Thumbs up: Can't hurt this shirtJoining non-iron shirts and machine-washable suits in the functional but hardly fashionable wardrobe is the "non-stick" men's shirt, which went on sale in Asda stores in the UK last week.
It can apparently have red wine thrown at it, as well as coffee, tea and orange juice, and remain stain-free. A special coating applied to the fabric means that even the most powerfully staining liquids simply "roll off" the surface without leaving a mark.
Thumbs down: Banks to account
The big four banks in Northern Ireland have been warned they need to be much more open about the charges they impose on customers. The Competition Commission published its proposed remedies following complaints from the Northern Ireland Consumer Council and consumer group Which?, claiming personal banking customers were being "ripped off" by charges which were not imposed by banks in the rest of the UK and that the charges were too similar across the banks.
Thumbs up: Cheaper condoms
The Ray D'Arcy Show on Today FM deserves much of the credit for giving renewed momentum to the campaign to have the VAT rate on condoms reduced. At present, condoms are classified as a luxury item and are hit with a VAT rate of 21 per cent. The radio show, the Irish Pharmaceutical Union, student unions and the Irish Family Planning Association are calling on the Government to cut the tax on condoms in an effort to curb sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies. The Minister for Health, Mary Harney, has since said that the idea has merit.
Thumbs up: Living in a box
Ikea is moving from flatpack furniture into flatpack housing. The home furnishings giant has launched a scheme of Scandinavian-style timber-framed houses and flats, designed by Swedish construction firm Skanska, in the British town of Gateshead. The council there approved outline planning permission for 117 such properties.
