Latest news with #JackLang
L'Orient-Le Jour
2 days ago
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Jack Lang to L'Orient-Le Jour: There must be sanctions against Netanyahu government
In an interview with L'Orient-Le Jour, Jack Lang, president of the Arab World Institute (AWI) and former culture minister, strongly condemns "the work of destruction" carried out by Benjamin Netanyahu in Gaza and the West Bank. He also responds to French President Emmanuel Macron's decision to recognize the State of Palestine, announces his upcoming visit to Lebanon and discusses his future at the AWI. Another L'Orient interview Noura Erakat: Palestine recognition unaccompanied by reparations against Israel remains symbolic Last July 24, Emmanuel Macron announced his intention to recognize the State of Palestine next September, an act you have been calling for for over 10 years. While this decision has created interesting momentum this side of the Mediterranean, the feeling remains that it is "too little and too...
L'Orient-Le Jour
2 days ago
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Security agreement with Turkey contributes to Syria's regional repositioning
After being discussed since the fall of the Assad regime, an agreement was signed on Wednesday, Aug. 13, in Ankara between the Syrian and Turkish defense ministers. Still in the protocol stage, the text aims to boost military cooperation between the two neighbors, with Turkey becoming Syria's main supporter after the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad on Dec. 8. While the original goal was to set up Turkish bases in the country and for Ankara to operate within Syrian airspace, few details have surfaced so far. Another interview from today Jack Lang to L'Orient-Le Jour: There must be sanctions against Netanyahu government This prospect prompted Israel to carry out deterrent strikes last April, while the two countries have experienced friction over the Syrian issue, all the while avoiding direct confrontation for now. The announcement...
New York Times
02-08-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Farewell, Joao Felix: Twice a Blue but Chelsea rarely saw the best of you
No one has bothered to make a YouTube compilation of Joao Felix's second Chelsea spell. Historically, it has never been hard to find lovingly curated footage of the Portugal international, who has plenty of online devotees and whose flashy game is particularly well suited to highlights packages. Click on one, mute the inevitably awful soundtrack, and you can expect to see sharp stepovers, neat nutmegs, flamboyant flicks and deft drops of the shoulder. Advertisement Many of the clips will abruptly cut off at the precise moment when a goal or an assist might follow. (NARRATOR: it did not.) To balance out what is going to follow, it's worth noting that my colleague Jack Lang wrote a piece this year supporting Joao Felix. As he wrote, everyone sees something different in him. But it seems not even the most die-hard Joao Felix fans had the heart to cobble together the footage of him scoring the sixth goal in a 6-2 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers on his second Chelsea 'debut' last August, followed by perfunctory cup doubles against Panathinaikos, FC Noah and Morecambe. Even with the additional padding of assists against Barrow and Southampton, the video would struggle to break the three-minute mark. Much better to look forward with fresh hope to the next chapter of a bewildering career. Two and a half years after first arriving at Stamford Bridge from Atletico Madrid on loan, less than 12 months after signing permanently in a £44.5million transfer, and a little under six months since swapping west London for Milan on loan, Joao Felix has left Chelsea and the Premier League to join Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr in a deal worth £26.2m (€30m; $35.2m) as an upfront fee, with add-ons taking the total valuation to £43.3m (€50m; $57.2m). 'Once a blue, always a blue,' he replied with a blue heart emoji to Chelsea's post on Instagram, confirming his departure this week. Give yourself more credit, Joao, it's twice a Blue and once of Benfica, Atletico, Barcelona (another loan) and Milan. That is five clubs (soon to be six with Al Nassr) represented in seven professional seasons, and potentially north of £200m in transfer fees generated, putting him fourth in football's all-time cumulative list, behind Neymar, Romelu Lukaku and new club-mate Cristiano Ronaldo — all by the age of 25. Advertisement No other high-profile footballer in the world has followed such a strange career arc, one that for at least two years has been leading him, circuitously but inexorably, to Saudi Arabia. 'I'm here to spread joy,' he said, smouldering into the camera in his Al Nassr announcement video. 'Let's win together.' Watching him pose, stride, drape himself in a scarf and cross his arms in sultry silhouette, it is hard not to conclude that he has at least become world class at unveiling himself. "لنُحقّق الفـوز معًا"جواو فيليكس .. نصراوي 💛 — نادي النصر السعودي (@AlNassrFC) July 29, 2025 The fact that the jokes about Joao Felix come so easily is a little depressing. This was the Golden Boy winner in 2019, comfortably seeing off competition from Bundesliga sensations Jadon Sancho and Kai Havertz, and an emerging monster in Salzburg called Erling Haaland, to win the prize for Europe's best under-21 player. Atletico's decision to pay £113m to prise him from Benfica in July of that year after one phenomenal season was patently absurd, but the notion that he could blossom into their version of Lionel Messi or Ronaldo seemed very legitimate. Six years on, Joao Felix has played 15,429 career minutes across all competitions at club level, an average of 2,204 per season. He has never started more than 21 league matches in a single campaign, and never beaten either the 15 league goals or the seven league assists that he registered for Benfica in 2018-19 as a teenager. Admittedly, he did miss 168 days of the 2021-22 season through injury, a total of around 20 games for club and country, according to Transfermarkt. As recently as January 2023, when Chelsea talked themselves into paying a €11m loan fee to bring Joao Felix to Stamford Bridge for five months in a vain attempt to save a lost season, it was still easy to be convinced that his struggles were circumstantial. He had performed well enough to be named Atletico's player of the season in 2021-22, but maybe he was simply a poor fit there, an artist lost in Diego Simeone's team of soldiers. His straight red card for a studs-up tackle on Kenny Tete to kneecap 58 encouragingly bright minutes on his Chelsea debut instantly became a defining tragicomic image of the worst season of the club's modern history. It also remains by far the most memorable contribution of Joao Felix's two spells at Stamford Bridge, and of a Premier League career that extends to just 28 appearances, 14 of which were starts. Advertisement There was little in that first Chelsea stint that merited a sequel. Joao Felix showed more on loan at Barcelona in 2023-24, contributing 10 goals and five assists in 44 appearances across all competitions. Barcelona's finances were a barrier to a permanent deal the following summer, but they still found a way to sign Dani Olmo, another attacking midfielder. Reports that Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca did not want Joao Felix last summer were denied strongly by club officials, but his selection in the first half of last season spoke volumes; the former Atletico man started only three times in the Premier League against the three promoted (and soon to be relegated) sides: Leicester City, Southampton and Ipswich Town. 'It's a shame for Joao and I would like to give him more minutes in the Premier League, but we need defensive balance and we cannot play with Joao, Cole Palmer and Christopher Nkunku,' Maresca said when asked about Joao Felix's lack of league minutes in a press conference in November. 'I'd like to put all of them on the pitch, but then you need to defend, and you need the right balance.' Joao Felix's value was degraded rather than enhanced by an underwhelming loan spell at Milan and Chelsea's decision to sell this summer, for a much lower initial price than they paid a year ago, with the potential to recoup close to the full amount after add-ons, is more of an escape than a win. Even so, there is a sense that the move to Al Nassr might only be for the short term. Joao Felix is 25 and has signed a two-year contract, suggesting he is keeping one eye on a relatively swift return to Europe. And even if he stayed longer, Al Hilal did perform well at the Club World Cup. Saudi teams could compete for major honours in the future. He also still has plenty of fans as well as detractors within the game. Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery has never hidden his admiration, creating the potential for a more satisfying third act in the Premier League. Benfica would be the destination to warm the heart above all others, but as was demonstrated this summer, modern football's market forces generally push players away from such romantic reunions. There is no telling where Joao Felix's career will take him next, but the YouTube compilations documenting his time at Al Nassr have already begun to surface. Advertisement Two moments in particular from his first friendly appearance against Toulouse this week stand out. The first is Ronaldo running into Joao Felix at the back post as both men attempted to tap a low cross from the left into an empty net, in what felt like a friendly but firm introduction to Al Nassr's scoring pecking order. The second was Joao Felix receiving the ball just outside his own penalty area with a stepover to his right and then a quick shift to his left, winning a free kick with the kind of high-risk, low-reward skill move that perfectly divides his fans from his critics. Al Nassr fans can expect more of that for as long as he sticks around. Hopefully, they will get some memorable, and even consequential, goals and assists too. It will take more than empty highlights to make European football fans pine for Joao Felix's return.
The Herald Scotland
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Glasgow is failing its music fans with shambolic public transport
There is something magical about the inclusivity of the event and it is quite honestly the most incredible music festival I have ever encountered. And it's accessible. Across Paris and the wider Île-de-France region, a special transport ticket was available for just €4.20 (around £3.50) that gave commuters unlimited access to trains, buses, trams and the Metro. Select Metro and RER (express suburban trains) were open all night to help revellers get between concerts and home safely. Oh, and did I mention every gig is free? The night-long celebration of music put Glasgow to shame. At least ScotRail decided to put on some extra late-night services to shuttle punters back to Glasgow Central after the gig. This is a nice step up considering the absolute shambles that the national rail operator caused TRNSMT-goers last summer. Tens of thousands of festival attendees were stranded on the last night of the festival (Sunday) at Glasgow Green thanks to ScotRail refusing to extend services beyond 6pm amid a dispute with workers over pay. Oh, and shocker, the Subway was not operating after 6pm either. The only time Glaswegians get a late Sunday Subway service is during the annual Christmas consumer frenzy. Our transport bosses appear to prioritise shopping over the consumption of music and cultural events. Music fans and parents of young TRNSMT attendees were rightly furious at either being stranded at the event or missing the big name acts they paid to see just to get home. Around 50,000 people attend each day of TRNSMT, many of whom are teenagers as the festival is open to those aged 16 and over. Those who had parents or guardians to pick them up were lucky, but many were stuck for a safe way to return home because of the lack of transport. TRNSMT is Scotland's largest music festival and people could not reasonably get home from it last year. Embarassing. (At the time of writing, ScotRail has remained tight-lipped about whether the firm will increase or extend its services for the TRNSMT festival, which takes place from July 11 to 13 this year.) It sends a message that political elites and transport chiefs do not place value on large scale music events. It seems like any event where people, especially young people, gather to enjoy themselves is something that authorities need to turn a blind eye to rather than accommodate. In Paris, experiencing the marriage of a comprehensive, integrated public transport system with a public, city-wide music celebration was both inspiring and bittersweet. Public transport and big events are interwoven. Huge numbers of people congregating in the same place need to be able to get to and from their destination safely, effectively, and efficiently. The local authority and the Scottish Government have a duty to people to ensure that this is a reality. The public has a right to have a good time. La Fête de la Musique, or World Music Day, was founded in 1982 by Jack Lang, then France's Minister for Culture. Inspired by musician Joel Cohen to create a large-scale public music celebration. The idea was 'music everywhere, concerts nowhere' – it is an inherently public event. And even better, it's fun. Even though it was hatched from a government department. The eighties weren't that long ago, and this is proof that politicians do not need to be so dull and serious all the time. With a little bit of creativity and motivation, we can have public events that people of all ages want to get involved in. With understandably tight local authority budgets, politicians need to be inventive. Imagine if Glasgow City Council could drum up this kind excitement for a grassroots, citywide music festival? After all, this is a big year for the city. But alas. We are stuck with poor public transport to pricey and privatised music festivals. Though I am sure we will see some hot pink Glasgow 850 posters slapped around TRNSMT next month. As an inherently free event, both to attend and participate in, the government in Paris does not directly bear the cost of La Fête de la Musique. They provide logistical support in terms of subsidized public transport and policing, but the focus is a spirit of collaboration and citizen-centred celebration. It is about the political will to make something like this happen. To see music bringing people together to let their hair down in civic spaces as a positive thing, rather than something to clutch pearls at. And if its not something the city is willing to provide for Glaswegians, at least make sure they have an affordable, reliable way to get home from the music events that are happening this summer. Which is the UNESCO City of Music, Glasgow or Paris? If you were to pose this question on a game show – wah-WAH. Paris is incorrect. It's Glasgow. So why are failing our music fans? It is utterly mortifying. Marissa MacWhirter is a columnist and feature writer at The Herald, and the editor of The Glasgow Wrap. The newsletter is curated between 5-7am each morning, bringing the best of local news to your inbox each morning without ads, clickbait, or hyperbole. Oh, and it's free. She can be found on X @marissaamayy1
India Today
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Why June 21 is celebrated as World Music Day: All you need to know
World Music Day, celebrated every year on June 21, is a global tribute to the universal language of music and its power to unite people across cultures and backgrounds. Known as Fte de la Musique, the celebration began in France in 1982 when the country's then Minister of Culture, Jack Lang, and composer Maurice Fleuret envisioned a day dedicated to making music accessible to everyone. Their aim was to encourage both amateur and professional musicians to take to the streets, parks, and public spaces, filling them with the sounds of live music and fostering a sense of community and choice of June 21 is significant, as it coincides with the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere—the longest day of the year—symbolising light, energy, and the creative spirit. The inaugural event in Paris saw free, open-air concerts and spontaneous performances, a tradition that quickly spread beyond France's borders. Today, World Music Day is observed in over 120 countries, including India, the United States, the UK, Germany, Italy, and Australia, with thousands of cities hosting concerts, jam sessions, and music core philosophy of World Music Day is inclusivity and participation. The slogan 'Faites de la musique' or 'Make music' reflects its mission: anyone, regardless of age, background, or skill level, is invited to perform or simply enjoy music. Events are typically free, breaking down barriers and promoting accessibility so that everyone can experience the joy of music. From professional orchestras to amateur singers, every genre and tradition finds a place in the celebrations, highlighting music's diversity and its role in cultural Beyond entertainment, World Music Day serves as a platform for emerging artists, supports music education, and raises awareness about the importance of music in society. It fosters harmony, peace, and social connection, reminding us that music is not just an art form but a bridge that brings people together. As cities around the world come alive with melodies each June 21, World Music Day stands as a testament to the enduring, transformative power of music.
