There’s no reason why Wall Street should be immune to this fervor. In an article from Time Magazine, written by Tony Karon on May 30, 2010, we see how the financial wizards are crunching the numbers in this arena.

Beware Wall Street’s World Cup Predictions

Perhaps it’s considered good branding for a top-flight investment bank to issue its predictions for this year’s soccer World Cup: Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan and UBS have all published their own guides to the games. But these banks would do better to heed their own advice to investors: past performance is not indicative of future results. To the discerning fan, their predictions are unapologetically shackled to the tournament’s long history — and ignore major changes to the game over the past decade.

Goldman Sachs notes that of the 19 World Cup tournaments to date, 12 have been won by just three countries — Brazil (5), Italy (4) and Germany (3). Uruguay won twice in the early years, while Argentina won in 1979 and 1986. England and France have each won once. And at least one of Brazil, Italy, Germany and Argentina has played in every final.

Those who follow the sport closely, however, rate Spain the strongest of the European contenders — based on the team’s form over the past three years, its abundance of talent in every position, its players’ leading roles on Spanish and English club teams that have dominated the European Champion’s League over the past five years, and the mental focus of the same basic squad and coach that won Europe’s mini-World Cup two years ago. None of that impresses the sages at UBS, who dismiss Spain on the basis of history. “Spain — favored by many — will likely not do well, and could exit before the semi-final stage.”

Such unapologetically static analysis ignores the profound impact globalization has had on the game over the past decade. The World Cup is no longer a unique quadrennial moment of international football that pitches players from different continents against one another, often for the first time. Today, most of the elite players from all 32 countries at the World Cup play each other every week in European pro leagues — for which the tournament is simply a punctuation mark between seasons. The migration of players and coaches since the 1990s has profoundly altered the global balance of power in the game. African teams have grown into major international contenders, while within Europe the movement of players towards the dominant leagues of England, Spain and Italy has had a positive effect on a number of the national teams they represent during the World Cup. Those who predict England has its best chance in years — a perennial refrain — acknowledge that this year it’s because they’re being coached by an accomplished Italian, Fabio Capello. And Brazil are rated by many as favorites to win, not because they still play their free-flowing brand of “samba soccer” but because they’ve adopted many of the dour defensive habits that have been so successful for other teams over the years.

For institutions focused on predicting global trends, the bankers’ prognostications are unusually backward-looking — and, unfortunately, rather Eurocentric. Goldman Sachs’ suggestion, that the unheralded Swiss side will beat Chile and Honduras, may be an example; or its assumptions that Denmark will finish ahead of Cameroon, and that Slovakia will shut out Paraguay. Eurocentricity reaches almost comical heights in Goldman’s entry on Portugal, which likens the journey of the team to South Africa to that of the 15th century explorers that opened the way to Portugal’s colonial era. The piece hails four of Portugal’s key stars, expressing the hope that the “sublime Pepe, Nani, Simao and Deco” will have the same “brave disposition [as the explorers] that made their country great 500 years ago”. But although Pepe and Deco may be playing for Portugal, they’re actually Brazilian, while Nani hails from Cabo Verde; their ancestors may not have been as fond of Portuguese colonial greatness.

Still, commend Goldman above their peers for at least attempting a team-by-team guide, even if its quality is uneven. Some entries are plainly written by Goldman analysts whose focus is stocks, bonds or currency, rather than football. On the other hand, there are knowing assessments of the prospects of Cameroon and Ivory Coast, England, Germany and France, and outstanding insights into Italy — a squad of familiar faces that Goldman accurately paints as past their prime. The bank even seems to have a working knowledge of North Korean football — unlike most fans outside the hermit state — and their package offers a brilliant tactical analysis of the evolution of Spain’s “progressive possession” game, written by a former Spanish player, Angel Ubide.

Among Goldman’s dodgier predictions: South Africa finishing second in its group (bet on France); Serbia or Australia to qualify for the second round at Ghana’s expense; Switzerland to beat Chile and Honduras into the knockout stages; Mexico losing to Nigeria. Perhaps wisely, the premier Wall Street investment bank stops its predictions short of the final game: it calls for England, Argentina, Brazil and Spain to reach the semis.

JP Morgan, on the other hand, offers a mathematical model factoring in past World Cup performance, FIFA rankings and other statistical indicators based on what it calls its “quantitative research” methodology — an enterprise too complex for a lay football fan to parse. Without providing the detailed results along the way, Morgan assures us that running the numbers proves that England will beat Spain in the final, with Holland finishing third. Needless to say, many football analysts might call predicting that England will win the World Cup about as safe as a mortgage-backed securities. (Doesn’t past performance count for anything, people?!)

UBS, for its part, offers the more sober prediction that Brazil will win the tournament. But its view that South Africa will be the only African country in the round of 16 is more questionable; Ghana and Cameroon arguably have better chances of making it through the group stage. (Remember, as the host nation South Africa wasn’t required to qualify for a place at the tournament; if it had been, its less-than-stellar results in intra-African competition would prevent it from competing in its own World Cup.) UBS‘ semifinalist picks of Brazil, Germany, Holland and Italy are also relatively safe, although again, it’s reliance on historic results that gives Germany and Italy better prospects than Spain.

Having trashed the best efforts of some very clever people, this writer is compelled to reveal his own risky predictions for the record. They are:

Group A: Mexico wins, France runners up

Group B: Argentina, Nigeria

Group C: England, USA

Group D: Ghana, Germany

Group E: Holland, Cameroon

Group F: Italy, Paraguay

Group G: Brazil, Portugal

Group H: Spain, Honduras

In the round of 16: Mexico beats Nigeria, Germany beats England (on penalties!), Ghana beats the USA, Argentina beats France, Holland beats Paraguay, Brazil beats Honduras, Italy beats Cameroon and Spain beats Portugal.

In the quarter finals: Brazil beats Holland, Germany beats Mexico, Argentina beats Ghana, Spain beats Italy.

In the semi-finals: Brazil beats Germany, Spain beats Argentina.

And the winner is: Brazil beats Spain in a tightly fought final.

Read more:

http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1992877,00.html#ixzz0pcBkE7ig

…And up from the sea came a bubbling crude

Here is a list of 10 things to do that will help the Gulf Coast Clean the Oil Spill

1. Volunteer Online: Affected states allow you to register to volunteer online. Louisiana and Florida  volunteers can register online, or Gulf Coast volunteers can call 1-866-448-5816. Oil Spill Volunteers is another registration site that matches up those willing to assist with the groups that need their help. Volunteer opportunities run the gamut from wildlife sitter to administrative support, so any and all help is appreciated.

2. Pick up the trash on Florida Beaches: Florida is calling on untrained volunteers to pick up trash on its beaches to minimize the impact of the spill once it hits land. Volunteers are asked to leave natural debris in place, though, as it provides shelter for birds and other animals. If you’d like to help out with areas where oil has already washed ashore, it is recommended that you contact a local group to be trained in how to handle oil-covered materials.

3.  Call first don’t Touch: If you’re in the Gulf Coast area and see a distressed animal, do not try to assist it on your own. Injured animals can be defensive and may try to bite you—also, crude oil can be harmful when it comes in contact with human skin. A hotline has been established for injured and dead animal sightings. Call 1-866-557-1401 to leave a message with the animal’s precise location. iPhone users in the Gulf can download the Noah project’s app to document distressed animals and the spill’s impact on wildlife. Learn more about Noah here:  http://www.networkedorganisms.com/missions

4. This one is for Fisherman and Boaters Only: Two specialized opportunities to help are available for qualified professionals. BP has called upon fishermen and boaters in the Gulf area to participate in their “Vessels of Opportunity” program. Those with eligible vessels will be compensated for their use in cleanup efforts. For more information, call 281-366-5511.

5. Donate: However, if you’re not already living in the area, it is not recommended that you travel to the Gulf Coast to assist. OilSpillVolunteers.com and other organizations stress that your help would be more appreciated in the form of a donation. The National Wildlife Federation, Alabama Coastal Foundation, and Save our Seabirds are among the many organizations accepting donations for coastal relief.

6. Do the Dishes: Dishwashing detergent is used to clean oil off of birds and animals, and Dawn is pitching in to help. Purchase a bottle of Dawn and $1 will go towards the Marine Mammal Center and the International Bird Rescue Research Center. Please note that you must go online to activate this donation—it’s not automatic with your purchase.

7. Get a haircut: Own a salon or pet grooming business? Hair collects oil, so the group Matter of Trust is taking donations of hair and nylons. For more information, visit their website or call 415-242-6041.

8. Stop Drill Baby Drill: For those inclined to send a political message about the need to restore the Gulf Coast, the National Wildlife Federation  has created this form letter you can send to President Obama. Those in favor of halting all ocean drilling can use this form letter from the Sierra Club.

9. Be a Birdbrain: The Audubon Society, protecting American birds and their habitats for more than 100 years, has launched a response to the crisis. They’ll be organizing volunteers for wildlife rescue and beach clean-up, as well as researching the effects of the spill on habitats in the weeks and months following its landfall. If you’d like to volunteer for the Audubon Society, you can fill out this volunteer form. If you’d like to donate money to aid relief efforts, you can use this site.

10. Keep up on the Tweets: For up-to-date news on volunteer and relief efforts, several Twitter users have aggregated the best sources of oil spill tweets into lists. Follow Crisis Camp’s list, Crisis Mappers’ list, or the hashtag #oilspill. Two good individual accounts to follow are EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, and BP_America.

Now Greece:

The stock market plunged yesterday, dropping down around 9 percent at one point, as Greece’s financial troubles continue to weigh on the world economy.  Greece got the blame at first. In retrospect it’s looking more the finger should be pointed at a fat fingered trade which tripped an automated computer sell off.  However, this new development shouldn’t discredit Greece’s effect on the World’s economy. It’s as dark and gloomy and potentially more devastating as Icelandic volcanic ash plumes.

From The Guardian’s John Palmer:

The German chancellor, Angela Merkel is not given to rhetorical hyperbole. So, when she says that the Greek debacle has put into question “the future of Europe and the future of Germany within Europe” she should be taken very seriously – not least by the heads of government of the 16 EU nations who share the euro and who meet in an emergency summit in Brussels this evening.

It is difficult to exaggerate the importance of the decisions that face the EU leadership (both the EU institutions and member state governments) if the Greek firestorm is not to spread. If it does spread, the very foundations of European economic and monetary union could be undermined – as the distinguished American economist, Joseph Stiglitz, has already warned. But if that happens no one should be surprised when, subsequently, the other sinews tying the EU countries together – the single market and the union itself – also gradually begin to crumble.

The EU is still only discussing the promised, but long overdue, European-wide system for regulating the wilder frontiers of the cowboy banking system – including the currency speculators. The former president of the European Commission, Jacques Delors, warned years ago about all this – but he was ignored.

Most euro-area governments, including Germany, now concede that major steps to create a euro-area “economic governance” must now be taken rapidly. The EU leaders in Brussels tonight will not sign off on any detailed measures. But they should unambiguously signal their intent to make European economic union a reality by give euro-area decision-making bodies real decision-making powers over fiscal policy, discipline and balanced economic growth.

If this includes a European monetary fund with teeth, as Merkel has pointed out, a new EU treaty may be needed. It will be a treaty that only really affects those countries in the euro-area. So, no British government would have the remotest justification for seeking to veto a treaty which had the support of all the euro-area states. In the meantime, the EU as a whole must accelerate plans for tough European wide regulation of financial markets, banks and speculators something which whoever forms the next British government would do well to support with sterling potentially vulnerable to being sucked into the current financial chaos.

In truth, the very foundations of the global neo-liberal system, which emerged from the Reagan-Thatcher inspired capitalist economic blitzkrieg of the last 25 years is now discredited. The EU as a whole also needs a new economic philosophy based on green and sustainable growth and which encourages social cohesion and not short-term economic growth, reduces excessive dependence on the financial and carbon energy sectors, and which actively promotes greater social equality. The time to strike out in a new direction is now – before it is too late. Where Europe leads, the world may well now want to follow.

Water, water everywhere…but not much to drink or wash in.

The irony of floods: the Cumberland River flooding, caused by record-busting rains of more than 13 inches in two days, is the cause of the water restrictions being placed on all of Williamson County’s water systems.  Williamson County gets much of its water from the Cumberland River. James Fyke, Tennessee Dept. of Environment and Conservation, said the cutbacks must be made “to ensure that safe drinking water will continue to be available” in the area. City Official’s attest that the water is safe to drink but residents should limit their use for the time being and refrain from washing cars, pets, or watering lawns, said City Administrator Eric Stuckey.

The rain has stopped and evacuated residents are returning home.  Carol Ann Thomason who has lived at River Plantation for three years, said she had never expected a flood. But she said this one wouldn’t drive her away, “I’m coming back,” she said. “The devil’s going to get me before the river.”

The damage assessments have begun. Here’s the damage rating guide Metro teams are using as they examine every building in the county for water damage:

1. Minimal: Water line anywhere on structure

2. Moderate: Water line above floor elevation

3. Major: Water line 2 to 6 feet above floor elevation

4. Severe: Water line more than 6 feet above floor elevation

The name ‘St. Augustine’ was chosen in order to indicate the African identity of the institution and because St. Augustine of Hippo (354 – 430 AD) was one of the first and one of the greatest Christian scholars of Africa. To quote the professor again, “Education in a post-apartheid, democratic South Africa is to be seen in relation to the ultimate goal of social life which is the personal growth and fulfillment of individuals. One cannot stress enough the importance of qualities of character in individuals and qualities of relationship between people, a sense of freedom and participation in the life of society and a sense of solidarity with others. These were the values denied by apartheid.”

A good educator is a constant learner. Prof. Edith H. Raidt, Ph.D. has always been an avid scholar. At the University of Capetown she earned a Bachelors of Arts Degree, a Bachelors of Education Degree, a Masters Degree in Art, and her Ph.D. She has obtained such recognition as: Doctor of Literature (honoris causa) Potchefstroom, University for Christian Higher Education; Doctor of Literature (honoris causa) University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg;  Doctor of Literature (honoris causa) University of Port Elizabeth; and  Doctor of Education (honoris causa) University of Natal. An overview of the professor’s career, which started in 1962, she has lectured, taught, and headed departments at the University of Capetown, the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, and of course St. Augustine College of South Africa, Johannesburg. She is a member of 7 international scholarly societies and is the author of 7 books and numerous scholarly articles.

Prof. Raidt was born in Germany, but has lived in South Africa since 1954. From young adulthood on she has been a witness to a volatile and complex breadth of South African History. Out of this crucible has emerged a high-principled and humane individual. She has recently retired, and so has more time for her leisurely pursuits of reading, listening to classical music, painting, and sewing.  In her retirement she continues to inspire teachers and students to use hope and optimism to transform the world and imbue young people with a sense of justice and deep concern for the common good.

Professor Edith H. Raidt, Ph.D. can be found on the Madison Who’s Who Directory where she is looking forward to networking with you.

www.staugustine.ac.za

Dr. Pallaschke began his academic career achieving a Ph.D. from the University of Bonn. He would later return to this University to teach, but first he served as an Associate Professor at the University of Darmstadt for a year. He moved on to the University of Munster and remained there for four years.  His alma mater then offered him an Associate Professorship, and so from 1977 until 1982 he taught at the University of Bonn.  Enter the University of Karlsruhe.  The University of Karlsruhe, established in 1825, is one of the most prestigious technical universities in Germany. It is recognized as a leading research university, and is on the cutting edge of new sciences: supercomputing, fuel cells, and nanotechnology. Dr. Pallaschke has served here as a Full Professor of mathematics since 1982 until his recent retirement, hence capping his long and fruitful career in teaching and research.

Karlsruhe, the city, is Dr. Pallaschke’s home.  This city is found in Baden-Württemberg on the Rhine River at the foot of the Black Forest. Karlsruhe has many museums, an interesting open-air zoo, and France is just a half hour away. Home is where his heart is, his heart being his wife Ingrid who he married in 1967 and they had a child.  The professor keeps active and takes full advantage of his surroundings by biking and swimming.

Dr. Diethard Ernst Pallaschke can be found on the Madison Who’s Who Directory where he is looking forward to networking with you.

The Noble Credits Ltd. has bought millions of tons of credits from developing countries. Currently, credits cost up to 70% less than allowances because if a project falls through and the developing-country partner doesn’t clean up its act, the company that bought the credits is held responsible. “We must do a hell of a lot of due diligence,” says Thorsten Ansorg, “We have no desire to buy something that never materializes.” But as the market gets more efficient at separating smart projects from wishful thinking — and as companies in the West struggle to meet their Kyoto targets — prices are likely to rise. Noble Carbon Credits is expanding global markets for GHG emission reduction certificates or “carbon credits,” and is one of the world’s largest suppliers of CERs (Certified Emission Reductions) under the supervision of the United Nations. With the issuance of more than 40 million CERs under the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) process, Noble Carbon Credits has received over a quarter of all CERs issued to the middle of 2008, making it the global leader in the world market for CERs. Noble Carbon Credits targets its key customers: utility companies, large-scale industrials, financial institutions and hedge funds.

Mr. Ansorg considers his dynamic thinking and his commitment to the customer among his strongest attributes. His steadfast nature makes him a credit to his profession, excuse the pun. On his way to his current position, Mr. Ansorg studied at the Universität des Saarlandes, (University of the Saarland) where he earned his M.B.A. This university was the first one established in Germany after World War II; it was started with help from the French government. It has maintained a combination of German and French educational traditions as well as dual languages of instruction.

A year after Thorsten received his M.B.A. he married his wife Rosemarie and they have a lovely daughter, Alicia. Along with spending time with his family other of his enjoyments are soccer, tennis, and fitness training.

Thorsten Ansorg can be found on the Madison Who’s Who Directory where he is looking forward to networking with you.

www.noblecarbon.com

Dietrich Gudzent always had a head for finding a route to and of the stars, planets, and other celestial bodies. Before he arrived in Alabama, he received a Masters Degree in Physics from Humboldt University in Berlin, Germany. He taught Astronomy at colleges in the Berlin area.  In Munich he spent four years working in meteorology.

In recent years Mr. Gudzent has been working on writing a book on the the history of science. In addition he is a guest expert for The Old Farmer’s Almanac. In this capacity he contributed the article, “The Great Conjunction or Planetary Alignment of May 5, 2000″, in which he debunked some so-called experts’ insistence that the combined gravitational pull of: the Moon, Sun, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn would destabilize the Earth and cause widespread catastrophe.

Dietrich Gudzent was acknowledged by The Ohio Academy of Science as one of the volunteer reviewers whose advice, comments and corrections to an earlier draft of HeartlandScience.org enabled them to correct errors and to clarify the text and illustrations.

At home in the lovely village of Mt. Pleasant, Ohio, Mr. Gudzent is a model citizen as he has been elected as the Clerk/Treasurer of this town. He is a widower with a grown daughter and son, and the happy added plus of two grandchildren. He has a keen ear for music and prefers to listen to more classical genres.

Dietrich E. Gudzent can be found on the Madison Who’s Who Directory where he is looking forward to networking with you.

Gulf Badr Group was established in 1976 by F. Minister Ahmed Badr as a group offering all marine related services to its clients, except for shipping agencies which were monopolized by the government until 1996. Since then Gulf Badr Group has participated in all Marine sectors and represented many shipping lines in Germany, Greece, and Egypt.

Mr. Bahaa Helmy Badr has experienced every advantage of a world wide education. He graduated with degrees in Law and Economics from Ain Shams University in Cairo, Egypt – the third oldest University in Egypt. He received his Masters in Economics from American University in Washington D.C.

Bahaa Helmy Badr has a contented home life. He is a devoted husband to Soheir Abdel Fattah. They have two children: Mohamed Baha and Mayada Badr. During his leisure time he enjoys active and outdoor recreations such as horseback riding and swimming.

Mr. Bahaa Helmy can be found in the Madison Who’s Who Directory and he is looking forward to networking with you.

www.gulfbadregypt.com/home.html