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DAILY NEWS IN ENGLISH

German parliament debates Down Syndrome, trisomy blood tests Members of the Bundestag are holding a two-hour debate on prenatal genetic blood tests on Thursday morning. The debate is not based on a bill but will serve as a guide for lawmakers on the benefits of non-invasive blood tests for the diagnosis of trisomies such asDown syndrome. They will also discuss the question of whether prenatal trisomy blood tests should be paid by health insurance companies in the future. Health Minister Jens Spahn has spoken in favor of the tests as they are less risky than the amniotic fluid examinations, the costs of which are already covered by health insurance companies in certain cases — either for the over 35s or for women who have previously borne children with chromosomal abnormalities. Opponents of insurance reimbursement for the tests say they could lead to more tests being carried out, and ultimately to more abortions.

India elections: Can Narendra Modi repeat his 2014 success?

Around 900 million people are eligible to vote for the 543-strong Lok Sabha, Indiaʼs lower house of parliament. The polls, which run from April 11 to May 19, will be held in seven phases to ensure free and fair elections. Many Indian states will complete voting in one day, whereas others with larger populations will take multiple days.

Votes will be counted on May 23.

More than 84 million people, including 15 million new voters over the age of 18, are going to cast ballots for the first time. Around 430 million women are expected to vote and could exceed the number of male voters for the first time in a general election in India, the worldʼs largest democracy. This yearʼs polls could be the most expensive ever in India. According to the Centre for Media Studies, the 2019 vote will cost the election commission around $7 billion (€6.21 billion), up from $5 billion in 2014.

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Wikileaksʼ Julian Assange arrested in London Charged with conspiracy by the US

London police have said that Assange was apprehended outside the Embassy of Ecuador and is set to appear in court "as soon as possible." Home Secretary Sajid Javid has confirmed that Assange will "rightly face justice."

He was apprehended outside the Embassy of Ecuador, where he had been evading an extradition request from Sweden since June 2012.

Assange was wanted by Stockholm over claims he sexually assaulted two women in 2010. The Swedish case against him lapsed in 2017, but he is still wanted in the UK for skipping bail. Assange appeared in court on Thursday afternoon, where he pleaded not guilty to failing to surrender. His lawyer said that the former hacker had a reasonable excuse for why he broke bail, but that he would not be presenting evidence.

Assange was granted asylum by Ecuador in 2012 and made a citizen of that country in 2017. However, Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno said that Assange had violated the terms of his asylum after material regarding a corruption investigation into Moreno was published on Wikileaks. The announcement followed years of mounting tension between Assange and his Ecuadorian hosts and his citizenship has reportedly been suspended.

Moreno has said, however, that he asked that Assange not be extradited

to a country with the death penalty.

Part of the reason he sought protection initially was to avoid being handed over to US authorities. Later on Thursday, London police confirmed that he had "been further arrested in relation to an extradition warrant on behalf of the United States," but UK government officials clarified that he will not be extradited if he faces the death penalty.

The US then clarified that Assange faces five years in prison on conspiracy to commit computer intrusion.

In a statement, Metropolitan Police stressed that its officers were "invited into the embassy by the Ambassador. Home Secretary Sajid Javid then confirmed that Assange was in custody and "rightly facing justice." A statement from London police said that the 47-year-old Australian was being held at a "central London police station where he will remain, before being presented before Westminster Magistratesʼ Court as soon as is possible." British Prime Minister Theresa May welcomed the news of the arrest, saying it proved "that in the United Kingdom, no one is above the law."

Sudanʼs military ousts President Omar al-Bashir following protests The Sudanese military on Thursday removed longtime President Omar alBashir in a coup following months of popular protests against his three decades of iron-fisted rule. The army deployed at strategic points around the capital Khartoum and the international airport was closed, as tens of thousands of protesters gathered at the Defense Ministry celebrating the fall of al-Bashir. Defense Minister Ahmed Awad Ibn Auf in a televised address said the army had arrested alBashir as he announced the dissolution of the regime. "I announce as minister of defence the toppling of the regime and detaining its chief in a secure place," he said on state TV. The statement followed an intense morning after the military had taken control of state radio and television stations, leaving Sudanese awaiting for details in the wake of the coup.

South Koreaʼs top court strikes down abortion ban South Koreaʼs Constitutional Court ruled on Thursday that the countryʼs law criminalizing abortion is unconstitutional, as well as a law making doctors who perform them liable to criminal charges. "The law criminalising a woman who undergoes abortion of her own will goes beyond the minimum needed to achieve the legislative purpose and limits the right of self-determination of the woman who has become pregnant," the court said.

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ICC acquits former Ivory Coast leader Laurent Gbagbo Judges at The Hague-based court delivered the eagerly awaited decision on Tuesday morning, clearing 73-year-old Gbagbo of all charges of crimes against humanity over post-electoral violence.

Head judge Cuno Tarfusser said the court granted "the defence motions for acquittal for all charges for Mr Laurent Gbagbo," as well as his co-defendant, Charles Ble Goude. Tarfusser said that a majority of the three-judge bench found that "the prosecutor has failed to satisfy the burden of proof" against both men. Lawyers for the pair had asked judges to acquit them both over a lack of evidence at the end of the prosecution case in their trial that began just under three years ago. The 73year-old Gbagbo was the first former head of state to go on trial at the court in The Netherlands.

His case was seen as a milestone in efforts to bring high-ranking leaders accused of atrocities to justice.

US and Turkish presidents discuss safe zone in northern Syria Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his US counterpart, Donald Trump, took to the telephone to discuss the situation in northern Syria on Monday.

"The president expressed the desire to work together to address Turkeyʼs security concerns in northeast Syria while stressing the importance to the United States that Turkey does not mistreat the Kurds and other Syrian Democratic Forces with whom we have fought to defeat ISIS," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said in a statement, referring to the "Islamic State" (IS) extremist group. The Turkish presidency said the two men discussed the creation of a safe zone in northern Syria cleared of militia groups.

It did not provide any other details.

Thedisagreement between the NATO alliesis the latest consequence of Trumpʼs December 19 decision to withdraw US military personnel from Syria.

This could leave the Kurdish militia under threat should Turkey start a new offensive. Over the weekend, Trump had taken to Twitter to threaten he would"devastate" the Turkish economyif Ankara sent its forces to attack the Kurds in northern Syria.

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Brexit delayed until October 31, EU and UK agree Theresa May has accepted an offer from Brussels to extend the Brexit deadline to October 31

The delay could force the UK to take part in European elections unless it can pass a divorce deal through parliament.

The Brexit deadline was extended to October 31 after British Prime Minister Theresa May accepted an offer from the leaders of the European Union on Thursday. European Council President Donald Tusk said the extension would allow the UK to "find the best possible solution."

"Tonight the European Council decided to grant the UK a flexible extension of the Article 50 period until the 31st of October. This means an additional six months for the

Berlin AG wants to get rid of fines for fare evaders Authorities in Berlin view fare dodging as a criminal offense punishable by a €60 ($68.6) fine. Local police filed 12,000 complaints over the issue in 2017 and more than 300 people are imprisoned every year for not being able or willing to pay the fines. The left-leaning mayorand other top officials have recently called for less drastic regulations, with some proposing to downgrade fare dodging to a mere administrative offense. Now, the Berlin attorney general wants to go a step further and "completely abolish" the crime of fare dodging. "We shouldnʼt waste resources for criminal

UK," Tusk said in a live press conference following the decision. UK to leave ʼas soon as possibleʼ May reacted to the extension by pledging to ensure that the UK could "leave as soon as possible." She said she "sincerely regretted" the fact that she had not been able to persuade parliament yet to reach a deal. "I know that there is huge frustration from many people that I had to request this extension," May acknowledged. offenses where criminality is highly questionable," Attorney General Margarete Koppers told Berliner Morgen‐ post. Koppers is one of the most senior judiciary officials in Berlin, a 3.6million-strong city which is also considered one of Germanyʼs 16 federal states. Talking to the local daily, Koppers said downgrading the offense would pose "no relief for the judiciary."

Belgium vows to amplify EU voice on UN Security Council Belgiumʼs foreign minister says his country will use its temporary UN Security Council seat to make the EU

The year Trumpian disruption rocked German politics The image that sticks most in my mind from the uniquely disruptive political year that was 2018 is of Angela Merkel with Horst Seehofer on the balcony of the Chancellery building. The chancellor, a glass of white wine in her hand, has turned her back and is stalking away from her rebellious interior minister, as though he were a dog sheʼd just caught going through the kitchen garbage can.

The wind has ruffled her normally perfectly styled hair. She looks unhappy, tired, old. To be fair, Merkel had every reason to be a tad disheveled, having spent many a late night negotiating with Seehofer and her other coalition partners over one-stop holding centers for migrants, so-called "Anker" centers, versus transit centers —an issue that threatened for a few summer weeks to bring down her government and was immediately forgottenwhen a suitably face-saving compromise was found.

Nonetheless, this press photo was a disconcerting sight for anyone who has ever come close to the chancellor in person. Iʼve witnessed her testify for five straight hours in front of a parliamentary investigative committee only to decline with a confident smile when asked if sheʼd like a break. For Merkel stress was always like water off a duckʼs back.Until 2018.

more influential on the global stage.

Belgium and Germany are to scheduled to take up their seats on January 1. Belgium will use its two-year seat on the United Nations Security Council to bolster the European Unionʼs influence within the global body, Belgiumʼs foreign minister has said. Didier Reynders told Germanyʼs Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung news outlet that Belgium aims to help harmonize each EU member stateʼs diplomacy so that they "send the same message with different voices." Belgium will take up its temporary seat on the Security Council,the UNʼs highest decisionmaking body, along with Germany on January 1. "We have an important role to play in supporting multilateralism," Reynders said. "There is no better place for it than in the United Nations Security Council."

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ʼNo-deal Brexit would poison EU-UK relations for generationsʼ The consequences of a no-deal Brexit would be much worse for Europe than for the UK, argues British historian Timothy Garton Ash in an exclusive interview with DW. Timothy Garton Ash: A British tragedy is also a farce. In my view, the negative consequences for Europe could be even more serious than for Britain. We already see a lot of forces of populism, nationalism and disintegration in the EU. And Brexit could give a big, big push to those forces. I hear the argument more and more in continental Europe that Britain would be such a problematic member of the

German train-delay scarf sells for thousands at auction A scarf knitted by a German woman to represent how long she was delayed on trains run by German rail company Deutsche Bahn sold for €7,550 ($8,660) on eBay on Monday. There were 134 bids from 45 bidders for the 1.5-meter (5 foot) scarf, which was knitted over the course of 2018 and features stripes in different colors, to represent different-length delays.

Read more: Deutsche Bahn flaws prompt calls for basic railway reform Journalist Sara Weber, the scarf makerʼs daughter, said her mother was a commuter in the Munich area and had knitted two rows per day: Gray for under five minutes, pink for 5-30 minutes, and red for delays of more than 30 minutes or when both of her trains were running late. Weber posted a photo of the scarf on Twitter and the response was so enthusiastic that she and her mother decided to auction it and give the proceeds to the charity Bahnhofsmission, which assists people in need at railway stations across Germany. On Monday, Weber tweeted that the scarf had been sold for €7,550.

EU, the metaphor of cancer, or poison is used. I am quite shocked how many friends of mine think it would be the lesser evil if we just left. But if we are thinking about the long term, in decades, in relation to China, Trumpʼs America, to climate change, itʼs clearly better to have Britain inside. It wouldnʼt be easy initially, but weʼd get through it. And weʼd be in a better place at the end.

Angela Merkelʼs mother, Herlind Kasner, dies aged 90

German Chancellor Angela Merkelʼs mother, Herlind Kasner, died at the age of 90, a government spokesman confirmed on Wednesday. "We ask that you respect the privacy of the chancellor and her family," the spokesman told news agency DPA. Kasner is believed to have passed away at the beginning of April, ac-

cording to German magazine Super‐ Illu and the mass circulation Bild newspaper, who first reported on her death. A small group of family and friends are due to attend her funeral in the north eastern German town of Templin, where Kasner lived for many years, reported Su‐ perIllu.

Huaweiʼs plans in Lithuania under threat after spying allegations Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite made a working visit to China last November, and things started very well for her. She went to Chinaʼs first International Import Expo and said that her countryʼs companies could do more business in and with China. Grybauskaiteʼs Chinese hosts, which included President Xi Jinping, agreed. Chinese trade representatives in Vilnius were instructed by Beijing to start boosting ties with Lithuanian businesses interested in the Chinese market — among them companies producing laser technology, furniture, fish and dairy products.

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Slovakia at an economic crossroads Slovakia reported the worst economic freedom results in Central Europe in 2018, falling to 65th in the latest Economic Freedom Index, published by the Heritage Foundation. "We have been below average for a long time," said Jan Oravec, president of the Entrepreneurs Association of Slovakia (ZPS). As US tariffs threaten its car exports, slower growth undercuts budget revenues and organized crime revelations expose murky links to public officials, the so-called Tatra Tiger is asking itself some hard questions. The country has seen strong growth since it joined the EU in 2004, its economy closely linked — mainly via exports of manufacturing goods — with the German economy, where 23 percent of its exports end up. And while exports will be bolstered by production inNitra-based carmaker Jaguar Land Rover, as well as Bratislava-based Volkswagen, the economy passed its cyclical peak in 2018, when it grew at 4.3 percent, as the global downturn hit the exportoriented economy, as the Institute for Financial Policy (IFP) reported recently. The Finance Ministry last week revised its growth forecast for 2019 downwards. Compared with last September, it lowered its prediction by 0.5 points to 4 percent. "Weʼre making this revision based on the situation outside Slovakia, and not in Slovakia," said Finance Minister Peter Kazimír.

US sanctions Venezuela state oil firm PDVSA The US said on Monday that it would impose sanctions on Venezuelaʼs state oil company Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), as it ramps up pressure on the countryʼs president, Nicolas Maduro. The move followsWashingtonʼs public backing of National Assembly leader Juan Guaido, who declared himself interim president last week. US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the sanctions were meant to prevent Maduro from diverting more resources from the crisis-hit country, until control in Caracas could be transferred toGuaidoʼs interim governmentora new democratically elected government. Mnuchin specified that PDVSAʼs US-based subsidiary Citgo could continue operations, so long as its earnings are deposited into a blocked account in the US. Maduro accused the US of attempting to steal Citgo, saying the state oil firm will seek legal action against the US. Washington was "holding accountable those responsible for Venezuelaʼs tragic decline," Mnuchin told reporters.

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China could be big winner in no-deal Brexit A no-deal Brexit would hit the EU and developing countries, but bring big gains for China and the US, a new report says. Unwinding economic integration is not only complex, but doing so is a bad idea, its author says.

NewUNCTAD researchshows that the UK and its future trading partners need to think fast about signing new bilateral deals if they are to avoid the costs of the UK exiting the EU without a deal. The UK market accounts for about 3.5% of global trade. In 2018, the UK was the fifth-largest importer inside the EU, letting in almost $680 billion (€600 billion) worth of goods from the rest of the world, about $360 billion of which came from other EU countries. Read more: EUʼs Tusk argues for longer Brexit extension "Brexit is not only a

2019: The year after peak global growth

Japanʼs Nikkei plunges after

After boom comes bust — few economists would disagree that this eternal rule of free market-based or capitalist economies is as true today as it was, say, 150 years ago. A similar consensus seems to be emerging in the profession about the current business cycle, which many say is nearing its end — in 2019, or 2020 at the latest.

At the time of writing though, the post financial crisis economic boom still seems well set on becoming the longest expansion in many countries. If the American economy, for example, makes it past June 2019 without a recession, the recovery will exceed 120 months and become the longest expansion since US economic records were first taken in 1857. Yet, global data trackers, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), are less optimistic about ongoing growth in the rest of the world.The IMF, for example, thinks global growth plateauedat 3.7 percent in 2018.

Japanʼs Nikkei index closed on Tuesday after tumbling by an unusually large 5.1 percent. Stocks in Shanghai and Taiwan also tumbled following heavy losses on Wall Street over PresidentDonald Trumpʼs attack on the US central bank. Tokyoʼs benchmark stock index hit a 20-month low as worries mounted over the US economy during a government funding crisis. On Monday evening, Trump shocked investor confidence by hitting out at the Federal Reserve, tweeting: "The only problem our economy has is the Fed. They donʼt have a feel for the Market, they donʼt understand necessary Trade Wars or Strong Dollars or even Democrat Shutdowns over Borders." Although the chairman of the Federal Reserve, Jerome Powell, was nominated by Trump, the Fed is not under the control of the White House, much to Trumpʼs consternation. The US economy has also been suffering from trade disputes Trump has started with China.

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regional affair. Once the UK has left its 27 EU partners behind, it will alter the ability of non-EU countries to export to the UK market," said UNCTADʼs director of international trade and commodities, Pamela CokeHamilton. The biggest beneficiaries of a no-deal Brexit would be countries which now face higher tariffs, the report found. China could gain an additional $10.2 billion in exports to the UK, with the second-ranked US adding $5.3 billion to its exports to the UK. Japan could expect to gain $4.9 billion, the report found.

In Belize, farmers turn away from slash and burn agriculture

Small farmers around the world burn woodlands to create fertile fields, releasing vast amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere. In Belize, one project wants to move farmers away from this old method toward greener pastures.

Project goal: Supporting small farms to become more sustainable and to replace old, polluting machinery Project implementation: Farmers are learning environmentally friendly farming techniques in workshops and onsite training Project partners: NGO Yaʼaxche Conservation Trust is working with the Honduras Foundation for Agricultural Research (FHIA), Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD) and the Inga Foundation, among others Project scope: Yaʼaxche works in the Toledo district in southern Belize. Theyʼre cooperating with 80 farmers to implement greener agriculture. The project covers the nearly 300,000 hectares of the Maya Golden Landscape, a forest area threatened by slash and burn farming.

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Weather forecasters put climate change on their maps There was a time when weather presenters were all about rain, sunshine and areas of high pressure

Now the climate is changing, so are their jobs. Many see it as their role to help raise awareness.

Though it was a couple of years ago, weathercaster Anju Singh clearly recollects the message she delivered to camera when unexpected heavy rains started pounding and destroying crops in parts of India. "We convinced farmers to do water harvesting, so at least water was not wasted and could be used later when there is scarcity," Singh told DW. "Because the pattern has totally changed." As has the job of a weather forecaster.

When she started out almost 15 years ago, "the role of weather pre-

senters was just to talk about the weather forecast," Singh said. "But now they are educators and a kind of bridge between (the) masses and the scientists." She is a senior presenter atDD Kisan,the agriculture television channel with Indiaʼs public service broadcaster Doordarshan. Sheʼs also a member ofClimate without Borders, a global network of weather presenters from more than 100 countries pushing to include more climate change talks in their daily work.

Ukraineʼs Eurovision contestant Maruv clouded by political scandal The Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) is supposed to be a purely musical competition that transcends politics — a claim that has been spectacularly disproved in Ukraine this year. On Monday, the result of the Ukrainian national final was canceled, and Ukraineʼs participation in the ESC finale in Tel Aviv in May is now uncertain. Itʼs possible the eastern European country may have to cancel its appearance at the song contest for the second time since Russia annexed Crimea in 2014. Ukrainian winner dropped The bombshell came late on

Monday afternoon. State broadcaster UA Suspilne Movlennya announced that it would drop Maruv, the winner of the national final, after it was unable to reach an agreement with her.

The statement said there was "evidence of politicization" of the competition. It was initially unclear what would happen next. Maruv, 27, won the national final on February 23. Her raunchy performance of "Siren Song” garnered the most votes, both from the jury and from the viewers of the channel broadcasting the event, state broadcaster UA Pershiy.

Man leaves €10,000 Picasso jug on German train German police are trying to help a man find a ceramic jug made by Pablo Picasso, after he accidentally left it on a train earlier this month.

The elderly man was traveling from Kassel to Dusseldorf on February 15 when he switched trains at the city of Hamm and forgot to bring his precious cargo with him. Read more: How German was Picasso? The 26centimeter-tall (10-inch-tall) ceramic piece dates to 1953 and was an original crafted by Picasso at his Madoura workshop in Vallauris in the south of France, police said. It is part of Picassoʼs "Owl series" and is estimated to be worth at least €10,000 ($8,800).

Police said the man reported the disappearance immediately after exiting the train but the bag with the jug inside it was already gone. Read more: Picasso and windows The shopping bag was made of solid cardboard with blue lettering that read "Neumeister — Alte Kunst — Moderne." Munster Federal Police, which is investigating the case, asked witnesses who might have seen the man "forgetting" the bag to report the sighting to them.

Sting to return to Budapest for summer 2019

Sting is head over heels for Budapest. After a successful free show with Shaggy a month ago on Heroes’ Square, the former Police frontman has just announced another Budapest concert for next summer. On 2 July, the Grammywinning singer brings his My Songs tour to the Papp László Aréna, where he will be taking the stage with his own band. From “Englishman In New York” to “Every Breath You Take”, the set should include Sting’s biggest hits.

Tickets are on sale now.

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Culture

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by Scolar Publishing Company) look for it in bookstores It is a unique feature of the Carpathian basin that its relatively small area hosts an unparalleled variety of ethnic groups, religions and civilizations. This cohabitation gave birth to a common culture, while a truly multilayered nation was also formed.

For centuries the descendants of the founding Hungarian tribes lived alongside ancient peoples who preceded them and the people migrating here from neighbouring nations. Hungarians, Slovaks, Romanians, Serbs and Germans shared a common land here, just like the members of the different faiths – Catholics, Calvinists, Lutherans and Jews – did. Our book is a special project, as it tries to convey the colourful nature of Hungary and its people. This unique “guidebook” covers everything from history to cultural heritage, from the achievements of the arts and sciences to the extraordinary music scene. Although these pages will give you only a glance, we do hope that this glimpse will inspire real love for this country in all our readers.

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85/2019 • 12 April, 2019

Virus-hit Alexander Zverev knocked out of Indian Wells

A virus going around the Indian Wells tournament in California has claimed its latest victim, with Alexander Zverev well below his best as crashed out of the tournament in the third round. Zverev fell to compatriot JanLennard Struff 6-3, 6-1, who will now face Canadian 13th seed Milos Raonic. The match last barely an hour as Struff saved all four break points he faced to seal his first win over Zverev in five attempts. "I have been sick for a week. That hasnʼt changed unfortunately," Zverev, the world number three, said. "I think I just got unlucky, got a virus somewhere and thatʼs how it is."

The Open: Royal Liverpool to host major for 13th time in 2022

Royal Liverpool Golf Club will host the Open Championship in 2022. It will be the 13th time the Hoylake venue has hosted the championship, with Rory McIlroy winning on the last occasion it staged the event in 2014. Governing body the R&A said the 151st edition of the major will take place from 10-17 July. "We know that there will be tremendous excitement among golf fans at its return to Royal Liverpool," said Martin Slumbers, chief executive of the R&A. "Its famous links has a cherished history and has produced a revered group of champion golfers, including Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy most recently." Royal Liverpool returned to the Open rota after a 39-year gap in 2006.

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Toni Söderholm takes charge of German national ice hockey team Weeks after Marco Sturm left to pursue an opportunity in the NHL, the German ice hockey team have a new coach. Finnish coach Toni Söderholm has signed a contract that will take him through the 2022 Winter Games.

The German Ice Hockey Association (DEB) confirmed on Thursday what had been widely rumored for days;Toni Söderholm is the national teamʼs new head coach. "The decision was an easy one for us," DEB President Franz Reindl told a press conference in Munich. "He knows the system, he is predestined for international ice hockey. I am proud and am 100 percent certain that it will work out well with Toni." For his part, said he was "very happy" to have accepted the post. "The No. 1 job is to make the national team better and better. Söderholm, a former defenseman, is a relatively inexperienced coach, having only retired as a player in 2016 following a season at Red Bull Munich. Before turning professional, Söderholm spent four years playing US college hockey with the University of Massachusetts. As a pro he spent the bulk of his career at the club of his youth, Helsinki IFK, but also had spells in the top leagues in Sweden and Switzerland – where he learned to speak German.

Real Madrid captain charged with getting booked deliberately against Ajax Sergio Ramos:

Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos has played a key role in their three consecutive Champions League triumphs.

Sergio Ramos has been charged by Uefa with "receiving a yellow card on purpose" in Real Madridʼs Champions League last-16 first leg with Ajax. Ramos fouled Kasper Dolberg in the 89th minute with Real leading 2-1, meaning he is suspended for the second leg. Uefa opened an investigation into the Spaniard when, after the match,he told reportershe would "be lying if I said I didnʼt force [the booking]".

The case will be dealt with on 28 February. Ramos later clarifiedhis

post-match comments, saying: "I was referring to forcing the foul, a foul that was inevitable. Not to forcing the booking. "It was a very dangerous counter-attack in the 88th minute, with an open match and the tie as well." He added: "Thatʼs why I said that I would lie if I said I did not know that I was carrying a penalty, just as I knew that I had no other choice than to make a mistake.

And thatʼs what I meant when I said that in football you have to make complicated decisions."

Jürgen Kloppʼs latest Champions League victory with Liverpool is proof of ultimate achievement Liverpoolʼs latest Champions League performance under Jürgen Klopp was another example of how far they have come. The victory against Porto was proof of more than just Liverpoolʼs sporting quality though.

Liverpool have put themselves in a commanding position to make the Champions League semifinals for the second year in a row. But on a night when everyone wants to talk about whether or not Klopp is leading Liverpool to success, it is worth recognizing what he has already achieved. Under

Klopp, Liverpool have become competitive at the top level of European football again. Granted, they have spent a lot but Klopp has also worked to develop his players and the style of football this team plays. Naby Keita, a player that struggled when he first arrived, drifted imperiously around Anfield against Porto to deliver his second strong performance in five days. The Guinea-born midfielder scored an early opener, won six of his eight tackles in the first half and was weaving his way into the box in injury time at the end of the game.