What the Sephora cookie tells us about the productivity-pay gap
After the beauty retailer reached $10 billion in revenue this month, employees were gifted a ‘stale’ biscuit as thanks. Sephora – one of the leading beauty retailers in the world – made headlines last week after it amassed a staggering $10 billion in revenue. But the attention wasn’t for reasons...
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Why are French farmers blocking routes into Paris?
Thousands of tractors have blocked routes in the capital as farmers demand better pay and fewer environmental regulations. Tensions between France’s farmers and government reached boiling point this week, after thousands of tractors threatened to blockade Paris for an indefinite period. The protest is the culmination of a months-long demand...
Why is Saudi Arabia softening its alcohol ban?
The Arab state had strict no-alcohol rules since 1952, but the introduction of its first alcohol shop in 72 years has people questioning Saudi Arabia’s stance on booze. Both foreigners and locals were left somewhat bemused when news broke of Saudi Arabia’s first alcohol shop. Well, first since 1952 at...
German startup makes biodegradable tampons from seaweed
Plastic period products are the fifth most common source of waste washing up on beaches across Europe. Seeking to tackle this is Vyld, by utilising one of the planet’s greatest untapped resources. Although disposable tampons and pads are extremely commonplace, 80 per cent of women don’t realise that the majority...
New report uncovers a dramatic rise in FGM cases worldwide
According to recent data released by UNICEF, the number of women and girls who have undergone female genital mutilation has increased by 15 per cent in the past eight years, showing that the pace of progress remains woefully off track to meet the SDG of ending the practice by...
What do Cold Weather Payments mean for Britain’s most vulnerable?
The scheme provides financial support for those affected by prolonged sub-zero temperatures, but how viable are these payments against the backdrop of a cost-of-living crisis? As we hunt for blown-away wheelie bins and crank up the heating, the UK’s cold-snap is affecting some more than others. But those in the...
Disposable vapes to be banned in the UK by next year
In a bid to protect children’s health the British government will ban the sale of disposable vapes at the start of 2025. Colourful packaging and fruity flavours will also be restricted to prevent the appeal to new, young smokers. In the last few years, vaping has taken the world by storm. It seems like you can’t walk down the street or sit on a pub terrace without puffs from a watermelon...
Cameroon’s malaria vaccine highlights a misinformation pandemic
Despite promising to save the lives of millions of children across Africa, Cameroon’s new malaria vaccine has had mixed reactions online. A medical breakthrough came this week when Cameroon announced it will be the first country to roll out a routine malaria vaccination. The news comes after a decades-long effort to curb the mosquito-spread disease across Africa – which accounts for 95% of global malaria deaths. Of those affected, children...
Natural History Museum relaunches Generation Hope: Act for the Planet
Between 7-10 February, the NHM will be hosting a series of free events curated in partnership with scientists and young people from around the world to drive positive change for a global future. On a mission to ‘create advocates that are informed, confident, and motivated to make wise decisions, get involved, and use their influence and actions to drive positive change for the planet’s future,’ the Natural History Museum's annual...
A stark ideological divide is emerging globally among Gen Z
New research has revealed that the demographic is increasingly split on political issues, with young men becoming more conservative and young women becoming more progressive. Something unexpected is happening between Gen Z men and women. Over the past decade, numerous studies measuring public opinion have uncovered that notoriously progressive young people are growing more and more divided by gender on a host of key social and political issues, including drug addiction,...
