DAILY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Ethiopian Airlines plane crashes on takeoff An Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 crashed on Sunday, shortly after taking off from Addis Ababa. The airline said 149 passengers and eight crew members were believed to be on board the Nairobi-bound flight. It confirmed there were no survivors. Flight ET 302 came down near the town of Bishoftu, or Debre Zeit, about 50 kilometers (31 miles) south of Addis Ababa, just minutes after taking off at 8:38 a.m. local time,according to an airline statement. People from 35 countries were on board the flight, the airline said in a statement posted on Twitter. The airline has said that among the dead are 32 Kenyans, 18 Canadians, and nine Ethiopians, as well as eight passengers each from the United States, China and Italy. There were also seven passengers each from France and the United Kingdom, six from Egypt, five each from Germany and the Netherlands and four each from India and Slovakia.
President Abdelaziz Bouteflika returns to Algeria amid protests A government plane believed to be carrying Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika landed at a military airport outside of the capital on Sunday, amid massive protestscalling for an end to Bouteflikaʼs 20year-rule. The 82-year-old president, who has been rarely seen in public since suffering a stroke in 2013, had spent the past two weeks receiving treatment at a hospital in Geneva, Switzerland. Tens of thousands of Algerians have been peacefully protesting over the past three weeks against Bouteflikaʼs decision to run for a fifth term during the upcoming April 18 election. The National Liberation Front (FLN), the top Algerian party backing Bouteflika, said on Sunday that it was willing to work with all parties to end the crisis. Army Chief of Staff Ahmed Gaid Salah also said on Sunday that the military and the people "have the same vision of the future."
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Iranʼs president visits Iraq to strengthen ties amid US pressure Iranʼs president is making a high-profile visit to Iraq focused on trade
The visit sends a signal that Iran has regional options against the United Statesʼ "maximum pressure" campaign against Tehran. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani embarks on a three-day visit to neighboring Iraq on Monday as the Islamic Republic is under mounting US pressure over its regional influence. Rouhaniʼs first official visit to Iraq — dubbed as a "historic" new start in relations byhis foreign minister — is primarily focused on trade and investment at a time when Tehran is battling against economic isolation following the Trump administrationʼswithdrawal from the 2015 nuclear dealand reimposition of unilateral sanctions. The visit intends to send a strong signal to the United States that its policy of "maximum pressure" is not working, as Iran seeks to expand regional economic ties and display its political and military influence in Iraq. Unlike US President Donald Trump, who paid abrief four-hour visit to US troopsat an air base in Iraq over Christmas and did not meet the countryʼs main political actors, Rouhani is leading a large political and trade delegation. Rouhani will meet with Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi, President Barham Salih and likely with Shiite allies such as former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, Hadi al-Amiri,
commander of the Iran-backed paramilitary Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), and National Wisdom Movement leader Ammar al-Hakim. Rouhaniʼs visit comes following a string of high-level visits between Iranian and Iraqi officials in recent months. Iranian media has speculated that Rouhani may also be granted a meeting with Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, the reclusive 88year-old spiritual leader of Iraqi Shiites and one of the most senior clerics in Shiite Islam. Such an audience would boost Rouhaniʼs status among hard-line critics at home and show the United States there are limits to its pressure campaign in Iraq. Key trading partners After China, Iraq is Iranʼs second-biggest trading partner, with $12 billion (€10.7 million) in bilateral trade a year, a number the countries are seeking to increase to $20 billion.Iraq relies heavily on the import of Iranian natural gas and electricity. The United States has granted Baghdad temporary sanctions waivers on the import of Iranian natural gas and electricity, out of concern shortages could spark more of the kind of unrest that hit Basra and other cities last summer.
Denied accreditation, two German journalists leave Turkey Thomas Seibert, a reporter for the Berlin-based Tagesspiegel daily, and Jörg Brase, a correspondent for public broadcaster ZDF, flew to Germany on Sunday after their accreditation to work in Turkey was not renewed. They were told by the relevant authorities in Ankara about a week ago that their applications for new press cards had not been approved. "[I] have not been given any reason why my application to extend my press credentials was denied," Brase told DW. "Turkey also has a press law that I have not broken — at least as far as I am aware." Seibert said the decision to force them out of the country may not have even been because of anything they reported. "I donʼt think itʼs about anything I have written," Seibert told DW. "I think itʼs a message to the Western press. They need a scapegoat or two or three, and I was one of the unlucky ones."
Venezuela: Juan Guaido wants state of emergency amid power outage Self-declared interim presidentJuan Guaidosaid on Sunday that he will ask the National Assembly to declare a "state of alarm" in Venezuela. The opposition leader said the declaration of a national emergency was needed to request international aidover the ongoing power outagesin the South American country. The National Assembly, which is controlled by the opposition, will hold an emergency session on Monday over the issue. "We must attend to this catastrophe immediately," Guaido told reporters.
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59/2019 • 11 March, 2019
Protests as far-right AfD wrangles over Europe candidates Five hundred Alternative for Germany (AfD) delegates wrangled via procedural run-offs Saturday over who should fill its tail-end candidacy slots as more than a 1,000 opponents headed for the conference venue, overseen by police. Protesters, organized by local civic groups, had set out from the railway station of the 30,000population Elbe River city of Riesa — once a key metal industry hub in communist former East Germany — bound for the convention center. Read more:EU in 2019, challenges and crisis Placards and banners carried by AfD detractors included the slogan "Racism is no alternative," playing off the partyʼs name. Police said they intervened when a roadside bystander made a Hitler salute. The anti-migrant, euroskeptic AfD, launched in 2013 and now holding opposition seats in all of Germanyʼs 16 regional assemblies as well as the federal Bundestag, had begun its four-day convention on Friday in Riesa to complete its list of party members who could serve in the European Parliament following this yearʼs European elections.
Syrian girls attacked in Berlin, racism suspected A man spouting racist insults allegedly confronted two Syrian teenagers in northeastern Berlin and punched them in the face, authorities said Saturday. He hit the girls, aged 15 and 16, "with his fist several times ... before fleeing into a shopping arcade," police alleged in a statement. Both girls were taken to hospital for treatment. Read more: Racist or Islamist — lone-wolf attackers show similar patterns Hours later, a woman reportedly attacked a 12year-old girl in the southeastern district of Neukölln. Officers alleged the suspect tried to tear off the girlʼs headscarf, pulled her hair and threatened her with pepper spray. The woman also allegedly attempted to stab the child with a syringe filled with what appeared to be blood, police said. Officers from the state security police are investigating the incidents, which took place late Friday. The suspected hate crimes highlight tensions over migration in Germany. Last month, a 50-year-old German man was charged with attempted murder after he deliberately drove his car into foreigners in the western cities of Bottrop and Essen. Eight people were injured in the New Yearʼs Day attack, including a 4-year-old Afghan boy and a 10-year-old Syrian girl. 2
German President Steinmeier calls for decisive fight against anti-Semitism He lamented the rise of ant-Semitism in modern society and on the internet
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has called for a decisive fight against anti-Semitism. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has called for a more decisive fight against anti-Semitism. "In order to accomplish this, we need state action as well as civil courage," Steinmeier said Sunday in Nuremberg. At the same time, Steinmeier added, there must be a wider dialogue among people of all religions and atheists: "And together we must fight against all types of anti-Semitism." Steinmeier delivered his remarks at the opening of the "Week of Brotherhood," which
China says Interpol chief Meng Hongwei under investigation for bribery Interpol President Meng Hongwei, who had gone missing in late September, is under investigation for bribery and other crimes, the Chinese Security Ministry announced on Monday. Meng is accused of "accepting bribes and is suspected of violating the law," the ministry said in a statement. It also hinted at a political dimension by stating Meng was being probed because of his own "willfulness and for bringing trouble upon himself." Meng, a senior security official in China as well as the first Chinese head of Interpol, has beenmissing since September 25 while on a trip to his native country. On Sunday, Chinaʼs anti-graft body had said that "Public Security Ministry Vice Minister Meng Hongwei is currently under
is organized annually by the German Coordinating Council of Societies for Christian-Jewish Cooperation. Anti-Semitism has not been overcome, Steinmeier said, adding that was the case in Germany as well as in other European nations. As president, he said he felt shame in every single incident of antiSemitism and said that a clear signal needs to be sent that anti-Semitism is always an attack on [an] entire society and that it "always applies to all of us." investigation by the National Supervisory Commission for suspected violations of law," without specifying its allegations. China has been cracking down on corruption under President Xi Jinping. Interpol later said Meng had resigned as president of the international police organization with immediate effect. It named South Korean national Kim Jong Yang, who was Senior Vice-President, as acting president.
Attack on Iranian military parade may harden domestic and regional policies A deadly attack on an Iranian military parade may strengthen hardliners in the country and send al-
Egypt President Abdel-Fattah elSissi takes over chair of African Union Egyptʼs President Abdel-Fattah elSissi took up his chairmanship of the 55-member African Union (AU) at its 32nd ordinary session in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Sunday. During his tenure, el-Sissi is expected to concentrate on security and financial reform, but with no great plans to strengthen the AUʼs multilateral powers. Instead, the focus is expected to be on combating illegal immigration while Egypt presents itself as a model for hosting refugees. The summit has been titled: "Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons" presented within a security context. Ahead of the summit, el-Sissi set out his priorities for the year: Building bridges in support of African cultural events.Cooperating with partners regionally and internationally.Peace and security, with a focus on post-conflict reconstruction.Institutional and financial reform of the AU.Expediting the CFTA free trade agreement and infrastructure projects.Providing employment opportunities, increasing the return of African youth, developing manufacturing, agriculture and fishing.
ready heightened tensions across the Middle East soaring, asTehran points its finger at the United States and its Gulf Arab allies. The rare attack claimed by Arab separatists killed 12Revolutionary Guard (IRGC)members and 13 others in the southwestern city of Ahvaz, capital of oil-rich Khuzestan province, which is home to Shiite Iranʼs Sunni Arab minority. It was the deadliest attack in the country in nearly a decade. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei blamed "mercenary terrorists" who carried out a crime in "continuation of the conspiracies by the US-backed regimes in the region," while the IRGC under his command vowed "deadly and unforgiving revenge," if need be abroad. Iran did not name a particular Arab country, but the accusations appeared to be aimed at regional rivals Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.
59/2019 • 11 March, 2019
Angela Merkel successor AKK responds to Emmanuel Macronʼs vision for Europe Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer has presented her own proposals to deal with populism, economic uncertainty, international security and migration. "Europe must become stronger," she wrote in response to the French president. In an op-ed published in the Welt am Sonntag newspaper, Chancellor Angela Merkelʼs successor as head of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) contrasted a "European way of life" with social and political models in China, the US and Russia. "Europe must become stronger," she wrote. While Annegret KrampKarrenbauer echoed some of the
S!sters to enter the fray as Germanyʼs Eurovision candidate in Tel Aviv
"Weʼre going to have to get some rest and have a good cry," said Carlotta of S!sters after their victory was announced on Friday. Both she and her duo partner, Laurita, jumped breathlessly on the stage of the Adlershof television studios in Berlin, holding up an Israeli flag before giving a repeat performance of their song. It was a giggling rendition, but the voices emerged strong and blended well again, both performers exuberant. Carlotta, who has also performed with the German rock band Revolverheld, described the song "Sister" as "a very authentic and powerful kind of pop." Had they thought they would win? "Not in the least," said Laurita, "We wished it of course, but it was really just a dream." Added Carlotta: "You wish it so much that itʼs a fantasy, and then when you actually win, you canʼt realize it because that fantasy is still in your head."
plansset out by French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday, there were some issues on which she took a different stance. Kramp-Karrenbauer was specific in terms of what she did not want: "European centralism, European statism, the communitization of sovereign debt, a Europeanization of social systems and of the minimum wage would be the wrong way."
Catalan separatists: Carles Puigdemont to contest European election
The breakaway party PDeCat or Together for Catalonia announced Sunday that Carles Puigdemont had been selected to lead the partyʼs list for the European Parliament election on May 26. Puigdemont, living in selfimposed exile in Belgium, fled Spain in October 2017 after a failed Catalan breakaway bid and has since fought his extradition back to Spain. A refer-
endum calling for Catalan independence was deemed illegal by Spainʼs Constitutional Court. In Madrid, 11 Catalan politicianshave faced trialsover their campaign to secede from Spain. Read more:Separatist movements beyond Catalonia Former Catalan Vice President Oriol Junqueras would also stand in May, according to reports on Sunday.
French boy suspected of reintroducing measles to Costa Rica An unvaccinated French child who went on holiday with his parents to Costa Rica is suspected of reintroducing measles to the Central American country. The 5-year-old boy and his parents entered the country on February 18, Costa Ricaʼs Health Ministry said. Authorities have quarantined the boy in a hospital and are searching for people he may have come into contact with since his arrival.
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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.
Surge in German arms sales to Saudi Arabia and Turkey Germanyʼs Economic Affairs Ministry disclosed Thursday that German firms sent €160 million ($184 million) worth of arms to Saudi Arabia between January and October last year. That was up €50 million on the whole of 2017. Berlin only decided on afull stop in November, prompted by the Saudi murder of the journalist Jamal Khashoggi, amid restrictions already applying over Riyadhʼs role in wartorn Yemen. Read more:Amnesty slams Western arms sales to Saudi Arabia Riyadh leads a nine-country coalition backing a Yemeni government opposed by Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who last month reached a fragile ceasefire arrangementunder UN mediation. German weapons exports to Turkey — mostly naval items — more than tripled to €202 million in the same timeframe, up on €62 million in 2017, the ministry said in its reply to parliament. Erdogan isunder international scrutinyover his intention to dislodge Kurdish rebel groups in neighboring war-torn Syria. 4
Deutsche and Commerzbank: A marriage of convenience that could well happen Reports that Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank are on the brink of merger talks are gathering strength. Should the two lenders come together, it would have major implications for European banking and beyond. Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank, the grandest of the grand old German lenders, will next year both celebrate their 150th birthdays. But it increasingly looks like there might be need for only one birthday party, rather than two. Over the weekend, reports have intensified that the two banks are strongly considering the possibility of a merger.German newspaper Welt am Sonntag reported on Saturday that Deutsche Bank had agreed to start
Nissan files complaint against ex-boss Carlos Ghosn for ʼmisuse of fundsʼ Japanese automaker Nissan on Friday said it filed its own criminal complaint against its former chairman Carlos Ghosn for the "misuse of a significant amount of the companyʼs funds." Ghosn has beenarrested and charged by Japanese prosecutors with financial misconduct. On Friday, Tokyo prosecutors added a new indictment to the growing list of charges brought against the once-lauded executive. Until the recent charges against him,Ghosn served as a top executive for Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi. He was considered a key figure in establishing and then maintaining the alliance. Prosecutors filed two new charges against Ghosn: one for aggravated breach of trust for temporarily transferring personal investment losses to Nissan in 2008 and the other for understating compensation for three years through to 2018.Nissan called for "strict penalties" when filing its complaint, which was "based on the same violation" of aggravated breach of trust.
Hotel Parlament H-Budapest 1054, Kálmán Imre utca 19. T.: +36 1 374 6000 reservation@parlament-hotel.hu www.parlament-hotel.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 highprofile accidentsin recent years.
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holding talks with Commerzbank on the feasibility of them coming together. The news agency Reuters reported the same over the weekend, citing "a person with knowledge of the matter." While itʼs important to stress that the reports are unconfirmed, with neither bank yet commenting publicly, few who are familiar with the German financial scene could claim to be surprised if an engagement were to be officially announced sometime soon.
ECB holds interest rates steady to curb eurozone slowdown
The ECB has pledged to keep interest rates at their current historic low in a bid to revive the eurozoneʼs weakening economy. The move comes as fears about Brexit and global tensions threaten growth across the bloc. Policymakers at the European Central Bank on Thursday announced a new round of cheap loans to banks and said record low interest rates would remain unchanged "at least through the end of 2019." Previously, the bank had indicated that the earliest rate hike would come in the fall. The measures aim toallay fears of a eurozone slowdownspurred by uncertainty over Brexit, aUS-China trade war, and threats by Washington to impose tariffs on European auto imports. "Weʼre coming out of, and maybe we still are in a period of, continued weakness and pervasive uncertainty," ECB chief Mario Draghi told reporters in Frankfurt. "Our decisions certainly increase the resilience of the eurozone economy," he added. "But can they address the factors that are weighing on the economy in the rest of the word? They cannot."
59/2019 • 11 March, 2019
A visit to the worldʼs largest Barbie doll collection DW dropped in on the proud owner of 18,000 Barbie dolls
The first Barbie dolls hit toy store shelves in the US 60 years ago. Today, the largest collection of Barbie dolls is in Dusseldorf, Germany. Bettina Dorfmann was six years old when her parents gave the little girl her very first Barbie doll back in 1967. "She wasnʼt just a doll, either, but a friend," Dorfmann remembers. "As it turned out, she was a friend for life," Dorfmann told DW. Today, the Dusseldorf collector who made it to the Guinness Book of World Records owns more Barbies than anyone else in the world — 18,000 dolls! A hobby becomes a profession Even as a child, Dorfmann had almost three dozen Barbies. When she lost interest and stopped playing with them one day, they ended up in
the familyʼs attic. Only when her own daughter began to play with dolls did she pull them out of storage. In the mid-1980s Dorfmann displayed the Barbies in her newly opened womenʼs fashion store. It turned out her customers were more interested in the dolls than in the clothes, so she was forced to shut the store. Some of the dolls were moved to shelves in her living room before they were finally installed in a room set aside just for them. Others, left in their boxes, were stacked and stowed away in a storeroom.
What Hollywood movies do to perpetuate racial stereotypes In recent years, there has been increased attention onracismandsexismin Hollywood films, which can be reflected in who acts in front of the camera, who directs behind it and how people are represented on-screen — and often all three. To illustrate how stereotypes have developed in Hollywood, DW analyzed tropes used in more than 6,000 Oscar-eligible movies since 1928. Hollywood history provides many examples of racist caricatures. Black and Asian people have been repeated targets. Take the 1961 Audrey Hepburn movie Break‐ fast at Tiffanyʼs and the bucktoothed Mr. Yunioshi, whosestereotypical "Engrish" accent was intended to mock Japanese people. He is notori-
ous, and there are so many more examples. "Racism, in the form of job exclusion and racially stereotyped roles, has defined the Hollywood film industry since its birth in the early 1900s," the sociologist Nancy Wang Yuen writes in her book, Reel Inequal‐ ity: Hollywood Actors and Racism. Indeed, Asian characters in the early days of Hollywood mostly appeared in the form of racist cliches — either as mysterious, menacing villains or as laughable caricatures such as Mr. Yunioshi. In addition to everything else, that character is played by the entirely white American actor Mickey Rooney, thus making it an example of yellowface: a non-Asian person impersonating an Asian person.
Beethoven House closes ahead of composerʼs anniversary year Strolling down the Bonngasse, the street where the Beethoven House is located, one could easily overlook the humble facade were it not for the tourist groups that cluster outside. For many, treading the squeaky wooden floors that were once walked upon by Ludwig van Beethoven himself is an emotional moment, particularly when they gaze into the cordoned-off "birth room," empty save for a bust of Beethoven on a pedestal. From February 28, the room where the infant Beethoven is said to have entered the world — probably with a loud cry — and the house his family lived in wonʼt ever be the same. The Beethoven House is closing for several months, the permanent exhibition being given a thorough workover and the facilities expanded.
Budapestʼs historic Lotz Hall café reopened as Café Párisi
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Culture
Renovated Museum of Fine Arts to Open on 31 October AFTER MORE THAN THREE YEARS OF RENOVATION, THE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS BUDAPEST WILL OPEN ON 31 OCTOBER. NOW OPEN TO PUBLIC
After two years of undesired silence a new café has opened its gates in Budapest’s neorenaissance styled jewellery box, the former Paris Deparment Store (Párisi Nagy Áruház). Situated in the heart of the city on Andrássy avenue, Café Párisi is the perfect location for those who wish to enjoy the luxury of early 20th century Budapest. The newly reopened location is already one of Budapest’s hidden gems: set in the Paris Department Store’s mezzanine level just below the iconic frescos created by renowned Hungarian painter Károly Lotz. Párisi Café has everything you could ask for from traditional Hungarian cakes like the Eszterházy or the Gerbaud slide to alternative milkbased cafés. Open everyday from 9:00 - 21:00
Thanks to the largest-scale and most comprehensive reconstruction project in the museum’s history, the museum building has been renewed, and, returning to the collection’s first concept, the museum’s permanent exhibitions will also be rearranged. Besides the new permanent exhibitions, the revamped museum will welcome visitors with a chamber exhibition titled Leonardo & the Budapest Horse and Rider. The museum reconstruction, implemented within the framework of the Liget Budapest Project, included the restoration of the Romanesque Hall, which sustained severe damage in World War II and since then had been only partially renovated and used as a storage area, along with the modernisation of the building’s obsolete heating system, the installation of air conditioning in some of the exhibition halls, the renewal of a large part of the roof structure, as well as the addition of new exhibition spaces, visitor areas and modern storage facilities.
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59/2019 • 11 March, 2019
Lionel Messi has scored 650 goals in his career for Barcelona and Argentina
Lionel Messi scored the 50th hattrick of his career as Barcelona came from behind to beat Sevilla and go 10 points clear at the top of La Liga. In a masterclass from the Catalansʼ captain, he first equalised with a brilliant volley from 16 yards. He levelled for a second time with a curling shot from the edge of the box. Messi then chipped Tomas Vaclik for his third, his 36th goal in 35 games against Sevilla, before setting up Luis Suarez for an injury-time fourth. It really was a one-man show with Barcelona not playing particularly well as they extended their lead over second-placed Atletico Madrid, who host Villarreal on Sunday. Sevilla who are out of form - took the lead twice in the first half from a Jesus Navas counter-attack strike and Gabriel Mercadoʼs eight-yard finish.
Aleksandar Kolarovʼs free kick stunner secures Serbia win over Costa Rica 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 arch-rivals 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 side-footed 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.
Joachim Löw hands Bayern Munich huge boost Löw might just have handed them a chance at the treble, says Jonathan Harding
The decision by Germany head coach Joachim Löw to axe Thomas Müller, Jerome Boateng and Mats Hummels was a shock, but a huge boost to Bayern. Thereʼs no denying that Bayern Munich deserve credit for hauling in Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga title race. Head coach Niko Kovac and his players have turned things aroundin impressive fashion, even for Bayern. But now the record German champions have received a boost that must leave the rest of the Bundesliga, Borussia Dortmund in particular, sighing in disbelief. If there is any side that doesnʼt need any external help in March, itʼs Bayern Munich. Joachim Löw has handed
the Bavarians exactly that. Axing Thomas Müller, Jerome Boateng and Mats Hummels has done nothing but motivate the trio into proving the Germany head coach wrong. The three impressed against Wolfsburg, with Müller even getting on the score sheet. Teammate Robert Lewandowski said the trio had delivered their answer on the pitch. Coach Niko Kovac said the performances showed what kind of people they were to convert their frustration into something so positive.
Snooker Shoot Out: Jimmy White through to last 32
Crowd favourite Jimmy White reached the last 32 of the Snooker Shoot Out in Watford with a tense 32-18 win over fellow Englishman John Astley. White, at 56 the oldest player in the event, beat 11-time womenʼs world champion Reanne Evans in the first round. Belgian Luca Brecel beat Ricky Walden with a 133 total clearance. His 14-year-old compatriot Ben Mertens lost to 16-yearold English left-hander Ryan Davies. 6
Kylian Mbappe is the youngest player to score 50 Ligue 1 goals in the past 45 years Kylian Mbappe passed 50 Ligue 1 goals with a double as Paris StGermain beat Nimes to extend their lead at the top of the table to 17 points. Christopher Nkunku scored from Marco Verrattiʼs pass over the top to put the champions ahead. Mbappeʼs landmark strike came
when he prodded home Juan Bernatʼs cross to make it 2-0. And the 20-year-old added a second after chasing on to Nkunkuʼs pass as PSG countered from a corner. The World Cup winner is the French top flightʼs top scorer with 22 goals in 20 games, and he has scored 27 in 31 matches in all competitions.