Brussels diary: the French vs Ashton

All is not going according to plan for the new incumbents of the EU’s top jobs. But are the Tories coming round to Europe?

China cafe: hunting wild boar

Winter is the season for building and renovating. But not all the changes are improvements

Political notes: Cameron's dilemma

Between keeping the party faithful onside and wooing the public sector, David Cameron risks forgetting what he’s really about

Crisis watch: Greece and the IMF

Europe’s leaders are putting their personal ambitions before the welfare of struggling states like Greece. Time for the IMF to step in

Matters of taste: Michelin stars are conservative

Michelin’s latest awards run the gamut from predictable to innovative. Plus—put down that pail and back away from those chickens!

Dear Wilhemina: should I marry for the tax break?

Brussels diary

There’s much jostling for the limelight as the EU’s new leaders bid to make their presence felt

China café

A few years ago, urban Chinese shunned the countryside. But they’re starting to see the appeal

If I ruled the world

Noise pollution from mobile phones, Tannoy announcements, barking dogs and car alarms afflicts us all. Luckily, I have a plan to stop it

Political notes

Gaitskell, Bevan, Healey, Heseltine, Portillo all missed out on the top job. But who are the latest contenders for might-have-beens?

Dear Wilhemina

Prospect’s agony aunt responds to readers’ problems

Tyranny of the Olympics

The Vancouver Winter Olympics has eroded Canadian law and democracy, and worsened relations with Canada’s indigenous peoples

 Comment (3)

Washington watch

Obama draws flak for Spock-like decisions. And the Republicans witch-hunt among themselves

China café

Piers Morgan interviewed me for his ITV travel programme. I still have a certain notoriety, it seems

If I ruled the world

Give or take a few spiritual details, Germans practically invented Christmas. That’s why we should celebrate the holiday as they do

Political notes

Gordon Brown’s clumsy class war hides a muddle within both parties over exactly where “middle England” is

Sporting life

Forget Ireland vs France—Egypt and Algeria’s World Cup playoff got truly nasty. Plus, sexism in Olympic ski jumping

Dear Wilhemina

Prospect’s agony aunt responds to readers’ problems

 Comment (1)

Brussels diary

The next president of the EU is unlikely to be Tony Blair. Think low-key Benelux man

China café

The government loses a ton of money on my village—but it’s unwilling to devolve authority

Political notes

The Tory leader tries to placate his sceptical troops by picking symbolic fights with Eurocrats. Sound familiar?

Sporting life

The global downturn has seen both sponsors and constructors abandon Formula One. But the sport is unsustainable anyway

 Comment (3)

Dear Wilhemina

Prospect’s agony aunt responds to readers’ problems

Brussels diary

Now that the Irish have said yes to Lisbon, what happens next? An orgy of infighting

China café

Most Chinese marked their anniversary by watching the celebrations on TV, as instructed

Sporting life

Sport tends to privilege offence—but a better appreciation of the virtues of defence would benefit us all. Plus, stop jeering at Walcott

Dear Wilhemina

Prospect's agony aunt responds to readers' problems