Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Julia Macfarlane, Abdulwahab Tahhan and Suchandrika Chakrabarti.
In this week’s episode, we discuss:
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Chinese marriage incentives
The county of Changshan in eastern China is offering an incentive of 1,000 yuan, or just over £100, to women aged under 25 who get married. The “reward” is intended to promote “age-appropriate marriage and childbearing”, according to the local government – and fits into a pattern of Chinese attempts to raise its fertility rate. Will this relatively small incentive make any difference, and if not how else might China deal with falling birth rates?
Nanotech energy
When Novak Djokovic steps on court at the US Open next week, he’s likely to be wearing a small metal disc strapped to his chest. According to the Italian company that makes it, the Taopatch uses nanotechnology to convert heat from the body into performance-enhancing light. Not everyone is convinced… but Djokovic himself insists that he benefits from wearing it. So how should sporting authorities react to these and other devices intended to give athletes an edge over their rivals.
Laughter as medicine
A new scientific study has lent weight to the idea that laughter is the best medicine – or at least a good health supplement. Researchers found that a course of laughter therapy had a positive effect on patients with coronary artery disease, increasing oxygen flow around their bodies and reducing inflammation. How reliable is the evidence for this claim – and what can we learn from it?
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6 exquisite homes for skiersFeature Featuring a Scandinavian-style retreat in Southern California and a Utah abode with a designated ski room
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Film reviews: ‘The Testament of Ann Lee,’ ’28 Years Later: The Bone Temple,’ and ‘Young Mothers’Feature A full-immersion portrait of the Shakers’ founder, a zombie virus brings out the best and worst in the human survivors, and pregnancy tests the resolve of four Belgian teenagers
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Political cartoons for January 25Cartoons Sunday's political cartoons include a hot economy, A.I. wisdom, 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?
