The theatricality of the warmth on show between British prime minister Rishi Sunak and French president Emmanuel Macron during their summit in Paris should not detract from how important it is that Franco-British cooperation has been renewed. Relations reached rock bottom under Boris Johnson and his successor Liz Truss. TheContinue Reading
One of the consequences of Russia’s war in Ukraine is the fact that the Kremlin has lost a lot of its influence in former Soviet countries. This creates opportunities to limit Moscow’s ability to leverage its once dominant role to further its war aims. However, it also means that RussiaContinue Reading
After more than four decades as seemingly implacable enemies on either side of a deep political-religious divide in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia and Iran have agreed to restore diplomatic relations and reopen embassies. The deal, which was signed in Beijing, comes seven years after diplomatic relations were severed inContinue Reading
mepstock/Shutterstock In Britain, people imagine poverty as mainly an urban phenomenon. We think of poverty as rundown housing estates or tower blocks, far from the idyllic countryside scenes of shows like Escape to the Country. But this is only part of the picture. Poverty in rural areas is more widespreadContinue Reading
Ireland is set for another cold blast with snow and ice forecast to hit parts of the country in the coming days. A status-yellow warning for snow and ice has been issued for 13 counties from Monday night. The warning comes into place at 8pm for Connacht and counties Cavan,Continue Reading
A man has been arrested after a claim of responsibility by the New IRA for the shooting of senior detective John Caldwell. The 25-year-old man was arrested under the Terrorism Act after the search of a property in the Derry area. It comes after a typed message was posted onContinue Reading
Ninety years ago, a young Welsh investigative journalist reported on the Soviet Union’s genocide in Ukraine, Stalin’s attempt to stamp down on rising nationalism. The Holomodor, as it became known, was responsible for the deaths of some 4 million Ukrainians through deliberate starvation. Gareth Jones’ eyewitness reports, gathered at significantContinue Reading
As an academic specialising in part in why political corruption happens, the tenure of Boris Johnson (and its aftermath) has provided me with much to consider. Indeed, over the past 18 months, it has felt like I’m getting asked the same question over and over again. After the Owen PatersonContinue Reading
The Iranian government has announced several arrests in connection with the reported poisoning of more than 7,000 schoolgirls in more than 100 schools around the country. Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, has condemned the poisonings, saying perpetrators should be “severely punished”. Yet other government messages are confused. The education departmentContinue Reading
IR Stone/Shutterstock It’s easy to lose sight of just how accepting the UK now is as a nation. What were once pressing moral concerns have become simple facts of life for much of the public. The UK, in fact, now ranks as one of the most accepting countries internationally, asContinue Reading
