Poverty kills. That should be written on the death certificate of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who was cheated of his future by prolonged exposure to mould in a damp home.
The verdict of his inquest is a damning indictment of the appalling conditions in which his family had to make their home.
Study after study proves that poor housing, low incomes and official neglect are killers – so the terrible consequences are, regrettably, no great surprise.
The unequal distribution of wealth and power in one of the wealthiest countries in the world is a fundamental political issue, a matter of life and death.
This is a question about what kind of a country we want to be.
Every child, and every person, matters. We must value them, instead of condemning some to unintended deaths.
Final word
The Prince of Wales would be right to go to Qatar if England or Wales reach the World Cup final there.
This prestigious tournament should never have been awarded to a dictatorship with an awful human rights record.
But if a country that champions respect emerges a winner, it would be a victory for all liberal democracies that value people for who they are and who they want to be.
England manager Gareth Southgate and Wales boss Rob Page want most of the talking to be done on the pitch.
But the Qatari regime must be left in no doubt; participation does not equal approval.
Meta or worse
Having made the US their home, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex may now wish to take over the universe – but they could come down to earth with a bump.
They would be wise to remember that the real world is where most people live.
So appreciating Britain would keep Harry and Meghan grounded.
