Smorgasbord of good news nuggets from around the globe.
As engineering reaches unimaginable heights of knowledge and expertise, the depictions of the future that wouldn't be out of place in a sci-fi movie seem to be more feasible than ever. The Dubai skyline could get a futuristic taste of its own thanks to a skyscraper concept which is designed to physically rotate as the wind blows. It is not clear when or if the construction for the Squall Tower will take place but, if built, would find itself a place on the list of the world's engineering marvels.
When the Alberta government tried to repeal legislation restricting coal mining in the Rockies, Canadians of all varieties banded together to object. The idea of exploratory mining in the most iconic of Albertan landscapes - the mountains - has seen an unprecedented mobilization by the public. The government has backed down and people power has won!
The real reason why it's hard to lose weight Exercise is vitally important for your health - it just won’t make you thin - discovers a leading metabolism scientist, after a startling realisation while living with an African tribe.
The US Supreme Court has cleared the way for eight years of Donald Trump’s tax returns to be turned over to a New York state prosecutor, in a significant defeat for the former president. The Supreme Court waited months to act in the case but the court includes three Trump appointees. It waited through the election, Mr Trump's challenge to his defeat and a month after he left office before issuing its order, and offered no reason for the delay. More fun and games!
Beaver bonanza 400 years ago, beavers were hunted to extinction in the UK, but are now involved in an increasing number of rewilding programmes.
Texas kindness: when the winter storm took out the power grid, leaving the state in a shambles, one valiant businessman stepped up to make sure his Houston neighbours had a shelter from the cold. Over a 72-hour period, Jim McIngvale opened his stores as impromptu warming stations, providing over 3,000 meals and a place to sleep for more than 700 people.
Costa Rica punches above its weight When it comes to the environment, few countries rival Costa Rica in terms of action and ambition.
First in the EU, Hungary is to start vaccinations today with jabs purchased from Chinese company Sinopharm. Hungary’s government, a strong critic of sluggish EU vaccine rollout, has been the first of the 27 member states to buy and authorise Russian and Chinese vaccines not yet approved by Brussels.
By the end of the year, some analysts expect GDP in the UK to have regained levels reached before the pandemic struck - meaning the country will have clawed back more than £250bn of output lost to Covid in one of the sharpest recoveries in history. This follows predictions from Bank of England chief economist Andy Haldane (pictured) that the UK could bounce back like a “coiled spring”, fuelled by the vast household savings built up in the past year. That really would be good news!
Scots name snowplows After the disaster (albeit hilarious) of Boaty McBoatFace, it's a brave organisation that invites the public to name anything. But, 50 snowplows in Scotland now have names painted on their sides after a nationwide competition.
Now that the 'not too distant' possibility of holidays and international travel is on the cards, how about enjoying a quick trip to stunning Patagonia today?