Quebec and Montreal order more than 1200 electric buses
The provincial government is providing $1.1 billion while the federal government will contribute $780 million, making it North America’s largest-ever electric bus acquisition.
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Eight Florida mayors sign pledge to support LGBTQ+ youth
The mayors of Orlando, Miami Beach, Tampa, Tallahassee, and four other Florida cities have released proclamations declaring that their communities are safe and affirming places for LGBTQ+ Floridians in defiance of new state policies.
Oregon licenses U.S.’s first-ever legal psilocybin facilitators
Oregon regulators announced on April 18 that they have approved the nation’s first state-licensed psilocybin facilitators to administer the psychedelic to adults at regulated facilities.
Women created almost half of all new businesses in the U.S. last year
5 million businesses were founded in the U.S. in 2022. 47% of those new businesses were founded by women. Before the pandemic, just 29% of American entrepreneurs were women.
Sri Lankan Supreme Court clears path to decriminalize homosexuality
Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court has given the green light to a bill seeking to decriminalize homosexuality in a move hailed as a “historic development” by campaigners.
Maryland passes bill protecting gender-affirming care access for trans people on Medicaid
“While other states are dead set on ripping away reproductive rights and attempting to erase the existence of trans and nonbinary individuals, we’re doing the opposite: We’re making Maryland a state that is welcoming, inclusive, and that safeguards the rights of all people.”
World Health Organization ends global health emergency declaration for COVID-19
Nearly seven million deaths from COVID-19 have been reported to WHO, However, for more than a year the pandemic has been on a downward trend, allowing many around the world to largely return to relatively normality.
New York passes U.S.’s first statewide ban on gas in new buildings
Starting in 2026, new buildings under seven stories won’t be allowed to include stoves, furnaces or water heaters that burn gas and other fossil fuels. Larger buildings are required to comply starting in 2029.
Brazil’s President Lula recognizes six Indigenous lands, and says more to come
After years of stalling due to opposition by the two former presidents with the country’s Indigenous policies, they are the first Indigenous lands to be demarcated since 2018.
Sweden to build world’s first permanent e-road by 2035
The first of its kind in the world, the e-motorway that charges EVs while they drive may lead to an expansion of a further 3,000 km of electric roads in Sweden by 2045.