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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Israel targets Hamas leaders in Qatar airstrikeSpeed Read Hamas said five low-level leaders were killed in the attack
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September 10 editorial cartoonsCartoons Wednesday’s political cartoons include Donald Trump's doodles, a hidden message in the Jeffrey Epstein birthday book, and rising sea levels
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The best folk albums of 2025The Week Recommends From soul-searching lyrics to magnificent harmonies, these artists are a cut above the rest
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Earth's seasons are out of whackUnder the radar The seasons' unfixed nature in different regions of the planet may have impacted biodiversity and evolution
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When does autumn begin?The Explainer The UK is experiencing a 'false autumn', as climate change shifts seasonal weather patterns
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How 'freakosystems' are becoming the normThe explainer Ecosystems are changing permanently
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Cloudbursts: what are the 'rain bombs' hitting India and Pakistan?The Explainer The sudden and intense weather event is almost impossible to forecast and often leads to deadly flash-flooding and landslides
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What do heatwaves mean for Scandinavia?Under the Radar A record-breaking run of sweltering days and tropical nights is changing the way people – and animals – live in typically cool Nordic countries
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Blue whales have gone silent and it's posing troubling questionsUnder the radar Warming oceans are the answer
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Acid rain is back: the sequel nobody wantedUnder The Radar A 'forever chemical' in rainwater is reviving a largely forgotten environmental issue
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Why is the world so divided over plastics?Today's Big Question UN negotiations on first global plastic treaty are at stake, as fossil fuel companies, petrostates and plastic industry work to resist a legal cap on production
