Dark ages are here again

The finale to Germany’s 3-2 win over Turkey was a thriller, but unfortunately no one outside the ground saw it...

The finale to Germany’s 3-2 win over Turkey was a thriller, but unfortunately no one outside the ground saw it, either in victorious Germany, gloomy Turkey or any other country around the world. A violent thunderstorm swept across Austria to knock out telecommunications for most of the second half of the gripping contest. Television pictures reappeared briefly but then vanished altogether for the last 15 minutes, when three goals were scored to give Germany a place in Sunday’s final. Internet coverage of the game was also interrupted.

Thirsty fans

Euro 2008’s official beer brewers had seen a satisfying 20 per cent boost in sales during the tournament, thanks especially to tens of thousands of thirsty Dutch supporters, the company said. Swiss brewery Feldschloesschen, a subsidiary of tournament sponsors Carlsberg, said it shifted an extra five million litres of beer through its exclusive sales arrangement at stadiums and fanzones in the eight Swiss and Austrian host cities. Netherlands supporters took over the Swiss capital Berne for their team’s three group matches and some 100,000 fans were in Basel where the Dutch lost to Russia in the quarter-final.

Political leanings

A PRO-TIBET protester ran onto the field late in Wednesday’s semi-final. The man was wearing a T-shirt with the words “Tibet is not China,” and he ran on the field at St Jakob Park moments after Turkey had scored an 86th-minute equaliser. He made it across most of the field before a security guard tackled him inside the opposite area. Several guards then surrounded him and carried him off the field.

The theft prompted an immediate shutdown of the Louvre museum in Paris. (Pixabay)

Louvre Museum in Paris shut after thieves armed with chainsaws loot Napoleon-era jewels

World5 min ago

Thieves armed with chainsaws stole nine pieces of jewelry, including items belonging to Napoleon and Empress Joséphine, from the Louvre Museum. The museum was immediately shut down and a police investigation is underway. French Culture Minister Rachida Dati confirmed the incident and the Louvre remains closed. The robbers used a freight elevator and broke through glass displays.

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