Simon Heffer

1 week ago | telegraph.co.uk | Simon Heffer

It is an opportune time to publish a history of the Cold War, dealing with global Russian influence and that country's relationship with the West. Vladislav Zubok, professor of international history at the London School of Economics, is Russian and, having been born in 1958, saw the Cold War at close quarters. He muses on whether he should have called his book The First Cold War.

1 week ago | telegraph.co.uk | Simon Heffer

Last year South Africa sent effectively a second XI to play two Tests in New Zealand. Predictably, the tourists were thrashed in both, in the first by 281 runs and in the second by seven wickets. Yet, again because of bizarre international fixture lists, South Africa will meet Australia at Lord's in June in the final of the World Test Championship.

1 week ago | sports.yahoo.com | Simon Heffer

Searching the internet for stories about reform of the International Cricket Council, or the structure of international cricket, discloses that for the best part of 15 years talking heads have been demanding restructuring of the game – and particularly its fixture lists. AdvertisementAs all cricket lovers know, in that time matters have become worse, thanks to the proliferation of T20 leagues and international fixtures. As I have noted before, professional cricketers have a limited shelf life.

2 weeks ago | telegraph.co.uk | Simon Heffer

2 weeks ago | telegraph.co.uk | Simon Heffer

The council tax in Birmingham has just risen by 7.5 per cent. Last year it rose by 10 per cent, and that was a year after the council declared itself effectively bankrupt. Birmingham has been just one of many Labour controlled councils over the years that has been run mainly for the benefit of the trades unionists who work for it rather than the taxpaying public whom they are supposed to serve.