'The United States is now plagued by intimations of mortality, and is under a president whose highest ambition seems to be the abdication of global responsibilities.'

'Rather than being "tired of war", more likely the American public is tired of not actually winning one for some time'

'In 1987 the majority of England cricketers were state-educated. Now most professional sportsmen are educated privately — including black children'

'Obama found it easier to perform the role of critical intellectual than commander-in-chief'

This isn't just any bureaucracy, this is M&S bureaucracy: Miriam Gross was told by the high street giant that she needn't worry about her lost card. That's when she should have started worrying.

'Hundreds of thousands of people organise and attend political meetings, and even pay membership dues so they can do unselfish things. Are they mad?'

‘Temporarily withdrawing from the human rights convention in order to deport Abu Qatada would be absurd’

‘Why not televise a Plumbing Booker — recognising the rare tradesman who puts in shower stalls that don’t leak?’

'The European Convention on Human Rights is to a substantial degree a Conservative document. Withdrawal is a bad idea'

'With its inventive background, the UK should have a thriving manufacturing sector'

‘Western optimists like to assume North Korea is on the verge of implosion. But the hermit kingdom is not going to collapse any time soon’

‘The death of Marcel Reich-Ranicki highlighted how ill at ease the German intelligentsia still is with its Nazi past’

Life in Birmingham as a vicar’s wife opened our Mole’s eyes to what has become of Britain’s second city

Cyber-activism spreads quickly and reaches many, but the lack of risk involved means it is largely superficial

Impact Foundation Bangladesh funds a floating hospital which provides treatment to remote villages

New columnist Saintsbury relates the tale of Christmas Eve in Jane Austen's Emma — but which wine did Mr Elton employ in his quest to warm the heroine's heart?

The French polymath Henri Pointcaré excelled in astronomy, physics mathematics and a lot more

Borislav Ivanov’s gadget-enhanced attempt to cheat his way to sporting success could have been lifted from a James Bond film

For Ovid, business and occupation are the enemies of Cupid, but wine "prepares the heart for love"

Who are the better parents?

We shouldn’t be satisfied with solidly utilitarian coins, stamps and the dreaded “street furniture”. Good design can be incredibly heartening