Can't get numb to this: The United States is stuck in a war it started, cannot end, and may further escalate to no avail, having dismantled its diplomatic apparatus, depleted its military stockpile, and destroyed its credibility. A historic strategic mistake harming millions in many different ways.

Happy birthday to the Big Mac index! In 1986 Pam Woodall, our former economics editor, had the idea of defining a currency’s purchasing power by the number of Big Macs it can buy. It's still going strong and graced our cover this week (these are unused versions) www.economist.com/interactive/...

The Odyssey merch is getting out of hand

Unofficial BBCNews (UK) Bot@bbcnews-uk-rss.bsky.social · 5d ago

Sainsbury's to sell Argos for £120m

"If you have over 400 seats in the House of Commons, there is only one button on the elevator and that button is down... I just think it would be a tremendously risky thing to do." 💬 @robfordmancs.bsky.social on the prospect of Burnham calling an early election 🔗 www.youtube.com/live/QP1yfAt...

"In setting up his Clacton clash, Farage deliberately triggered a conflict which he hoped he could control. Behind his decision were a series of assumptions... All [of which] have been proven wrong." ✍️ @benworthy.bsky.social & Laura Richards-Gray on Farage's gamble 🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/a-fool-and-h...

A Fool and His Money? Why Nigel Farage’s by-election gamble could backfire - UK in a changing Europe

Ben Worthy and Laura Richards-Gray make the case that in triggering the by-election in Clacton, Nigel Farage sparked a conflict which he hoped he could control. They argue his gamble has not paid off ...

ukandeu.ac.uk

This article is now in front of the Borderlex paywall you lucky, lucky people :)

Rob Francis@robfranciseu.bsky.social · last wk.

The EU should urgently examine China’s imposition of export controls on 14 EU entities from last week to determine whether the measure represents coercion, argues @niallm0ran.bsky.social from Dublin City University in this timely opinion piece borderlex.net/2026/07/28/o...

This was great fun. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/n...

Is Burnham winning so far?

Podcast Episode · Not Another One · 29 July · 48min

podcasts.apple.com

"You're either going to have to do something serious, in which case it is not going to be agreed with [the current] Conservative party, or you engage in a round of [cross-party] discussions meaning nothing much will happen soon." 💬 @jdportes.bsky.social on Andy Burnham's plans for social care

Fascinating insights on the massive Manchester by election from the inimitable Rob Ford https://ukandeu.ac.uk/whats-at-stake-in-the-biggest-by-election-in-british-history/

"A liberal and flexible system towards economic migration routes is likely to produce better results overall than one whose primary aim is to limit eligibility to a very narrow set of potential migrants." ✍️ @jdportes.bsky.social on selective migration systems 🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/the-paradox-...

The paradox of selectivity - UK in a changing Europe

Jonathan Portes analyses how increasingly strict immigration policies may have impacted the overall economc contribution of migrants in the UK. He argues that if the objective is to maximise economic ...

ukandeu.ac.uk

Jesus never said anything about “wiping countries off the map.” Jesus wasn’t a soldier. Jesus was killed by soldiers.

Tomorrow's The Week in Polls either (a) contains dedicated attention to detail by me, or (b) an embarrassing oversight that will make me look a fool, thinking I'm correcting someone else when in fact I'm messing up myself. Let's find out! Sign up before 6pm Sunday here: theweekinpolls.substack.com

Amazing to see such a great turn out last night for our discussion with @anandmenon.bsky.social from @ukandeu.bsky.social. He explained the potential benefits, but also the very real challenges, of rebuilding our relationship with Europe, and how it will affect out economy and security.

Safeguarding the Constitution: Key Steps to Strengthen UK Democratic Resilience Our latest report, by @lisajames.bsky.social, Meg Russell and @alanrenwick.bsky.social, sets out concrete reforms in a number of areas to safeguard the constitution and protect the integrity of democracy. Read it 👇

New Constitution Unit report makes recommendations to safeguard UK democracy

A new Constitution Unit report, Safeguarding the Constitution: Key Steps to Strengthen UK Democratic Resilience, by Lisa James, Meg Russell and Alan Renwick, focuses on protecting the constitution.

ucl.ac.uk

"People cede power to him. They have very limited means of checking him... and so he just barrels on doing whatever it is that he wants to do. And that is extraordinarily dangerous..." 🌎 Fiona Hill offers a stark take on Trump's hold on power in the US and beyond 🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/events/ukice...

✍️ @jillongovt.bsky.social takes stock of Andy Burnham's first few days in government 🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/blitzed-by-b...

Blitzed by Burnham - UK in a changing Europe

Jill Rutter takes stock of Andy Burnham's first few days in government.

ukandeu.ac.uk

What should Andy Burnham do?

No arrivals by small boats for the last 10 days now. As of yesterday, 12,469 people had arrived so far this year across the Channel, down over 11,000 (47%) on the same time last year. More than 10% down on 2023 as well, which was when crossings were, by comparison to other years, lower.

"I think the key thing for Andy Burnham is to focus on a few key domestic priorities and show the British public that finally we have a govt. that is willing to tackle our long term economic problems." 📈 @anandmenon.bsky.social on @bloomberg.com on the need to start the UK economy growing again

So. Two Leeds MPs out of the cabinet. My worst fears about ‘Manchesterism’ being realised

Chancellor Friedrich Merz: Congratulations Andy Burnham on taking office as Prime Minister. Germany and the UK share a close partnership – also as a result of the #KensingtonTreaty signed last year. I look forward to working together on this foundation!

Oh America. Why?

One day cricket is clearly not the purest form of the game.

💥 NEW EVENT 💥 📆 On Monday, Andy Burnham will become UK Prime Minister 🤔 But will he be able to deliver the type of change the country expects? Find out what @anandmenon.bsky.social, @jillongovt.bsky.social, @jdportes.bsky.social & @robfordmancs.bsky.social think 🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/events/ukice...

UKICE Lunch Hour: What can we expect from the new Burnham government? - UK in a changing Europe

Join UK in a Changing Europe experts online as they reflect on what we can expect from Andy Burnham and his new government as they enter office.

ukandeu.ac.uk

"He's just not serious about the actual issue of Ukraine itself. Trump is not serious about wanting to tackle this... He's just more interested in what gold he can make out of it." Fiona Hill & @anandmenon.bsky.social on whether Trump could sell the Ukrainians out 🔗 www.youtube.com/live/M7aSqkC...

I'e heard a rumour that I'm going to be Foreign Secretary

One day cricket is a far, far purer form of the sport than T20. Just saying.

⏰ One hour to go ⏰ 🥪 Grab your lunch and join us online for today's Lunch Hour discusssion on foreign policy challenges 🌍 @anandmenon.bsky.social and Fiona Hill will be discussing the impact of global instability and the key trade-offs govt.s must confront 🔗 Link here 👉 app.sli.do/event/7kM8nd...

They’re playing the Stone Roses in the Blue Boar. The revolution has begun.

‼️ TOMORROW ‼️ 💥 Don't miss @anandmenon.bsky.social in conversation with Fiona Hill 🌍 They will be discussing the impact of global shocks on the UK and beyond, as well as the key foreign policy challenges we must confront 💻 Online 📆 14 July, 1pm BST Sign up now 👉 ukandeu.ac.uk/events/ukice...