Latest news with #QazaqstanBarysyGrandSlam
Euronews
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Euronews
Judo Grand Slam 2025: Golden Finale in Astana
On the third and final day of the 2025 Qazaqstan Barysy Grand Slam the heavyweights stepped up, following 2 days of nonstop action and breathtaking ippons, and they didn't disappoint here in Astana. At -90kg six-time grand slam winner Mikhail IGOLNIKOV was up against newcomer Egor MALKIN. A well-timed change of direction and a 5 second hold down secured victory for IGOLNIKOV. Masdar CEO Mr Mohamed Jamil AL RAMAHI was on hand to award the medals. In -78kg Minju KIM of Korea met Mao IZUMI in a tense final. Only a single yuko score would decide the winner, with KIM landing a seo-toshi to give her her first grand slam gold. She was awarded her medals by IJF Education & Coaching Director Mr Mohammed MERIDJA. At -100kg top seed Dota ARAI of Japan was up against Daniel EICH of Switzerland in the fight for first place. In an exhilarating set of exchanges ARAI went ahead scoring waza-ari, to which Eich quickly responded. It was a decisive uchi-mata from Arai that earned him the gold. An incredible display of judo talent and sportsmanship. He was awarded his medal by Sport Qory Director Mr Yerlan AUGANBAYEV. At +78kg Hyeonji LEE of Korea met Julia TOLOFUA of France. It was a closely fought contest with LEE scoring a yuko to take her first-grand slam gold. The medals were awarded by IJF Sport Director Mr Michael TAMURA. In the +100kg Hyoga OTA of Japan made it to his 7th grand slam final. He was competing against home favourite Yerassyl KAZHYBAYEV. OTA silenced the home crowd with a perfectly executed Uchi-mata. Gold for Japan. The medals were awarded by Kazakhstan Minister of Tourism and Sports Mr Yerbol MYRZABOSSYNOV. On this the last day of competition, the Kazakh team had plenty to celebrate with bronze medals for Marat BAIKAMUROV and Bakzhan BAITAS in the -100kg category. It's been a tournament filled with high-impact judo and unforgettable moments. The world tour will return in one months time for the 2025 world judo championships. We'll see you in Budapest. An anti-immigration protest was held in Poland this weekend, with far-right political groups attending the demonstration in Warsaw. The participants of the march oppose the creation of integration and assistance centres for immigrants in Poland, and a petition to restore control over the Polish-German border was handed over to Prime Minister's Office. The protest was organised by Robert Bakiewicz, the leader of the Independence March Association. "We are marching to fight for a free, independent, sovereign Poland without a massive immigration, without imposing us here migrants who are culturally alien, without imposing us islam, without sharia zones, without rapes on women, without attacks in public schools on our children," he said. In the early months of 2022, as Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, millions of Ukrainians — mostly women and children — fled to Poland, where they were met with an extraordinary outpouring of sympathy. Ukrainian flags appeared in windows. Polish volunteers rushed to the border with food, diapers, SIM cards. Some opened their homes to complete strangers. In the face of calamity, Poland became not just a logistical lifeline for Ukraine, but a paragon of human solidarity. Three years later, Poland remains one of Ukraine's staunchest allies — a hub for Western arms deliveries and a vocal defender of Kyiv's interests. But at home, the tone toward Ukrainians has shifted. Nearly a million Ukrainian refugees remain in Poland, with roughly 2 million Ukrainian citizens overall in the nation of 38 million people. Many of them arrived before the war as economic migrants. As Poland heads into a presidential election on 18 May, with a second round expected 1 June, the growing fatigue with helping Ukrainians has become so noticeable that some of the candidates have judged that they can win more votes by vowing less help for Ukrainians.
Euronews
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
US Ambassador to Israel says Gaza aid set to resume 'very soon'
The United States Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, announced on Friday the initiation of a new system for the delivery of humanitarian aid and food to Gaza, with operations expected to commence 'very soon'. Recognising reports of starvation and the dire humanitarian crisis, Huckabee stated that various charities, nonprofits, and multiple governments would collaborate on this new aid distribution framework, intended to supersede the current United Nation-led effort. 'Notable amount of effort, and it is going to require the partnership not only of governments, but of NGOs, charitable organisations, nonprofits from around the world,' said Huckabee. 'There are several partners who have already agreed to be a part of the effort. We're not prepared to name them as of yet because some of the details of their participation are being worked out,' he continued. Huckabee did not offer much detail on the logistics of this new initiative, but emphasised that Israel would ensure the security of the deliveries. 'The first is that food be distributed efficiently, but also that it's distributed safely inside Gaza to the people who desperately need it. The other factor, and this is an important one, that all of this be done in a way so that Hamas is not able to get their hands on it.' Huckabee asserted that Israel will only provide security details to ensure aid reaches the people it's intended to reach. The system at large however, is to be managed independently. Israel has expressed worries about looting and diversion of intended to Hamas fighters, allegations that have been refuted by UN officials and humanitarian workers. In light of these concerns, Israel continues to enforce its blockade on essential supplies such as food, fuel, and medicine. Although Israel has declared that it will permit aid to enter Gaza only under a system that allows it to oversee distribution, Huckabee stressed that this new system should not be labelled as Israel's. The UN have routinely rejected any plans which hand over control of the distribution of aid to Israel. UN officials say any arrangement in which Israel decides who receives what and how much violates the organisation's humanity principles which vow to ensure humanity, impartiality, independence and neutrality. Welcome to Kazakhstan for the first day of judo at the 2025 Qazaqstan Barysy Grand Slam. Hosted in the Martial Arts Palace, the event featured some spectacular entertainment from local performers, and was officially opened by the President of International Judo Federation, Mr Marius Vizer, Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Mr Yermek Kosherbayev and President of the Kazakhstan Judo Federation, Mr Kuanyshbek Yessekeyev. Local fans filled the arena in anticipation of what was to be an action-packed day of Judo. At -48kg Junior World Champion Xinran Hui showed her class with some incredible ground work, forcing her opponent to submit, earning her the gold medal. IJF President Mr Marius Vizer awarded the medals, Chairman of the Board of Directors of ERG Mr Shukhrat IBRAGIMOV, awarded the prize money. At -60kg Iznaur SAAEV took on home favourite Talgat ORYNBASSAR, clinching the victory with a dynamic ko-uchi attack. He was awarded his medals by Kazakhstan Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Yermek Kosherbayev. In -52kg, Mascha BALLHAUS of Germany fought Ayumi LEIVA SANCHEZ of Spain. With the fight going into golden score, Ballhaus utilised a great change direction, switching from her signature technique uchi-mata, to o-uchi-gari. Scoring a Yuko, she earned Germany their first gold of the tournament. She was awarded her medals by IJF General Treasurer Mr Naser Al Tamimi. The -66kg final saw A perfectly-timed footsweep from 4 time grand slam winner Ramazan ABDULAEV against Kazakhstan's Gusman KYRGYZBAYEV. The medals were awarded by Kazakhstan Judo Federation President, Mr Kuanyshbek Yessekeyev At -57kg Faiza MOKDAR of France met Momo TAMAOKI of Japan in a high energy final. It was MOKDAR who took gold, with waza-ari from a well executed seoi-otoshi. She was awarded the gold medal by Harvest Group CEO Mr Almaz Alsenov. There were more medals for the home nation with bronzes for both Magzhan SHAMSHADIN and Aman BAKYTZHAN in the -60kg category as well as a whole day filled with action packed judo keeping the fans up on their feet.
Euronews
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Euronews
Home Heroes Shine Bright on Day 1 of Qazaqstan Barysy Grand Slam
Welcome to Kazakhstan for the first day of judo at the 2025 Qazaqstan Barysy Grand Slam. Hosted in the Martial Arts Palace, the event featured some spectacular entertainment from local performers, and was officially opened by the President of International Judo Federation, Mr Marius Vizer, Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Mr Yermek Kosherbayev and President of the Kazakhstan Judo Federation, Mr Kuanyshbek Yessekeyev. Local fans filled the arena in anticipation of what was to be an action-packed day of Judo. At -48kg Junior World Champion Xinran Hui showed her class with some incredible ground work, forcing her opponent to submit, earning her the gold medal. IJF President Mr Marius Vizer awarded the medals, Chairman of the Board of Directors of ERG Mr Shukhrat IBRAGIMOV, awarded the prize money. At -60kg Iznaur SAAEV took on home favourite Talgat ORYNBASSAR, clinching the victory with a dynamic ko-uchi attack. He was awarded his medals by Kazakhstan Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Yermek Kosherbayev. In -52kg, Mascha BALLHAUS of Germany fought Ayumi LEIVA SANCHEZ of Spain. With the fight going into golden score, Ballhaus utilised a great change direction, switching from her signature technique uchi-mata, to o-uchi-gari. Scoring a Yuko, she earned Germany their first gold of the tournament. She was awarded her medals by IJF General Treasurer Mr Naser Al Tamimi. The -66kg final saw A perfectly-timed footsweep from 4 time grand slam winner Ramazan ABDULAEV against Kazakhstan's Gusman KYRGYZBAYEV. The medals were awarded by Kazakhstan Judo Federation President, Mr Kuanyshbek Yessekeyev At -57kg Faiza MOKDAR of France met Momo TAMAOKI of Japan in a high energy final. It was MOKDAR who took gold, with waza-ari from a well executed seoi-otoshi. She was awarded the gold medal by Harvest Group CEO Mr Almaz Alsenov. There were more medals for the home nation with bronzes for both Magzhan SHAMSHADIN and Aman BAKYTZHAN in the -60kg category as well as a whole day filled with action packed judo keeping the fans up on their feet. A new report published by Human Rights Watch (HRW) has delivered a scathing assessment about the state of press freedom and the difficulties facing journalists in Greece. The report. "From Bad to Worse: The Deterioration of Media Freedom in Greece", is based on personal testimonies and documents "pervasive and deliberate restrictions on journalism in Greece" that create an environment in which "critical reporting is stifled and self-censorship becomes the norm". It also notes that "journalists face state surveillance, harassment and intimidation by pro-government actors and abusive lawsuits by politicians, which threaten democracy and the rule of law." The international NGO recommends that the European Union monitor the situation in Greece to ensure progress is made towards freedom of the press and that democratic values are upheld. This is the second negative report in as many days about Greece and the rule of law. A Reporters Without Borders (RSF) report published on 2 May has provoked a heated political debate in the country with the government fighting back. "The only truth about press freedom in all EU countries is reflected annually in the European Commission's Annual Rule of Law Report, which includes a special section on media and press freedom," government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis said. Greece is facing a media freedom crisis "as a result of actions and omissions by the Greek government that threaten democracy and the rule of law," HRW said. Their research is based on interviews with 26 journalists working for various media outlets, along with academics, lawyers and media experts. HRW interviewed journalists working in print, electronic media, television and radio, for public, private and independent media, foreign correspondents and freelancers. Reports and other documents were also analysed and contacts were made with relevant bodies. Twenty-two journalists described an increasingly hostile work environment, while six reported specific cases of harassment by high-level government officials related to their reporting. "Few journalists were willing to report, fearing reprisals," the survey authors noted. One independent foreign correspondent said: "Now I am thinking of leaving the country. I really am. I just don't see the point in subjecting myself to this level of stress. Stories matter, but the level of violence seems to have gotten worse." A journalist with over 25 years of experience at a major Greek private television channel said: "What you say on TV is so controlled that you have no freedom. The control is done by those in high is controlled. What you say, how you say it." The colours used to describe the situation in Greece are dark: the media landscape in Greece is characterised by a high concentration of ownership, with a few powerful individuals controlling many agencies. Many of them have ties to the ruling party. The report documents the hostile environment for independent media and journalists since the New Democracy government took office in July 2019, including allegations of harassment, intimidation, surveillance and abusive lawsuits, which contribute to self-censorship and freeze media freedom. Human Rights Watch also found the use of state funds "to influence coverage and editorial influence in the public media, further exacerbating this climate," stressing that these conditions undermine freedom of expression and the public's right to information. There is specific reference to PredatorGate. "In 2022, the government faced strong suspicions that it used Predator spying software to target, among others, journalists, resulting in a major surveillance scandal," the report said. In the investigation, seven of the journalists said they had evidence or strong suspicions of government surveillance, either through more traditional means, such as wiretapping, or by targeting with commercial spy software. "This raises serious privacy and freedom of expression concerns and risks stalling reporting, as both sources and journalists fear for their safety," it noted. Among the anonymous testimonies is that of Stavros Malichoudis, a freelance journalist who discovered in 2021 that Greece's intelligence service was spying on him. "For many months I was in fear. In fear of meeting people, my sources, and exposing them. It took me a long time to disengage from what happened and start reporting again," he said. Human Rights Watch also found that the government exerted undue influence on state media, such as ERT and the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (AMNA), undermining their independence. The government also used state advertising funds to favour pro-government media. Another major concern is using the legal system against journalists, notably through abusive lawsuits, often known as SLAPPs (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation). "The vindictive defamation lawsuits filed by Grigoris Demetriades, nephew of the Greek prime minister and a former high-ranking government official, against journalists who reported on the wiretapping scandal are an example of this trend," the report said. Moreover, "while recent amendments decriminalised 'simple defamation' (spreading a fact, even if true, that may be offensive), the laws still create criminal liability for 'insult' and 'slander'," it adds. Human Rights Watch also found a pattern of attempts by the government and other authorities to undermine accountability. This includes invoking national security to prevent the disclosure of information related to the surveillance scandal, investigating whistleblowers, and an unwillingness to disclose details about the distribution of public advertising funds to the media. Human Rights Watch shared the findings of its investigation with the government and relevant authorities and media, and their responses are summarised in the report. "While the government has identified some initiatives aimed at improving media freedom, it is not clear whether these actions will lead to meaningful change. The government's overall response largely defends the status quo and downplays the seriousness of the problems Human Rights Watch documented," the watchdog said. The report also cites Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis' rejection of the European Parliament's resolution, saying the country's rule of law is "stronger than ever" and that "Greece in recent years has often been the focus of slander" in response to criticism of his government's human rights record. "The Greek government's dismissive response to the European Parliament's legitimate criticism suggests that stronger action is needed from the European Commission," said Hugh Williamson, director for Europe and Central Asia at Human Rights Watch. "In particular, the Commission and the EU as a whole must monitor the situation closely and ensure that real progress is made on media freedom in Greece and that basic democratic values are respected," he concluded.
