Latest Stories
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Crocodile tears unlock the secrets of crying
Are human tears unique? Reptile tears are remarkably similar to our own and may help us treat eye diseases. But some argue there is a big difference between animal tears and human crying.
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Behold the prophets – and profits – of doom
Should we be preparing for the end of the world? Many people expect to see the collapse of life as we know it. A new book reveals how a multi-billion-dollar industry has grown around them.
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Angry fans split over future of James Bond
Should James Bond change with the times? As Hollywood producers ditch the iconic spy’s womanising ways for a more modern man, a new poll shows that fans still favour the old-fashioned 007.
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Booker Prize list: ‘moment of cultural change’
Are stories what make us uniquely human? The amazingly varied shortlist for this year’s Booker Prize for Fiction highlights the way a passion for narrative unites people worldwide.
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America promises to open up the X-files
Should the USA’s secret UFO unit go public? The Pentagon has said that it will publish some of its findings for the first time – but some believe that this would be a dangerous mistake.
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Putin – the most dangerous man in the world
Can Putin be stopped? The ruthless Russian president is guilty of outrageous criminal conduct both at home and overseas. And, today, his Kremlin power base looks more secure than ever.
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Silence, the world’s most precious commodity
Should we have a right to quiet? An ingenious invention promises to protect us from unwanted noise, returning us to a state of calm which has been prized by thinkers across the centuries.
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How to change the world with a ‘louding voice’
Is finding your voice the key to a better society? The Girl with the Louding Voice has gripped thousands. Now, new research shows a surprising link between cooperation and individuality.
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Book calls Trump ‘a terrified little boy’
Can Donald Trump survive the wrath of his niece? A devastating new book paints the president as a psychologically unhinged fraud. The diagnosis is personal and poisonous – but is it deadly?
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Average tempo of a hit is the key to history
Is music what makes us human? As the world went into lockdown, pop music rediscovered its ecstatic streak. Researchers say that our choice of music is the best guide to how we really feel.
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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.
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Iran nuclear base blitzed by deadly sabotage
Does Israel have the world’s best secret service? An explosion in Iran has caused major damage to the country’s nuclear programme – and few people doubt that Mossad agents were responsible.
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Haiku poetry collection documents corona blues
Can a single haiku be great art? It is a simple poem in just 17 syllables – and has proved a surprisingly effective way of expressing intense feelings. But can something so slight be art?
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‘Americans just don’t believe in science’
Are anti-science attitudes killing Americans? As the number of new virus cases in the US hits record highs, top doctor Anthony Fauci has pointed the finger at those who deny science.
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Trump – the playground bully of politics
Do insults work? An article by legendary US journalist Carl Bernstein has revealed that Donald Trump is as rude in his talks with America’s allies as he is in tweets about his enemies.