Conflict
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‘Toxic’ Putin on mission to poison the West
Is Putin Europe’s most dangerous leader since Hitler? He stands accused of ordering brutal assassinations and cyberattacks, as well as plotting the downfall of Western democracy.
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Poison accusations are ‘nonsense’ says Russia
Should Britain punish Russia for poisoning a former spy? The Kremlin rejected Theresa May’s deadline asking it to explain the attack. Today, she outlines a response. Here are seven options…
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Trump and Kim set for showdown of the century
Will Trump solve the North Korea crisis? The president has agreed to a historic meeting with Kim Jong-un, who has talked of ditching nuclear weapons. Some say Trump is walking into a trap.
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All eyes on Russia as ex-spy still ‘critical’
What is Russia up to? Ex-spy Sergei Skripal is still critically ill after being poisoned in Salisbury. The Russian government stands accused. Now attention turns to its wider schemes.
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Storm brews over Saudi Prince’s royal visit
Is it wrong to offer Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince a state visit? Mohammed bin Salman arrives in the UK tomorrow and will dine with the Queen. But many say he should not be here at all.
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Putin reveals Russia has ‘invincible missile’
Did the Cold War ever end? Russia has developed its most advanced cruise missile yet as Vladimir Putin prepares for another term in office. Is the ‘Beast in the East’ as dangerous as ever?
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War, terror, murder: deaths hit record lows
Are we on the way to a state of permanent global peace? News from war zones fills our newspapers. But behind the headlines the facts tell us that the world is growing ever less violent.
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Syria conflict spirals into ‘hell on Earth’
Has the Syria conflict become a new world war? Hundreds have been “massacred” in one of the war’s deadliest attacks. As other world powers join the bloodbath, there is scant hope of peace.
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‘Comrade Corbyn’ and the communist spies
Is it morally repellent to defend communism? Newly published secret records show that Jeremy Corbyn may have been a paid informant for the Czech communist government in the 1980s.
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Oxfam scandal reveals ‘sinister world of aid’
Does aid do more harm than good? Oxfam, Britain’s most famous charity, is in meltdown after it was revealed to have covered up sexual abuse in disaster zones. Donations have plummeted.
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How ancient Troy reveals very modern wisdom
What can we learn from the fall of Troy? A new BBC series recounts the epic legend of war and revenge. The tale may be ancient, but some see clear parallels with our own volatile world.
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Deadly enemies bury hatchets for Olympics
Can sport really spread peace and brotherhood? Today at the launch of the winter games in South Korea national leaders on the brink of war will rub shoulders and smile for the cameras.
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Deadly terror in ‘ungovernable’ Afghanistan
Will Afghanistan ever be peaceful? Over 100 people have died in a bombing in Kabul, the third deadly attack in the country in a week. Why is the “graveyard of empires” so hard to govern?
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Doomsday Clock ticks towards nuclear midnight
Are things really so bad? Thanks to our world leaders, the ominous Doomsday Clock now reads “two minutes to midnight”. It is the closest Earth has been to apocalypse in 65 years.
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Russia could beat us in war says army chief
Should we invest more in defence? Yesterday the head of the British army issued an urgent call to build up the military, but sceptics ridiculed the idea that modern Russia is a real threat.