ANOTHER WORLD CUP UPSET

FIFA World Cup: Morocco beats Portugal, becomes 1st African team to reach semifinals

By Steve Douglas  The Associated Press

Posted December 10, 2022 1:

While a tearful Ronaldo headed right down the tunnel– and maybe into international retirement–after the final whistle, Morocco’s players tossed their coach in the air and waved their country’s flag as they linked arms in front of celebrating fans.

“Pinch me, I’m dreaming,” Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou said. “Morocco is ready to face anyone in the world. We have changed the mentality of the generation coming after us. They’ll know Moroccan players can create miracles.”

Youssef En-Nesyri scored the winning goal in the 42nd minute to continue an improbable run that has generated an outpouring of pride in the Arab world, inspiring displays in Arab identity from fans in different countries.

Africa is also rejoicing at finally having a nation advancing to the levels typically only reached by European or South American teams. Cameroon (1990), Senegal (2002) and Ghana (2010) all reached the quarterfinals but got no further.

Morocco has broken through, setting up a semifinal match against either France or England.

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The 37-year-old Ronaldo, one of soccer’s greatest players but now a fading force, didn’t start for the second straight game and came on as a substitute in the 51st minute. He missed his only chance to equalize in stoppage time.

The five-time world player of the year is set to finish his career without capturing the World Cup or ever getting to the final. He walked right off the field after the final whistle, only briefly stopped by two Morocco players wishing to shake his hand and a spectator who confronted him near the entrance to the tunnel, and was crying as he headed to the locker room.

If this is the end for Ronaldo at international level, he’ll finish with 118 goals– a record in men’s soccer– and a European Championship title but not soccer’s biggest prize. He only got as far as the semifinals at the World Cup, in 2006.

READ MORE: FIFA fines Croatia soccer federation following verbal abuse of Canadian keeper

“Our players are distressed,” said Portugal coach Fernando Santos, who shrugged off questions about his own future and added that he didn’t regret not starting Ronaldo. “Cristiano is a great player and he came on when we thought it was necessary. But no, no regrets.”

There’s no reason why this Morocco squad– coached by French-born Walid Regragui and containing 14 players born abroad _ cannot go all the way to the title. They topped a group that included second-ranked Belgium and fellow semifinalist Croatia and have now taken down two of Europe’s heavyweights in Spain– after a penalty shootout in the round of 16– and Portugal in the quarterfinals.

“Why shouldn’t we dream of winning the World Cup?” Regragui said. “If you don’t dream, you don’t get anywhere. It doesn’t cost you to dream.”

Morocco’s defense has yet to concede a goal by an opposition player at this year’s World Cup– the only one it has allowed was an own-goal– and it stifled a Portugal team which beat Switzerland 6-1 in the last 16 to thrust itself among the favorites.

5:56What’s in store for the World Cup quarterfinals?

In a game played to the backdrop of non-stop whistles and jeers by Morocco’s passionate fans, the team relied almost exclusively on counterattacks and scored from one of them.

A cross was swung in from the left and En-Nesyri leapt between Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa and defender Ruben Dias to head into the empty net.

Ronaldo, who will be 41 by the time of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, barely got a touch of the ball until stoppage time when he got in behind Morocco’s defense off a long ball forward. His low shot was saved by Bounou.

“I was afraid he might play,” Regragui said of Ronaldo, “because I know he can score out of nothing.”

Substitute Walid Cheddira was shown a red card for Morocco early in stoppage time for collecting a second yellow card in as many minutes.

After Portugal center back Pepe headed wide from inside the six-yard box in the sixth minute of added time, Ronaldo fell to his knees in dejection.

While Lionel Messi will be in the semifinals with Argentina, the other soccer great of this generation won’t be.

Injuries

Morocco might have to cope without its two starting center backs in the semifinals. Nayef Aguerd missed the game against Portugal with a thigh injury and Romain Saiss, Morocco’s captain, was carried off on a stretcher with a suspected left hamstring injury. Another key member of the defense, left back Noussair Mazraoui, was absent because of an illness while Regragui said right back Achraf Hakimi has been playing with an injury.

Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo has failed to score in the knockout stage in any of the five World Cups he has played. He has scored eight goals in the group stage.

Africa, Arab world celebrate Morocco win

over Portugal in World Cup quarter-final

Sat, 10 December 2022 

© Fadel Senna, AFP

Moroccan soccer fans exploded in joy on Saturday as their team became the first from any African country to reach a World Cup semi-final, filling the stadium in Qatar with a deafening roar and unleashing cheering, crying, dancing and singing on the streets at home.

The 1-0 victory over Portugal was celebrated further afield, with exuberant fans from Abidjan in Ivory Coast to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia lauding what they saw as a historic win for both Africa and the Arab World.

"They made us happy and proud and they proved that they can make it to the final. Why not? We are so proud of this team that is supported by Africa and Arabs" said Siham Motahir, a young woman in Rabat, where cafes had filled with fans to watch the game.

To the rhythmic playing of a horn, men and women jumped up and down waving the Moroccan flag - part of a sea of people who had filled Rabat's city centre, raising a cacophonous din of triumph.

The win over Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal is Morocco's third over a highly ranked European team in the tournament, a run that had brought delight both in Morocco and for Africans and Arabs more widely.

Arab and African political and sporting leaders paid tribute to Morocco, including tweets from the prime ministers of Libya, Iraq and the Palestinian Authority and the rulers of Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.

(Reuters)

MOROCCO MAKES HISTORY AS FIRST AFRICAN TEAM TO REACH WORLD CUP SEMIS

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DOHA, Qatar — Morocco became the first African country to reach the World Cup semifinals by defeating Portugal 1-0 on Saturday, likely ending Cristiano Ronaldo's chances of winning soccer's biggest prize.

Youssef En-Nesyri scored the winning goal in the 42nd minute to continue Morocco's improbable run that has generated an outpouring of pride in the Arab world during the first World Cup to be staged in the Middle East.

The 37-year-old Ronaldo, one of soccer's greatest players, didn't start for the second straight game but came on as a substitute in the 51st minute.

If this indeed becomes Ronaldo's final World Cup, the five-time world player of the year would finish his career without capturing the World Cup or ever getting to the final.

Morocco will play either France or England in the semifinals.

It is a seminal moment in World Cup history, with an African nation finally advancing to the levels typically only reached by European or South American teams. 

Cameroon (1990), Senegal (2002) and Ghana (2010) all reached the quarterfinals but got no further.

Morocco-Portugal highlights

Youssef En-Nesyri scored on a beautiful header in the 42nd minute, and Morocco's brilliant defense kept Portugal off the board.

And off the field, this Morocco squad — coached by French-born Walid Regragui and containing 14 players born abroad — is uniting the Arab world, inspiring displays in Arab identity from fans in different countries.

There’s no reason why Morocco cannot go all the way to the title, either, after topping a group that included second-ranked Belgium and fellow semifinalist Croatia and now taking down two of Europe’s heavyweights in Spain — after a penalty shootout in the round of 16 — and Portugal in the quarterfinals.

Youssef En-Nesyri scores on an incredible header

Youssef En-Nesyri scored off a ridiculous header to give Morocco the lead. See the goal from every angle.

Morocco’s defense has yet to concede a goal by an opposition player at this year’s World Cup — the only one it has allowed was an own-goal — and it stifled a Portugal team which beat Switzerland 6-1 in the last 16 to thrust itself among the favorites.

In a game played to the backdrop of non-stop whistles and jeers by Morocco’s passionate fans, the team relied almost exclusively on counterattacks and scored from one of them.

A cross was swung in from the left and En-Nesyri leapt between Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa and defender Ruben Dias to head the ball into the empty net.

Ronaldo, who will be 41 by the time of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, had been looking to reach the semifinals for only the second time after 2006.

Try as he might, he barely got a touch of the ball until stoppage time when he got in behind Morocco’s defense off a long ball forward. His low shot was saved by goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, who hadn’t had too much to do before that point.

CRIMINAL CAPITALI$M; JD

Chinese nationals living in Sydney allegedly swindled $148 million from investors around the world

By Heath Parkes-Hupton
Posted Thu 8 Dec 2022

Two teenagers were arrested in October over the alleged investment scam.

(Supplied: AFP)

Police say four Chinese nationals living in Sydney used dating sites, job ads and messaging apps to swindle at least $US100 million ($148 million) from people around the world.

Key points:Four men were arrested in raids over October and November
They have been charged with dealing in the proceeds of crime
It is alleged they were behind a "sophisticated" scam using fake and legitimate online trading platforms

It is alleged the group set up businesses and bank accounts in Australia to launder money obtained through the "sophisticated" investment scam.

The men, who are allegedly part of a criminal syndicate, are accused of manipulating victims to gain their trust before offering investment opportunities.

Victims were allegedly directed to a mix of fraudulent and legitimate online trading platforms, dealing in foreign exchange and cryptocurrencies, which were altered to show phoney positive returns.

Most of the alleged victims are based in the US, with the Australian Federal Police's (AFP) cyber security team leading the joint investigation after a tip-off from the United States Secret Service in August.

AFP officers swooped on four men over two separate raids in October and November.

Two men, both aged 19, were arrested in Pyrmont on October 20, and were charged with recklessly dealing with the proceeds of crime.

On November 24, officers arrested another two men alleged to be the "controllers" of the group at Sydney and Melbourne airports respectively.

It is alleged the men, aged 24 and 27, had bought one-way flights to Hong Kong set to depart on the day of their arrests.

They have been charged with dealing in proceeds of crime in money or property worth $10 million or more.

Officers raiding a Pyrmont home in October.(Supplied: AFP)

The two men arrested in November have been remanded in custody to re-appear before Downing Centre Court on January 18, 2023.

The two 19-year-olds will next appear in the same court January 19, 2023.

The investigation — codenamed Operation Wickham — was conducted alongside a NSW Police probe.

It is alleged the AFP has restrained $22.5 million from 24 bank accounts linked to the syndicate.

Investigators are yet to ascertain the full scope of alleged fraud committed against Australian investors.

Analysis of the group's alleged activities has identified $US100 million in losses based on victims reports.

AFP Cybercrime Operations Eastern Command Detective Sergeant Salam Zreika said more people were falling victim to cyber scams every day and, with some losing their life savings.

"It is essential people exercise the utmost caution if cold-approached online or on the phone by people trying to sell financial or investment services. Criminals are ruthless and will stop at nothing to take your money," she said.

"Refrain from investing in foreign exchange, crypto-currency or speculative investments with people you've only ever encountered in the online environment. If you are unsure, get a second opinion from a professional, in-person."

Detective Superintendent Martin Fileman, from NSW Police's Sydney city command, warned that if something "sounds too good to be true, it probably is".

UK  

Kwasi Kwarteng: Ex-Chancellor says Liz Truss government 'blew it'

Kwasi Kwarteng has admitted he "got carried away" during his brief stint as chancellor.

By Press Association

Reflecting on Liz Truss's disastrous seven weeks as prime minister, the chancellor she sacked after he implemented her tax-cutting agenda said her government "blew it".

Mr Kwarteng has spoken publicly only a handful of times about his disastrous mini-budget and ousting from Government, as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt promptly shifted direction in a bid to reassure financial markets.

Speaking to the Financial Times, Mr Kwarteng said: "People got carried away, myself included. There was no tactical subtlety whatsoever.

Liz Truss with Kwasi Kwarteng (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)

"My biggest regret is we weren't tactically astute and we were too impatient. There was a brief moment and the people in charge, myself included, blew it."

This is not the first time Mr Kwarteng has spoken about his experience in Government.

The MP for Spelthorne in November claimed he told Ms Truss to "slow down" her radical economic reforms or risk being out of No 10 within "two months".

His latest intervention came after Mr Hunt unveiled so-called his "Edinburgh reforms" - 30 changes to "turbocharge" growth, including by easing capital requirements for smaller lenders.

Mr Kwarteng had hoped as chancellor to oversee a "Big Bang 2.0" - a reference to Margaret Thatcher's 1986 policies which kicked off a massive change in the City of London.

The now-backbench MP criticised Ms Truss's "mad" decision to sack him as chancellor for implementing her plans, while refusing to apologise for the financial turmoil unleashed by their disastrous mini-budget.

Using more than £70 billion of increased borrowing, he set out a package which included abolishing the top rate of income tax for the highest earners and axing the cap on bankers' bonuses, on top of a massively expensive energy support package.

The mini-budget triggered turbulence in the financial markets, sending the pound tumbling, forcing the Bank of England's intervention and pushing up mortgage rates.

Two days later, he signalled more tax cuts were on the way, spooking markets further.

Mr Kwarteng's latest comments came after Ms Truss's former chief speech writer said she took a "Spinal Tap approach" to government, demanding the volume was "turned up to 11".

Asa Bennett said the former prime minister had arrived in Downing Street determined to put "rocket boosters" under the economy and that it was a matter of "bitter regret" that her efforts had failed.

Ms Truss's short-lived premiership ended in humiliation after her mini-budget led to chaos on financial markets forcing the Bank of England to take emergency action to prevent pension funds collapsing.

Ms Truss resigned after only 44 days in office, with her economic measures swiftly ripped up by new Chancellor Jeremy Hunt and her successor in No 10, Rishi Sunak.

Monsters, meditation and Marie Kondo: the religious roots of Japan’s ‘waste not’ ethic

The impact of centuries-old Shinto and Buddhist rituals and stories continues today.

Monsters and spirits –including 'tsukumogami,' which are made of everyday objects – in the 'Hyakki-Yagyō-Emaki' scroll, painted between the 14th and 16th centuries. (Wikimedia Commons)

December 6, 2022

By 

Kevin C. Taylor

(The Conversation) — The word “waste” is often frightening. People fear not making the most of their time, whether at work or at leisure, and failing to live life to the fullest.

Warnings against waste run especially deep in Japanese culture. Many Americans are familiar with the famous decluttering technique of organization guru Marie Kondo, who wrote “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.” Travelers to Japan may hear the classic expression “mottainai,” which means “don’t be wasteful” or “what a waste.” There are even gods, spirits and monsters, or “yokai,” associated with waste, cleanliness and respect for material goods.

As a scholar of Asian philosophy and religions, I believe the popularity of “mottainai” expresses an ideal more than a reality. Japan is not always known for being environmentally conscious, but its anti-waste values are deeply held. These traditions have been shaped by centuries-old Buddhist and Shinto teachings about inanimate objects’ interconnectedness with humans that continue to influence culture today.

Soot sprites and ceiling lickers

The idea of avoiding waste is closely tied to ideas of tidiness, which has a whole host of spirits and rituals in Japanese culture. Fans of the famous animator Hayao Miyazaki may recall the cute little soot sprites made of dust in his films “My Neighbor Totoro” and “Spirited Away.” Then there’s the ceiling licker, “tenjōname”: a tall monster with a long tongue said to eat up the filth that accumulates in hard-to-reach places.

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RELATED: The untidiness of Marie Kondo’s eclectic spirituality

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“Oosouji,” or “big cleaning,” is an end-of-year household ritual. Previously known as “susuharai” or “soot sweeping,” it is more than a chance to tidy up. The rite is believed to expel the negativity of the previous year while welcoming the Shinto god Toshigami: a major deity, considered grandson of the gods who created the islands of Japan – and who brings good luck for the new year.

Out with the defiled and old, in with the purified and new.

A scene of housecleaning in preparation for the new year by artist Kitagawa Utamaro in the late 1700s.
Heritage Art/Heritage Images via Getty Images

Revenge of the tools

There are countless varieties of monsters in Japanese folklore, including “yokai.” As Japanese folklore scholar Michael Dylan Foster points out, the category “yokai” is nearly impossible to define, because the meaning is ever-changing – and many yokai themselves are shape-shifters.

For instance, “yurei” are truly terrifying, vengeful ghosts. But another category of yokai is the living, shape-changing “bakemono” – including the mischievous “tanuki,” a raccoon dog, and “kitsune,” or fox, often depicted in statues guarding shrines.

One special class of yokai is known as “tsukumogami,” referring to animated household objects. This concept originates in Shinto, which literally translates as “the way of the gods,” and is Japan’s native folk religion. Shinto recognizes spirits, or “kami,” as existing in various places in the human world: from trees, mountains and waterfalls to human-made objects.

It is said that when an object becomes 100 years old it becomes inhabited by a Shinto spirit and comes to life as a tsukumogami. The “Tsukumogami-ki,” or “Record of Tool Specters,” is a text written sometime between the 14th and 16th centuries. It tells the story of how just such objects, already 100 years old and possessed by kami, were cast out in the trash after the annual housecleaning ritual. These animated household objects took offense at their casual disregard after years of loyal service. Angered at the perceived disrespect, the tool specters went on a rampage: drinking, gambling, even kidnapping and killing humans and animals.

A poster of monsters by Japanese artist Utagawa Shigekiyo, published in 1860.
Museum of Fine Arts Boston

Despite the Shinto elements, this is not a Shinto story but a Buddhist one. The animated household objects’ frenzy comes to an end when Buddhist priests intervene – meant to convince the audience that Buddhist practices were more powerful than local spirits associated with Shinto. At the time, Buddhism was still cementing its influence in Japan.

Laying objects to rest

If the “Tsukumogami-ki” is Buddhist propaganda, it is also a cautionary tale. The cast-aside objects lash out in anger for being treated without a second thought.

Reverence for objects has persisted throughout Japanese history in many forms. Sometimes this is for practical reasons, and sometimes more symbolic ones. The samurai sword known as the “katana,” for example, was often considered the soul of the warrior, symbolizing devotion to the way of the warrior, or “bushido.” In a more everyday example, cracked teapots are not discarded but rather repaired with gold in a process called “kintsugi,” which adds an asymmetrical beauty like a golden scar.

A bowl restored with gold along the cracks, using the traditional ‘kintsugi’ restoration technique.
Marco Montalti/iStock via Getty Images Plus

This reverence also persists in the form of funerary services for a host of objects considered deserving of respect, such as doll-burning ceremonies performed at Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. No-longer-wanted but not-unloved dolls are collected so that the spirits within can be honored and released before the end of their lives. A similar practice exists for artisans’ sewing needles, which are put to rest with a memorial service.

Karma and clutter

The roots of these attitudes toward material things are therefore religious, practical and psychological. As a Japanese philosophy of waste, “mottainai” keys into Zen Buddhism’s emphasis on emptiness: minimalism to empty the mind and bring insight.

This desire to show respect also stems from Buddhist beliefs that all things, living or not, are interconnected – a teaching called “pratītyasamutpāda.” It’s closely tied with conceptions of karma: the idea that actions have consequences, especially moral consequences.

In short, Buddhism acknowledges that things shapes people, for better or worse. Unhealthy attachment to objects can manifest in different ways, whether it be the perceived need to buy an expensive car or reluctance to let go of unneeded items.

But that does not necessarily mean throwing away everything. When we are done with material goods, we don’t need to simply cast them into the trash to fill up landfills or pollute the air and water. They can be given a dignified send-off, whether through reuse or responsible disposal.

Failing that, the story in the “Record of Tool Specters” warns, they may come back to haunt us.

Now, that’s scary.

(Kevin C. Taylor is director of religious studies and instructor of philosophy at the University of Memphis. The views expressed in this commentary do not necessarily reflect those of Religion News Service.)