Latest Stories
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Measles sweeps back as fake science spreads
One of the world’s most infectious diseases is showing signs of rampant growth, says new research out today. This is partly due to the willingness of millions to believe in medical myths.
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Human conversation is dying, research shows
It’s not just that we spend more time on FaceTime, WhatsApp, Snapchat and Skype. Evidence suggests that many of us choose digital communication over face-to-face. Is this a tipping point?
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Death of minimalism as home design runs wild and free
For decades, fashionable homes have been styled in muted colours and minimal design. But is our anxiety about the modern world spilling over into bold, disordered self-expression in our homes?
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New robot ‘on the path to self-awareness’
Scientists at Colombia University have built a robot that learns about itself in the same way as a baby. It could be a major step towards machines that are fully self-aware.
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Divorce on demand to make ending marriage easy
Yesterday, the UK announced a divorce law revolution that would make it easier for couples to split without a painful “blame game”. Is the world’s most revered institution on its last legs?
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Wales to ban parents from smacking their kids
Is this a good idea? Corporal punishment of children — including smacking — is outlawed in 54 countries around the world. But some parents say it is a loving way of disciplining their kids.
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The misunderstood genius of Vincent van Gogh
Does genius go hand-in-hand with “some touch of madness”? Aristotle thought so. No one exemplifies the idea more than Van Gogh, who has a new exhibition in London. But is it really true?
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#Nemesis: ‘better than a friend or a lover’
Everyone needs a nemesis. Or do they? Social media is abuzz with the idea. And history is full of arch rivals who pushed each other to be better — or drove each other to death.
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Queer Eye takes on the world’s ‘miserable men’
Can five gay men save masculinity? The third season of Netflix’s Queer Eye is released today. Its mission: to help struggling men who “can’t articulate what they’re truly feeling.”
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Report finds work has become the new religion
Teenagers say having a job they enjoy is twice as important as getting married or having children, according to a major new American survey. But anxiety and depression are rising steeply.
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Despite #MeToo, feminism is still a dirty word
Why do so many young women avoid calling themselves feminists? Surveys show that around half of young women believe in gender equality, but avoid using the f-word. What is going on?
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Sweet or sickly: The Valentine’s Day divide
Today, couples around the world will show their affection with flowers, cards and messages of love. But research shows that nearly half of us cannot wait for it to be over.
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Famed Instagram egg reveals feel-good message
After much speculation, the most famous egg in the world has cracked open, revealing a message supporting those suffering from mental illness. But can the campaign make a real difference?
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Meet the YouTubers taking over the world
In 2019, video bloggers are attracting hoards of devoted fans and making millions in the process, but some fear they could be exploiting and misleading their young subscribers.
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Happy New Year! China welcomes Year of the Pig
Today, one fifth of the world’s population is celebrating the start of a new year — one that promises to bring prosperity, joy and relaxation. That is, if you believe in the Chinese zodiac…