Snow, Football, and the Media

Passing a newsagents in snowy Chessington this morning, Nonsuch HP noticed the headline in the Daily Express, "NOW FOOD IS RUNNING OUT". Does this seem to anyone just a little bit irresponsible? The media has indeed got a duty to report events and the not insignificant problems the bad weather has caused, but the tone of a headline like this was surely excessive.

There is obviously plenty of grumpiness about the failure of the World Cup bid this morning, with some of the blame being put on the Panorama investigation into dodgy dealings in Fifa, which followed up a similar report in the Sunday Times a few weeks ago. These reports were specifically referred to by Sepp Blatter just before the vote, and do appear to have had some influence. Is this another example of poor judgement by the media (The Guardian's coverage of the Wikileaks data could possibly be another) or do the media have a duty to expose stories like this whenever they wish? Please add your comments below!

History of Slovenia

It seems appropriate to consider the History of Slovenia this week, so here is some interesting information about the country. It was mainly ruled by Austria-Hungary until 1918 - although it was was briefly liberated by Napoleon and remains fond of the Emperor. It contained an important front during World War 1, when Italy and Austro-Hungarian troops fought bitterly in very difficult conditions. More recently it was an influential region of Yugoslavia, but was one of the first to demand independence in 1991. This led to a 10 day war at the end of which it broke away from Yugoslavia and joined the EU a year later. It's well worth a visit!

PS: Here is a list of famous Slovenians...

Football North Korean Style

North Korea have not had the best of days after losing 7-0 to Portugal, but this article provides a fascinating insight into the team and its devoted followers. The dominant team in the North Korean League is known as "April 25" - the founding date of the Korean People's Army who effectively run it and supply many of the players for the national side. Interestingly, Jong-Tae-Se, the team's star player (known for his tearful performances during the national anthem) was born in and plays in Japan but chose to represent North Korea, where his family (and many other Korean immigrants in Japan) originally came from. North Korea has one thing in common with England - both countries are nostalgic about 1966. England may have won the World Cup, but North Korea scored an impressive victory against Italy and reached the Quarter-Finals, only just losing out to Portugal. Sadly they didn't get the chance to avenge that match today...

De Gaulle's broadcast

President Sarkozy is in the UK today to commemmorate the 70th anniversary of General De Gaulle's broadcast from the BBC studios in London to the French just before France's surrender to the Germans in 1940. The French resistance was inspired by his words - "Whatever happens, the flame of French resistance must not be extinguished and will not be extinguished" - and De Gaulle's leadership was an important feature of the Second World War. See the BBC's report and the Guardian's report at the weekend of a new biography which uncovers Britain's suspicion of De Gaulle. France's celebrations of events during the Second World War tend to be more muted than Britain's due to its Nazi occupation so it is particularly important for it to promote De Gaulle's and the French Resistance's activities.

PS: Here is a fascinating comment from the head of BBC History on the significance of the speech - it is a really important event for the French and Nicolas Sarkozy himself has said 'We are all the children of the 18 June' Here is further comment (in French) from L'Express.

PPS: June 18 also marks the 70th Anniversary of Churchill's "Finest Hour" speech, the third of 3 famous speeches given during his first month as Prime Minister. The Sun have made the most of this occasion as you can see below...