The chess world has been shocked by the death of the American grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky at the age of 29. As well as being a strong player, Naroditsky was famous as a chess trainer and commentator. Chess experience a boom during Covid lockdown, and his videos, which were among the very best of their kind, must have played a part in this. Many grandmasters don't understand how little the rest of us understand about the game, but Naroditsky was able to make things wonderfully clear. In the video above, in which he beats a weaker player, he explains his moves ...
The current controversy as to whether the Maccabi fans should be allowed to attend this football match raises some interesting questions about the way Britain is governed, and perhaps some (not very) unconscious British attitudes. Firstly, there are perfectly competent and accountable bodies "on the ground" - West Midlands Police, Birmingham Council, representatives of Aston Villa - who have together made a reasoned decision. Some people may think it is the wrong one, but that's what the local "authorities" think is best for the local people. Why does the central government feel the need to over-rule them? We see this ...
Nick Adderley, the former chief constable of Northamptonshire, has been charged with fraud, reports NN Journal. The website quotes a statement from Northamptonshire Police: The charges follow our independent investigations into allegations Mr Adderley falsely claimed, over a period from 2018-2024, to have been a former Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Navy, had served in the Falklands War, and was entitled to wear associated service medals. It's also alleged the 59-year-old made false claims relating to a naval career on his CV and application form submitted in support of his bid to become the Chief Constable of Northamptonshire Police in ...
This is a very similar article to the version we prepared for the 2022 internal elections, with some key changes. We hope members once again find it useful. It's not long now until the internal party election season gets underway. Nominations have closed, but we have a few days until ballots go out by email. In the meantime, here's a brief overview of what's up for election, why they matter, and how you can vote, that the Lib Dem Newbies Admins have put together. WHAT'S UP FOR ELECTION? The main party committees, and the posts of President and Vice-President of ...
Embed from Getty ImagesToday is Trafalgar Day – the 220th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar When I attend meetings in the Council Chamber in Merton, it's impossible to ignore the Borough's most famous inhabitant: a huge picture of Admiral Lord Nelson looks down on the assembled Councillors. Today is the 220th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar, which cemented Britain's naval supremacy. I wonder what Nelson would make of the Royal Navy today, which cannot properly defend us. The core problem traces back to Tony Blair's expeditionary foreign policy and its emphasis on distant wars. To support this, his ...
Embed from Getty ImagesThe minority Reform UK cabinet at Leicestershire County Council continues to play musical chairs. Its member for finance and resources, Helen Butler, has stood down because of family commitments. We wish her well. Her role, reports Leicester Gazette, has been filled by Harrison Fowler, who previously led on strategic planning and economic development. He retains some of his previous responsibilities, with the rest going to the council's deputy leader, Kevin Crook. Fowler told the Gazette that: "Efficiency is my focus. With a £90 million budget gap, my priority is working to see how we can drive down ...
Our West End surgeries recommence this week following the school October holiday and take place later today. This week, they are as follows : Blackness Library (Tuesdays 5pm - every week during school term time) West End Campus (come to reception area of St Joseph's RC PS and Victoria Park PS) - (3rd Tuesday of each month at 5.45pm during school term time) All welcome - no appointment needed!
The Independent reports that four Reform UK councillors have been suspended after a video was leaked to the press showing the leader of the party's flagship local authority telling council members to "suck it up". The paper says that footage of an online meeting in which Kent County Council leader Linden Kemkaran could be seen berating backbench councillors when they questioned her was leaked to the press on Saturday: Four Reform UK councillors have been suspended after a video was leaked to the press showing the leader of the party's flagship local authority telling council members to "suck it up". ...
