Struggle and strife

What the papers said in the week ending 30 July 2022

Christian churches have their share of headlines:

Anglicans follow Methodists in the struggle to find peace on the issue of same sex marriage: Motion to oppose same-sex marriage forces rethink of Anglican summit | Anglicanism | The Guardian

• Justin Welby forced to allow Anglican bishops to reject statement on sexuality | Anglicanism | The Guardian
• The Guardian view on the Lambeth conference: don’t make it about sexuality | Editorial | The Guardian

The Pope apologises for wrongs in Canada: Pope Francis ‘begs forgiveness’ over abuse at church schools in Canada | Pope Francis | The Guardian

And a rich preacher in America is robbed of jewellery:  Thieves rob flashy New York preacher of $1m in jewellery during online sermon | New York | The Guardian

Perhaps none of the matters on which the Church would chose to be offering a lead in these difficult times.

There is a shortfall in staffing essential health and social care services in the UK: Worst NHS staffing crisis in its history is putting patients at serious risk, MPs warn | NHS | The Guardian

• Recruitment drives alone won’t fix the NHS staffing crisis | Letters | The Guardian

Police forces are also struggling: Manchester police struggling to recruit detectives because of long hours | Greater Manchester | The Guardian

Older people are being encouraged to come back to work to fill the gaps and to make ends meet: Britain’s ‘great unretirement’: cost of living drives older people back to work | UK cost of living crisis | The Guardian

• Older people in Thailand take a very positive approach saying: ‘I don’t think of retiring’ Instagran: meet Thailand’s new generation of over-60s influencers | Thailand | The Guardian

The economics of domestic and business life are testing: Energy bills will push millions into unmanageable debt, MPs warn | Energy industry | The Guardian

• UK energy bills forecast to hit £3,850 as Russia cuts gas supply further | Energy bills | The Guardian
• UK restaurant insolvencies jump by more than 60% in year, data shows | Hospitality industry | The Guardian
• Some businesses are accused of profiteering: The heat is on for energy firms as high prices send profits soaring | Energy industry | The Guardian
• Government is criticised for reckless spending: UK health department played ‘fast and loose’ when awarding Covid contracts to Randox | Politics | The Guardian

Family disputes among the very rich, very old, attract interest and maybe even a prison sentence: Frederick Barclay transferred fortune to avoid paying tax, ex-wife tells court | UK news | The Guardian

• Frederick Barclay could face jail over failed payments to ex-wife | Law | The Guardian

For many the future of the BBC is important as a central part of our lives: BBC licence fee | Media | The Guardian

Historic England is shining lights on the real lives of ordinary people in humble settings around the country – beautiful nostalgia, with lessons to be learned: Morecambe landladies celebrated in English working-class heritage project | Heritage | The Guardian

• Funding for 57 New Projects Across England That Will Tell the Untold Stories of Our Nation’s Working-Class Heritage | Historic England

The consequences of climate change press their case, changing geography and political boundaries and threatening destruction: Melting glacier in Alps shifts border between Switzerland and Italy | Italy | The Guardian

• UK cities need to prepare for future wildfires, say fire chiefs | UK weather | The Guardian

Science continues to open new frontiers: Scientists find 30 potential new species at bottom of ocean | Marine life | The Guardian

• Stroke patients in England missing out on ‘miracle treatment’, warns report | Stroke | The Guardian
• ‘Gamechanging’ heart disease drug approved for use in England | Drugs | The Guardian

We have lost two great men – both living to a great age: Conversations with James Lovelock, the scientist at the end of the world | James Lovelock | The Guardian

• Gaia hypothesis – Wikipedia
• Bernard Cribbins, star of Doctor Who and Jackanory, dies aged 93 | Television | The Guardian

A survey which suggests that many British women risk health problems by lack of exercise: Almost half of British women do no vigorous exercise, survey finds | Health | The Guardian

• Is roundly criticised by Kate Enright who points out that work around the house, garden, garden, shops etc may be just as significant as time in the gym: No winners in the Tory leadership debate | Letters | The Guardian
• The sporting achievements of women and of people of all sorts have been celebrated: The Euros prove it: women’s football is not like men’s – and that’s good | Jen Offord | The Guardian

Commonwealth Games open with celebration of host city Birmingham | Commonwealth Games 2022 | The Guardian

Marcus Radford uses his sporting celebrity to make wise points: Marcus Rashford guest-edits special edition of Beano comic | Marcus Rashford | The Guardian

But as all of this fills our minds and hearts, the fighting and killing in the Ukraine goes on Ukraine steps up attacks on Russian-occupied Kherson | Ukraine | The Guardian

• Russian forces fire barrage of missiles at northern Ukraine from Belarus | Ukraine | The Guardian

Covid leaves its silent scars: Covid study finds millions have long-term smell or taste problems | Coronavirus | The Guardian

And people suffer in ordinary things: The ‘sadmin’ after my mother’s death was hard enough – then I encountered Vodafone | George Monbiot | The Guardian

David Jolley         Chair of Christians on Ageing, in a personal capacity.