The shameful and nasty prosecution of Simon Walsh
A jury unanimously acquits in the latest “extreme pornography” case.Today a jury at Kingston Crown Court took just over one hour to unanimously acquit Simon Walsh on all counts of possessing “extreme...
View ArticleThe Olympics on BBC1 - review
Rachel Cooke loves the TV coverage of the Games (one presenter excepted).My deep love for the Olympics always takes me by surprise: this wasn’t, let me tell you, how it was supposed to be. I think of...
View ArticleThe bonds of coalition are strong, but they’re choking its leaders
Britain has innovated its own peculiar model of coalition and it is not a very healthy one.When broken governments cling to power, disunited and bleeding authority, the cry inevitably goes up: “Surely...
View ArticleBrave - review
Pixar need to know that technical wizardry doesn’t disguise the tiresome life lessons, says Ryan Gilbey. Brave (PG) dirs: Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman Rich, vivid, overflowing with untamed passion. But...
View ArticleLeader: The London Games and the rise of the new patriotism
The Games have reminded us that a new, post-imperial British patriotism already exists. The London Olympics have been both a resounding sporting and a cultural triumph. Taking place against the...
View ArticleThe first torchbearer
Who do we have to thank most for our glorious Olympic summer?Who do we have to thank most for our glorious Olympic summer? Tony Blair? Ken Livingstone? Seb Coe? Tessa Jowell? No. The driving force...
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"The death of competitive sports" is the right's favourite Straw Bogeyman
There's nothing wrong with having fun while getting fit, as this picture of David Cameron playing Badminton demonstrates.David Cameron has been wearing a tracksuit top. Think about that for a moment....
View ArticleStanChart: what's to stop a regulatory body going rogue?
Still possible that the New York DFS allegations are untrue.Whether true or not, the New York Department of Financial Service's accusations have caused a whole lot of trouble for Standard Chartered,...
View ArticleMorning Call: pick of the papers
The ten must-read comment pieces from this morning's papers.1. US election is a wake-up call for alarm clock Britain (Guardian) To see how keen Romney and Obama are to court middle class America is to...
View ArticleNestlé's half-yearly net profit climbs 8.9 per cent
Business improves in all geographies.Nestlé has reported a net profit of 5.1bn Swiss francs, an increase of 8.9 per cent compared to 4.7bn francs for the same period last year. Earnings per share (on...
View ArticleQuote of the day
Tony Blair on Britain leaving the EU. I am deeply worried that Britain could decide by referendum to leave the whole process. Tony Blair warns that the UK's membership of the EU is at risk.
View ArticleHMV Group's struggles continue as sales fall below £1bn
The music, games and film retailer posts pre-tax loss of £38.6m in the 12 months ending in April.Rocked by competition from MP3 downloads, the HMV Group has reported a loss of £80.4m for the full year...
View ArticleAlan White's Olympics diary: Once the Olympic razzmatazz has gone, what do we...
Our Games have been great, but if we want to reap the rewards, we have to be honest about the failings.(Note: as this is a rather long blog, I’ve divided it in half, so if you’re midway through and...
View ArticleA fall in university applicants is a failure for the coalition
Ministers have always wanted more people to go to university. But 38,000 fewer are. Are higher tuition fees deterring people from applying to university? "Yes" is the answer from the Independent...
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Grizelda: "Oh no! Mummy’s going to spend more time with us"
NS cartoonist on Louise Mensch's resignation from Parliament. "Oh no! Mummy’s going to spend more time with us" You can see more of Grizelda's work in the magazine every week and on her website.
View ArticleShould we step up online censorship?
Andrea Leadsom says yes. Padraig Reidy says no. Andrea Leadsom says yes There is a need for drastic action to be taken to prevent young people being exposed to disturbing material on the internet....
View ArticleDoes Labour now fear Boris more than Cameron?
The Mayor of London is increasingly viewed as a threat by Labour. "I think the biggest threat to our chances now is …" I eagerly awaited the conclusion to this sentence uttered in a conversation...
View ArticleNews Corporation posts massive $1.6bn loss
The pain continues for the beleaguered media company."We are proud of the full-year financial growth achieved over the last 12 months," said Rupert Murdoch, chairman and CEO of News Corporation – but...
View ArticleThis week's New Statesman: The new patriotism
What the Olympics tell us about modern Britain + Fiction special The Olympic Afterglow by Ed Smith In this week’s New Statesman cover story, the former England cricketer and NS columnist, Ed Smith,...
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