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Friday Roundup
COVID-19 Origins: 🦠 | Keir Starmer freebies: ⚽ | Report on Tech Companies: 📱
The Debate Daily
September 20, 2024
Welcome to the weekly roundup!
In todays email: We look at debates from the last week, round up some other things you might have missed, and look forwards to what we’ve got coming up.
From The Debate Daily Team
The Headlines
COVID-19 Origins: A team of scientists say it is “beyond reasonable doubt” that the pandemic started from infected animals sold at a market, rather than a laboratory leak, based on their analysis of hundreds of samples from January 2020.
Keir Starmer freebies: Sir Keir Starmer defended accepting corporate hospitality from Arsenal football club, citing his status as Prime Minister, which prevents him from using his regular season ticket seats. This has raised questions about transparency and ethics in political conduct.
Report on Tech Companies: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has accused major tech firms like Meta, Google, and TikTok of collecting huge troves of personal information on and off their websites or apps and sharing it with a wide range of third-party entities
Labour Party
Is The UK Facing Too Much Legal Immigration?
In today’s email: The question over immigration in the UK was not solved by Brexit, and neither has it been resolved today. Many Britons still believe that there is mass legal immigration, causing the nation’s economic and social troubles. Meanwhile, others think this is misinformation and the immigrants who do integrate legally have a positive impact on the UK. With the UK trying to kickstart its economy and deal with anti-immigrant insurgencies, do too many legal immigrants come in?
By Jonny Ross and Ozan Anday Koyas
Should Student Loans Be Written Off?
In today’s email: We will investigate whether the government should write off student loans. In the UK, student loans are written off 30 years after graduation. Some argue it benefits the economy by increasing disposable income, increasing capital flow and decreasing anxiety about debt in old age. However, others argue that it may encourage ‘rip-off’ degrees and potentially harm taxpayers.
By Gabby Miller
Should Social Media Platforms Have The Ability to Limit Freedom of Speech?
In today’s email: Speaking freely is a natural human right, yet its use can also infringe on other people’s freedom to speak and exist. This philosophical debate about freedom also transcends social media. Regulation can entail information being overseen by companies that can violate free debate and infringement on individuals’ beliefs. Yet it is necessary to some extent to protect those vulnerable from destructive ideologies. These two viewpoints beg the question: Should social media platforms have the ability to limit the freedom of speech?
By Kierat Basi
Is US democracy for sale?
In today’s email: We look at the increasing role that money plays in US elections. While some believe democracy is driven by the will of the people, others argue that the power of Super PACs and large donations cannot be ignored. With examples taken from recent elections and political endorsements, will this election be won by financial backing and marketing or more traditional campaigning strategies?
By Sofiya Povoas
Coming up…
Next week: After another hectic week that included a second failed assassination attempt, the first ever commercial spacewalk, and mass pager bomb attacks in Lebanon, we turn back to the UK and look at:
Should supermajorities be required in referendums?
Will building 1.5 mill houses solve britains housing crisis?
Is the UK’s mental health care system fit for purpose?
Should the UK legalise assisted dying?
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