News To Know: 6 stories you should have on your radar this week
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We're living in a world where's there's a constant plethora of news – and it can be hard to stay on top of it all. Here, our 'News To Know' round-up has you covered, with our pick of six big and under-the-radar stories (so that you can breeze your way through any conversation at brunch this weekend)...
Four day work week trialled in the UK
Thousands of employees in the UK are taking part in a four day work week trial that, if successful, could see the future of working transformed forever.
Seventy companies – from call centres to chip shops – across the country have signed up to take part in the trial, which is being run by the 4 Day Week Global campaign in partnership with think tank Autonomy and researchers from several universities, including Cambridge and Oxford, who will assess the wellbeing of workers and measure the pilot’s impact on productivity.
"As we emerge from the pandemic, more and more companies are recognising that the new frontier for competition is quality of life, and that reduced-hour, output-focused working is the vehicle to give them a competitive edge," said Joe O’Connor, CEO of 4 Day Week Global.
Boris Johnson wins Tory vote of no confidence
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson won a vote of no confidence – to decide whether he should remain in his position – held by the Conservative party this week, securing 211 votes in his favour compared to 148 who voted against him. Had he lost, Johnson would have been removed from his position as the head of the Tory party and therefore as PM.
The vote follows months of growing doubt that Johnson should continue as PM, particularly after Sue Gray’s damning investigation into parties held at No 10 during the coronavirus lockdowns. Despite winning the vote, critics of the PM still argue that his authority has been undermined and continue to question his future as leader of the Tory party.
Johnson isn’t the only PM who’s faced such a vote however, with his predecessor Theresa May surviving a vote of no confidence over her Brexit policy in 2018 – although she resigned as PM just six months later.
These are the brands who’ve promised not to alter images
In a world full of pressure surrounding the way we look, it’s refreshing to know there are brands and organisations promising to no longer alter body shapes in the pictures they publish.
To support the Recognise Body Image campaign a selection of brands – including Barry-M Cosmetics, Boots, Dove, Pure Gym, Girl Guiding UK and many more – have signed the pledge and taken responsibility to fight back against retouched images.
"It’s time the industry took action and stopped digitally 'fixing' another person’s body shape," said GP Luke Evans, who is leading the campaign, with the support of celebrities such as Alex Light, James Brittain-McVey and Dr Alex George who are all in agreement that advertising and social media content where images have been digitally manipulated should be labelled.
Amber Heard talks of “disappointment” at verdict as Johnny Depp thanks fans
Last week it was announced that Amber Heard had lost against Johnny Depp in the defamation case that has gripped social media users across the globe. In response, Heard expressed "disappointment beyond words" and claimed the verdict was a "setback" for women.
Meanwhile, Depp took to TikTok for the first time, using his newly verified account – which has already amassed over 11million followers – to share a video message thanking his fans for their ongoing support. "To all my most loyal supporters. We’ve been everywhere together. We did the right thing together, all because you cared. And now we all move forward together," he said.
Following the verdict, Depp was awarded $10m in compensatory damages and $5m in punitive damages, although Heard is reportedly "unable to pay" the damages.
Thousands of Scottish people forced to travel to England for abortion
Recent statistics have revealed Scottish people – including teens as young as 16 – have been forced to travel as far as 700 miles across the border into England to have an abortion. This is because in England, abortion is legal up to 24 weeks, but sadly some NHS boards in Scotland won’t carry out the procedure past 15 weeks.
"Unfortunately, at BPAS we regularly treat women from Scotland at clinics in England who were unable to access abortion care locally," said Clare Murphy, Chief Executive of British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS). "Since the pandemic began, we are seeing around one woman from Scotland every week who has had to travel to England."
If you are in a position to, you can donate to BPAS here.
Queen thanks fans for Jubilee with handwritten message
After a jam-packed four day weekend celebrating Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee – which included street parties up and down the country and an epic party at Buckingham Palace – the Queen took to social media to thank her fans for their support.
"I have been humbled and deeply touched that so many people have taken to the streets to celebrate my Platinum Jubilee," she said in a rare message posted to the Royal Family’s official Twitter account.
"I thank you most sincerely for your good wishes and for the part you have all played in these happy celebrations," the Monarch wrote at the end of the post, which was signed off with a rare, handwritten signature of her name and initials: Elizabeth R.
We love you Liz!
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