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We Trump critics cannot be blind to his successes

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In the headlines

Donald Trump has announced a fresh wave of tariffs, set to go into effect in seven days, after his initial deadline for striking trade deals passed last night. Dozens of countries were hit with steep new levies, including a 35% rate for Canada effective immediately, while recent deals with others were formalised, including a lowest rate of 10% for the UK. Heathrow airport has submitted its proposals for a £49bn expansion, which includes building a third runway, modernising existing terminals and rerouting a section of the M25 (supposedly without disrupting traffic). The expansion has the backing of Chancellor Rachel Reeves, but is expected to face legal action from London Mayor Sadiq Khan. Steven Knight, creator of The Peaky Blinders, will write the script for the next James Bond film. The British screenwriter, also known for co-creating the gameshow Who Wants to be a Millionaire?, was chosen after a meeting with director Denis Villeneuve.

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We Trump critics cannot be blind to his successes

It pains me to say it, as one of Donald Trump’s many ā€œfoam-at-the-mouth criticsā€, says Bret Stephens in The New York Times, but his presidency is becoming more and more successful. He has strong-armed other Nato members into upping their defence spending, something his predecessors always wanted but were too polite to do anything about. He defied parts of his political base to help Israel neuter Iran’s nuclear programme, without getting drawn into another Middle East war. After his initial pressure campaign on Ukraine only emboldened Vladimir Putin, he changed course and accelerated the delivery of arms to Kyiv – a welcome demonstration that he can change his mind when the facts change.

Back home, Trump has ended America’s migration crisis (albeit going too far by targeting law-abiding illegal immigrants). The economy has – so far – shrugged off concerns about his tariff regime. The Democrats are polling at a 35-year low. Yes, there is still plenty to ā€œfear, dislike and even despiseā€ about what this administration does: threatening to seize allies’ territory; shaking down universities and law firms; promoting ā€œmedical quackeryā€. But if we Trump critics want to be effective – ā€œand let’s face it, we haven’t beenā€ – we have to acknowledge reality. Namely, that not everything he does is bad; that his ā€œbad mannersā€ and over-the-top approach sometimes achieve useful diplomatic results. I’ve repeatedly lambasted this president and this administration, and I’m sure I’ll do so again. But you have to give credit where it’s due. ā€œFor criticism to be credible, it cannot be blind.ā€

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Photography

Bulgarian astrophotographer Mihail Minkov recently went on a 20-day journey across South America to capture some of the world’s ā€œmost spectacular locations with the darkest skiesā€, says PetaPixel. Working through the nights, and accompanied by eight other snappers, he captured the stars over the Atacama Desert in Chile, the Uyuni Salt Flat in Bolivia, and Easter Island. To see more of his work, click on the image.

ā€œBreathe, breathe, breatheā€

Someone found a private notebook at a fancy London hotel filled with handwriting that seems to match Kemi Badenoch’s own, says Will Lloyd in The New Statesman. Under the heading ā€œPersonal Improvementā€, it contains what appears to be a list of affirmations for public speaking: ā€œBreathe, breathe, breatheā€; ā€œDon’t let people think you are easily wound upā€; ā€œYou are a serious person who does big thingsā€.

Will’s deeply sourced piece about the beleaguered Conservative leader is in the rest of today’s newsletter, along with the usual selection of smaller bits, including:

🧳 How airport check-in staff get their revenge on unpleasant customers
āŒØļø A fun game to test your typing skills under pressure
šŸ¤” The world’s best-performing major stock market (it’s not what you think)
šŸŽØ The original DalĆ­ picked up at a house clearance sale for Ā£150
šŸ“ˆ The data which shows that Britain’s millionaire exodus is real
šŸ’» Will Ferrell’s invaluable marriage advice

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