Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

The day Germany’s new leader entered office will now forever be remembered for a very public failure. Friedrich Merz’s initial, shock defeat – in his bid to become chancellor – sparked hours of chaotic uncertainty. A man who’d been working to project strength and purpose instead became mired in political intrigue and division. Merz may…

Aleem Maqbool Religion editor BBC The Vatican’s Santa Marta guesthouse has 128 rooms. From 7 May, it will be filled with cardinals participating in the conclave to elect the next Pope. But one room in the guesthouse is still sealed with a red ribbon, as it has been since its occupant died there on Easter…

Air traffic controllers at Newark Liberty International Airport briefly lost communications with planes under their control, “unable to see, hear, or talk to them” last week, officials say. The 28 April incident led to multiple employees going on trauma leave, contributing to hundreds of delayed flights. More than 150 flights were cancelled on Monday alone,…

The European Commission has published a “roadmap” outlining its plans to end Europe’s reliance on Russian energy in the coming years. Under the plans, imports of all Russian gas and liquefied natural gas to European Union member states will be banned by the end of 2027. “No more will we permit Russia to weaponise energy…

Mark Carney has told Donald Trump that Canada “is not for sale” as the president raised the prospect of the country becoming the 51st US state while welcoming the prime minister to the White House. Carney won election last month promising to “stand up” to Trump, who has imposed tariffs on some Canadian products and…

An 81-year-old hunter in France has been fined and handed a four-month suspended jail sentence for killing an endangered bear in the Pyrenees mountains. The man said he had “no other option” but to open fire on the brown bear when it attacked him during a boar-hunt in 2021. Fifteen other hunters were also fined…

BBC I ran from the White House briefing room, past the portico entrance of the West Wing to our camera position on the lawn, and flung on an ear piece connecting me to the studio. A moment later the presenter asked me about the comments we had just heard live from US President Donald Trump.…

Archana Shukla India business correspondent Thirunavkarsu K Cheaper Chinese imports have slowed down demand for viscose yarn made in India The pace at 64-year-old Thirunavkarsu’s spinning mill in southern India’s Tamil Nadu state has noticeably slowed down. The viscose yarn – a popular material that goes into making woven garments – he produces, now sits…

Marble-size hail was seen pelting Paris’ streets, while cars were damaged by trees felled by lightning on Saturday afternoon. Minor flooding also led to Metro stations being temporarily closed, according to local reports. Thunderstorms are expected across parts of southern Europe this week, including southern areas of France, but there is a chance they could…

The Indian government has threatened to take legal action against Sotheby’s in Hong Kong unless they stop an upcoming auction of jewels linked to the Buddha’s remains and requested their return to India. The auction, which is set to take place on Wednesday, includes gems which were found buried with Buddha’s bone fragments more than…