What the papers said in the week ending 18 February 2023
Is this a celebration of age? The Guardian on Saturday published photographs and short quotes from centenarians from a number of countries: ‘Keep your eyes open – and leap into the future’: 100 centenarians’ 100 tips for a life well lived | Ageing | The Guardian
- Interesting that we can assemble something like this. Certainly makes the point that more of us are living to be 100 and beyond. Many continue to make positive contributions
Polly Toynbee, aged 76, does not have many good words for old people – taking the line that we are living well at the expense of younger people. Now – not all of us see it that way! It is good that older people are no longer the poorest and most disadvantaged in our society, as they were until relatively recently. Let us be pleased for that. Certainly we would want people of all ages to be treated even-handedly and young people helped to thrive: My generation is sucking Britain’s young people dry. Why are politicians too scared to admit it? | Polly Toynbee | The Guardian
- Some old people are being dreadfully disadvantaged by political and administrative arrangements which have not been thought through: Brussels contacts Sweden over plans to deport British woman with Alzheimer’s | Brexit | The Guardian
Kathleen Poole has dementia: so too does Bruce Willis Bruce Willis has dementia, his family announces – BBC News
The state of the nation:
- The cost of communication is expected to rise: Mobile and broadband prices: UK watchdog reviews inflation-busting rises | Telecommunications industry | The Guardian
- Separation from Europe means that a source f funding for research is no longer available: UK ready to snub key EU science research scheme if Brexit row not resolved | Brexit | The Guardian
- People of working age are forgoing necessary medication because they cannot afford prescription prices: Prescriptions in England uncollected due to cost of living crisis | Practice Business
- It is estimated that potential for growth of the economy has been lost: Brexit hit UK growth by £29bn, says Bank of England rate setter | Economic growth (GDP) | The Guardian
- More people have become reliant on foodbanks and foodbanks are not coping: Every day is doomsday’: how a food bank is struggling to keep up | Food banks | The Guardian
Nicola Sturgeon has found pressures upon her unbearable: SNP in turmoil after Nicola Sturgeon resigns as first minister | Nicola Sturgeon | The Guardian
Climate change has some benefits – we are due for fabulous blossoms this spring: Spring of beautiful blossom expected in UK amid perfect conditions | Trees and forests | The Guardian
But elsewhere we look for loss of land to the seas: Rising seas threaten ‘mass exodus on a biblical scale’, UN chief warns | Sea level | The Guardian
Internationally:
- Mistrust between nations is accepted as a fact of life: Of course China’s balloon was spying. States all spy on each other – and we all benefit | Jonathan Steele | The Guardian
- Natural disasters have hit Turkey and Syria and New Zealand Turkey finds a few more earthquake survivors as further rescue hopes fade | Syria | The Guardian
- Cyclone Gabrielle worst storm to hit New Zealand this century, says PM | Cyclone Gabrielle | The Guardian
- Cyclone Gabrielle: child among four dead in New Zealand as 1,400 remain missing | Cyclone Gabrielle | The Guardian
There are claims that damage in Turkey has arisen in part because of poor building practice – and there have been delays in getting aid to people Heaven into hell: how a luxury block in Turkey became a mass grave | Turkey-Syria earthquake 2023 | The Guardian
Health:
A miraculous cure is made available for a Metachromatic Leucodystrophe Girl with deadly inherited condition is cured with gene therapy on NHS | NHS | The Guardian
People who are different are recognised, and need to be understood: Neurodiverse people just need to be given a chance | Autism | The Guardian
Living with others is good for us: Why owning a pet is good for body and mind | Pets | The Guardian
How best to provide healthcare for everyone, requires careful thought: The Guardian view on Labour’s plans for self-referral: approach with caution | Editorial | The Guardian
Other matters:
Fiona Collins has emphasised that Welsh is still spoken, and printed: Finally getting the measure of the north | Blackpool | The Guardian
Museums are prepared to return property to their rightful owners: How one Derbyshire museum took initiative in returning Indigenous artefacts | Museums | The Guardian
The oldest known bible is on the market: Oldest complete Hebrew Bible expected to break auction records | The Bible | The Guardian
Underwater footage from an exploration of the wreck of the Titanic is available to view: Haunting new footage of Titanic wreckage to be released | The Titanic | The Guardian
An historic public toilet is brought back into use: Restored Paris public loo worth every penny of €2 charge | Paris | The Guardian
St Cuthbert is to be properly celebrated: Memorial to St Cuthbert restored to Lindisfarne after nearly 500 years | Christianity | The Guardian
David Jolley. Chair of Christians on Ageing, in a personal capacity
