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'Good versus evil' in Ukraine, Taliban U-turn on girls' education, The Merchant of Venice

A look at the ethical and religious issues of the week

Perhaps not since the Second World War has a conflict been so readily characterised as ‘good vs evil’. Is that helpful? What do we mean by 'evil' and how might we view it in the context of the Ukraine war?

Girls’ secondary schools in Afghanistan were due to open last week but the Taliban reversed its decision at the last minute, saying a ruling is still to be made on the uniforms that girls must wear. What is the longer-term significance of this U-turn?

Many theatre directors are reluctant to put on Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice because of the prominence of antisemitism in the play. A new version, directed by a Jewish woman, Abigail Graham, seeks to explore how antisemitism manifests itself in society.

Presenter: Edward Stourton
Producers: Dan Tierney and Amanda Hancox
Editor: Helen Grady.

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44 minutes

Broadcast

  • Sun 27 Mar 2022 07:10

All the colours of the rainbow

All the colours of the rainbow

The Covid-19 rainbows painted by children today are part of a rich and ancient symbolism.

Podcast