THE UK’S NET ZERO ECONOMY IS BOOMING

A report by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) suggests that net zero efforts are worth £70bn to the UK economy, and that green jobs pay more, with salaries averaging £42,600 compared to a national average of £33,400.

The report said that firms involved in the energy transition have brought jobs and investment to parts of the UK that were experiencing industrial decline. It calculated that 840,000 jobs are now linked to the net zero industry.

“Businesses in the net zero economy are adding £70bn to the UK economy,” said Peter Chalkley, director of ECIU. “The net zero economy is addressing levelling-up and the UK’s productivity problem, but with the EU and US investing heavily in clean technologies, the question now is – can the UK keep up?”

It spawned Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, and The Specials, and now the Midlands has given birth to a new music scene comprised entirely of all-female, middleaged punk bands. What started with one performance in a sticky-floored venue in Leicester has morphed into the Unglamorous Music project, which so far has helped to launch seven bands. Albums out soon.

FREE AT-HOME RAPID HIV TESTS ARE

The UK government said in December that the end of HIV transmission in England was ‘within reach’, but warned that a drop-off in testing during the pandemic has hampered progress. As part of a national effort, free home HIV tests giving results in just 15 minutes, are now available.

Dr Thomas Waite, deputy chief medical officer for England, said: “If you have HIV, finding out early means you can start free treatment, live a long, healthy life and avoid passing the virus on to others.”

Barbie Doll With Scoliosis Unveiled

A barbie doll maker has made history by introducing its first doll with scoliosis. The toy company’s line for Barbie’s little sister, Chelsea, will see a new addition that features curvature of the spine and a removable back brace, aimed at normalising the equipment and encouraging children to celebrate inclusion.

The team at Mattel worked closely with Dr Luke Macyszyn, a board-certified neurosurgeon and specialist in children’s complex spinal disorders, who advised the designers throughout the doll’s development.

The 15cm doll wears a pink dress and has a removable green back brace, white shoes, and her brown hair is styled in waves.

In 2022, the company also released its first Barbie with hearing aids – supported by Strictly Come Dancing winner, Rose Ayling-Ellis.

INDIA ASKS CITIZENS TO ‘HUG A COW’

Valentine’s Day may have come and gone, but India’s government-run animal welfare department appealed to citizens to mark the day not as a celebration of romance but as “Cow Hug Day” to better promote Hindu values. The government-run Animal Welfare Board of India said that, “hugging cows will bring emotional richness and increase individual and collective happiness.”

Devout Hindus, who worship cows as holy, say Valentine’s Day goes against traditional Indian values. In recent years, Hindu hardliners have raided shops in Indian cities, burned cards and gifts, and chased hand-holding couples out of restaurants and parks, saying it promotes promiscuity.

However, the day after the appeal, the Animal Welfare Board withdrew its request, because… politics.