Syria must burn itself out: It is time for the West to do nothing September 26, 2016 (The best policy is) to float lazily downstream, occasionally putting out a diplomatic boathook to avoid collisions. Lord Salisbury, 1877 In one of the least shocking policy outcomes of the year, the US-Russian brokered ceasefire in Syria did not last the week. Speaking as a longstanding sceptic of intervention there, being right analytically gives me [...]
Bradley Wiggins: I did not seek unfair advantage with steroid injection ahead of Tour de France September 25, 2016 Bradley Wiggins has said that he in no way was looking for an unfair advantage by taking the steroid triamcinolone for allergies and asthma issues ahead of his victorious 2012 Tour de France race. In a pre-recorded interview with Andrew Marr which will be broadcast on the BBC today, Wiggins said he was beset by bad breathing [...]
“It doesn’t look good” – Sir Bradley Wiggins’ former doctor questions steroid use ahead of Tour de France and Giro d’Italia September 24, 2016 Sir Bradley Wiggins' former doctor has added to the controversy surrounding the cyclist by publicly questioning the use of a banned corticosteroid for medical reasons ahead of the Tour de France and Giro d'Italia. Prentice Steffen, Wiggins' doctor at the Garmin team in 2009, said Wiggins' successful applications for a therapeutic use exemption [TUE] for intramuscular triamcinolone ahead of the race surprised him. [...]
Focus On Regent’s Park: Celebrity-packed Nash terraces and luscious parklands make NW1 “super-prime” London September 23, 2016 If you want to go celebrity spotting in London, you could do a lot worse than Regent’s Park. High profile residents of this historic area surrounding the royal park of the same name include Damien Hirst, Christian Candy, Gwen Stefani, Jamie Oliver and Kate Moss, not to mention all the Middle Eastern royalty and Russian [...]
The long and winding path of Gerald Laing, from bikini babes to the dogs of war September 22, 2016 Gerald Laing is best known for his bold pop art works featuring beautiful bikini models, macho space-men and daredevil skydivers. He was a pioneer of the movement, a Brit who moved to New York and became a cultural figurehead, revered alongside the likes of Andy Warhol (who he would later pay homage to in a [...]
Mo Farah, Justin Rose and Rafael Nadal anti-doping files leaked by Russian hackers September 19, 2016 Olympic champion Mo Farah and golfer Justin Rose have become the latest high-profile sportspeople to have their confidential medical records stolen and leaked by Russian hackers. Farah, who won double gold in Rio, and fellow Briton Rose, the men’s Olympic champion, had their therapeutic use exemptions (TUEs) published on Monday by the hackers, who call [...]
Bradley Wiggins stands by “no needles” comments and says he had “no direct link” to disragaced ex-Team Sky doctor Geert Leinders September 17, 2016 Bradley Wiggins has distanced himself from disgraced former Team Sky doctor Geert Leinders and stood by comments regarding his use of needle injections, after a leak of his medical records prompted questions of the five time Olympic champion. Details made public by Russian hackers reveal the British cycling star applied for therapeutic use exemptions (TUEs) from the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) and [...]
Everything you need to know about new Ukip leader Diane James September 16, 2016 Ukip selected Diane James as its new leader today, a businesswoman and an MEP for the South East of England. So what can we expect from Ukip's first woman leader, who calls her party a "change movement" and "the opposition in waiting"? https://twitter.com/DianeJamesMEP/status/776774306491666436 She is against access to the single market James made it clear today that she [...]
Chris Froome says he has “no issues” with leak of his and Bradley Wiggins’ medical records by Russian hackers September 15, 2016 Chris Froome has "no issues" with the release of his medical files which have been stolen from the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) by Russian hackers. A group of hackers calling themselves the "Fancy Bears" released Wada medical records for reigning Tour de France champion Froome as well as fellow British cycling icon Sir Bradley Wiggins. There is no [...]
BBC v Russia: Russian Embassy clashes with reporter over US athletes’ data leak September 14, 2016 Don't poke the bear. Especially not on Twitter. And especially not over doping in sport. You won't get away without an argument. The BBC's home affairs correspondent Daniel Sandford and the UK's Russian Embassy were engaged in an unlikely and bizarre social media spat over doping in sport that culminated in the latter being accused of [...]