Society
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The new campaign to ban the bomb
Nearly 70 years after the invention of the atom bomb, an international summit meets this week in London in pursuit of a nuclear-weapon-free world. Could this dream ever become reality?
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Parliament Square anti-war protestor dies
Brian Haw, a peace campaigner who spent ten years camped outside the Houses of Parliament, has died of lung cancer. Has the nation lost a hero or a nuisance?
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Hope and fear for Afghans as US withdrawal looms
Barack Obama is preparing to announce his plans for the departure of US troops from Afghanistan. American voters want their soldiers home, but some Afghans fear they will be abandoned.
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Saudi women launch a peaceful revolution
Women in Saudi Arabia cannot vote or drive a car, and must get a man’s permission before they marry, travel, get a job or go to university. Now some are fighting back.
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Greece on the brink as rioters oppose cuts
There's violence on the streets and the Prime Minister has offered to resign. Greece faces a battle for financial survival, but do protestors help?
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Turkey: pivotal nation bridges Europe and Asia
The Islamic leader of Turkey, a powerful secular Muslim state, is celebrating re-election as his country hails a new era of power. Another Ottoman Empire in the making?
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Damascus gay girl blogger turns out to be man
Gripping stories from the heart of the current Syrian uprising, followed by media organisations all over the world, have turned out to be a fake. So who do we trust now?
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Drinks firm backs alcohol advice during pregnancy
A major drinks company is bankrolling a health initiative warning expectant mothers against alcohol. Can we trust big business with our health?
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‘Turbulent priest’ attacks government
Rowan Williams, head of the Church of England, has sharply criticised government policies. It's an echo of previous eras, when priests and kings, or priests and politicians, crossed swords.
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‘A Gay Girl in Damascus’ is kidnapped
A lesbian blogger famous for her criticism of President Assad's autocratic rule is arrested. Meanwhile, the Syrian town of Jisr al-Shughour faces oblivion.
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Professors at war over ‘odious’ private college
A vicious spat has torn through the sedate world of academia, as philosopher A. C. Grayling attempts to set up his own private university.
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Drug firms offer cheap vaccines to poor countries
Several major pharmaceutical companies have announced big cuts to the amounts they charge for their vaccines in the developing world. Many lives will be saved.
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Report calls time on sexualisation of childhood
Parents voice concern at sexualised images surrounding their children. Publishers, retailers and broadcasters find themselves in the dock.
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From churl to chav: shaming the underclass
A new book suggests we enjoy ridiculing people at the bottom of the heap for everything: their accent, their behaviour and even their clothes. Often by using the word 'chav'.
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Q&A: Yemen at a crossroads as President leaves
President Saleh, injured in rebel attacks on his palace, has fled to Saudi Arabia. Protestors celebrate, but the country still faces an uncertain future.