Latest Stories
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'Crazy talk’: critics decry Christmas lockdown
Could there be a Christmas rebellion? As Britain faces a cruel winter, some say they will ignore coronavirus restrictions over the festive season, threatening government authority.
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Tabby, or not tabby: that is the question
Are cats the best philosophers? A new book argues that they have a far better attitude to life than humans, and studying their behaviour can help to dispel many of our illusions.
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Fear as the Magic Money Tree keeps on giving
Should we be relaxed about government debt? Spending and borrowing have risen astronomically in response to Covid-19, but governments seem less afraid of debt than in the past.
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I am Greta: the person behind the protests
Is authenticity the secret of charisma? A Swedish teenager became an overnight sensation after launching a lone climate protest. Now, a new film sheds light on her extraordinary popularity.
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Bank warns ‘get ready for negative interest’
Is this the end of money? The Bank of England is considering negative interest rates for the very first time – in theory this means that the banks could pay you interest to take out a loan.
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The school that set its sights on Hollywood
Can we all achieve our dreams? Today sees the premiere of a full-length film made by a London state school that will be streamed all over the world – making stars of its teenage actors.
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The karate kid racing into the history books
Is Lewis Hamilton the world’s greatest sporting champion? As part of our series on modern role models to mark Black History Month, we look at the motor-racing ace’s extraordinary career.
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Chaos, confusion, contradiction and karma
Is it right to say that Donald Trump’s Covid infection is “karma”? Did the truth-defying, science-mocking leader of the free world get what he deserves? Or is this just shallow moralising?
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1m deaths and a debate tearing society apart
Is freedom more important than health? As fears of a second wave of the pandemic grow, a great chasm is developing between those who demand stronger measures and those who reject them.
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‘It doesn’t matter about your sexuality’
Is Strictly Come Dancing a force for good? Some see its same-sex announcement as profit-driven publicity-seeking, while others celebrate it as a positive step towards social change.
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How to live longer: eat fish with chopsticks
Should we eat more like the Japanese? Scientists are trying to work out what makes certain populations live longer. The puzzle: is it about lifestyle – or the stuff we put in our mouths?
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‘Life has not been the same without football’
Does football do more for society than politics? The Premier League returned last night, a day after Marcus Rashford scored a triumphant victory over the government on free school meals.
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‘Kids are safe’ – but schools row deepens
Is it safe to go back to school? Teaching unions argue that the government is putting parents, teachers, and pupils at risk. But some research suggests that schools should reopen.
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Germany reboots football behind closed doors
Could English football lose its top spot? The Bundesliga is the first European league to resume matches under strict social distancing rules – stealing the Premier League’s global audience.
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Just one more lap, then I’ll call the doctor
Is the cult of exercise bad for us? Everyone knows that fitness is important – but some people are so obsessed with it that it can dominate their lives and damage their relationships.