Latest Stories
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Crack troops retake captured tanker by storm
Are special operations the future of war? Some argue that small and deadly forces are uniquely equipped to fight modern threats, but others think they can often simply make wars worse.
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Despite Covid, Halloween can be spooktastic
Is it time to rethink Halloween? Its opponents are delighted that the pandemic has put a damper on this year’s fun. But fans of the festival are determined to find safe ways to celebrate.
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No fatal wounds in Trump/Biden final duel
Could it be a Biden landslide? No clear winner emerged as the candidates locked horns for a final time last night. Now, some believe anti-Trump sentiment could push Biden to a historic win.
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Google under fire for getting too big
Should we break up Google? The US government has launched a landmark antitrust case against the tech giant. The verdict could completely transform the digital world as we know it.
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Excuse me for pressing you on this, but…
Have we lost the art of the interview? A series of classic conversations with 20th-century icons has just been reissued by the BBC. It reveals the surprising power of old-fashioned TV.
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Millennials losing their faith in politics
Can democracy survive? As national leaders worldwide move to curb local mayors and leaders, a new survey shows that millennials are losing faith in democratic systems altogether.
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Star-gazing prophet sparks astrology row
Is astrology just harmless fun? Supporters think that it can comfort people who are afraid of the future, but sceptics fear that it encourages the gullible to choose fantasy over reality.
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Tensions rise in great global vaccine race
Is liberal democracy going to be the biggest Covid victim? Russia and China have shunned safety to surge ahead in the search for a vaccine, reigniting old battles between East and West.
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Boris battles the boffins over lockdown
Should we follow the science? As British politicians clash over whether to impose a corrective two-week lockdown, the role science plays in our decision-making has come under the spotlight.
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US militias hoping to spark power struggle
Is talk of US civil war overblown? As Donald Trump plunges in the polls, some worry that his most hardline supporters will try to keep him in power – even if it means an armed conflict.
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Society on the brink as second lockdown looms
Does loneliness threaten democracy? Charities warn of a mental health “time bomb” as lockdown drives soaring levels of alienation – leading to a surge in angry populism and social breakdown.
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World on edge as China flexes its muscles
Is Xi Jinping echoing Hitler? China is ramping up the aggression towards its neighbours, prompting some to liken it to Nazi Germany. Others say the West is deliberately stoking tensions.
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Massive data blunder puts many lives at risk
Is all government useless? The UK’s latest Covid fiasco unleashed harsh criticism of state inefficiency. But what if a bit of inefficiency is actually an essential part of healthy democracy?
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No winner as Trump and Biden slug it out
Is the election result any clearer? In all the fire and fury, neither candidate triumphed in last night’s verbal fight. Both camps are claiming victory as the first public reactions come in.
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‘Smartphones are taking control of our minds’
Could Facebook start a civil war? In a new documentary, experts on social media explain how its algorithms are manipulating us – and warn that the consequences could be disastrous.