6 h. ago As reshuffles go, this was more akin to rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic: JASON GROVES

Politics is about to get much tougher for Keir Starmer.

Politics

6 h. ago QUENTIN LETTS: By the time she reached the lectern, Dame Andrea

On a day of dizzying politics, nothing quite topped Dame Andrea Jenkyns's arrival on stage at Reform's party conference.

Politics

10 h. ago The departure of Labour's Red Queen threatens a new era of instability for Starmer

Politics is about to get much tougher for Keir Starmer.

Politics

11 h. ago She was the authentic voice of the snarling Left, but as we now know, the Red Queen was a woman of gluttonous appetites with little between the ears: QUENTIN LETTS

Amid a Cabinet of dull mumblers, Angela Rayner was the eye-flashing exception. Sir Keir Starmer praised her 'working-class background' but actually that wasn't so rare, even in the modern Labour party.

Politics

33 h. ago QUENTIN LETTS: With a voice as soothing as the Psycho soundtrack Bridget Phillipson was dispatched to defend Mrs Rayner

As is the way in political scandals, a Cabinet colleague had to be 'sent out' to defend the stricken minister on the morning round of broadcast interviews.

Science

35 h. ago Newly discovered portrait may depict ‘fair youth’ of Shakespeare’s sonnets

Earl of Southampton may have given writer the miniature by Nicholas Hilliard, which has defaced heart on its reverseThe discovery of a previously unknown portrait miniature by one of Elizabethan England’s greatest artists would be significant enough. But a work by Nicholas Hilliard that has come to light is all the more exciting because it has a possible link to William Shakespeare, and a 400-year-old enigma of a defaced red heart on its reverse, suggesting a love scorned.Hilliard was Queen Elizabeth I’s official limner, or miniature painter. His exquisite portraits, small enough to fit in the palm of one’s hand, are among the most revered masterpieces of 16th-century British and European art. Continue reading...

Politics

47 h. ago How merciless 'Red Queen' Angela Rayner was brought down by a mess of her own making

For a politician who prides herself on giving straight answers, unlike so many of her evasive colleagues, Angela Rayner has been unable to answer one simple question: where does she actually live?

Politics

55 h. ago Now even Labour MPs turn on their 'Red Queen' Angela Rayner as she faces HMRC probe and calls grow for Keir Starmer to sack her for tax 'hypocrisy'

The Deputy Prime Minister is under pressure to resign - if she's not sacked by Sir Keir Starmer - over the mishandling of her purchase of a £800,000 apartment in Hove, East Sussex.

Politics

57 h. ago QUENTIN LETTS: For Kemi, here was a prize opportunity. All she had to do was rub their noses in it and Mrs Rayner would be a goner, surely. But no, Kemi goofed it

What a difference a comeuppance makes. Angela Rayner, Westminster's most careless taxpayer, entered the Commons. A full House was hushed, stunned.

Politics

2 d. ago QUENTIN LETTS: His jagged, gapped teeth had shades of Hannibal Lecter. Better watch out

The new supremo is Zack Polanski, 42, a smooth-talking vegan and ex-Lib Dem hypnotherapist who used to tell women they could think their way to a bigger bust.

Politics

4 d. ago QUENTIN LETTS: Yvette Cooper's parliamentary speech was a public emergency edict delivered by Play School presenter

Yvette Cooper's tactic, in the face of smouldering civil unrest about asylum hotels, was to wobble her head and adopt a damp, disapproving tone. Public-emergency edict delivered by Play School presenter.

Politics

9 d. ago Nvidia set to report second quarter earnings in test of AI boom

All eyes will be on chipmaker’s latest financials as company sets tone for the rest of the artificial intelligence industryNvidia is set to report its second-quarter earnings on Wednesday, in a first test of investor appetite since last week’s mass AI-stock selloff.All eyes will be on the chipmaker’s latest financials as the company sets the tone for the rest of the AI industry after a turbulent week in the sector. Several tech stocks saw shares tumble last week amid growing questions over whether AI-driven companies are being overvalued, including an MIT report that said 95% of AI pilots fail to grow company’s revenues and statements from the OpenAI chief executive, Sam Altman, who said investors were possibly overhyping several companies. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago QUENTIN LETTS: The encounter was electric with jeopardy... It was worse than watching a chess match when the pieces are live grenades

Zelensky survived. The Ukrainian president's Oval Office rematch passed without diplomatic incident. The trap door under his seat was not activated. He was not served poisoned tea.

Politics

3 w. ago QUENTIN LETTS: How CAN today's kids experience the summers of adventure we did if Mum is spying on them with trackers in their trainers?

High August is when childhood's freedoms are forged. The school holiday stretches to the horizon, offering endless scope for adventure.

Politics