Could Germany ban the AfD?. Constantin Eckner discusses the ongoing attempts to prohibit the AfD from German elections. Has the party finally established itself as part of the democratic process?. @cc_eckner | @lisa_haseldine .

For the first time, the AfD collaborated with one of Germany’s mainstream parties, passing a motion on illegal migration. Have the AfD finally broken the ‘firewall’ the CDU and other parties have built around them?. @cc_eckner | @lisa_haseldine .

A blanket blackout on the identities of those involved in a major scandal invariably engenders suggestions that someone must have something to hide. ✍️ Andrew Tettenborn

Uh oh. There’s more trouble in nationalist paradise. ✍️ Steerpike

If these tariffs are imposed, the game of chicken begins. Trump is counting on these countries to make concessions under the weight of his tariffs, prioritising access to the US market over almost any other calculation. ✍️ Kate Andrews

Channel 4’s diversity hypocrisy . ✍️ Steerpike.

Confronting the party’s record in office is an unavoidable challenge for Tories. What makes Patel’s interview frustrating is that the line of questioning was entirely foreseeable. ✍️ James Heale

It was in Paris in the 1990s that I had my only meeting with Marianne Faithfall. What struck me most was her extraordinary self-possession and honesty. ✍️ Nigel Jones

Priti Patel’s migration defence was a serious misstep. ✍️ James Heale.

This potential act of mass terror has further darkened Australia’s self-image as an open and tolerant nation. ✍️ Terry Barnes

💥 Coffee House Shots Live 💥.A Look To The Year Ahead . Michael Gove, Katy Balls, Kate Andrews.With Robert Jenrick and Jonathan Ashworth. ⏰7:30pm-8:45pm at London's Emmanuel Centre. @michaelgove | @katyballs | @kateandrs | @RobertJenrick | @JonAshworth.

Food security continues to lose out to energy security in government policy – with wind and solar farms taking priority over food production. ✍️ Ross Clark

How will Trump wield his tariff threats?. ‘Like a big and painfully spiked club to smash anyone in the world who defies him,’ says Damon Linker, senior lecturer in political science at the University of Pennsylvania. @DamonLinker | @Freddygray31.

The details of the terrible murder of Sarah Mayhew are almost too appalling to bear, but one question stands out most of all: why was the convicted murderer who killed her free to take Sarah’s life? . ✍️ David Shipley

‘If you vote for me, I’ll pardon your guy’. Damon Linker, senior lecturer in political science at Penn, says Trump’s revival of ‘clientelistic’ politics has made him a hero to Christians and libertarians. @DamonLinker | @Freddygray31 .

Priti Patel repeatedly refused to apologise for her record and at one point appeared to suggest her critics should apologise to her, declaring: ‘It’s legal migration – people who come here to work and contribute.’ . ✍️ Patrick O’Flynn

As the 30th anniversary of Diana’s death approaches in 2027, it is hard to forget that the Firm’s eagerness to push the late princess into the limelight for favourable publicity ended up being catastrophic. ✍️ Alexander Larman

Batting away questions about evidence for his theory, Trump – who on becoming president immediately put all US government diversity staff on leave – told reporters he’d reached that conclusion ‘because I have common sense’. ✍️ Steerpike

‘Emergency podcast incoming’. ✍️ Steerpike.

Chinese technology has shown the West the challenge it faces – ruthless, implacable and impossible to ignore.