Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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Gene Hackman ‘loved acting and hated everything that went with it’
Getty Images “He loved being an actor, and hated all the stuff that surrounds being an actor.” That, for film director Barry Sonnenfeld, is how he’ll remember Gene Hackman, who has died at the age of 95. The endless hours in hair and makeup, repeated takes, and studio notes all frustrated Hackman, Sonnenfeld told BBC…
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How to watch Academy Awards and who is nominated
Getty Images Mikey Madison and Demi Moore are both up for best actress Stars, film fans and fashionistas rejoice as the biggest night in the showbiz calendar is here at last – the 97th Oscars. Spanish-language musical Emilia Pérez leads the way with 13 nominations, but recently saw its awards chances damaged after offensive historic…
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Haiti police raid gang leader Barbecue’s stronghold in capital
The government of Haiti says police have launched a large-scale operation in a shantytown controlled by powerful gang leader Jimmy Chérizier, who is widely known as Barbecue. The authorities say several gang members have been killed in the Lower Delmas area of the capital Port-au-Prince. Local reports say military drones carrying explosives are being used…
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Row deepens over European sanctuary
George Sandeman and Giulia Imbert BBC News AFP Wikie, pictured with her calf in 2011, needs to be rehoused after her marine zoo home shut in January The uncertain future of two killer whales is no closer to being resolved despite the closure of their marine zoo home two months ago. Wikie, 23, and her…
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Zulu King Misuzulu’s love life shocks South Africa as he opts for divorce
Getty Images The love life of South Africa’s Zulu king has the country agog – and has scandalised his socially conservative subjects as he messes with tradition by seeking a divorce. Polygamy is part of Zulu culture, but King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has taken the unusual step of going to court to divorce his first wife,…
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In the US, DEI is under attack. But under a different name, it might live on
BBC In Union County, South Carolina, the sprawling cotton mills that once put bread on the table for many are long gone. Union is also what is termed a “food desert”, where many residents live far from the nearest supermarket. So in 2016, local non-profit director Elise Ashby began working with farmers to deliver discounted…
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Israel approves temporary extension of Gaza ceasefire
Reuters Israeli soldiers stand on a tank on the Israeli side of the border with the Gaza Strip. Photo: February 2025 The Israeli government has approved a temporary extension of the Gaza ceasefire for the next six weeks, covering the Muslim Ramadan and Jewish Passover periods. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office made the announcement shortly…
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His name was in a child abuse diary
Reuters Mauricette Vinet and her husband Roland, holding a photograph of their grandson Mathis This story contains distressing details from the start When Mauricette Vinet speaks of her grandson, her voice grows warm with affection. “He was a lovely little boy. He had a strong personality, for sure! But he always thought of others, always…
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Angie Stone, veteran R&B singer-songwriter, reported dead in car crash
Grammy-nominated R&B artist Angie Stone has died after a car crash, according to US media reports. “Angie Stone’s voice and spirit will live on forever in the hearts of those she touched,” a spokesperson for the singer-songwriter told CNN. Stone, 63, was fatally injured when a van she was travelling in overturned in Alabama early…
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Zelensky wants US to ‘stand more firmly’ on Ukraine’s side
Getty Images Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he wants the US to “stand more firmly on our side” after his fiery White House exchange with US President Donald Trump. After arriving in the UK to take part in a European leaders’ summit, Zelensky urged the US to continue its support for Ukraine despite “the…
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