Latest Stories
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‘Time to consign the Olympics to history’
Should the Olympic Games be cancelled for ever? The world’s biggest sporting event is now likely to be postponed because of the pandemic –some feel we would better off without it any way.
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Do not lose hope: we can defeat the virus
Should the media publish more good news? The Covid-19 outbreak is frightening and deserves our attention. But amidst all the doom and gloom, there are hundreds of encouraging developments.
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Say hello to your new best friend: yourself
Could self-isolation be a blessing in disguise? In the coming days, we face sweeping new rules confining us to our homes. But across the ages, many people have found solitude beneficial.
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The book that answers the ultimate question
Does life have any meaning? A hugely important new book called Until the End of Time has just been published by leading physicist Brian Greene. Here are the key points he makes.
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Row explodes over Amazon Nazi-hunter show
Is it wrong to tell fictional stories about the Holocaust? A new TV show about vigilante justice has been accused of sensationalising the genocide of millions for entertainment purposes.
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Human compost offers eco-friendly way to go
Can human composting save the planet? As we try to live more ecologically, new funeral methods are changing our attitudes about death and creating green alternatives to burial and cremation.
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Goodbye to tasty treats as Lent begins
Is giving things up a good idea? Today is the start of Lent, when Christians traditionally deprive themselves of something they enjoy. But the practice is common to other religions too.
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Artificial morality: how to raise good robots
Do robots need morals? A leading law-maker has said that artificial intelligence must meet ethical standards. But even leading researchers do not fully understand the machines they build.
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Wildlife trafficking blamed for deadly virus
Is the coronavirus, Covid-19, nature’s revenge? A growing body of experts believes that illegal trading of rare animals led directly to the epidemic that has spread fear around the world.
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‘A united Ireland would be good for everyone’
Should Ireland be united? The idea is gathering pace. And polls before tomorrow’s general election show a surge in support for Sinn Féin, a party with its sights set on reunification.
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Anti-Semitism surge 75 years after Auschwitz
Will we ever defeat anti-Semitism? Today, millions of people around the world will remember the Holocaust. But while fewer victims of the Nazi atrocities remain, old hatreds still persist.
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Universal cancer cure now suddenly possible
Should we hope for a world without disease? It seems possible. At last, a cure for cancer seems to be on the horizon. And, now, scientists are dreaming of a future where no one becomes ill.
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Trust is dying across the world, says survey
Whatever happened to good faith? People no longer believe that it is possible for institutions to do the right thing AND be competent. This is creating an unprecedented wave of cynicism.
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Seven days that shook the world
Is the Iran crisis over? New evidence has emerged showing that in the days immediately before and after the assassination of General Soleimani, the world teetered on the brink of war.
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Controversial film Joker set for bumper Baftas
Is Joker immoral? Now poised for ample awards, the deeply troubling 2019 film immediately inflamed debate over its depiction of extreme violence and worries about copycat behaviour.