2532: Patchy? - solution
The unclued lights are TV detectives and their PATCH: 10/8, 13/5D, 15/39, 26/41, 36/33. First prize Emma Corke, Abinger Hammer,…
What effect did a year of lockdowns have on gun crime?
Thirsty work Sixty-one pub-goers on a night out in the Tan Hill Inn, 1,500 feet up in the Pennines in…
The army can’t be deployed for every crisis
Last week, the government published its blueprint for how it intends to remodel the army. According to the plan, it…
How accurate is the ‘Waitrose test’?
The Waitrose test Sir: Like Rod Liddle, I live in the north-east of England — a little further north and…
The true cost of Boris
Earlier this week, the Conservative party sent an appeal to its registered supporters asking them to become members. ‘We’re delivering…
Has Peppa Pig changed political sides?
Red Peppa? In a rambling speech to the CBI, Boris Johnson praised Peppa Pig. Has she changed political sides? Peppa…
Letters: Europe’s contribution to peace
Peace project Sir: It was heartening to read your editorial on the peace which has reigned in Europe since 1945,…
Portrait of the week: Boris’s shambolic CBI speech, more Covid protests and Kyle Rittenhouse is cleared
Home Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister, praised Peppa Pig in a speech to the Confederation of British Industry: ‘Who would’ve…
2531: Villainy - solution
The unclued lights are VILLAINS encountered by James Bond. First prize Ian Skillen, Cambuslang, Glasgow Runners-up Liz Knights, Walton Highway,…
Emad Al Swealmeen should not have been in Britain
Emad Al Swealmeen, who blew himself up in a taxi outside the Liverpool Women’s Hospital, is not believed to have…
Does Leeds need trains – or trams?
Shell out Royal Dutch Shell announced that it is to move its HQ to London and become a fully British…
Letters: it isn’t climate change scientists who are the hysterics
Balance of power Sir: Ross Clark sums up the problem with wind power (‘Storing up trouble’, 13 November). It is…
Portrait of the week: a Liverpool terror attack, the end of COP26 and the Belarus migrant crisis
Home The UK terror threat level was raised to severe after a taxi exploded and burst into flames just before…
BOOKS OF THE YEAR II — a further selection of the books chosen by our regular reviewers
A further selection of the books enjoyed by some of our regular reviewers in 2021
2530: Ups and downs - solution
The quotation is ‘LAUGH, AND THE WORLD LAUGHS WITH YOU; WEEP, AND YOU WEEP ALONE’ from Solitude by Ella Wheeler…
Portrait of the week: Tory sleaze, NHS jabs and Elon Musk’s shares
Home NHS staff in England will have to be fully vaccinated against Covid by the spring. Britain had ordered 250,000…
Letters: climate protestors would do better to boycott China
Heat Sir: May I place some of Nigel Lawson’s comments in a sensible historical context (‘Stupid fuels’, 6 November)? First,…
2529: Formerly - Solution
Each of the unclued lights can be preceded by OLD. First prize Heather McLaren, Seaford, East Sussex Runners-up Rupert Cousens,…
The power of remembering
On the advice of doctors, Queen Elizabeth II will not attend this year’s Festival of Remembrance at the Albert Hall.…
Books of the Year I — chosen by our regular reviewers
Reviewers choose the books they have most enjoyed reading in 2021 — and a few that have disappointed them
Is there any evidence climate change is making hurricanes worse?
Horror shows Eight people were killed when fans of rapper Travis Scott rushed the stage at a concert in Houston,…
Letters: Why net zero is impossible
Carbon deceit Sir: At this week’s climate change conference, countries will be urged to follow the UK’s ‘lead’ in setting…
From the archive: the nature of Japan
From ‘The rule of taste’, Anthony Thwaite, 6 March 1959: The society of aristocrats, connoisseurs, wise men and heroes which…
2528: Not to Lose - solution
The unclued lights are all phrases in Chambers meaning ‘HURRY UP — or No T(ime) to Lose’. First prize Andy…
Are there more over-seventies or twenty-somethings behind the wheel?
Another minute Addressing COP26 in Glasgow, the Prime Minister claimed it was ‘one minute to midnight’ in the fight against…
