Sen. Mitch McConnell tells reporters that he will focus on “defense and foreign policy” as he transitions away from his role as Senate Republican leader. “I think this is the most dangerous time since right before World War II.” trib.al/fwts1cQ

Russian foreign policy commentator Sergei Karaganov on the prospects of a Trump "peace plan" for Ukraine: "He'll prepare some kind of plan. But the issue is not about a peace plan, but about what we need. And we need Ukraine’s capitulation and demilitarisation. And after some

Tony Blair recounts a ridiculous tie design procurement process for an EU summit (featuring an Italian accent). Not sure any frontline UK politician today could carry a story like that.

We expect Bank Rate to fall from 5% now to 3½% by the end of the forecast. We have raised Bank Rate and gilt rates ¼ percentage point above pre-measures market data, as the fiscal easing in this Budget was unlikely to have been fully anticipated when we finalised our forecast.

David Axelrod calls Dems ‘smarty-pants, suburban, college-educated party’ nypost.com/2024/11/08/us-…

This Blueprint poll is going to get a ton of attention and will be used to argue that trans issues hurt Harris. But there are two challenges here. 1) People are straight-up not good at identifying the reasons for their choices. psycnet.apa.org/record/1978-00… AND...

We don't make anything anymore? Last year, the UK's manufacturing sector contributed £217 billion to the economy, invested £38.8 billion, and supported 2.6 million jobs. Surely it's time to support, promote, and celebrate our brilliant British manufacturers? #UKmfg🇬🇧

German Economy Minister Robert Habeck confirmed he’ll run in the upcoming election as the Greens’ chancellor candidate trib.al/MkQkhcK

EXCLUSIVE: Dozens of hospitality chiefs from companies including Stonegate and Burger King are likely to sign a letter to the chancellor warning of "business closures and job losses within a year" following steep employer tax hikes in last month's Budget. news.sky.com/story/hospital…

The Shame of Amsterdam: Jews are again fleeing the city where Anne Frank hid from the Nazis.

My Sunday Times piece: Consumer spending has been weak, and was held back by pre-budget uncertainty, but post-budget reality is unlikely to lift sentiment: When will consumer spending emerge from the doldrums? thetimes.com/article/b70307…

Not all trade stories should be viewed through a Trump lens -- Chinese steel exports (in tons) are at record levels, and they aren't going to the US. 1/x

Tom Jobim(Antônio Carlos Jobim)-1964 "One Note Samba" #Bossanova

Every sentence is untrue.

“Openness” is what he will be remembered for, yes.

👀 Home Office won’t publicly promise to keep Tory plans for a new offence for climbing on war memorials. Officials have recommended Labour drops it. Ministers said to be trying to keep it. One to watch. telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/…

My Times piece, which features Oscar Wilde, asks why, with businesses warning that they will cut jobs after the budget hike in NI, the OBR and Bank think unemployment will stay low. Firms say budget spells big job losses — why don’t forecasters agree? thetimes.com/article/d4d9f7…

Threat to democracy? Nope, threat to BUREAUCRACY!!!

BREAKING: French prosecutors ask the judge to sentence Marine Le Pen to 5 years in prison for alleged embezzlement of EU funds. The prosecutors also want her barred from being able to run for president in 2027. She’s currently the front-runner in the race

Remembering our heroes on #VEDay80. Last night, Buckingham Palace was illuminated, alongside other historic landmarks in the UK, for the 80th anniversary of VE Day.