German debt charity drive falls short ... by 2 tr euros
BERLIN: An appeal by Germany’s government for generous-hearted citizens to help wipe out the country’s debt has fallen short... by over two trillion euros, Der Spiegel reported Friday. Germans have only donated 165,489 euros ($203,556) to the finance ministry cause since the launch of its appeal in 2006 to reduce the national debt amounting to 2.1 trillion euros, 60 percent of which is federal and the rest regional. Average donations range from five to 20 euros, Der Spiegel said on its website, with a rare few topping 100 euros and the lowest coming in at a symbolic one cent. Not a single donation was made to the government’s bank account during the crisis years of 2008 and 2009. But in 2010, when the ecomony took a turn for the better, the account registered over 100,000 euros in assistance. In recent months, a number of economists and left-wing personalities have called for richer Germans to pay more tax or to loan part of their fortune to the state to ease debt.
Cambodian PM sets record, speaks for 5 hours
l PHNOM PENH: He’s no Castro or Chavez, but Asia’s longest serving ruler has set what appears to be a personal record for longest public speech: 5 hours and 20 minutes. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen spoke to the lower house of parliament in a nationally televised speech Thursday that was mandatory viewing for civil servants. Government spokesman Khieu Kanharith said he believed it was Hun Sen’s longest speech in 27 years as prime minister. Hun Sen, 61, spoke without taking breaks — or questions — mostly on sensitive border disputes with Vietnam. He blamed France, the former colonial ruler of both countries, for not clearly demarcating the border. Politicians often use the border issue to stir nationalism and garner support, and Hun Sen is seeking re-election in 2013. His speech was far from the lengthiest among world leaders. Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro frequently made five-hour speeches outdoors in the hot Caribbean sun in his heyday. And Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez spoke for nine hours in his state-of-the-nation speech in January.
Ironman contest runs into sticky situation
NEW YORK: Ironman contestants will go through anything — well, almost. A huge sewage leak into New York’s Hudson River has thrown the swimming portion of the Aquadraat Sports Ironman US Championship into doubt. The event on Saturday is meant to feature swimming, biking and running over an 140.6 mile (226 kilometers) course in and around New York City. “We are diligently monitoring the situation and are working with local entities to ensure the appropriate testing protocol is followed,” competition spokeswoman Jessica Weidensall said. “Athlete safety is our first priority. We will be sure of the water quality and that the venue is safe before we allow our athletes to swim.”
Sidelights
