Attractions

              Watching sad or traumatic movies can sometimes be just what the doctor ordered. A new study reveals that watching distressing movies may boost our tolerance to pain. Researchers at Oxford University say that movies that get your emotions going can increase the amount of endorphins released by the brain. These are our body's natural painkillers - chemicals that make us feel better after physical or psychological pain. Dr Robin Dunbar, a co-author of the study, explained that: "Maybe the emotional [distress] you get from tragedy triggers the endorphin system." He added: "The same areas in the brain that deal with physical pain also handle psychological pain."                     Dr Dunbar and his colleagues conducted a series of tests to determine the effect that tragic stories have on us. They invited 169 people to take part in the experiment. One group watched a traumatic drama...

                It is common knowledge and an obvious example of sexual inequality that men get paid more than women for doing the same job. One industry in which the reverse is true is modeling. The gender pay gap for male models and their female counterparts is gigantic. A well-known modeling agency has claimed that male models are paid as much as 75 per cent less than female models. Elizabeth Rose from the UK's Premier Models said women could be paid £40,000 ($52,000) for appearing in a top fashion show, while men could only get £10,000 ($13,000). Ms Rose said: "I think it's the only industry where men get paid less than women. It's unfair for men, [but] I wouldn't say it's female empowerment."                 Rose says the situation is slowly changing and pay is getting better for men. She explained that advertisers are more willing to promote men's products as men are getting more into fashion. S...

               Samsung, the South Korean tech giant, has warned owners of the Galaxy Note 7 to turn off their phone after more reports of the device catching fire. The company will also stop shipping the flagship phone to stores. The device, launched in August, was set to rival Apple's iPhone. Samsung engineers must now conduct an investigation into what is causing so many phones to catch fire. Samsung had already been hit following a recall of 2.5 million phones in September after many burst into flames when their batteries exploded. This new episode further damages the company's credibility as many of the exploding phones are those that had batteries replaced in September and were deemed to be safe.                Industry analysts are now predicting how much the latest trouble will cost the company. South Korean media is reporting that the company could discontinue producing the phone. However, Sou...

               The Swedish furniture giant IKEA has banned old people from dating at its store in Shanghai, China. Store managers decided to clamp down on what they described as 'illegal date clubs'. Since the store opened several years ago, hundreds of lonely, divorced or widowed elderly people have descended on the cafeteria in search of love and companionship. Many of them simply used the café as a meeting place and did not buy anything. Management said they occupied seats for 'extended periods,' 'spoke loudly,' 'spat on the floor,' 'flirted' and had 'quarrels and fights'. The store posted a notice saying: "From today, the restaurant will only be for people who purchase their food first."               The older clientele are up in arms over the ban. They say they have nowhere else to go. An 88-year-old IKEA regular said: "We've been to McDonald's and KFC, but there are barely any of our peers there. We...

             India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has outlined his controversial plan to make India a cashless society. Indians are already up in arms following his recent and sudden decision to ban the old 500 and 1,000 rupee banknotes. They ceased to be legal tender in India from the 9th of November, although the old 500-rupee note was replaced by an updated version. The government claimed the move was an effort to stop the banknotes being used to fund terrorism, as well as being a crackdown on counterfeit money in India. The ban means 80 per cent of the country's currency has been withdrawn from circulation and business has been brought to a virtual standstill. It is very unpopular among most Indians.               Mr Modi went a step further on Sunday when he called for a cashless society. He said in a televised speech: "I want to tell my small merchant brothers and sisters, this is the chance for you to en...

            Amazon just unveiled what it describes as the world's most advanced shopping technology. It is the prime feature of its new-concept grocery store that has no queues or checkout counters. It is called Amazon Go and is being trialled in the company's hometown of Seattle. The technology works via an app on a shopper's mobile device. The app automatically checks in when the shopper enters the store. It lets you shop as normal and then scans what you have bought as you leave the store. Amazon then bills you later and the shopping gets charged to your Amazon account. There is no waiting in line, no cashiers, and no being held up by slow customers, credit card transactions or waiting for change.             Amazon Go may revolutionize the high street shopping experience and provide a much-needed boost for brick-and-mortar stores. The grocery and convenience store markets are extremely tough nuts to crack. Profit mar...

            Starbucks boss Howard Schultz has said his company would employ 10,000 refugees over the next five years. Mr Schultz is the CEO of the international coffee shop chain. He is very unhappy with President Donald Trump's new ban on the citizens of seven Middle Eastern and North African countries. Schultz said his promise was, "a concerted effort to welcome and seek opportunities for those fleeing war, violence, persecution and discrimination". He added: "There are more than 65 million citizens of the world recognized as refugees by the United Nations, and we are developing plans to hire 10,000 of them over five years in the 75 countries around the world where Starbucks does business."              Many people are angry at Mr Schultz's plans. Trump supporters have asked people to boycott Starbucks coffee shops. They say that Mr Schultz should be doing more to help the 40,000 unemployed military veterans in th...