Europe must turn frozen Russian assets into real support for Ukraine through the Reparations Loan, linking aid to reforms that strengthen defence, democracy, and accountability — proving solidarity through decisive action.

YouTube video by MSNBC

Palace announcement of ex-prince’s new name missed out hyphen used by other descendants of Elizabeth II Ever since the former Prince Andrew was demoted to plain Mr Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, royal observers and historians have scratched their heads over his missing hyphen. Buckingham Palace’s official statement announcing his new commoner status was clear, in black and white, that aside from losing his HRH and princely title and dukedom, he was also to be deprived of a punctuation mark that had been officially decreed by his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II. Continue reading...

This week’s newsletter also looks at the magical thinking behind Elon Musk’s $1 trillion pay package and cutting home heating costs with a “lukewarm” geothermal system

Donald and Stefan Brodie built a resin manufacturing business, then sold it for billions, but are still dogged by a criminal conviction over two decades ago.

The German Council of Economic Experts on Wednesday cut its forecast for Europe's largest economy in 2026 and predicted only modest growth this year, despite Chancellor Friedrich Merz's pledge to revive the economy.

Democrats on the House Oversight Committee have released several emails from the estate of convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein that refer to President Trump.