Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days.
In this week’s episode, we discuss:
Dolly Parton
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2019 has been the year of Dolly Parton. The 73-year-old country music star is experiencing a renaissance: She’s got a new Netflix series, she’s the subject of a popular podcast, she’s planning a movie, there’s even talk of her replacing a confederate statue in Tennessee. What's behind the rise of Dolly, and what does it say about American culture and politics more broadly?
Renewable energy
In 2019, Britain generated more electricity from renewable sources than from fossil fuels. This is a huge transformation - in 2010 we got three-quarters of our electricity from coal, oil and gas - and yet it gets surprisingly little attention, even as the climate politics enters the mainstream. Focusing on the negatives is understandable: climate change is a huge threat and fixing it will be an immense challenge. But the current approach is leading to apathy rather than urgency.
Investing
This year is shaping up to be one of the best ever for investors, with nearly every single asset class on track to finish 2019 in the green. From stocks to government debt to corporate bonds to commodities, no matter where you went, you made money. Why did everything go so well?
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Femicide: Italy’s newest crimeThe Explainer Landmark law to criminalise murder of a woman as an ‘act of hatred’ or ‘subjugation’ but critics say Italy is still deeply patriarchal
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Quiz of The Week: 22 – 28 NovemberQuiz Have you been paying attention to The Week’s news?
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The week’s best photosIn Pictures Ready for lift-off, the odd one out, and more
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Femicide: Italy’s newest crime
The Explainer Landmark law to criminalise murder of a woman as an ‘act of hatred’ or ‘subjugation’ but critics say Italy is still deeply patriarchal
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Brazil’s Bolsonaro behind bars after appeals run outSpeed Read He will serve 27 years in prison
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Americans traveling abroad face renewed criticism in the Trump eraThe Explainer Some of Trump’s behavior has Americans being questioned
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Nigeria confused by Trump invasion threatSpeed Read Trump has claimed the country is persecuting Christians
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Sanae Takaichi: Japan’s Iron Lady set to be the country’s first woman prime ministerIn the Spotlight Takaichi is a member of Japan’s conservative, nationalist Liberal Democratic Party
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Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
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Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
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China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
