The World Cup is now underway in Russia despite recent diplomatic trauma involving radio active poisoning, expulsion of diplomats and threats of more sanctions. As we know the World Cup is just about sport – ‘Football vincit omnia’ as they say in Senegal.
The opening of the tournament, complete with Robbie Williams, was a great spectacle and an opportunity to showcase the wonders of Mother Russia and all of that was achieved without the need of a visit from Nobel Peace Prize Candidate Donald. It would have been interesting to see him try his bone-crunching 5 minute handshake upon the macho President Putin.
Russia enjoyed a great victory over Saudi Arabia in the opening match. They have not had a successful World Cup since 1966 so they share with England 52 years of hurt. We need to be optimistic.
I noted on Twitter: ‘The England football team visited an orphanage in Russia yesterday. It’s heartbreaking to see their little faces with no hope said Vladimir, aged 6.
But think of poor Italy, who failed to qualify for the finals for the first time since 1958,and can see the likes of Iceland, Morocco and Panama competing with the world’s best. With all the talent on show, Rafa Benitez may be spotted with his cheque book ready to spend some of Mike Ashley’s millions – or maybe not.
I attended an amazing concert at the Barbican to see the prodigious young Chinese pianist Yuja Wang. Well known for her style, mini skirts and signature 6inch stilettos, this was staggering virtuoso performance of such a technically demanding programme which amazed the audience. Lightening speech interspersed with lyrical sensitivity made this a memorable evening featuring Rachmaninov, Scriabin, Ligeti and Prokofiev played with speed, stamina, energy and quality.
Despite the brilliance of the pieces, the evening was not over yet as Yuja played a total of 7 encores including Horowitz’s Carmen Fantasy and Chopin’s Waltz Op 64/2 after which the cheering audience finally let Yuja go.
Congratulations to the North East Chinese Association on the announcement that they are to receive the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. This is a great tribute to Chairman Jimmy Tsang and his dedicated committee for their amazing and innovative work on behalf of the Chinese community in the area. Clearly time for another celebratory banquet.
Time to get more control of the misuse of mobile phones? Music mogul Simon Cowell has said he became infuriated by meetings where everyone’s eyes were glued to their handsets. He decided not to use his mobile phone, and after 10 months he described how this had improved his life and his mental health.
We should all ban handsets at meetings and the dinner table and should restrict use by children for whom they can become an obsession.
The National Literacy Trust has reported that only one in 50 children can tell if a news story is real or fake. The report has been published by the all-party Parliamentary Commission on Fake News (now that IS true, there is such a commission). Most children and young people only get their news from websites and social media which may lead to a skewed view and the report said ‘will risk damaging young people’s democratic futures along with the well-being of an entire generation’.
A study of 16 year old pupils by the LSE found that British schools which banned mobile phones recorded a 6.4% improvement in marks. Of more current significance has Gareth Southgate limited the access by the England team to social media – to save them believing everything written about them?
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Comment With..barry Speker
The World Cup is now underway in Russia despite recent diplomatic trauma involving radio active poisoning, expulsion of diplomats and threats of more sanctions. As we know the World Cup is just about sport – ‘Football vincit omnia’ as they say in Senegal.
The opening of the tournament, complete with Robbie Williams, was a great spectacle and an opportunity to showcase the wonders of Mother Russia and all of that was achieved without the need of a visit from Nobel Peace Prize Candidate Donald. It would have been interesting to see him try his bone-crunching 5 minute handshake upon the macho President Putin.
Russia enjoyed a great victory over Saudi Arabia in the opening match. They have not had a successful World Cup since 1966 so they share with England 52 years of hurt. We need to be optimistic.
I noted on Twitter: ‘The England football team visited an orphanage in Russia yesterday. It’s heartbreaking to see their little faces with no hope said Vladimir, aged 6.
But think of poor Italy, who failed to qualify for the finals for the first time since 1958,and can see the likes of Iceland, Morocco and Panama competing with the world’s best. With all the talent on show, Rafa Benitez may be spotted with his cheque book ready to spend some of Mike Ashley’s millions – or maybe not.
I attended an amazing concert at the Barbican to see the prodigious young Chinese pianist Yuja Wang. Well known for her style, mini skirts and signature 6inch stilettos, this was staggering virtuoso performance of such a technically demanding programme which amazed the audience. Lightening speech interspersed with lyrical sensitivity made this a memorable evening featuring Rachmaninov, Scriabin, Ligeti and Prokofiev played with speed, stamina, energy and quality.
Despite the brilliance of the pieces, the evening was not over yet as Yuja played a total of 7 encores including Horowitz’s Carmen Fantasy and Chopin’s Waltz Op 64/2 after which the cheering audience finally let Yuja go.
Congratulations to the North East Chinese Association on the announcement that they are to receive the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. This is a great tribute to Chairman Jimmy Tsang and his dedicated committee for their amazing and innovative work on behalf of the Chinese community in the area. Clearly time for another celebratory banquet.
Time to get more control of the misuse of mobile phones? Music mogul Simon Cowell has said he became infuriated by meetings where everyone’s eyes were glued to their handsets. He decided not to use his mobile phone, and after 10 months he described how this had improved his life and his mental health.
We should all ban handsets at meetings and the dinner table and should restrict use by children for whom they can become an obsession.
The National Literacy Trust has reported that only one in 50 children can tell if a news story is real or fake. The report has been published by the all-party Parliamentary Commission on Fake News (now that IS true, there is such a commission). Most children and young people only get their news from websites and social media which may lead to a skewed view and the report said ‘will risk damaging young people’s democratic futures along with the well-being of an entire generation’.
A study of 16 year old pupils by the LSE found that British schools which banned mobile phones recorded a 6.4% improvement in marks. Of more current significance has Gareth Southgate limited the access by the England team to social media – to save them believing everything written about them?
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Comment With….barry Speker