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From reforming the UN Security Council to taxing billionaires, thousands of leftists gathered in Barcelona over the weekend to brainstorm ways to halt the rise of authoritarianism and win back voters who have drifted rightwards.The gathering, which drew more than 6,000 people from over 40 countries, comes as far-right and nationalist forces have gained ground globally, eclipsing the left with messaging that pins cost-of-living concerns on immigration, outdated institutions and out-of-touch political elites.Spearheaded by Spain’s Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, whose outspoken opposition to US President Trump’s foreign policy has boosted his image, the summit was buoyed by hopes that the far-right surge may have peaked, with Trump’s polling numbers falling, Hungary’s Victor Orban ousted after 16 years in government and the French far-right underperforming in last month’s municipal elections.Leaders including South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Brazil’s Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva rallied the crowd with calls to reform international organisations and cement new left-leaning alliances, as the shadow of Trump’s attacks on multilateral institutions loomed large.”To be progressive is to defend a reformed multilateralism, where the rules work for everyone,” said Lula da Silva, addressing a packed closing plenary of supporters waving red flags, sporting ‘Make Science Great Again’ caps and periodically chanting Spanish anti-fascist anthems.Left-wing parties hoping for a resurgence need to address kitchen table issues such as the cost of living, said Marcus Roberts, CEO of political strategy consultancy Mandate Research.A 30-country Ipsos survey published last month showed voters were far more worried about unemployment, inflation, poverty and inequality than the rise of extremism or moral decline.Indeed, anger at rising fuel prices due to the war in the Middle East has seen Trump’s approval ratings tank, polls show, in what Democrat strategists have described as a window of opportunity to make convincing arguments on the economy ahead of midterm elections in November.Economist Gabriel Zucman took the stage to advocate for higher wealth taxes on millionaires and billionaires, a policy which is hugely popular in polls across Europe and the US but was rejected by lawmakers in his native France.”It’s hard for people who can’t afford eggs to be concerned about democracy,” said Neera Tanden, former advisor in Joe Biden, Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama’s administrations and director of the Center for American Progress think tank.Isabel Allende, former Senate president of Chile and daughter of Salvador Allende, Latin America’s first Marxist leader who was ousted in 1973 by a US-led military coup, warned that the left had become disconnected from citizens’ concerns.”It’s unimaginable to fight against the right if we can’t get closer to ordinary people,” she said.Attendees returning from the Spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank said discussions in Barcelona reflected a similar urgency for reforming the balance of power in global institutions, though specifics on what would come next remained unclear.”The institutions are still standing but the logic inside them is shifting,” said Mariana Mazzucato, a professor of economics advising governments and policymakers on how states can use public investment to foster growth.”Trump is accelerating the crisis of the old order… but if progressives do not offer a credible alternative framework, someone else will fill that vacuum,” she said.Studies like Freedom House’s “Freedom in the World” index show the number of authoritarian governments swelling in the past two decades, as a rise in conflicts, coups, and crackdowns on freedoms has coincided with a pivot away from foreign aid programs by wealthy democracies, whose populaces have grown weary of sending funding abroad while facing cost-of-living challenges at home.While organisers were adamant the event, hosted by several left-wing political networks and Spain’s Socialist Party, was not a mobilisation against Trump, they also said the left could not afford to sit tight and wait for a new US administration, with many echoing Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s call for “middle powers” to coalesce.”Trump has become a symbol for the extreme right. But this is about social democrats coming together. The fact that US Democrats are so well represented is a first and shows that this movement is growing,” Lars Klingbeil, vice-chancellor of Germany and head of the German Social Democrats, told reporters on the sidelines.The American left and centre-left featured heavily in the closing plenary of the two-day gathering, with former vice-presidential candidate Tim Walz urging crowds not to give up on Democrats and voices from Bernie Sanders to New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Hilary Clinton sending video messages in support.”The reality is that the tools that the right wing are using to try to destroy our democracy are similar from country to country,” US Democratic Senator and Foreign Relations Committee member Chris Murphy said in an interview with Reuters.”We need to share experiences to understand how we can fight back,” he said. Related Story Source link
The Qatar Football Association Disciplinary Committee has reshaped the Qatar Stars League title race, ruling in favour of Al Shamal after confirming a player eligibility violation by Qatar SC in their April 13 clash. In its official decision, issued after reviewing Al Shamal’s protest, the committee stated: “The protest submitted by Al Shamal Club is accepted in form and substance.” It added: “Qatar Club lost the match with a score of 3-0, and a financial penalty of (10,000) Qatari riyals only.” The ruling overturns the original 2-0 result and instead awards Al Shamal a 3-0 victory, significantly altering the standings at the top of the QSL. The case centred on a second-half substitution made by Qatar SC after they were reduced to ten men just before half-time following the dismissal of Ali Saoudi for a dangerous challenge on Baghdad Bounedjah. Despite the red card involving a foreign player, Qatar SC later introduced Argentine defender Franco Russo in place of Ahmed a;=Rawi, a local player – a move deemed a direct violation of squad regulations. The committee cited Article 15 of the player status rules, which states that if one of six foreign players is sent off, the team must continue with five foreign professionals and cannot replace a local player with another foreigner. It also referenced Article 61/1/b, noting: “The club shall be penalised as having lost if it commits in any match a violation of the participation system – B: Participation of foreign players.” Al Shamal lodged their protest within 24 hours of the match, arguing that the substitution involving a foreign player after the red card breached the competition rules. Before the decision, the defeat had left Al Shamal trailing leaders Al Sadd by five points, a gap that placed the title out of reach with one round remaining. The revised outcome restores three points to Al Shamal, bringing them back into direct contention and dramatically tightening the race. Defending champions Al Sadd, on 42 points, now lead Al Shamal by just two points. Attention now turns to the final round on April 27, where Al Shamal face Al Sadd in a decisive clash that will determine the QSL champion on the pitch. Related Story Source link
Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen announced Thursday that she was withdrawing from the Australian Open later this month due to a lack of physical conditioning. The Chinese player is a former finalist at the year’s opening Grand Slam, losing to current world number one Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 6-2 in 2024. Zheng underwent surgery on her elbow following a first round defeat at Wimbledon in July before returning to the WTA Tour in September. However, she pulled out in the third round of the China Open in Beijing after admitting that she had rushed her return to competitive action. “After careful evaluation by my team and following medical advice, unfortunately I will be withdrawing from the 2026 Australian Open,” Zheng wrote on Instagram. “Although my recovery is progressing well and my offseason has gone smoothly, to play a Grand Slam requires players to maintain an extreme competitive condition. “Currently, I have not yet reached my best condition that I have set for myself.” The Australian Open, which begins on January 18, was where Zheng recorded her first Grand Slam victory and also her best Grand Slam result, although last year shewas knocked out in the second round. The 23-year-old had a standout 2024, beating Donna Vekic 6-2, 6-3 to claim Olympic gold in Paris and also reaching the final of WTA Finals, losing to Coco Gauff in a deciding set tiebreak. Related Story Source link
Cristian Romero added to the mounting crisis at Tottenham as the Argentinian appeared to take a swipe at the club’s hierarchy after apologising for their latest dismal defeat. Thomas Frank’s side were beaten 3-2 at Bournemouth on Wednesday to leave them with just two wins from their last 12 Premier League matches. Tottenham are languishing in 14th place, with pressure building on Frank as he struggles to turn the tide in his first season in charge after arriving from Brentford. With fans growing increasingly angry – some were seen arguing with players after the Bournemouth loss – Tottenham captain Romero took to social media to say sorry for his team’s plight. The volatile centre-back also hinted that Frank and the players should be backed publicly by the club’s powerbrokers. Writing on Instagram, he said “other people” should be coming out to speak and added that they “only show up when things are going well, to tell a few lies”. The 27-year-old later deleted that post but his replacement post was almost identical, omitting the lies comment but still seeming to take aim at Tottenham’s board. Daniel Levy left his role as chairman in September and chief executive Vinai Venkatesham was only appointed in April. Tottenham co-sporting director Johan Lange has been in place since 2023, while majority owners ENIC, run by the Lewis family trust, have rarely made public statements. Romero previously defended Frank’s predecessor Ange Postecoglou in another social media post last year. Postecoglou was sacked despite winning the Europa League last season to end the club’s 17-year trophy drought. Romero appeared to support the Australian as he highlighted “many obstacles that always existed and always will exist” at the club. Spurs manager Frank later said he and Lange had spoken to Romero. “I said it when I named him the captain that even though he’s an experienced player, he’s tried a lot, he’s still a young leader. And I think a lot of the things he’s done well on and off the pitch, I’m happy with,” said Frank. “But also when you’re a young leader sometimes you make a mistake, of course it’s good to keep it internally. Johan and I had a good conversation with him this morning about everything, which we of course keep internally.” Tottenham’s injury crisis, meanwhile, continues to increase with Rodrigo Bentancur suffering a hamstring injury at Bournemouth and Lucas Bergvall also forced off. Frank, already without Mohammed Kudus and Dejan Kulusevski, told a press conference Thursday: “Kudus is a bigger one, to the tendon and quad, and don’t expect him back until after the March international break.” Source link
Swiss rider Nadja Peter Steiner stole the spotlight on the opening day of second tour of HH The Father Amir’s Prix at Al Shaqab Thursday, clinching victory in the CSI5 1.50m Faults and Time class with a superb clear round aboard Nice Van’T Zorgvliet. Steiner guided the BWP mare to the fastest time of 59.30 seconds to claim the top prize of €14,250. Italy’s Emanuele Gaudiano finished a close second with Esteban de Hus after also jumping clear in 59.54 seconds, while Saudi Arabia’s Abdulrahman Alrajhi completed the podium with a faultless round on Ventago in 60.35 seconds. Germany’s Philipp Weishaupt took fourth place with Chaquitos PS in 61.59 seconds, and Qatar’s Sheikh Ali Khalid al-Thani rounded out the top five with Marco Monet after stopping the clock at 61.61 seconds. There was success for Qatar in the CSI5 Two Phases 1.40m, as Mohammed al-Baker guided Dukhan 3 to victory. After a clear opening phase, al-Baker produced a rapid second phase in 23.68 seconds. Fellow Qatari Ghanim Nasser al-Qadi followed in second with Isis in 24.61 seconds, while France’s Megane Moissonnier finished third aboard Chacarija PS in 24.86 seconds. Rashid Towaim Ali al-Marri ensured another home presence in fourth with Navaronne in 24.97 seconds, and American rider Eve Jobs completed the top five with Kannandillo in 25.32 seconds. “Winning here at Al Shaqab means a lot,” said al-Baker. “Riding at home, you really feel the support from the crowd, and Dukhan 3 was with me all the way today. We stayed focused in both phases, and I’m pleased with how he responded and how the round came together.” At CSI3 level, Emanuele Gaudiano dominated the Two Phases 1.40m class, taking first and third place. The Italian topped aboard Diarouge Blue PS with a double-clear round in 24.35 seconds, while he finishing third with Equine America Ivanhoe GPH in 25.83 seconds. Compatriot Roberto Previtali on Diasandro Blue cams second in 25.79 seconds. The CSI3 Special Two-Phase saw Egypt’s Ismail Osama El Borai take top honours on Incredible Z after posting a clear second phase in 26.86 seconds. Fellow Egyptian Mustafa Saed followed in second with Kalliope LVP Z in 28.69 seconds, while Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed Alasaker finished third aboard Scoobylensky Theyss in 29.19 seconds. El Borai said the victory marked a breakthrough. “Last week I was very close, but something always went wrong, so to start this weekend with a win in the first competition feels amazing. It was also my first five-star class this evening, so it’s a positive start. Incredible Z was excellent today – he’s a very careful horse and very quick, so when we put in a good round, we’re usually right there on the podium.” Saudi riders led the CSI3 Faults and Time 1.25m, with Bader Alfard taking first place aboard Kimberly in 58.61 seconds. Mohammed Alasaker followed closely in second with Tinto de Nuit Z in 58.77 seconds, while Qatar’s Suhaim Hamad al-Yafei secured third place on Flash du Puits in 59.31 seconds. In the CSI1 Special Two-Phase, Qatar’s Ali Omar al-Ansari claimed victory aboard Nikita Eindeken Z in 28.48 seconds. Prince Mohamed al-Saud finished second for Saudi Arabia with Haroon in 30.12 seconds, and Salem Balharith completed the podium on Lovina in 30.94 seconds. Egypt’s Abdallah Haitham topped the CSI1 Faults and Time 1.20m, after producing a clear round on Consagros in 54.53 seconds. Qatar’s Ibrahim Yousuf al-Mahmoud finished second with Perle Van Dorperheide in 55.87 seconds, while Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed Aldalaan claimed third aboard Sarina Del Valle in 56.31 seconds. In the National Competition Optimum Time 0.60m, Qatar’s Almaha Mansoor al-Sulaitin took first place with Brooklyn, finishing just 0.09 seconds inside the optimum time. Shamma al-Hitmi followed in second on Zorro Z with a 0.31-second difference, while Abdullah Bahamdan placed third with Irbal at 0.32 seconds. Competition continues today across all arenas as the programme builds toward two major highlights: the CSI5 1.55m class with a jump-off and the first CSI5 Six Bars class of the Tour, a crowd-favourite format expected to draw strong interest. The Tour concludes tomorrow with Grand Prix Day across categories, featuring the CSI5 1.60m Grand Prix, the CSI3 1.50m Grand Prix and the CSI1 1.30m Grand Prix, all decided by jump-off. Related Story Source link
PSG’s players celebrate with the trophy after winning the French Champions’ Trophy (Trophee des Champions) football match between…
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