Russian President Vladimir Putin has been using a narrative that Ukraine is controlled by "extreme nationalists and neo-Nazis" to justify his invasion of the country. He has also claimed that Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, a Russian-speaking Jew, is part of a Western plot to disguise the true character of his regime.
informed Summary
Russian President Vladimir Putin has been using a narrative that Ukraine is controlled by "extreme nationalists and neo-Nazis" to justify his invasion of the country. He has also claimed that Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, a Russian-speaking Jew, is part of a Western plot to disguise the true character of his regime.
Germany's centrist parties have isolated the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, refusing to cooperate with it at any level. However, this strategy may be unsustainable as it often results in four-party coalitions and could potentially strengthen the AfD, Wolfgang Münchau suggests.
informed Summary
Germany's centrist parties have isolated the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, refusing to cooperate with it at any level. However, this strategy may be unsustainable as it often results in four-party coalitions and could potentially strengthen the AfD, Wolfgang Münchau suggests.
The rise of the Sweden Democrats in the 2010s marked a significant shift in Swedish politics, breaking the previous consensus and leading to a polarised society. The party's focus on migration as a central issue sparked a moral panic and intense debate, with those questioning the country's capacity to handle the influx of refugees often labelled as "racists" or "fascists".
informed Summary
The rise of the Sweden Democrats in the 2010s marked a significant shift in Swedish politics, breaking the previous consensus and leading to a polarised society. The party's focus on migration as a central issue sparked a moral panic and intense debate, with those questioning the country's capacity to handle the influx of refugees often labelled as "racists" or "fascists".
Marine Le Pen, the far-right French politician, has run her 2017 and 2022 election campaigns as the candidate of the people, focusing on low-income earners and avoiding association with the rich and powerful.
informed Summary
Marine Le Pen, the far-right French politician, has run her 2017 and 2022 election campaigns as the candidate of the people, focusing on low-income earners and avoiding association with the rich and powerful.
The author, Robert D Kaplan, argued in 1994 that environmental issues, including drought and desertification, would become a significant national security issue of the 21st century.
informed Summary
The author, Robert D Kaplan, argued in 1994 that environmental issues, including drought and desertification, would become a significant national security issue of the 21st century.
In the ongoing Russo-Ukraine War, Russia has denied Ukraine support from the Global South through a combination of information and diplomatic campaigns. Many countries in the southern hemisphere have abstained in key United Nations votes and refused to engage with Western sanctions, often due to past connections with Russia and irritation with the West, rather than a lack of sympathy for Ukraine.
informed Summary
In the ongoing Russo-Ukraine War, Russia has denied Ukraine support from the Global South through a combination of information and diplomatic campaigns. Many countries in the southern hemisphere have abstained in key United Nations votes and refused to engage with Western sanctions, often due to past connections with Russia and irritation with the West, rather than a lack of sympathy for Ukraine.
Ukrainian journalist Ihor Bondarenko was captured by Russian authorities in 2022. He was tortured and threatened with death unless he agreed to produce pro-Russian propaganda.
informed Summary
Ukrainian journalist Ihor Bondarenko was captured by Russian authorities in 2022. He was tortured and threatened with death unless he agreed to produce pro-Russian propaganda.
China may be in danger of a "balance-sheet recession" similar to the one that led to Japan's long-term economic stagnation after its asset bubble burst in 1990.
informed Summary
China may be in danger of a "balance-sheet recession" similar to the one that led to Japan's long-term economic stagnation after its asset bubble burst in 1990.
As Vladimir Putin's original objectives in the war in Ukraine become increasingly unattainable, his focus has shifted to avoiding defeat, argues Lawrence Freedman in The New Statesman. This has led to heavy consequences for both Ukraine and Russia, with the war only likely to end when Putin or a successor acknowledges failure.
informed Summary
As Vladimir Putin's original objectives in the war in Ukraine become increasingly unattainable, his focus has shifted to avoiding defeat, argues Lawrence Freedman in The New Statesman. This has led to heavy consequences for both Ukraine and Russia, with the war only likely to end when Putin or a successor acknowledges failure.
Queen frontman Freddie Mercury's possessions are to be auctioned by Sotheby's in the largest single-collector sale the auction house has seen in years. The items are expected to fetch more than £6m ($7.8m).
informed Summary
Queen frontman Freddie Mercury's possessions are to be auctioned by Sotheby's in the largest single-collector sale the auction house has seen in years. The items are expected to fetch more than £6m ($7.8m).
Longtermism ask us to imagine a future spanning millions, billions, even trillions of years, where humanity colonizes space and life continues long after the earth becomes inhabitable.
informed Summary
Longtermism ask us to imagine a future spanning millions, billions, even trillions of years, where humanity colonizes space and life continues long after the earth becomes inhabitable.
Internet culture is increasingly characterized by extreme overreactions and hyperbole, where anything popular (including movies, music, books, and TV shows) is automatically labeled as the best, regardless of its actual quality.
informed Summary
Internet culture is increasingly characterized by extreme overreactions and hyperbole, where anything popular (including movies, music, books, and TV shows) is automatically labeled as the best, regardless of its actual quality.
The Spanish elections on 23 July did not result in a clear majority for any party. The centre-right People's Party (PP) led by Alberto Núñez Feijóo won the most seats but fell short of the 176 required for a majority.
informed Summary
The Spanish elections on 23 July did not result in a clear majority for any party. The centre-right People's Party (PP) led by Alberto Núñez Feijóo won the most seats but fell short of the 176 required for a majority.
Tourists are increasingly visiting popular southern European destinations, often influenced by social media, and then expressing shock at high prices and logistical challenges. This trend is particularly noticeable among American tourists, who are travelling abroad more due to pandemic savings and a strong dollar.
informed Summary
Tourists are increasingly visiting popular southern European destinations, often influenced by social media, and then expressing shock at high prices and logistical challenges. This trend is particularly noticeable among American tourists, who are travelling abroad more due to pandemic savings and a strong dollar.
Mohammed bin Salman is leading Saudi Arabia towards a future that mirrors the fictional African nation of Wakanda from the film "Black Panther", with a focus on technological advancement and economic diversification.
informed Summary
Mohammed bin Salman is leading Saudi Arabia towards a future that mirrors the fictional African nation of Wakanda from the film "Black Panther", with a focus on technological advancement and economic diversification.
An ecosystem of lobbyists, pressure groups and think tanks is helping shape how politicians think about artificial intelligence. The New Statesman spoke to one AI mover-and-shaker in the U.K.
informed Summary
An ecosystem of lobbyists, pressure groups and think tanks is helping shape how politicians think about artificial intelligence. The New Statesman spoke to one AI mover-and-shaker in the U.K.
A U.K. news channel has described the negroni as the signature drink of the “woke… establishment media”. But the cocktail’s popularity extends beyond the socially aware, argues Felicity Cloake in The New Statesman.
informed Summary
A U.K. news channel has described the negroni as the signature drink of the “woke… establishment media”. But the cocktail’s popularity extends beyond the socially aware, argues Felicity Cloake in The New Statesman.
The New York recently criticised the character of Bridget Jones, arguing that society deserves a better heroine. The criticism focused on Bridget's obsession with her weight, her pursuit of men and her lack of concern for job benefits.
informed Summary
The New York recently criticised the character of Bridget Jones, arguing that society deserves a better heroine. The criticism focused on Bridget's obsession with her weight, her pursuit of men and her lack of concern for job benefits.