Spain beats Portugal on penalties at Euro 2012

June 27, 2012

DONETSK, Ukraine (AP) — Still not pretty to watch, still just as effective.

Spain failed to dazzle yet again at the European Championship, but still advanced to its third straight major championship final by beating Portugal 4-2 in a penalty shootout on Wednesday following a 0-0 draw after extra time.

"We're playing better in defense than what the characteristics of our players would suggest," Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said. "That's what earns victories." After earning plaudits for the eye-catching one-touch passing that helped Spain win titles at Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup, this year's team is struggling to create chances. Against Portugal, the defending champions managed only one shot on target in regulation time.

It didn't matter, though, because the Spanish still came through when it mattered. Cesc Fabregas, who came on as a substitute in the second half of regulation time, scored the deciding penalty after Bruno Alves had hit the crossbar for Portugal moments earlier.

"I played poorly, but the team worked really hard," Fabregas said. "I had this intuition that we could advance if we went to penalties and that's what we did." Spain will next face either Germany or Italy on Sunday in the final at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev.

Cristiano Ronaldo had several chances for Portugal, but he sent three shots well over the bar as his team held its own for the entire match. The Real Madrid star, who came alive with three goals in his last two matches at Euro 2012, did not take a penalty in the shootout. He had been slated to take the fifth one, but he never got that far.

"Our players trained and were prepared for a situation like this," Portugal coach Paulo Bento said. "We didn't have much luck." After an often dour opening 90 minutes in which the Spanish failed to impress, the match livened up in the 30 minutes of extra time. Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta forced Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio into a superb reflex save in the 103rd minute. Iniesta ghosted into the penalty area, then held his head in disbelief as Rui Patricio reacted brilliantly to get a strong hand to his shot after Jordi Alba cut the ball back toward the penalty spot.

Rui Patricio made another fine save to deny substitute Jesus Navas in the 111th. "Both teams were stronger in defense in the first 90 minutes, but that balance was broken in extra time," Del Bosque said.

Tempers frayed at times, with Portugal center half Pepe getting a yellow card for a challenge on Xabi Alonso as they went for a high ball. Ronaldo also received some heavy challenges late on. In the shootout, Xabi had the first attempt saved by Rui Patricio. But Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas then saved Joao Moutinho's shot. Iniesta, Gerard Pique and Sergio Ramos then all scored for Spain, while Pepe and Nani scored for Portugal.

"The first one wasn't so lucky, and then we scored the rest of them," Casillas said. "Yes, we really were lucky. Everything is about luck sometimes." Del Bosque ditched his unorthodox 4-6-0 formation for Wednesday's match and opted for a traditional striker — but not the one many expected. Instead of Fernando Torres, it was Alvaro Negredo that got the start up front. But 10 minutes into the second half, Del Bosque took him off and replaced him with Fabregas.

Although Negredo worked hard, his lack of movement made him easy to mark. Spain improved as Fabregas made clever runs to stretch the defense and the defending champions dominated most of extra time with the addition of Pedro Rodriguez for midfielder Xavi Hernandez late in the match.

"I think we were better in the first 90 minutes. Then in extra time we were less efficient," Portugal coach Paulo Bento said. "When we couldn't take advantage of our opportunities, Spain got stronger."

Rui Patricio was a big help in goal for Portugal, but much more was expected from Ronaldo. The winger had a chance, albeit a difficult one, to win the game in the 90th minute when Portugal poured forward after clearing a free kick. But Raul Meireles' pass was fractionally behind Ronaldo and, with momentum lost, he had to check his run and sent his shot high and wide.

Ronaldo briefly threatened early in the first half, whipping over a cross from the left wing that Casillas grabbed before Nani could head it in. He also sent a free kick into the wall after too easily tumbling under a challenge.

Working as a unit, Portugal started to gain the upper hand midway through the first half. Moutinho flicked the ball into the path of Ronaldo, whose wild shot flew over. "Everyone helped to control Ronaldo," Del Bosque said.

Lineups:

Portugal: Rui Patricio, Joao Pereira, Pepe, Bruno Alves, Fabio Coentrao, Raul Meireles (Silvestre Varela, 113), Miguel Veloso (Custodio, 105), Joao Moutinho, Nani, Hugo Almeida (Nelson Oliveira, 81), Cristiano Ronaldo.

Spain: Iker Casillas, Alvaro Arbeloa, Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos, Jordi Alba, Xabi Alonso, Sergio Busquets, Xavi Hernandez (Pedro Rodriguez, 87), David Silva (Jesus Navas, 61), Alvaro Negredo (Cesc Fabregas, 54), Andres Iniesta.

Jordan Islamists Seek to Emulate Morsi's Victory

Written by Abdullah Omar
Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Muslim Brotherhood hopes for success despite political set back

AMMAN, Jordan -- The Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan celebrated the election of Islamist Mohamed Morsi as president of Egypt as if he was one of their own, opening their offices across the kingdom to hand out sweets and gloat before shocked Jordanian authorities.

“What we saw in Egypt clearly shows that reform is coming. It is a matter of time,” said Ali Abul Sukkar, president of the Islamic Action Front (IAF), the political wing of the Muslim Brotherhood.

“The victory of Morsi in the elections is a great boost for the Islamist movement and a wake up call for the regime to implement reforms as promised,” said Abul Sukkar.

Minutes after it was confirmed that a fellow Islamist Morsi won, the leadership of the Jordanian Muslim Brotherhood issued a statement calling on supporters to join their celebrations spilling out of its 24 branches across the kingdom.

King Abdullah II sent a cable of congratulations to Morsi, stressing Jordan’s commitment to continued efforts to boost its relations with Egypt in all domains and in a manner that helps activate Arab and Islamic cooperation, a Royal Court statement said.

Diplomacy aside, analysts say the Islamist movement will be emboldened by the victory of a major ally and could harden its stance with authorities over demanded reforms. At the moment, the Islamist movement is set to boycott upcoming parliamentary elections later this year.

While authorities are still assessing the impact of Morsi’s victory on the local scene, some Jordanian officials have already voiced concerns that the local Muslim Brotherhood movement could be seeking to emulate their Egyptian counterparts.

To the dismay of opposition parties including the Islamist movement, the parliament on Sunday endorsed a controversial election reform bill that has been described as backward and anti-reform legislation and an effort to kick start the long overdue reforms promised since the Arab Spring swept the region 16 months ago.

The bill kept the balance of power in the hands of conservative tribes loyal to the regime and made sure political parties have minor, if any, representation in the legislature.

Opposition parties say the amendments will continue to enable pro-regime candidates from tribal dominated areas and influential businessmen to win at the expense of party candidates.

Zaki Bani Rashid, senior leader from the Islamic Action Front (IAF), the political wing of the Muslim Brotherhood, said his group is planning to create a shadow government and a shadow parliament after having given up on reform promises.

But Islamist leaders say the government is delaying the inevitable.

In Jordan’s first free elections since 1989, the Islamist movement swept parliament seats and enjoyed a slight majority, before authorities amended the law in favor of Bedouin tribes and loyalists.

King Abdullah is expected to sign a royal decree in coming days to officially pass the bill as law, paving the way for elections by the end of the year.

Analyst Mohammad Abu Rumman believes that authorities are adamant to maintain their grip on the country without giving concessions.

“It is too late, we missed the train. We wished results of the Egyptian elections were announced before the elections law was endorsed,” said Abu Rumman, warning against what he believes are inevitable and dire consequences to the political current political stand off between the regime and the Islamists movement.

“Are we going to rectify the situation or wait to pay a heavy price?” Abu Rumman pondered.

Hamzah Mansour, secretary general of the Islamic Action Front (IAF), the political wing of the Muslim Brotherhood, sent a veiled message to authorities, saying his group was headed for victory in the style of its larger Egyptian sister.

"I think victory is a temptation for another victory and encourages success. Victory of the Egyptian people will have an impact on the governments of all of the Arab and Islamic countries. They must reconsider their policies and respect the will of their people," Mansour said.

Morsi defeated former general Ahmed Shafiq in a run-off last weekend by a convincing 3.5 percentage points, or nearly 900,000 votes, taking 51.7 percent of the total, officials said, ending a week of disputes over the count which left nerves frayed over who was going to be named the leader of the Arab world’s most populous nation.

Shafiq has since reportedly fled Egypt for a Gulf state.

Morsi succeeds Hosni Mubarak, who was overthrown 16 months ago after a popular uprising. The military council which has ruled the biggest Arab nation since then has this month curbed the powers of the presidency, meaning the head of state will have to work closely with the army on a planned democratic constitution.

Source: The Media Line.
Link: http://www.themedialine.org/news/news_detail.asp?NewsID=35466.

UN to support Libya transition

2011-09-11

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is discussing a proposal from Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for a three-month UN support mission to Libya, the UN News Center reported on Friday. The three-month support mission would aim at restoring public security, promoting political dialogue and national reconciliation, and establishing an electoral system.

According to Ban's envoy to Libya, Ian Martin, a draft resolution to establish an integrated UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) is expected on Monday.

"The proposals of the Secretary-General are for a support mission that would be initially mandated for a three-month period that would give us the opportunity both to bring in personnel, to provide some initial advice and assistance in the areas that the Libyans have identified, but at the same time, continue a discussion with them to plan longer-term UN support," Martin told reporters in New York.

Meanwhile, International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor, Luis Moreno-Ocampo requested that Interpol issue a Red Notice for the arrest of Moamer Kadhafi, Seif Al-Islam and Libya's intelligence chief, Abdullah Al-Senussi. According to the ICC, the Interpol notice seeks the provisional arrest of a wanted person court based on an arrest warrant or court decision.

Source: Magharebia.
Link: http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/features/awi/newsbriefs/general/2011/09/11/newsbrief-03.

Kuwaiti youth call for major reforms

Mon Sep 12, 2011

Kuwait’s young activists have urged profound reforms in the emirate in efforts to make it a constitutional monarchy instead of a fiefdom of Al-Sabah family.

The activists, known as September 16 Youths group, also called for the dismissal of the current government, the dissolution of parliament, the holding of fresh elections, and the appointment of a prime minister from outside the House of Al-Sabah, AFP reported on Sunday.

Kuwaiti youth groups have been periodically calling for protests in the emirate since the Arab Spring hit the Middle East and North Africa earlier this year. The protesters are demanding the removal of the prime minister and for more political freedom in the state, the world's fourth largest oil exporter.

The young activists want Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser al-Mohammad al-Sabah to be replaced and demand the appointment of a politician from outside the Al-Sabah family, which has ruled Kuwait for 259 years.

The youth group has also called for achieving a constitutional monarchy, under which the Al-Sabah family will have the emir and crown prince, as stipulated by the constitution. The Kuwaiti people will then have the right to run the affairs of the state and the government.

The activists have called for a demonstration on Friday to push their demands.

Kuwait was the first Arab state in the Persian Gulf to establish an elected legislature in 1962, and the 50-seat parliament has some good legislative powers. However, the Al-Sabah family remained in control of most key posts, including the premiership and the ministries of defence, interior and foreign affairs.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.com/detail/198661.html.

Jordan IAF wants Israel embassy closed

Sun Sep 11, 2011

Jordan's largest opposition party, Islamic Action Front (IAF), has called on the government to close the Israeli embassy in the kingdom.

"The government should take a fast step in removing the Israeli embassy from Amman in light of continued Zionist violations against the sovereignty and interests of Jordan," the IAF said in a statement published on its website.

The IAF emphasized that the Arab world rejects any relations with Israel and urged Arab leaders to take heed of their nations' demand in this regard, Xinhua reported.

The Jordanian opposition group also praised the protests by the Egyptians against the Israeli embassy in the capital Cairo.

Egyptian protesters stormed the Israeli embassy premises in Cairo after the Friday prayers to call for the expulsion of Israel's ambassador.

Angry Egyptians also destroyed parts of the protective cement wall around the embassy and broke into the building, despite the presence of heavily armed Egyptian security forces.

According to medical sources, three people were killed and more than 1,000 people were injured in what has been described as the worst anti-Israeli outburst in Egypt in many years.

Many observers compare the storming of the Israeli embassy in Cairo with the takeover of the US embassy in Tehran following Iran's Islamic Revolution of 1979.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.com/detail/198545.html.

Turkish opposition censures government

Sun Sep 11, 2011

Two main opposition parties in Turkey have criticized the government over its decision about hosting a NATO missile defense system.

The Republican People's Party (CHP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) accused the government of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan of “protecting the interests of other countries rather than the national interests,” according to a report by Turkish Sunday's Zaman newspaper on Sunday.

NATO claims that the radar component of the missile system will be used against “missile threats from Iran.”

“The government has to explain to us where the threat is coming from and the necessity of such an involvement in the missile defense system. Both NATO and the US sources are saying that the system is being formed in response to threats from Iran. Unfortunately, the government is not giving us any explanation on these issues,” said Oktay Vural of the MHP.

“This system is directly designed as a shield against missile systems targeting Israel. Taking this step without informing the public sufficiently shows that Turkey's foreign policy is now not centered in Ankara but instead the government is assuming a foreign policy based on international interests,” Vural added.

Vural went on to say that the move “is related to Washington's interests rather than Turkey's security and that this step is being taken in line with Israeli demands.”

CHP parliamentary group deputy chairman, Muharrem Ince, also said the ruling Justice and Development Party is “a party which on the one hand threatens Israel, while on the other protects Israel.”

Ties between Ankara and Tel Aviv frayed after the Israelis attacked a Turkish-flagged Gaza-bound aid convoy in international waters in 2010 which left nine Turkish activists dead and many others wounded.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.com/detail/198591.html.

Israel warned against 'testing' Turkey

Mon Sep 12, 2011

Turkey has censured Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman for his remarks that Tel Aviv will "punish" Ankara by supporting its enemies.

Speaking in Istanbul on Sunday during a joint press conference with his Brazilian counterpart Antonio de Aguiar Patriota, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said, “No one can harm Turkey. No one should put Turkey's strength to the test,” the Hurriyet Daily News reported.

He added, “No one will be able to blackmail us.”

In a reference to Israel's intention to cooperate with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) terrorist group in order to weaken Turkey, Davutoglu said that any country that supports terrorism will surely get an appropriate response from Ankara.

On Friday, Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported that the Israeli foreign minister had planned meetings with PKK leaders in Europe to find ways to cooperate with them “in every possible area.”

Israeli officials swiftly denied the existence of such a plan. Davutoglu refused to accept Tel Aviv's denial and stressed that Turkey wants to see Israel "back its denial with actions."

In addition, he said the PKK has been going through a period of “tool-ization” --meaning that it has become a tool for those who wish to weaken Turkey.

“It's important that our Kurdish people be aware of this. Every time someone tries to harm Turkey, it uses the PKK to do so,” the foreign minister noted.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.com/detail/198664.html.