Byline Times provides a guide to the top stories this week on its sister network of regional sites promoting local writers and citizen journalism

Russia’s New Stalinism Kills ‘Memorial’
Russia’s decision to close its ‘Memorial’ organisation, dedicated to researching the worst atrocities of the Stalin regime, represents a step backwards in the country’s openness.
Dr Helmut Hubel for West England Bylines

I Don’t Want to be a Diabetic Burden
The misery of the seriously overweight is compounded by British food culture. But there is hope in a community of fellow pre-diabetes sufferers.
Kate Springford for Sussex Bylines

Give Refugees a Chance/Thought
Elana Katz’s hope for 2022 is for the UK to enact humane asylum laws that would allow refugees to come to this country safely and be treated with dignity.
Elana Katz for East Anglia Bylines

COVID Lessons for 2022: Follow Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland’s example
What is the situation with the new Omicron variant? And what are our COVID lessons for England in 2022?
Giuseppe Bignardi for North East Bylines

Retired headteacher Richard Hall explains why he will not be taking up Nadhim Zahawi’s call for teachers to come back to the classroom.
Richard Hall for Central Bylines

