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:
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Importing slavery
UK companies will face fines for buying goods linked to Chinese forced labour camps under new government plans. But campaigners are warning that modern slavery is also rampant in Britain, as three victims who were subcontracted to work for Biffa prepare to sue the recycling firm for damages. So how can businesses help tackle the growing problem - and is enough being done?
Virtual bailiffs
A court ruling has opened up the possibility that bailiffs can now take possession of goods without visiting the home of the person who has fallen into debt. Instead, they can survey and value the property by video call. Some campaigners have welcomed this as a first step towards reforming a system which can be traumatic for many who find themselves drawn into it - while others have questioned whether it will work.
Cumbrian coal
The UK government has declined to intervene after Cumbria council granted permission for the development of a new coal mine. Environmentalists say the decision undermines UK efforts to secure a deal on carbon-reduction - and makes a mockery of the government’s commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
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Political cartoons for February 17Cartoons Tuesday’s political cartoons include a refreshing spritz of Pam, winter events, and more
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Alexei Navalny and Russia’s history of poisoningsThe Explainer ‘Precise’ and ‘deniable’, the Kremlin’s use of poison to silence critics has become a ’geopolitical signature flourish’
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Are Hollywood ‘showmances’ losing their shine?In The Spotlight Teasing real-life romance between movie leads is an old Tinseltown publicity trick but modern audiences may have had enough
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The plan to wall off the ‘Doomsday’ glacierUnder the Radar Massive barrier could ‘slow the rate of ice loss’ from Thwaites Glacier, whose total collapse would have devastating consequences
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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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As temperatures rise, US incomes fallUnder the radar Elevated temperatures are capable of affecting the entire economy
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The world is entering an ‘era of water bankruptcy’The explainer Water might soon be more valuable than gold
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Climate change could lead to a reptile ‘sexpocalypse’Under the radar The gender gap has hit the animal kingdom
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The former largest iceberg is turning blue. It’s a bad sign.Under the radar It is quickly melting away
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How drones detected a deadly threat to Arctic whalesUnder the radar Monitoring the sea in the air
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‘Jumping genes’: how polar bears are rewiring their DNA to survive the warming ArcticUnder the radar The species is adapting to warmer temperatures
