As the Commonwealth Games return to Scotland, Ronnie MacLennan Baird recalls his controversial appointment as a Technical Aide at the 1986 regatta.

As England once again try to escape the group stage of the World Cup, Robert Taylor casts his mind back 40 years to the last time Mexico hosted the tournament, and Maradona’s infamous ‘Hand of God’ incident.

When simply being Jewish is a provocation.

As this year’s Winter Olympics draws to a close, Becky Clark offers some tips to boost future engagement.

Emigre writers tell us about the gifts they wish would just stop giving. *UPDATED SPORADICALLY FROM DECEMBER 1 THROUGH TO DECEMBER 24*

“The riot police started firing tear gas from their guns.” Dominic Hilton remembers an ill-fated city break he took to Santiago, a few weeks before the start of the global pandemic.

An extract from Spycraft: Tricks and Tools of the Dangerous Trade from Elizabeth I to the Restoration, out this week in paperback.

Aug Stone returns to the music scene with a new single.

A partial list for after Evensong.

Homeless actors, breeding programmes, Humpty-Dumpty, and anxious readers. The Emigre’s latest round-up of world news.

Philip Ardagh on a memorable evening spent in the company of the late spy chief.

All measurements given in miles (mi) for public convenience.

ASH Smyth takes a leaf out of JMW Turner’s sketchbook.

Ronnie MacLennan Baird watches the world go by.

An outtake from Thomia: The Entangled Histories of Lanka & Her Greatest Public School, out today.