What the papers said in the week ending 21 August 2021
A dysfunctional world:
The week has been dominated by dismay at the happenings consequent upon the withdrawal of the USA from Afghanistan. Problems which have rumbled for more than 100 years – beyond the lifetime of almost all of us. Violence should be no part of attempts at resolution. Ordinary people around the world can only show compassion. Why did we ignore the lessons of history in Afghanistan? We need a public inquiry | Jonathan Steele | The Guardian
- North of England leaders urge fair distribution of Afghan refugees | Immigration and asylum | The Guardian
- Short-sighted self-interest is also demonstrated in the international response to the current phase of the Covid-19 Pandemic Gordon Brown hits out at EU’s ‘neocolonial approach’ to Covid vaccine supplies | Coronavirus | The Guardian
Deaths in Plymouth might have been avoided by better responses to the needs of a disordered young man and his family as they pleaded for help. It is after the event that prayers are the recourse: Prayers held in Plymouth as city grieves for victims of attack | Plymouth shooting | The Guardian
We have further observations on the quality of food and care provided to prisoners – and on the link between childhood exclusion and being taken into care. The knowledge is there – the ingenuity and will to do something effective is failing and more and more men are placed in prison for long sentences. Prisoners’ diet and their background in care are still being overlooked | Letters | The Guardian
We are pleased that people have discovered the pleasure and virtues of walking and the great outdoors – but there is need to protect that great outdoors: additional resources – relatively modest – should be directed to parks of all sorts and green spaces. A pound spent here will repay a hundred fold in benefits to health and wellbeing Lake District in peril due to climate emergency and influx of pandemic walkers | Lake District | The Guardian
A sadder side of the lockdowns has been the additional time people have devoted to sitting and consuming alcohol – the evidence of the damage done is clear, so we do need to divert people of all ages to healthier pastimes: Deaths caused by alcohol at highest level since 2008 in Scotland | Alcohol | The Guardian
Historical studies provide salutary learning of the adverse effects of ill-disciplined eating, even amongst the most devout of assemblies Meat-rich diet of 14th-century monks caused digestive issues, research finds | Heritage | The Guardian
There is little evidence that lessons of the climate crisis are being learned and acted on – powerful companies which make money are loathe to change their spots Why is life on Earth still taking second place to fossil fuel companies? | George Monbiot | The Guardian
Rain falling for the first time ever in since records began on an Ice-Peak in Greenland is one more measure of the changes in the world’s climate Rain falls on peak of Greenland ice cap for first time on record | Greenland | The Guardian
More trivial is the story of a bright green land train which is casing offence in a holy place: Unholy row erupts over Larry Landtrain taking visitors on Lindisfarne | Northumberland | The Guardian
An older way:
Arguments are martialled on environmental grounds to celebrate and retain older buildings, rather than knock them down in a rush toward modernity The Guardian view on buildings: out with the new! For the planet’s sake | Editorial | The Guardian
A heart-warming story records the success of small-scale market traders in bringing life and prosperity to a poor area by working with its local strengths A community in the heart of Tottenham has shown how to fight the developers – and win | Aditya Chakrabortty | The Guardian
The Great Tapestry of Scotland was completed in 2013 by 1,000 sewers working on 160 linen panels running to 143 metres. It illustrates history from Bannockburn to Andy Murray. It now has a permanent home in Galashiels Great Tapestry of Scotland to go on show at its own gallery for first time | Scotland | The Guardian
Brains:
We are told that cuttlefish are just as good at learning and remembering when they are old (22-24 months) as when they were middle-aged (10-12 months) Cuttlefish remember details of their last meal, study finds | Animals | The Guardian
- This is contrasted with the decline in these abilities amongst we humans. An intriguing experiment, conclusion and comparison – But I am not so sure
For sure we must be convinced of the adverse effects for professional players of contact sports. We are saddened to remember the marvellous skills of players now reduced to years of dependency. What will be the outcome of this realisation? Manchester United legend Denis Law is diagnosed with mixed dementia | Manchester United | The Guardian
Old are vulnerable:
The Triple Lock: (pensions linked to the rate of inflation, rise in earnings or 2.5% per annum) has seen the financial circumstances of the least well of older people improve progressively since 2011 – We may be about to see it undermined:
- Pressure increases on Rishi Sunak to suspend triple lock on pensions | Pensions | The Guardian
- Downing Street hints pensions triple lock will be watered down | Pensions | The Guardian
David Jolley
