UK four-day week successful, debt-for-climate swaps, pest-busting anglers

| Posted on February 22, 2023 |

Photo: Dylan Nolte / Unsplash (CC0)

In today’s edition of Squirrel News, nearly all companies that took part in the world’s largest four-day work week trial opt to continue, Portugal redirects debts to climate funds, and anglers combat invasive species in Australia.

Four-day work week experiment successful in the UK

The world’s largest work-week overhaul is helping companies rethink working practices in the UK and beyond. Nearly all companies taking part opt to continue with the new pattern.

Source: The Guardian

Portugal and Cape Verde swap debt for climate investments

Cape Verde’s debt payments to Portugal will be redirected to a climate protection fund under a new agreement.

Source: Yale Environment 360

First Black woman to represent Virginia in US Congress

Jennifer McClellan will now represent Virginia’s 4th Congressional District after a special election on Tuesday.

Source: NPR

First US city bans caste discrimination

Advocates hope that South Asian Americans and other immigrants will be better protected in the workplace as a result of the ordinance in Seattle.

Source: BBC

Indian tech start-up forces employees to end work day on time

SoftGrid Computers is hoping to support staff in building a better work-life balance by flashing a reminder to leave and automatically shutting down their computers.

Source: BBC

New electric fleet of tuktuks utilised in Thailand

MuvMi is taking 300 electric tuktuks to the streets of Bangkok, hoping to reduce air pollution through its ridesharing service. It hopes to have 1,000 tuktuks by 2024.

Source: Deutsche Welle

Youth-focused mental health project trials virtual reality

Virtual reality is being tested in Northern Territory, Australia, to help address barriers to mental health services, including remoteness and staffing.

Source: ABC

Anglers target invasive species in Australia

From YouTube channels to real life Queensland, anglers are using their hobby to target invasive carp and tilapia.

Source: ABC

Costumes educate students about Black history in Philadelphia

Spanish teacher Tamika Burton is dressing up as different and often lesser known Black historical figures to teach Collegium Charter School students about Black history.

Source: NBC Philadelphia

Increasing number of programmes teach Indigenous food traditions

Native and non-native students are being taught about harvesting bison and other Indigenous food practices. In Montana, Indian Education For All is leading the charge.