Society
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All Africa’s women poorer than 22 richest men
Is this progress? Is 22 better than two? Oxfam released shocking statistics, yesterday, on world inequality and told leaders to tax the rich. But some experts say that this is too pessimistic.
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Trust is dying across the world, says survey
Whatever happened to good faith? People no longer believe that it is possible for institutions to do the right thing AND be competent. This is creating an unprecedented wave of cynicism.
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Exit Harry and Meghan as royal family cuts ties
Will Harry and Meghan live to regret their choice? Negotiations are over: the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have taken the drastic decision to drop their HRH titles in a bid for a normal life.
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The whole Russian government just resigned
Is Putin turning himself into a tsar? The entire Russian government has resigned as Vladimir Putin proposes constitutional reforms. Critics say he is guaranteeing himself power for life.
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And now for a new national anthem – for Mars!
Does Mars need a national anthem? Opera singer Oscar Castellino has just given the first performance of his composition, Rise to Mars!, written to encourage colonisation of the Red Planet.
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Queen summons crisis meeting to save monarchy
Citizen or subject? Republic or monarchy? Questions that were almost unthinkable in the UK, a few months ago, are now being openly discussed. Can today’s urgent royal summit steady the ship?
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Plan for three-day weekend gathers support
Would a four-day working week make us happier? Finland’s PM has called for a drastic cut in working hours. Experts believe extra free time would make people more positive and productive.
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Abdication: Meghan flies off as Harry faces wrath
Will the monarchy survive? Insiders at the Palace are furious after Harry and Meghan gave no warning of their bombshell. Some say it might be the final straw for 1,000 years of history.
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Site of nuclear meltdown to become green hub
Is disaster the only way to bring about lasting and positive change? A decade after a nuclear catastrophe in Fukushima, plans are afoot to transform the area into a renewable energy hub.
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Instagram ban for Love Island’s Molly-Mae
Are influencers undermining democracy? Molly-Mae is the latest to be censured for dishonest Instagram posts, yet more and more young people are turning to celebrities for information.
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Bike that rides on water opens gadget show
Do gadgets make us happy? The cleverest scientists on the planet are dreaming up brilliant new inventions to make our lives smoother, but some societies see no need for them at all.
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Controversial film Joker set for bumper Baftas
Is Joker immoral? Now poised for ample awards, the deeply troubling 2019 film immediately inflamed debate over its depiction of extreme violence and worries about copycat behaviour.
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‘Aliens exist and may already be among us’
Do aliens exist? Helen Sharman, a scientist who was the first Briton in space, has declared that there are definitely other forms of life in the Universe – and they may already be among us.
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UK court gives veganism status of a religion
Should vegans be protected by law? A UK court has ruled veganism deserves the same protection as Christianity or Islam; some worry the lines between belief and lifestyle are being blurred.
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Science shows resolutions NOT a waste of time
Are New Year resolutions worth it? Around one-quarter of people give up their resolutions after just one week, while fewer than one in 10 will maintain their goal to the end of the year.