Society
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The genius who revelled in deception
Was John le Carré really a “giant of literature”? The spy novelist’s death has prompted a host of reverential tributes – but some critics believe that they overstate his achievements.
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Book-reading soars as lockdown slows time
Would it make us happier to give up the internet and read books instead? Experts say it can cure us of our anxious online lives. But with all this free time, what should we read next?
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Japan turns to AI to boost birth rate slump
Should we replace romance with relationships arranged by AI? The Japanese government sees artificial intelligence as the answer to falling birth rates – and other countries may copy it.
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Joy and anxiety as vaccine jabs start today
Are we all ready to go back to social life? As the world gears up for mass vaccination programmes, a return to normality is in sight. But some are in two minds about the prospect.
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Snow mania descends as cold weather bites
Is it a form of madness to love snow? Britain is set to be colder than Moscow this week as the country dives into the chilliest December ever. Snow! Why is it a source of such joy for many?
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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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Elliot Page: I am transgender, says Juno star
Could this be a turning point for the film industry? A Hollywood icon has embraced his gender identity. Some say it is a landmark not only for him, but for the trans actors of tomorrow.
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‘Hi, honey – your dinner’s in the test tube’
Should we welcome laboratory-grown meat? Its advocates say it will help the environment and save animals from needless suffering. But first, producers have to overcome the “yuck factor”.
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The monoliths from outer space (or maybe not)
Do we Earthlings NEED to believe in aliens? The appearance of strange monoliths in the Utah desert and Romania has fuelled speculation that creatures from another world want to make contact.
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Reboot Santa! Christmas rebels call for change
Is it time to rethink Christmas? The festival evolves gradually every year as new traditions are adopted – and now some argue it has changed so much that it needs to be reinvented.
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BBC names world’s most inspiring women
Is gender equality ever going to happen? The BBC has announced its annual list of 100 amazing women. But a UN report finds that women everywhere are still treated much worse than men.
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Christmas saved but many ask if it’s worth it
Do people really want a lockdown break? The UK is to announce a five-day Christmas amnesty tomorrow. Many other governments plan similar moves. But will they live to regret the consequences?
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Female prodigies fuel the great chess boom
Is this the next big thing in sport? The Queen’s Gambit is adding glamour to a skill with a geeky reputation – and young women are flocking to a game that once was the preserve of men.
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From anti-racist protester to accidental hero
Can a chance photo change society? Patrick Hutchinson became a public figure this summer after he rescued a man at a Black Lives Matter march. Now, he is using his fame to fight inequality.
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Lockdown loneliness reaches record levels
Is it the leprosy of our times? The latest statistics show that loneliness is soaring to unprecedented levels. To make matters worse there is a powerful taboo around admitting it in public.