Portrait of the week
Home The warmest New Year’s Day on record saw a temperature of 16.3˚C (61.3˚F) in St James’s Park, London. A…
Solution to 2535: Triplets
Each unclued lights include one letter three times. The wording of the preamble precludes ALLYLS (2D which would be the…
Barometer
Centenaries 2022 will see the 100th anniversary of: the BBC; Reader’s Digest; Ulysses by James Joyce; insulin treatment for diabetes;…
What’s your favourite children’s novel?
J.K. Rowling Poignant, funny and genuinely scary, The Hundred and One Dalmatians was one of my favourite books as a…
Letters
Wrong cure Sir: In referring to the UK as the highest-spending European nation in healthcare proportionate to GDP (‘Hospital pass’,…
Solution to 2534: Off pitch
The unclued lights are cricket fielding positions. The clues contain the names of 12 present and former England cricketers: Old,…
Johnson vs Johnson
It is two years since Boris Johnson achieved one of the most remarkable election victories in modern history. The large…
Portrait of the year
January The United Kingdom found itself in possession of a trade agreement with the EU. Coronavirus restrictions were tightened. The…
Christmas quiz – the answers
Rather odd Mars Michael Jordan Tower Bridge Moscow’s Lightning Winston Churchill Russia Jenners Sri Lanka El Salvador Don’t quote me…
Party’s over
In normal circumstances, no one would care if staff in No. 10 held a Christmas party. But last year, Boris…
Letters
Flood relief Sir: In my lifetime there have been at least two major flood emergencies when the armed forces have…
Portrait of the week
Home Sajid Javid, the Health Secretary, said that the Omicron variant of coronavirus was spreading by community transmission in ‘multiple…
Solution to 2533: Monday’s child
‘From harmony, from heavenly harmony, this universal frame began’ opens JOHN DRYDEN’s Song for ST CECILIA’S DAY (22 November, a…
The decay at the heart of the civil service
That Britain no longer has the capability to maintain peace in Afghanistan other than as an appendage of the United…
Portrait of the week
Home In a nervous response to the entry into Britain of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 — B.1.1.529 — the…
Solution to: 2532: Patchy?
The unclued lights are TV detectives and their PATCH: 10/8, 13/5D, 15/39, 26/41, 36/33. First prize Emma Corke, Abinger Hammer,…
Barometer
Thirsty work Sixty-one pub-goers on a night out in the Tan Hill Inn, 1,500 feet up in the Pennines in…
Salvation army
Last week, the government published its blueprint for how it intends to remodel the army. According to the plan, it…
Letters
The Waitrose test Sir: Like Rod Liddle, I live in the north-east of England — a little further north and…
The cost of Boris
Earlier this week, the Conservative party sent an appeal to its registered supporters asking them to become members. ‘We’re delivering…
Barometer
Red Peppa? In a rambling speech to the CBI, Boris Johnson praised Peppa Pig. Has she changed political sides? Peppa…
Letters
Peace project Sir: It was heartening to read your editorial on the peace which has reigned in Europe since 1945,…
Portrait of the week
Home Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister, praised Peppa Pig in a speech to the Confederation of British Industry: ‘Who would’ve…
Solution To 2531: Villainy
The unclued lights are VILLAINS encountered by James Bond. First prize Ian Skillen, Cambuslang, Glasgow Runners-up Liz Knights, Walton Highway,…
Asylum isn’t working
Emad Al Swealmeen, who blew himself up in a taxi outside the Liverpool Women’s Hospital, is not believed to have…
