Latest articles by Will Barker, The Week UK
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The Indian women trawling the worst of the internet to train AI
Under the Radar Moderating AI content can empower women in rural communities – but traumatise them too
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China and the rise of the humanoid robots
The Explainer The country’s ‘bustling’ robotics industry is dominating the global market, though experts are split on how concerned we should be
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The ‘ravenous’ demand for Cornish minerals
Under the Radar Growing need for critical minerals to power tech has intensified ‘appetite’ for lithium, which could be a ‘huge boon’ for local economy
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The problem with diagnosing profound autism
The Explainer Experts are reconsidering the idea of autism as a spectrum, which could impact diagnoses and policy making for the condition
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Palantir's growing influence in the British state
The Explainer Despite winning a £240m MoD contract, the tech company’s links to Peter Mandelson and the UK’s over-reliance on US tech have caused widespread concern
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Best places to find snowdrops in the UK
The Week Recommends The snowdrop season is upon us, with ‘blankets’ of the beautiful bloom signalling that spring is on its way
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Can the UK take any more rain?
Today’s Big Question An Atlantic jet stream is ‘stuck’ over British skies, leading to ‘biblical’ downpours and more than 40 consecutive days of rain in some areas
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Buddhist monks’ US walk for peace
Under the Radar Crowds have turned out on the roads from California to Washington and ‘millions are finding hope in their journey’
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Best UK fashion exhibitions in 2026
The Week Recommends See much-loved and intriguing items from designers and style icons right where they belong: on display
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Is the Gaza peace plan destined to fail?
Today’s Big Question Since the ceasefire agreement in October, the situation in Gaza is still ‘precarious’, with the path to peace facing ‘many obstacles’
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Vietnam’s ‘balancing act’ with the US, China and Europe
In the Spotlight Despite decades of ‘steadily improving relations’, Hanoi is still ‘deeply suspicious’ of the US as it tries to ‘diversify’ its options
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Which way will Trump go on Iran?
Today’s Big Question Diplomatic talks set to be held in Turkey on Friday, but failure to reach an agreement could have ‘terrible’ global ramifications
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Why quitting your job is so difficult in Japan
Under the Radar Reluctance to change job and rise of ‘proxy quitters’ is a reaction to Japan’s ‘rigid’ labour market – but there are signs of change
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Moltbook: the AI social media platform with no humans allowed
The Explainer From ‘gripes’ about human programmers to creating new religions, the new AI-only network could bring us closer to the point of ‘singularity’
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Does standing up to Trump help world leaders back at home?
Today’s Big Question Mark Carney’s approval ratings have ‘soared to new highs’ following his Davos speech but other world leaders may not benefit in the same way
Today’s Big Question -
Must-see bookshops around the UK
The Week Recommends Lose yourself in beautiful surroundings, whiling away the hours looking for a good book
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The UK’s supposed Christian revival
The Explainer Research has shown that claims of increased church attendance, particularly among young people, ‘may be misleading’
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What is at stake for Starmer in China
Today’s Big Question The British PM will have to ‘play it tough’ to achieve ‘substantive’ outcomes, while China looks to draw Britain away from US influence
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Will Nigella be the secret ingredient to revive GBBO?
Talking Point Lawson will bring yet more ‘eye-twinkling double entendres’ to a show that some say has ‘lost its way’
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A real head scratcher: how scabies returned to the UK
The Explainer The ‘Victorian-era’ condition is on the rise in the UK, and experts aren’t sure why
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Breaking news: the rise of ‘smash hit’ rage rooms
Under the Radar Paying to vent your anger on furniture is all the rage but experts are sceptical
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Zero-bills homes: how you could pay nothing for your energy
The Explainer The scheme, introduced by Octopus Energy, uses ‘bill-busting’ and ‘cutting-edge’ technology to remove energy bills altogether
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Prince Harry’s court battle with ‘highly intrusive’ press
In the Spotlight As the Duke of Sussex and other high-profile claimants begin their trial against Associated Newspapers, ‘the stakes for all sides are high’
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Spain’s deadly high-speed train crash
The Explainer The country experienced its worst rail accident since 2013, with the death toll of 39 ‘not yet final’
The Explainer
