Joe knows Rishi's iffy
Ukraine deserves – and receives – huge support from Britain to repel Vladimir Putin’s illegal invasion. But the supply and use of cluster bombs is a red line.
These weapons kill civilians and troops indiscriminately, so Britain and the 100-plus countries who have signed an international convention banning them are right… and US President Joe Biden is wrong.
Rishi Sunak pulled his punches in raising his objections yesterday, but underlying tensions were clear as the pair drank tea from No10 mugs in the Downing Street garden.
They also disagree on Nato membership for Ukraine, and on this Mr Biden is right. Admitting Ukraine into the defence alliance while war still rages risks pulling us into direct military conflict with nuclear-armed Russia.
No matter how longingly the desperate PM looks into the President’s eyes in search of a friend, Labour and Keir Starmer are far closer in outlook to the pragmatic Democrat, particularly on the economy and investing in green prosperity and energy.
King Charles must be aware of that too after his eco-friendly chat with Mr Biden. Hopefully next time a US President visits, the mugs will have been cleared out of No10.
Just find them
The search for missing boats carrying 200 migrants near the Canary Islands raises again the issue of whether some lives matter more than others.
When the Titan submersible went missing with five aboard, the attention was understandable. But the lower priority placed on finding hundreds of migrants feared drowned in the Med shamed European governments.
All lives matter: poor or rich – white, brown or black skinned.
On your jollies
We all deserve a summer holiday and a day trip in the UK need not cost the earth. Whatever your means, a short break is better than no break at all and Britain is a great country. In the summer, anyway.
