What the papers said in the week ending 12 March 2022
As the world stands aghast at the invasion of the Ukraine by Russian troops, we are glad for the comments and initiatives of religious leaders in their prayers and pleas for peace and reason
- Ukraine renews effort to evacuate Mariupol as food and water run out | Ukraine | The Guardian
- Pope on Ukraine: ‘In the name of God, stop this massacre!’ – Vatican News
- Rabbi in UK wants a ‘Ukrainetransport’ for families fleeing the Russian invasion | Ukraine | The Guardian
We read reflections from Russian people and experts and amateurs trying to understand how this has come about.
- Now we know: Russia’s horrific past could become our future under Putin | Dmitry Glukhovsky | The Guardian
- Mad or bad? A deep dive into Putin’s psyche | Letters | The Guardian
We are becoming uncomfortably aware of our compliance with corruption within the very fabric of our country.
- Gas-powered kingmaker: how the UK welcomed Putin’s man in Ukraine | Russia | The Guardian
- Oligarch money is embedded in London. Beware the big talk of a ‘crackdown’ | John Harris | The Guardian
And we read criticism of our response to the humanitarian needs arising from the conflict
This is a huge preoccupation, but other aspects of life continue:
The energy crisis is worsened by the conflict – sustaining life in peace has become more challenging because of the economics of fuel and food:
Covid remains with us. Despite assurances and relaxation of rules, more cases are being reported – especially amongst older people: Covid cases and hospital admissions rising in England, data suggests | Coronavirus | The Guardian
- UK Covid cases rising among those aged 55 and over | Coronavirus | The Guardian
- Global Covid-19 death toll ‘may be three times higher than official figures’ | World news | The Guardian
- THE LANCET: Global death toll of COVID-19 pan | EurekAlert!
And the consequences of infection are becoming better understood
- Covid can shrink brain and damage its tissue, finds research | Coronavirus | The Guardian
- SARS-CoV-2 is associated with changes in brain structure in UK Biobank | Nature
We are encouraged to remain actively engaged with others – by one means or any other:
- If you feel old, lonely and wary of the internet, do what I did – learn Zoom | Esther Rantzen | The Guardian
- Staying connected in later life is vital – offline as well as online | Letters | The Guardian
Rose-tinted spectacles are recommended:
- Reasons to be cheerful: optimists live longer, says study | Science | The Guardian
- Optimism May Promote Emotional Well-being by Limiting How Often One Experiences Stressful Situations | School of Medicine (bu.edu)
First female priests are honoured with a plaque 28 years on from their historic appointments: Bristol Cathedral replaces men-only plaque remembering first female priests | Anglicanism | The Guardian
Hopes raised for once-a-week pills for range of conditions | Medical research | The Guardian
Nuns gain recognition as a team to be reckoned with: Kicking the habit: footballing nuns’ goal is to pass on word of God | Football | The Guardian
The preserving qualities of cold are demonstrated spectacularly Ernest Shackleton’s ship Endurance found off coast of Antarctica | Antarctica | The Guardian
Lenny Henry has turned his talent and passion to Windrush: Lenny Henry to make playwright debut with Windrush drama | Theatre | The Guardian
Older women are taking a stand against fracking: ‘We’re ready’: UK anti-fracking activists prepare to fight resurgence plans | Fracking | The Guardian
Evidence of scientific malpractice has unsettled the campaign to make rugby football safer. Despite this glitch – the wisdom of the main story surely remains as powerful. We have to be aware that violent contact sports are dangerous, especially to the brains How a plagiarism problem has started to shift rugby’s concussion protocols | Concussion in sport | The Guardian
It is a relief to know that the dangers of disposable barbecues are being recognised. Let us hope that they can be outlawed: Waitrose and Aldi to stop selling disposable barbecues | Landfill | The Guardian
Special stamps designed by children celebrate the heroics of covid-times, including Captain Sir Tom
David Jolley, Chair of Christians on Ageing, writing in a personal cpacity
