The Week Unwrapped: National service, Bahrain and Roman Polanski
Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Leaf Arbuthnot, Abdulwahab Tahhan and Harriet Marsden. You can subscribe to The Week Unwrapped wherever you get your podcasts: Spotify Apple Podcasts Global Player In this week’s episode, we discuss: National service The think tank Onward has […]
Ten Things You Need to Know Today: 9 September 2023
1 Hundreds die in Morocco quake At least 296 people have died after an earthquake struck central Morocco, said the country’s interior ministry. The powerful quake measured magnitude 6.8 and occurred about 44 miles northeast of Marrakesh. Footage on social media showed people running into the streets and buildings shaking. A local official said most […]
Luton Airport bendy buses join Ukraine war effort
Bendy buses from Luton Airport have arrived in Ukraine for use in the country’s war effort. Three purple buses, which still have their Luton Airport logos, are mainly being used to provide “rest areas for beleaguered troops” and to transport supplies and soldiers, said The Telegraph. These vehicles have done “years of duty shuttling holidaymakers […]
The contraceptive pill explained in 60 seconds: ideas that changed the world
In this series, The Week looks at the ideas and innovations that permanently changed the way we see the world. The contraceptive pill in 60 seconds The combined oral contraceptive pill, known informally as “the pill”, is a hormone-based medication designed to prevent pregnancy. It is taken orally, usually on a daily basis. The pill […]
What have we learned in King Charles’s first year?
King Charles III has released a brief tribute to Elizabeth II to mark the first anniversary of his mother’s death. The King recalled the late Queen’s “devoted service and all she meant to so many of us”, and thanked the nation for the “love and support” shown to him and Queen Camilla during the first […]
House prices fall at fastest pace since 2009 – and more pain expected
High interest rates and the customary summer slump have been blamed after UK house prices suffered their sharpest annual drop in 14 years. Prices fell by 4.6% in August, the biggest year-on-year decrease since 2009, according to data released by Halifax. Rival lender Nationwide last week put the drop at 5.3%. Based on the Halifax figures, the […]
The RAAC concrete crisis: fears spread to homes and theatres
Public and private buildings across the UK may be affected by the crumbling concrete crisis that has hit schools, experts are warning. Safety concerns over the use of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete, or RAAC, has forced the full or partial closure of 147 UK schools so far. And many courts, hospitals and other public buildings were […]
Ten Things You Need to Know Today: 7 September 2023
1 Rates rises may be over The Bank of England (BoE) may stop raising interest rates as soon as this month, its governor has hinted. Speaking to MPs, Andrew Bailey said that the period when it was “clear that rates needed to rise going forwards” was now over. The BoE’s Monetary Policy Committee is “delicately […]
Naked cyclist arrested on charity bike ride
A naked cyclist who was arrested during a charity ride has called for more understanding of naturism. Stuart Gilmour, also known as the Naked Cyclist, told Sky News he was detained in Colwyn Bay, North Wales, on Sunday. The naturist said the police were “absolutely lovely”. Explaining his hobby, he said he felt more comfortable without […]