Conflict
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‘End this uncivil war’: Biden calls for unity
Do political speeches still make a real difference? At his inauguration, Joe Biden promised to end the division in America, but some, including his predecessor, were not listening.
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You’re fired! Trump flounces out of top job
Did Donald Trump teach us a valuable lesson? Many will rejoice when Trump finally leaves the White House later today, but others warn that we must learn the lessons of his presidency.
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Global outcry as Putin critic Navalny jailed
Can one brave individual defeat a powerful state? By returning to Russia and risking imprisonment after an attempt on his life, Alexei Navalny has thrown down the gauntlet to Putin.
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Biggest mafia trial for 30 years begins
Are we guilty of glamourising the mafia? The murderous crime families on trial in Italy are accused of unutterable evil – but big-budget films about organised crime remain hugely popular.
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Shakespeare caught up in antisemitism row
Was Shakespeare antisemitic? His play The Merchant of Venice has long attracted accusations of racism – and now a new book by Michael Morpurgo has reignited the controversy.
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Trump under fire after ‘assault on democracy’
Is this how civilisation collapses? Top politicians are calling for Donald Trump’s removal amid fears he will incite more violence. Joe Biden called it one of the darkest days in US history.
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Chinese cotton ‘tainted’ by slave labour
Does the west have the moral right to condemn China? Some think we have a duty to stand up for Uighurs who are being enslaved, but others think the west doesn’t have a leg to stand on.
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Electoral college calls time on Donald Trump
Will Trumpism be back? As the electoral college gives Donald Trump the boot, many hope that his cruel brand of politics will go with him – but others fear Trumpism may be here to stay.
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Dire warnings as UK leaves the ‘magic circle’
Would no deal be a disaster for Britain? Yesterday was deadline day – but at the last minute both sides agreed to carry on talking, despite Boris Johnson warning that failure was likely.
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French army to develop bionic soldiers
Should “enhancing” humans be banned? French officials yesterday published proposals to develop bionic soldiers resistant to pain – and strengthened with drug enhancements and microchips.
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The man who says aliens have already landed
How crazy is it to believe in aliens? A former lieutenant-colonel in Israeli military intelligence has given an interview claiming that contact has been made with extraterrestrials.
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‘Mockery’: Olympic breakdancing under fire
Should breakdancing be an Olympic sport? Some claim that including the sport is a betrayal of the Olympic spirit, but others think breakdancing has earned its place in the limelight.
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Britain’s future on knife edge in deal talks
Is the nation state doomed? As the UK hovers on the brink of a no-deal Brexit, some fear it is staking its hopes on an outdated ideal – but others say an independent nation can still thrive.
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Fierce row over free speech at top school
Is Eton suppressing free speech? Tomorrow, Britain’s most elite school will face an appeal from a teacher it says it had no choice but to fire – over a controversial anti-feminist video.
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‘Mr Greedy’ and the downfall of a tycoon
Is Philip Green a villain or a scapegoat? The Topshop boss is under fire for living it up while his employees lose their jobs – but isn’t a rotten society just as much to blame as he is?