Friday briefing: Why people are turning to folklore in our disconnected age

In today’s newsletter: Old and new rituals still resonate in today’s folk revival which is being shaped by younger generations seeking spirituality, community and connection to nature Good morning. What are your plans for this Friday 13th? Will you be edging your way through the day, alert to impending disasters and saluting every magpie you see (a cheerful “good day, captain” works for me). Or will you be powering past the superstition with the insouciance that accompanies the certainty this is, probably, just another day? Either way, I’ve noticed that folklore – the rituals, traditions and stories we share together – is enjoying a significant revival across our pop culture and community practice, powered by the younger generation and accelerated by online connections. Technology | Microsoft 365, Outlook, Teams and other apps were disrupted for thousands of users for more than nine hours, with Microsoft scrambling to find a solution after initial fixes failed to bring services back online. US news | Nvidia’s ousted CEO Jensen Huang and Donald Trump’s commerce secretary are expected to testify before Congress in the coming weeks, as the fallout from Huang’s reported affair with an alleged Chinese spy sparked bipartisan concerns for national security and calls for a tougher stance against Beijing. UK news | Young people with disabilities will lose their personal independence payments and will have to apply to a local fund for short-term expenses and equipment, Alan Milburn’s review will recommend. UK politics | Nigel Farage appeared on Russell Brand’s US podcast nine months after the comedian was investigated by police over allegations of sexual assault, the Guardian has learned. Climate crisis | China has ruled out hosting the Cop33 UN climate summit in 2028 after months of deliberations, leaving the field open for other Asian countries to hold it, the Guardian understands. Continue reading...