Via the Guardian, the surveillance society is going global:
“A comprehensive transatlantic pact clearing the way for the unprecedented supply of private data on European citizens to the American authorities is to be promoted by France in support of the US-driven campaign to combat terrorism and transnational crime.
The French government is expected to use its six-month presidency of the EU, starting tomorrow, to build on 18 months of confidential negotiations between Washington and Brussels aimed at clearing the complex legal obstacles to the exchange of personal information with the Americans.
The controversial proposed pact, a “framework agreement” on common data protection principles, is likely to enable the Americans to access the credit card histories, banking details and travel habits of Europeans, although senior officials in Brussels deny US reports that the Americans will also be able to snoop on the internet browsing records of Europeans.”
Have I ever mentioned how much I dislike President Sarkozy and his administration? (more…)
A brilliant 33rd-minute goal from striker Fernando Torres graced a magnificent final whose scoreline did not reflect the supremacy of the superb Spanish side.
The long overdue victory in a major tournament sent fans in Madrid and all over Spain pouring on to the streets where they prepared for night-long celebrations, waving red and yellow banners and singing “Viva España.”
Germany, as everyone knew they would, fought hard in Vienna and occasionally threatened on the break but they could not match the silky skills and swift inter-passing of veteran coach Luis Aragones’s team.
In the end, Spain had 13 shots on goal to Germany’s four, and seven on target to Germany’s one, statistics which better reflected the margin of the Iberian triumph.
Thousands of Spanish fans in the Ernst Happel stadium celebrated ecstatically as they watched Spanish captain and keeper Iker Casillas hold the European trophy aloft after receiving it from UEFA president Michel Platini.
The tears came streaming down my face. I can die now. Spain has won something that matters. No more the pain of near successes and bizarre penalty shootout losses. Spain today won its second UEFA European title. It had last won the title in 1964. I was three then.
In six games, Spain won five and tied once scoring 12 goals and surrendering three. David Villa, the Valencian striker, took home the prize for the top scorer. He scored four goals despite missing today’s game and half of the semi-final match against Russia with an injury.
ESPAÑA, CAMPEONA DE EUROPA. La Selección invicta.
For more on the matches and the tourney, please visit Euro2008.
