Stop asking for more help, Germany tells Greece - Reuters
BERLIN |
BERLIN (Reuters) - Throwing more money at the eurozone debt crisis will not solve the problem because the troubles have to be resolved at the cause, German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said on Sunday.
Schaeuble also said in an interview with German TV network ZDF that Greece has not done enough to fulfill promises it made in exchange for bailout funds. Schaeuble also criticized the recent interventions by U.S. President Barack Obama.
"We have to fight the causes," Schaeuble said. "Anyone who believes that money alone or bailouts or any other solutions, or monetary policy at the ECB -- that will never resolve the problem. The causes have to be resolved."
Schaeuble added: "It's not going to help to take money to it. The decisive thing is to credibly fight the causes of the crisis. It's succeeding very well in Ireland and Portugal. It's not succeeding very well in Greece. But it must succeed in Greece. There's no other way to do this."
Schaeuble said Greece has clearly not done enough.
"Greece hasn't tried enough so far, that has to be said quite clearly," Schaeuble said. "That has to be said with respect for the domestic political difficulties. But no one on earth who has followed this issue would think that Greece has fulfilled what it has promised.
"Italy and Spain are different on this question," he added. "They're making great reform efforts."
Schaeuble dismissed advice from U.S. President Barack Obama, who has called on Europe to do more to fight the crisis.
"Mr. Obama should focus on reducing the American deficit," Schaeuble said. "It's higher than in the euro zone. You have to understand that people are always ready to give others advice quickly. Our argument is 'we're ready' (to do more). We want more Europe."
(Reporting By Erik Kirschbaum)
RSS questions Nitish Kumar's 'secular PM' comments - Deccan Herald
In a veiled attack on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for insisting on a secular prime minister, the RSS has sought to know why there was such aversion for Hindutva in India.
"What is the meaning of saying (that the) prime minister should be secular?" the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's mouthpiece Panchajanya asked in an editorial.
"Our constitution makers did not give any such 'distinguished identity' to the prime minister's post, perhaps because they believed that India has always stood for eternal values, religion and culture, and the basis of our society and national life is the feeling of all-inclusiveness and mutual existence," it said.
The editorial said a prime minister's responsibility as head of the central government was to protect the democratic values and the rights of all without any discrimination.
Comments about the need for a secular prime minister were being made "for vote-bank politics and minority appeasement", it said.
The RSS mouthpiece did not name Nitish Kumar or his party, the Janata Dal-United.
Nitish Kumar has said that the National Democratic Alliance's prime ministerial candidate should be secular and liberal.
With elections nearly two years away, the NDA or the BJP has yet to name a prime ministerial candidate.
Willett pips Fraser in thrilling play-off - ESPN.co.uk
Danny Willett held his nerve in a sudden-death play-off to land his maiden European Tour title at the BMW International Open.
Willett, with 19 top-ten finishes to his name coming into the tournament, forced his way into a play-off by sinking a nervy three-footer for par at the last, and the Englishman eventually got over the line when his rival, Marcus Fraser, missed with a short putt on the fourth extra hole.
On their fourth visit to the 18th tee, Willett piled the pressure on Fraser by chipping to within a foot from the rough beyond the green. Fraser replied with a 25-foot putt that agonisingly stayed out after clipping the edge of the hole and, when the Australian missed his return from three feet, Willett had a simple tap-in for victory.
Willett started the day with a one-shot lead and was looking good after two early birdies. However, his game unravelled somewhat as he neared the finish line, a tricky three-footer at the last - for a closing 73 - ensuring he set up a play-off with clubhouse leader Fraser, who shot a 71 to take the outright lead at 11-under.
Ireland's Paul McGinley hit a brilliant closing 66 to claim a share of third place. After a dire 77 on Saturday, McGinley's head may have dropped but he returned on Sunday a different player. Four birdies from his first six holes banished the demons of this third round and, although he made a bogey at the par-four ninth, he hit the turn in 33. His iron play was the best it had been all week - as 16 greens in regulation indicates - and his six-under effort saw him set the clubhouse target at ten under.
Chris Wood's wait for a maiden European crown continues after the Englishman faded on the final day. There were high hopes for Wood after he began the week with a sparkling 65, but he was unable to reproduce that kind of form as the tournament progressed, with nerves undoubtedly playing their part as he faced up to the prospect of winning on the Tour for a first time.
A bogey at the first set a bad precedent, but he rallied with two birdies to keep his glory bid alive. More errors from the tee cost him, however, and a double-bogey six at 14 appeared to end his title charge. He responded in style - picking up shots at his next two holes - before a bogey at the last saw him sign for a 73, which left him a single stroke off the 11-under mark needed for the ensuing play-off.
Ross Fisher tied for eighth after a fourth successive round of 70, while home favourite Marcel Siem failed to build on three straight birdies at the beginning of his round as a level-par 72 saw him finish on nine-under - one ahead of Fisher.
Sergio Garcia, the world No. 22, bounced back from a disastrous 79 to end the tournament on a high by signing for a 67. The Spaniard struggled with his driver but found a lovely rhythm with his irons to give himself plenty of chances to make birdies. There were seven in all and, although a double bogey sandwiched his good play, a morale-boosting finish lifted him to four-under.
© ESPN EMEA Ltd
RSS mouthpiece supports Narendra Modi - Asian Age
In an apparent attack on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for his 'prime minister should have secular credentials' remark, the RSS has batted for Narendra Modi, saying such comments are being made for vote-bank politics and minority appeasement.
Soon after RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's comments last week that a Hindutva face can become the PM, the Sangh's mouthpiece Panchajanya sought to know why there is an aversion for Hindutva in a country where 85 per cent of the population is Hindu.
"What is the meaning of saying prime minister of the country should be secular? Our Constitution makers did not give any such 'distinguished identity' to the prime minister's post, perhaps because they believed that India has always stood for eternal values, religion and culture, and the basis of our society and national life is the feeling of all-inclusiveness and mutual existence," the editorial of Panchajanya said.
Though the mouthpiece did not name Kumar or his party JD(U) and targeted the Congress, the barbs seen at aiming the NDA ally of BJP.
Kumar had virtually ruled out Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as an NDA prime ministerial candidate last week when he said the PM should have secular credentials and should be acceptable to all allies.
The Panchajanya editorial further states that a prime minister's responsibility as head of the central government is to protect the democratic values and protect the rights of all without any discrimination.
"But in contrast to this, efforts are being made to give the prime minister a 'secular' identity. Harmony between all sects is a distinct feature of Hindu philosophy in India. To treat this Hindutva as communal and to make secularism an instrument for gaining power is nothing more than politics of convenience," the editorial said.
It further states that these politicians who are trying to woo the en bloc Muslim vote are seen cursing Hindutva and declaring all talk of Hindu well-being as communal.
"Leaders who are eager to establish a secular rule by laying atrocities on Hindus should be asked why India should not have a government and a prime minister who is concerned about the majority Hindus.''
''Such an administration and prime minister will definitely be inspired by Hindu life values, traditions and ideals to work with the feeling of unhindered progress of all sects and groups and for their happiness," the editorial said.
It laments that vote-bank politics has divided the country into minority-majority, communal-secular, castes and sects.
It further states that instead of finding ways of bridging this gap, conspiracies are being hatched to deepen these fissures for gaining power.
"Why do these secular forces have such aversion to Hindutva? Only for the sake of getting votes and power?" it said.
Plan B plays Hackney amid rainstorm - BBC News
Plan B took to the stage in a charcoal suit, despite the weather
Rapper Plan B suffered a few spills on the stage at Radio 1's Hackney Weekend, as he played in the middle of a rainstorm.
The rapper slipped several times - but persevered with a set that included hits Stay Too Long and Ill Manors.
"God decided to open up the skies," he said about an hour after the show, "but we got through."
"I've been in a bit of a mood for a while, to be honest, but I'm getting over it now."
Jessie J, who played immediately afterwards, said: "I was up there watching Plan B. It's not easy up here on the stage when it's raining."
"I was very aware that I was in heels, I was like, 'just take your time, don't fall over.'"
Plan B, whose real name is Ben Drew, said there was "just enough rain" to stop his band from "jumping around and smashing up the stage as we usually do".
However, he managed to take down his guitarist, after jumping on his back towards the end of the set.
The rain cleared up after Plan B's performance, with blue skies over Hackney by mid-afternoon.
And despite the weather, the musician, who was brought up in east London, said he had enjoyed playing on home turf.
"For so long, this part of the city has been deprived. It's great to see stuff like this happening here, because the people deserve it."
Hackney Weekend, a free two-day event, is part of the London 2012 Festival. It is taking place in Hackney Marshes, in the shadow of the Olympic Stadium.
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