The Week Unwrapped: Financial class, zombie viruses and drugged monks

published 2 December 2022

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Suchandrika Chakrabarti, Jamie Timson and Mariana Vieira.

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A report published this week by the City of London Corporation, a governing body for the financial services industry, revealed that 36% of senior leaders came from a working-class or lower socio-economic background. It set companies the challenge of raising that proportion to 50% by 2030. Is social class a neglected part of the diversity question, and what can finance and other industries do to address it?

French scientists have delved deep into the Siberian permafrost this week to study deadly viruses from 50,000 years ago. The slow melting of the permafrost makes the release of these viruses more likely and the scientists believe it's important to get ahead of the curve and get these zombie pathogens under the microscope before it's too late. But studying deadly viruses can come at great cost and with the global pandemic hardly ancient history, is it wise to bring these viruses back to life?

An abbot and his monks were defrocked this week after failing drug tests. Thai authorities said the four, who tested positive for methamphetamine, would be sent to a health clinic to undergo drug rehabilitation, leaving the monastery empty. The revelation has added to tensions between the monks, who play a prominent role in Thai society, and the population at large. Will they be able to rebuild their reputation?

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