Monti Python and the Holy Grail: Why Italy’s Prime Minister can’t win over his people

Investors have good reason to be sceptical that the new Italian leader can resurrect his country’s economy

By Sherelle Jacobs | Notebook | Sunday, 1 July 2012 at 4:00 am

Germany: Crisis what crisis?

Germany does not share the economic pain of the likes of Greece and Spain and thus does not feel the urgency of the situation.

By Ben Chu | Eagle Eye, Econoblog | Wednesday, 22 February 2012 at 1:57 pm

Jean-Claude Trichet has not had a good crisis

The head of the European Central Bank seems to be trying to block a plan by Angela Merkel to force private bond holders to accept a write down in the value of their Greek debt in return for more loans to Athens.

By Ben Chu | Eagle Eye | Monday, 18 July 2011 at 7:07 pm

Staycations: should I stay or should I go?

The Germans joke about going on holiday to an exotic-sounding “Balkonia” … which turns out to be your own balcony. In Italy, newspapers report “vacanza talpa” or “moling” holidays. These involve hiding away at home but moving the car, shutting the curtains and claiming you were actually off somewhere nice.

By Dr Jim Butcher | Battle of Ideas | Monday, 22 November 2010 at 6:00 am

Must watch: The brilliance and buffoonery of Cristiano Ronaldo

Whatever else is said about Cristiano Ronaldo, there’s no denying that he’s one hell of a footballer.

The Portugal star was instrumental in demolishing World Champions Spain 4-0 last night. Yet he should have found himself on the scoresheet with what would have been an incredible effort. But it was disallowed when former Manchester United team-mate Nani headed in the goal bound shot from an offside position.

By Simon Rice | Sport | Thursday, 18 November 2010 at 11:43 am

If World Cup teams were bands, who would they be?

If World Cup teams were bands, who would they be?
There are several inescapable parallels to be drawn between the worlds of football and music. Both of them feature artists who stride the stage imperiously for a time, yet whose successes are all too fleeting; both of them feature the same gallery of keen rivalries and preening frontmen. [...]

By Musa Okwonga | Sport | Tuesday, 29 June 2010 at 10:10 am

World Cup: Oh I do like to be beside the seaside

Fairly painless drive down to Durban yesterday sandwiched between a Hooters waitress and a Delta Airlines stewardess on the backseat of a rented Hyundai. In the driver’s seat was one of the US Army’s finest and holed up next to him was a lad from Bangladesh.  It seemed Portugal versus Brazil had really caught the [...]

By Tim Sturtridge | Sport | Friday, 25 June 2010 at 12:32 pm