What is Stockholm syndrome? It all started with a bank robbery 50 years ago
This week marks 50 years since a failed bank robbery that gave rise to Stockholm syndrome, a term used to describe the bond that victims of kidnappings or hostage situations sometimes develop with their captors
2023-08-25 12:51
Once in a Century Quake Deals Blow to North Africa’s Bright Spot
When Morocco’s top tourist city was rocked by the country’s deadliest earthquake in six decades, Hicham Aamran and
2023-09-11 00:49
Beyond sushi: Japan expands veggie options to tempt tourists
Even on a weekday, there's a queue at Tokyo's vegan Izakaya Masaka, including many tourists eager to try meat-free versions of Japanese classics like...
2023-06-07 10:59
Impossible Foods accused of misusing private investigators in meat-substitute patent fight
By Blake Brittain Motif Foodworks told a Delaware federal court that plant-based meat rival Impossible Foods improperly hired
2023-05-26 03:19
Apple Weather not working for some users again. What we know
Apple Weather apparently wasn't working for some users Tuesday, which has been a repeated problem
2023-05-09 22:50
The Big China Play That Fueled Luxury Stocks Is Now Fizzling Out
A Big Tech-like rush into luxury stocks is fast falling out of favor. China got the credit for
2023-06-04 15:54
New Lyft feature matches women and nonbinary drivers and riders
Lyft is launching a new gender-based preference for drivers and riders, a move that indicates
2023-09-13 07:28
Government urged to remove VAT from period pants
More than 50 MPs, retailers and charities have written to the government urging it to remove the 20% VAT on period pants, the reusable underwear designed to be worn as an alternative to using tampons and sanitary towels. Other period products such as pads, tampons and menstrual cups are exempt from VAT, but consumers currently pay a 20% tax on period pants as they are classified as garments. The letter, signed by 35 MPs and peers, the chief executives of Marks & Spencer and Ocado, the publisher of Hello! magazine and several charities and non-profit organisations, including Breast Cancer Now, the Marine Conservation Society and Forum for the Future, calls on Financial Secretary to the Treasury Victoria Atkins to reclassify the pants as period products in the Chancellor’s autumn statement later this year. The government made a brilliant start by removing VAT from disposable period products but we need them to finish the job and level the playing field so that whatever period product someone chooses to use, it is VAT free Victoria McKenzie-Gould, M&S M&S has also launched the new Say Pants to the Tax campaign with the period underwear brand Wuka, promising to pass on 100% of any cost savings to shoppers if it is successful. A five-pack bundle of period pants at M&S costs £35, but would be £28 without VAT, while a pack of three – currently £20 – would drop to £16. M&S, which said it sells more than 6,000 packs of the pants each week, and Wuka calculated that their customers combined had paid more than £3 million in VAT on period pants. A survey of 268 women aged 18 to 54, conducted last month, found that 23% of respondents cited cost as a reason for not using period pants, with 83% in favour of dropping VAT from the products. Period pants can be washed and worn again for months, which means they can save consumers money and help reduce plastic waste. Wuka estimates that one pair of period pants can save 200 single-use plastic disposables from going to landfill. Victoria McKenzie-Gould, corporate affairs director at M&S, said: “The government made a brilliant start by removing VAT from disposable period products but we need them to finish the job and level the playing field so that whatever period product someone chooses to use, it is VAT free. “Nearly 25% of women cite cost as a barrier to using period pants. If they were classified as they should be – as a period product – the government can make this brilliant alternative to disposable products a more cost-effective option for UK consumers.” In May, the Treasury said it would analyse whether the removal of the “tampon tax” has helped lower prices. Responding to a written question from the Labour MP Ruth Cadbury, the government said a tax reduction was able to “contribute to the conditions for price reductions” and it was “looking into whether this important zero rating is being passed on by retailers to women as intended”. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live How to lower your blood sugar levels, as new research reveals heart disease link Remove VAT from period pants, government urged ‘Long Covid has taken away my ability to eat food or urinate in three years’
2023-08-10 21:25
What’s Trending Today: Sum 41 Breaks Up, Nintendo Switch Sales Slow, Emperor’s Watch
Welcome to Social Buzz, a daily column looking at what’s trending on social media platforms. I’m Caitlin Fichtel,
2023-05-09 23:25
Get 10TB of lifetime cloud storage for just $90
TL;DR: As of Sept. 22, you can get 10TB (aka, a massive amount of space)
2023-09-22 17:19
You Don’t Need Your Own Jet to Feel Like You’re Flying Private
At Bloomberg Pursuits, we love to travel. And we always want to make sure we’re doing it right.
2023-08-17 21:45
Kourtney Kardashian says she's 'overwhelmed with gratitude' following epic pregnancy announcement
Kourtney Kardashian and Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker have a lot to be grateful for.
2023-06-19 04:27
You Might Like...
Carbon 'capture' climate tech is booming, and confusing
'Ultra-rare' Apple sneakers on sale for $50,000
Blinken to travel to China this weekend
We Found The 26 Best Tote Bags For Every Occasion
Next Met Gala theme unveiled: the 'sleeping beauties' of fashion
7 Misconceptions About Social Media
France says Nestle, Unilever, Pepsico among firms not toeing the line on prices
Chinese City Yueyang Hosts a Series of Activities at Hebotan to Commemorate Qu Yuan
