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Headlines from the past four weeks
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The USA’s new ‘concentration camps’
Thousands of migrants are being held in “concentration camps” at the US border. These are the words of congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, sparking a row over language and history.
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Cameroon ‘disgraces’ football in day of drama
Was it great entertainment or just terrible football? England’s 3-0 win over the West African side was overshadowed by chaos, as Cameroon’s players twice threatened to walk off the pitch.
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The small strip of sea that could spark a war
Is the US heading towards war with Iran? Tensions have been rising between the two nations for months. Now, a series of attacks in the Gulf of Oman have brought them closer to war.
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Toy Story 4 explores what it means to be alive
Why are we alive? This is the surprisingly existential question posed by a new character in Toy Story 4, released today. The new film tells the story of a plastic spork that comes to life.
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Now Facebook wants to create its own currency
Is the social media giant turning into a shadow government? This is the warning from some experts, today, after Facebook announced ambitious plans to launch a new global currency called Libra.
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Ants rule world, not humans, says new study
Could it be that ants are more powerful than humans? With their mega-cities, transport networks, ventilation, childcare systems, and waste collection they put us to shame, says a new book.
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Good boy! Puppy dog eyes evolved just for you
Is your dog really your best friend? Or is it just manipulating you? A new study has identified eyebrow-raising muscles that help puppies to produce their most irresistible expressions.
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Trump launches $100m campaign for second term
Was his first victory a one-off or can Donald Trump win again? Tonight, in Florida, he will launch the biggest election machine in American history backed by the biggest ever pot of cash.
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Call for cyberwar rules as US attacks Russia
Does the world need new rules of war? Yesterday, we learned that the US has placed malware deep in Russia’s power grid. Elsewhere, most of Argentina was mysteriously plunged into darkness.
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The sinister rise of deepfake videos
Will deepfakes destroy democracy? In a viral video, Mark Zuckerberg lays out his scheme for world domination using stolen data. But the footage isn’t real — it was created with AI technology.
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The struggle for the true meaning of Pride
Should Pride be a protest or a party? We are halfway through LGBT Pride Month. But alongside the parades and celebrations, there are fears that hard-won gay rights are under threat.
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We are built to believe, say scientists
Do humans need spirituality? An intriguing study has found that 71% of atheists believe in the supernatural. Why is belief so pervasive, even as we abandon traditional religion?
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Hong Kong in shock after worst violence in years
Are we witnessing the last gasp of democracy in Hong Kong? The city’s streets are a battlefield between police and protesters who accuse their leaders of caving in to the might of China.
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Nike mannequin wars: ‘Obese’. ‘Inspirational’.
Should all shops display plus-sized mannequins? Nike has led the way. But it has started a bitter row with some saying it is glorifying obesity and others praising the move as inspirational.
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Anne Frank: Portrait of an icon as a young woman
Should we all keep a diary? An important part of Anne Frank’s writing is that she captures so much of what it is to be a teenager, even with secret pages musing on puberty and prostitutes.
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Fury as Botswana returns to elephant hunting
Should rich westerners condemn Botswana for returning to elephant hunting? The gentle giants are a natural wonder. But they are also destroying the lives and crops of local farmers.
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Artificial stars could redesign the night sky
Why not re-write the stars? We have the ability. Already, Japan wants to create fake meteor showers, China wants an artificial moon for street lighting and Russia wants to sell advertising.
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Calls for Gove to quit over cocaine hypocrisy
Should Michael Gove abandon the race to be PM because he took cocaine 20 years ago? According to his party’s policy, he should go to prison for seven years. But who hasn’t made mistakes?
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1984 at 70: Still relevant says Orwell’s son
Even after a lifetime, can a classic still have a message? Few novels have had such an effect, with ‘Big Brother’, ‘newspeak’ and ‘thoughtcrime’ now firmly embedded in the English language.
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Women’s World Cup: nearly 1m tickets sold
Could women’s football be as good as men’s? Launching tonight, this year’s Women’s World Cup is the biggest ever — with fans claiming women are more resilient and more exciting to watch.
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Underwater metropolis planned as seas rise
Is the best response to climate change to invent new ways of living? The Japanese Shimizu Corporation plans to build a giant underwater metropolis powered by energy from the seabed.
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Free world salutes ‘the greatest generation’
Do we need to relearn the importance of resolve, courage and sacrifice? The Queen described the heroes of D-Day as “my generation” — the “resilient” old men and women who saved the world.
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Black-spot tourism ‘feeds ghoulish fascination’
Is it tasteless to turn a disaster site into a tourist attraction? Since the release of HBO’s Chernobyl series, tour bookings to the site of the nuclear catastrophe have soared by 40%.
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Climate is our third world war, says Nobel winner
Is this a fair comparison? The economist Joseph Stiglitz says, today, that our lives are at stake — just as they were in World War Two. Donald Trump, marking D-Day, thinks it is a hoax.
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Death, fame and the lure of the mountains
Is the heroic mountaineer who takes on superhuman challenges really just a selfish misfit? As this year’s toll mounts, climbers themselves admit that it is a dangerously addictive pleasure.
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‘The most ghastly disaster of the whole war’
Was D-Day more of an epic human tragedy than a military triumph? Tomorrow, Donald Trump and the Queen will lead the world in marking the 75th anniversary of a famous Allied victory.
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Sun, sea and scandal over Love Island return
Should we feel guilty about watching Love Island? The show has been under fire for lack of diversity and exploiting some participants. But millions find it offers harmless fun and escapism.
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Britain divided over Donald Trump state visit
As the Queen rolls out the red carpet for Donald Trump today, a bitter row has opened up between those who think the honour is right and those who condemn it as hypocritical and immoral.
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Ecstasy for Liverpool in Champions League glory
Liverpool held on to beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 on Saturday, in a night of triumph, tears and relief. It was the culmination of a tournament that has seen English clubs dominate Europe.