Which is a roundabout way of saying that swarms at this time of year are two-a-penny , and nothing to be really surprised about.
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.European champion Spain has qualified for the 2010 World Cup with two games to spare with goals from Cesc Fabregas, Santi Cazorla and Juan Mata sealing a 3-0 qualifying win over Estonia in Merida.
Bosnia Herzegovina’s 1-1 earlier draw with Turkey meant Spain could book its ticket to South Africa with victory over Estonia and its did not disappoint reeling off an eighth successive win to reach the World Cup.
Spain qualifies as the winner of Group Five and will go to the World Cup as one of the favourites to land the trophy for the first time after following up its Euro 2008 triumph with a flawless qualifying campaign.
Arsenal captain Fabregas scored only his third international goal on 33 minutes to give Spain the lead and Cazorla scored late on to ensure Estonia didn’t gatecrash the World Cup party.
Italy leads Ireland by four points with two games remaining and needs only a draw in Dublin or a win at home to Cyprus next month to ensure it tops the group.
– Italians on brink –
Meanwhile defending champion Italy took a huge step towards qualifying for next year’s World Cup with a competent 2-0 Group Eight victory over Bulgaria. .
Juventus pair Fabio Grosso and Vincenzo Iaquinta, among seven team-mates who started for Italy, scored the goals that ended a run of four games without a single Italian player notching a goal.
“They showed they can play spectacular football.
“It was a great first half, two goals, many chances, we could have scored a third or fourth, I was very happy with that,” he said. We changed a few things and a few players but we couldn’t do any more. In the second half we controlled the game.
France is four points clear in second of Austria, which drew 1-1 away in Romania, whose desperate home form has cost it dearly with just two points from a possible 12 this campaign.
– France closer to safety –
Elsewhere, 2006 finalist France and Portugal looked to be on safer ground for qualifying as the French drew 1-1 away at Group Seven leader Serbia, despite playing most of the match down with 10 players – goalkeeper Hugo Lloris getting his marching orders.
Portugal may still be outside the top two but Denmark being held 1-1 in Albania and Sweden beating Malta, only thanks to an 81st minute own-goal, sees it just two points off second and five off the Danes with two games to go.
Portugal gained a much needed 1-0 victory over Hungary in Budapest with Pepe getting a goal in the ninth minute – and putting his side in even with a chance of winning Group One with two matches remaining.
Germany took care of Azerbaijan as expected with a 4-0 win – Miroslav Klose scoring a brace – while Russia was briefly drawing 1-1 with Wales before running out 3-1 winners in Cardiff to remain a point behind the Germans.
The Group Four dogfight between 2006 semi-finalists Germany and Euro 2008 semi-finalists Russia is all set for a mouth-watering, potential table-topping, decider in Moscow on October 10 after both were comfortable winners.
The Czechs won 7-0 at home to minnows San Marino but it was more memorable for the return of playmaker Tomas Rosicky after 20 months out with injury.
Slovakia looks the likeliest winners of Group Three as it won 2-0 in impressive style in Northern Ireland meaning its neighbour the Czech Republic can only hope at best for the runners-up spot.
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Armenia grabbed its first win of the campaign beating former European finalist and 1986 World Cup semi-finalist Belgium 2-1 in Yerevan in Group Five leading to the resignation of coach Frankie Vercauteren
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Walt Disney Co agreed to buy Marvel Entertainment Inc for $US4 billion in a deal that would add characters such as Iron Man, Spider-Man and the Fantastic
Four to its entertainment empire.
Disney is striking the biggest media deal of the year — one that unites the Incredible Hulk and Mickey Mouse – at a time when the entertainment business is struggling to cope with big spending cutbacks by both consumers and advertisers.
It is also paying a substantial price, a 29 percent premium for Marvel shareholders, and is undertaking its largest acquisition since the $US7.
But none of those risks deterred Disney from seeking out a deal to address an area of concern among investors: How can it better reach more young males.6 billion purchase of Pixar in 2006. .
“This helps give Disney more important exposure to the young male demographic that they have sort of lost some ground with in recent years,” said David Joyce, an analyst with Miller Tabak & Co.
Movies such as “Iron Man 2,” due to hit the theaters next year, or 2011′s “Spider-Man 4″ and “Avengers” should help resolve that issue.
To acquire Marvel, Disney agreed to pay a total of $US30 per share in cash plus about 0.
Moreover, Disney will be able to use its marketing and entertainment might – stretching from ABC to cable television to theme parks – to promote and build characters such as “Thor” in ways Marvel never could. The deal was approved by the boards of both companies.745 Disney shares for each Marvel share they own.29 before falling a bit to $US48.
The shares of Marvel, which was founded in 1939 and rolled out its first blockbuster character, Captain America, in 1941, shot up to a high of $US49.38 in afternoon trading.38 in afternoon trading.
“We at Disney had admired them because of their position and asset base,” Staggs said. The overture began with a meeting between Disney Chief Executive Robert Iger and Marvel CEO Ike Perlmutter and evolved into merger discussions over a series of meetings, Staggs said.”
The shares of Disney, which will acquire ownership more than 5,000 Marvel characters, were down about 3. “With conversations over time we came to believe in the value of a combination. The deal is expected to close close by year-end, but will not add to Disney earnings until fiscal 2012.5 percent in afternoon trading.
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The acquisition came as a surprise, even though Iger had mentioned recently the company would consider acquisitions that bolstered Disney brands across international markets and on new technology platforms
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The daughter of anti-1080 campaigner Chris Short last night waited anxiously at the foot of Mt Tongariro for her dying father to end his protest.
Short, 50, who has a tumour on his kidney and may have just weeks to live, decided to come down off the mountain after pleas by Ngati Tuwharetoa tribe members.
Daughter Teryl, 20, was there to take her exhausted father home after his week out in the open.
She said she wanted to “get him home and give him a good feed and a night’s sleep.
His wife Leanne told that he was “really tired”. . I can’t wait to see him.”
Determined Short, from Taupo, said he had been prepared to die on the mountain in the central North Island unless Clyde and Steve Graf’s documentary on 1080, Poisoning Paradise, was broadcast on TV.
He said he had “achieved my objective and now it’s just important to not turn this magical place into a circus”.
But after a visit from high-ranking Ngati Tuwharetoa members on Friday, Short said he had decided to end his stand out of respect for local Maori. But I will vow to fight 1080 to the end, I just don’t have to do it from up here.
He added: “It means a lot to the original people of this area.
Leanne said she wasn’t angry that her desperately sick husband had spent so long in the cold and exposed conditions.” Iwi did not want Short to end his life on the mountain which is sacred to them and which was blessed on Friday morning. She said it would probably be his last chance to be in the great outdoors. She said it would probably be his last chance to be in the great outdoors. “He needed to go there. He loves those conditions and being in that atmosphere,” she said.
“I don’t want to upset anyone, which is what I have been told was occuring,” he said.”
He apologised to the local iwi for any offence he may have caused.
“I walked in and I will walk out,” he said defiantly.
Short turned down the offer of a helicopter ride back by Taupo Mayor Rick Cooper.
“It wasn’t comfortable but it’s a very special place to be,” he said.
It took Short three days to get to his protest site as a result of atrocious weather including gale-force winds and torrential rain. He said the protest against 1080 had only begun.
Short agreed to give up his protest on Friday but spent the night on the mountain because he needed a full day to make the descent.
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Prime Minister John Key is set to make a splash on American TV as a guest on the iconic Late Show with David Letterman.
Mr Key is understood to be lined up for a guest spot on the long running show for the popular tongue in cheek “top 10″ slot.
Previous participants have included then-presidential hopeful Barack Obama and songstress Britney Spears.
Sources said Mr Key’s appearance was yet to be confirmed and he had not yet decided on his top 10 list.
Mr Key will be in New York next month for the United Nations General Assembly and the Clinton Global Initiative. To keep the budget balanced, I’ll rent the situation room for sweet sixteens.
When he appeared on the show, Barack Obama’s top ten things he’d do as president were:
10. 9. 8. I will double your tax money at the craps table. 7. Appoint Mitt Romney secretary of lookin’ good. 6. If you bring a gator to the White House, I’ll wrassle it. I’ll put Regis on the nickel. I’ll put Regis on the nickel.” 4. I’ll rename the tenth month of the year “Barack-tober. 3. I won’t let Apple release the new and improved ipod the next day you bought the previous model. 2. I’ll find money in the budget to buy Letterman a decent hairpiece. . Pronounce the word nuclear, nuclear.
. Three words: Vice President Oprah
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An Auckland man led police on an 89km chase stretching from Taupo to just shy of Waiouru yesterday.
Wayne Manutai Hira, 37, was finally stopped by road spikes as he slowed for a series of bends.
Taupo Police Constable Gareth Edwards said Hira was first spotted on Lake Terrace, Taupo’s main street, after a Mobil station reported the vehicle leaving without paying for fuel.
Police were already examining for the vehicle after it was believed to have been involved in two previous drive-offs, including one on Tuesday at a Taupo BP.
Hira was alone in the car, having dropped his partner off in Rotorua. .
“Once we initiated the pursuit he didn’t want to pull over,” Mr Edwards said.
“There were a few moments when the speed was greater than 100kmh obviously, but generally the driving was okay,” Mr Edwards said.
He was due to appear in Taupo District Court today charged with reckless driving, failing to stop, driving while forbidden, three counts of theft and breach of bail.
After 45 minutes they decided it was time to deploy road spikes, stopping Hira close to Waiouru.
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The suspected terrorists arrested today in Melbourne allegedly intended to become martyrs in an attack on Holsworthy army base in New South Wales.
The Melbourne Magistrates’ Court heard police believed there was a conspiracy to use weapons to fire upon Australian military personnel.
Prosecutor Nick Robinson, SC, alleged the men intended to keep shooting until they were killed or arrested.
The court heard only one man had been charged with terrorism-related offences while three other men remained in custody without charge.
Mr Robinson agreed with Magistrate Peter Reardon that their intention was to become martyrs.
One of the men, Saney Aweys, appeared in court handcuffed and flanked by two federal agents.
Investigators are seeking a court order to extend their questioning of the men for eight hours. He denied any connection with the men mentioned in court by Mr Robinson. .
Aweys, who has not been charged and who was unrepresented, said he was a boilermaker and needed sleep after being awake for the past 30 hours. “I want to have a rest.
“I want it to stop now,” he said. He adjourned today’s hearing until 2pm for further applications to be made by the prosecution and their defense.”
Mr Reardon granted the application for Aweys to be interviewed for eight hours from 6pm tonight.
Federal agent David Kinton told the court the telephone intercepts had recorded text messages exchanged about the Holsworthy base.
Federal agent David Kinton told the court the telephone intercepts had recorded text messages exchanged about the Holsworthy base.”
He said the men had attempted to find an Islamic sheik or religious authority to give them support to engage in violent attacks in Australia. It is easy to enter. “I’m waiting for your message,” one allegedly said in relation to the information about the Holsworthy base.
Mr Kinton said there had been other text messages sent between the men.
CCTV footage allegedly shows one of the men arriving at Holsworthy on March 28, Mr Kinton said.
“Can you give me the address of Australia and name of train station,” another text allegedly said.
Mr Robinson said that evidence would involve electronic and physical surveillance. He said one telephone discussion intercepted by police involved a man believed to be in Somalia who was engaged in violence there. He said he would allow the questioning of “such serious allegations” to continue.
In granting the application for the extension Mr Reardon said terrorism acts “strike at the heart of our democratic society”.
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REUTERS – France should aim to introduce a carbon tax by 2010 although the complexity of the scheme means a later date might be more realistic, the head of a panel advising the government on the issue said on Tuesday.
The panel’s recommendations will be officially handed to the government on Tuesday but details have already been leaked in the French press.
This would add between 7 and 8 cents or around 15 percent to the cost of a litre of fuel and has triggered complaints among those, such as farmers and fishermen, who say they will be penalised by the plan.
Under the plan, France would charge 32 euros ($46) for every tonne of carbon dioxide emitted in 2010 and lift the levy to 100 euros per tonne in 2030, according to press reports.
The best would be for it to be ready in 2010 but it’s true that all these details .
We haven’t received any objections in principle to the tax but there will be lots of fighting over the details of course, the panel’s head Michel Rocard said on France Info radio… I don’t know if we will be ready in 2010. are complicated, Rocard, a former Socialist prime minister, said in a later appearance on Europe 1 radio.3 billion euros would come from households, according to press reports.
The extra cost per household could be 300 euros a year and it would bring just over 8 billion euros into the state budget of which 4. .
The debate over the tax focuses on how to compensate low income households, those who use lots of fuel in their work or those who work at night before public transport is running.
Rocard also wants to make sure that businesses do not lose their competitive edge.
This tax has to change behaviour but it must not bleed people to death.
For it to be accepted by households and companies .
The carbon tax should not be an umpteenth tax used for filling up the state coffers, the small business union, the CGPME, said in a statement…
Sweden, which holds the rotating European Union presidency, will soon present an EU-wide carbon tax plan. it must be compensated by an equivalent fall in taxes.
climate change – France – law
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Sweden, Denmark and Norway already have carbon taxes in place and China has been studying the idea
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Heavy rain and thunderstorms and possible tornadoes are set to strike northerneastern parts of the country over the next 24 hours.
The MetService said a “very active front” was expected to move across Northland from later today before hitting the Coromandel Peninsula early tomorrow morning.The low is expected to bring severe thunderstorms along mainly coastal areas along with “damaging” wind gusts and possibly tornadoes. It was then predicted to move over the Bay of Plenty on Friday morning. The snow could settle as low as 400m, the MetService said.Cold rain is also forecast to sweep the South Island, with heavy snow falls of up to 25cm predicted for the hills from South Canterbury to South Otago starting tomorrow.The MetService warned that some roads in the area may be affected. .”Snow is likely to spread north into the high ground of Kaikoura, Wairarapa and Hawke’s Bay and a low pressure system is expected to bring some more squally showers to places north of Taupo, and more rain to the Gisborne region,” he said.MetService spokesman Bob McDavitt said the period of unsettled weather was likely to last through the weekend. The unsettled weather may give rise to hazardous driving conditions, so please check the latest weather details before setting off.”There are likely to be extra travellers on the roads this weekend given that the school holidays are kicking off.”
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AFP – China Monday strongly condemned authorities in Paris for making Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama an honorary citizen, saying it was a grave interference in Sino-French ties. .. can only create serious damage to cooperation between Paris and relevant cities in China and has created grave interference in relations between China and France, said a statement faxed to by China’s foreign ministry..
The Paris council decided in March 2008 to make this award out of regard for the Dalai Lama’s qualities and the fight he is leading for dialogue and peace, Paris mayor Bertrand Delanoe told guests at the award ceremony.
The Dalai Lama was made an honorary citizen of the French capital on Sunday following a March 2008 decision by the city’s council to award him the title.
The news comes amid shaky relations between China and France.
China had also warned Paris in May not to make more errors on Tibet by conferring the honour on the Dalai Lama.
The two countries have only just patched up ties after French President Nicolas Sarkozy incurred China’s wrath for meeting the Dalai Lama in Poland in December, leading Beijing to cancel a key EU-China summit.
China accuses the Dalai Lama of seeking independence for Tibet — a claim he denies — and regards any official meeting with him as meddling in its internal affairs.
We oppose Paris’ disregard of the Chinese side, express strong dissatisfaction and firmly oppose its determination to grant the Dalai with the so-called title of ‘honorary citizen’, the ministry said Monday.
We ask Paris to stop any acts of interference in China’s internal affairs, to adopt effective measures, immediately rectify its mistake, and avoid going too far on the wrong path, it said.
The Chinese foreign ministry acknowledged in its statement Monday that relations with France had recently improved thanks to efforts on both sides.
The Dalai Lama, who has lived in exile in Dharamsala in India since 1959, when China took full control of Tibet, began a European tour in Denmark last Friday and has also visited Iceland and the Netherlands.
The Dalai Lama, who has lived in exile in Dharamsala in India since 1959, when China took full control of Tibet, began a European tour in Denmark last Friday and has also visited Iceland and the Netherlands