I’m a Russian dissident in London. Putin’s ‘election’ is exposing his greatest fear
The vote on 18–20 September lacks the defining feature of a real election: uncertainty about the outcome. Political competition has been curtailed in advance, and the only registered party openly calling for a ceasefire…
Read more
Neil Ruddock: I never thought I’d be best friends with a gay icon
This week, we speak to Neil “Razor” Ruddock, the former Liverpool and England defender whose hardman image made him the perfect candidate to go on and have an eclectic reality TV career after retiring from football.…
Read more
Alzheimer’s diagnosis in 18 weeks: New target for NHS
The NHS’s Modern Service Framework for dementia and frailty is due out this year and will be overseen by a new “dementia tsar”. A key standard should be a target of people waiting no more than 18 weeks for a precise…
Read more
10 things parents must talk to their child about before they leave for university
While there’s plenty to think about in the days before they fly the nest – from purchasing kitchenware, to essential tech – it can be easy to gloss over some of the most important and, at times, awkward conversations…
Read more
The five best history books of all time, according to Simon Sebag Montefiore
The internationally bestselling historian has tackled everything from Stalin and the Romanovs to Jerusalem and the entire story of humanity, with his books translated around the world. His latest, The Cauldron , turns to…
Read more
Saudi Arabia issues first air raid alerts for Riyadh since Houthis escalated attacks
It was the first time alerts have been issued in Riyadh since the Houthis increased their attacks and declared a "maritime embargo" on the Saudis in July. The Saudi Civil Defence sent alerts for the capital and several…
Read more
‘My fear was too great’: the Pussy Riot member recruited by Russian spies to inform on fellow activists
That is how Rita Flores, a 29-year-old Russian artist, activist and former member of the Pussy Riot collective , described her recruitment and three-year handling by officers from Russia's FSB security service, a…
Read more
I live in the ‘coolest neighbourhood’ in the world. It’s not as great as you’d think
Somehow, it got ranked third. This week, the same area was named the coolest neighbourhood in the world . I should be pleased, but instead, I'm devastated. All these lists seem to celebrate the same idea of "cool"…
Read more
Craig Revel Horwood: I spoke to Ann Widdecombe days before her ‘terrible’ death
Read our privacy notice . Craig Revel Horwood said he last spoke to Ann Widdecombe just six days before the former Tory minister was killed at her home in July. In an interview with the Daily Mirror , the Strictly Come…
Read more
New Scottish Labour leader to be announced
Read our privacy notice . Scottish Labour is to announce the result of its leadership contest on Saturday. It comes after a contest between MSPs Michael Marra and Joe Fagan, both of whom are vying to succeed Anas Sarwar…
Read more