A new law in England limits compulsory school uniform items to three branded pieces plus a tie from September, aiming to save families money, though consistency varies and some schools and suppliers face challenges.
A 20-year-old who started gambling in middle school accumulated 80 million won in debt by high school, leading to secondary crimes like selling counterfeit goods and recruiting other students. Now, facing financial hardship after graduation, he has turned to 'account threats' and other illicit activities, highlighting a growing trend of young people falling into a cycle of debt and crime.
Rigid school uniform policies, often rooted in "Victorian era" thinking, are being questioned for their impact on student wellbeing. Experts and students highlight issues of sexualization, humiliation, and punishment related to dress codes, particularly for girls.
A mother in Nanyuki, Kenya, found the body of her missing 17-year-old son, Sylvester Muigai Ndung'u, two days after he disappeared. He died during protests against a US plan to build an Ebola quarantine centre at a military base. The family claims police used excessive force, while authorities await a post-mortem.
The House of Commons' Environmental Audit Committee has recommended a complete ban on PFAS chemicals in everyday products like school uniforms and non-stick pans, unless manufacturers can prove the chemicals are essential or have no alternative. The committee wants non-essential uses phased out from 2027, citing concerns about environmental persistence and potential health risks including kidney cancer and raised cholesterol. The government says it will consider the recommendations.
