FIFA World Cup VAR must be consistent

Criticism of FIFA video assistant referee has been forthcoming when it spots a soft penalty, when Kyle Walker clashes with a Tunisian opponent, but it fails to see two clear fouls on Harry Kane when he was wrestled to the ground. Come on FIFA officials! Get your act together. Twice in the match is unacceptable. 

Britain's Fat Fight

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall should be commended for his efforts to tackle UK obesity. He is a hero and magnificent campaigner. Hugh has exposed the failure of our dreadful health secretary. Jeremy Hunt should be ashamed of himself. Many regard Hunt as one of the worst health secretaries ever. His track record is not edifying or commendable, especially with respect to the concerns raised by Hugh. The BBC documentary Britain's Fat Fight shows Hunt in a very poor light.

A Russian Mission Impossible Force?

Is there a Russian Mission Impossible Force?
Was the following mission given?

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to test a new nerve agent on Sergei Skripal, traitor of our Mother Russia, and his daughter, Yulia, an opponent of our beloved leader.

As always, should you or any member of your task force be caught or killed, the Kremlin will disavow any knowledge of your actions.

From Russia without love

While some politicians are reluctant to point the finger, the UK press does when it comes to the Sergei Skripal affair. This poisoning has the chilling echo of the Alexander Litvinenko assassination in 2006. A 2016 report by the former judge Robert Owen concluded that two KGB agents, Andrei Lugovoi and Dmitry Kovtun murdered  Alexander Litvinenko.

Mr Litvinenko was poisoned by tea laced with polonium 210, a radioactive substance that points to a Russian state authorized assassination.

In 2012 Alexander Perepilichnyy, a key witness in a large tax fraud investigation involving corrupt Russian officials, collapsed and died at his Surrey home.

Now Russian involvement in 14 deaths is suspected, which has been raised in the House of Commons yesterday and in the press.

The use of sophisticated poisons points to the Kremlin's weapon of choice in covert warfare, according to security analysts. It is believed that the Russians have at least three categories of poison, and new toxins are being developed.

Admiring Manchester City's quality

At Wembley and at the Emirates quality, beautiful football and sheer class were evident. Manchester City produced quality football. A great side soundly beat a mediocre side on both occasions. Arsenal failed to score one goal, even from the penalty spot at home. The team needs to be rebuilt. Manchester City are the real deal. The gulf in quality is so apparent between the two teams: six goals to nil in two games and twenty points in the Premiership.

VAR shambles at Wembley this evening

In the first half of the Spurs versus Rochdale,  FA cup match, the use of VAR, video assisted referee, was a shambles. The decisions took far too long.  The crowd booed and the pundits were annoyed.

In time VAR will be a great asset, but tonight it seemed more of a hindrance than a help.

Billy Graham, preacher

Billy Graham said that he wanted "Preacher" on his gravestone. He will be well remembered as a Bible preacher and evangelist. He probably preached to more people than anyone in history. I heard him preach at Earl's Court in 1966 and 1967, and later when he had mellowed in the 1980s at Upton Park, then the West Ham United stadium, in east London. Billy Graham had authority and sincerity, which some have doubted for no good reason.

The papers are full of tributes to his ministry. I know many who were touched and helped, even brought to salvation through hearing the Gospel at one of his rallies. He was admired and respected by religious leaders, politicians and monarchs. Those who said he was a fraud and a lying salesman out to make money did not know him or look at his life and work, his message and writings, the fruit of his Christian service. There is ample evidence of his trustworthiness, integrity, honesty and good works. He was not out to make money. He could have lived in luxury, drawn a large salary, but he chose not to do so. He lived modestly, like his good friend Rev. John Stott.

Comments about him on YouTube by Chris Hitchens are lies. Templeton, in fact, contrary to what Hitchens believed, was a friend who greatly respected Billy Graham (although he came to disagree with what was preached), and trusted him implicitly and never doubted his sincerity. Hitchen's comments wishing for Billy Graham's death are shameful. Billy Graham lived a long and successful life. (Hitchens, who died at 62, is now regretting what he said.) Billy Graham is now enjoying the delights of heaven.