Latest news with #Loewenstein
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Champions League magic, Club World Cup controversy: A blockbuster Saturday of soccer's contrasts
A blockbuster Saturday of soccer will begin with a game that needs no introduction. At 3 p.m. ET, 9 p.m. in Munich, the 2025 Champions League final will ignite. Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain will vie for the grandest prize in club football. Both are behemoths, rich and talented, so much so that they are also among the favorites at this summer's Club World Cup. Which brings us to Saturday's nightcap, a game that needs every introduction. At 10:30 p.m. ET, 7:30 p.m. in Los Angeles, LAFC and Mexican power Club América will vie for one last place in that Club World Cup. Globally, their 11th-hour playoff pales in comparison to the Champions League final. It has no precedent nor built-in prestige. It is a qualifier for an unproven tournament, one that neither LAFC nor América would have realistic hopes of winning. PSG and Inter, on the other hand, are playing to actually win a competition that's far more prestigious. One will enter the Club World Cup perched on a throne that many consider to be atop the sport. But here in North America, when Yahoo Sports asked TelevisaUnivision executive Olek Loewenstein about the Club World Cup's most attractive teams, and specifically about where Club América would rank if it qualified, he didn't hesitate. 'Oh, No. 1,' Loewenstein said. That, in part, is why this novel game is happening — and why it is, in FIFA's words, a 'blockbuster bout' in its own right. LAFC's BMO Stadium is sold out, with the cheapest resale tickets priced north of $200. While América regularly packs stadiums across the continent, even for friendlies, Saturday's game brings unique stakes. The winner will get at least $9.55 million in guaranteed prize money, and a global stage that neither club has ever had. Hype, it seems, is building. But it's a different type of hype than the one overtaking Paris, Milan and Munich. It has been manufactured in months, rather than developed over decades. And it epitomizes the contrasts between the UEFA Champions League and the Club World Cup, which is, in some ways, the UCL's upstart challenger. Perhaps now is the time for the Club World Cup introduction, and the explanation of a playoff that, a month ago, did not yet exist. The field for the inaugural 32-team, quadrennial club tournament had been set since the fall. North America's representatives were seemingly finalized when Pachuca won the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup, the region's only known route to the Club World Cup. But then, in October, FIFA released the Club World Cup's regulations. Article 10 prohibited the participation of two clubs who share an owner — which, for Pachuca and fellow Mexican club León, became a problem. Both are owned by Grupo Pachuca. In March, citing this rule, FIFA expelled León, the 2023 CONCACAF champs, from its tournament. León players decried the 'grave,' 'brutal injustice' — 'football is stained by this,' James Rodríguez said — but FIFA was already considering replacements. Its rules gave it significant discretion. And its plan soon became clear. The Club World Cup's qualification criteria gave FIFA five or six realistic options. It could choose the Columbus Crew or LAFC, the runners-up to Pachuca and León in the last two CONCACAF finals. Or it could turn to its CONCACAF rankings, where Club América was the top unqualified team; Costa Rica's Alajuelense was the top team from a country with less than two participants; and the Philadelphia Union were the top team from a country with less than two standard qualifiers. The criteria stipulated that 'a cap of two clubs per country is applied' to those attempting to qualify via rankings. FIFA ignored that stipulation, picked LAFC and América, and pitted them against each other in this one-off 'play-in.' It is, in many ways, the perfect high-stakes appetizer for the Club World Cup. It's also par for the tournament's course. With skepticism and resistance dogging its launch, and with a need to sell tickets, broadcast rights and sponsorships, FIFA has reached for star power. It gave Lionel Messi's Inter Miami a 'host country' berth in October. More recently, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has talked up the possibility that Cristiano Ronaldo could join one of the qualified teams less than three weeks before kickoff. And now, FIFA will get either Major League Soccer's most valuable club or Mexico's winningest. LAFC was MLS' pre-Messi glamor club. América is the continent's most popular. They will duel in prime time for a place in Group D alongside Flamengo, ES Tunis and Chelsea. The Champions League final, on the other hand, does not have a sexy headliner. It does not have Real Madrid, nor Barcelona, nor an English Premier League power. It is the first final without them or Bayern Munich in over two decades. Some casual American fans might not find it all that intriguing. And yet, it will almost certainly be the most-watched sporting event on Earth in 2025. Even with Lautaro Martínez and Ousmane Dembélé — rather than Ronaldo or Messi, or Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappé — as the stars, it hardly needs hype manufactured. And it does not need to be sold as 'the $26 million game,' even though its prize pot is larger than the Club World Cup's. It is lucrative, and increasingly commercialized, yes, but its appeal is not about money. Its appeal is simple: It's the Champions League. There are surely some fans and soccer execs who are bummed that Barcelona isn't playing in it. Ratings won't break records. Narratives, beyond PSG's unlikely resurgence and a possible first title, might not break through into the casual fan's consciousness. But there is magic in this competition, and in this singular match. Magic sourced in simplicity. For 70 years, the best clubs in Europe — which are almost always the best clubs in the world — have battled for supremacy. And inevitably, special things have happened. So, you wouldn't dare bet against more special things on Saturday. You might not know the magicians, yet, but you don't need to; and soon, you will. Inter and PSG might not give us a 13- or nine-goal thriller, as they did in the semis and quarters, respectively; but they'll surely give us drama, and emotions, all of which will sell itself.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Champions League magic, Club World Cup controversy: A blockbuster Saturday of soccer's contrasts
A blockbuster Saturday of soccer will begin with a game that needs no introduction. At 3 p.m. ET, 9 p.m. in Munich, the 2025 Champions League final will ignite. Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain will vie for the grandest prize in club football. Both are behemoths, rich and talented, so much so that they are also among the favorites at this summer's Club World Cup. Which brings us to Saturday's nightcap, a game that needs every introduction. At 10:30 p.m. ET, 7:30 p.m. in Los Angeles, LAFC and Mexican power Club América will vie for one last place in that Club World Cup. Globally, their 11th-hour playoff pales in comparison to the Champions League final. It has no precedent nor built-in prestige. It is a qualifier for an unproven tournament, one that neither LAFC nor América would have realistic hopes of winning. PSG and Inter, on the other hand, are playing to actually win a competition that's far more prestigious. One will enter the Club World Cup perched on a throne that many consider to be atop the sport. But here in North America, when Yahoo Sports asked TelevisaUnivision executive Olek Loewenstein about the Club World Cup's most attractive teams, and specifically about where Club América would rank if it qualified, he didn't hesitate. 'Oh, No. 1,' Loewenstein said. That, in part, is why this novel game is happening — and why it is, in FIFA's words, a 'blockbuster bout' in its own right. LAFC's BMO Stadium is sold out, with the cheapest resale tickets priced north of $200. While América regularly packs stadiums across the continent, even for friendlies, Saturday's game brings unique stakes. The winner will get at least $9.55 million in guaranteed prize money, and a global stage that neither club has ever had. Hype, it seems, is building. But it's a different type of hype than the one overtaking Paris, Milan and Munich. It has been manufactured in months, rather than developed over decades. And it epitomizes the contrasts between the UEFA Champions League and the Club World Cup, which is, in some ways, the UCL's upstart challenger. Perhaps now is the time for the Club World Cup introduction, and the explanation of a playoff that, a month ago, did not yet exist. The field for the inaugural 32-team, quadrennial club tournament had been set since the fall. North America's representatives were seemingly finalized when Pachuca won the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup, the region's only known route to the Club World Cup. But then, in October, FIFA released the Club World Cup's regulations. Article 10 prohibited the participation of two clubs who share an owner — which, for Pachuca and fellow Mexican club León, became a problem. Both are owned by Grupo Pachuca. In March, citing this rule, FIFA expelled León, the 2023 CONCACAF champs, from its tournament. León players decried the 'grave,' 'brutal injustice' — 'football is stained by this,' James Rodríguez said — but FIFA was already considering replacements. Its rules gave it significant discretion. And its plan soon became clear. The Club World Cup's qualification criteria gave FIFA five or six realistic options. It could choose the Columbus Crew or LAFC, the runners-up to Pachuca and León in the last two CONCACAF finals. Or it could turn to its CONCACAF rankings, where Club América was the top unqualified team; Costa Rica's Alajuelense was the top team from a country with less than two participants; and the Philadelphia Union were the top team from a country with less than two standard qualifiers. The criteria stipulated that 'a cap of two clubs per country is applied' to those attempting to qualify via rankings. FIFA ignored that stipulation, picked LAFC and América, and pitted them against each other in this one-off 'play-in.' It is, in many ways, the perfect high-stakes appetizer for the Club World Cup. It's also par for the tournament's course. With skepticism and resistance dogging its launch, and with a need to sell tickets, broadcast rights and sponsorships, FIFA has reached for star power. It gave Lionel Messi's Inter Miami a 'host country' berth in October. More recently, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has talked up the possibility that Cristiano Ronaldo could join one of the qualified teams less than three weeks before kickoff. And now, FIFA will get either Major League Soccer's most valuable club or Mexico's winningest. LAFC was MLS' pre-Messi glamor club. América is the continent's most popular. They will duel in prime time for a place in Group D alongside Flamengo, ES Tunis and Chelsea. The Champions League final, on the other hand, does not have a sexy headliner. It does not have Real Madrid, nor Barcelona, nor an English Premier League power. It is the first final without them or Bayern Munich in over two decades. Some casual American fans might not find it all that intriguing. And yet, it will almost certainly be the most-watched sporting event on Earth in 2025. Even with Lautaro Martínez and Ousmane Dembélé — rather than Ronaldo or Messi, or Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappé — as the stars, it hardly needs hype manufactured. And it does not need to be sold as 'the $26 million game,' even though its prize pot is larger than the Club World Cup's. It is lucrative, and increasingly commercialized, yes, but its appeal is not about money. Its appeal is simple: It's the Champions League. There are surely some fans and soccer execs who are bummed that Barcelona isn't playing in it. Ratings won't break records. Narratives, beyond PSG's unlikely resurgence and a possible first title, might not break through into the casual fan's consciousness. But there is magic in this competition, and in this singular match. Magic sourced in simplicity. For 70 years, the best clubs in Europe — which are almost always the best clubs in the world — have battled for supremacy. And inevitably, special things have happened. So, you wouldn't dare bet against more special things on Saturday. You might not know the magicians, yet, but you don't need to; and soon, you will. Inter and PSG might not give us a 13- or nine-goal thriller, as they did in the semis and quarters, respectively; but they'll surely give us drama, and emotions, all of which will sell itself.
Arab Times
05-03-2025
- Politics
- Arab Times
The ‘Palestinian laboratory'
Israel released Nael Barghouti after he spent 45 years in prison as a freedom fighter. However, there are still some among our own people who shamelessly continue to sympathize with the Zionist entity, and justify its actions under the pretext that Hamas is affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood Group. They insist on refusing to differentiate between a fundamental disagreement with Hamas's ideology and positions, and the Palestinian right to a free and secure state. It seems they have little desire for Palestinians to enjoy a free and secure homeland, for reasons that are no longer a mystery. Jewish-Australian freelance investigative journalist Antony Loewenstein recently released his book titled 'The Palestinian Laboratory'. Few people in our countries, especially those concerned with the issue, have heard of this book, which was first published nearly a year ago. In his book, Loewenstein exposes Israel's crimes, not only within its own borders but also against many peoples governed by merciless dictatorial regimes. These regimes import weapons, mass surveillance devices, and abuse systems from Israel. According to the book, Israel ranks ninth globally in exporting weapons, spying systems, surveillance, and eavesdropping technologies. It highlights how Israel has benefited from its occupation of Palestinian territories by using it as a testing ground for developing its weapons. With a population of seven million people, the occupied territories serve as an illegal laboratory, where these individuals are subjected to experiments, all of them monitored by highly advanced systems. Consequently, Israel managed to collect a tremendous amount of information about every Palestinian citizen, and it resorted to hiring vast storage capacities from Google and Amazon to store the collected data. The Israeli military-industrial complex uses the occupied Palestinian territories as an open field to test the effects of weapons and surveillance technologies before exporting them to many countries around the world. This unethical exploitation has provided Israel with great experience in controlling the population of any country through surveillance, home demolitions, long-term imprisonment of Palestinians, and the abuse of highly advanced systems and high-tech tools such as the Pegasus spyware, all used in a brutal manner. The book has been praised by leading international intellectuals and politicians as a tragic and sordid record of how Israel, once seen as a moral model in their eyes, has transformed into a supplier of the most brutal tools of sabotage in world history. It highlights Israel's disregard for ethics and its insistence on treating the Palestinian people as human laboratory subjects for criminal experiments. Loewenstein based his book and the television report on certified research, studies, and interviews with a wide variety of Palestinians and former Israeli security officials. The video link is available at the end of this article. The renowned intellectual Noam Chomsky commented on the book, stating that it is highly recommended for reading because it exposes the hidden and shocking face of Israeli colonialism and the way it uses its oppression of the Palestinians to strengthen its military and security industries, in blatant violation of global human rights principles. Prominent and independent Jewish intellectuals have regarded the book as a valuable resource for anyone seeking to understand the horrific story of how Israel established its technological economy, built on spyware, drones, and horrific devices that enable it to enslave the Palestinians and deprive them of their basic rights, including the right to possess their own nationality in their homeland. These are testimonies from prominent Jewish witnesses, including Israelis. Yet, there are still those among us who are unashamed to openly express their support for Israel! Here is the link to the book:
Al Jazeera
29-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Jazeera
‘The Palestine Laboratory' exposes Israel's export of unique systems of control and surveillance technology around the world
The film investigates how Israel has developed a 'technology of occupation' in Palestine and profits from selling it globally. In the film, directed by Dan Davies, Australian-German Loewenstein returns to Israel during the Gaza war to investigate how the country uses the Palestinian territories as a laboratory to test weapons and surveillance technologies which it then sells around the world. In this two-part series, Al Jazeera English's 'The Palestine Laboratory' film, journalist Antony Loewenstein investigates how Israeli weapons and surveillance technologies are first used to control and repress Palestinians in Palestine before being sold all over the world. In episode one, in Israel and Palestine, the film examines how Israel positions itself as a world leader in hi-tech weapons and surveillance technology, with glossy promotions from the top weapons manufacturers boasting that their products have been 'tested' and 'proven' in 'battle'. Hearing from both Israelis and Palestinians, the film explores how the arms industry understands what labels like 'tested' in Palestine mean and how the military intelligence Unit 8200 acts as an incubator for Israeli surveillance tech start-ups. In addition, it examines Israel's use of AI targeting systems in Gaza. Episode two of the investigation takes Loewenstein on an international journey to reveal how this 'technology of occupation' is used to subjugate and surveil political dissidents, human rights activists and journalists all over the world, and how this surveillance and military technology developed by Israel and tested on Palestinians is marketed abroad. It reveals how the latest Israeli technology is being used to monitor refugees and migrants in Greece and along the US-Mexico border. Loewenstein visits Mexico to explore its use of Israeli spyware and travels to India to discover how a thriving arms trade fosters close links between the two nations. In South Africa, he uncovers a hidden aspect of the country's history which saw a secret relationship between the apartheid-era government and Israel, centred on a clandestine arms trade and shared values. The film further investigates how cutting-edge military and surveillance technology is being used on Palestinians in both the West Bank and Gaza before being marketed to international clients as 'field-proven' and 'battle-tested'. Watch "The Palestine Laboratory" Episode 1 on Al Jazeera English at 12:00 GMT on 30th January 2025. Episode 2 will air on 6th February 2025 at 12:00 GMT and will also be available on the Al Jazeera English YouTube channel.
