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DAILY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Volkswagen manager faces new probe over illegal bonuses A former top Volkswagen manager is being investigated on suspicion of breach of trust after he received huge bonuses from the German auto giant in the wake of the Dieselgate scandal. The Bild am Son‐ ntag newspaper reported on Sunday that the manager who specialized in technical development for the Wolfsburg-based car firm is facing a preliminary probe over whether he received unjustified gratuities. The German business daily Handelsblatt later partly identified the manager as Hanno J. He was one of four executives charged on Monday along with ex-VW chief Martin Winterkorn for their roles in the emissions-cheating affair.

Can Pakistanʼs Imran Khan reset ties with Iran?

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan arrived in Iran on Sunday on a two-day official visit to the neighboring country. He was scheduled to meet with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Monday. Pakistani officials say the two leaders will discuss a range of topics, including an expansion of bilateral trade and the issue of militancy along the two countriesʼ shared border. The state-run IRNA news agency said Khanʼs trip was expected to help "develop ties between the two countries, especially those related to regional cooperation in fighting terrorism and safeguarding borders." But ties between Iran and Pakistan have remained tense due to a deep mistrust of each other. Pakistan has generally tried to maintain close ties with both Saudi Arabia and Iran — bitter regional foes — but has drifted away from Tehran in the past few years.

92/2019 • 23 APRIL, 2019

Egyptian voters urged to ‘do the right thing’ on second day of referendum The level of the turnout is a key issue

After the first day of voting, international observers reported there were no hurdles to voting. But the level of the turnout is a key issue.

Egyptians are being urged by the government to cast their votes on the second day of a referendum that could extend President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissiʼs term until 2030. Theproposed constitutional amendmentsthat would extend el-Sissiʼs hold on power are widely expected to pass. The changes, which would extend presidential term limits from four to six years, increase the role of the Egyptian military, and grant the president more control over the judiciary, were overwhelminglyapproved by Egyptʼs parliament on Tuesday. By Saturday, the streets of Cairo were filled with banners of support for the president bearing the campaignʼs motto: "Do the Right” thing, as nationalist pop music blared from loudspeakers. Progovernment media outlets portrayed packed polling stations. Expat Egyptians already voted on Fridayat their countryʼs diplomatic missions abroad. Voting in the referendum continues until Monday to maximize voter turnout, which the gov-

ernment hopes will lend it legitimacy. Some voters were encouraged by their employers to vote, and others reported receiving food coupons from unidentified sources. The initial report by an international team of observers on the nationwide electoral process said "there were no hurdles to voting." Those in favor say the proposed amendments will safeguard the countryʼs political stability and economic development.

Public support for a no vote was difficult to find, after opposition campaigners said they were threatened and even faced detention,reported DW correspondent Ruth Michaelson on Saturday. Ten members of the liberal Dostour, or Constitution party, were arrested for voicing their dissent. The opposition Civil Democratic Movement, a coalition of liberal and left-leaning parties set up to oppose the changes, said it had been prevented from publicly campaigning and was not granted a permit to protest in front of the Egyptian parliament.

News Ukraine election: Volodymyr Zelenskiy wins landslide victory Comedian Volodymyr Zelenskiy won the Ukrainian election by a substantial margin on Sunday. Exit polls showed Zelenskiy winning 73% of the vote, beating incumbent President Petro Poroshenko in the run-off elections. Poroshenko quickly conceded defeat and congratulated comedian Zelenskiy on his landslide victory. He said the results were "clear" and a reason to "call my opponent and congratulate him." "I will leave office but I want to firmly stress — I will not quit politics," he added. Zelenskiy said in a speech: "We have accomplished this together." "All citizens of the postSoviet countries, look at us! Everything is possible."

Sudan protesters suspend talks with military leadership Sudanese protest leaders on Sunday vowed to escalate their demonstrations after the countryʼs military rulers refused to commit to returning power to civilians immediately. Addressing a rally outside the Defense Ministry in central Khartoum, protest leader Mohamed al-Amid said protesters were suspending their talks with the Transitional Military Council that assumed power after the overthrow of President Omar al-Bashir on April 11.

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92/2019 • 23 April, 2019

France cools Iran spat with new ambassador The French government has appointed an ambassador to Iran after the role was left vacant for months following a diplomatic dispute with the Islamic republic, according to a decree published in Franceʼs Official Gazette. The government named veteran diplomat Philippe Thiebaud (pictured), who once represented France at the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, as its permanent representative in Iran.

Franceʼs AFP news agency reported that Iran had tapped Bahram Ghasemi, spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, as its ambassador to France, another post left empty since the summer.

Iranʼs choice is a controversial one. Ghasemi, who previously served as ambassador to Italy and Spain, had earlier this week credited Lebanese militant group Hezbollah with preventing terrorist groups from reaching Europe.

Hezbollahʼs military wing is considered a terrorist group by the EU.

Germany extends ban on arms exports to Saudi Arabia Germany announced Wednesday it would extend a temporary ban on arms exports to Saudi Arabia until the end of the month. The ban, which Germany instituted followed the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi and applies to countries involved in the Yemen war, has led to both domestic and international tension, with Chancellor Angela Merkelʼs government facing pressure from theGerman arms industryand some EU neighbors angered over the export freeze. The ban was originally set to last until March 9.

"We decided this [extension] with a view to developments in Yemen," Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said following a meeting of Merkelʼs cabinet. "We believe that the Yemen war must end as soon as possible."

"Not only will there not be any permits issued until the end of this month, but products with permits already granted will also not be delivered," Maas added. The minister said that the German government would evaluate the arms export situation with respect to developments in Yemen over the course of the month. Around 10,000 people are estimated to have been killed in the war in Yemen since 2015, when Saudi Arabia launched a military intervention in the country.

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Deadly explosions hit Sri Lanka churches, hotels on Easter Sunday It is the worst violence in the country since a civil war ended in 2009

Former far-right Dutch politician converts to Islam A former Dutch far-right MP and right-hand man to anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders revealed he has converted to Islam. He was known for saying that Islam is "a lie" and the Quran is "poison." For years, as a lawmaker for Wildersʼ Freedom Party (PVV), Joram van Klaveren fought a relentless campaign in the Lower House against Islam in the Netherlands. Back then, according to the daily tabloid Algemeen Dagblad (AD), the "hardliner pleaded for banning the burqa and minarets, saying ʼwe donʼt want any Islam, or at least as little as possible in the Netherlands.ʼ" However, the 40-year-old Van Klaveren said he had changed his mind halfway through writing an anti-Islam book, which, on Tuesday, he told the respected NRC Handelsblad "became a refutation of objections non-Muslims have" against the religion.

A series of blasts have hit churches and hotels in and near the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo.

Multiple explosions hit Sri Lanka on Sunday,with nearly simultaneous blasts at churches during Easter services and at hotels frequented by foreign guests, police and media said. Sri Lankan officials said at least 207 people, including at least 32 foreigners, had been killed in the blasts in Colombo and elsewhere. More than 400 others were injured. The attacks were blamed on religious extremists. Citizens of the United States, the United Kingdom, Den-

Will Mindanao referendum bring peace to Philippinesʼ restive region?

Meccah Samanodi, 24, cast her vote at Vilo elementary school, a short walk from Notre Dame University in Cotabato city, where she is a faculty member. "I voted in favor of Cotabato city becoming part of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) because I believe in my heart having this new region will finally resolve the injustices inflicted upon the Bangsamoro people over a long period of time," Samanodi told DW. She

mark, the Netherlands, Portugal, Turkey and India were reportedly among those killed. St. Anthonyʼs Shrine (top photo) in the north of the capital Colombo, St. Sebastianʼs Church in the nearby town of Negombo, and Zion Church in the eastern town of Batticaloa were all hit.

The Sri Lankan Prime Minister said later on Sunday that eight local suspects had been arrested in connection with the blasts, and that authorities were investigating overseas links. voted "yes" in the January 21 referendum, but said she fully understood those who made a different choice. "Many people in my city worry we are risking our economic prosperity, security and progressive spirit. It will take time for everyone to feel good about the outcome. Nevertheless, we need to give peace a chance.

Hopefully, the new Bangsamoro will live up to its potential."

Swedish royal heist jewelry found, reports say The trial of a young man accused of stealing royal jewelry from a Swedish cathedral was halted on Tuesday

when officials announced that the jewelry had been found in a rubbish bin in a Stockholm suburb. Thieves made off with an orb and two crownsworth approximately 65 million Swedish crowns ($7.1 million) from a hilltop cathedral west of Stockholm in July, before fleeing via a nearby lake system. Police said they had recovered what they believed to be King Karl IXʼs funeral regalia in an area around Stockholm and that they were working "intensely" to confirm the items were the royal jewelry.

A 22-year-old Swedish man is standing trialaccused of stealing the objects from an alarmed display after the glass was smashed. The defendant, who was arrested Sept. 12, has not been publicly identified. A second man has been detained but not charged.

92/2019 • 23 April, 2019

German EU candidate proposes global ban on single-use plastics Manfred Weber said that the next generations will face "immense problems" if the EU and the world do not take drastic action against single-use plastic. The conservative has ambitions to succeed JeanClaude Juncker.

Germanyʼs conservative candidate for EU parliamentary elections, Manfred Weber, has spoken out in support of a global ban on single-use plastic. Weber spoke about his views on plastics and pollution with German newspaper Bild am Sonntag, on Sunday. Weber is the current parliamentary leader of the European Peopleʼs Party (EPP) in the EU Parliament and is affiliated with Angela Merkelʼs Christian democratic CDU party and its sister Bavarian party CSU.

Chinese investments in EU in a downward spin Chinese investments in the European Union fell sharply for the second consecutive year in 2018, a report by the Berlin-based Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS) and US consulting firm Rhodium Group showed. Chinese companies completed FDI deals worth €17.3 billion ($19.6 billion) last year, down 40 percent from 2017 levels and way below the record €37.2 billion investment seen in 2016. The decline is part of a trend that has seen Chinese investments fall in most regions of the world over the past two years as Beijing continues to maintain a tight grip on outward investment by its residents amid slowing economic growth and atrade war with the United States.Chinese investors have also been forced to back away by "growing political and regulatory backlash against Chinese capital around the globe,"the authors of the report,Thilo Hanemann, Agatha Kratz and Mikko Huotari, wrote. "This shift in attitudes has been remarkably rapid in Europe," they said.

The conservative EU lawmaker has also declared his ambition to succeed Jean-Claude Juncker as president of the European Commission later this year.

"We have just banned single-use plastics in the EU, but that is not enough," Weber said. "If we donʼt globally act quickly and decisively against the polluting of seas through plastic, the next generation will face immense problems," he warned. "I will propose a global treaty to ban single-use plastics."

Mali soldiers killed in suspected jihadist attack

Government soldiers were said to have been taken by surprise, coming under heavy gunfire. The attack comes as the country’s president searches for a new prime minister in the wake of a complete Cabinet resignation. At least 10 Malian soldiers were killed on Sunday in an attack by suspected jihadists, according to a security source. The attack took place at 5 a.m. local time (0500 UTC) at a military camp in

Guire in the Nara Cercle region, roughly 500 kilometers (310 miles) north of Bamako. "The terrorists came out of the forest. They were on motorcycles and pick-up trucks. They burnt vehicles and took away others," the source said. Read more: Maliʼs security crisis: A cycle of exploitation and corruption The Mali armed forces confirmed the attack via Twitter, and said reinforcements had been dispatched.

Italy launches €7 billion ʼcitizensʼ incomeʼ plan to combat poverty Italians on Wednesday started to apply for new government welfare subsidies designed to jump-start the countryʼs stagnant economy. The "citizensʼ income" programwas a key campaign promisefrom the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement, whichentered into a governing coalitionwith the anti-immigrant League party last year. The program, essentially a new system of welfare and unemployment benefits, provides those eligible with €780 ($882) credited to monthly, prepaid debit cards to pay for groceries, pharmaceuticals, utility bills, rent and other essentials. In exchange, able-bodied participants enroll in a job-finding and job-training program.

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92/2019 • 23 April, 2019

Aircraft makers are optimistic about Farnborough despite Brexit The Farnborough Airshow is a major trade venue for the aeronautical industry. As manufactures set up their displays their thoughts hover between anticipation of the next big order and fears of Brexit says Andreas Spaeth.

The global aviation industry will come together on Monday at the Farnborough airfield southwest of London for its biennial industry fair — the second largest in the world after the Paris Air Show. The UK has traditionally been one of the worldʼs leading aviation countries and the Farnborough trade fairʼs roots date all the way back to 1920. It moved to its current location in 1948. Read more: Air India sale grounded after privatization flops However, this year is likely to be full of uncertainty as to the future role of the British aviation industry is called into question due to the UKʼs impending departure from the EU in 2019. Airlines and manufacturers have both recently denounced the prevailing uncertainties and demanded clear post-Brexit rules.Read more: Air India sale grounded after privatization flops However, this year is likely to be full of uncertainty as to the future role of the British aviation industry is called into question due to the UKʼs impending departure from the EU in 2019. Airlines and manufacturers have both recently denounced the prevailing uncertainties and demanded clear post-Brexit rules.

ITB Berlin tourism partner Malaysia claims it has ʼno gaysʼ Malaysia faces a potential backlash from lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) rights groups after claiming that the Muslim-majority country doesnʼt have gays. On Tuesday, Tourism Minister Datuk Mohammaddin bin Ketapi was asked by reporters ahead of the opening of the ITB Berlin tourism fair whether the country was safe for gay and Jewish visitors. After initially sidestepping the question, the minister was asked again whether gays were welcome and he replied: "I donʼt think we have anything like that in our country." Denial could hurt bookings Despite efforts by Malaysian officials to downplay the incident, Ketapiʼs comments could derail attempts to entice more tourists to visit Malaysia. The remarks came after he spoke for several minutes about the countryʼs natural beauty and welcoming culture. The country has set itself a target of receiving 30 million visitors in 2019.

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Democrats subpoena Deutsche Bank over Trumpʼs finances Deutsche Bank and several other banking institutions were subpoenaed on Monday by two US House of Representatives committees investigating President Donald Trumpʼs finances.

The Houseʼs Intelligence and Financial Services committees issued subpoenas to the German lender — as well as JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America and Citigroup — seeking information about Trumpʼs business dealings and possible Russian money laundering.

"The potential use of the US financial system for illicit purposes is a very serious concern. The Financial Services Committee is exploring these matters, including as they may involve the president and his associates, as thoroughly as possible," Financial Services Com-

Foreign investment in the United States of America down sharply Foreign direct investment (FDI) in the United States plunged by a staggering 32 percent in 2017 year on year, the US Bureau of Economic Analysis reported.

Investment totaled $259.6 billion (€221.2 billion),with the figure representing the second year of declineafter a peak in 2015 when foreign investorsʼ expenditure in the US hit $439.5 billion.

Last year, most foreign investments in the United States came from neighboring Canada which contributed $66.2 billion. European Union member states accounted for 40 percent of the 2017 FDI total.

According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the drop in foreign investment in the United States is part of a global trend. Not just a US problem OECD researchers noted that FDI levels were down 18 percent worldwide in 2017.

Hotel Moments Budapest H-1061 Budapest, Andrássy út 8.

T.: +36 1 611 7000 reservation@hotelmoments.hu www.hotelmomentsbudapest.hu

China: Multiple deaths in chemical plant blast Authorities in southwestern Sichuan province have opened an investigation into a blast at an industrial complex that left 19 people dead, state news agency Xinhua reported Friday.

The explosion ripped through the Yibin Hengda Technology complex in the city of Yibin at 6:30 p.m.

(1030 UTC) Thursday, sparking a fire that burned late into the night, Xinhua said.

County officials said that 12 people wounded in the blast had been taken to hospital and were in a stable condition.Read more: China convicts dozens for last yearʼs giant explosions in Tianjin Reports in the Sichuan Dailysaid the force of the explosion reduced three buildings to their steel frames and shattered the windows of nearby properties. China, the worldʼs largest producer of chemicals, has sought to improve industrial safety standards following aseries of high-profile accidentsin recent years.

Published by: Mega Media Kft. 1075 Budapest, Madách I. út 13-14. +36 1 398 0344 www.hotelujsag.hu

mittee chair Maxine Waters said in a statement. The subpoenas mark a renewed push by Democratic leaders to collect information on the presidentʼs finances and that of the Trump Organization since they gained control of the House last fall. Deutsche Bank has been one of the few major banks to lend to Trump and his family-owned organization, following several defaults and bankruptcies by the realestate mogul. The German bank stopped lending to Trump after he became president in 2017.

High hopes for Indiaʼs economy after elections

The Indian economy has grown under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who came into office on a wave of economic populism. But anyone who thought Indiaʼs growth would explode like its Asian neighbor China will have to wait.

When Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took office five years ago,he launched a series of ambitious economic programs, including "Make in India," "Skill India" and "Digital India." After Modiʼs Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won a majority in parliament, he promised to usher in a new era of prosperity for his country. Indeed, during Modiʼs time as chief minister of Gujarat between 2001 and 2014, this state on Indiaʼs west coast grew into one of Indiaʼs most successful economies.

And many voters supported Modi and the BJP in 2014 because they considered him to be a leader who would take the economy in the right direction. German business also had big expectations for India in 2014, and hoped it would churn out a similar economic miracle like what China had in place over the previous decade. However, after five years of "Modinomics," it is clear that it is tough to compare India and China.

92/2019 • 23 April, 2019

Summit Meeting of the Schlager Stars at Nassfeld All details at www.nassfeld.at/en/events

As part of the sun skiing programme, Nassfeld brings the stars of the local schlager scene to the stage for a big open-air concert on 5 and 6 April 2019. Including: the chart topper Melissa Naschenweng, Nino de Angelo, Marco Ventre & Band, Marc Pircher and many more.

Number 1 in the Austrian album charts, highest entry as a newcomer in Switzerland and more than 1 million views of her video clip “I steh auf Bergbauernbuam“ within just three weeks; Melissa Naschenweng and her new album ”Wirbelwind“ bring a breath of fresh air to the schlager scene and to Nassfeld. Because the ski resort brings the successful singer to the Schlager Summit Open-Air Concert directly on the piste on Friday, 5 April 2019.

But her colleague DJane Bibi Booom also represents a new, young generation of artists who simply cross the lines between different genres. With her typical mix of dance music, schlager and popular party hits, the musician in her dirndl and the red headphones has already established her fan community some time ago: ”The music is a wild mix but if the groove is a hit and the party is a great success, then this is all that counts in the end.“ And this is what you can expect from her at Nassfeld! Hannah and “Die Draufgänger“ with their cover ver-

sion of “Cordula Grün“ will also fire up the party atmosphere on Friday. It will also be a concert on home turf for Marco Ventre & Band. They will get the schlager fans going on Saturday, 6 April 2019. Nino de Angelo, an “old“ hand and one of the greatest in the industry, will perform many songs to sing along to also on Saturday.

Just like all-round talent and popular musician Marc Pircher as well as the Ladykryners, who became famous in the schlager & folk music scene with a cover version of ”Bella Ciao“. The concerts on the giant Nassfeld stage, on the Tressdorfer Alm, surrounded by the Carnic Alps, start from 6:00 pm on both days. A day ticket costs € 29.00 and also includes the night ride experience on the Millennium Express from Tröpolach to the event area (uphill rides start from 5:00 pm).

The 2-day ticket is available for € 49.00. The tickets are available from Ö-Ticket (plus € 2.00 ticket fee) or at the Hermagor Tourist Office. Photo credits: ©nassfeld.at

Banksyʼs shredded ʼGirl with Balloonʼ now on display in Germany First created by Banksy as a stencil street art piece in 2002, the world renowned image of a young girl with her hand extended toward a heartshaped red balloon has most famously been a symbol of political protests — including during the building of the Israel-Palestine segregation barrier in 2005 and the Syrian civil war in 2014. But when the

street artist recently attempted to shred his work after it was sold for auction at Sothebyʼs — which he renamed "Love is in the Bin" — in order to draw attention to the folly of the big money global art world, he ironically only added to its renown, and no doubt its value. Read more: Banksy video says ʼBalloon Girlʼ shredding went wrong .

Collective push against climate change more powerful than youʼd think Peter Kalmus sits outside Californiaʼs Pasadena City Hall in his electric car.

His sons, aged 10 and 12, are on steps of the grand building, waving signs with the slogans: "School strike for climate" and "Adults, act like it!"

Kalmusʼ Tesla is just the kind of luxury youʼd expect a climate scientist at NASAʼs jet propulsion laboratory to have. But he doesnʼt exactly live a lavish lifestyle. Actually, he says, he usually cycles. He hasnʼt been on a plane since 2012, and he eats a vegetarian diet. As someone who works in climate science, Kalmus feels thereʼs no excuse not to reduce his carbon footprint. "This is an urgent crisis," he says. "Those of us who understand that should act like itʼs an urgent crisis."

Múzeum+ February at Museum of Fine Arts

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Hungary Budapest: Debrecen: Eger: Hévíz:

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Culture

Right here, right now!

Fatboy Slim comes to Budapest Akvárium Club BRIGHTON BEATMASTER FATBOY SLIM IS COMING TO BUDAPEST FOR HIS LOCAL CLUB DEBUT AT THE FOCAL AKVÁRIUM ON 25 MAY.

The February edition of monthly event series Múzeum+ is being held on the 14th at the Museum of Fine Arts. For each of these events, besides interactive workshops and concerts, an Englishlanguage guided tour also features. This time the theme is German Renaissance Art, starting at 7pm. For the complete schedule, check the museum website.

Brighton beatmaster Fatboy Slim is coming to Budapest for his local club debut at the focal Akvárium on 25 May. The veteran of many a festival – Glasto, Exit, Coachella – has played Hungary before but never in the intimate surroundings of a sweaty club.

The booking represents a major coup for the Akvárium, whose line-up for 2019 also includes John Digweed and Kruder & Dorfmeister. Tickets have not yet gone on sale for Fatboy Slim in the Main Hall of the Akvárium – but keep an eye on theclub’s websiteas they’re bound to sell out in no time. Slim, who successfully shifted from indie to electronica in the 1990s, reignited his career with the hit Eat, Sleep, Rave, Repeat, in 2013. The DJ star is currently playing a series of huge arenas in the UK, from London to Glasgow. Akvárium Klub District V. Erzsébet tér 12

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92/2019 • 23 April, 2019

Monte Carlo Masters: Fabio Fognini beats Dusan Lajovic in final

talyʼs Fabio Fognini won a Masters 1000 event for the first time with a straight-sets victory over Dusan Lajovic at the Monte Carlo Masters.

Fognini, 31, beat Serbiaʼs Lajovic 6-3 6-4 in one hour and 38 minutes.

World number 18 Fognini entered the Monte Carlo Masters on a five-match losing streak but beat Alexander Zverev, Borna Coric and 11-time winner Rafael Nadal en route to the final.

"It was really tough, Dusan played an unbelievable week," Fognini said. Lajovic made the better start, breaking Fogniniʼs serve early on but the Italian fought back, breaking twice to take a 4-2 lead in the opening set.

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer apologises to fans after Everton thrashing

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has apologised to the clubʼs fans for their abject performance in Sundayʼs 4-0 loss to Everton. United have lost six of their past eight games in all competitions and are sixth in the Premier League. "From the first whistle, everything went wrong," Solskjaer told Sky Sports. "I just want to apologise to the fans. Theyʼre the only people with the badge on today who can hold their head high, because we canʼt." Speaking to Match of the Day, Solskjaer added: "We were beaten on all aspects today and the only place we beat Everton - I canʼt say we beat them - but we had a fantastic support and I just want to apologise for the performance we turned out."

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Aleksandar Kolarovʼs free kick stunner secures Serbia win over Costa Rica

Ronnie OʼSullivan still ʼfighting and punchingʼ as he closes in on world number one spot

A brilliant second half free kick from captain Aleksandar Kolarov led Serbia to a deserved win over Costa Rica. Serbia were wasteful in front of goal but did enough to secure three vital points in Group E. Another World Cup day, another sublime freekick. If Cristiano Ronaldo’s ice-cold effort tosnatch a point against archrivals Spain on day two was the current goal of the tournament front-runner, the Portuguese may have just met his match. Aleksandar Kolarov, take a bow. A combination of poor finishing and sublime goalkeeping had kept the scores level until Serbia’s no.11 produced his moment of magic.

Kolarov’s powerful left foot is no secret, but few inside the stadium would have expected such a thunderous strike when the Roma defender stood over a free kick midway through the second half. His shot was unstoppable; a sidefooted missile which screamed into the top corner of the Costa Rica net. Kaylor Navas, who kept his team in the game with several crucial saves either side of half time, was nowhere near it.

Ronnie OʼSullivan will become the oldest man to lead the world rankings

Five-time world champion Ronnie OʼSullivan says he is "still fighting and punching" after reaching the final of the Tour Championship in Llandudno.

The 43-year-oldbeat Judd Trump 10-9in the semi-final and will become the oldest world number one since Ray Reardon in 1983 if he takes the title. Trump, who defeated OʼSullivan in the Masters, said he was "gutted" after missing a match ball yellow. OʼSullivan last led the world rankings nine years ago - in May 2010. "Youʼve got to enjoy the moment sometimes," OʼSullivan told BBC Sport. The current world number two - who will meet Neil

Robertson or Mark Allen in the final which starts on Saturday - would replace Mark Selby as number one if he wins. "Iʼm 43, 44, knocking on and Iʼm not sure thereʼs going to be too many of them. Thereʼs very few people that have been the best in the world and the greatest at what theyʼve done, so I feel like Iʼm in that bracket," he said. "Maybe thereʼs eight billion people on this planet. How many can say they are the greatest at what theyʼve done?

Real Madridʼs Karim Benzema celebrates scoring his hat-trick with Gareth Bale Karim Benzema scored a hat-trick to maintain his excellent scoring streak as Real Madrid eased to a 3-0 victory against seventh-placed Athletic Bilbao.

The French striker has scored Realʼs last eight goals, beating Fernando Morientesʼ club record of six on the trot set in 1999. Benzema headed in the first two before chipping in a late third after keeper Iago Herrerin

had rushed out of goal. Gareth Bale came close with a dinked shot that landed on the top netting. The Welsh substitute, who could be heading out of the Bernabeu according to reports, tried to catch out Herrerin but applied too much power to his improvised effort. Despite the scoreline, it was game in which Real struggled to break down the Athletic defence.