London museum acquires objects documenting XR movement
London: The Victoria and Albert (V&A) museum in London has acquired a number of objects that document the movement by Extinction Rebellion (XR) – a global activist group calling for urgent action on climate change through acts of non-violent resistance and civil disobedience.
Since its first public action on October 31, 2018 urging the UK government to declare a climate and ecological emergency and commit to reducing emissions to net zero by 2025, the movement has grown into an international movement with over 363 groups active in 59 countries around the world.
The museum, with footfall of millions every year, has acquired the open-source Extinction Symbol, the Declaration that accompanied their first act of Rebellion, and flags carried during mass demonstrations.
Selection of these new acquisitions went on display in the V&A’s Rapid Response Collecting Gallery this week.
In addition, the V&A Museum of Childhood has acquired a child’s high-visibility jacket worn during a peaceful XR rebellion.
The jacket will be shown with banners, stamps, flags and posters as well as photographs that tell the story of how XR engages with young families. (IANS)
Pak to crack down on companies selling fairness creams
Islamabad: The Pakistan government has decided to crackdown on companies selling fairness creams, the Minister for Climate Change announced in a press conference.
“Companies selling cheap fairness creams are contributing to damage people’s skin,” said Zartaj Gul Wazir, State Minister for Climate Change.
According to Geo TV, Wazir said her Ministry was testing and analysing the ingredients used by companies that manufacture and sell fairness creams as Pakistan is a member of the Minamata Convention on mercury.
She said the Ministry learnt that only three of the 59 local and international brands of fairness creams — samples of which were sent to the laboratory for testing — were in accordance with the international standards.
The remaining 56 brands were using dangerous levels of mercury in their fairness creams.
By December 31, when lawmaking pertaining to this issue is completed, adequate action would be taken against such companies, reported Geo TV. (IANS)