Portugal - Portugal among Euro 2012 best, says Mourinho - Football
Published: 14 Jun 2012 - 21:17:42
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho said in an interview published on Thursday that his native Portugal were "one of the two or three best sides" in Euro 2012.
Mourinho, who guided Real to the league title last term ending bitter rivals Barcelona's hold on the trophy, was quoted as saying by the A Bola sports daily: "Portugal don't depend on other teams. They only depend on themselves.
"If they do their job against the Netherlands, they will be in the quarter-final. I think that Portugal are one of the two or three best sides in the competition.
"But that doesn't mean much: everything is decided in 90 minutes, extra-time or penalties," the self-styled "Special One" said. "If Portugal get to the quarter-finals, anything can happen."
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UPDATE 2-Hollande urges common euro debt, greater ECB role - Reuters UK
* Hollande says imagination needed for new instruments
* Says debt redemption fund, join euro bonds are options
* Monti says more progress needed on euro zone governance (Adds details from French source)
By Elizabeth Pineau and Steve Scherer
ROME, June 14 (Reuters) - French President Francois Hollande called on Thursday for the euro zone to adopt bold new mechanisms to insulate member states and their banks from market turmoil, such as a joint fund to pay down debt, putting him on a collision course with Berlin.
After a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti in Rome, Hollande said he would urge EU leaders at an end-June summit to adopt a series of measures to strengthen economic growth and financial stability in the euro zone and deepen economic integration.
Hollande said he had submitted details of his proposals to European Council President Herman Van Rompuy.
"We need imagination and creativity to find new financial instruments," Hollande told a joint news conference with Monti.
"To deepen financial union, there are many options such as a financial transactions tax and joint debt issuance, including euro bonds, euro bills or a debt redemption fund," he said.
The French leader, who took office last month calling for a change of direction in Europe away from German-inspired austerity, urged closer cooperation between member states on financial regulation to break the link between struggling euro zone states and their weakened banking systems.
He called for the bloc's ESM permanent rescue fund, which is due to start operation next month, to be given a banking licence to allow it to borrow money from the ECB to bolster its firepower.
Hollande's bold proposals appeared to place him at odds with German Chancellor Angela Merkel who on Thursday rebuffed pressure for Europe's largest economy to underwrite debt or guarantee bank deposits in the euro zone, despite soaring borrowing costs in Italy and Spain.
Hollande has long advocated a growth pact for Europe including a financial transactions tax and joint bonds to finance infrastructure projects, more lending by the European Investment Bank (EIB) and more effective use of structural funds.
Hollande is due to present his a position at a four-way meeting with Monti, Merkel and Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy on June 22, a week ahead of the summit, and is hoping to make progress towards a consensus.
"The aim of June 22 is to have a four-way contribution and an agreement between at least two parties on a joint position. A four-way agreement would be fantastic," a French source said.
France believes at least 100 billion euros, preferably more, are needed in structural funds, project bonds and new capital for the EIB, the source said.
The source also said there was no deadlock between Germany and France on the issue of mutualised debt in the form of euro bonds, which France wants to be implemented in the next few years.
Monti, whose government has found itself in the market's sights despite undertaking reforms, voiced support for Hollande's growth agenda and said bolder steps toward integration were required in Europe.
"We both agreed that the progressive improvements made to euro zone governance are not enough to shield the euro from market turbulence," he told the news conference.
"We discussed some proposals for common bonds and we were very much in agreement on the need to increase investments that are productive for the economy - from the private sector, from the public sector, and from private-public partnerships."
Three days ahead of Greece's elections, Monti said that both he and Hollande wanted the country to remain in the euro zone. (Additional reporting by Vicky Buffery and Daniel Flynn in Paris; Writing by Daniel Flynn; Editing by Ron Askew; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
Global social media survey finds discrepencies between employers' and staff opinions on its use - HRmagazine.co.uk
It's latest Global Workforce Index, found 44% of UK employees feel that social media, such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, is impacting negatively on workplace productivity. However, only 6% of the British workforce has been told to stop using social media at work.
Employers are not making the most use of social media, either as a recruitment tool or as a means of boosting their employer brand.
But the need to harness the potential of social media is clear - one third of employees said they were more likely to use social media than traditional methods to search for jobs, and as many as 30% consider it important that their employer has a social media presence.
The findings, the second in the series from the Kelly Global Workforce Index (KGWI) also revealed 73% of staff feel it is not appropriate to share opinions about work on social media, suggesting people have an automatic tendency to assume these opinions would be negative rather than positive mentions promoting the employer brand.
And more than half of UK employees worry that mixing personal and professional connections through social media could cause problems at work
Andrew Cook, general manager UK and Ireland at Kelly Services, said: "We need to dispel the myth that social media is for leisure time only. If used well, it can be an essential communication tool for your existing workforce to engage with customers and be vital in finding and attracting new talent to your business.
"Equally, boosting employer brands by raising your corporate profile through social media is increasingly important. Most people fear discussions about their current employer could be negative, when in fact your workforce can be your best social brand ambassadors.
"Many companies view social media as inherently risky due to its immediacy and tone, but those employers that are embracing it as part of their recruitment strategy are reaping the rewards."
These are the second findings from the latest, KGWI, an annual survey conducted by Kelly Services. Almost 170,000 people in 30 countries participated in the survey, including more than 3,500 in the UK. The last results were released in April and found that employers across the UK are disengaged, with less than half being currently happy in their job and over a third frequently thinking about quitting.
Hodgson calls for ruthless England - Football
Published: 14 Jun 2012 - 19:19:14
Roy Hodgson urged England to show a ruthless attacking streak here Thursday as they prepared for their Group D meeting with perennial bogey team Sweden.
England have never beaten Sweden in a competitive fixture but head into Friday's Euro 2012 game at the Olympic Stadium as favourites to take all three points following a 1-1 draw with France.
But while England's defensive display against the French on Monday earned plaudits, Hodgson admitted his side will have to present more of an attacking dimension if they want to defeat the Swedes.
England's solitary goal against France came from a set-piece, and clear-cut goalscoring chances from open play were few -- something Hodgson feels England must improve on Friday.
"I was happy with the start. We played quite well, certain aspects of our game were good," Hodgson told a press conference.
"We must maintain that and, if we are going to win matches, we've got to continue to work hard on the attacking side of the game.
"We have to try to make certain when we do get these good counter-attacking opportunities that we maximise them and take advantage to the full.
"When we win the ball back and break out, we've got to make certain the last pass, cross or actual finish is very clinical.
"It is hard to get good goal chances at this level of football. You are not going to get many during the course of a game and you have to be very effective when the chances come your way.
"I am not talking about the clear-cut one versus ones with the goalkeeper but the situations where you've got behind the defence and it's a question of making certain the last pass gives someone the chance to score a goal.
"That is something we've been working on consistently."
Despite his acknowledgement of England's problems in the final third against France, Hodgson bristled when asked if he felt England were technically inferior to other sides. "No, I don't (think that)," he replied bluntly.
"You work with teams to try and get yourself into a position to deliver the right ball and it all depends on how good that delivery or final pass is.
"But I would definitely question any suggestion that we are lacking in any way and our players are not technically good enough," he said.
"The Premier League is regarded quite widely as being a very good league, a very technical league and we have some of the best players playing in it."
Hodgson admitted his side would be wary of the threat posed by a physical Sweden side from set-pieces.
"We all agree in today's football set-pieces are very important and it is rare not to have respect or concern over the quality of the opponents set-plays," he said.
"All you can do is prepare in the best possible way and make it clear to your team what threat the opponents pose.
"France posed a lot of threats from their set-plays and Sweden will be the same."
England captain Steven Gerrard is confident his side will get the win they need if they are able to reproduce the form shown against France.
"With all due respect to Sweden who are a good strong team -- they're not France," he said. "So I think we can be a little bit more bold, a little bit more ambitious and get at the Swedes a bit more.
"We're confident that if we reach the same level of performance it will be good enough to get the victory."
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Welsh Cavalry campaign goes to Downing Street (From South Wales Argus) - South Wales Argus
Welsh Cavalry campaign goes to Downing Street
4:12pm Thursday 14th June 2012 in News 
DEFIANT supporters of the Welsh Cavalry took their fight to save the regiment to Downing Street today.
Armed with a petition with more than 3,000 signatures, supporters of the regiment, officially known as the 1st Queen’s Dragoon Guards, attended a rally and photo call in Parliament Square, before advancing to No.10.
The regiment, which traces its history back for more than 300 years, is under threat of disbandment or amalgamation with another regiment as part of the upcoming strategic defence review, with job cuts possible as the army is cut from 102,000 to 82,000 by 2020.
Chris Gibbons, 54, from Magor, served in the Queen’s Dragoon Guards for 22 years, seeing active service in Northerrn Ireland, Bosnia and Iraq during the first Gulf war.
Speaking to the Argus from Parliament Square, Mr Gibbons, said: "Fifty-five of us came down on the coach from Cardiff and there was another 50 or so who made their own way down here.
"I want the Prime Minister and the Defence Secretary to think again about disbanding this historic regiment. They are putting a lot of people’s jobs and their families under huge pressure.
"I am proud to have served this regiment and I am not prepared to see it become part of history."
Jessica Morden, MP for Newport East who attended the rally , said: "A lot of people have contacted me who are very concerned about the future of the regiment and the strength of feeling has been obvious."
Chris Evans, MP for Islwyn, said: “Any plans to destroy the identity and proud history of one of Wales’ oldest army regiments due to the Tory-led government’s cuts would be a massive blow to Wales.
“I met with Guards from Gwent during today’s rally at Westminster and I stand full-square behind them.”
Barlow tops 2012 celebrity dad poll (From Bournemouth Echo) - Daily Echo
Barlow tops 2012 celebrity dad poll
7:02pm Thursday 14th June 2012 in National Entertainment News © Press Association 2011
Gary Barlow really is top of the pops - after being named celebrity dad of the year.
The Take That star, who is also number one in the singles chart, collected the prize ahead of the birth of his fourth child.
He pipped reigning champion Peter Andre to the title, which is officially called the Premier Inn Celebrity Dad Of The Year 2012.
It comes just days after he organised the Queen's spectacular Diamond Jubilee concert outside Buckingham Palace and his track Sing, written for the jubilee, is the current chart-topper.
It is the first time Gary has won the accolade and earlier this year he posted a message on Twitter telling Andre to "stand aside".
Gary, 41, was chosen in a public vote. The X Factor panellist said winning the award felt "amazing".
"I've been waiting for it for a long time," he said. "My kids are really excited and I don't think they can quite believe it. Being a dad is a really important part of my life and it means a lot to have won this award."
Barlow already has children Daniel, Emily, Daisy and his wife Dawn is expecting another girl.
Also in the running for this year's award were rapper Jay-Z, footballer Cristiano Ronaldo and Prime Minister David Cameron, who recently left his daughter at a country pub by mistake. The award is supposed the ability to balance public life with the demands of parenting.
Disarray in Sangh Parivar - Deccan Herald
Ex-RSS chief Sudarshan eulogises Jinnah commitment
The ideological disarray and divide appear to be evident not only in the BJP but also in the extended Sangh Parivar.
While the political arm — the BJP — is already reeling under repeated mutinies, the mother organisation — the RSS — seems to be on the crossroads with former RSS chief S Sudarshan on Tuesday asserting that Pakistan founder Mohammad Ali Jinnah was committed to an undivided India. The shocker from Sudarshan, who paved the way for Mohan Bhagwat on March 21 this year, has raised eyebrows within the Nagpur outfit, let alone the BJP.
On being asked if he regarded Jinnah as secular, the former RSS head said in Nagpur: “Jinnah had many facets. He was once associated with Lokmanya Tilak and was totally committed to an undivided India.
“When Gandhiji started the Khilafat movement, Jinnah had opposed it, saying that if the Caliph i
n Turkey had been dethroned, what had India got to do with that. At that time, nobody listened to him, which saddened him. So he quit the Congress and left for England. After returning in 1927, the Britons brainwashed him and prompted him to put forth the demand for a separate state of Pakistan for Muslims.”
Sudarshan said had Gandhiji been adamant, Partition would not have taken place. “But he was not for it because Nehru was his weakness.”
On whether the Sangh had taken a tough stand during his leadership when L K Advani made the “Jinnah is secular” comment, Sudarshan said he had given clarifications on the matter. Asked if he was satisfied with the clarification, he answered in the affirmative.
Misinterpretation
RSS leader Ram Madhav on Tuesday said the former RSS chief’s views were misinterpreted and what Sudarshan had meant was that at one point of time, Jinnah had supported an undivided India.
Madhav said Sudarshan had also spoken about how Jinnah had been one of the main causes of Partition.
Meanwhile, shaken by Shourie’s description of BJP president Rajnath Singh as “Alice in Blunderland” and the blistering public criticism of its “rudderless functioning”, the party on Tuesday asked Shourie to explain his conduct.
After contemplating an immediate suspension of Shourie, the party sought to revise its views and thought it fit to wait until Shourie submitted his written explanation.
Shourie on Tuesday night said he would give a clarification, and that his ties with the party had not snapped. “If there is any ambiguity and the party president and others have asked for clarification, I will clarify. There is no problem,” Shourie told reporters. The BJP Parliamentary Board is likely to meet this week to decide on Shourie’s fate, according to sources.
In a no-holds-barred attack on the party president and senior leader L K Advani, Shourie on Monday demanded the sacking of the entire top rung of the party. “They behave like Humpty-Dumpty. The BJP, under their charge, has become a ‘kati patang,’” he said and called for handing over the reins of the party to regional satraps.
RSS view
Meanwhile, Rajnath Singh on Tuesday met Bhagwat to discuss the issue. The Sangh has not completely rejected Shourie’s criticism and has in fact expressed its agreement with some of his bold propositions.
RSS national executive member Ram Madhav said it was for the BJP to take control of the situation. Asked about the RSS’s role in the BJP, he said “some of our friends are there” and that they would look after the best interest of the organisation.
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