World
Arabs rejoice as one over Morocco’s historic win
Doha, Qatar – Achraf Hakimi was on the spot. The Atlas Lions’s Spanish-born celebrity wing again had the possibility to ship Morocco via to the World Cup quarter-finals for the primary time ever.
So when, following the nerve-racking penalty shootout in opposition to Spain, Hakimi ever-so-easily kicked the ball into the online at Schooling Metropolis Stadium in Qatar, hundreds of spectators collectively heaved an enormous sigh of reduction – after which they roared.
Safa, 39, mentioned she “didn’t count on” Morocco to make it this far.
“We’re so glad … the following sport we are going to win 1-0 inshallah,” the Casablanca resident advised Al Jazeera.
Safa, who was additionally at Morocco’s sport in opposition to Canada on December 1, mentioned the hype from the followers contained in the stadium in all probability additionally had a “constructive influence” on the gamers.
A cacophony of cheering, singing and drumming overtook the stadium as quickly because the historic match started.
Reaching the quarter-finals was an unspeakable feat, including to the successes of Arab groups Saudi Arabia and Tunisia, which beat Argentina and France, respectively, regardless of their eventual exit from the World Cup.
The wave of assist within the stadium was deafening as Morocco grew to become the primary Arab nation and fourth African nation to advance to the final eight of soccer’s best match.
‘We made historical past’
“It’s a dream come true, I’ve no phrases to precise my happiness,” Fadoua Chernane advised Al Jazeera.
“They’re our heroes, they made us proud right this moment, irrespective of if we win the World Cup or not, we’ve made historical past right this moment,” the 42-year-old mentioned.
Because the celebrations rapidly unfold throughout Doha, Arab followers took to Twitter to share photos of Hakimi hugging and kissing his mom, who had been cheering him on from the bleachers.
My coronary heart ❤️ #Morocco #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/KDWelynTVM
— Abier (@abierkhatib) December 6, 2022
Hakimi’s private story grew to become a supply of inspiration for some.
In the meantime, the image of the successful crew unfurling a Palestinian flag throughout their on-pitch celebrations went viral.
Congrats to #Morocco and Free Palestine! #المغرب pic.twitter.com/izuhulBcvs
— Muhammad Smiry (@MuhammadSmiry) December 6, 2022
Morocco’s gamers had additionally assist up the flag – which has featured a number of instances via the match – after their win in opposition to Canada final week.
Some identified that the presence of the Palestinian flag and the choruses to “Free Palestine” on the match proved that Arabs – not like their rulers – remained supportive of the Palestinian trigger.
A rustic that could be a signatory to the Abraham accords – that is how the individuals really feel https://t.co/DRBG5IUDk5
— Dana El Kurd دانا الكرد (@danaelkurd) December 1, 2022
An ESPN reporter famous that “Each North African and Center East crew has made positive that the Palestine situation is distinguished at each sport”.
Morocco rejoice their win in opposition to Spain with a Palestinian flag. Each North African and Center East crew has made positive that the Palestine situation is distinguished at each sport pic.twitter.com/ZJU2Dog9Ee
— Mark Ogden (@MarkOgden_) December 6, 2022
Celebrations throughout Arab world
Moroccans celebrating their crew’s historic World Cup victory had been joined by individuals throughout the Center East and North Africa in what was seen as a win for all the Arab world.
Morocco carrying the African continent, the Arab and the Muslim world 🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/udZ0ykgfDp
— EMILY🇺🇸🇲🇦 (@CrewsmatMorocco) December 6, 2022
In Morocco’s capital Rabat, the place followers had crowded into cafes hours earlier than to look at the sport, individuals jammed downtown roads resulting in a sq. the place supporters had celebrated after earlier Moroccan victories, flags waving from their home windows and horns furiously honking.
“It’s the primary time I had this sense!” mentioned Fahd Belbachir, on his strategy to the town centre. “We’re so proud.”
Brahim Ait Belkhit mentioned the spontaneous temper of pleasure was so nice he had patched up a feud with any individual he had prevented for years after which noticed on the street.
“It made us neglect our outdated quarrel,” he mentioned.
Leaders from throughout the Arab world showered reward on the Moroccan aspect.
“Congratulations to the Atlas Lions, you delighted us. Wow Morocco, you probably did it once more!,” Queen Rania of Jordan wrote on Twitter.
مبرووووووك لأسود الأطلس فرحتونا🇲🇦
Wow #Morocco! You probably did it once more#اسود_الاطلس— Rania Al Abdullah (@QueenRania) December 6, 2022
Cheers resounded from Tunis and Beirut to Baghdad, Ramallah and different cities as Arabs got here collectively to rejoice on the largely sudden win over Spain – a distinction to the political disputes which have lengthy divided Arab states.
World
Hannah Green wins LPGA Tour’s JM Eagle LA Championship for 2nd straight year
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Hannah Green won LPGA Tour’s JM Eagle LA Championship for the second straight year Sunday, holing out twice from off the greens in a pivotal back-nine stretch at challenging Wilshire Country Club.
A year after making a 25-foot birdie on the final hole of regulation and winning on the second hole of a playoff, Green — with help from Maja Stark — took the late drama out of this one for her fifth LPGA Tour victory and second of the year.
“It’s really kind to me,” Green said about the course. “I felt like a couple times today almost got like a member bounce. I, obviously, really am fond of the golf club and joked that they didn’t approve it with me that they were making alterations. I love it here.”
Green closed with a 5-under 66 to beat Stark by three strokes. The 27-year-old Australian, also the winner early last month in Singapore, finished at 12-under 272 on the tree-lined layout with poa annua greens that become bumpy late in the day.
Green began the key run with a chip-in birdie on the par-3 12th and made a 6-foot birdie putt on the par-5 13th. Then, after Stark bogeyed the par-4 16th two groups ahead, Green ran in a 25-footer for eagle from the fringe on 15 to open a four-stroke lead, and made it 5 under in five holes with a birdie on 16.
“When I chipped in on 12 I kind of felt like I really snagged one there,” Green said. “I really like the 13th hole and also played the 15th really well. When I made eagle on 15 that kind of sealed the deal. I did see Maja got it to 9 under so I know what I needed to do. Usually, I make it really tricky on myself and only win by a shot.”
Stark finished with a 68, rebounding from the bogey on 16 to birdie the final two holes. The 24-year-old Swede also finished second last week outside Houston in The Chevron Championship, two strokes behind top-ranked Nelly Korda in the first major of the year.
“I’m really proud of the way I’ve played,” Stark said. “I feel like I’ve hit a lot of good shots and I feel like my nerves kind of took over for a little while, but I was always able to get back to the normal — my normal state of mind.”
Haeran Ryu (69) was third at 6 under, followed by fellow South Korean players Jin Young Ko (67) and Jin Hee Im (72) at 5 under.
Grace Kim, four strokes ahead entering weekend after opening rounds of 64 and 66 and tied with Green for the lead after a third-round 76, finished with a 77 to tie for 25th at 1 under. She failed to make a birdie the final two days.
Korda withdrew from the Los Angeles event Monday, a day after her record-tying fifth straight victory.
___
AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf
World
Protesters in Germany call for Islamic fundamentalism: 'Caliphate is the solution'
More than 1,000 protesters gathered in Hamburg, Germany to take part in an Islamist demonstration over the weekend, German media reported.
According to German newspaper Die Welt, the demonstration took place in the Steindamm neighborhood of Hamburg on Saturday afternoon.
Muslim protesters carried a variety of signs in support of Islamic fundamentalism. One of the signs read “Kalifat ist die Lösung,” which translates to, “Caliphate is the solution.”
The protesters also yelled “Allahu Akbar,” meaning “God is great,” in Arabic. Hamburg police told Die Welt that there were roughly 1,100 participants.
ANTI-ISRAEL AGITATORS FLOOD DC STREETS, TAKE AIM AT WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS’ DINNER: ‘SHAME ON YOU!’
The protest was reportedly organized by a group called Muslim Interaktiv. According to the organization’s social media, the protest was meant to stand against the “demoniz[ation of] all Islamic life in Germany.”
“We will raise our voices together, inshallah,” a translated post on X read. “Together against Islamophobic reporting, both in recent weeks and in recent months.”
The Hamburg protests came as anti-Israel protests have intensified across the world, while the Israel-Hamas war inches towards its eighth month. In the U.S., protesters at Columbia University, Harvard University, University of Texas at Austin and other schools have set up tents on their universities’ quads as a sign of solidarity with Palestinians.
ANTI-ISRAEL AGITATORS CONTINUE NATIONWIDE DISRUPTIONS WITH ESCALATIONS AT USC, HARVARD AND COLUMBIA
The war began on October 7, when Hamas terrorists attacked Israel on the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah. Around 1,200 Israeli civilians were killed, igniting a fierce response from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Israel’s military response has been criticized by anti-war groups for exacerbating a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which IDF supporters have blamed on Hamas. In December, police in Berlin banned a pro-Palestinian rally planned for New Year’s Eve out of fear of potential chaos and crimes.
“The situation is emotional,” Berlin police chief Barbara Slowik said at the time. “An influx of troublemakers is to be expected who could use the meeting to commit crimes. No meeting leader could keep such a development under control. That’s why the police banned the demonstration.”
Fox News Digital’s Anders Hagstrom contributed to this report.
World
European countries grapple with internal politics over nuclear energy
Emmanuel Macron has championed the revival of France’s nuclear program as a central focus of his second presidential term.
With the emphasis on job creation, green investments, and advancements in mini-reactors, the challenges accompanying this nuclear resurgence are manifold.
The President of the Republic had underscored this commitment during his re-election campaign in May 2022. Months earlier, during a visit to the Arabelle turbine manufacturing site in Belfort, Macron unveiled an ambitious nuclear program.
According to the President, this is the main solution to meet the burgeoning electricity demand driven by increased electrification, to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, and sustain competitive electricity prices to support French businesses.
Macron has unabashedly hailed nuclear power as a “technology of the future”. France’s current fleet of electricity production reactors comprises 56 pressurised water reactors (PWR), classified as “generation II”, along with an EPR (European Pressurised Water Reactor) reactor presently under construction in Flamanville, Manche, designated as “generation III” .
In January, President Emmanuel Macron declared his intention to outline “the primary directions for the next 8” EPR reactors from the summer onwards, as part of the nuclear power revival, following the launch of six new EPR reactors, during a press conference.
Nuclear controversy in Germany
Whilst 65 to 70 percent of electricity in France is generated by nuclear, Germany’s figure was only 1.4 percent in 2023. It is indicative of a complicated relationship between Germany’s political parties and nuclear power.
Amid concerns over gas supplies following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, three policy options were considered by the government: extending the use of existing nuclear fuel, purchasing new fuel elements, or reopening the recently shut-down plants. The Green Party strongly opposed restarting nuclear power stations.
The handling of Germany’s nuclear phase-out during the 2022 energy crisis has drawn scrutiny towards the country’s economic and environment ministries, both under Green Party leadership, for their approach to closing the last three nuclear power plants.
German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, Robert Habeck, found himself redirected to the Bundestag’s energy committee to defend his controversial policy amid the energy crisis.
Despite internal discussions and assessments supporting the feasibility of extending the nuclear plants’ lifespans, a change in direction occurred within the environment ministry, citing “reasons of nuclear safety”.
Minister Habeck defended his ministry’s actions, emphasising the need to focus on replacing Russian natural gas rather than relying on nuclear energy for electricity.
The decision to extend the life of the last three nuclear power plants was eventually reached several months later, reflecting a compromise pushed by the liberal Free Democratic Party (FDP) .
The handling of this matter has faced criticism from Germany’s conservative opposition, who argue that the process lacked transparency and openness.
Spain’s ongoing debate
Spain’s energy strategy remains a subject of debate, with differing viewpoints on the role of nuclear and renewable energies in achieving sustainability and energy independence.
The Spanish government announced in December plans to phase out the country’s nuclear reactors, with the first plant shutdown scheduled for 2027.
The energy landscape is influenced by Russia’s strategic leveraging of its gas production capacity and the disruption caused by disputes such as the recent gas supply cut-off by Algeria to Morocco, affecting one of Spain’s gas supply routes.
Greenpeace Spain calls for an accelerated transition away from nuclear energy, critiquing Spain’s energy plan for not prioritising a rapid shift towards 100% renewable energy.
José Luis García, responsible for Greenpeace’s Climate Emergency program, challenges the classification of nuclear energy as ‘green’, emphasising the need to address broader environmental risks associated with nuclear power .
While France looks to bolster its energy security by embracing nuclear power alongside renewables, Spain remains steadfast in its commitment to achieve complete denuclearisation by 2035, as outlined in its Comprehensive National Energy and Climate Plan 2021-2030 (Pniec). Including two nuclear powerplants 100 kilometres from the Portuguese border.
Portugal’s phasing out nuclear, Italy phasing in
Over the past few years, Portugal has taken significant step towards dismantling its long-serving nuclear reactor, which had been instrumental in scientific research and education for over five decades.
Portugal has taken a firm stance against nuclear energy, with former Minister of Environment and Climate Action, João Pedro Matos Fernandes, highlighting its perceived shortcomings during the 26th United Nations climate conference (COP26) in Glasgow.
He emphasised that nuclear energy is deemed unsafe, unsustainable, and economically burdensome.
Italy’s nuclear history saw all four plants closed following a 1990 referendum. A subsequent attempt to reintroduce nuclear power was halted by a 2011 referendum.
Italy’s Chamber of Deputies has launched an inquiry into the role of nuclear energy in its energy transition. The country, the only G7 nation without operating nuclear power stations, shut down its last plant over 30 years ago.
The inquiry aims to explore nuclear energy’s potential contribution to Italy’s decarbonisation by 2030 and climate neutrality by 2050. It was supported by pro-nuclear members but faced abstention from others.
Minister of Environment in Italy, which is hosting the G7 meeting this year, said in a recent speech, “We have continued to work with important private companies both on the fission front, therefore on the new generation NUCLEAR with small reactors, and on the fusion front”
Last March, the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport and Deputy Prime Minister Salvini also said that a modern and industrialised country “cannot say no to nuclear energy.”
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