Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

  • How aid becomes a weapon in Myanmar’s war zone

    How aid becomes a weapon in Myanmar’s war zone

    Getty Images More than 2,700 people were killed in a devastating earthquake that hit Myanmar on 28 March In the immediate aftermath of an earthquake, there is a 72-hour “golden window” when those trapped under rubble are most likely to survive. But in the 72 hours after a 7.7 magnitude quake struck Myanmar on Friday,…

  • Meloni says Trump tariffs are ‘wrong’ as world leaders react

    Meloni says Trump tariffs are ‘wrong’ as world leaders react

    Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has said US tariffs on European Union imports are “wrong”, after US President Donald Trump announced he would begin charging a 20% rate on EU goods. Meloni is one of the many world leaders reacting to Trump’s “liberation day” announcements, which include a universal 10% baseline tariff on all imports…

  • Le Pen’s ban outraged France’s far right

    Le Pen’s ban outraged France’s far right

    Andrew Harding Paris correspondent BBC Outrage is a precious political currency and France’s far right has spent this week attempting, furiously and predictably, to capitalise on the perceived injustice of a court’s decision to block its totemic leader, Marine Le Pen, from standing in the 2027 presidential election. The airwaves have been throbbing with indignation.…

  • ‘Worst offenders’ around world face import taxes up to 50%

    ‘Worst offenders’ around world face import taxes up to 50%

    Natalie Sherman BBC News, New York Watch: Key moments in Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs announcement President Donald Trump has unveiled plans for sweeping new import taxes on all goods entering the US, in a watershed moment for global trade. The plan sets a baseline tariff on all imports of at least 10%, consistent with a…

  • Survivor challenges Israeli account of attack on Gaza ambulances

    Survivor challenges Israeli account of attack on Gaza ambulances

    BBC Paramedic Munther Abed survived the attack that killed 15 emergency workers by diving to the floor in the back of his ambulance “I’m the only survivor who saw what happened to my colleagues,” Munther Abed says, scrolling through pictures of his fellow paramedics on his phone. He survived the Israeli attack that killed 15…

  • Gaza bakeries shut and painkillers on ration after month of Israeli blockade

    Gaza bakeries shut and painkillers on ration after month of Israeli blockade

    Yolande Knell Middle East correspondent Reuters A woman stands outside one of the WFP-supported bakeries that were forced to close on Tuesday due to a lack of flour and fuel One month since Israel closed all crossings to Gaza for goods, all UN-supported bakeries have closed, markets are empty of most fresh vegetables and hospitals…

  • Slovakia backs plan to shoot 350 bears after man killed in attack

    Slovakia backs plan to shoot 350 bears after man killed in attack

    Rob Cameron BBC News in Prague Getty Images A state of emergency allowing bears to be shot has been extended across much of Slovakia (file pic) The Slovak cabinet has approved a plan to shoot around a quarter of the country’s brown bears, after a man was mauled to death while walking in a forest…

  • Ruling military announces temporary ceasefire

    Ruling military announces temporary ceasefire

    Myanmar’s military has announced a temporary ceasefire to speed up relief and reconstruction efforts following last week’s devastating earthquake. In a statement, the ruling junta’s State Administration Council said the deal would be in effect from 2 April to 22 April. Earlier this week, rebel groups fighting the military unilaterally declared a ceasefire to support…

  • BBC joins rescuers searching for earthquake dead in Myanmar

    BBC joins rescuers searching for earthquake dead in Myanmar

    The ruling military junta in Myanmar say the death toll after last week’s devastating earthquake now stands at almost 2,900 people. The actual death toll is feared to be much higher, with many people still stuck under the rubble in affected cities. The ruling military junta declared that it will not let foreign journalists into…

  • BBC finds huge devastation and little help for survivors in Mandalay

    BBC finds huge devastation and little help for survivors in Mandalay

    Yogita Limaye Mandalay, Myanmar BBC Five men are still stuck under this building, including Nan’s 21-year-old son Warning: This article contains details and images that some readers may find distressing Driving into Mandalay, the massive scale of the destruction from last Friday’s earthquake revealed itself bit by bit. In nearly every street we turned into,…

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