There is an arguable belief that UK foreign policy is best served by public obsequiousness to the United States for private influence, but surely there are red lines to that, and surely defending the territorial sovereignty of a NATO ally is one.

Ratclifferelaunch.docFINALv5.9

Has someone already done this?

The best strike by a Harrison since the end of Star Wars.

Some dodgy writing, but on the whole I thoroughly enjoyed the final season of Stranger Things.

But Ian Leslie said

I know we don't have jet packs but we've made amazing progress with Guinness in a can.

Best wishes to the Chelsea correspondents with hangovers.

This is basically my hunch as well, although Prof Surridge is an actual political clever clogs, and not a random internet loudmouth.

Gabriel is an absolute warrior. Just an indefatigable force of nature of a footballer. Magnificent.

Obviously going to jinx the shit out of this, but we really should get chances against a Villa with Bogarde at RB and Tielemans in the pivot.

What are the odds he ends the night shouting "GET ME DA GHOSTBUSTERS!"

God bless a Scottish soft play menu where the Macaroni and Cheese with chips is listed under the healthy options.

Do any FT subscribers know if Inside Politics is included in a Standard Digital Subscription?

I was today years old when I learned I should put the chutney on the biscuit before the cheese.

Call the Midwife with an absolutely sensational East End midwifes involved with Liverpool Chinese Triads in Hong Kong Christmas Special. I'm not making this up.

Refcam

Brutal afternoon ahead for the Newcastle squad

The #1 movie when you were 10 years old is how your 2026 is going to go.

Come on, ‘The Mancunian Candidate’ was right there.

This newsletter is very good and very good value.

Another blow for the PM

In a compelling speech, this line from head of MI6, Blaise Metreweli, stood out for me. This is the crux and why gung-ho "abundance" and tech accelerationism is a disaster. We need mastery not surrender.

It's beige Monday. The day when many Brits will start saying Merry Christmas to everyone just in case they won't see them.

I've got a horrible, irrational Wolves are due a result feeling.

Now do 1981 as a romantic comedy youtu.be/g8wLmj9SiKM?...

Damn 🔥🔥🔥

Fehinti Balogun in Down Cemetery Road is terrifyingly good.

Lando 💪👏

A country with a reputation for violence, poor public health and ineffective governance. Play Haiti.

I look forward to beating Brazil, drawing with Morocco and then going out after conceding in injury time Vs Haiti.

Of course it's fucking Brazil. Proper 98 throwback.

Group C you Jimmy

Rio Ferdinand was less embarrassing playing for QPR.

I'm not sure I've ever seen Pochettino look so embarrassed and he used to manage Spurs.

Trump's fake tan is beyond belief. He looks like morph from Tony Hart.

And they said an expanded world cup draw wouldn't have a Group of Death.

This is the worst footballing spectacle I've ever seen and I watched a central defensive partnership of Gilles Grimandi and Igors Stepanovs.

Kenneth didn't just notice how many captions on social media were all being written by AI in the same formula. He brought everything that made him who he was to the reading. Reminding us that authenticity is the true quality to getting wound up by AI slop. He transformed.

Music taste of a 70 year old?! Screw you Spotify

This is explains why I'm not replacing my Times subscription. It's just a bloody comic.

Just unbelievable. I remember thinking after France 98 - it'll be fine, I'll have loads of World Cups to go to when I'm an adult with my pals. I'm nearly 42 with two kids. Just unbelievable.

Surely it can't stay this way in Scottish Rugby?

Ooh Ailbhe Rea has gone back to The Staggers as Political Editor.

👌

My new prescription is for varifocals. A grim reminder of the passage of time and a stint on the old pocketbook.

Van de Ven is better than Gabriel you say.

Channel 5 Christmas movie season has begun.