Celebrating the start of the weekend with some bite-sized chunks of positive news.
Street Treats
Imagine walking down a sidewalk and seeing little funny creatures at your feet! That would make your day, wouldn't it? That's the beauty of David Zinn's street art. It's meant for passers-by to enjoy, individually and collectively. Like all public art, it’s an act of love to strangers, a way of connecting to people without saying a word. Using chalk and charcoal to make his cast of characters come to life in cracks and crevasses, sidewalks and tree trunks Zinn creates an entire world of characters who pop up in unexpected places. The more the merrier! Want to see some of Zinn's street art? Here's a great 2 minute video...
Head of Science
In a week that marked International Women’s Day there was some stellar news from NASA: the space agency has appointed its first female head of science. Solar scientist Dr Nicola Fox, who originally hails from a small market town in the English county of Hertfordshire, steps up from her role leading NASA’s heliophysics division, which studies the sun. Fox hailed her new post as the “best job on the planet”. She now holds the purse strings to a space mission budget worth almost $8bn (£6.76bn).
Celebrating Toni
The United States Postal Service is honoring Toni Morrison, the first Black woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, with her own Forever stamp, officials announced this week. The design was unveiled at a ceremony at Princeton University, where Morrison taught for more than 15 years, and which is currently staging a months-long series of exhibitions and programs dedicated to the author’s life and literary achievements. From Beloved to Song of Solomon, Morrison’s works are celebrated modern classics taught in classrooms nationwide. The writer, who died in 2019, is revered for her ability to examine Black American identity through sharp, spellbinding prose.
Beyond Coal
Coal demand in the UK fell by about 15 percent in 2022, going so low that it broke a 266-year record. Not since 1757 has the country used so little coal - about 6.2 million metric tons, according to a new analysis from the website Carbon Brief. “Last time UK coal use was this low, Mozart was still in nappies,” tweeted Simon Evans, Carbon Brief’s deputy editor and policy editor.
World's Longest
Norway's city of Bergen is gearing up to open the world’s longest purpose-built pedestrian and bicycle tunnel. In April, the 2.9km tunnel will open to the public with running and cycling events. It takes around 10 minutes to cycle through and 30 to 45 minutes to walk through. Known as the Fyllingsdalstunnelen, it cuts through the Løvstakken mountain and cyclists can continue on to the centre of Bergen using existing routes. Its goal is to make it easier for more people to choose cycling and walking over driving.
Howzat!
India has launched a professional women’s cricket premier league, with commentators hailing it a game-changing moment for the sport. The three week tournament is under way in Mumbai and features stars of women’s cricket from across the globe. The $580m (£488m) invested in the contest makes it the most lucrative women’s cricket competition in the world.
US Decarbonisation
A $6.3bn clean-up package announced by the US government marks the largest investment in industrial decarbonisation in American history. The Department of Energy’s ‘industrial demonstrations programme’ will target energy intensive and high-emitting industries, including iron, steel, cement and concrete, by awarding grants to projects that slash emissions. The programme is funded by President Joe Biden’s landmark Inflation Reduction Act, which pledged a $369bn spend on clean energy and climate action initiatives.
"I distrust camels, and anyone else who can go a week without a drink."
Joe E. Lewis
On this Day
11 March 1708: Queen Anne withholds Royal Assent from the Scottish Militia Bill - the last time a British monarch vetoes legislation.
Enzyme offers hope of limitless green energy after scientists discovered it can make electricity from thin air. Read on...
Life-long Boeing employee buys lottery ticket on a hunch when she sees it has hit a jumbo sized jackpot. Read on...
Mood Booster
Clever Kea Parrots love playing with snowballs. Snowball Cam puts their intelligence to the test.