LONDON: Britain risks following the rise in inequality seen in the United States which could weaken democracy, a Nobel Prize-winning economist said on Tuesday (May 14) at the launch of a major review into differences in income, education and health.Angus Deaton said Britain could follow the United States where wages for non-college-educated men had not risen for five decades, contributing to a fall in life expectancy for the last three years - something that had not happened for a century.While the situation in Britain is less stark, the country has suffered a decade of stagnant wages and there were signs deaths from suicide and drug and alcohol abuse were rising among the middle-aged.Discontent with flat-lining living standards was seen as a factor behind the 2016 decision by British voters to leave the European Union. Theresa May, when she became prime minister soon afterwards, promised to help the "just-about-managing families"."I think that people getting rich is a good thing, … [Read more...] about Nobel winner warns UK of US-style inequality risks
Life style
Edo-period professions come to life
A NEWLY discovered painting by noted Edo-period ukiyo-e artist Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) has just gone on display at the Sumida Hokusai Museum in Sumida Ward, Tokyo. The museum recently announced the discovery of the work depicting an itinerant clam merchant. It is part of a special exhibition titled “Edo Livelihoods by Hokusai” and will be on display until Sunday. The newly discovered Hokusai painting “Hamaguri uri” (Clam vendor) is the centrepiece of a new exhibition at the Sumida Hokusai Museum. (Courtesy of Sumida Hokusai Museum) According to the museum, the painting, which measures 94.3cm by 27.9cm, features an Edo Period (1603-1867) street merchant called “botefuri”, who carried fish, vegetables and other wares in baskets hanging from a pole. The man sports a beard and shabby clothes, and is taking a break from his work under a moonlit sky. The painting is inscribed with a signature that reads “Sori”, the alias … [Read more...] about Edo-period professions come to life
How this ’47 Town & Country wagon found new life as bridal car
With steel in short supply after the Second World War, woodie wagons made of hard wood instead of sheet metal began to gain popularity. Chrysler’s post-war offering was the Town & Country, built from 1941 to 1950. Its name is credited to Paul Hafer of Boyertown Body Works. Hafer drew sketches of wood-bodied wagons and said, “The front end looked ‘town’ and the rear looked ‘country,’ so I thought it natural.” The body was framed in white ash and required extensive handwork. It was sold in sedan and convertible bodies. The four-door sedan was marketed as an estate car and luxury vehicle, built for either city or estate transportation, and could seat six to nine passengers. The lifting tailgate, now a trademark of the station wagon body style, had yet to catch on. You may also like: This Batangas museum houses what could be the most extensive collection of BMW motorcycles These super stylish city cars are objects of desire Growing up, the … [Read more...] about How this ’47 Town & Country wagon found new life as bridal car
Embracing life
MANILA, Philippines — Micah See takes charge of her life with confidence and a sense of adventure. It is her appreciation for life’s blessings that fuels her desire to push beyond her comfort zone and conquer the world in style. Micah knows she can accomplish anything she sets her mind on as long as she listens to her heart and finds her center. This mindset, together with a positive disposition, helps this 26-year-old fulfill her role as a cabin crew member of Philippine Airlines. Now on her fourth year on the job, Micah says it has brought out the best in her, the version of herself that she has not seen before. “I learned from this job not to be scared to try new things and enjoy life as it is. Before, I didn’t try new things and I didn’t even want to travel. But when I became a flight attendant, I became adventurous, like exploring a city I’m not familiar with,” she shares. Micah tackles every day with an open mind and a wider perspective … [Read more...] about Embracing life
Style Switch: Making off-the-rack fashion work for this lanky, casual dude
The first thing anyone notices when they catch sight of Visakan Veerasamy is his height. He stands at a towering 1.95m. The next thing – before the makeover – is his substantial facial hair.Visa, as he likes to be called, is a man of many talents and facets: Entrepreneur and consultant, writer, T-shirt maker… basically, a non-stop bundle of creative energy.Why sign up for Style Switch? “I want an image that gets up to speed with my career,” he explained. “I want my look to represent my identity – I feel dressed down all the time, and I’d like to be more proactive in managing my image. People say they’re used to me not dressing up.”Visa got into the habit of wearing Bermuda and T-shirts with slippers everywhere because of his previous job at a tech startup.“It was super liberal, super anything goes, so I would basically dress T-shirt, shorts and slippers all the time,” he explains. “It came to the point where … [Read more...] about Style Switch: Making off-the-rack fashion work for this lanky, casual dude