Latest articles by Simon Wilson
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Should we levy a windfall tax on Big Oil's big profits?
Briefings Soaring oil prices mean huge profits for energy firms. Politicians are keen to impose windfall taxes, but that could discourage vital investment in new production.
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Russia, Ukraine and the coming global food crisis
Briefings The war in Ukraine has disrupted food and fertiliser exports, pushing up prices and threatening a global calamity.
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Russian aggression is a big blow for the world’s “net zero” ambitions
Briefings Switching the world economy over from fossil fuels to green alternatives was always going to be a challenge. It just got a lot harder. Simon Wilson reports
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Will the sanctions aimed at Putin have any effect?
Briefings Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has changed the West’s strategic calculus and tougher than expected sanctions have followed. Will they be enough to change the course of events?
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Credit Suisse data leak reveals Swiss banks are home to scores of criminals’ loot
Briefings Swiss banks have looked after the loot of a variety of unsavoury characters, according to new leaks from Credit Suisse. Did new laws in the wake of the financial crisis change nothing?
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A major breakthrough in the search for nuclear fusion
Briefings For 60 years, the hope of producing vast amounts of clean energy from nuclear fusion has remained tantalisingly beyond our grasp. Now scientists claim it’s within reach.
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The long arm of Xi Jinping as China projects "soft power"
Briefings Like most countries, China is dedicated to projecting soft power and building links with institutions abroad. Unlike most other countries, that is rattling Western governments.
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Is Jack Monroe right about inflation hurting the poor the most?
Briefings Poverty campaigner Jack Monroe has claimed that official inflation statistics understate the impact of price rises on the poor. Is she right?
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Russia and Ukraine: what does Putin want?
Briefings Russia's president Vladimir Putin has many reasons for his military build-up on the border with Ukraine, but the costs of an invasion would be extremely high.
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Just how green is nuclear power?
Briefings Nuclear power is certainly very clean in terms of carbon emissions, but what about the radioactive waste produced as a byproduct? It’s not as much of a problem as you might think.
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What's driving the cost of living crisis?
Briefings Soaring bills, inflation and tax rises are about to squeeze household incomes. And it doesn’t seem that there is much the government can do about it.
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How China is cornering the market for electric-car batteries
Briefings The West is sleepwalking into a situation where it has traded its old reliance on Middle East oil for dependence on key metals controlled by China. That’s a bad trade, says Simon Wilson
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What London’s new share listing rules mean for your money
Briefings UK regulators hope that weaker listing rules will attract more tech listings and rejuvenate a declining stockmarket. Perhaps they should pay more attention to other growth sectors.
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Germany’s new government marks a radical transformation
Briefings New chancellor Olaf Scholz, who takes the reins from Angela Merkel, was in many ways the continuity candidate. But his government has radical plans for the future.
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How should we go about “levelling up” Britain?
Briefings “Levelling up”, long a mantra of Boris Johnson’s government, now has a minister and a department in charge of delivering it. But will they succeed?
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Backtracking on HS2: the state of high-speed rail in the UK
Briefings The government has found a reverse gear on the controversial high-speed rail project. But does backing out now make sense?
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How the return of nuclear power can help get us to net zero
Briefings Nuclear power was the future once – and now it seems it is again as governments look for ways to meet their net-zero targets.
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What is the “metaverse” and what does it mean for investors?
Briefings Not content with conquering space, adventurous billionaires now want us to get inside the “metaverse” and start up new lives there. Will it happen?
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Will the COP26 climate summit be a success?
Briefings World leaders are currently meeting at the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow to commit to measures to stop catastrophic global warming. Will they produce more than just hot air?
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The huge potential of mRNA technology
Briefings The new technology made its name when it delivered Covid-19 vaccines in record time. But it could be pressed into use in many other areas too. Simon Wilson reports.
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Why fed-up workers are quitting their jobs
Briefings Workers are leaving their jobs at an astonishing rate, especially in the US, leading to a shortage of workers. What will that mean for our economies? Simon Wilson reports
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Whistleblower allegations – where now for Facebook?
Briefings Facebook has come in for some fierce criticism after revelations from a former employee. Just how much damage has been done?
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The legacy of Angela Merkel
Briefings German leader Angela Merkel is leaving office to spend more time with her family after 16 years at the helm. But what has she got to show for it?
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What's behind Britain’s looming energy crisis
Briefings Global natural gas prices have soared as resurgent demand collides with supply disruptions. The UK is especially vulnerable and could be heading for a very tough winter.
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