Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Mariana Vieira, Rory Reid and Leaf Arbuthnot.
In this week’s episode, we discuss:
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Lithium rush
Argentina is preparing for what it hopes will be a boom in lithium production. Selling licences to mine the mineral, which is a critical ingredient of the batteries that power electric cars and other consumer goods, is a rare bright spot for a country that has endured years of economic and political turmoil. Many in the West are hoping that, along with its South American neighbours, it will offer a counterbalance to China, so far the principal lithium exporter.
First-class error
This week All Nippon Airways announced that it was cancelling scores of first-class tickets it mistakenly sold for a twentieth of the intended price. In some cases, travellers were snapping up $10,000 fares for just $300. The story drew attention to two underlying issues: the rights (or lack of rights) afforded to airline passengers when they buy a ticket – and the value of premium tickets to airlines, many of which could not survive without them.
Feline feelings
The shortlist for the National Cat Awards, announced this week, included Zebby, 2, from Derbyshire, who helps his deaf owner by alerting her to phone calls and knocks at the door. That story followed research published in New Scientist suggested that cats are more attuned to humans than was previously thought. So have we been wrong all along about man’s best friend?
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Le Pen back in the dock: the trial that’s shaking FranceIn the Spotlight Appealing her four-year conviction for embezzlement, the Rassemblement National leader faces an uncertain political future, whatever the result
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The doctors’ strikesThe Explainer Resident doctors working for NHS England are currently voting on whether to go out on strike again this year
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5 chilling cartoons about increasing ICE aggressionCartoons Artists take on respect for the law, the Fourth Amendment, and more
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The Week Unwrapped: What can we learn from a tool-wielding cow?Podcast Plus, have we reached ‘peak billionaire’? When should troops disobey their superiors?
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The Week Unwrapped: Will Uganda’s pop-star politician prevail?Podcast Plus, is dodgy data undermining medical research? And what does a new app reveal about Chinese society?
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The Week Unwrapped: Is Elon Musk’s AI tool a platform for abuse?Podcast Plus can Mumsnet predict who will be the next PM? And who is still watching Avatar sequels?
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The Week Unwrapped: What’s the cost of PFAs?Podcast Plus why is George Osborne joining OpenAI? And has universal basic income finally come of age?
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The Week Unwrapped: what’s scuppering Bulgaria’s Euro dream?Podcast Plus has Syria changed, a year on from its revolution? And why are humans (mostly) monogamous?
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The Week Unwrapped: Will drought fuel global violence?Podcast Plus why did Trump pardon a drug-trafficking president? And are romantic comedies in terminal decline?
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The Week Unwrapped: Have pedigree dogs had their day?Podcast Plus what can we learn from Slovenia’s rejection of assisted dying? And can politicians admit their weaknesses?
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The Week Unwrapped: Will US Catholics rebel against the Pope?Podcast Plus what are the ethics of freezing your late partner?
