Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

BBC Hundreds of thousands of Syrians were killed during 13 years of civil war “These,” says Dr Anas al-Hourani, “are from a mixed mass grave.” The head of the newly-opened Syrian Identification Centre is standing next to two tables, covered in femurs. There are 32 of the human thigh bones on each laminated white tablecloth.…

South African firebrand opposition politician Julius Malema says he has been denied a visa to attend a conference in the UK on 10 May. Malema said the UK had no “substantial justification” for its decision, and he saw it as an “attempt to silence a dissenting political perspective”. In a leaked letter to Malema’s deputy,…

Getty Images Denmark’s foreign minister says he will summon the US ambassador to address a report that Washington’s spy agencies have been told to focus on Greenland amid Donald Trump’s threats to take over the island. “It worries me greatly because we do not spy on friends,” Lars Løkke Rasmussen said, responding to the report…

The first vote of the conclave – the secretive process to choose a new pope – has failed to reach a decision. After a lengthy wait, black smoke emerged from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney at around 9pm local time – meaning the 133 cardinals inside have not been able to choose a new pontiff. Crowds…

Rushdi Abu Alouf Gaza correspondent Anadolu via Getty Images The strikes in Gaza City come as Israel says it is preparing to intensify its military campaign against Hamas At least 33 Palestinians have been killed and dozens wounded in two Israeli strikes on a crowded restaurant and market on the same street in Gaza City,…

Jessica Rawnsley, Jaroslav Lukiv & Victoria Bourne BBC News Mash/Telegram Footage of large crowds at Moscow’s airports was shared on Russian social media At least 60,000 passengers have been stranded at airports across Russia because of a massive Ukrainian drone attack, local officials say. Russia’s Association of tour operators (Ator) says 350 flights have been…

BBC Urdu correspondent Farhat Javed reports from Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-administered Kashmir where an Indian air strike damaged a mosque and some houses. Though many people had left the area last night, some residents have been able to return to assess the damage to their properties, locals told the BBC. A sense of fear and uncertainty…

In Srinagar in Indian-administered Kashmir, a road, normally busy with tourists and travellers, lies deserted. All flights in and out of the region’s main city have been suspended for civilians and the airport is reserved for military use only. Many locals have been hiding inside bunkers and some have fled the area to find safer…

Four anonymous housekeepers are suing Motown legend Smokey Robinson for $50 million (£37 million), accusing him of sexual assault. A complaint filed in Los Angeles superior court accuses the 85-year-old of sexual battery, false imprisonment, negligence and gender violence, in addition to a number of labour violations related to wages, breaks, meal times and overtime…

Nick Robinson BBC News, in Delaware Watch: Biden’s first interview since leaving the White House Joe Biden has told the BBC that pressure from the Trump administration on Ukraine to give up territory to Russia is “modern-day appeasement” in an exclusive interview, his first since leaving the White House. Speaking in Delaware on Monday, he…