The Week Unwrapped podcast: Mercenaries, Malawi and infidelity tests
Was mercenary ‘Mad Mike’ Hoare a British hero? Why has Malawi’s election been annulled? And are ‘infidelity tests’ legal?
The Week delves behind the headlines and debates what really matters from the past seven days.
In this week’s episode, we discuss:
Mercenaries
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Michael ‘Mad Mike’ Hoare, the world’s most famous mercenary and the man behind the botched “package-holiday-coup”, might not sound like he would have much in common with the UK prime minister. But Hoare, who died this week aged 100, embodies a very British kind of swashbuckling adventure that Boris Johnson regularly says he admires. Why are Brits so drawn to a devil-may-care persona?
Malawi
For only the second time in history, an African court has annulled the result of a presidential poll, ordering a fresh election in Malawi. Yet there could be turmoil ahead. Peter Mutharika, the incumbent known as the ‘Tipp-ex’ president due to widespread allegations of voting irregularities in last May’s vote, has said he will contest the court ruling. So is this a major victory for democracy in Africa, or will it simply lead to angst and upheaval in the small southern African country?
Infidelity tests
A newspaper investigation has revealed that DNA analysis firms are selling “infidelity tests” to suspicious partners, raising questions about the legality of DIY detective kits. Is this the perfect way to catch a cheating spouse or could it fall into the wrong hands?
You can subscribe to The Week Unwrapped on the Global Player, Apple podcasts, SoundCloud or wherever you get your podcasts. It is produced by Sarah Myles and the music is by Tom Mawby.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Summer Lee, the Pennsylvania 'squad' member who beat back a primary challenge
In the Spotlight Lee is the first Black woman ever elected to Congress from the Keystone State
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
6 fantastic places for solo travel
The Week Recommends Go your own way
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Should Olympic athletes get paid?
Today's Big Question For the first time in history, an international sporting body will pay some Olympians for their achievements in Paris this summer.
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
The Week Unwrapped: sad doctors, paedophile hunters and cashless China
In Depth Why are UK doctors depressed? Why is a paedophile claiming vigilantes violated his rights? And will China have a future without cash?
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
The Week Unwrapped: Dreams, Zooms and executions
In Depth Why are so many people having vivid dreams? Are Zoom weddings the new norm? And why has Saudi Arabia stopped executing minors?
By The Week Staff Published
-
Lesotho scandal: how the PM’s murder charges unfolded
In Depth Thomas Thabane is seeking immunity over killing of estranged wife
By Gabriel Power Last updated
-
The Week Unwrapped podcast: Drug wars, hedge funds and placebos
In Depth Why has Mexico suffered its most violent year ever? Are women better at investing than men? And are placebos the answer to chronic pain?
By The Week Staff Published
-
Mexico murder rate hits all-time high
In Depth Nearly 35,000 people were killed in 2019 despite government pledge to curb cartel violence
By Gabriel Power Last updated