Latest Stories
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‘Censorship’ fears as press report due
As they wait for this week’s Leveson report on press regulation, defenders of total freedom and advocates of tighter controls trade insults. Why are feelings running so high?
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Congo rebellion probes old and terrible wounds
The Democratic Republic of Congo is already among the world’s most troubled countries. Now, an uprising threatens ‘humanitarian catastrophe’ – yet the media’s gaze has hardly flickered. Why?
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Politicians in scramble to stop prisoners voting
A European ruling could force the UK government to give prisoners the vote. Staunchly opposed to the idea, ministers are playing for time – but are they fighting a worthwhile battle?
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Anglicans condemned for rejecting women bishops
Howls of protest greeted the result of a narrow vote when the Church of England Synod refused to allow women to become bishops. Why were Church leaders defied by their congregations?
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Shops battle for survival against internet titans
This Christmas, over two million shoppers are expected to abandon the High Street and buy all their gifts online. Traditional retailers are fighting back – but is their struggle futile?
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Police experiment fails the democracy test
A UK scheme to elect police chiefs has been left in tatters, after just 20% of people bothered to vote. Has apathy overtaken the electorate?
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Greek fascists prosper as austerity bites
As the Eurozone crisis plunges Greece into unemployment, unrest and poverty, far-right party Golden Dawn are reaping the benefits. Is history repeating itself?
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Outrage greets release of Abu Qatada
The legal saga of ‘hate preacher’ Abu Qatada has taken another twist after a UK court ordered his release. Prime Minister David Cameron is ‘fed up’ – but should we question the rule of law?
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New Syrian opposition demands freedom and unity
As carnage rages in Syria, a group of major opposition figures have gathered to form a broad new coalition. Is this the birth of a new, democratic nation?
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Mistrust and ‘hysteria’ as UK’s institutions wobble
The BBC, the House of Commons, the press and the police have all been hit by scandals. Signs of a new era of transparency, a moment of deeper crisis, or an outbreak of ‘hysteria’?
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UK politician in trouble over reality TV getaway
For the next few weeks, Nadine Dorries will abandon her job in the British Parliament to compete in a reality TV show. Her party and public are not impressed.
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Triumphant Obama re-elected as US President
The long battle between the 51-year-old ‘skinny black kid with the funny name’, and the 65-year-old white Mormon plutocrat is over. The kid won. What next?
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Polls neck-and-neck as USA chooses next president
Today, US citizens will go to the polls to choose a leader. The winning candidate will become the most powerful person on Earth – and the result is in the hands of just a few ‘swing states’.
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Inequality grows as the super-rich become richer
In a new book, journalist Chrystia Freeland shines a light on the global elite – a tiny group of super-wealthy globetrotters whose fortunes are only increasing. How destructive is inequality?
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Global war: engines of destruction
Increasingly, America’s weapon of choice is the unmanned drone. Today, they are flown by remote control, but soon they will not need humans at all. The age of robot wars is at hand.