Draw the draft

The looming threat of federal defunding from Washington elevates the contest from a local election to a pivotal national referendum on whether New York, a city increasingly concerned with issues of affordability and equitable growth, will embrace a n The contest for New York City Mayor has intensified into a high-stakes ideological clash, spotlighting the city’s shifting identity and drawing pointed intervention from President Donald Trump. Following the abrupt suspension of Mayor Eric Adams’ independent re-election campaign—a move many observers saw as an attempt to consolidate centrist votes—the race is now fundamentally a head-to-head between Democratic socialist front-runner Zohran Mamdani and independent former Governor Andrew Cuomo. President Trump weighed in on Monday with a renewed threat to cripple the Big Apple’s finances should the Democratic nominee win. “Self proclaimed New York City Communist, Zohran Mamdani, who is ru...

While Starmer may be gaining international respect for his diplomatic efforts, the road to securing domestic confidence remains a steep and, according to his own staff, deeply unfunny climb.… LONDON—A year into his tenure at No 10, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s focus on foreign affairs, including mediating between Europe and the US, is being overshadowed by a stark reality at home: his approval rating is plumbing depths matched by few other Western leaders. Recent polling underscores the challenge. A late August YouGov pan-European survey revealed a net favourability rating of -47%, with only 22% of the British public holding a favourable opinion of the Prime Minister. This data, collected before the disruption of Angela Rayner’s resignation and the subsequent cabinet reshuffle, paints a picture of deep domestic dissatisfaction. Starmer finds himself in the unenviable position of being the second most unpopular leader in the ...