As the 2024 presidential election draws ever closer, Donald Trump is revealing key tax plans that could shape his government.In his campaign, Trump has championed himself as the leader of low taxes, saying he would decrease corporation taxes, increase tariffs on international imports and exempt some U.S. workers from current tax requirements.Now that the Republican … Read more
A child suffered vision loss after playing with a laser toy, prompting the state health services organisation (Okypy) to issue a warning over laser pointers and toys.
Iran’s foreign minister downplayed an overnight attack on Iran, stating that there was no proven link to Israel. The attack involved drones that were downed after flying only a few hundred meters. Iranian media described the incident as an attack by “infiltrators” rather than by Israel. The attack targeted an Iranian Air Force base near Isfahan but did not cause major damage. Israel had previously said it would retaliate after a strike on April 13, but as of now, there has been no word on further action. The ongoing violence between Israel and Iranian proxies has raised fears of escalation into a direct conflict.
A total of 50 ‘green kiosks’ will be installed in rural areas from Nicosia to Famagusta for 25 months to enhance recycling efforts. This initiative, announced by the environment department, is part of a project called Green Pavilion, implemented by Mesogeios Digital, with a budget of €3,274,000. Designed by the national technical university of Athens, these kiosks will function as compact recyclable material sorting centers, accepting a variety of recyclable materials such as paper, cardboard, plastic, glass, and metal, as well as reusable items like clothing, footwear, toys, CDs, and books. The project is expected to be completed by the first half of 2026.
A report found that plastics contain at least 3,000 more chemicals than previously estimated by environment agencies, totaling over 16,000 chemicals, a quarter of which are considered hazardous to human health and the environment. This discovery raises concerns over pollution and consumer safety. The report, funded by the Norwegian Research Council, highlights the importance of addressing the full life cycle of plastics and the chemicals they contain to solve plastic pollution effectively. The research indicates that plastic chemicals can leach into water and food, potentially leading to adverse health outcomes such as fertility issues and cardiovascular disease. The study also points out the need for greater transparency regarding the chemicals used in plastics, including recycled products, noting that a quarter of the identified chemicals lack basic information on their chemical identity. Only 6% of the chemicals found in plastics are regulated internationally, underscoring the need for a global treaty to address these issues. Negotiations for such a treaty are ongoing, with the aim of finalizing it by December in Busan, South Korea.
The text is an article by Hui-Ying Kerr, an Associate Lecturer at Nottingham Trent University, discussing a new exhibition at London’s Somerset House that examines the phenomenon of ‘cute’. The exhibition features a section celebrating the 50th birthday of the Hello Kitty brand with a glittering kitty disco and showcases a variety of products adorned with the Hello Kitty theme. The show explores the concept of ‘cute’ across different times and places, demonstrating its widespread appeal and versatility. It includes sections titled ‘cry baby’, ‘play together’, ‘sugar-coated pill’, ‘monstrous other’, and ‘hypersonic’ that attempt to categorize ‘cute’, but the term resists a strict definition. The exhibition also plays with scale to create immersive experiences and includes works by hyper-feminine singer and visual artist Hannah Diamond. The curator, Claire Catterall, suggests that the exhibition hints at the meaning of ‘cute’ rather than dictating it, leaving visitors to ponder its impact on society and its manipulative nature. The article concludes with Kerr’s personal reflections on the exhibition.
Fact: 37 out of 162 samples of children’s toys tested by the State General Laboratory did not comply with relevant legislation and were deemed unsuitable.