Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

Germany’s cabinet has passed a draft bill which will introduce voluntary military service. The bill could also lead to conscription if more troops are needed. It’s part of a move to boost German national defences, following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Compulsory military service in Germany was ended in 2011 under then-Chancellor Angela Merkel. Chancellor…

A painting stolen by the Nazis that was spotted in an Argentinian estate agent’s advert has vanished, a prosecutor says following a raid on the home. Portrait of a Lady by Giuseppe Ghislandi was featured hanging above a sofa inside a property near Buenos Aires, which was being sold by the daughter of a senior…

Reuters US disaster-preparedness was again under scrutiny earlier in the summer following deadly flooding in Texas The US Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) has reportedly suspended a number of staff who criticised the agency’s direction under US President Donald Trump. The staff are said to have been among those who recently signed an open letter…

Getty Images The Israeli army wants people to leave Gaza City before moving in The Israeli military has told Palestinians that the evacuation of Gaza City is “inevitable”, as its forces prepare to conquer it. In a post on X on Wednesday, the military’s Arabic spokesman Avichay Adraee said families relocating to the south would…

Nigeria has announced a six-month ban on the export of raw shea nuts from which many beauty creams are made. The move is aimed at making the trade more lucrative as Nigeria is losing out by not producing much shea butter locally. The country produces nearly 40% of the world’s annual crop, but it only…

Georgina Rannard Science correspondent Watch: SpaceX Starship completes successful test flight SpaceX has pulled off a successful test flight of its newest generation rocket Starship, reversing a trend of disappointing failures. The world’s largest and most powerful rocket blasted off from Texas just after 18:30 local time (00:30 BST) for a nail-biting 60-minute flight. Parts…

Lil Nas X has said he’s OK after a “terrifying last four days” following his arrest in Los Angeles. The Grammy winner, known for his country-rap hit Old Town Road, was arrested on Thursday after police officers said he assaulted them after they found him walking the streets naked. He was taken to hospital for…

Investigators in India will visit a vast private zoo owned by the billionaire Ambani family, after the Supreme Court ordered an inquiry into allegations that animals were acquired unlawfully and mistreated. The inquiry will also examine possible violations of wildlife laws at Vantara, as well as allegations of financial irregularities and money laundering. The Supreme…

Heavy rainfall has triggered landslides and flash floods across northern India. On Tuesday, more than 30 people were killed near a popular Hindu shrine in Indian-administered Kashmir. Rains have also battered parts of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab states, leaving roads blocked and property submerged. Rescue operations are under way, with authorities deploying helicopters and boats…

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen has summoned the top US diplomat in Copenhagen, following a report that American citizens have been conducting “covert influence operations” in Greenland. Denmark’s public broadcaster DR quoted sources as saying the aim was to infiltrate Greenland’s society and promote its secession from Denmark to the US, although it was…