Conflict
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‘White poppies are attention-seeking rubbish’
Is it wrong to wear a white poppy? A century after the end of the First World War, some are wearing a white poppy instead of the traditional red, to symbolise peace. Are they disrespectful?
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How hostility to men could become a hate crime
Is this a good idea? The government is considering expanding the definition of a hate crime to include prejudice against men — as well as women and the elderly. The move is highly divisive.
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Accusations fly after bombs target Democrats
Is President Donald Trump’s rhetoric to blame? All week, suspected pipe bombs have been sent to some of the president’s most prominent critics, including the Obamas, Clintons and CNN.
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Fury at threats to international rule of law
Are Saudi Arabia, China and Russia rogue states? Reports of state-sponsored assassinations and abductions have shocked the world — sparking fears that international law is falling apart.
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The dubious history of the Nobel Peace Prize
Is the Nobel Peace Prize worthless? Denis Mukwege and Nadia Murad have won the prize for their work campaigning against sexual violence in war. Some say past winners have debased the award.
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Armchair assassins enter ethical minefield
Are drone pilots morally indefensible? With a click of a button, they can kill dozens. Now, the British Army is training ethicists to teach them about the morality of remote-control killing.
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United Nations braces for fiery Trump speech
Do we still need a United Nations? As the UN General Assembly begins in New York City today, some are saying that the organisation is outdated, confusing and irrelevant.
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Bill Gates: ‘My biggest fears for the world’
How should we react? Yesterday, Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft and former world’s richest person, outlined his greatest worries for the future of the world. Here are the big three.
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Sabotage, seduction and a teenage Nazi-killer
Would you have joined the resistance in the Second World War? Freddie Oversteegen, a Dutch woman who blew up railway lines, hid Jewish children and shot Nazis from her bike, has died aged 92.
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Jeans and trainers: when brands get woke
Should brands be political? Levi Strauss came out against the US gun lobby just days after Nike’s controversial Colin Kaepernick adverts. But many are uncomfortable with “woke” brands.
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World condemns Putin over spy poisoning
Are we at war with Russia without realising it? Yesterday, the UN Security Council said March’s Salisbury spy poisoning was “almost certainly” approved by the Russian government.
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The Czech protests that still hurt 50 years on
Can heroic defeats teach us more than victories? It is 50 years since the Soviet Union crushed Czechoslovakia’s dreams of liberation. What lessons can we learn from this tragic tale?
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Calls for peace after Zimbabwe vote violence
Is there any hope for Zimbabwe? Nine months after the ousting of Robert Mugabe, the country has been plunged into violence following a general election. At least six people have died.
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Mueller vs Manafort in gripping first trial
What does the first trial resulting from the Russia probe mean? Paul Manafort, Trump’s former campaign manager, stands accused of fraud. But will the investigation affect the president?
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Trump, Putin and Russian leaders in the US
Should Putin go to the White House? After a controversial summit, Trump shocked the world again by inviting the Russian leader to Washington. But the visit is far from unprecedented.