For bucks’ sake: the rise of self-made billionaires

Anti-billionaire sentiment masks a shifting economic reality where wealth increasingly stems from competitive, value-creating enterprises rather than political influence or inheritance. Senior economics writer Callum Williams notes that while tech remains significant, diverse sectors—from entertainment to retail—now drive billionaire growth, often facilitated by mobile-first internet scalability. Meanwhile, Cambodia struggles to dismantle industrial-scale scam compounds, which generate billions in illicit revenue. Despite government raids and international sanctions, these criminal operations are simply migrating to neighboring countries like Laos and Myanmar, highlighting the limitations of selective enforcement. Finally, the tenure of Larry the Cat, Downing Street’s Chief Mouser, provides a satirical lens on political longevity. His ability to cultivate a compelling public image, navigate media scrutiny, and outlast numerous political leaders offers a unique, if unconventional, blueprint for surviving the volatile environment of British governance.