From the rolling hills of Arcadia to the plains of Macedonia and sun-baked palaces of Crete, examples of the thwarted efforts of cash-strapped Greek authorities to showcase that wealth are two a penny .
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Greece Only tourism can save our bankrupt land | Hellenic Forum
.Hurricane-force winds, surging seas and driving rain have lashed western Europe, leaving at least 13 people dead and more than a million households without power.
Dubbed “Xynthia”, the Atlantic storm crashed against the western coasts of France and Spain, bringing with it a band of foul weather stretching from Portugal to the Netherlands.
Britain, already suffering localised flooding from a previous weather system, braced for more weather misery.
“We have confirmed five deaths in the area of La-Faute-sue-Mer and l’Aiguillon-sur-Mer,” Herve Rose, a government spokesperson in the low-lying Vendee region, where flood waters in some coastal towns reached 1.
Gusts of up to 150 kilometres per hour and eight metre waves battered the northern and western coasts of France, flooding inland and sending residents scurrying onto rooftops.
Separately, an 88-year-old woman was found drowned in her home on the island of Oleron in Charentes-Maritime further south, police said.5 metres, said.
Two more bodies, that of a 10-year-old boy and of a pensioner, were found in Charentes-Maritime, a regional official said.
In Spain, regional authorities said that two men aged 51 and 41 died when the car they were travelling in was hit by a falling tree.
French authorities had said on Saturday that a man was killed by a falling tree in the Pyrenees mountains.
Portugal said on Saturday that a 10-year-old boy was killed by a falling branch in the north-west of the country. An 82-year-old woman was killed on Saturday when a wall collapsed in the Galicia region.
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Air France announced that 70 flights out of 700 were cancelled from its hub at Paris Charles de Gaulle, as chaos gripped transport networks across western Europe at the end of French school’s half-term break.
In France, fallen powerlines caused blackouts for around a million homes across a 500 kilometre swathe of the country from the Brittany peninsula to the highlands of the Massif Central.
A major road crossing between France and Spain was closed to heavy goods vehicles, causing a 1,200-vehicle tail back of seven-tonne trucks on the French side of the Pyrenees.
A major road crossing between France and Spain was closed to heavy goods vehicles, causing a 1,200-vehicle tail back of seven-tonne trucks on the French side of the Pyrenees.
The storm developed in the Atlantic off the Portuguese island of Madeira, still reeling from the flash floods sparked by heavy rains that wrecked the centre of the capital Funchal and killed 42 people a week ago.
A hurricane is defined as a storm with winds consistently above 118 kilometres per hour.
The storm swept north-east into north-western Spain late on Saturday afternoon, where wind gusts reached 147 kph and some 27,000 households were without electricity, regional authorities said.
Powerful winds and heavy rain hit Spain’s Canary Islands archipelago late on Friday, with gusts of up to 128 kilometres per hour reported. .
Rail services were cancelled in Galicia as well as in the northern regions of Asturias, Cantabria, the Basque Country and parts of Castilla y Leon, where the storm left some 63,000 households without power.
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“This is a very deep, very intense and very fast-moving storm,” Spanish Interior Minister Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba said, warning people to avoid using their cars and taking mountain or sea walks
.Stade Francais prop David Attoub has appealed against his 70-week ban for gouging in a Heineken Cup match against Ulster the previous month, competition organisers said overnight.
“David Attoub has today lodged an appeal against both the finding of foul play and level of sanction imposed by an independent disciplinary hearing last Tuesday,” said a statement posted on the ERC website.”
The 28-year-old, who played for France in 2006, was suspended for gouging flanker Stephen Ferris’s eyes in an ill-tempered game won 23-13 by Ulster in Belfast.
“The independent appeal committee will be appointed as soon as practicable.
“This is the worst act of contact with the eyes I have had to deal with,” judge Jeff Blackett said in a statement posted on the ERC website at the time. .
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.The niece of a British government minister went on trial Monday in Versailles, accused of murdering a young Frenchman by slitting his throat after she picked him up in a bar.
Jessica Davies contacted police in the early hours of a Sunday in November 2007 to say she had stabbed the 24-year-old man at her apartment in the chic Saint-Germain-en-Laye suburb west of Paris, judicial officials said.
Davies, who is being held in Versailles women’s prison, claimed to remember nothing of the stabbing, only that she had met Olivier Mugnier in an Irish pub close to her flat a few hours before his death.
Police found the now 30-year-old niece of Britain’s multi-millionaire junior defence minister Quentin Davies so drunk that she could not be brought before a judge until the evening, sources said at the time. .
The trial by jury is expected to last two days, with a verdict likely on Tuesday.
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.The Eiffel Tower was transformed into a glittering jewel and fireworks lit up the London sky as millions of revellers welcomed the New Year across Europe.
A spectacular light show and fireworks display lit up the Paris sky as revellers partied in the streets below.
In the Scottish capital Edinburgh up to 80,000 people turned out in Edinburgh for the annual Hogmanay outdoor street party, some sporting furry horned tartan helmets against the bitter cold as they gathered to watch fireworks by Edinburgh Castle. .
In Russia, more than 120,000 crowded onto Moscow’s Red Square to toast 2010 as President Dmitry Medvedev thanked his nation for bearing with the economic crisis and evoked family values.
In Berlin more than 1 million revellers were expected to have thronged onto the boulevard leading to the Brandenburg Gate, the symbol of German unity, with live bands and DJs cranking up the party.
“Our success in the new year depends on what each of us will do for his family and his country,” he said.
“The past year was not a very easy one for our country, and I want to thank you all for bearing up together,” a smiling Mr Medvedev said in a traditional New Year address.
But after security jitters rekindled by a Christmas Day bomb plot against a passenger jet claimed by Al Qaeda, undercover police, surveillance cameras and radiation and biological detection equipment were to monitor the crowds.
In New York, a downpour of confetti was to mark midnight at a traditional mass celebration in Times Square in the heart of Manhattan.
.Former Gold Coast Titans back Chris Walker has signed a two-year contract with French Super League side Catalans Dragons, the club said.
“This is good news for the club,” Dragons sporting director Sebastien Munoz said. .
“He will bring speed to the back line, which we have been lacking on occasion.”
Walker arrives from the Titans, having also played for Brisbane Broncos, Melbourne Storm, South Sydney Rabbitohs and Sydney Roosters.
“A new player coming in will provide great competition at the back and that can only be positive for the team.
They have also recruited Storm lock Dallas Johnson and the Roosters’ New Zealand international Setaimata Sa for the club’s fifth Super League campaign.
The Dragons are coached by Walker’s former Broncos team-mate Kevin Walters.
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.France has warmed up for their clash against New Zealand by crushing Samoa 43-5 in a one-sided rugby international at Stade de France.
Coach Marc Lievremont largely revamped the side that upset world champion South Africa 20-13 last week in Toulouse, but that did not stop France from running in seven tries, four of which were converted by scrum half Morgan Parra. I’am also happy to be spoilt for choice before naming the 23-man squad that will face the All Blacks,” he said.
“I’m very happy with our performance tonight.
“This France team will become a great team when it reaches the status of favourite against the best teams in the world and vindicates it by a series of wins. .”
Samoa, which came close to upsetting Wales last week, losing 17-13 at the Millennium Stadium, was never in contention this time, although it resisted bravely in the second half.
“I hope it will come very quickly, but we are not there yet and we know the All Blacks will put forward a very strong challenge next Saturday in Marseille.
France: 43 (F Trinh-Duc 2, D Szarzewski, V Clerc, Y Jauzion, T Dusautoir, B Fall tries; M Parra 4 conversions.
France, which was far too fast, powerful and clever for the visitors, will face a tougher task against the All Blacks next weekend in Marseille.
Samoa: 5 (I Tekori try)
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.Football’s world ruling body FIFA has officially turned down a request from the Irish football authorities to stage a replay of their controversial World Cup play-off defeat to France.
Backed by Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) had lodged the request with FIFA.
However a statement on FIFA’s website said: “FIFA has today, 20 November 2009, replied to the request made by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) to replay the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa play-off match held on 18 November 2009 between France and the Republic of Ireland in Paris.”
France qualified for the 2010 World Cup by winning the two-leg tie 2-1 on aggregate, although there has been outrage and claims of cheating after a blatant Thierry Henry handball led to France’s decisive equaliser.
“In the reply, FIFA states that the result of the match cannot be changed and the match cannot be replayed. .
The French Football Federation (FFF) said it had “taken note” of FIFA’s decision but said it would make “no further comment”.
“A previously scheduled meeting of the FAI board of management will take place this afternoon where the matter will be considered,” an FAI statement said.”
Despite no likelihood of a replay, there have been calls for FIFA president Sepp Blatter to personally comment on the controversy, which many commentators claim has further tarnished the sport.
“No further comment will be made until this meeting has concluded.
“Where is Sepp Blatter? Why hasn’t he come out and stood up and told everyone how it is?
“He’s very good at telling other countries how to run their game.
Former Republic of Ireland midfielder Ray Houghton admitted he did not expect FIFA to order a replay as it is governed by the rules, but he called on Blatter to make a public statement on the decision.”
Henry admitted he handled the ball just before crossing for William Gallas, who headed home the equaliser that broke Irish hearts at the Stade de France. It really needed the top man to come out and tell the footballing public why they have made this decision.
But while Henry was widely condemned, and his integrity questioned, the French football authorities maintain that the referee, Swede Martin Hansson, and not Henry is to blame.
But while Henry was widely condemned, and his integrity questioned, the French football authorities maintain that the referee, Swede Martin Hansson, and not Henry is to blame.
FIFA’s statement added: “As is clearly mentioned in the Laws of the Game, during matches, decisions are taken by the referee and these decisions are final. I don’t understand why we are expected to say sorry,” France coach Raymond Domenech said.”
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.France has closed in on the World Cup finals, while fellow star-studded giant Portugal struggled for a 1-0 home victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina on a night of tense, first-leg play-off ties. .
Chelsea striker Anelka struck the vital away goal with 18 minutes left at Croke Park, with his shot taking a wicked deflection off Sean St Ledger and past Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given.
In Lisbon, Portugal, the 2006 semi-finalist but playing without the injured Cristiano Ronaldo, struggled to a win over Bosnia Herzegovina.
Ireland had wasted a golden opportunity in the first half when Liam Lawrence missed the target from just eight yards.
Porto defender Bruno Alves was on target with a powerful backpost header after 31 minutes for the game’s only goal.
It could have been a black night for the Portuguese, who were saved by the woodwork on three occasions, including twice in the last minute.
But Senijad Ibricic crashed a header against the crossbar, before a dramatic final minute which saw Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko’s far-post header come off the crossbar while Zlatan Muslimovic’s follow-up volley came off the post.
Despite losing 2-1 to Russia in Moscow, Nejc Pecnik’s goal two minutes from time gave Slovenia hope it they can make sure of a second World Cup appearance in the return leg.
Meanwhile, unheralded Slovenia and Ukraine took tentative steps closer to finals.
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Ukraine, a quarter-finalist in 2006, will also be confident of achieving back-to-back World Cup spots, after holding 2004 European champions Greece to a scoreless draw in Athens
.World number one Roger Federer has sunk to an embarrassing 3-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-4 second-round defeat against unseeded Frenchman Julien Benneteau in the ATP Paris Masters.
The Swiss ace looked on course for the third round after cruising through the first set, but came unstuck in the second as uncharacteristic errors begin to creep into his game.
Benneteau, the world number 49, was roared on by his home crowd and secured the result of his life with an ace after bringing up match point by rattling a crosscourt backhand past the 15-time major-winner.
“Even in the second set, I don’t think I had a break point.
“He was very strong at the end,” said Federer of his 27-year-old opponent, who has never won an ATP title. It wasn’t a bad performance.
“I can definitely play better but I can also play much worse.
“Julien went out and got the victory.”
Second seed Rafael Nadal, meanwhile, admitted that he was “very lucky” after edging a titanic struggle with Spanish compatriot Nicolas Almagro 3-6, 7-6 (7-2), 7-5 in three hours and 14 minutes. I had chances and missed them.
“I played great tennis in only one moment, but in the rest of the match I didn’t play well,” Nadal said in reference to his comeback from 5-6 and 0-40 down in the second set.
Nadal was a set and 5-6 down against Almagro, who had not taken a set from him in four previous meetings, and survived five match points before battling back to set up a third-round tie with 14th-seeded countryman Tommy Robredo. That’s the truth.
“I am very lucky to be in the (next) round. I played bad but I won, which is the one positive thing. I played bad but I won, which is the one positive thing. .
British fourth seed Murray saw off America’s James Blake 6-3, 6-7 (5-7), 7-6 (7-4) in a match that finished at 1:46am local time to set up a match with Czech 13th seed Radek Stepanek.
“This day will be where all the memories of my career will stay, all in one box.
“This day will stand out for a long time, until I pass into a different world,” Safin, a three-time winner here, told the crowd at the Bercy arena during a special post-match ceremony.
“I didn’t feel that great on the court,” Djokovic said.”
Third seed Djokovic, who beat Federer in the Basel final last weekend, overcame Argentina’s Juan Monaco 6-3, 7-5. But I got a victory and that’s what matters most.
“It was probably a long week in Basel that affected that.”
Djokovic will now face French qualifier Arnaud Clement, a 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (10-8) winner over German 16th seed Tommy Haas, with Del Potro to play Chilean 10th seed Fernando Gonzalez.
“Generally speaking, I’ve picked up great form in the last two months.
Soderling is one place outside the eight qualifying berths for the year-end event but needs to at least reach the final to stand any chance of securing one of the last two available spots.
Soderling is one place outside the eight qualifying berths for the year-end event but needs to at least reach the final to stand any chance of securing one of the last two available spots.
He will meet Russian Nikolay Davydenko, currently seventh in the race to London, in the next round.
Gael Monfils, the 15th seed, set up an encounter with Benneteau by beating fellow Frenchman David Guez 6-4, 7-5, with 12th seed Marin Cilic set to face Spain’s Fernando Verdasco after coming from behind to beat Polish qualifier Lukasz Kubot 6-7 (3-7), 6-4, 6-2.
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