Latest Stories
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The runner who gave up his place for another
Is sport the last source of real values? As we lose our faith in religion and politics, some have suggested that only athletes still manage to keep the flame of moral conviction alive.
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The fighter who changed the world for women
Will her death also be the death of US justice? Many say Donald Trump's move to replace the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg before the presidential election is an abuse of power.
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Record migrant numbers risk lives to reach UK
Should rich countries take in more refugees? Illegal crossings of the English Channel have risen to an all-time high, reigniting an agonising debate on the West’s responsibilities.
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Meritocracy is bad for us, says top academic
Is society too focused on the idea of self-improvement? For years, politicians have promised that hard work equals success. Now one leading philosopher says the idea of merit is a myth.
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Open your wallet, but mind how you do it
Is it wrong to talk about charity? Manchester United star Marcus Rashford is working to save children from hunger, but many people feel uncomfortable about receiving strangers’ help.
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Banksy funds boat to rescue Med migrants
Does Europe have a responsibility to rescue migrants? Refugees fleeing war are dying in the Mediterranean, but politicians say rescue ships encourage smugglers and make the situation worse.
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Coming soon – the day when we live forever
Should we be excited about the future? A podcast by academic technologist Balaji Srinivasan has caused a stir with its vision of how our lives will be transformed in the ultra-digital age.
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Putin critic in coma after tea is poisoned
Could there be another Russian revolution? Some say Alexei Navalny is a martyr whose fate will spark a mass uprising against Vladimir Putin. Others say the president will crush all dissent.
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Animal Farm at 75 ‘still as relevant as ever’
Is Animal Farm still relevant today? As Orwell’s classic celebrates its 75th birthday, some commentators warn its anti-totalitarian message remains grimly pertinent to the modern world.
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The woman who could change the world forever
Will Kamala Harris become president? Her selection as Joe Biden’s deputy already breaks the mould of American politics. If she wins the world’s most powerful job, it would launch a new era.
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Why time could be running out for TikTok
Is it dangerous to use TikTok? President Trump is threatening to ban the mega-popular app as a threat to privacy and national security. But some believe it is more about winning an election.
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Trump announces a ‘surge’ of stormtroopers
Is the US sliding into fascism? President Trump’s plan to send a surge of federal security forces to US cities in a crackdown on crime has been denounced as a threat to civil liberties.
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China accused of ‘gross’ human rights abuses
Is China guilty of genocide? A case is being brought against the superpower at the International Criminal Court, accusing it of mistreating its Muslim Uighur minority on a massive scale.
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Super-rich call for more taxes on themselves
Is tax the best way to share wealth? Eighty-three of the world’s richest people have written an astonishing letter to governments asking for more of their money to be taken away from them.
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Cancel culture letter sparks fierce backlash
Is “cancel culture” destroying argument? A letter signed by 150 public figures in defence of freedom of thought has launched a debate about intolerance, privilege, and the right to boycott.