42 minutes ago Ignorance and Bliss: On Wanting Not to Know by Mark Lilla review – the enduring power of stupidity

A New York scholar’s study of our long history of acclaiming the fool and ignoring the facts is timely and terrifically wittyThis is at once a wise and wonderfully enjoyable book. Mark Lilla treats weighty matters with a light touch, in an elegant prose style that crackles with dry wit. Almost every one of the short sections into which the narrative is divided – and there is a narrative, cunningly sustained within what seems a relaxed discursiveness – takes careful aim and at the end hits the bullseye with a sure and satisfying aphoristic thwock.The central premise of the book is simply stated: “How is it that we are creatures who want to know and not to know?” Lilla, professor of humanities at Columbia University, New York, and the author of a handful of masterly studies of the terrain...

Politics

84 minutes ago Westminster 'stabbing' incident bombshell as police give major update on victim

The Met Police said in a statement that officers are seeking witnesses and any CCTV or dashcam footage following an assault on Westminster Bridge that left a man critically ill

Events

89 minutes ago Cop29 climate finance deal criticised as ‘travesty of justice’ and ‘stage

Some countries say deal should not have been done and is ‘abysmally poor’ compared with what is neededThe climate finance deal agreed at Cop29 is a “travesty of justice” that should not have been adopted, some countries’ negotiators have said.The climate conference came to a dramatic close early on Sunday morning when negotiators struck an agreement to triple the flow of climate finance to poorer countries. Continue reading...

Society

1 hour ago The curse of season two: Smash hit TV series that should have been one

Here FEMAIL looks back at the UK and US TV shows that fell victim to the 'curse of season two' - as Bad Sisters' return is panned by critics.

Events

2 hours ago The truth about salt: how to avoid one of the world’s biggest hidden killers

Most of us consume far too much, which can lead to high blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes. But there are some simple ways to retrain your palate and reduce your intakeLast Tuesday, I bought lunch on the go. I fancied something hot, tasty but healthy, so I chose a vegan ramen from the Japanese-inspired chain Wasabi. The soup was packed with turmeric noodles, vegetable gyozas, mushrooms, bean sprouts, pak choi, pickled ginger and sesame seeds, in a soy and miso broth. It was delicious. In fact, it was so delicious, I was suspicious. I checked out its nutritional information online. Only 342 calories, low in saturated fat Aha! Salt: 5.07g a portion.The World Health Organization recommends that adults eat less than 5g of salt a day. One noodle soup had exceeded my entire daily intak...

Events

3 hours ago Max Verstappen's fourth F1 title and the reality even his fiercest critics cannot deny

Only fierce tribalism or simply plain denial would now prevent even Max Verstappen's most vocal critics from admitting he is one of the best Formula 1 has ever seen

Politics

3 hours ago Midsomer Murders' Annette Badland makes candid confession about her career

Annette Badland has become a hit with Midsomer Murders fans as the motorcycle-loving chief pathologist Dr Fleur Perkins, but the actress admitted she is her own worst critic

Events

3 hours ago Cop29 finance deal ‘a death sentence’ and ‘woefully inadequate’, activists say

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband called the package a ‘critical 11th-hour deal at the 11th hour for the climate’.

Economics

3 hours ago Midsomer Murders star makes frank career confession despite TV success

Annette Badland, who plays Dr Fleur Perkins in the popular ITV murder mystery series, has opened up about how she struggles to watch herself on screen because she is too critical

Events