of addictive algorithms, French lawmakers approved a bill that would bar children under 15 from using social media. The legislation still needs Senate approval but could be passed into law as early as next month. The draft also includes a ban on smartphones in schools. President Emmanuel Macron said the bill defends children’s emotional wellbeing from “American platforms and Chinese algorithms.”

3. The world broke a nuclear test-free record
It’s been more than 2,700 days since the last nuclear explosion—the longest period since 1945. That test, by North Korea in 2017, remains the most recent thanks in part to the 1996 Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, signed by 187 nations. “The world has quietly broken a record,” wrote scientist Dylan Spaulding. While experts warn the moratorium remains fragile, the milestone was welcomed as a “quiet victory for humanity.”

4. India’s clean energy leap is accelerating
India’s economic growth is decoupling from fossil fuels in ways China’s never did, according to new analysis by Ember. India’s road oil use per person is half what China’s was at a similar development stage. The country also uses 40% less coal and is ahead on solar—already generating 9% of its electricity this way. “India is seizing the opportunity,” the report says, thanks to plunging electrotech costs that didn’t exist a decade ago.

5. EVs outsold petrol cars in the EU for the first time
Battery-electric cars outsold petrol models in the EU in December—22.6% of new car sales versus 22.5%. Hybrids were the top sellers overall. “Petrol is bombing and diesels are all but dead,” said Carbon Brief’s Simon Evans. Despite some EU governments backtracking on combustion engine phase-outs, consumer momentum is heading full-speed toward electric.

6. U.S. offshore wind projects are back on track
Work has resumed on three major offshore wind farms after federal judges overturned a suspension order issued by the Trump administration. The projects, including the nearly completed Vineyard Wind 1 off the Massachusetts coast, were halted in December for “national security” reasons. “Federal judges have sided with the American people,” said the Sierra Club’s Nancy Pyne. Vineyard Wind 1 is due online in March.

7. Scotland passed a law to protect swifts
A new law will require all new homes in Scotland to include “swift bricks”—simple, hollow bricks that provide nesting space for the declining bird species. The Scottish Green Party pushed the measure through after a four-year consultation. “This is a cheap, simple and common-sense solution,” said MSP Mark Ruskell, calling on England to follow suit.

8. Bamboo got its big UK breakthrough
The UK’s Institute of Structural Engineers published a new manual on using bamboo in permanent construction—potentially a game-changer for low-carbon building. The fast-growing, durable plant has long been used in Asia and South America but is now getting serious consideration in Europe. “This marks a significant milestone,” said lead author Dr. David Trujillio.

9. Writers reshaped the narrative on poverty and homelessness
A new UK anthology titled More Than One Story brings together 37 writers with firsthand experience of poverty and housing insecurity. Curated by Cardboard Citizens, the collection aims to challenge stereotypes through raw, joyful, angry, and deeply human stories. “What we received was a chorus—voices carrying truths shaped by resilience, love, survival,” said CEO Chris Sonnex.

England's Murder Rate Falls, France Limits Social Media for Kids, and More Good News This Week

BBC News

Twelve-year-old Lucy Foyster isn’t just dreaming about her tennis future—she’s already living it.

The rising star from Hethersett, near Norwich, made her junior Grand Slam debut at the Australian Open this month, becoming the youngest player ever to compete in the tournament’s junior wheelchair draw. Ranked sixth in the world for girls' wheelchair tennis, Lucy earned a wild card entry and quickly made her mark, going toe-to-toe with some of the top-ranked players in the world.

“This is what I wanted and I achieved it,” she said after her debut match. “It’s given me a lot of self-belief.”

Lucy faced world No. 1 Luna Gryp of Belgium in her first match. She lost, but not without a fight—taking a set off the top seed for the first time, something BBC sports presenter Gemma Stevenson described as a major milestone. Because the junior tournament is a round robin format, Lucy also got the chance to test herself against the rest of the top three players in the world.

“For me and my coaches, this is more about growth and learning,” she said. “Because I am so young, I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself.”

Her appearance in Melbourne is just the latest step in a remarkable journey that started only three years ago.

Before she picked up a racquet, Lucy was already turning heads in standing tennis. But at age seven, she was diagnosed with bone cancer, which led to her transition to wheelchair sport. After her treatment, her mother Helga reached out to wheelchair tennis champion Alfie Hewett, who invited them to Wimbledon in 2022. That moment would prove life-changing.

Not long after, Lucy joined a Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) training camp and entered its under-14s program—a pipeline that could eventually lead to elite international competition, including the Paralympics. She’s already smashed through milestones: in 2023, she became the youngest winner of both the women’s wheelchair event at SW19 and the national singles title at the Wheelchair Tennis National Finals in Gloucester.

Now, she’s holding her own on one of the sport’s biggest stages.

“Luna is a great player, she’s very experienced,” Lucy said of her Australian Open debut. “It’s my first time taking her to three sets, so I’ve got to take that positive out of that match and go back to training and fix those errors.”

Despite being up to six years younger than some of her competitors—who can enter the juniors until they’re 18—Lucy said the age gap hasn’t felt like a barrier. “We all get along, so we don’t really notice it,” she said. “It’s so much fun to be around the girls.”

Some might wonder why she didn’t wait until she was older to make a run at a title, but Lucy was clear about her motivation: “There were a few things that really motivated me to come here—just to take in this experience, and it was just amazing.”

Her mentor Alfie Hewett, currently defending his men’s singles title in Melbourne, has been following her progress closely.

“To have that sort of influence on someone is something that does really, really mean a lot to me,” he said. “She’s done amazing things out here already. I think she’s definitely got a bright future ahead if she keeps on the right path and keeps pushing.”

Lucy’s journey is just beginning—but with talent, perspective, and a love for the game that shines through in every match, it’s clear she’s not just part of the future of wheelchair tennis.

She’s helping shape it.

At Just 12 Years Old, Lucy Foyster Makes History in Junior Wheelchair Tennis

Science Daily

Scientists at Mount Sinai have unveiled a new type of cancer immunotherapy that doesn’t attack cancer cells directly. Instead, it goes after the tumor’s support system—specifically, the cells that protect cancer from the body’s immune response.

The experimental therapy, described in the journal Cancer Cell, uses engineered immune cells to target tumor-associated macrophages, a type of immune cell hijacked by cancer to suppress the body’s defenses. In preclinical trials, this approach dramatically extended survival in mice with metastatic lung and ovarian cancers, with some animals effectively cured.

“Tumors act like a walled fortress,” said Dr. Jaime Mateus-Tique, the study’s lead author and a faculty member at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. “With immunotherapy, we kept running into the same problem—we can’t get past this fortress’s guards. So, we thought: what if we turned the guards into allies?”

Those “guards” are macrophages—normally helpful cells that respond to infections and injuries. But inside tumors, they’re reprogrammed to protect cancer cells, suppress immune responses, and help tumors grow and spread. In many cancers, they’re so abundant they outnumber the cancer cells themselves.

Mount Sinai’s team designed a modified version of CAR T cell therapy—an approach that uses a patient’s own immune cells, genetically reengineered to fight disease. But instead of targeting cancer cells, the scientists retooled the CAR T cells to seek out and eliminate tumor macrophages. They also built in a payload: IL-12, a potent immune-stimulating molecule that turbocharges the attack by calling in killer T cells.

In mice with advanced lung or ovarian cancer, the results were striking. Treated animals lived far longer than untreated ones, and many experienced complete tumor regression.

“To see this level of response in aggressive models of metastatic cancer is incredibly promising,” said Dr. Brian Brown, the study’s senior author and Director of the Icahn Genomics Institute. “What’s so exciting is that our treatment converts these cells from protecting the cancer to killing it. We’ve turned foe into ally.”

The therapy also sidesteps a common hurdle in cancer treatment: finding the right molecular “tag” on cancer cells. Because this strategy works by transforming the tumor environment itself, it doesn’t rely on identifying specific cancer markers. That gives it the potential to work across a wide range of cancers, including those that haven’t responded to other immunotherapies.

Using advanced spatial genomics, the researchers saw that the treatment reshaped the entire tumor environment. Immune-suppressing cells were cleared out. Cancer-killing immune cells flooded in.

Still, the scientists stress that the results are preclinical. Human trials are not yet underway, and questions remain about safety, especially when delivering something as potent as IL-12. The next step is to refine the system in mouse models to better control when and where IL-12 is released.

“This is not a cure yet,” Brown said. “But it establishes a new way to treat cancer—by targeting the cells that enable it rather than the cancer cells themselves.”

The research, supported by NIH grants and private foundations, was conducted by an international team including co-authors from Mount Sinai, the Marc and Jennifer Lipschultz Precision Immunology Institute, and other research centers. Their work may help pave the way for the next generation of CAR T therapies—ones that can finally crack the fortress of solid tumors.

New Immunotherapy Turns Cancer’s Defenses Against It in Breakthrough Animal Study

When temperatures in Mount Sterling, Kentucky, plunged into the single digits last weekend, the Sorrell family didn’t hesitate to bring one very cold and very newborn guest into their home: a baby calf born outside in the freezing weather.

“She was just frozen. Her umbilical cord looked like a popsicle,” said Macey Sorrell, speaking from the family’s farm Thursday. “It was just frozen.”

Macey’s husband, Tanner, had gone out to check on one of their cows, who was due to give birth. He found the calf already delivered and suffering in the cold. After losing a calf to frostbite last winter, the family acted fast. Tanner carried the calf inside, and Macey got to work.

“When we brought her in, she had ice on her. The afterbirth was still on her. I had to wipe all that off,” Macey said. “I took out the blow dryer and warmed her up, and got her all fluffed out.”

A few hours later, the calf was nestled on the family’s couch — clean, warm, and cuddling with Macey’s two children, Gregory and Charlee.

“They crawled up next to her like it was just the most normal thing,” Macey said.

Three-year-old Gregory named the calf “Sally” after the blue Porsche from his favorite movie, Cars.

Photos of the cozy cuddle session quickly gained attention after Macey posted them on social media. In one, Gregory is seen lying on the couch with the calf, his 2-year-old sister Charlee beside him. In another, Macey and Tanner are cleaning and feeding the calf, still covered in afterbirth and ice.

The family, who keep around three dozen cows on their property, say this kind of thing isn’t unusual for them. “It’s just part of what you do,” Macey said. “We bring animals in when we need to.”

Sally spent the night indoors but was strong enough the next morning to be reunited with her mother. She’s doing well, Macey said.

“I almost didn’t post the pictures,” she added. “It’s nothing new for us. But people really seemed to love them.”

Freezing Temps, Warm Hearts: Kentucky Family Brings Newborn Calf Indoors to Save Her Life

GoodGoodGood

On January 30, renowned actress and comedy legend Catherine O’Hara passed away at the age of 71.

O’Hara was best known for her unforgettable performances in Home Alone, Beetlejuice, Best in Show, and more recently, the Emmy-winning series Schitt’s Creek and the HBO hit The Studio. Born in Toronto, she brought her singular style of humor, warmth, and emotional depth to every role across a career that spanned nearly five decades.

Following news of her passing, tributes poured in from colleagues and fans alike. Pedro Pascal, who starred alongside her in The Last of Us, wrote on Instagram, “Oh, genius to be near you. Eternally grateful. There is less light in my world, this lucky world that had you, will keep you, always. Always.”

Beyond her prolific acting work, O’Hara was also widely respected for her philanthropy.

She was a long-time supporter of the Terry Fox Foundation, a Canadian charity that has raised over $950 million for cancer research since 1981. Named for Terry Fox, the young athlete who ran across Canada on a prosthetic leg to raise awareness after losing his own leg to cancer, the foundation became a cause close to O’Hara’s heart.

In March 2024, she posted a message of encouragement for the annual Terry Fox Run, wearing a shirt with the slogan “No Matter What.” “Keep Terry’s dream alive,” she said at the time.

O’Hara also gave generously to causes in the United States, where she lived in recent years. In May 2020, she appeared on a celebrity edition of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire and won $250,000, donating the full amount to Upward Bound House, a Los Angeles nonprofit that helps homeless families transition into permanent housing.

“They stay in touch with other homeless shelters, organizations, and agencies in Los Angeles to find homeless families with children,” O’Hara said backstage before the taping. “So instead of separating children from their parents — as if they need that in those moments — they set them up in an apartment.”

“They provide them not only a home, but all of their specific needs for that family, for those children, work, school, any kind of counseling, and meals! And within a year, in most cases, they have moved the families out to their own permanent homes.”

She remained active in charitable campaigns until the end of her life. In late 2024, she partnered with the University Health Network of Canada to support Parkinson’s disease research, promoting advanced treatments being developed at the Krembil Brain Institute.

“I’m Catherine O’Hara, a proud Canadian. I currently reside in the U.S., but that doesn’t stop me from bragging about Canada’s health care,” she said in a fundraising video.

“University Health Network is Canada’s number one hospital,” she added. “They are world-class, thanks to their life-changing innovations like implanting devices that stimulate the brain and reduce symptoms of Parkinson’s.”

O’Hara’s work with UHN helped raise money and awareness for a condition that affects over 100,000 Canadians and millions globally. The campaign remains open for donations.

As fans mourn the loss of a singular talent, her legacy lives on—not just through her iconic characters, but in the lives she touched offscreen. Catherine O’Hara made people laugh, made people feel, and never stopped using her platform to uplift others.

Hollywood Legend Catherine O’Hara Leaves Behind a Legacy Of Advocacy And Compassion

A young seal pup surprised residents in Cornwall this week after it was found lounging beside a chicken coop in a private garden, nearly 100 metres from the beach.

The pup, estimated to be five or six months old, was discovered in St Loy near St Buryan on Wednesday, after Storm Chandra brought rough seas and flooding to the area. According to the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), the animal likely escaped the stormy surf, crossed the coastal path, and squeezed under a gate before settling in next to the hens.

Dan Jarvis from BDMLR said the juvenile seal looked “pretty content” despite its unexpected location. After a physical assessment, the team determined the animal was slightly underweight but otherwise healthy and didn’t require rehabilitation.

Still, it couldn’t stay. “It wouldn't be a good idea for it to remain in the garden due to nearby domestic animals,” Jarvis said. There were also concerns the seal wouldn’t be able to navigate its way back to the beach safely, especially in the aftermath of the storm.

Rather than release it near the same beach it had fled, BDMLR transported the pup to a more sheltered and safer location along the coast, where it was released back into the sea.

Cornwall’s seal hospital has had a busy winter. Jarvis said December saw 31 pups come through the facility—“incredibly busy”—but January, despite the weather, had been “relatively kind for us.”

BDMLR continues to monitor seal activity across the region and encourages the public to report unusual sightings, particularly after storms, which can displace young or vulnerable animals from their coastal habitats.

This Storm-Chased Seal Pup Was Found in a Cornwall Garden and Safely Returned to Sea

NBC News

When Pickens County firefighters ran into a burning home last March, they had no idea they were about to save an entire litter of lives.

Inside, they found a mother dog curled around her newborn puppies. She had shielded them from the flames, sacrificing her life so they could survive.

“She shielded the babies, she lost her life protecting them,” said Jennifer Seigel, founder of the Georgia-based animal rescue Bosley’s Place.

Firefighters quickly moved to save the puppies. Lieutenant John Isaac Holaway led the rescue.

“Me and my crew went in, they told us what room they were in, whereabout. And I was able to find them because of their mother,” Holaway said. “I just started picking up every puppy that I could, radioed to the chief that I had found them, and then I started passing the puppies out the window.”

The pups were split between two rescues, Pup and Cat Company and Bosley’s Place, where they were bottle-fed, cared for, and eventually adopted. One of those adopters was Holaway himself, who took home a pup he named Chief Lou.

Months passed. All the puppies found homes.

Except for one: Kreed.

“Just the other day, I was on social media and saw a post on their site that showed a dog that looked very familiar to me,” said Seigel. “It said he needed a foster and they couldn’t find one.”

She reached out to Pup and Cat Company, where she confirmed it was, in fact, one of the same puppies from that night. Kreed’s first adoption had fallen through.

“She told me that his first adoption didn’t work out, not because of him, he’s an angel and super sweet,” Seigel said.

So she called Lieutenant Holaway, knowing he already had Lou, Kreed’s brother.

“I reached out to tell him what was happening,” she said. “And he was like, oh no no no. Let’s get the boys together and see if they get along, and if they do, we’ll foster him.”

Holaway didn’t hesitate. After everything that had happened, the connection was too strong to ignore.

“To a lot of people, their animals are their family,” Holaway said. “And it’s cool to be able to save anybody. So it was neat saving a whole litter of puppies.”

When Kreed and Lou reunited for the first time since the fire, the bond was immediate.

“They haven’t seen each other since the house fire,” Seigel said. “So first of all, it was an amazing reunion. And if all goes well, Kreed will go home with Chief Lou.”

Holaway described the moment as emotional. “From the picture that I saw of Kreed yesterday, he looked pretty sad, and now he looks real happy,” he said. “Lou’s loving it. They both seem happy, and that makes me happy.”

For now, Kreed is being fostered by Holaway. Whether it turns into a forever adoption is still undecided, but the early signs are good.

“There’s just a special connection,” Holaway said. “With these dogs, because I rescued them.”

Kreed has also found a place at the firehouse, where Lou is already a regular. The dogs provide comfort to the crew, no matter what kind of shift they’ve had.

“The guys love it,” Holaway said. “It’s like therapy for them. No matter what kind of day we are having, some snuggles and love from the dog is always a plus.”

Seigel says the story is a full-circle moment, and one that reflects the kind of connections her rescue tries to foster.

“One of the things about Bosley’s Place that I really love is that when you’re adopting from us, it really feels like you’re family,” she said. “Even though Kreed wasn’t brought up with us, he’s still part of our family. And I’m just so happy. It’s all love, love, love all the way around.”

As for what comes next, Holaway is keeping it simple.

“We just want to see how it goes,” he said. “As long as he gets a happy home, that’s the most important part.”

Puppy’s Adoption Falls Through — Then His Firefighter Rescuer Stepped In

The Cool Down

Oregon is rolling out a new incentive program that pays businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies to swap out diesel vehicles for electric ones.

The state’s Department of Environmental Quality has launched a rebate initiative aimed at reducing air pollution by supporting the purchase or lease of medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicles. Backed by $17 million in state funding and a federal grant from the Environmental Protection Agency, the program offers rebates ranging from $2,500 to $120,000 per vehicle, depending on size and weight.

"We are really excited to introduce this program and get more electric vehicles on the road, especially in this section of weight classes, and help improve air quality," said Dalton Sheppard, DEQ’s rebate coordinator for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.

The initiative is a key part of Oregon’s broader climate action plan, which includes reducing diesel emissions across the transportation sector. In 2023, the state’s Climate Action Commission laid out a “Roadmap to 2030,” which highlighted cleaner transportation as a central priority. Among the strategies was a focus on financial incentives to speed up adoption of electric vehicles.

“We've priced the rebates to bring those prices of the new zero-emission vehicles closer to a price point that their gas or diesel counterpart might be at,” Sheppard explained. “And we really start to see that price difference between the gas or diesel version or the zero-emission version increase as the class of vehicle goes up.”

So far, nine applicants have been approved under the new program. According to Sheppard, the response from Oregon-based organizations has been overwhelmingly positive.

"They have been showing us a lot of excitement, and they're anticipating buying vehicles, and they have been waiting until the rebate program opens to make those vehicles more appropriate for their business needs," he said.

The rebate initiative will continue until the full $17 million has been distributed.

Download the world's only news app designed to spread joy and happiness.

What's Good Now!