Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

  • Erin Patterson tells murder trial wild mushrooms have ‘more flavour’

    Erin Patterson tells murder trial wild mushrooms have ‘more flavour’

    An Australian woman who cooked a toxic mushroom meal has told her murder trial she has long been a mushroom lover, but more recently developed a taste for wild fungi varieties that have “more flavour”. Erin Patterson has pleaded not guilty to the murder of three relatives, and the attempted murder of another, after serving…

  • Mother of jailed British Egyptian activist vows to continue hunger strike despite risk of death

    Mother of jailed British Egyptian activist vows to continue hunger strike despite risk of death

    Caroline Hawley Diplomatic correspondent Free Alaa Laila Soueif’s daughter, Sanaa, described the situation as “very scary” Laila Soueif’s body is becoming weaker and weaker. Doctors have warned her that – after eight months on hunger strike – she’s now at risk of sudden death. But the strength of her resolve has not diminished at all.…

  • Three things to know about South Korea’s snap presidential election

    Three things to know about South Korea’s snap presidential election

    South Korea is heading to the polls to elect a new leader, after their former president Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached and removed from office for briefly placing the country under martial law in December. The BBC’s Jean Mackenzie explains what you need to know about the main candidates – and the challenges they’ll face…

  • Mongolia PM resigns amid protests over his son’s lavish lifestyle

    Mongolia PM resigns amid protests over his son’s lavish lifestyle

    Getty Images Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene is under fire over his family’s alleged lavish lifestyle Mongolian prime minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene has resigned after losing a confidence vote in parliament. The vote followed days of mass protests over corruption allegations – fuelled by social media posts about his son’s lavish birthday party and engagement. Oyun-Erdene, who took office…

  • Why lashing rains wreak havoc annually in India’s cities

    Why lashing rains wreak havoc annually in India’s cities

    Nikita Yadav BBC News, Delhi Getty Images Heavy rains last month caused widespread flooding in Mumbai “Who is responsible for this mess?” The question recently echoed across India’s financial capital Mumbai as thousands of residents once again found themselves stranded, soaked and frustrated. Heavy rains brought the city to a standstill, and this was before…

  • Disney makes hundreds more layoffs as it cuts costs

    Disney makes hundreds more layoffs as it cuts costs

    Disney says it is laying off several hundred more people around the world, with workers in its film, television and finance departments impacted. The entertainment giant has been under pressure as viewers move away from cable TV subscriptions in favour of streaming platforms. “As our industry transforms at a rapid pace, we continue to evaluate…

  • How the Boulder arson attack unfolded

    How the Boulder arson attack unfolded

    A man arrested over a “suspected act of terrorism” in Boulder, Colorado, has been charged with a federal hate crime and 16 state counts of attempted murder after officials say he started “setting people on fire”. The attack took place on Sunday when a group was gathered for an event called Run for their Lives,…

  • Suspect in Colorado fire attack planned for a year, FBI says

    Suspect in Colorado fire attack planned for a year, FBI says

    A man accused of throwing Molotov cocktails at demonstrators attending a march for Israeli hostages in Colorado on Sunday planned the attack for a year, investigators say. Mohammed Sabry Soliman, 45, who is charged with a federal hate crime as well as state charges of attempted murder, assault and use of an explosive device, made…

  • The world’s worst country to give birth

    The world’s worst country to give birth

    Makuochi Okafor BBC Africa health correspondent, Lagos Getty Images At the age of 24, Nafisa Salahu was in danger of becoming just another statistic in Nigeria, where a woman dies giving birth every seven minutes, on average. Going into labour during a doctors’ strike meant that, despite being in hospital, there was no expert help…

  • UK backs Morocco’s plan for disputed territory

    UK backs Morocco’s plan for disputed territory

    The UK has backed Morocco’s plan for ending a territorial conflict in Western Sahara, as part of a deal that will secure lucrative investment projects in the 2030 men’s football World Cup. For decades British governments have refused to take sides over who should control Western Sahara, which is considered a “non-self-governing territory” by the…

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