The Week and Arion McNicoll, standing in for Olly Mann, delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Rebekah Evans, Guy Anker and Holden Frith.
In this week’s episode, we discuss:
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Housing
A new report has shown England is officially the worst place in the developed world for housing, offering a snapshot of the ongoing housing crisis. Leaking roofs, damp walls and mouldy floors have all been reported. What is wrong with England's homes? Who is suffering the most from poor conditions? And will circumstances improve?
A bank rescue
High-street lender Metro Bank secured a last minute rescue deal after its share price plunged last week following concerns over its finances. Fifteen years on from the 2008 financial crisis, how safe are our banks? And how can savers and investors protect themselves against banks going bust and losing their money?
1918
Research published on Monday has challenged the long-held belief that the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918 was unique in its indiscriminate ability to kill otherwise healthy people of all ages. In fact, according to scientists at University of Colorado and McMaster University in Ontario, a disproportionate number of victims were also suffering from cancer or tuberculosis. As well as changing what we know about this century-old pandemic, could it inform how we respond to future outbreaks of flu?
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Heavenly spectacle in the wilds of CanadaThe Week Recommends ‘Mind-bending’ outpost for spotting animals – and the northern lights
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Facial recognition: a revolution in policingTalking Point All 43 police forces in England and Wales are set to be granted access, with those against calling for increasing safeguards on the technology
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Codeword: December 14, 2025The daily codeword puzzle from The Week
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The Week Unwrapped: what’s scuppering Bulgaria’s Euro dream?Podcast Plus has Syria changed, a year on from its revolution? And why are humans (mostly) monogamous?
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The Week Unwrapped: Will drought fuel global violence?Podcast Plus why did Trump pardon a drug-trafficking president? And are romantic comedies in terminal decline?
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The Week Unwrapped: Have pedigree dogs had their day?Podcast Plus what can we learn from Slovenia’s rejection of assisted dying? And can politicians admit their weaknesses?
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The Week Unwrapped: Will US Catholics rebel against the Pope?Podcast Plus what are the ethics of freezing your late partner?
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The Week Unwrapped: Can musicians challenge Putin?Podcast Plus who were the ‘human hunters’ of the Bosnian war? And what should happen to captive penguins?
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The Week Unwrapped: Are British rappers the world’s best?Podcast Plus can the Maldives quit smoking? And can whales lead us to immortality?
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The Week Unwrapped: Should we be eating less fat – or more?Podcast Plus who will benefit from the surprise Dutch election result? And how can art improve our health?
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The Week Unwrapped: Will Grace Wales Bonner change Hermès for the better?Podcast Plus will nuclear fusion deliver us from climate change? Is humour the best way to take on Trump?
