Unemployment remains stubbornly high (11.4%, or 4.4m people without jobs), revenue is dwindling, prospects for tax breaks next year, when another general election is due, look slim.

ECONOMIST: Germany

At the outset, then, the chances of a new government after the general election due on October 3rd look slim.

ECONOMIST: Wolfgang Sch��ssel, an Austrian abroad

Say it sotto voce, but the latest results from Italy's general election point to the slimmest of slim victories for centre-left leader Romano Prodi .

FORBES: Italian Election: Prodi Declares Victory Over Berlusconi

Rumors that Slim might get involved with General Motorsafter its recent IPO were also played down by Elias, who explained they had no interest in Detroit's largest automaker.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Mr Hastings excessively admires two German field-marshals: Gerd von Rundstedt and Eric von Manstein, whereas only Bill Slim and George Patton rise above the general mediocrity of Allied field commanders.

ECONOMIST: The second world war