Consequences balloon riot • Strikes in UK • Film about obesity

AFP

Chinese balloon shot down

In the United States it has been the talk of the day for days: the large Chinese ‘spy balloon’ that flew into American airspace. The balloon was seen by the Americans as a Chinese spy tool. The military blasted the balloon out of the sky yesterday.

China says the balloon was an off-course weather balloon, calling the downing an “overreaction”. In any case, the riot further strains diplomatic relations between Washington and Beijing. Our guest is China connoisseur Ingrid d’Hooghe of the Clingendael Institute.

Mass strikes in the UK

For months, the UK has been plagued by a wave of public sector strikes. Train staff and healthcare workers, among others, demand a salary increase because inflation is spiraling out of control, but according to the government, the government cannot afford that. Tonight we look at the economic and social effects of the strikes.

‘First film that takes obesity seriously’

The film ‘The Whale’, nominated for three Oscars, is about Charlie, who weighs more than 270 kilos. Lead actor Brendan Fraser receives a lot of praise for the role, but the film also receives criticism: people with obesity are said to be portrayed too negatively.

Nieuwsuur spoke with the director at the Rotterdam film festival Darren Aronofskywhose films are praised and hated anyway.

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