Latest news with #JohnMACDOUGALL
Sinar Daily
4 days ago
- Sport
- Sinar Daily
History-makers Chelsea roar back to beat Real Betis in UEFA Conference League final
WROCLAW - Chelsea roared back to beat Real Betis 4-1 in the UEFA Conference League final in Wroclaw on Wednesday, becoming the first club to complete a clean sweep of European trophies. Manuel Pellegrini's enterprising Betis caught the favourites cold with an early goal from Abde Ezzalzouli against a flat-footed and listless Chelsea. Real Betis' French defender #15 Romain Perraud lies on the ground after being fouled by Chelsea's Portuguese midfielder #07 Pedro Neto during the UEFA Conference League final football match between Real Betis and Chelsea FC in Wroclaw on May 28, 2025. (Photo by John MACDOUGALL / AFP) But Enzo Maresca's second-half substitutions injected energy and Cole Palmer changed the complexion of the game in a five-minute spell, setting up Enzo Fernandez and Nicolas Jackson to score. Substitute Jadon Sancho made the game safe in the 83rd minute as the Spanish side faded in their first European final and Moises Caicedo added gloss to the scoreline. Chelsea are the first club to win the full set of five UEFA club tournaments -- the Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, Super Cup and the now-defunct Cup Winners' Cup. They have also won their first silverware since Todd Boehly's consortium took over from former owner Roman Abramovich in 2022, following an era of unprecedented success for the club. Boehly was on the pitch at the end, savouring the win that seemed unlikely when Betis were in control in the first half. Chelsea have ended the season with a flourish after also securing a place in next season's Champions League following a fourth-placed finish in the Premier League. Maresca, in his first season at Stamford Bridge, said he hoped Conference League glory would be a launchpad for the club. "The club have invested lots of money in the last three or four years, so they are also waiting for results," Maresca told TNT Sports. "Hopefully this can be a starting point and from tonight, from this season, (we are) building something important." The Spanish side went ahead in the ninth minute through Ezzalzouli, who scored the goal against Fiorentina that took his side to the final. Chelsea's Argentinian midfielder #08 Enzo Fernandez celebrates after scoring the equalising goal during the UEFA Conference League final football match between Real Betis and Chelsea FC in Wroclaw on May 28, 2025. (Photo by John MACDOUGALL / AFP) Malo Gusto lost the ball and it broke to Betis captain Isco, who produced a clever pass to find Ezzalzouli on the edge of the box, with the Moroccan drilling a left-footed shot across Filip Jorgensen. Minutes later Marc Bartra tried his luck from distance but this time Jorgensen was equal to the task, producing a flying save. Urged on by their massed ranks of fans, Betis went close again when Johnny Cardoso's shot from inside the box was deflected behind. The Premier League side were enjoying the bulk of possession but struggling to create meaningful chances, with Betis defending well and Isco, a five-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid, pulling the strings. Palmer magic Maresca brought on James for the struggling Gusto at the break and the English side looked livelier. Pellegrini was forced a change when goalscorer Ezzalzouli was forced off, with Jesus Rodriguez coming on to replace him. Maresca also made a number of other changes, including bringing on Sancho, but it took two moments of magic from Palmer to turn the tide. The England man produced a pinpoint inswinging cross from the right that found onrushing Argentina midfielder Fernandez, who got between two defenders to head the ball past Adrian in the 65th minute. Suddenly Chelsea's tails were up and the fans behind the goal were in full voice. Five minutes later Palmer twisted and turned before producing another superb cross that Jackson bundled into the net. Jackson should have scored a second goal but a heavy touch allowed the Betis goalkeeper to gather. But Sancho made it 3-1 when he combined with fellow substitute Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and finished from an angle and Caicedo added a fourth from the edge of the box. Victory for Chelsea breaks an astonishing cycle of wins for Spanish teams. Taking into account World Cups, European Championships, Champions League and the UEFA Cup/Europa League, of the previous 27 men's finals involving Spanish teams, all 27 had had Spanish winners. Four Spanish club sides had been defeated in that time, but in all cases by fellow La Liga sides. Earlier, the centre of Wroclaw was packed with fans from both clubs, with green-and-white clad Betis fans outnumbering their English rivals. Poland's Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak said police made 28 arrests after supporters clashed in the city's market square. - AFP
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Tesla sales fall again in Germany as drivers steer clear of Musk
Almost 46 percent fewer Tesla cars were registered in Germany in April than the same month last year (John MACDOUGALL) Tesla sales nosedived again in Germany last month even as electric vehicle sales rose strongly, data showed Tuesday, as German drivers voted with their wallets against billionaire owner Elon Musk. Just 885 Tesla electric vehicles (EVs) were registered in April, 45.9 percent fewer than the same month last year, the KBA federal transport authority said. That was almost half as many as BYD, a Chinese competitor, managed: 1,556 BYDs were registered in April, a rise of 756 percent on the year. At the same time, overall EV registrations rose 53.5 percent year-on-year and now account for almost 19 percent of the market, the highest share since the government removed a subsidy for electric vehicles in December 2023. Tesla's sales have been slowing worldwide due to a combination of fierce Chinese competition as well as anger at Musk's outspoken political positions. He has faced particular hostility in Germany for backing the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) before February's general election by appearing via video link at a rally and broadcasting a conversation with its co-leader, Alice Weidel, on his X platform. Other political parties in Germany shun the AfD and Germany's domestic intelligence agency last week classified it as a right-wing extremist organisation. Some German Tesla drivers have put "I bought this before Elon went crazy" stickers on their vehicles and the backlash has also taken more forceful forms. Tesla cars have been targeted in suspected arson attacks in Berlin and Dresden, and protesters have staged demonstrations against the carmaker. Over the three months to April, Tesla registrations fell a whopping 60.4 percent from the same period a year ago. Overall car registrations in Germany fell 0.2 percent in April versus the previous year, a sign that the market is stabilising after they fell almost four percent in March. Tesla chairman Robyn Denholm last week denied that the carmaker's board was looking to replace Musk as CEO. vbw/jsk/lth
eNCA
04-05-2025
- General
- eNCA
Germans mark liberation of Ravensbrueck Nazi camp
Holocaust survivors on Sunday urged the world not to forget the atrocities committed by the Nazis, during a ceremony to mark 80 years since the liberation of the Ravensbrueck concentration camp. Nine men and women who survived the camp, now in their 80s and 90s, relatives of former prisoners and senior officials were among about 1,200 people attending the event in northern Germany. Lili Keller Rosenberg, a Jewish Frenchwoman deported to the camp at the age of 11, told AFP she believed her survival was "exceptional", and a "great revenge on the Nazis". "We never imagined we could last this long. I was destined to perish in 1943 when I was deported," said the 93-year-old, who spent more than a year at Ravensbrueck before being transferred to the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. She said she was determined to keep recounting her experiences to young people to avoid a repeat of the past: "These young people must fight racism, which is a scourge, and fight against anti-Semitism." AFP | John MACDOUGALL About 130,000 people were sent from all over Europe to Ravensbrueck, the Nazi's biggest camp for women and children, north of Berlin. A small adjacent camp was also constructed for male inmates. As well as Jews, those held at the camp included political opponents, Roma and convicted criminals. - 'Left its mark' - Between 20,000 and 30,000 people died there. Many died due to forced labour -- inmates had to work 12 to 14 hours a day -- as well as in gas chambers and on a final death march. On April 30, 1945, the Soviet Red Army liberated Ravensbrueck, finding only about 3,000 sick prisoners remaining. German survivor Ingelore Prochnow, who was born in Ravensbrueck, told Sunday's ceremony that she had "no memory of fear, hunger or cold" at the camp. "Nevertheless, I believe that all of this has left its mark on my body and soul," she said, to applause from guests. Concerns are growing in Germany about the future of Holocaust remembrance amid a surge in support for the far-right AfD, which emerged as the second-biggest party in national polls in February. Some politicians in the party -- which was last week designated an extremist group by Germany's domestic intelligence service -- have pushed back against the country's tradition of remembrance. At a ceremony Saturday to mark the liberation of the Neuengamme concentration camp in Hamburg, Chancellor Olaf Scholz warned that "autocrats, extremists and populists around the world, including in our own countries, want to attack and destroy this peaceful and united Europe. "We must not allow this to happen." Germany has held several ceremonies this year to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Nazi camps and other major events in the run-up to the end of World War II.
Local Germany
14-02-2025
- Politics
- Local Germany
What are Germany's leading political parties' immigration and citizenship plans?
The election campaign in Germany has been especially tense as of late. After police arrested an Afghan man following a deadly knife attack in the Bavarian city of Aschaffenburg last month - the latest in a series of similar attacks - immigration rules and security have been in the spotlight. Tensions came to a head last Wednesday when the centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party, the CSU, passed a motion clamping down on asylum policy with the support of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). Although a second motion that referenced changes to citizenship law failed - and a draft law on migration policy also did not receive enough support to pass the Bundestag on Friday - many people in Germany are wondering what the future may hold when it comes to these policies. With the nationwide vote coming up on February 23rd, here's a guide on the stances of various parties on immigration and citizenship. CDU/CSU The CDU/CSU is the frontrunner in election polls with around 30 percent of the vote. As things stand, the conservative bloc, led by chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz, is expected to lead Germany's next coalition government, possibly teaming up with the Social Democrats (SPD) or Greens. As The Local has been reporting, the conservatives are pushing for a "fundamental shift" in migration policy, with the aim of "stopping illegal migration". Among the pledges are permanent border controls, rejections of asylum seekers at borders, more deportations and detention pending deportation. On Monday, the CDU unveiled a new action plan, explaining that it wants to push through various measures regarding security, immigration and the economy "immediately" after coming to power. The leader and top candidate for chancellor of Germany's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Friedrich Merz acknowledges the applause after his speech during the CDU Party Congress at the City Cube event location in Berlin, on February 3, 2025. (Photo by John MACDOUGALL / AFP) When it comes to citizenship, the CDU/CSU is also taking a hard stance. The Union mentioned the topic of naturalisation five times in their election manifesto - mostly to take aim at the previous 'traffic light' coalition government's dual nationality law. In a section on integration and cohesion, the parties promise to end the general right to hold multiple nationalities once they re-enter government. They would like to see a return to the days of dual nationality only for EU citizens - or in exceptional circumstances. They also want to get rid of the fast-track route for citizenship, which allows applicants to apply after three years in cases of exceptional integration and C1 level German. The Union has also spoken about instead of five years. Meanwhile, Merz has been pushing to be able to However, the party will need support from its coalition partner - and others in the Bundestag - to make these changes. Social Democrats (SPD) The SPD, with Chancellor Olaf Scholz, outlines in its election manifesto that it has ensured more skilled migration to the labour market and better control of refugee migration in its years leading the traffic light coalition that included the Greens and Free Democrats (FDP). The party emphasises European coordination, advocating for common humanitarian standards for refugees and migration managed in solidarity. It also refers to the Common European Asylum System (CEAS), due to come into force in 2026. The SPD rejects "border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders". The government has put in place temporary controls, which it says should remain "the absolute exception". The SPD promises to speed up asylum procedures and maintain family reunification. When it comes to the obligation for rejected asylum seekers to leave the country, the SPD favours a voluntary approach. For those who refuse, the party envisages "swift and consistent deportations, especially for offenders". Chancellor Olaf Scholz surrounded by his SPD party's co-leaders Lars Klingbeil and Saskia Esken as well as SPD parliamentary managing director Katja Mast and Rolf Muetzenich. (Photo by Odd ANDERSEN / AFP) Meanwhile, the Social Democrats specifically mention citizenship reform in its manifesto as an achievement it's proud of, and condemns the CDU for wanting to repeal it. The SPD manifesto vows to increase funding for integration courses, and recommits itself to its own skilled immigration law, arguing that Germany needs more talent from abroad to handle its demographic pressures. Greens Robert Habeck, the Greens chancellor candidate, unveiled this week a new 10-point plan for security and migration following the conservatives' push for tougher asylum rules. It includes some tightening up of migration rules, but Habeck wants a policy "that does not fuel resentment and respects fundamental rights". In the wake of recent attacks, such as that in Aschaffenburg where the suspect is said to have been mentally disturbed, Habeck wants initial medical examinations of asylum seekers to take mental health into account. The Greens also want to see federal and state security authorities exchanging information more regularly, and EU collaboration on asylum policy. The party is in favour of deportations of serious criminals. In the Green manifesto, it adds that asylum seekers who have exhausted all legal paths, and if there no obstacles to deportation, "must leave the country quickly". The Greens say they also want to combat the causes of people having to flee their homes in the first place with "forward-looking diplomacy, and adequately funded humanitarian aid in crisis situations". But ultimately, they are in favour of Germany continuing to provide protection to people fleeing and want "fast and fair procedures" to "create clarity for those affected and for local authorities". Germany's Green Party's main chancellor and Economics Minister Robert Habeck and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. (Photo by Tobias Schwarz / AFP) Like the SPD, the Greens are proud of the citizenship reform and skilled worker immigration laws they helped bring in. "With the introduction of a modern citizenship law, we have finally recognised the reality of our diverse society, their manifesto says. The Greens pledge to cut down on bureaucracy to "ensure that the best skilled workers can and want to come to us easily - with simplified immigration procedures". AfD The anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is second in the polls after the CDU but is unlikely to get into government because of the 'firewall' mainstream parties have against working with the far right in Germany. But its worth keeping an eye on their policies and proposals, especially as they would heavily affect foreign nationals. The AfD wants to tighten migration policy and end "uncontrolled immigration by the millions". The party is calling for permanent controls and rejections at the border, and says anyone travelling from a safe third country should not be allowed to apply for asylum in Germany. The AfD wants to deport people without the right to stay in Germany. It details a "comprehensive repatriation offensive" - even adding the controversial word "remigration" to their party programme. This is understood to refer to the mass "return" or deportation of certain migrants - including people with a migration background - and can also in some circles refer to the deportation of "non-assimilated citizens". AfD supporters hold up placards reading "Alice my chancellor", as police officers secure the area around the Hugenottenhalle where an AfD campaign meeting was planned on February 1st in Neu-Isenburg. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP) The AfD says it wants to "immediately" deport "foreign criminals, extremists and serious criminals" to their countries of origin or to third countries willing to accept them. "Detention and custody centres" would be expanded near borders and at airports, the party envisages. The AfD's migration policy was also tightened in other areas at a recent party conference. An earlier passage stating that recognised asylum seekers should receive a permanent right to stay in Germany after 10 years has been deleted. A statement saying the AfD welcomes the admission of European labour as part of the EU's free movement of workers was also deleted. The AfD is said to be in favour of the "qualified immigration" of skilled workers from professional fields in which there is a shortage in Germany, but wants to tie this to strict criteria. What about other parties? The Free Democrats (FDP) are in favour of a tighter migration policy - they voted along with the AfD for the Union's motion last week. They are also in favour of making skilled immigration into the labour market easier, including for "non-academic skilled workers". The Left party's (Die Linke) guiding principle is for an immigration society that enables migrants to arrive safely. It is in favour of refugees being allowed to work as soon as they get to Germany and the party rejects deportations, including of offenders. The hard left/conservative Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) is calling for an end to "uncontrolled migration" and wants to see refugees into the job market quickly. It isn't clear at this stage whether these parties will clear the five percent hurdle to fully enter the Bundestag.
