Take five: A news summary for anxious times

Lost your appetite for rolling news? These are the stories you need to know about this week…

I’m coming to you a bit earlier than usual this week, on account of the fact I’ll be somewhere in the skies when I would usually be writing and sending this summary – but it’s safe to say, the last five days have ensured no shortage of news, despite our shortened window.

You probably know the score by now, but for our new subscribers – hello, and welcome! – this weekly summary aims to help you stay up to date with the news stories that matter to women and marginalised communities, without immersing yourself in anxiety of the headlines.

Each weekly missive will round up five news stories you need to know about, alongside five good news tales to lighten the load, and a further five longer reads, columns or interviews I’ve found engaging or enlightening over the last week.

So, without further ado, let’s get cracking…

The headlines

1. ‘Devastating’ energy bills to last until 2024 – as BP profits reach record high

British energy bills will remain at “devastating” levels into 2024 and potentially beyond, analysts are predicting, increasing pressure on the government to help cash-strapped households.