Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms review: The new Game of Thrones prequel is ‘very funny’ and a ‘total delight’
The latest spin-off from the fantasy hit tells the story of an inexperienced knight and his cheeky squire. With its mix of brutal drama and plentiful humour, it’s a “nailed-on winner”. Game of Thrones? Brilliant, until some of the later episodes. House of the Dragon? Good, without ever reaching the heights of its predecessor. Broadly speaking,…
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Semenyo scores again – who are winners and losers of his arrival?
Antoine Semenyo has taken to life seamlessly at Manchester City and is already beginning to repay the £62.5m fee handed to Bournemouth to sign him. Semenyo scored and provided an assist in a memorable debut in the FA Cup third round on Saturday, though that 10-1 trouncing came against League One side Exeter City. He…
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We choose Denmark over US, Greenland’s PM says
Greenland’s prime minister has said his people would choose Denmark over the US if they were asked to make such a choice “here and now”. Jens-Frederik Nielsen’s remark at a joint news conference with Denmark’s prime minister is the strongest by a representative of the semi-autonomous Danish territory since US President Donald Trump renewed his…
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Italy’s new nun-mapped pilgrim trail
5 days agoShareSave Maria Salvati As Italy grapples with overtourism, a series of ancient trails resurrected by nuns winds through the forgotten landscapes where Benedictine monasticism shaped medieval Europe. Under a pale autumn sky, I set out to meet my old friend, Sister Katherine Adams; a Franciscan nun who lives in the village of Vallepietra…
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Trump says US military studying ‘very strong options’ for Iran
US President Donald Trump waves as he walks to board Marine One at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on 11 January, 2026.AFP US President Donald Trump said Sunday he was considering potential military action against Iran, amid mounting reports of deadly crackdowns against the country’s mass anti-government protests. “They’re starting to, it looks like,” Trump…
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Iran official says 2,000 people have been killed in unrest
Iranian demonstrators gather in a street during a protest over the collapse of the currency’s value, in Tehran, Iran, 8 January, 2026.Reuters About 2,000 people including security personnel have been killed in protests in Iran, an Iranian official said on Tuesday, the first time authorities have acknowledged the high death toll from an intense crackdown…
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Deaths from Iran protests reach more than 500, rights group says
Unrest in Iran has killed more than 500 people, a rights group said on Sunday, as Tehran threatened to target US military bases if President Donald Trump carries out his renewed threats to intervene on behalf of protesters. With the Islamic Republic’s clerical establishment facing the biggest demonstrations since 2022, Trump has repeatedly threatened to…
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Semenyo scores again – who are winners and losers of his arrival?
Antoine Semenyo has two goals and an assist in two games for Manchester City By Shamoon Hafez Manchester City reporter at St James’ Park Shamoon Hafez Manchester City reporter at St James’ Park Antoine Semenyo has taken to life seamlessly at Manchester City and is already beginning to repay the £62.5m fee handed to Bournemouth…
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Canada’s Mark Carney faces delicate balancing act in China visit
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney is en route to China for a pivotal visit aimed at resetting ties with Beijing and finding new economic opportunities for his country outside the US. It will not be an easy task, with pressure on Canada to balance its goal of diversifying trade without risking damage to its relationship…
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BCB sees ‘severe security risk’ in India, ICC rates threat as ‘low moderate’
Formal and informal exchanges have been continuing for several days, with emails being exchanged. In all communications, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has consistently informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) that, due to security concerns, Bangladesh will not travel to India to participate in the T20 World Cup. The ICC, on the other hand, has…
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