"As case studies of how to throw away strong hands, Putin and Trump are without peer. As the lap into which most of their cards have fallen, China is the main beneficiary." My column. ft.com/content/c42e90d2-063a…

Washington is getting very leaky these days - with a report suggesting the US was losing out to China appearing on the eve of Trump’s visit - one of many things @CindyXiaodanYu chewed over with co-host @mattfrei and I on this week’s @C4TheFourcast pod youtu.be/4geGZSM6kZ4?si=GzRV…

I was on a train in Tokyo. We stopped between stations. Announcement in Japanese, then in English: "We apologize for the delay. We will resume shortly." The delay was maybe 3 minutes. Not a big deal. When the train started moving again, another announcement: "We sincerely apologize for the delay. We were stopped for 3 minutes and 20 seconds. This is unacceptable. Thank you for your patience." Three minutes and twenty seconds. They measured it exactly. And called it unacceptable. When I got off at my stop, there were station staff on the platform bowing and handing out delay certificates. I took one out of curiosity. It was an official document stating that the train had been delayed by 3 minutes and 20 seconds, signed and stamped. The staff member said in English "for your employer. So they know the delay was not your fault." I said I'm a tourist, I don't need it. He looked confused. "But the delay affected you. You deserve an apology." Three minutes. They were treating a three-minute delay like a major incident. Later I mentioned this to a Japanese friend. They said "oh yes, delay certificates are normal. Trains are supposed to be exactly on time. If they are late, they must apologize." I said three minutes isn't late, it's nothing. My friend said "in Japan, three minutes is late. On time means on time. Not approximately on time." They said the train company probably investigated why there was a 3-minute delay. "They will find the cause and fix it so it doesn't happen again." I kept the certificate. It's framed in my apartment now. A reminder that somewhere in the world, people care about three minutes. © 6IX. @BSAT_Properties

Our @Channel4News story on the determination of Gazans to preserve their culture - the man who rescues books from rubble: Omar Hamad opens Phoenix library in Gaza channel4.com/news/the-man-wh…

Two tankers fired upon by IRGC in Strait of Hormuz. So it’s not open despite what Iranian FM and POTUS said yesterday

“Orbán’s banishment is a blow to the fatalism that has become so fashionable in western democracies. There’s nothing inevitable about the march of the populist-oligarch right.” My Swamp Notes with @gideonrachman. ft.com/content/1bcb6654-76c2…

Absolutely horrific night in Ukraine last night - 44 ballistic missiles and 659 drones fired from Russia. Deaths in Kyiv, Odessa and Dnipro. Not even bothering to hide the fact that it is residential areas under attack. Barely on the news outside Ukraine. And @JDVance says he is proud that USA has pulled its support so the aggressor can keep aggressing. Disgusting. But Europe has to do even more now

Woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic, and political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth. #ApostolicJourney #Cameroon vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/e…

Pretty soon Mike will start telling me how to hit a serve or something….

So this happened today! Such a honour to receive my MBE from Anne, Princess Royal and to visit the State Apartments at Windsor Castle. Fantastic paintings in every room and amazing staff that run the investitures....such attention to detail 🙏

Why Vance is losing his cage fight with Rubio. My column. ft.com/content/63546c41-806f…

A Swiss photographer named Tobias Messereli captured this amazing picture of the sun setting perfectly behind a tree. It’s absolutely spectacular! 📸: TMPhoto

Good grief! I don't understand how the Christian right is fine with this blend of megalomania and idolatry.

People will be closely studying how Hungary's opposition pulled off their win in such a pro-incumbent system. Important to note that the theme was corruption. Democrats need to get much better at calling out Trump's corruption.

Decisive result in Hungary - Orban and Fidesz defeated, Magyar and Tisza triumphant. Big relief for EU, disappointment for Trump and Putin who both favoured Orban

JD Vance has accused European countries of 'interfering in the Hungarian election',  after he travelled to Hungary to interfere in the election

This will continue for as long as the Israel politicians and generals enabling it will not face consequences.

I agree with some of this directionally, but my God the refusal to acknowledge that Trump has worked assiduously to poison the alliance and heap all the blame on Europe is just water-carrying hackery. Saying "NATO will never be the same, and Western European weakness and acquiescence is the cause" is like writing a movie review when you missed the first half of the movie.

Trump will say he's thinking of taking US out of NATO but the National Defense Authorization Act of 2024 prohibits a President from widrawing from a treaty alliance without the consent of Congress - and he doesnt have the votes - not that that will stop him from saying it

Given the scale of the Iran story I’ve been mobilised as a co-host @C4TheFourcast and recorded this episode today with @mattfrei youtu.be/s81-VAHVSNQ?si=CQrS…