The fact is that what we're experiencing right now is a top-down disaster. -Paul Krugman
The head of Germany's football association has promised speedy and severe punishment for match-rigging in the German game as calls mount for tough sanctions. Germany's football association boss has promised swift and severe punishment for those involved in the latest betting scandal to rock European soccer. DFB chief Theo Zwanziger said he wanted to "lose no time" in the fight against match-fixing. Investigators have the results of 32 matches in Germany in their sights, including four in the second division, three in the third, 23 games in regional leagues and two under-19 games. Zwanziger said that players and officials involved in corruption in the country would be brought to account as soon as evidence was submitted.
Germany's football association boss has promised swift and severe punishment for those involved in the latest betting scandal to rock European soccer.
DFB chief Theo Zwanziger said he wanted to "lose no time" in the fight against match-fixing.
Investigators have the results of 32 matches in Germany in their sights, including four in the second division, three in the third, 23 games in regional leagues and two under-19 games.
Zwanziger said that players and officials involved in corruption in the country would be brought to account as soon as evidence was submitted.
At least 200 European soccer games are being investigated after police said that they had dismantled an alleged international criminal ring suspected of running the continent's biggest ever match-fixing scandal.German prosecutors and police said on Friday that the gang allegedly obtained more than €10m ($15m) in illegal betting proceeds by manipulating the outcome of games in nine countries, including three in the European Champions League."This is without a doubt the biggest fraud scandal to ever hit European football," said Peter Limacher of the Union of European Football Associations. "We are deeply shocked by the scale of the match-fixing."Mr Limacher said the investigation could affect the outcome of the Champions League competition because all the games under investigation took place this year. They include matches in Croatia, Slovenia, Turkey, Hungary, Bosnia and Austria.Andreas Bachmann, head of the police team in Bochum leading the investigation, said that the estimated criminal proceeds, number of games involved and circle of suspects could increase. "This is just the tip of the iceberg," he said. "We must assume that the actual figures will be much higher."
At least 200 European soccer games are being investigated after police said that they had dismantled an alleged international criminal ring suspected of running the continent's biggest ever match-fixing scandal.
German prosecutors and police said on Friday that the gang allegedly obtained more than €10m ($15m) in illegal betting proceeds by manipulating the outcome of games in nine countries, including three in the European Champions League.
"This is without a doubt the biggest fraud scandal to ever hit European football," said Peter Limacher of the Union of European Football Associations. "We are deeply shocked by the scale of the match-fixing."
Mr Limacher said the investigation could affect the outcome of the Champions League competition because all the games under investigation took place this year. They include matches in Croatia, Slovenia, Turkey, Hungary, Bosnia and Austria.
Andreas Bachmann, head of the police team in Bochum leading the investigation, said that the estimated criminal proceeds, number of games involved and circle of suspects could increase. "This is just the tip of the iceberg," he said. "We must assume that the actual figures will be much higher."
Labour's hopes of avoiding a general election rout at the hands of David Cameron's Tories will be boosted today as a new poll shows a sharp fall in the Conservatives' lead, raising the possibility of a hung parliament.The Ipsos MORI survey for the Observer, which will cause alarm in Tory ranks and boost Labour's hope of performing a "great escape", puts the Conservatives on 37%, only six points ahead of Labour on 31%. The Liberal Democrats are on 17%.It is the narrowest gap between the two main parties in any poll since last December and demonstrates that, rather than powering towards a landslide victory, Cameron's party is struggling to capture the number of floating voters it needs to win a decisive mandate.The poll, which also shows economic optimism at its highest level since 1997, suggests that Labour may be benefiting from a return of a "feelgood" factor as the country heads out of recession.About 46% of the public now believe the economy will perform better over the next year, compared with 23% who think it will deteriorate and 28% who say it will stay the same. If the voting intentions are replicated at the next election, probably in May or June, the Conservatives will hold the most seats but fall 35 short of an overall majority in the Commons.It would be the first general election to have delivered a hung parliament since 1974. If Labour was to cut the Tory lead to five points or fewer, pollsters say it would be likely to have more seats than the Tories.
Labour's hopes of avoiding a general election rout at the hands of David Cameron's Tories will be boosted today as a new poll shows a sharp fall in the Conservatives' lead, raising the possibility of a hung parliament.
The Ipsos MORI survey for the Observer, which will cause alarm in Tory ranks and boost Labour's hope of performing a "great escape", puts the Conservatives on 37%, only six points ahead of Labour on 31%. The Liberal Democrats are on 17%.
It is the narrowest gap between the two main parties in any poll since last December and demonstrates that, rather than powering towards a landslide victory, Cameron's party is struggling to capture the number of floating voters it needs to win a decisive mandate.
The poll, which also shows economic optimism at its highest level since 1997, suggests that Labour may be benefiting from a return of a "feelgood" factor as the country heads out of recession.
About 46% of the public now believe the economy will perform better over the next year, compared with 23% who think it will deteriorate and 28% who say it will stay the same. If the voting intentions are replicated at the next election, probably in May or June, the Conservatives will hold the most seats but fall 35 short of an overall majority in the Commons.
It would be the first general election to have delivered a hung parliament since 1974. If Labour was to cut the Tory lead to five points or fewer, pollsters say it would be likely to have more seats than the Tories.
An urgent investigation into the safety of all 1,800 bridges in Cumbria is under way today after the heaviest rainfall since records began swept several people away and claimed the life of a policeman.People in Cumbria were advised not to return to their homes, as forecasters predicted winds of up to 65mph and more downpours over the coming days that could hamper the recovery effort. There are more than 60 flood warnings in force across south-western and northern parts of England, Scotland and Wales. In South Wales a search is under way for a woman believed to have been swept into the river Usk in Brecon, and an expert canoeist, Chris Wheeler, 46, from Reading, died after being pulled from the river Dart at Newton Abbot in Devon.In Workington, Cumbria, the closure of the Calva bridge cut off the northside of the town and outlying villages. The area's Labour MP John Cunningham, who called the floods "biblical in size", said that help was urgently needed for the Northside estate which has been cut off from the rest of Workington.Households on the sprawl of semis above the river Derwent have started to run out of medication and food, with every bridge to their local shops and health centre either collapsed or closed.The area is still linked to northern Cumbria but all its services come from the main part of Workington, where hundreds of properties have been evacuated and the emergency services continue to work at full stretch.
An urgent investigation into the safety of all 1,800 bridges in Cumbria is under way today after the heaviest rainfall since records began swept several people away and claimed the life of a policeman.
People in Cumbria were advised not to return to their homes, as forecasters predicted winds of up to 65mph and more downpours over the coming days that could hamper the recovery effort. There are more than 60 flood warnings in force across south-western and northern parts of England, Scotland and Wales. In South Wales a search is under way for a woman believed to have been swept into the river Usk in Brecon, and an expert canoeist, Chris Wheeler, 46, from Reading, died after being pulled from the river Dart at Newton Abbot in Devon.
In Workington, Cumbria, the closure of the Calva bridge cut off the northside of the town and outlying villages. The area's Labour MP John Cunningham, who called the floods "biblical in size", said that help was urgently needed for the Northside estate which has been cut off from the rest of Workington.
Households on the sprawl of semis above the river Derwent have started to run out of medication and food, with every bridge to their local shops and health centre either collapsed or closed.
The area is still linked to northern Cumbria but all its services come from the main part of Workington, where hundreds of properties have been evacuated and the emergency services continue to work at full stretch.
It references a famous wartime cartoon by Philip Zec which attacked complaints of the price of petrol and the cost involved. Zec's cartoons lampooning Hitler during the 30s led to him being put on a fairly exclusive list of those who were to be summarily executed following a german invasion of the UK keep to the Fen Causeway
a famous wartime cartoon by Philip Zec which attacked complaints of the price of petrol and the cost involved
Philip Zec
Zec sometimes upset the British government with his cartoons. On 5th March, 1942, the Daily Mirror published a cartoon on the government's decision to increase the price of petrol. The cartoon showed a torpedoed sailor with an oil-smeared face lying on a raft. Zec's message was "Don't waste petrol. It costs lives." Winston Churchill believed that the cartoon suggested that the sailor's life had been put at stake to enhance the profits of the petrol companies. In the House of Commons, Herbert Morrison, the Home Secretary, called it a "wicked cartoon" and Ernest Bevin, the Minister of Labour, argued that Zec's work was lowering the morale of the armed forces and the general public.
Winston Churchill believed that the cartoon suggested that the sailor's life had been put at stake to enhance the profits of the petrol companies. In the House of Commons, Herbert Morrison, the Home Secretary, called it a "wicked cartoon" and Ernest Bevin, the Minister of Labour, argued that Zec's work was lowering the morale of the armed forces and the general public.
A potentially devastating bomb attack on a police headquarters in Belfast, Northern Ireland on Saturday night failed when a massive car bomb did not detonate fully. On Sunday, police said the 180-kilogram (400-pound) device would have caused "widespread destruction" had it functioned as planned. It is thought that the attack was launched by dissident republicans intent on undermining the province's fragile peace process. A car crashed through barriers and onto the grounds of the supervisory Northern Ireland Policing Board in Belfast's dockland area on Saturday evening. Two people were seen running away before the vehicle burst into flames, but failed to blow up. The building, which was undamaged, is the headquarters of a cross-community panel that oversees police operations. As such, it is a symbol of efforts to bring the UK-loyalist Protestant and Irish nationalist Catholic communities together.
A potentially devastating bomb attack on a police headquarters in Belfast, Northern Ireland on Saturday night failed when a massive car bomb did not detonate fully.
On Sunday, police said the 180-kilogram (400-pound) device would have caused "widespread destruction" had it functioned as planned.
It is thought that the attack was launched by dissident republicans intent on undermining the province's fragile peace process.
A car crashed through barriers and onto the grounds of the supervisory Northern Ireland Policing Board in Belfast's dockland area on Saturday evening. Two people were seen running away before the vehicle burst into flames, but failed to blow up.
The building, which was undamaged, is the headquarters of a cross-community panel that oversees police operations. As such, it is a symbol of efforts to bring the UK-loyalist Protestant and Irish nationalist Catholic communities together.
For Bosnia, the road to Brussels is paved with constitutional reform. But in the current talks between European, American and Bosnian leaders, Brussels has shown a dearth of discernment that could endanger the democratic process, worries Tageszeitung. Back in 1995, the Dayton peace talks came up with a formula to end the 1992-95 War in Bosnia, but that was not enough to ensure the development of democracy and the rule of law in the fledgling nation, which was subsequently partitioned along ethnic nationalist lines. The Western leaders who drew up the accords failed to insist on a mechanism to adapt the constitution framed at Dayton to future developments on the ground in Bosnia. Not only does the constitution legitimise the territorial division of Bosnia and Herzegovina into two so-called "entities", the Serb-dominated Republika Srpska and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (informally known as the Bosniak-Croat Federation). It leaves ethnic nationalist groups too much room for blockades should they see their interests at risk. In other words, the existing constitution actually impedes the development of a culture of compromise, a vital prerequisite for the nation's further integration into the EU community. Doubts over Carl Bildt's strategy Not only that, it runs counter to the (human rights) principles enshrined in European constitutions. To be sure, the new constitutional initiative does raise the decisive question: can the country fall in with the EU community or not? However, the way the talks have been going so far gives grounds for reasonable doubts about Carl Bildt's strategy and the Brussels negotiators' foreign policy competence.
For Bosnia, the road to Brussels is paved with constitutional reform. But in the current talks between European, American and Bosnian leaders, Brussels has shown a dearth of discernment that could endanger the democratic process, worries Tageszeitung.
Back in 1995, the Dayton peace talks came up with a formula to end the 1992-95 War in Bosnia, but that was not enough to ensure the development of democracy and the rule of law in the fledgling nation, which was subsequently partitioned along ethnic nationalist lines. The Western leaders who drew up the accords failed to insist on a mechanism to adapt the constitution framed at Dayton to future developments on the ground in Bosnia.
Not only does the constitution legitimise the territorial division of Bosnia and Herzegovina into two so-called "entities", the Serb-dominated Republika Srpska and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (informally known as the Bosniak-Croat Federation). It leaves ethnic nationalist groups too much room for blockades should they see their interests at risk. In other words, the existing constitution actually impedes the development of a culture of compromise, a vital prerequisite for the nation's further integration into the EU community.
Doubts over Carl Bildt's strategy
Not only that, it runs counter to the (human rights) principles enshrined in European constitutions. To be sure, the new constitutional initiative does raise the decisive question: can the country fall in with the EU community or not? However, the way the talks have been going so far gives grounds for reasonable doubts about Carl Bildt's strategy and the Brussels negotiators' foreign policy competence.
Life for Slovak journalists is not exactly a bed of roses. Nonetheless, in spite of a populist government out to gag them by hook or by crook, they still manage to break scandals galore. In Slovakia, there is no need for heaps of experience under your belt to be a newspaper editor. Matúš Kostolný, editor-in-chief of Sme, the country's leading daily, is a mere 34, and Juraj Porubsky, head of the rival daily Pravda, is actually three years his junior. That is no coincidence: "Nobody wants this job," Porubsky says with a rueful smile. Putting out a newspaper in Slovakia is no picnic. For one thing, the press there - as elsewhere in the world - faces a dwindling readership. To make matters far worse, however, journalists have to grapple with government antagonism. Ever since a coalition of socialists, populists and nationalists came to power in 2006, the press has been seeing hard times. Slovak prime minister Robert Fico (Socialist Party, SMER) makes no bones about his enmity for the papers. What he relishes most, according to Matúš Kostolný, is heaping abuse on journalists: Fico habitually calls them "idiots", but has also let slip the occasional "whore" or "snake". The printed press is in the dog house owing to the critical coverage of governmental goings-on in the three main papers (Sme and Pravda plus Hospodárske Noviny), which, tallies Gabriel Sipos of Slovak Press Watch, break three-fourths of the scandals in Slovakia. Scandals served up by the plateful And they needn't dig very far to find ample muck to rake in Bratislava. The motley crew of populists, nationalists and semi-crooks now at the helm, Sipos says, supply the press with plenty of grist for its mill. The Socialist Party's coalition partners are particularly good at keeping investigative journalists busy. The Slovak National Party led by Jan Slota, who take it out on Hungarians, Gypsies and homosexuals, and the People's Party of ex-PM Vladimír Mečiar, whose autocratic rule in the 1990s gave Slovakia a bad name, are not exactly famed for playing by the rules of democracy. And Fico's election promises to combat the spreading canker of corruption have yet to amount to much
Life for Slovak journalists is not exactly a bed of roses. Nonetheless, in spite of a populist government out to gag them by hook or by crook, they still manage to break scandals galore.
In Slovakia, there is no need for heaps of experience under your belt to be a newspaper editor. Matúš Kostolný, editor-in-chief of Sme, the country's leading daily, is a mere 34, and Juraj Porubsky, head of the rival daily Pravda, is actually three years his junior. That is no coincidence: "Nobody wants this job," Porubsky says with a rueful smile. Putting out a newspaper in Slovakia is no picnic. For one thing, the press there - as elsewhere in the world - faces a dwindling readership. To make matters far worse, however, journalists have to grapple with government antagonism.
Ever since a coalition of socialists, populists and nationalists came to power in 2006, the press has been seeing hard times. Slovak prime minister Robert Fico (Socialist Party, SMER) makes no bones about his enmity for the papers. What he relishes most, according to Matúš Kostolný, is heaping abuse on journalists: Fico habitually calls them "idiots", but has also let slip the occasional "whore" or "snake". The printed press is in the dog house owing to the critical coverage of governmental goings-on in the three main papers (Sme and Pravda plus Hospodárske Noviny), which, tallies Gabriel Sipos of Slovak Press Watch, break three-fourths of the scandals in Slovakia.
Scandals served up by the plateful
And they needn't dig very far to find ample muck to rake in Bratislava. The motley crew of populists, nationalists and semi-crooks now at the helm, Sipos says, supply the press with plenty of grist for its mill. The Socialist Party's coalition partners are particularly good at keeping investigative journalists busy. The Slovak National Party led by Jan Slota, who take it out on Hungarians, Gypsies and homosexuals, and the People's Party of ex-PM Vladimír Mečiar, whose autocratic rule in the 1990s gave Slovakia a bad name, are not exactly famed for playing by the rules of democracy. And Fico's election promises to combat the spreading canker of corruption have yet to amount to much
Herman Van Rompuy, Europe's first president, is to join forces with the European Commission to push for sweeping new tax raising powers for Brussels. Within days of taking office in January, the former Belgian prime minister will put his weight behind controversial proposals already floated by the commission's head, José Manuel Barroso, for a new "Euro tax".He will add credence to Mr Barroso's plans, to be formally tabled in the New Year, by arguing for a Euro-version of a "Tobin Tax" - a levy on financial transactions already floated by Gordon Brown as a solution to the international banking crisis. It would result in a stream of income direct to Brussels coffers, funding budgets that critics say are already rife with waste and overspending.
Within days of taking office in January, the former Belgian prime minister will put his weight behind controversial proposals already floated by the commission's head, José Manuel Barroso, for a new "Euro tax".
He will add credence to Mr Barroso's plans, to be formally tabled in the New Year, by arguing for a Euro-version of a "Tobin Tax" - a levy on financial transactions already floated by Gordon Brown as a solution to the international banking crisis. It would result in a stream of income direct to Brussels coffers, funding budgets that critics say are already rife with waste and overspending.
The deep hostility of Britain's senior military commanders in Iraq towards their American allies has been revealed in classified Government documents leaked to the Daily Telegraph. In the papers, the British chief of staff in Iraq, Colonel J.K.Tanner, described his US military counterparts as "a group of Martians" for whom "dialogue is alien," saying: "Despite our so-called `special relationship,' I reckon we were treated no differently to the Portuguese." Col Tanner's boss, the top British commander in the country, Major General Andrew Stewart, told how he spent "a significant amount of my time" "evading" and "refusing" orders from his US superiors.
In the papers, the British chief of staff in Iraq, Colonel J.K.Tanner, described his US military counterparts as "a group of Martians" for whom "dialogue is alien," saying: "Despite our so-called `special relationship,' I reckon we were treated no differently to the Portuguese."
Col Tanner's boss, the top British commander in the country, Major General Andrew Stewart, told how he spent "a significant amount of my time" "evading" and "refusing" orders from his US superiors.
An illusion that has been the backbone (if that's the word) of British foreign policy for seventy years.
Silvio Berlusconi faces more damage to his reputation with claims that he was directly linked to Mafia bosses and new disclosures about his private life in the memoirs of an escort girl who says that she was attacked and threatened after sleeping with him. The Italian Prime Minister, who has lost his immunity from prosecution on two counts of corruption, could face further charges after a convicted Mafia hitman told magistrates that he had been the political protector of a Cosa Nostra godfather in the 1990s. Gaspare Spatuzza, who became a pentito (turncoat) last year, told magistrates that the godfather, Giuseppe Graviano, had told him in 1994 -- the year that Mr Berlusconi entered politics by founding Forza Italia -- that his "political protectors" were Mr Berlusconi and Marcello Dell'Utri, the Sicilian co-founder of Forza Italia. Mr Dell'Utri was sentenced for "Mafia association" in 2004 but remains a Senator unless definitively convicted. Spatuzza is due to give evidence on December 4 at Mr Dell'Utri's appeal. Mr Dell'Utri dismissed the allegations as "melodrama, nonsense, which, fortunately, still make me laugh".
Silvio Berlusconi faces more damage to his reputation with claims that he was directly linked to Mafia bosses and new disclosures about his private life in the memoirs of an escort girl who says that she was attacked and threatened after sleeping with him.
The Italian Prime Minister, who has lost his immunity from prosecution on two counts of corruption, could face further charges after a convicted Mafia hitman told magistrates that he had been the political protector of a Cosa Nostra godfather in the 1990s.
Gaspare Spatuzza, who became a pentito (turncoat) last year, told magistrates that the godfather, Giuseppe Graviano, had told him in 1994 -- the year that Mr Berlusconi entered politics by founding Forza Italia -- that his "political protectors" were Mr Berlusconi and Marcello Dell'Utri, the Sicilian co-founder of Forza Italia. Mr Dell'Utri was sentenced for "Mafia association" in 2004 but remains a Senator unless definitively convicted.
Spatuzza is due to give evidence on December 4 at Mr Dell'Utri's appeal. Mr Dell'Utri dismissed the allegations as "melodrama, nonsense, which, fortunately, still make me laugh".
