From “mutton dressed as lamb” to Disraeli’s devastating takedown of Gladstone as “a sophisticated rhetorician inebriated with the exuberance of his own verbosity,” this witty exploration celebrates the lost art of the well crafted insult. Raymond O’Connell distinguishes between crass abuse and cutting wit, sharing his personal hit parade of literary and political zingers that prove a sharp tongue can still be a thing of beauty.
From secret Ministry of Defence consultancy fees to taxpayer funded rent for his bail address in London, Jeffrey Donaldson’s financial dealings raise troubling questions that extend far beyond his criminal conviction. Discover the eye watering expenses, the lucrative peacebuilding contracts, and the pension windfall still awaiting him, and decide for yourself whether the rules that permitted it all deserve as much scrutiny as the man himself.
As UK ministers resign over defence budgets and Andy Burnham faces the “Moscow test” before even launching his leadership bid, Mike Morrissey asks whether the panic over Russian aggression matches the reality on the ground. With 1.4 million Russian casualties and a stalling war in Ukraine, is Britain being sold a threat by those who profit most from fear?
Forget the Western media headlines: this firsthand account from Leningrad reveals a Russia that is welcoming, resilient, and remarkably easy to visit, if you know how to navigate the logistical challenges imposed by the current geopolitical climate. Jenny Farrell reports on meeting Russian communists and uncovers how the 900 day siege still shapes the city’s identity today, and explores what life really looks like under sanctions in 2026.
As Ireland kicks off its EU Presidency with lavish ceremony and a headline appearance from Zelensky, Eoin Ó Murchú argues the spectacle masks a bloc in deep crisis over energy costs, Chinese competition, and a bitter budget battle that could slash hundreds of billions in spending. Why is Micheál Martin refusing to let Ireland debate where it actually stands on militarisation, neutrality, and the future shape of Europe? Read on for a sharp critique of the Presidency that prizes servility over substance.
Discover the remarkable story of Sean Morrissey, the quiet Turf Lodge leader whose courageous stand against violence in August 1969 may have saved countless lives during one of Belfast’s darkest moments. Ahead of a special July launch featuring Sinead Morrissey and rare NVTV interviews, revisit the extraordinary conviction of a man who chose solidarity over retaliation when it mattered most.
As NATO convenes in Turkey to reaffirm its commitment to Article 5 and pour billions more into Ukraine, Lynda Walker exposes how member states are rapidly transforming into weapon based economies, with Ireland’s arms industry alone now worth €23.6 billion. Discover why the Irish Communist Party is calling for urgent resistance to imperialism and a redirection of military spending toward humanitarian aid for Palestine, Sudan, Lebanon and Iran.
As Dr Hussam Abu Safiya awaits death in Israeli custody and Marwan Barghouti endures taunts from his captors, Dianne Kirby exposes how a thousand days of genocide have laid bare the moral rot at the heart of the western world order. From Israel’s failed divide and rule militias in Gaza to the Palestinian flag flooding World Cup stadiums while FIFA stays silent, this searing analysis reveals why global elites can no longer hide behind their complicity.
When referee Omar Artan, hailed as the best in Africa, was detained for 11 hours and refused entry to the United States ahead of the World Cup, FIFA officials and participating nations responded with deafening silence. This piece by Raymond O’Connell examines how Infantino’s cosying up to Trump, the punishment of Iran, and the collective cowardice of the football world reveal a sport that has been pear shaped for decades.
