Новости за 28.06.2015

The fear of a constitutional crisis about the number of Lib Dems in the Lords is an overreaction (Editorial, “Liberally undemocratic”, 27 June).

When will the Israeli government stop misusing the RAF’s wartime raid on the Gestapo’s Danish headquarters to justify their killing of children? Their shameful and dishonest version of the 1945 air attack in Copenhagen is repeated constantly by Israeli spokesmen whenever the world responds in horror to the country’s pulverisation of Arab civilians. It popped up again last week when the Israeli spokesman, Mark Regev, tried to avoid Channel 4’s questions about the UN’s latest report on the 2014... Читать дальше...

It was a bad Friday. The attacks in Tunisia, Kuwait and France shocked and scared British Muslims, as much if not more than those outside the faith. The murderers eliminated Western tourists on a beach, worshippers in a mosque, beheaded a Frenchman, and sent a grim Ramadan message that more such mayhem and slaughter would follow.

Taking a much-needed break from the Labour leadership race (the nerves won’t stand any more excitement), we turn to the Liberal Democrat equivalent.

It’s all about timing. With exquisite precision, Bend It Like Beckham has scorched into the West End, scoring five-star reviews with its feel-good story about girls playing football.

While there is no disagreement in the West about the brutality and illegitimacy of the group known as Isis, there is no such consensus on what we should call it.

It’s “us” and “them” again. It started just after news of the three Islamist attacks broke. David Cameron initially talked about the French and Tunisian killings. He left out the Kuwait mosque massacre – only picking up on it later.

Alexis Tsipras says the deal his European partners, principally Germany, and the IMF want Athens to agree to is “humiliating” and “undemocratic”. To “prove” his point, the Greek Prime Minister is organising a referendum on it fully four days after the latest repayment to the IMF falls due. By then, with a run on the Greek banks already well under way, it may be too late anyway.

Bright, fun and affordable, melamine crockery isn't just for kids anymore. We serve up a spread

While there is no disagreement in the West about the brutality and illegitimacy of the group known as Isis, there is no such consensus on what we should call it.

Choreographics, in which the dancers of English National Ballet create their own works, is a place for experiment. This year’s programme, which took post-war America as its theme, had a lively range of approaches and two real hits. Fabian Reimair and Stina Quagebeur both dig into complex relationships; both show distinctive theatrical voices.

In last week’s editorial, “Wanted: intelligent opposition”, the contrast between the lifelessness of the Labour contest and the liveliness of the demonstration against austerity was remarked upon.

How’s this for a “pop and politics don’t mix” story? After a recent launch show for his new album, the singer-songwriter Tom McRae’s sister handed out a free copy of the excellent Did I Sleep and Miss the Border? to the BBC’s Jeremy Vine, who was in the audience. Not wishing to appear rude, McRae’s sister also gave Vine’s companion a copy. No problem, except said companion was Craig Oliver, David Cameron’s head of communications, and McRae had spent the best part of the night slating the Government from the stage. Читать дальше...

To be inundated with social engagements is no bad thing for the ego – but come summer, not an evening, let alone a weekend, can go by without an invitation to a barbecue, a picnic in the park, an outdoor film screening, a casual drink out of a jam jar…

No one knows quite how long Ernest has been working for the City accountancy firm of Tender & Mainprice; the precise details are lost in his personal file. Even the senior partner, a fiftysomething veteran who joined the company in 1981, cannot recall a time when Ernest's worn and slightly querulous figure was not seen stalking the Lothbury corridors or brooding in his basement lair: as fixtures go, he is very nearly the equivalent of Sir Job Tender, who founded the concern in the year of... Читать дальше...