World
Trump’s toxic mineral deal for Ukraine
Donald Trump’s latest scheme to exploit Ukraine is gaining momentum. Kyiv has been handed a rewritten, 58-page minerals deal, which…
Why Prevent’s boss had to go
The head of the Prevent counter-terrorism programme, Michael Stewart, is to carry the can for failures exposed by the Southport…
The flight of the millionaires will impoverish Britain
Steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal is considering leaving the UK because of the Labour government’s abolition of the ‘non-dom’ tax regime.…
Reform’s ‘think tank’ isn’t serious
Donors of the Reform party are considering creating a partisan think tank in the American style. These plans are subject to…
Hundreds feared dead in Myanmar earthquake
Hundreds of people are feared dead after a 7.7-magnitude quake struck Myanmar. Tremors from the quake, which had its epicentre…
Why can’t Nigel Farage praise men for a change?
Nigel Farage has really done it this time. He may have sailed close to the wind before, but defending the…
The Sinbad disaster didn’t have to happen
For tourists aboard the Sindbad, the final moments of their planned jaunt below the waves will have been a hellish,…
Who’s going to miss WH Smith?
WH Smith is opting for the oldest trick in the corporate playbook. It is changing its name. It might have…
The Houthi threat isn’t going away
On 27 March, the Houthis launched two ballistic missiles at Israel. It also reportedly launched ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and…
Keir’s No. 10 comms chief quits
It’s the new rule of British politics: if you’re going to quit, do it on a Friday. Labour has had…
Zelensky may regret wishing for Putin’s death
Ever since 2013, I’ve been hearing that Vladimir Putin is going to die any day. Is Volodymyr Zelensky now trying…
King Charles’s hospital visit will prompt concern
The news released last night that King Charles had been briefly hospitalised was an unwelcome surprise. A statement from the…
Why does Britain think it can censor Gab?
A dramatic escalation has happened in the information war between the US and Europe. Ofcom, the British media regulator that…
Jolyon Maugham gets it wrong again
Oh dear. The Babe Ruth of the bar has blundered once again. Jolyon Maugham, the kimono-cladded KC, has been raging…
Britain narrowly escapes recession – again
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has just confirmed that the economy ‘grew’ by 0.1 per cent in the last…
Australia is bracing itself for a chaotic general election
Early this morning, even before dawn broke, Australia’s Labor party prime minister, Anthony Albanese, asked the country’s governor-general to call…
What happened to the post-Covid roaring twenties?
It has become customary for Budgets to unravel within 48 hours of being delivered. Rachel Reeves didn’t have much in…
Britain’s underfunded army is letting down Nato
The British army is overstretched. This is not breaking news to anyone who takes an interest in defence. Although its…
What Denmark’s social democrats could teach Germany’s SPD
Despite suffering their worst electoral humiliation since the 1890s, Germany’s Social Democrat party (SPD) is displaying a remarkable combination of…
The enduring message of Anthony Powell’s work
Anthony Powell died on 28 March 2000, twenty-five years ago today. It is also fifty years since he completed his…
J.D. Vance’s trip to Greenland is deeply insensitive
This morning, Vice President J.D. Vance is set to touch down in Greenland after deciding to join his wife Usha…
Rachel Reeves should leave ISAs alone
Voters won’t want to thank Rachel Reeves if the Office for Budgetary Responsibility (OBR) turns out to be right in…
Is Macron scared of Algeria?
Emmanuel Macron couldn’t have been clearer about why he wants to boost defence spending: ‘We want to protect peace in…
Three cheers to Wigmore Hall for breaking free from Arts Council England
Tonight, I’m going to hear Joyce DiDonato, one of the greatest living sopranos, sing Schubert’s song cycle Winterreise. On Saturday…
Trump’s choice on a replacement UN ambassador is complex
Maybe the surprising thing isn’t that Donald Trump yanked Elise Stefanik’s nomination to become ambassador to the United Nations. It’s…
