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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Dive right into these 8 underwater adventuresThe Week Recommends It’s time to make a splash
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The world’s oldest rock art reveals hints about human migrationUnder the Radar The art is believed to be over 67,000 years old
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Grok in the crosshairs as EU launches deepfake porn probeIN THE SPOTLIGHT The European Union has officially begun investigating Elon Musk’s proprietary AI, as regulators zero in on Grok’s porn problem and its impact continent-wide
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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
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Environment breakthroughs of 2025In Depth Progress was made this year on carbon dioxide tracking, food waste upcycling, sodium batteries, microplastic monitoring and green concrete
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Crest falling: Mount Rainier and 4 other mountains are losing heightUnder the radar Its peak elevation is approximately 20 feet lower than it once was
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Death toll from Southeast Asia storms tops 1,000speed read Catastrophic floods and landslides have struck Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia
