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EU steels itself with new tariffs aimed at protecting domestic industry The European Union has announced that it will impose tariffs on steel imports into the blocas part of its response to the US imposition of tariffs on steel and aluminum products. The measures are not just retaliatory, but a way to help shield the EUʼs market from a glut of steel heading to the continent after the US imposed its tariffs on imports of the metal. The 25 percent tariffs will not be levied on all steel imports but rather will come into effect once import levels across a range of steel categories exceed a certain quota, set at the average import level of the past three years. This system, known as a tariff rate quota, is designed to guardagainst a surge of steel imports into the blocthat would otherwise have been headed for the US market were it not for the recent imposition of tariffs by US President Donald Trump.

166/2018 • 23 JULY, 2018

Spain drops extradition requests for Carles Puigdemont, other Catalan separatists They were wanted on rebellion charges

Germany sees sharp rise in ʼfake scienceʼ journal publications Over 5,000 scientists at German universities and other higher education institutes have published the results of their research in journals run by quasi-scientific publishers, according to a media report on Thursday. When researchers publish their results in a scientific journal, the expectation is that their research questions, methods and data have undergone a rigorous review by other scientists in the field in a process known as peer review. The process acts as a form of quality control, ensuring that studies are scientifically sound before being released to the public.

Berlin prosecutors confiscate Lebanese clanʼs properties Spainʼs Supreme Court has withdrawn its extradition requests for six Catalan separatist politicians, including ex-regional president Carles Puigdemont who is in Germany. Spanish Supreme Court judge dropped international and European arrest warrants on Thursday forformer Catalan regional president Carles Puigdemontand five other separatist leaders who fled abroad. Last week, a German court approved Puigdemontʼs extradition, but ruled that he couldnʼt be sent back to Spain on rebellion charges, only for misuse of public funds. In a decision published Thursday, Spanish Judge Pablo Llarena revoked the arrest warrants against the six Catalan leaders and declined to extradite Puigdemont on charges of misusing public funds. However, Llarena criticized the German courtʼs decision, saying it showed "a lack of commitment" in pursuing the fugitives. If Puigdemont and the other separatist leaders had been extradited for charges of misusing public funds, they would have only been allowed to be tried in Spain on those charges. In Spain, rebellion carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, while misuse of public funds has a maximum sentence of 12 years. The lawyer for former Cata-

lan minister Clara Ponsati welcomed the Spanish courtʼs decision, but said it remains unclear whether the Catalan politicians would be allowed to return. "Itʼs excellent news, with regards to my client Clara Ponsati, and obviously for Puigdemont ... but we tread cautiously," lawyer Aamer Anwar told the Reuters news agency. Although the international and European arrest warrants have been dropped, the Spanish warrants remain open, meaning they will be detained if they try to re-enter the country. Spanish authorities ordered Puigdemontʼs extradition due to his role over last yearʼs unauthorizedindependence referendum in Cataloniaand the regional parliamentʼs subsequent declaration of independence from Spain. Puigdemont fled to Belgium following the October 1 referendum in order to avoid arrest.He was arrested in Germanyon March 25 this year while traveling by car back to Brussels following an event he attended in Finland. Nine Catalan separatist leaders are currently in custody in Spain and awaiting trial.

Berlinʼs state prosecutors have claimed they have made a major sweep against one of the large organized crime families in the German capital: a"clan" of Arab-Lebanese originknown simply by their initial R. to comply with German privacy law. At a press conference on Thursday, Berlin chief state prosecutor Jörg Raupach said that 16 people were being investigated on suspicion of money-laundering, all of whom were part of the network of R. family network. Authorities confiscated some 77 properties, worth an estimated €9.3 million ($10.8 million). The sweep came after financial crime investigators had searched 13 apartments and commercial properties last Friday.

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166/2018 • 23 July, 2018

Turkey lifts state of emergency, but fear of repression lingers When a failed coup attempt took place on July 15, 2016, the Turkish government claimed supporters within the military of exiled Muslim cleric Fetullah Gulen were behind it. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan labeled the Gulen movement a terrorist organization and declared a three-month state of emergency in order to actively prosecute its members. The state of emergency allowed the government to rule by decree. It, in turn, used the decrees as a means to establish new rules in all of the countryʼs state institutions. The resulting wave of firings and arrests prompted opposition members to deem the state of emergency a "civil coup and a witch hunt against critics," calling for its immediate lifting — to no avail. The state of emergency was extended seven times in all.

Sweden wildfires spread as far north as Arctic Fires were registered in the countryʼs northernmost county in the Arctic Circle

Resistance to genetically modified seeds in Africa Ghana recently hosted a conference focused on the question of genetically modified organism (GMO) seed varieties versus those that have traditionally spawned the continentʼs staple crops. The increasing commercialization of food and agriculture, the diversity of crops, food as part of culture and identity and sustaining food needs without a switch to GMO agriculture dominated their discussions. The meeting of experts and activists from Ethiopia, Kenya, Togo, South Africa and Zimbabwe took place in the northern city of Tamale, at the heart of a region in Ghana where agriculture is a driving force in the local economy. In Ethiopia, local farmers have rejected GMO agriculture – apart from the genetically modified insect-resistant Bt cotton – despite intensive lobbying, often by the purveyors of GMO seeds, multi-national giants. Sulemana Abdullai, the board chairman of the African Biodiversity Network, (ABN)said GMO is not a sure way to go. "There isnʼt much evidence to suggest that genetically modified crops are doing better, in terms of food security or nutrition security or income security," Abdullai said. "In fact on the contrary, it is shown with indigenous production methods and farming systems, because of their ability to plant more than one crop using locally-adapted seeds." Farmers who use traditional seeds actually own the bulk of what they produce, he argued. “They are food sovereign.” 2

Sustained record heat and a summer drought have kept the blazes going in central Sweden, prompting evacuations. Multiple villages across Sweden were evacuated overnight to Thursday, with others at risk of being engulfed by flames, as the country battles more than 40 large forest fires in the midst of an extreme heat wave that is plaguing the Nordic region. After requesting emergency help from the EU on Wednesday, Swedish authorities received firefighting planes and helicoptors from Italy and Norway

Alleged Islamic sex cult leader Adnan Oktar formally arrested in Turkey Turkish authorities formally arrested a bizarre Islamic televangelist cult leader and more than 100 of his followers on Thursday for charges including forming a criminal gang, blackmail and sexual abuse of minors, state-run Anatolia Agency reported. Adnan Oktar, known commonly by his pen name Harun Yahya, was taken into custody last week in multiple raids that also rounded up 235 people. Oktarʼs property was confiscated in the operation, which yielded guns and ammunition. Oktar is a self-

and were expecting two special aircraft from France to arrive. Authorities said that 44 fires were raging across the country, and residents in the counties of Gavleborg, Jamtland and Dalarna were asked to evacuate. Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) fire chief Britta Ramberg told Swedish TT news agency that the fire in Jamtland was "the largest and spreading the fastest." described Islamic scholar known for wild conspiracy theories and his numerous writings promoting creationism against Darwinʼs theory of evolution. When he was arrested last week, he told journalists it was a "game of the British deep state," a reference to one of many of conspiracies he peddles. Oktar is notorious for appearing on his television program besides scantily-clad women known as "kittens," and has a group of ripped men known as "lions."

South Korean court holds government accountable for 2014 Sewol ferry

British police identify suspects in Skripal attack British police believe they have identified suspects tied to anattack on former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia using the Novichok nerve agent, according to a report on Thursday. Several Russians were involved in the attempted murders, a source with knowledge of the investigation told the British Press Association, adding that their identities had been confirmed by crosschecking security footage with records of people entering the country around that time. Britainʼs Minister of State for Security Ben Wallace dismissed the report on Twitter, saying, "I think this story belongs in the ʼill informed and wild speculation folder,ʼ" in response to the Press Association report. The two Skripals were found slumped over on a bench near a shopping center in the southern town of Salisbury in March, after they were poisoned with Novichok. Both have since recovered from the attack. British investigators declined to comment on the report. Russiaʼs ambassador to the UK, Alexander Yakovenko, demanded to hear from British authorities about the allegation in the news report. "I want to hear it from Scotland Yard or the Foreign Office," Interfax news agency reported him as saying.

sinking A court in South Korea recognized the governmentʼs co-responsibility for the first time on Thursday overthe Sewol ferry disasterthat killed hundreds of passengers, many of whom were students. Inadequate safety measures on board as well as botched rescue efforts were responsible for the 2014 disaster that killed 304 people. The Seoul Central District Court ordered the government and the ferry operator Chonghaejin Marine to pay the families 200 million won ($175,000; €151,000) for each victim. They were also ordered to pay additional compensation to the victimsʼ families ranging from 5 million won to 80 million won. It was not immediately clear whether the ferry operator and the government would appeal the decision.

166/2018 • 23 July, 2018

Syrian government evacuates proAssad villages in Idlib province Residents evacuated two Shiite villages in northwestern Syria on Thursday morning after the Syrian government struck a deal to allow them to leave by pledging to release hundreds of rebel prisoners in exchange. Some 120 buses carrying approximately 6,900 evacuees had left the towns of al-Foua and Kefraya, taking residents to nearby government-held territory in Aleppo province, a monitoring group said. "The buses have left in the early hours of the morning and the two towns are completely empty now," Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, told news agency dpa. The villages of alFoua and Kefraya, located in Idlib

Aide to French President Emmanuel Macron caught beating protester in video French President Emmanuel Macron faced criticism on Wednesday, after Le Monde newspaper published what it said was a video of one of his top security officers hitting a protester online. Macronʼs office said Alexandre Benalla was suspended from his position for two weeks over the filmed incident, which shows Benalla wearing a police helmet and hitting a demonstrator with other police officers on May 1. Labor unions hold demonstrations every year on May Day in France, which often lead to police involvement. Read more: Opinion: Labor Day should prompt workers to create a new union-led counterbalance Benalla, who has previously worked as bodyguard, is not a policeman but had been given permission to "observe police operations" during a day-off for theMay 1 public holiday, said presidential palace spokesman Bruno Roger-Petit.

province, had been under siege for several years by Sunni Islamist rebels operating in the area. The deal to completely evacuate the towns was brokered by Russia, the main ally of Syrian President Bashar Assad, and Turkey, which is backing the Syrian opposition. Idlib province is home to more than 2 million people, including Syrian civilians and rebels who had relocated there from other opposition-held territory in other surrender deals.

Germany to bring back mistakenly deported Afghan asylum seeker

Germanyʼs Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) admitted on Wednesday that it had wrongfully deported a 20-year-oldAfghan asylum seeker and that it was taking "the necessary steps" to ensure his timely return. Nasibullah S. was deported along with 68 other Afghans back to Kabul earlier this month, although the legal proceedings surrounding his case for asylum were ongoing. The

20-year-oldʼs initial asylum request was rejected in April last year, although a decision on his appeal before an administrative court in the German town of Greifswald was still to be taken. BAMF said it was in contact with Nasibullah S.ʼs legal counsel, the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, where the 20-year-old lived, and the German embassy in Kabul.

Neo-Nazi terrorist helper Ralf Wohlleben walks free in Germany A German court on Wednesday deemed that Ralf Wohlleben, the man who supplieda neo-Nazi terrorist cellwith the gun that was used to murder nine people, had served enough of his 10-year prison sentence before his conviction last week. The 43-year-old, who was freed on bail, was found guilty of being an accessory to murder and supporting the National Socialist Underground (NSU), a neo-Nazi group that committed a decade-long killing and bombing spree that resulted in one of the most complex, and most important, trials in reunified German history.

166/2018 • 23 July, 2018

German ZDF and ARD public broadcasting household levy ruled constitutional A monthly fee levied on every German household to fund public broadcasters is legal, with one exception, the Federal Constitutional Court ruled on Wednesday. For years, critics have lashed out at the monthly fee to support public broadcasters and finally brought their case to the top court. The Karlsruhe-based court ruled that the fee was justified by the broad programming options offered and was levied "specifically for the financing of public service programing that is fundamental to democracy." However, the court upheld one complaint and ruled for a single exception. It deemed levying the fee more than once on owners of a second home was illegal. Th court ordered new rules to be drawn up by 2020 and in the meantime owners of multiple properties are no longer liable to pay the levy more than once. What is the broadcasting fee? Every house or apartment must pay a monthly fee of €17.50 ($20.35) to support independent public television and radio stations. However, the court upheld one complaint and ruled for a single exception. It deemed levying the fee more than once on owners of a second home was illegal. Th court ordered new rules to be drawn up by 2020 and in the meantime owners of multiple properties are no longer liable to pay the levy more than once.

Volvo shifting some production to better navigate tariffs The Swedish carmakerʼs second-quarter sales and profits are up substantially, despite global trade tensions. Nonetheless, it is shifting production within its factories around the world to try and avoid stiff duties. Volvo Cars, whose Chinese owner Geely is reportedly considering an initial public offering of the traditional Swedish carmaker, said it was on track for another sales record despite rising trade tensions. Operating profit for the second quarter increased by 28.6 percent compared to the same period last year to 4.2 billion Swedish crowns (€408 million, $474 million) on 66 billion crowns in revenue.

Cambodian girls defy gender barriers to excel in technology The founder culture of tech startups around the world continues to be dominated by men, and one recent study of over 40,000 global companies found that only 17 percent were founded by women. Hurdles to startups run by women include lack of venture capital and less networking opportunities. In Cambodia, the tech sector is growing rapidly, but traditional gender barriers are preventing young women from taking advantage of opportunities to participate in the future of the Southeast Asian nationʼs tech industry. Read more: Why female migrants are prone to sexual abuse in Cambodia Technovation is a global technology entrepreneurship program which encourages girls between 10 and 18 years old to develop skills they need to emerge as tech entrepreneurs and leaders. It also aims to raise their interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The program encourages girls to engage in their communities and come up with technological solutions to resolve problems.

Hotel Parlament H-Budapest 1054, Kálmán Imre utca 19. T.: +36 1 374 6000 reservation@parlament-hotel.hu www.parlament-hotel.hu

Tizian Feldbusch: Forging a career in eSports Kill or be killed. That is how Counter Strike, one of the most successful first-person shooting games, looks to the untrained eye. But beneath the digital bloodshed lies a game of strategy, in which players rely heavily on their teammates round after round, navigating a map they have memorized, acquiring resources, eliminating the opposing team one by one and of course, surviving until the bitter end. Counter Strike Global Offensive (CS:GO) was only launched in 2012 but quickly became popular enough for many professional gamers to make it a profession. German CS:GO player Tizian "tiziaN" Feldbusch (pictured above, left) is one of those professional gamers. The now 22year-old began playing when he was 12, inspired and motivated by his brotherʼs command of the game.

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The carmaker delivered 317,639 vehicles in the first half of the year, a 14 percent increase over last year. Read more: In the Trump era, can the concept of ʼfree tradeʼ survive? Acquired by Geely in 2010, the maker of premium cars such as the XC90 SUV and S60 sedan has notched up four straight record sales years, raising its game against larger rivals Mercedes and BMW.

Farnborough Airshow: Brexit? What Brexit?!

Sure, thereʼs been the odd mention of the UKʼs leaving the European Union at Farnborough, and the odd announcement that says "thereʼs still a great in Great Britain." But aerospace is so global, youʼre unlikely to care. When the UKʼs defense minister, Gavin Williamson, unveiled a fullscale model of a future combat aircraft at the 2018 Farnborough Airshow, it was impossible to misread the message. "Weʼre coming out fighting," is what it seemed to say. "We might not get the deal we want from Brexit, but weʼre gonna throw all our money at a bright new future in aerospace." So for a stealthy-looking aircraft, it was one for the eyes. The unveiling of "Tempest" coincided with a new combat air strategy and the unmistakable words of intent from the main players in "Team Tempest": Charles Woodburn and and Sir Stephen Hillier, heads of BAE Systems and the Royal Air Force respectively, along with the companies Leonardo UK, MBDA UK and RollsRoyce. Woodburn and Hillier were clear they expected more cash to come. It seems the only counter-balance to any chaos in which the government may find itself.

166/2018 • 23 July, 2018

Australian researchers develop ʼworld firstʼ melanoma blood test Researchers in Australia have developed a new way of detecting the deadly skin cancer, melanoma

MoMA showcases Brutalist architecture of former Yugoslavia Yugoslavia was nestled between the capitalist West and the socialist East. The countryʼs location influenced its architects immensely. As New Yorkʼs Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), which is hosting the exhibition "Toward a Concrete Utopia: Architecture in Yugoslavia, 1948-1980," wrote on their website: "The architecture that emerged – from International Style skyscrapers to Brutalist ʼsocial condensersʼ – is a manifestation of the radical diversity, hybridity, and idealism that characterized the Yugoslav state itself." This is the first time the work of socialist Yugoslaviaʼs leading architects is being shown to an international audience, with the exhibition focusing on "themes of large-scale urbanization, technology in everyday life, consumerism, monuments and memorialization."

Can electronic media harm children? Hailed as a "world first," the breakthrough could dramatically increases survival rates. Australian researchers have developed "the worldʼs first" blood test to detect early-stage melanoma, a development that they said could save thousands of lives and millions of dollars in healthcare costs. The researchers from Edith Cowan University said the blood test could help doctors detect the skin cancer at early stages when it is more easily treatable. "Patients who have their

melanoma detected in its early stage have a five year survival rate between 90 and 99 percent, whereas if it is not caught early and it spreads around the body, the five year survival rate drops to less than 50 per cent," lead researcher Pauline Zaenker said in a statement. Melanoma is usually identified by doctors visually and suspected skin cancers are excised and biopsied.

Doll-making pioneer Käthe Kruse celebrated 50 years after her death Since they hit the toy market in 1911, Käthe Kruse dolls have been prized globally for their Made in Germany quality. Tourists today spend significant sums on "real" Kruse soft-bodied dolls that are still handmade. But this worldwide success story had humble beginnings. Early struggles and inspiration Katharina Johanna Gertrud Simon was born September 17, 1883 in Dambrau near Breslau in East Prussia — today the Polish city of Wroclaw. But the ille-

gitimate child of a seamstress grew up in poverty, and Käthe could not get excited about new dolls and cute toys for girls. Nonetheless, her single mother provided her with a solid school education, enabling her to gradually join the ranks of the educated middle classes. Käthe was intrigued by the theater from an early age, and at 17 was given a position at Berlinʼs Lessing theater, where she quickly became known as a talented actress.

Did you know that screen time can cause behavioral problems in children? Or that long working hours can increase your diabetes risk? DW brings you this weekʼs health news, all in one handy guide! The use of computers, smartphones and tablets can cause behavioral issues such as hyperactivity and inattentiveness in young children between two and six years old. This is theresult of a studyby researchers at the University of Leipzig in Germany, who studied more than 500 children for several years. Children who were exposed to computers or smartphones on a daily basis were more hyperactive and inattentive one year on than children who did not use these types of media.

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Culture

Sweden wildfires spread as far north as Arctic Sweden has requested emergency help from the EU on Wednesday to fight a dozens of forest wildfires, in the midst of an extreme heatwave that is plaguing the Nordic region. Authorities said that 44 fires were raging across the country and in the counties of Gavleborg, Jamtland and Dalarna, residents were asked to evacuate. The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) fire Chief Britta Ramberg told Swedish TT news agency that the fire in Jamtland was "the largest and spreading the fastest". The blaze engulfed 2,500 hectares (6,000 acres) and was spreading by 10 square meters (100 square feet) per minute, authorities said. Read more: Will extreme weather become even deadlier? The fires also affected Lapland, Swedenʼs northernmost region, which lies within the Arctic Circle. The town of Jokkmokk, a popular winter tourist destination, was threatened by fires in the vicinity. Rescue officer Thomas Andersson told AFP news agency that in Jokkmokk, a wildfire of this magnitude had not been seen for in 12 years.

166/2018 • 23 July, 2018

Paul Pogbaʼs late goal rescues slack France against Australia

Paul Pogbaʼs late lob spared Franceʼs blushes after Les Blues were taken to the wire by unfancied Australia. Pogbaʼs intervention was neccessary after Mile Jedinakʼs penalty had levelled things up for Australia.

Rory McIlroy ready for American challenge at Carnoustie

The Open Championship returns to Carnoustie for an eighth time this week with Rory McIlroy among the home players hoping to break an American stranglehold on the majors. All four of golfʼs biggest prizes are held by US players, with Jordan Spieth the returning champion for the 147th Open, which starts at 06:35 BST on Thursday. Northern Irelandʼs McIlroy won the Silver Medal as the leading amateur on his Open debut in 2007, the last time the championship was held at Carnousite. "Itʼs great to be back," said the 29-year-old, who won the Claret Jug in 2014. "Hopefully I can create more good memories this week.

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.

Franz Beckenbauer: Joachim Löw has tough decisions to make Franz Beckenbauer:

Franz Beckenbauer has become the latest to weigh in on the disaster that was Germanyʼs tournament in Russia. He suggested that national team coach Joachim Löw needed to part ways with some of his veteran players. In comments published in this Thursdayʼs edition of the Bild newspaper, Franz Beckenbauer (pictured above, left) gave Germany coach Joachim Löw (above, right) a vote of confidence, despite the national teamʼs failure to advance beyond the group stage at the World Cup in Russia. Beckenbauer, 72, who coached Germany to a World Cup title in 1990, said that while the

German football association(DFB) had made the right decision in sticking with Löw, the head coach now had some tough decisions to make, including in terms of personnel. "Löwwill have to change some things after experienced players failed to deliver for him," Beckenbauer said, referring to Germanyʼs disappointing World Cup. "Gratitude is not his friend."

F1: Lewis Hamilton extends contract with Mercedes until 2020 Defending driversʼ champion Lewis Hamilton has extended his contract with Mercedes. The Briton has won 44 races with the Silver Arrows, as well as three driversʼ championships. ormula One superstar Lewis Hamilton has signed a two-year contract extension with Mercedes, the motorracing team announced on Thursday. "Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport and Lewis Hamilton today an-

nounced the agreement of a twoyear contract extension for the 2019 and 2020 Formula One seasons," a statement from the team read. No figures were given in the statement, but the deal is reportedly to be worth around 40 million pounds (€45 million, $52 million) per year. Hamiltonʼs contract with Mercedes was set to expire at the end of the current season.