Life moves pretty fast - if you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it. - Ferris Bueller
Here's what happened in the news this week.
Plenty of bad news on the coronavirus pandemic this week, as Greater Manchester and surrounding areas were forced back into lockdown amidst a spike in cases in the region. London looks likely to follow, with the Government reportedly considering a lockdown inside the M25. On the national front, PM Boris Johnson announced that further relaxing of the lockdown across the country scheduled for August 1st would be delayed by at least two weeks, after Sage scientists said that the crucial R value (the average number of people infected by one patient) may well now be above 1.
Boris Johnson had tried earlier in the week to finally shift the focus away from the pandemic, pledging to crack down on obesity in the UK, with his plan to be announced in the coming weeks. It is likely to include bans on advertising for sugary and junk foods before 9pm, as well as more funding for exercise programs like cycling. With 63% of adults in the UK classed as overweight or obese, a comprehensive plan is needed to reduce this number significantly.
Further research on BAME representation in the workplace emerged this week, showing that people of colour hold just 4.6% (51 out of 1097) of the UK's most powerful jobs, despite making up around 15% of the population.
Women were also massively underrepresented across all sectors, holding just 26% of top positions.
As I have written about previously, the Government's indifference and inaction on this issue almost always leaves the private sector to sort it out for themselves, which they are evidently unable to do, as these figures demonstrate. Many large companies have made big pledges in the past few months to appease the Black Lives Matter movement. Do not be surprised when, a year or two or more down the line, nothing has changed.
Another debate in this area is around BAME education, with many trying to introduce more diverse history into the currently whitewashed school curriculum. This week schools minister Nick Gibb rejected a cross-party letter signed by 30 MPs demanding a review of the syllabus, saying that the Government has no plans to hold such a review. Education is critical to ridding our society of systemic racism, and this move shows that the Government is not at all serious about doing so.
In even more disturbing news, documents emerged this week alleging that Prince Andrew attempted to lobby the US for a lenient sentence on behalf of convicted paedophile and sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, who 'committed suicide' whilst awaiting trial in August last year. The Prince will now surely be sweating literally and figuratively - or perhaps not, given his rare medical condition (and substantial political connections).
There was more news on another accused sex offender and friend of Jeffrey Epstein this week, in the form of President of the United States Donald Trump, who had another busy few days dissing China and casually trying to undermine Western democracy. Amidst an economic collapse and dwindling poll numbers for the former steak salesman, Trump suggested this week that November's Presidential election should be postponed. Enjoy your dictator, America. You earned him.
Trump is also reportedly considering banning Chinese-owned viral app TikTok in the US, continuing the diplomatic war between the two countries. Millions of devastated teens are expected to renegade in the streets, led by stars Charli D'Amelio and Addison Rae, who are reportedly confident that they will be able to gain the President's attention if they back it up hard enough.
As for this weeks good news, there is only one: 14 times baybeeeeeeeeeeeee <3
At least the Tik tokkers renegading will be out on the streets... where they belong
Just waiting for the Donald vs Xi epic rap battles of history