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Two thirds of Black British women have experienced painful side effects – including burnt scalps and hair loss – from using hair relaxers, new research has revealed. A study of 1,024 Black British women aged 25-44, conducted by feminist group Level Up and Black hair care company Treasure Tress, found that over 95 per cent of Black British women do not trust big beauty brands to sell them safe products. Some 97 per cent of respondents believe hair products containing lye – also known as sodium hydroxide – should be banned. The survey, the first of its kind in Britain, sought to understand Black women’s experiences of hair relaxers, uncovering some startling experiences of ailments developed following use of such products. Hair relaxers that contain lye, a harsh chemical used in drain unblockers, have been linked to a range of health problems among Black British women including breast cancer, hormone imbalance, asthma, fibroids and fertility problems. … [Read more...] about Majority of Black British women suffer side effects from hair relaxers such as burnt scalp, study finds

Scientists have created a battery -like device that captures carbon dioxide (CO2) from the surrounding atmosphere while it charges. The supercapacitor, developed by researchers at the University of Cambridge, is around the size of a two-pence coin and can be built using low-cost and sustainable materials like coconut shells and seawater. It is hoped the device can be used to power carbon capture technologies, which currently require huge amounts of energy and are costly to operate. The supercapacitor is similar to a rechargeable battery, but rather than using chemical reactions to store and release charge it relies instead on the movement of electrons between electrodes. It is made up of two electrodes, one positively charged and the other negatively charged. By alternating from a postive to a negative voltage, the researchers were able to significantly improve the amount of CO2 it was able to capture. Recommended World record achieved for solar power … [Read more...] about Breakthrough battery device absorbs C02 while it charges

They’re calling it the Queenmobile – a staggeringly expensive piece of kit (think two brand new BMWs) – splashed all over the newspapers because it has been ferrying the mobility-impaired monarch around the Chelsea Flower Show . The driving duties are performed by a chauffeur in the obligatory peaked cap. Of course they are. Usually this sort of story has about as much interest to me as the identity of Khloe Kardashian’s latest squeeze. But on this occasion, the pictures got lodged in my brain and started nagging until they produced a question: would someone tell me what’s wrong with a wheelchair ? Or a mobility scooter ? Normally, those of us with disabilities are loathe to pass comment on the choices made by others when it comes to getting around. With good reason. We feel we get enough judgement from the able-bodied. To actually prove to the government that we’re disabled in the first place requires clearing more fences than the winner of the Cheltenham … [Read more...] about Forget the ‘Queenmobile’ – why doesn’t Her Majesty just use a wheelchair?

This weekend, the Catholic Church made the news yet again over its views on abortion – this time concerning US House speaker Nancy Pelosi ’s ability to receive the sacrament of communion due to her pro-choice stance. While it’s no secret that the Catholic Church, and other churches, have been long-term vocal opponents of abortion , this move to block a sacrament from a politician is absolutely over the top. Religious organisations that involve themselves in politics in this way should lose their tax exempt status. Religious organisations are already not required to comply with rules that secular spaces must follow. For example, the Catholic Church has been blessed by the government with tax exemptions , as much as $3.5bn in government Covid-19 aid and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) bypassing . The requirements for these benefits are given to them under the condition of their religious organisation status. This status has responsibilities attached to … [Read more...] about If the Catholic Church can’t stay out of politics, it should start paying taxes

"You didn't want to get involved in the Ukraine conflict militarily for obvious reasons," a reporter, addressing President Joe Biden , stated in a press conference in Tokyo on Monday. "Are you willing to get involved militarily to defend Taiwan, if it comes to that?" "Yes," said Biden. "That's the commitment we made," the president explained after the reporter expressed skepticism. "We agree with the 'one-China' policy; we've signed on to it and all the attendant agreements made from there. But the idea that—that it can be taken by force—just taken by force—is just not appropriate. It will dislocate the entire region and be another action similar to what happened in Ukraine. And so, it's a burden that's even stronger." A White House official, speaking anonymously to The Washington Post , then said there was no change in American policy, maintaining that the president had merely repeated a pledge, in the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, to give Taiwan the military means to … [Read more...] about Biden’s Taiwan policy: overruled by China—and the White House | Opinion

Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee will be marked in the U.K. with a wide range of events spread across a long weekend, as the nation celebrates the monarch's 70 years on the throne. Here is how you can watch and live stream the celebrations from the U.S. When Are The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Celebrations Taking Place? The celebrations will be spread across the U.K.'s four-day bank holiday (national holiday) weekend on Thursday, June 2 to Sunday, June 5. Although the Queen officially marked seven decades on the throne on February 6, 2022, the historic milestone will be celebrated during the long weekend, with events including the annual Trooping the Colour parade , a special Jubilee flypast over Buckingham Palace, and the central celebration—the Platinum Party at the Palace concert. Queen Elizabeth II is the longest-reigning British monarch, and overtook Queen Victoria, who reigned for 63 years, in September 2015. How To Watch the Queen's Platinum Jubilee … [Read more...] about How to watch and live stream Queen’s Jubilee from the U.S.—Full schedule

Actress Rebel Wilson was photographed with an arm around Prince Harry this weekend. The star had mocked the royal's interview with Oprah Winfrey at the BAFTAs earlier this year... before revealing a mystery member of the royal family had vetted her joke. Wilson, star of Pitch Perfect and Bridesmaids , uploaded a photograph to Instagram on Sunday showing her up close and personal with the prince with the caption "Team Harry!" The photograph was taken at the Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club in California where Harry's polo team Los Padres was playing in a fixture watched by Meghan Markle . Ahead of her hosting of the 75th BAFTA Film Awards in March, Wilson told BBC 's The One Show that though she was nervous about the ceremony, she at least had peace of mind that one key aspect of her set wouldn't cause offense. Speaking to show hosts, Lauren Laverne and Jermaine Jenas, Wilson explained she ran her royal jokes by a member of the family to see if they struck … [Read more...] about Rebel Wilson seen with Prince Harry after mocking royal’s Oprah interview

Donald Trump has suggested nuclear war is "more likely to happen than not" for the United States because of President Joe Biden . Writing on Truth Social, the former president said he never thought "in my wildest imagination" that the U.S. would be involved in a nuclear war. "Now, however, because of our leaders rhetoric and very poor choice of words, it is perhaps more likely to happen than not," Trump said. "Russia/Ukraine would NEVER have happened under a TRUMP Administration. Now there are fewer cards to play, but still very playable. China up next?" His comments follow Biden indicating the U.S. military would defend Taiwan if China, a major nuclear power, attacked the island—remarks the White House insisted were not a policy change—and as NATO indirectly helps Ukraine defend itself from Russia, which has the largest stockpile of nuclear warheads in the world. Trump made similar comments in an interview on Real America's Voice show Outside the Beltway, which … [Read more...] about Donald Trump suggests nuclear war “more likely to happen than not”

Donald Trump may have boasted about the size of his, ahem, nuclear button in a now infamous tweet aimed at North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, but no such button exists. Unlike the big red button depicted in movies, the protocol to direct a nuclear strike is somewhat different—although the president appears not to be aware of this . "North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the "Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times." Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!" the president tweeted on Tuesday. There is no button. In fact, there is a nuclear "football," which contains military plans and communication tools that can be used by the president in the event that he—and only he—wants to order a strike. The football is carried near the president at all times by a military aide. Inside is a phone with a secure line to the Pentagon. … [Read more...] about There is no big red button: Here’s how Donald Trump could order a nuclear strike

A mom and her boyfriend have been charged with murder after being accused of abusing and starving her 8-year-old twin daughters, one of whom has died. The couple, Soledad Mendoza and Ruben "Alex" Moreno, both 29, are alleged to have killed little Melanie Mendoza and caused the suffering of her sister at their home in Houston, Texas. Court documents seen by Fox 26 detail a catalog of alleged prolonged abuse of the children, including untreated fractured bones and clinical signs of starvation. When asked what happened to her twin by police, the surviving child allegedly replied: "My mom killed her." Mendoza and Moreno were arrested on Friday, May 20, after a lengthy investigation stemming from Melanie Mendoza's death in hospital on December 21, 2020, according to local news station Fox 26. The twins had both been taken to Memorial Hermann-Memorial City Center with numerous injuries. Despite being 8, each girl weighed less than 30 pounds and still wore diapers. Medics then … [Read more...] about Couple charged with murder, accused of starvation of twin girls