Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Guy Anker, Holden Frith and Sorcha Bradley.
In this week’s episode, we discuss:
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UK drug use
The UK is Europe’s cocaine capital, and the latest analysis of wastewater in big cities suggests that use could have risen by as much as a quarter in just one year. This routine testing gives a better indication of drug use compared with surveys or seizings, but the picture is still incomplete. What we do know is deaths from cocaine poisoning have risen sharply since the early 90s, most rehab enquiries are now related to the Class A drug, and – thanks to a product that has never been so cheap, pure or accessible – the problem is getting worse.
Greener trees
Scientists this week in North Carolina are looking to turn over a new leaf… almost literally, as they announced results of a new study into gene-editing trees. Using Crispr technology, they managed to grow poplar trees that would contain less lignin, a polymer found in the wood that needs to be removed – a process that uses large amounts of energy and water – to make paper. The scientists suggest their gene-edited trees will result in 20% less carbon being emitted during paper-making. But could it come with other drawbacks?
High-speed podcast playback?
New research suggests that an increasing number of people are watching TV and listening to podcasts at higher playback speeds. ALmost one in 10 even listen to music at a faster-than-intended pace. Under-25s are more than twice as likely to listen at 1.25x or 1.5x normal speed. Is this a good use of time or a sign of diminishing attention spans? And how does it affect our ability to absorb and retain information?
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Nigel Farage: was he a teenage racist?Talking Point Farage’s denials have been ‘slippery’, but should claims from Reform leader’s schooldays be on the news agenda?
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Pushing for peace: is Trump appeasing Moscow?In Depth European leaders succeeded in bringing themselves in from the cold and softening Moscow’s terms, but Kyiv still faces an unenviable choice
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Sudoku medium: November 29, 2025The daily medium sudoku puzzle from The Week
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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?
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The Week Unwrapped: Can musicians challenge Putin?Podcast Plus who were the ‘human hunters’ of the Bosnian war? And what should happen to captive penguins?
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The Week Unwrapped: Are British rappers the world’s best?Podcast Plus can the Maldives quit smoking? And can whales lead us to immortality?
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The Week Unwrapped: Should we be eating less fat – or more?Podcast Plus who will benefit from the surprise Dutch election result? And how can art improve our health?
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The Week Unwrapped: Will Grace Wales Bonner change Hermès for the better?Podcast Plus will nuclear fusion deliver us from climate change? Is humour the best way to take on Trump?
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The Week Unwrapped: Can bullfighting win over young SpaniardsPodcast Plus, is online fandom inherently unhealthy? And is Putin’s economy running out of gas?
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The Week Unwrapped: Who had the last laugh in Riyadh?Podcast Plus are imported eggs undermining animal welfare? And what can we do about AI deepfakes?
