Brazen betrayal is the theme of “A Spy Among Friends” a new TV drama series about Kim Philby, who not only deceived and double-crossed his country as a soviet agent, but also his closest friend Nick Elliott as well as the service they both worked for. It takes a special kind of amoral and unscrupulous … Read more
With support for the ruling South Africa ANC party dropping as years of neglect come home to roost with potholed roads, uncollected rubbish, and water and electricity supplies shut off for hours, if not days on end, Monday’s municipal elections will serve as a litmus test of support for President Cyril Ramaphosa. He is … Read more
The Queen has been told by her doctors to rest and restrict herself to light desk duties. She will miss the Festival of Remembrance on November 13th though hopes to be at the National Service the next day. It’s hardly surprising given her recent busy schedule, Prince Philip’s passing only a few months ago and … Read more
Zayn Malik, formerly of One Direction, has denied hitting Yolanda Hadid, the mother of his erstwhile partner Gigi Hadid in a domestic argument. The couple who have had an on off relationship since 2015 have reportedly split. Supermodel Gigi Hadid is sister to fellow models Bella and Anwar and the daughter of Yolanda Hadid, a … Read more
The Facebook parent platform is changing its name to Meta from 1 December, reflecting the company’s push to build an avatar-filled virtual world known as the metaverse – the “successor to the mobile internet” – where users can shop, game and socialise in a shared virtual space. Zuckerburg hopes to attract 1bn more users and … Read more
Rishi Sunak, the UK Chancellor, despite all media rumours that he and Boris did not see eye to eye has indulged in a lavish budget. It has alarmed ‘small government’ Tories and stirred up criticism for those affected by tax rises, with gloomy prognostications about financial pain to come with inflation, rising mortgage rates and … Read more
Trailblazing standup comedian Mort Sahl has died at 94. He is credited with revolutionising American comedy in the 1950s with his acerbic political satire. He was described as a cross between Lenny Bruce and Bob Hope and though he never shocked with obscenities, he aimed like a ‘heat seeking missile’ on his target, who would … Read more
David Beckham is under attack for taking on a multi-million pound ambassadorial role with the Qatar 2022 World Cup. Qatar is an absolute monarchy with an appalling record for human and women’s rights, for mistreating migrant workers, more than 6500 of whom have died since Qatar was granted the World Cup. It punishes homosexuality with … Read more
Poland’s prime minister – a cross between Boris Johnson and Donald Trump – has been using inflammatory language about ‘guns to head’ and starting a third World War as the EU put its foot down about internal Polish moves to threaten the independence of the judiciary. The stand-off has already delayed approval of Poland’s €36bn … Read more
At the risk of overkill on Algol there is a pertinent example from the rarefied world of covetous and cosseted celebrities. Robert De Niro has been fighting a bitter divorce battle with his ex-wife Grace Hightower, with both accusing the other of extravagant spending habits. His lawyer described her demands as “rich with indulgences and … Read more