Hold The Back Page: 19/02/2011

Matt Fleming
Saturday 19 February 2011 01:00 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

It's a big weekend for...

The Cricket World Cup

There are two ways to look at the World Cup. The first is that England have a grand opportunity to add the one trophy that has eluded them to the World Twenty20 title they picked up last year and the Ashes they keep winning. The other is that we now must sit through six long weeks of a 50-over format none of us give a free hit about any more. As is often the case, the amount of coverage the tournament in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh engenders over here will depend on how long England are in the hunt – they kick off their challenge on Tuesday against the cricket powerhouse that is the Netherlands. But of more importance is that the hosts stage an incident-free event. India face Bangladesh today.

We applaud you wholeheartedly

Uefa's 'successful ticket launch'

Hit through the ball with the inside or outside of the foot. That's one way to impart spin. The other is to write for Uefa.com. "London ticket launch success," was the headline leading the website yesterday after the exorbitant prices for this year's Champions League final at Wembley were unveiled. What did the world at large think? Here's a selection of yesterday's back pages: "Uefa attacked over £176 ticket," said your super-soaraway Independent; "Rip off!" screamed the Mirror; "Storm over Champions League prices," said the Telegraph; "Fan Fury," added the Mail and Guardian. Keep practising those banana shots, Uefa.

Plus the stories you may have missed

Name the Olympic ball

Azteca, Tango, Etrusco, Fevernova, and who could forget last year's unloved (albeit unfairly) Jabulani...the list of monikers for tournament footballs is a long and far from illustrious one. Think you can do better? Now's your chance. Adidas, makers of the London 2012 ball, are offering you the opportunity "to be a part of Olympic and football history" by proposing a name for next year's ball. History suggests the "expert panel" will want the winning name to have a connection to east London like Jelliedeeli, or, if as is traditionally the case the ball doesn't live up to expectations, the Rejuvenation.

Go to www.adidas.co.uk/nametheball.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in