Germany 0-1 Spain
June 30, 2008
Spain claimed their first major title for 44 years after winning Euro 2008 with a deserved victory over Germany.
Liverpool striker Fernando Torres was Spain’s goal hero, striking after 33 minutes when he cleverly lifted Xavi’s pass over Germany keeper Jens Lehmann.
Spain dominated the final throughout, with Torres heading against the post and Marcos Senna almost adding a second from close range after 80 minutes.
Michael Ballack came close for Germany, shooting narrowly wide after the break.
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Spain have long had a reputation as under-achievers on the big occasions, but this was a richly-merited victory for veteran coach Luis Aragones and a team that played outstanding football throughout the tournament.
Germany were outclassed, and for captain Ballack his catalogue of misery in major finals continues having lost two Champions League finals and also been suspended for the 2002 World Cup final when they lost to Brazil.
Match-winner Torres enhanced the reputation he forged at Liverpool last season, but this was an all-round effort for a side that is young enough to already be marked down among the favourites for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Germany were lifted by Ballack declaring himself fit after a calf injury - but he had little impact on a first 45 minutes in which Spain were the vastly-superior side.
Andres Iniesta almost created the opening goal for Spain in the 13th minute when his driven cross took a deflection off Christoph Metzelder, but Lehmann pulled off a fine reflex save.
And they came even closer nine minutes later when Torres rose to meet Sergio Ramos’s cross, but his header bounced to safety off the post.
But he was not to be denied and put Spain ahead with a trademark piece of sharpness in front of goal after 33 minutes.
Xavi’s pass created uncertainty for Germany defender Philipp Lahm and Torres shrugged him off the ball to lift a superb finish beyond Lehmann.
Germany’s problems threatened to worsen when Ballack needed lengthy treatment for an eye wound after a clash of heads with Marcos Senna.
David Silva then wasted a perfect opportunity to double Spain’s advantage when he was set up by Iniesta, but he rushed his finish and shot wildly over the top.
Germany made a change at half-time, sending on Marcell Jansen for Lahm, but it was still Spain who dominated.
Xavi and Silva were both off target - but Germany were sticking to their task and almost grabbed an equaliser when Ballack shot just wide after Carles Puyol had conceded possession in a dangerous area.
Spain continued to look the more threatening side, but there was still the lingering prospect of Germany’s refusal to accept defeat yielding an unlikely equaliser.
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Casillas lifted the Henri Delaunay trophy for Spain
Silva was fortunate to stay on the pitch when he appeared to motion to head-butt Germany’s Lukas Podolski, but Italian referee Roberto Rosetti decided against taking any action.
Ramos should have put the game beyond Germany’s reach after 66 minutes when he headed straight at Lehmann from point-blank range as he got on the end of Xavi’s free-kick.
Iniesta then had a shot cleared off the line by Torsten Frings and another effort saved by Lehmann as Spain looked in the mood to add a second.
And Germany had a remarkable escape after 80 minutes when substitute Daniel Guiza - on for Torres - headed the ball straight into Senna’s path right in front of goal, but he could not apply the final touch.
Spain were not made to pay for their generosity in front of goal and ran out worthy winners.
Germany: Lehmann, Friedrich, Metzelder, Mertesacker, Lahm (Jansen 46), Hitzlsperger (Kuranyi 58), Frings, Podolski, Ballack, Schweinsteiger, Klose (Gomez 79).
Subs Not Used: Enke, Adler, Fritz, Westermann, Rolfes, Neuville, Trochowski, Borowski, Odonkor.
Booked: Ballack, Kuranyi.
Spain: Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Puyol, Marchena, Capdevila, Senna, Iniesta, Fabregas (Alonso 63), Xavi, Silva (Santi Cazorla 66), Torres (Guiza 78).
Subs Not Used: Palop, Reina, Albiol, Fernando Navarro, Villa, Sergio Garcia, Arbeloa, Juanito, De la Red.
Booked: Casillas, Torres.
Goals: Torres 33.
Att: 51,428
Ref: Roberto Rosetti (Italy).
BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: Spain’s Cesc Fabregas 8.36 (on 90 minutes).
Please note that you can still give the players marks out of 10 on BBC Sport’s Player Rater after the match has finished.
Spain have won the European Championship for the second time. In 1964, they also lifted the trophy after beating the Soviet Union 2-1 in the final. In 1984, they also reached the final but lost 2-0 against France.
Just as Greece four years ago, Spain have kept clean sheets in all three knock-out rounds after the group phase.
As well as winning the European Championship three times (1972, 1980, 1996), Germany have now also lost three European Championship finals (1976, 1992, 2008).
With four goals, David Villa has become top scorer at Euro 2008 without having played in the final. That is the fewest goals for a European Championship top scorer since 1992, when Dennis Bergkamp, Tomas Brolin, Henrik Larsen and Karl-Heinz Riedle all scored three goals.
At the age of 38 years and 232 days, Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann became the oldest player ever to appear in the European Championship final, breaking the record set by Arnold Muhren (37 years, 23 days) in 1988.
At the age of 69 years and 337 days, winning coach Luis Aragones has become the oldest coach ever to appear in the final of a European Championship. Aragones is more than four years older than Otto Rehhagel (65 years, 327 days) was four years ago when Greece beat Portugal in the Euro 2004 final.
Eco-town campaigners to hold demo
June 30, 2008
Campaigners from many of the 15 sites in England earmarked for “eco-towns” are to voice their opposition by staging a protest outside Parliament.
The groups, which include local authorities and pressure groups, will then hand in their response to the first round of public consultation.
It comes as environmental campaigners call on ministers to “go back to the drawing board” on the plans.
Meanwhile, the government is set to launch the next round of consultation.
The government hopes to build 10 of the 15 proposed eco-towns by 2020 and they are meant to set new green standards in house building.
‘Truly exemplary’
The 15 shortlisted schemes include sites in South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and Oxfordshire.
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 Many of these shortlisted schemes are recycled, failed proposals 
Marina Pacheco, CPRE
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The 10 sites for the eco-towns will be finalised later this year.
Ministers wants five of them built by 2016, with the other half completed by 2020.
The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) said new towns were “the least sustainable way” of developing housing and other plans should be examined.
CPRE head of planning Marina Pacheco said ministers should focus on one or two “truly exemplary” schemes, which were sited in the right place to be sustainable and could be developed to the best green standards.
The concerns the conservation charity have about the proposed developments include:
- The schemes risk being car-dependent housing estates
- Most are predominantly in greenfield sites, and two are in the Green Belt
- Most go against local plans agreed with communities
- The sites have been chosen by developers, rather than fitting in with planning in the wider public interest
- Lack of evidence to suggest schemes will offer truly sustainable models of living and working
- Three bids are in the east of England where, according to CPRE, water supply and sewerage have already reached maximum capacity
Ms Pacheco said that initially CPRE had supported the eco-towns initiative of building to high-environmental standards while providing the affordable homes the UK needs.
But she said the plans were now in urgent need of a redesign.
She said: “We are urging the government to go back to the drawing board. Many of these shortlisted schemes are recycled, failed proposals.
“But by refusing to look at alternatives, such as eco-quarters and redevelopment sites already coming through the planning pipeline, it is missing a golden opportunity.”
‘Perpetuating myths’
A spokesman for the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) said: “This is the CPRE reverting to type, opposing the housing that young families and first-time buyers need.
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‘ECO-TOWNS’ SHORTLIST
 Bordon, Hampshire
Coltishall, Norfolk
Curborough, Staffordshire
Elsenham, Essex
Ford, West Sussex
Hanley Grange, Cambridgeshire
Imerys, nr St Austell, Cornwall
Leeds city region, Yorkshire
Manby, Lincolnshire
Marston Vale and New Marston, Bedfordshire
Middle Quinton, Warwickshire
Pennbury, Leicestershire
Rossington, South Yorkshire
Rushcliffe, Nottinghamshire
Weston Otmoor, Oxfordshire
Source: Department of Communities and Local Government
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“It is a shame that CPRE are preferring to perpetuate myths rather than engaging in the debate about how we build the houses we need.”
The CPRE voiced its concerns as campaigners against nine of the proposals head to London to protest against the plans.
Groups from Staffordshire, Essex, Norfolk, West Sussex, Cambridgeshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Bedfordshire, Leicestershire and Oxfordshire will demonstrate outside Parliament before marching on DCLG to hand in their responses to the consultation.
They will also have a discussion with shadow housing minister Grant Shapps and submit a petition to 10 Downing Street.
Author Jilly Cooper has thrown her backing behind the Bard campaign, which is opposing the development of an eco-town near Stratford-upon-Avon.
She urged Prime Minister Gordon Brown to listen to campaigners’ concerns.
“Admit eco-towns in urban areas might be good in principle, but go back to the drawing board and hear what local people say about local demand,” she said.
“Do you really want the right idea to be floored by wrong location? Sink estates or dormitory towns aren’t much of a legacy.”
The first public consultation period of three months ends on Monday and Housing Minister Caroline Flint is expected to announce the second stage, which will involve a series of roadshows around the shortlisted sites.
Ms Flint said: “The process is open, transparent and inclusive and we are testing every detail of the proposals with local authorities, stakeholders and local communities themselves.
“Within the lively debate about eco-towns and housing growth more generally, I do want to ensure that all voices can be heard.”
Source: BBC News (Internet)
Infections ‘the biggest NHS fear’
June 30, 2008
Picking up an infection is the concern about hospital care most often voiced by the public, a BBC UK poll shows.
Four of 10 of the 1,040 people quizzed listed the risk of potentially deadly infections such as MRSA and Clostridium difficile as their top NHS concern.
In a separate finding, 31% said they would consider avoiding NHS surgery for fear of getting an infection.
The government said it had introduced a raft of measures which were already having an impact in reducing infection.
Despite the concerns raised by the survey, 82% of respondents said they were proud of the health service, with half claiming it was still the envy of the world.
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We owe it to patients to be able to prove to them that hospitals are a safe place to go to benefit from the help modern medicine can provide
Dr Hamish Meldrum
British Medical Association |
The most widely-cited concern after infections was the wait people face for treatment.
Despite the NHS in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland making shorter waits a priority, one in four people still cited this as a concern.
In England, which is the furthest ahead in reducing waits, no one should be waiting longer than 18 weeks by the end of the year.
By comparison, a decade ago, waits of two years were not uncommon.
One in 10 polled also said that both the lack of staff and mixed-sex accommodation was their biggest concern.
However, it is superbugs which dominate people’s thoughts in the poll carried out by ICM Research for the BBC.
Lack of confidence
Just 33% of respondents said they were confident that the NHS would protect them for picking up an infection in hospital.
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In contrast, 94% were confident that the NHS would provide good care in an emergency such as a car crash, and 86% were confident it would deliver a baby safely.
Ministers have made tackling bugs a major priority launching initiatives such as this year’s £50m deep clean of wards.
MRSA rates have been falling almost consistently for the last two years - although they have recently shown signs of stalling at just above 4,000 cases per quarter in England.
Nonetheless, the government is confident it will meet its target to halve rates this year based on a 2004 baseline.
The number of cases of C. difficile, which can cause severe diarrhoea and inflammation of the bowel and is more common but less deadly than MRSA, has also shown signs of falling.
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 As the NHS turns 60, BBC News is giving it a health check. Watch out for reports, features and analysis on TV, radio and the web.
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Infection rates are even higher in Scotland, while in Wales and Northern Ireland they are slightly lower.
Dr Hamish Meldrum, chairman of the British Medical Association, said the findings on infection were of “huge concern”.
He said: “We understand why people are so concerned about hospital-acquired infections and although infection rates are coming down, no-one can be happy with the levels that still exist.
“We owe it to patients to be able to prove to them that hospitals are a safe place to go to benefit from the help modern medicine can provide.”
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We have got a grip of this problem, but I am not surprised that people feel concerned
Alan Johnson
Health Secretary |
Professor John Appleby, chief economist of the independent think thank The King’s Fund, said media coverage had fuelled fears about hospital infections.
“The good news from the NHS to the public is that in the last four years it has reduced the numbers of MRSA infections to a risk that is half the chance of getting four correct numbers in the lottery.”
A Department of Health spokeswoman said it had “come a long way in tackling infections, but any avoidable infection is one too many”.
“We have introduced a raft of measures that we know will reduce infection and are already having an impact,” she said.
“We have implemented stringent hand-washing guidance for the NHS, a bare below the elbows dress code, putting matrons back in charge of cleanliness on their wards and an ongoing deep clean of every ward.”
Health Secretary Alan Johnson said hospital acquired infections had always been a problem, but attention on the subject had become more intense.
“The latest statistics show that MRSA is down by 30% on this time last year, and C. diff is down by 23%.
“We have got a grip of this problem, but I am not surprised that people feel concerned.”
Source: BBC News (Internet)
Alexander visits Helmand province
June 30, 2008
International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander is visiting British troops in southern Afghanistan.
He is also expected to tour a hospital in the capital of Helmand Province, Lashkar Gar and is due to meet leaders of the city’s provincial council.
Mr Alexander’s visit comes at the end of one of the deadliest months for British troops since the 2001 invasion. Thirteen service personnel were killed in June, the most recent on Saturday in Lashkar Gar.
The soldier, of B Company 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, stepped on the mine while on patrol. The death brings the total number of British troops killed since 2001 to 110.
‘Desperately poor’
Mr Alexander’s visit is part of an ongoing effort to promote development in Afghanistan.
Britain is spending more than £120m this year on development aid to the country, but the security situation has seriously hampered progress.
The development secretary told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme Afghanistan was a “noble cause” and “very real progress” was being made.
He said there were now six million children in school in the country, including two million girls, compared to 2001 when just 200,000 boys were enrolled and girls were banned from receiving an education altogether.
But Mr Alexander said Afghanistan was still a “desperately poor country” and its development would be a “long-term challenge”.
He said: “That’s why it’s so critical that alongside the military effort that’s being expended there is also real effort being put in to build the capacity of the Afghan government to deliver the kind of services that people want to see - whether education, whether health or more basically law and order.
“So there has to be a seamless match between the military effort and the civilian effort.”
Source: BBC News (Internet)
Iraq seeking help to develop oil
June 30, 2008
Iraq is set to announce a series of contracts with foreign oil companies in an effort to boost output of its key export commodity.
US and European firms will be asked to provide technical expertise to help Iraq increase daily production by up to half a million barrels.
Output is at its highest since the 2003 invasion but huge investment is needed to modernise its oil infrastructure.
Iraq has reserves of about 115 billion barrels, the world’s third largest.
Greater stability
The reduction in violence in much of the country over the past year has helped the oil sector achieve greater stability.
Production currently totals 2.5 million barrels a day, the highest since the 2003 US-led invasion of the country.
On Saturday, Iraq announced it was setting up a third state-owned oil business to expand production from the Maysan region in the south east of the country.
Iraq hopes to increase output to 2.9 million barrels by the end of 2009 and has more ambitious plans for developing the industry to help fund long-term reconstruction.
With oil prices at record levels and, according to many experts, set to rise further, the prospect of increased output from Iraq will provide some comfort amid growing worries about whether global supplies can meet long-term demand for oil.
Iraqi officials are expected to announce details of six short-term contracts on Monday.
Reports have suggested firms such as Exxon Mobil, Shell, Total and BP will be involved.
The BBC’s Nicholas Witchell in Baghdad said officials hoped the presence of firms of such stature would help not only make the industry more productive but encourage other foreign businesses to invest in Iraq.
Source: BBC News (Internet)
NHS overhaul plans to be laid out
June 30, 2008
Health minister Lord Darzi is to announce plans for the next 10 years of England’s NHS after a year-long consultation with patients and staff.
His proposals are expected to focus on improving quality through financial incentives and performance data.
The review also includes controversial proposals for 150 GP-led health centres in England, which doctors have warned put existing services at risk.
The prime minister hailed the review as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity”.
‘Bold vision’
In his foreword to the report, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the reform plans would have “an even more profound effect” than previous shake-ups.
“It is a bold vision for an NHS which is among the best healthcare systems in the world - a once-in-a-generation opportunity that we owe it to ourselves and our families to take,” he said.
Lord Darzi’s review will be published alongside the government’s draft “NHS constitution”.
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INFECTION FEAR
 A BBC poll commissioned to mark the 60th anniversary of the NHS reveals that healthcare acquired infections are the public’s biggest concern
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It is thought patients will be given a legal right to choose where they are treated.
And reports have emerged that nurses will be encouraged to set up their own not-for-profit companies under the plans for NHS reform.
The review is expected to focus on clinical quality, rather than quantity, with financial incentives for hospitals and GPs who provide a first rate service to patients, whose views will be given a higher priority than in the past.
Lord Darzi carried out a consultation with 10 regions around the country during his review.
Local plans announced at the beginning of June outlined changes to a wide range of services.
In the East Midlands, this included specialist heart attack centres, better maternity care and an expansion of cancer screening.
Opposition
An interim report from Lord Darzi in October outlined plans for GP-led health centres open 8am to 8pm seven days a week, to be used by anyone - whether or not they are registered there.
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FIND OUT MORE
 As the NHS turns 60, BBC News is giving it a health check. Watch out for reports, features and analysis on TV, radio and the web.
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This came after the announcement of a network of polyclinics in London which would provide GP care alongside some care traditionally provided in hospitals.
Doctors have clashed head on with the government over the proposals and delivered a petition to Downing Street signed by a million patients.
The British Medical Association says the government is guilty of foisting the health centres on areas where they are not needed - putting existing services under threat.
It fears they will be too big to offer patients continuity of care, and is concerned that they will not provide value for money.
The Tories have also said the plans will put local GPs out of business.
But the government said they will be paid for out of new money and will offer patients more choice and better access.
Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley said the public knew that the NHS needs reforming and that “Labour had failed them on this crucial issue”.
“But they also know that Conservative reforms for health care will not threaten the security that comes with a health service available to all, based on need,” he added.
Zimbabwe looms over Africa summit
June 30, 2008
African Union (AU) leaders have begun a summit in Egypt that looks set to be overshadowed by the crisis in Zimbabwe.
President Robert Mugabe is in the resort of Sharm el-Sheikh for the meeting, fresh from victory in Zimbabwe’s election.
He was sworn in on Sunday, but election observers said pre-poll violence had undermined the vote’s credibility.
There have been calls for the AU not to recognise Mr Mugabe, but it may urge talks with the opposition instead.
Mr Mugabe claimed a landslide victory as the sole candidate after the leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), Morgan Tsvangirai, withdrew.
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The head of a 400-person observer mission from the Southern African Development Community (Sadc), Angolan Sports Minister Jose Marcos Barrica, was quoted as saying: “The pre-election phase was characterised by politically-motivated violence, intimidation and displacements.”
Another observer team, from the Pan-African Parliament, has called for fresh elections to be held, saying the vote was not free or fair.
Call for dialogue
The AU meeting was declared open by the current chairman, Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, who introduced host President Hosni Mubarak for the first speech.
The 53-nation bloc will then begin closed-door talks.
The AU has a rule not to accept leaders who have not been democratically elected - but observers say it is unlikely to take such strong action against Mr Mugabe so quickly.
ZIMBABWE AND ITS NEIGHBOURS
A draft resolution written by African foreign ministers during talks ahead of the summit did not criticise the elections or Mr Mugabe, but condemned violence in general terms and called for dialogue.
African leaders are expected to urge Mr Mugabe to enter into talks with Mr Tsvangirai, and engage in some sort of power-sharing agreement.
South African President Thabo Mbeki, the regionally-appointed mediator for Zimbabwe, has called for a negotiated solution.
On the eve of the summit, Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa was rushed to hospital in Sharm el-Sheikh suffering chest pains.
Mr Mwanawasa, who is said to be in a stable condition, has taken a tough line against Mr Mugabe’s regime, calling the election undemocratic.
Spoilt ballots
Zimbabwe’s opposition has called on the AU to take a greater role in mediating the crisis.
Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai withdrew from Zimbabwe’s election
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MDC Vice President Thokozani Khupe said the AU should send a dedicated envoy to Zimbabwe as well as peacekeepers to halt the violence.
Mr Mugabe was sworn in during a quickly convened ceremony on Sunday, about an hour after the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission announced the results of the presidential election run-off.
The commission said Mr Mugabe won 85.5% of the vote, but many ballots were spoiled.
In a speech that followed the swearing-in ceremony, Mr Mugabe said he was committed to talks with the opposition to find a solution to the political crisis.
However, BBC Southern Africa correspondent Peter Biles says the opposition may reject any notion of a government of national unity in which Mr Mugabe is still in a key position.
The MDC said some 86 of its supporters were killed and 200,000 forced from their homes by militias loyal to the ruling Zanu-PF party in the weeks preceding the run-off.
The government has blamed the MDC for the violence.
The 84-year-old Mr Mugabe has been in power since Zimbabwe gained independence from Britain in 1980.
Source: BBC News (Internet)
Scores hurt in S. Korea beef protests
June 29, 2008
SEOUL, South Korea (CNN) – Thousands of protesters battled riot police in downtown Seoul early Sunday morning after a rally opposing South Korea’s decision to import U.S. beef turned violent. More than 100 were wounded, the state news agency reported.
Police use a water cannon to disperse protesters during a rally against U.S. beef imports in Seoul on Sunday.
The demonstrators used ropes to pull down police buses that had been parked around the presidential office to block the marchers from entering.
Many carried steel pipes and hurled rocks at officers. Police fired back with water cannons and fire extinguishers.
South Koreans have protested regularly since April when the government announced it would resume importing beef from the United States after a five-year ban. That ban was instituted over a case of mad cow disease in 2003.
The widespread public protests essentially paralyzed the government of President Lee Myung-bak, who replaced seven top aides this month and plans to reshuffle his cabinet.
After a series of negotiations, Seoul and Washington came up with a revised agreement on June 21 — one that limits imports to cattle less than 30 months old. Animals more than 30 months old are considered at a greater risk for mad cow disease, which can be transmitted to humans.
The revised agreement also excludes the import of certain parts believed more susceptible to mad cow disease. The initial deal would have allowed the import of all U.S. beef imports.
The assurance did little to placate demonstrators who took to the streets late Saturday night, leading to the latest riots.
Scientists believe mad cow disease spreads when farmers feed cattle recycled meat and bones from infected animals. The U.S. banned recycled feeds in 1997.
Eating meat products contaminated with the illness has been linked to variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, a rare and fatal malady in humans.
The imports are expected to resume this month.
Source: BBC News (Internet)
Discovering Reims’ rich history
June 29, 2008
(Tribune Media Services) — Imagine that happy day around 1700 when the monk Dom Perignon, after much fiddling with the double fermentation of his grape juice, stumbled onto a bubbly delight. Having tasted the very first glass of champagne, he ran through the abbey shouting, “Brothers, come quickly … I’m drinking stars!”
You can tour a handful of interesting Champagne caves right in Reims. Most tours include a walk through the chalky cellars, where literally millions of bottles are stored; a tour of a museum featuring old Champagne-making contraptions; and, of course, a ritual tasting. Guided visits cost 12 euros and take about an hour.
But there’s far more to Reims than bubbly. Reims has a turbulent history. It was one of many cities essentially destroyed in World War I — by 1918, there was barely a building standing. Reims was rebuilt in the next decade during the art deco age. Today, this lively workaday town boasts a fun art deco flair without the glamour of tourism, while its sights give you an interesting peek at its past.
The fountain, which hasn’t functioned since World War I, stands dry on the main square. Everything around it was rebuilt — mostly in the 1920s. All around, you’ll see stylized art deco features — geometric reliefs, motifs in ironwork, rounded corners and simple concrete elegance. The only hint of the Middle Ages are the narrow lots upon which they’re built. In a patisserie, a lady hands out samples of Biscuits Roses, the favorite local munchie — light, rose-colored egg and sugar cookies dating from 1756 — to accompany a glass of Champagne.
Don’t Miss
At the Museum of the Surrender, World War II buffs can visit the actual room where the Armistice was signed by British, American, French, German, and Soviet leaders. In this building, Gen. Dwight Eisenhower received the unconditional surrender of all German forces in the early morning of May 7, 1945. The surrender was announced the next day, turning May 8 into Victory in Europe (V-E), or Armistice, Day.
Anyone interested in World War II will be fascinated by the extensive collection of artifacts (like the ticker tape with the happy news), photos, and video. The signing room still has the maps with troop positions on the walls and the 13 chairs with nametags in their original spots.
The cathedral of Reims is a glorious example of Gothic architecture, and one of Europe’s greatest churches. Clovis, the first king of the Franks, was baptized at a church on this site in A.D. 496, establishing France’s Christian roots that hold firm today. Since Clovis’ baptism, Reims’ cathedral has been the place for the coronation of 25 French kings and queens — allowing it to play a more important role in France’s political history than Paris’ Notre Dame cathedral. Severe bombing during World War I devastated the church, which was later restored (just in time for the start of World War II), thanks in large part to John D. Rockefeller.
Flying buttresses soar from the sides of the church. These massive “beams” are critical to supporting this structure. The pointed arches inside the church push the weight of the roof outward, rather than downward. The flying buttresses support the roof by pushing back inward, creating a delicate balance between the two forces. Gothic architects learned by trial and error — many church roofs caved in as they tested their theories and strove to build ever higher.
Contemplate the lives of the people who erected this huge building, starting in 1211. Construction on a scale like this required a wholesale community effort — all hands on deck. Most townsfolk who participated donated their money or their labor knowing that neither they, nor their children, nor their children’s children would ever see it completed — such was their pride, dedication and faith. Master masons supervised, while the average Jean did much of the sweat work. Labor was something even the poorest medieval peasant could donate generously.
In the apse glows a luminous set of Marc Chagall stained-glass windows from 1974. Chagall’s inimitable style lent itself to stained glass, depicting scenes from the Old Testament and the resurrection of Christ. The Tree of Jesse is extended to symbolically include the royalty of France, both affirming the divine power of the monarchs but also stressing the need to rule with wisdom and justice.
With its Gothic cathedral, venerable Champagne caves, playful art deco style and vibrant pedestrian zone, Reims feels both historic and youthful at the same time.
Source: BBC News (Internet)
Amy Winehouse ‘lashes out’ at fan
June 29, 2008
Amy Winehouse has returned to the stage at the Glastonbury Festival and appeared to throw a punch at a fan.
She lashed out at someone who tried to grab her hair as she finished her set alongside fans in front of the stage, her spokesman said.
She was followed by US rapper Jay-Z, who gave a triumphant performance to win over critics who claimed a hip-hop act should not headline the festival.
Other stars on a mostly sunny Saturday included Duffy and Massive Attack.
Winehouse appeared to lunge into the crowd near the end of her set
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Winehouse’s one-hour performance was her first full UK show for seven months.
It drew a huge crowd to the Pyramid Stage but split opinion among fans. Her spokesman said at least 75,000 people watched and that organisers had never seen the field so full.
“The ‘lashing out’ was when someone tried to grab her hair and she reacted,” the spokesman said.
But footage of the incident did not clearly show what provoked her lunge.
The Grammy-winning singer was on fine form and in good voice for most of the set, going some way to dispelling fears about her health.
She jumped down into the security pit for the last two songs, separated from the fans by a crush barrier.
“Thanks for your support,” she told them earlier, as she performed tracks such as Cupid, Rehab and Tears Dry on Their Own.
“I really enjoyed it - I’ve never seen her live before and I thought it was really good,” said one fan, 18-year-old Lucinda Whitehead.
But Laura Bradley, 24, said: “It’s a shame the crowd didn’t appreciate her. They were slagging her off.”
There appeared to be a smaller crowd for Jay-Z, but he was greeted by chants and cheers.
The New York hip-hop star fired up the crowd with an introduction that included a BBC interview in which Oasis star Noel Gallagher said hip-hop was “wrong” for Glastonbury.
Jay-Z then took the stage to the strains of the Oasis hit Wonderwall.
“So they say you guys didn’t want me here to be here tonight,” he said.
“They said you guys weren’t into hip-hop.” The crowd responded by chanting his name to show their support.
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 A placard from Shakin’ Stevens fans mocked Jay-Z’s song 99 Problems
Profile: Saturday headliner Jay-Z
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“Thanks for all the love here tonight,” the star added, saying Glastonbury had “embraced my culture”.
“This is a beautiful moment, I’m glad to share it with each and every one of you,” he said.
The crowd went wild for the star’s hits including 99 Problems, Hard Knock Life and Encore.
He seemed to succeed in winning over the many festival-goers who were unsure about his appearance.
Indie fan James Lucas, 26, wearing a Charlatans T-shirt, said: “It wasn’t my bag – but yes, he was very, very good.
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 “I don’t understand the controversy about Jay-Z,” singer Lily Allen said
See Glastonbury’s surreal suburbs
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“When you see people at the top of their game, it’s worth it.”
Tom O’Shea, 27, from Neath, said it marked “a new era” for the festival.
“It breaks down boundaries and he was amazing in what he did,” he said. “He’s the best rapper in the world.”
Jay-Z’s set sampled songs by U2, Estelle, Rihanna, Amy Winehouse and the Jackson Five.
But one disappointment was the lack of any surprise guests.
His wife Beyonce, Coldplay star Chris Martin, NERD’s Pharrell Williams, LinkinPark, Rihanna and Winehouse had all been rumoured to be joining him on stage.
Earlier acts on the main stage on Saturday included Crowded House, Manu Chao, The Raconteurs and Shakin’ Stevens.
Glastonbury organiser Michael Eavis explains why the festival is so special
The sun shone for most of the day, drying out mud that was created by rain on Thursday and Friday.
Some 172,000 people were on site by Saturday morning, police said.
Crime has almost doubled compared with the same stage last year, with 342 reported offences, up from 177 in 2007. Much of that increase is down to a rise in thefts from tents.
Your Comments
Linkin Park are playing in Dusseldorf this evening so not likely to make Glastonbury. I would be disappointed if I was going to a “rock” festival and the headliner was a hip-hop artist but it’s good to have different genres of music mixed. Maybe he should have had an earlier slot.
Stu, Reading, UK
Rappers ruined Top of the Pops and now they will ruin Glastonbury.
John Edmonds, Newquay, UK
John - it’s funny how you blame everything on rappers. Jay-Z hasn’t even performed yet and everyone is saying a hip-hop act shouldn’t be headlining the festival. Why don’t you lot give him a chance; and it’s better to allow different music at Glastonbury. Jay-Z is definitely going to be one of the best performers.
Steve, London, UK
John - what a sad, silly statement. This is an exchange of cultures, a fun event and Jay-Z will appeal to many people because he is extremely popular; some will “gag”, sure, but there is so much to do there. It’s about love - show Jay-Z some respect, open your ears, enjoy Glastonbury.
Bern, Sarasota, US
Why is Amy Winehouse still allowed to play at Glastonbury and the Nelson Mandela concert? She is clearly… a bad role-model and yet is being promoted as “troubled”. Let’s stop promoting these people until they are “clean” and stop “hero-worshipping” them. All she does is sing. She hasn’t saved the world or done anything worthwhile.
Stuart, Los Angeles, US
Yes, but man can she sing. Lennon didn’t save the world, neither did Dylan. My role-models are teachers, not rock stars or actors.
Marcel, Canada
“All she does is sing.” Yes precisely, that’s why she was booked for Glastonbury, just like all the other artists. No-one’s “hero-worshipping” her, when will all her critics get that through their heads? Who else on the bill has “saved the world”?! It’s a music festival for God’s sake! The mind boggles.
AK, London, UK
I agree with Stuart from LA. Please let’s stop idolising and promoting negative role-models - and then we wonder why kids aspire to be like them? Cognitive dissonance, folks. We’re losing our minds and we even don’t care to notice.
Janice, USA
Stuart - what are you on about? So what if she’s a bad role-model? How many musicians are good role-models these days? If we only allowed people on stage that didn’t drink too much, never took drugs, didn’t swear, fornicate or any of the others things synonymous with the music biz (and to be fair much of modern society), we’d be sat there listening to Julie Andrews all day long. In fact, maybe not ever her.
Paul, York, UK
When did you last save the world, Stuart? She’s a SINGER, not a superhero/cabinet minister… And J Edmonds, what will ruin Glastonbury is people who fail to acknowledge that diversity in music is a strength. Not only has the festival long hosted a range of hip-hop acts, but anyone who has actually been will understand that there are 10 or so headliners at any one time, including the sort of anodyne dross that I’m sure you enjoy.
Tom, Providence, US
Amy Winehouse gives us joy and pleasure. I for one can’t wait to see her. I salute her efforts to perform during this time in her life and she is a world-class act.
Ilan, The Netherlands
I went to every Glasto that was held in the ’90s. During that time I saw (deep breath) De La Soul (twice, first time 1990!), Cypress Hill, the Roots, Michael Franti, Black Eyed Peas, Asian Dub Foundation, the Stereo MCs, Common and many more. It is emphatically NOT just a “rock” festival.
Martin Woollacott, Ashburton, UK
This row about Jay-Z is utterly ridiculous. For a start, Glastonbury did NOT start exclusively as a rock festival anyway. It has always had diverse acts, it’s not about the music and I find it very hard to believe that considering he is one of the biggest selling artists in the world, nobody wants to see him. Oasis always were nothing but a totally retro pub-rock band anyway and their attitude is indicative of the narrow-minded viewpoint that is indie music and which has been prevalent for over a decade now.
Jon, London, UK
Glastonbury isn’t just about rock. It’s about music. Yes, most of the time “white” bands play there, and Jay-Z isn’t white and doesn’t make rock music. But then nor is Amy Winehouse (rock) and nor is Kate Nash (rock) nor Massive Attack nor Will Young. Jay-Z is a world famous musician, producer and yes “rapper” and deserves his slot at Glastonbury. And he will sure rock!
Reena, London, UK
Glastonbury (in the past few years) has not really been a “rock concert”. It’s more of a pop concert, with all different types of genres. If you want a rock concert then why do the whingers not go to Download or Reading?
Iain, Watford, UK
Glastonbury is a music festival not a rock festival. It’s about quality not genre. Orbital, Chemical Brothers, Basement Jaxx etc have all headlined there and rocked it. Even Kylie was meant to headline the other year! If I was there this year Jay-Z would be top of my list to see. I hope all the little music snobs who only want to hear rock/indie don’t ruin it for everyone else tonight…
Andrew, Oxford, UK
I just hope Jay-Z doesn’t get bottled off - that would be embarrassing, not only for Glastonbury, but for future “non-guitar”-based artists thinking about playing UK festivals.
Toby, Southampton, UK
I wish people would remember that these are all musicians, whether you like them or not. Their personal lives are not why we listen to them (unless we relate to lyrics based on their experiences). Forget the tabloid mentality of “build them up and tear them down”. As for “clean” artists, I’m with Bill Hicks on this one: almost all the artists promoting themselves as “clean, Christian, family-friendly” and so on are really, really dull to listen to. Jay-Z is OK, especially with Linkin Park. Even though I detest most rap, hip-hop, R&B or urban - because it doesn’t address the issues in my life or concern me - I like musicians who play instruments and compose their own music over those who sample the work of others and have a crew of people going “woooah” in the background! The music they create is worthwhile in itself.
Cargo, Bristol, UK
To be fair, all popular music put on at Glastonbury is pretty diabolical. Mostly hackneyed dross that only sounds like watered down songs from the sixties. Massive Attack are good, though.
Edward Clayton, Warwick, UK
It’s a shame to see visitors to a festival as expressive, inclusive and welcoming as Glastonbury being so narrow-minded about a hip-hop act. Jay-Z is a phenomenal rapper and more importantly, a hugely talented musician in his own right. I think, and indeed hope, that the bizarre prejudice that has been displayed from some quarters of the media and from Glastonbury attendees will vanish tonight when Jay-Z puts on an immense show full of incredible songs.
Ian Moreno-Melgar, Sheffield, UK
I’ve been going to Glastonbury since I was a baby. This was the first year I could have gone without my parents and two things put me off. Jay-Z is awful he doesn’t belong here and the tickets are too expensive - in recent years the festival is more concerned with making money than putting on a good show Bring back the decent bands, crowds of hippies and lenient gate staff and I’ll be happy.
Jasper Wells, Taunton, UK
Amy was great last night [at the Mandela gig], but clearly in bad shape physically, and worse shape mentally. Sadly, I think this will be the last good Glasto. It is clearly going downhill and has lost its status. Pity, I loved it in the ’80s and ’90s.
David, Uxbridge, UK
Regardless of whether you are a rap fan, rock fan or pop fan, music should be something that brings every one of us together. Jay-Z has sold 50 million albums worldwide, which I am sure is more then some artists put together that are performing at Glasto. All you Jay-Z haters get over yourself and be thankful that he would want to come and perform for you!
Mike, Surrey, UK
What’s the big problem with having a rap act headline a so-called rock music festival?! I always thought festivals were a celebration of music, regardless of its genre. Have people failed to realise that Will Young is also on the bill at Glastonbury - not really your typical rock ‘n’ roll act, is he? I remember when Public Enemy headlined the Reading Festival back in 1992 and there was never this kind of reaction to a rap act on a rock festival bill. Plus they totally blew people away with an incredible performance. Surely we shouldn’t be judging anything until after Jay-Z has played. I think we may all be a little surprised.
Source: BBC News (Internet)