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Women in India show secret to plastic-free shopping

SECRET PROJECTS, a social business that strives to empower women in India who make and sell clothing and homeware, has unveiled a product that aims to reduce plastic use.

Their foldable shopping bags, priced at £6 each, are part of their micro- enterprise scheme that aims to provide Indian women with an additional income. These bags are also an


alternative to plastic shopping bags.

Launched following a crowdfunding campaign in February that saw 143 backers pledging more than £5,000, these bags are made out of cotton and sold to local shop keepers

in India. They can also be bought online too.

Fritha Mason, the founder of Secret Projects, decided on the Secret Shopping Bag after the Indian government announced last year its vision to phase all single-use plastics by 2022.

This created a huge opportunity for the women living in India who stitch and who are trying to run their own micro enterprises, said Mason.

Secret Projects works with 14 women’s groups in five states of India, and for each bag they earn just over £2.

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Shabana Mahmood warns tougher action on migrant returns

Home secretary Shabana Mahmood arrives for a weekly cabinet meeting at Downing Street on December 2, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Shabana Mahmood warns tougher action on migrant returns

HOME SECRETARY Shabana Mahmood has said the UK will take tougher action against countries that refuse to accept the return of their citizens, as Angola and Namibia agreed to cooperate on migrant returns while the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) faced visa restrictions.

Mahmood said Angola and Namibia had agreed to take back illegal migrants and foreign national offenders after the UK warned of visa penalties.

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