World Cup 2010: David James insists Germany is just 'another match'

Summary

David James, the goalkeeper of the English soccerteam, has said that England will play Sunday's game against somewhat of a rival; Germany, just as they played any other match this Championship. Not many fans think that is going to be enough versus Germany, still James said: "Obviously there'll be a lot of external references and whatever else, historical references. But for us it's a game against a decent outfit – one we have to win to progress." James sees himself as well prepared, considering the possibility of facing a penalty shoot-out against Germany, just as England did in the semi-finals in 1990 and 1996, but hopes it does not come that far.

My opinion

I do think there is a very good possibility the match this Sunday be a draw after more than 90 minutes, following into a penalty kick-off. It is just as important to already having selected your penalty kickers as it is to prepare your goalkeeper. Capello will practice some more with James on penalties for him knowing as well the chance of ending the match in a kick-off. As for me, I am definitely going to watch the match this Sunday and will see for myself how the match will turn out.

Link

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jun/25/david-james-england-world-cup

Human foetus feels no pain before 24 weeks, study says

Summary

A review of scientific evidence has been published today, saying the human foetus feels no pain. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists says neither conscious or the connections of the brain are formed far enough for the foetus to feel any amount of pain. There are also people, instead of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, who are trying to shorten the amount of time you can wait out before having an abortion, which is 24 weeks at this moment. Josephine Quintavalle, from Comment on Reproductive Ethics, said the following: "Performing abortion humanely does not justify the fact that you are terminating a human life."

My opinion

I have always been against abortion so this is very good news to me. I think when you become pregnant, you have to take responsibility for your actions. There obviously are exceptions to that; for instance when you are forced to having sex. Just as when you are stupid enough to decide to perfrom unsave sex, I think you should be responsible enough to take the responsibility without having an abortion and try to take care for your child in any way you can. You were there when you practiced unsave sex, so to my opinion it is unfair to then murder your child.

Link

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/jun/25/human-foetus-no-pain-24-weeks

Police quell Ryanair mutiny with chocolate

Summary

Airtraffic controllers in France have made a big impact on a Ryanair flight at Prestwick airport. The flight was held on the runway because of delays, indirectly caused by airtraffic controllers in France who were on a strike. The passengers were protesting against the long delay and became hungry and thirsty, therefore the Scotland police came to the rescue with emergency supplies of chocolate and water. Sarah Toom, one of the passengers of the particular flight had the following to say to BBC Scotland: "It was quite hectic in the aircraft earlier”. and “We weren't allowed off the aircraft to buy food and drink."

My opinion

I think it is not fair that other people besides the airport employers in France have to suffer from a strike by French air traffic controllers. The strikers most probably did not expect other countries to suffer from their strike, but if they did not, they must have considered it. Striking at an airport has greater consequences than you firstly imagine. I just hope they are going to appologize for their actions and what they indirecty did to the passengers of the Ryanair flight and most probably other people.

Link

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/jun/25/police-quell-ryanair-mutiny-chocolate

World Cup 2010: Fabio Capello picks his England penalty five

Summary

Fabio Capello, coach of the English soccerteam,thinks there is a very good chance he will be facing a penalty shoot-out against Germany upcoming Sunday. Therefore he has already chosen his five penalty takers: Lampard, Gerrard, Rooney, Milner and Barry. Capello, like every coach in the Championship, is having good faith in his players, but still has his thoughts when it comes to the match against a team that has never lost a penalty shoot-out at a World- or European championship. Something not only Capello is worried about, but probably some fans with a bit of pre-knowledge too.

My Opinion

I think Capello has done a good job when it comes to coaching his team. England always has got a great soccerteam, on the other hand; Germany has always been a big threat to every country on the World and Europe Championships. That is why I also think it is very wise of Capello to consider the fact there is a good chance he will face a penalty kick-off againt Germany this Sunday. Even though I have never liked Germany, not their soccerteam, let alone the country, I do think that when there will be a penalty kick-off this Sunday, it will be Germany who will be through to the next round.

Link

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jun/24/world-cup-2010-fabio-capello-england

Four British soldiers killed in accident in Helmand

Summary

Another four British soldiers died in the Helmand province in Afghanistan, while working together with the Afghan police. The four soldiers were making their way near Gereshk when their vehicle simply rolled off the road into a canal, submerging under water. The Ministry of Defense has made the assumption the men have died because of drowning. David Cameron’s reaction to the news: "This was a completely tragic case. Obviously we are paying a very high price for what we are doing in Afghanistan.” Another tragedy the MoD reported was that of a Royal Marine commando being killed in a firefight in Sangin; Steven Darbyshire, from Wigan; married father of two.

My Opinion

I think the United Kingdom is indeed paying a high price for what they are doing in Afghanistan. The only news coming out of Afghanistan is news of soldiers being killed. I think neither the United States nor the United Kingdom is accomplishing anything when it comes to warfare in Afghanistan. At least no major changes are being achieved, as far as I know, While the soldiers are fighting in another country, the news their wives and children are getting is of their husbands and fathers dying.

Link

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/jun/24/four-british-soldiers-killed-afghanistan

Budget: Harman says government 'not being straight'

Summary

The government has been accused of breaking their promises by no-one less than Labour party leader Harriet Harman. Apparently, the Prime Minister had made a promise, saying the families that live from an income of less than forty thousand pounds, would not lose tax credits, and it seems the Budget “small print” said the opposite. According to Harman, Mr Osborne, minister of Finance, also made a promise, about the effect of the Budget on the same group of people, but in this case too the “small print” said otherwise. Mr Cameron blamed it on the government, saying it was "making sure that the least well-off families get the most money".

My opinion

I think that as the Prime Minister, it is unethical, unfair and certainly unprofessional to make such a mistake. Promising half of the United Kingdom something which you afterwards do not fulfill. I do not believe this to be a mistake. When you have such a function it is not possible for you to make such mistakes. When it does happen you make such a mistake, at least be man enough to correct it yourself and explain how it happened. Do not wait untill somebody else does it for you.

Link

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/politics/10391081.stm

England football fans are watching its World Cup tie

Summary

Millions of England fans were cheering for their team as they started the match against Slovenia, 1500 BST today. The game is the first England match during the working day, this means that a lot of businisess and stores, even schools, have worked something out to be able to watch the match. There is a lot of interest in the World Cup in the United Kingdom, even Prime Minister David Cameron said he would watch as many matches as possible. England needed to win to make it to the knockout stages of the World Cup Championship, which they did, to great joy of the fans.

My opinion

It is very obvious there is a lot of interest in the World Cup in the United Kingdom. Every country that is participating in South Africa has their citizens sitting on the edge of their seats every match. Although England is one of the countries that has drawn eyes on themselves because of one particular match: United States - England. The goalie for England; Robert Green, blundered by letting a ball go that was very easy to stop. I do hope England gets far in the tournament, they have a good team, but when they face the Netherlands, I know what side to be on.

Link

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk/10381395.stm