press
In the papers
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Sunday, April 13, 2008
By Clovis CASALI / FRANCE 24
LA STAMPA
“Modernizzare il paese”
“Modernization of the country” is the key issue in the Italian elections, according to La Stampa. The journalist is quite pessimistic; he says the campaign showed a lack of vision for Italy. The major parties all share responsibility in the economic failure of Italy, says the journalist, citing practically zero per cent growth over the last six years. The programs of Berlusconi and Veltroni are “disappointingly” similar, says the newspaper, so it's surprising that one-third of Italians still don’t know whom they will vote for.
IL GIORNALE
“Non fatevi imbrogliare”
Il Giornale warns voters to carefully read its pages before voting. The paper clearly supports Berlusconi, whose family owns 80% of the daily. Italy is on its knees, says the article, crippled by the state of its economy, with booming crime, and it is all the fault of of Romano Prodi’s centre-left government. Il Giornale says things will only get worse if Italians choose Veltroni because there is no difference between Prodi and Veltroni.
THE SUNDAY TIMES
“Great seducer Silvio Berlusconi woos Italy again but this time he’s got company”
The Sunday Times was the only foreign newspaper that was allowed on Berlusconi’s jet during the campaign. Known as the “great seducer”, Berlusconi is ahead of Veltroni in the polls but the battle is not yet won. The Sunday Times calls the campaign an amazing comeback for a 71-year-old who had been written off by his centre-right allies after he lost the last election two years ago. The Times has a few rather amusing quotes from Berlusconi: “I am the Jesus Christ of politics," he said. "I am a patient victim, I put up with everyone, I sacrifice myself for everyone.” Berlusconi also said that one reason to invest in Italy is the country's "beautiful secretaries, superb girls".
THE JERUSALEM POST
“Classified IDF information on Facebook”
Th Jerusalem Post's main story is about IDF secrets being revealed to the world because of Facebook. There are potentially hundreds of classified army documents, mostly photographs, available on Facebook, a social networking Web site, says the Post, which shows some of the pictures put online by Israeli soldiers. The army has created a special unit to search Facebook for classified material. The matter is taken extremely seriously by the defence ministry, which says that soldiers found guilty could face a court martial.
HERALD ON SUNDAY
“Top 10’s poised to depart”
The Herald on Sunday is extremely worried for its New Zealand's All Blacks. The country's "worst nightmare is on the verge of coming true” says the kiwi newspaper. According to the paper, Dan Carter as well as Nick Evans are set to move overseas at the end of the year, meaning they would have to quit the All Blacks. Dan Carter, aged 26, is probably the best number 10 in the world, and clubs such as Toulouse, Toulon, Bath and Leicester are desperate to sign him. He’s apparently been offered 1.5 million dollars a season. But according to the Herald, New Zealand’s rugby federation is ready to give him a sabbatical period so he can play in Europe with a short term contract and then play again for the All Blacks. They are ready to do anything to keep him on board and lead the All Blacks in the next tournaments. He is only 26 after all.
