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Spain Champions Euro 2008

Spain defeated Germany to become winners of Euro 2008. Fernando Torres scored the only goal in a game in which Germany never looked like scoring.

Even in the latter stages of the game, it was Spain who had more chances.

The victory was Spains first title in a major competition in over 4 decades.

For full match report click here

Song of the Week: The Ting Tings - That’s Not My Name

Ireland Says NO To Lisbon Treaty

I previously posted here in the run up to The Lisbon Treaty.

Irish voters have rejected the Treaty in yesterdays referendum by 53.4% to 46.6%. The turnout at teh polls exceeded 53.1% which is an increase on the two Nice Treaty votes held previously.

Total Yes: 752,451 (46.6%)

Total No:  862,415 (53.4%)

Turnout:   1,614,866 (53.1% of registered voters)

Population of European Union Member States: 495,000,000

Percentage of No Votes Overall: 0.1742%

It is starkling to think that Europes future can be decided by 0.17 of its population.

Why did we vote No?

• Fears over threat to our low corporate tax rate
• Concern over changes that will be made to our laws governing abortion ans the right to life.
• Concern that a Yes vote would affect our status as a neutral country as regards military.
• The loss of our commissioner in a change that would mean Ireland would only have a commissioner for 10 out of every 15 years even though this change would apply to all the EU member states.
• Changes to voting in Europe would reduce Irelands voting power due to our small population.
• The fact that we are the only country of the 27 to have voted in a referendum. France and The Netherlands previously rejected Lisbon in referendums but this time were not given the opportunity to vote. There was possibly a feeling in Ireland that this Treaty was being pushed through by top officials and that the people weren’t getting their say.
• People feel that the Treaty only favours the bigger countries.
• It is felt that if reected, a new Treaty would be created which would favour the Irish even more.

The impact that this No vote will have on Ireland remains to be seen. European leaders are continuing with their plans to ratify the Treaty in the other 26 countries.

 

 

Ireland Votes On The Lisbon Treaty

On Thursday Ireland will become the only EU member state to hold a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.

With all other governments likely to support the treaty, the pressure is now mounting on Ireland to vote Yes.

Both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, the 2 biggest political parties in Ireland are campaigning for a Yes vote.

However, with growing concern over what implications the Treaty will have for Ireland, the No camp is increasing.

Sinn Féin, campaigning for a No vote believe that if Ireland rejects the Treaty, then we will be able to negotiate a better deal for Ireland. This is something that Taoiseach Brian Cowen has rejected strongly stating that if Ireland votes No that there is no ‘plan B’.

At this stage the voting looks likely to go right down to the wire.

A rough poll is being carried out at Boards.ie with the vote suggesting a No victory.

What is the Lisbon Treaty?

http://www.lisbontreaty2008.ie/

 IRELAND SAYS NO TO LISBON TREATY……CLICK HERE

Euro 2008 Fantasy Football

Euro 2008 Fantasy Football is up and running here.

Sponsored by McDonalds, the competition offers prizes including 1 home cinema system, 10 digital cameras, 25 team jerseys, 50 Euro 2008 computer games and 60 official matchballs.

Host Nation Switzerland Lose To Czech Republic In Euro 2008 Opener

 

Switzerlandl have been beaten 1-0 by Czech Republic in the opening game of Euro 2008. Interest in the competition this year is low here in Ireland with the nortable absence of Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales.

The Teams:

Switzerland: Benaglio, Lichtsteiner, Muller, Senderos, Magnin,
Behrami, Inler, Gelson, Barnetta, Frei, Streller. Subs:
Zuberbuhler, Jakupovic, Djourou, Huggel, Cabanas, Yakin,
Derdiyok, Grichting, Gygax, Spycher, Vonlanthen, Degen.

Czech Republic: Cech, Jankulovski, Rozehnal, Ujfalusi, Grygera,
Plasil, Polak, Galasek, Jarolim, Sionko, Koller. Subs: Blazek,
Zitka, Kovac, Fenin, Sverkos, Vlcek, Pospech, Kadlec, Baros,
Matejovsky, Sivok, Skacel.

The only goal came from substitute Sverkos after a header put him through on goal. He struck low to the corner past the helpless Benaglio.

Universal Studios Fire

Over 100 Los Angeles firefighters are battling a blaze at Universal Studios. There are no immediate reports of injuries. Two firefighting helicopters are dropping water onto the burning structures.

Los Angeles County Fire Inspector Daryl Jacobs said “The facades are constructed of heavy timber and they tend to burn quite freely.”

Universal Studios spokesman Elliot Sekuler said the theme park would open Sunday, though the studio tour would be affected by the blaze. He said filming was going on when it broke out, but had few other details about the fire.

Universal Studios is located nine miles north of downtown Los Angeles that has thrill rides and a back lot where movies and television shows are filmed.

Nintendo Wii Fit

Nintendo have launched their new feature for the Wii.

 Wii Fit is essentially a video game by Nintendo. Wii Fit consists primarily of exercise activities utilizing the Wii Balance Board peripheral. The board measures the users weight and centre of gravity. Body mass index can be determined when the users height has been inputted. The game has about 40 different activities, including yoga poses, push ups, and other exercises.

 

Song of the Week: MGMT - Time To Pretend

MGMT - Time To Pretend

 

Check out the official music video here