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DAILY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Berlin drag racers sentenced to life in prison for murder A regional court in Berlin on Tuesday handed down life-terms at the retrial of two men involved in a deadly race in 2016. The firstmurder verdicts in a German illegal car-racing trialwere overturned last year by the Federal Court of Justice (BGH), whichruled there had been insufficient evidenceof an intention to kill. The renewed ruling The presiding judge found there was sufficient evidence to suggest the suspects had shown "willful intent," saying: "What happened had nothing to do with negligence.""The accused had trivially played with the lives of others."The racers were "reckless" and had "revered their vehicles." The verdict met with state prosecutorsʼ demands.

Japanese scientists make breakthrough in cloning a woolly mammoth A team of scientists from Japan and Russia announced a significant step forward in an effort to bring the woolly mammoth back to life – although they cautioned that tabloid reports saying they are a decade away from a Jurassic Park-style attraction populated by mammoths and saber-tooth tigers are wide of the mark. Instead, the scientists say, they hope the technology they are developing can be used to prevent species that are today on the verge of extinction from disappearing forever. In a study published in the journal Sci‐ entific Reports, researchers announced that they have managed to recover cells from the left hind leg of a juvenile mammoth that was discovered in the Siberian permafrost in 2011. Cell nuclei from the mammoth, believed to have been roaming what is today northern Russia around 28,000 years ago, were successfully implanted in mouse cells.

71/2019 • 27 MARCH, 2019

UK Parliament defies Theresa May, backs vote on Brexit alternatives MPs are now expected to vote on a range of Brexit options

In a bid to break the Brexit deadlock, lawmakers in the UK Parliament have handed Theresa May another defeat. MPs are now expected to vote on a range of Brexit options, including "no deal" and a second referendum.

UK lawmakers voted 329 to 302 late Monday to give themselves the right to vote on alternative options to Prime Minister Theresa Mayʼs Brexit deal. The move hands control of the Brexit process to Parliament and presents yet another defeat for May just weeks beforeBritainʼs scheduled departure from the European Union. What will MPs vote on?Parliament will hold the non-binding votes on Wednesday to determine the level of support for various Brexit options. While the list has not yet been finalized, the choices are expected to include: Revoking Brexit.Holding another referendum.Supporting Mayʼs divorce deal.Supporting a "Norway plus" deal, which would keep the UK in the EU Single Market.Backing a "no deal" Brexit. The government said the outcome set a "dangerous, unpredictable precedent for the future." It warned that "any options considered must be deliverable in negotiations with the EU." Previously, the Cabinet pledged to "engage constructively" with the process, but May said she would not

be bound by the results. Opposition leader and Labour chief Jeremy Corbyn congratulated lawmakers on reclaiming control and slammed the governmentʼs approach to Brexit as an "abject failure." The European Parliamentʼs Brexit coordinator, Guy Verhofstadt, said Mondayʼs vote was an "opportunity to build a cross-party cooperation leading to an enhanced political declaration & a closer future relationship!" Conservative rebellion: The idea of holding indicative votes was pushed by a cross-party group of lawmakers, with Oliver Letwin of Mayʼs Conservative Party leading the way.

The government had attempted to "whip" its MPs against the idea, but at least 30 Tories rebelled. Three ministers resign: Junior Business Minister Richard Harrington resigned shortly before the vote, accusing the government of "playing roulette with the lives and livelihoods" of its people. Two other junior ministers resigned from the Conservative Party and supported the deal, according to unconfirmed reports.

EU job application process ʼdiscriminatoryʼ: ECJ The EUʼs top court ruled on Tuesday that unequal treatment on the basis of language is not permitted when hiring workers for EU institutions. Spain had challenged a requirement to complete an application form in English, French or German for a job with the European Parliament. The ECJ ruling annulled a call for expressions of interest for the driver job, and voided a database of candidates. Applications had been submitted through the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) jobs portal. The Parliament had justified the language restriction because, it argued, newly hired workers would need to communicate effectively in their daily work, and English, German and French are the institutionʼs most widely-spoken languages.

EU Parliament approves controversial copyright reform Lawmakers have backed a preliminary deal on a controversial new EU copyright law, which will force the likes of Google and YouTube to pay publishers for using their work. Critics fear for the freedom of the internet. The European Parliament on Tuesday voted to approve acontroversial new copyright lawthat hands more power to news publishers and record companies. The deal brings measures that would make platforms such asYouTube and Facebook liable for copyrighted materialon their sites one step closer to conclusion.

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71/2019 • 27 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.

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Israel on alert after airstrikes on Gaza Southern Israel had been on high alert despite reports that a ceasefire had taken effect

A night of heavy fire in the Gaza border region has been replaced by a morning of tense calm.

Israel launched airstrikes on the Gaza Strip and sent extra troops to the border on Monday aftera surprise rocket attack from the Palestinian territory injured several Israelis near Tel Aviv. Rocket attack sirens sounded in southern Israel late on Monday, despite a statement from Palestinian officials that Egypt had brokered a ceasefire.

What you need to know: Sirens sounded after the Israeli army said at least 30 rockets had been fired into Israel from Gaza. Nearly all of

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

them were shot down or landed in open areas, it added.Shortly before the rockets were fired, Hamas said a ceasefire had entered force at 10 p.m. local time (2000 UTC).Israeli forces struck targets across Gaza, including the offices of Hamasʼ leadership, which went into hiding.Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants fired several rockets into southern Israel in response to the strikes.After a night of heavy fire, a tense calm took hold on Tuesday morning. 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.

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EU Parliament votes to end daylight savings The European Parliament on Tuesday voted with a large majority to end daylight savings time in the EU by 2021.

Under the proposals, each member state would decide whether tocontinue with twice-a-year clock changesor stick permanently to summer or winter time. Read more:European Parliament set to end EU-wide daylight savings time All 28 member states would need to inform the European Commission of their choice ahead of the proposed switch, by April 2020.

They would then coordinate with the blocʼs executive so that their decisions do not disrupt the functioning of the single market. Last year, the European Commission proposed abolishing the seasonal clock

German export policies threaten European defense projects: French ambassador Franceʼs ambassador to Germany, Anne-Marie Descotes, warned on Monday that German arms export policies and licensing rules threatened future Franco-German defense projects.

The remarks come as the two European nations are seeking to form closer defense cooperationand deepen ties between their parliaments. In anessay published by the German militaryʼs Federal Academy for Security Policy, she said Germany had a tendency to see arms exports as a domestic political issue, but that its policies still "have serious consequences for our bilateral cooperation in the defense sector and the strengthening of European sovereignty." An ʼuntenableʼ situation Germanyʼs unpredictable arms export policies and long waiting times for export licenses are a particular problem, Descotes said. This has an impact on major Franco-German projects to develop new tanks, combat jets and drones. "This situation is untenable," she wrote. "Realistic export possibilities on the basis of clear and predictable rules are an essential prerequisite for the survival of our European defense industry."

changeafter an EU-wide online poll showed overwhelming support. It has been accused, however, of rushing through the vote ahead of European Parliament elections in May. Some 3 million of the 4.6 million survey responses came from Germany, leading to complaints the European Commission wanted to impose German will on the other states through sheer populism. Russia switched to permanent summer time in 2011 in an attempt to improve citizensʼ well-being but shifted to permanent winter time three years later after public complaints.

NASA cancels first all-female spacewalk, cites suit size problem

NASA, the US space agency, has cancelled the first all-female spacewalk due to a lack of a spacesuit in the right size. Anne McClain and Christina Koch had been scheduled to step into the history books in a spacewalk this coming Friday, during the final week of Womenʼs History Month. "Mission managers decided to adjust the assignments, due in part to spacesuit availability on the station," NASA said in a statement. "McClain learned during her first spacewalk that a medium-size hard upper torso – essentially the shirt of the spacesuit –

fits her best. Because only one medium-size torso can be made ready

by Friday, March 29, Koch will wear it." NASA said the decision to change the plan was made in consultation with McClain after a spacewalk last week. "Anne trained in M and L and thought she could use a large but decided after Fridayʼs spacewalk a medium fits better," wrote spokeswoman Stephanie Schierholz on Twitter. "In this case, itʼs easier (and faster!) to change spacewalkers than reconfigure the spacesuit," Schierholz explained.

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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71/2019 • 27 March, 2019

German firms warned about Chinese ʼcloud hopperʼ hackers Germanyʼs BSI information security agency, tipped off by America, has identified small weak-link service firms as the gateways used to hack German industry, Germanyʼs Süddeutsche Zeitung daily newspaper said on Wednesday. Referring to US President Donald Trumpʼs trade row with China and citing the "well-informed"website Axios, the paper said the BSI "acted promptly."

Their actions in late November came after the US, via diplomatic channels, named German firms apparently targeted by "cloud hopper" hackers — allegedly from China.

German mechanical engineering and material research concerns were targeted in particular, the Munichbased newspaper said. Cyber experts have long warned that Germany, with its high level of manufacturing and engineering expertise, would be keenly targeted for industrial secrets by hackers. The BSI - in a5 December press release — said the worldwide-circulating malware (malicious software) "Emotet," with the potential to paralyze enterprise networks, had led to a "heap" of severe incidents in Germany. Categorized as Advanced Persistent Threats (APT), these were "highly professional" attacks adapted and automated the use of Emotet within infected networks, said BSI president Arne Schönbohm.

Mann+Hummel: Hidden champion fights fine particles It only takes the weather to be unfavorable,and megacities across the world sink into wafts of mist. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), some 7 million people die every year partly as a result of inhaling polluted air over longer periods. Increasing traffic has no doubt contributed to creating "thick air." Many nations are in the middle of campaigns to reverse the trend by pushing e-mobility, arguing that electric vehicles donʼt have exhaust pipes as sources of poisonous nitrogen oxides and particulate matter.

But a closer look reveals that fine particulates cannot be reduced drastically through electric cars. "Irrespective of a carʼs transmission system, it will always produce a lot of particulate matter," says Jan-Eric Raschke, who heads the fine particulates/filtration division at the German company Mann+Hummel. He explains thatroughly 90 percent of all particulate emissions in cars stem from tire wear and the braking system.

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Deutsche-Commerzbank merger is non-starter from the beginning Thereʼs once again talk in Germany of a possible merger between Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank. But DWʼs Henrik Böhme is not convinced it will solve the banksʼ structural problems.

One only has to look back two decades. At the time, Dresdner Bank was the focus of attention. First Deutsche Bank tried to take over the number two bank in Germany, followed by an equally unsuccessful attempt by Commerzbank. In the summer of 2001, the bank was finally sold to the insurance giant Allianz for around €30 billion ($33.7 billion).

But seven years later, Allianz had lost

2019: The year after peak global growth

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

At the time of writing though, the post financial crisis economic boom still seems well set on becoming the longest expansion in many countries. If the American economy, for example, makes it past June 2019 without a recession, the recovery will exceed 120 months and become the longest expansion since US economic records were first taken in 1857.

Yet, global data trackers, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), are less optimistic about ongoing growth in the rest of the world.

The IMF, for example, thinks global growth plateauedat 3.7 percent in 2018.

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Japanʼs Nikkei plunges after US economic turmoil Japanʼs Nikkei index closed on Tuesday after tumbling by an unusually large 5.1 percent. Stocks in Shanghai and Taiwan also tumbled following heavy losses on Wall Street over PresidentDonald Trumpʼs attack on the US central bank. Tokyoʼs benchmark stock index hit a 20-month low as worries mounted over the US economy during a government funding crisis. On Monday evening, Trump shocked investor confidence by hitting out at the Federal Reserve, tweeting: "The only problem our economy has is the Fed. They donʼt have a feel for the Market, they donʼt understand necessary Trade Wars or Strong Dollars or even Democrat Shutdowns over Borders."

Although the chairman of the Federal Reserve, Jerome Powell, was nominated by Trump, the Fed is not under the control of the White House, much to Trumpʼs consternation. The US economy has also been suffering from trade disputes Trump has started with China.

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interest and sold the Dresdner to Commerzbank, which had to put a mere €9 billion on the table to acquire it. The only remarkable thing during the time Allianz and Dresdner Bank spent together was a drastic reduction in jobs.

And the timing was extremely unfavorable: shortly after the takeover, the world financial crisis broke out — and Commerzbank had to seek government support worth billions of euros.

Justin Trudeau admits to mistakes in corruption trial crisis but not breaking any rules

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has denied interfering in Canadaʼs judicial system, though conceded he should have done things differently in handling accusations he intervened to shield a firm of bribery charges.

Embattled Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau admitted to making mistakes in his handling of a controversy that threatens to sink his government ahead of October elections, but he stopped short of apologizing. Trudeau said on Thursday that his government had done nothing illegal afteraccusations of hindering the prosecution of giant Canadian engineering firm SNCLavalin. "There are many lessons to be learned and many things we would have liked to have done differently," he said, but he insisted there was no breakdown in Canadian justice. Trudeau tried to shore up the biggest crisis of to face his government which has already seen theresignationof two high profile Cabinet members and a close aide. ʼNo pressureʼ Trudeauʼs former adviser Gerry Butts defended the prime minister yesterday in the House of Commons, telling the justice committee that "nothing happened here beyond the normal operations of government."

71/2019 • 27 March, 2019

After a year of record droughts, Germanyʼs meteorological office sets up early warning system In 2018, record drought across Germany caused crop failures and left farmers struggling

Germanyʼs meteorological office says the droughts were not a once off and is setting up an early warning system to help farmers.

The year 2018 was a bad one for German farmers. A record drought resulted in major crop failures, leading the German government to designate the event a crisis of "national dimensions." Some8,000 farmers were forced to apply for emergency aiddue to a record dry period between April and November. Just 60 percent of the usual yearly precipitation fell over the whole year, according to new figures from Germanyʼs National Meteorological Office (DWD). Eberhard

Hartelt, president of the farmers and vintners association (BWV) in the southwestern state of RhinelandPalatinate and a farmer himself, called it a "catastrophic drought," the likes of which he had never experienced. "The entire fall sowing season took place in bone-dry soil … I had to resow the fields because no rapeseed would grow as there was no moisture in the soil," Hartelt told DW, adding this will likely affect his harvest and income in 2019.

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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71/2019 • 27 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

Chris Froome falls as Michael Matthews wins second stage

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.

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Britainʼs Chris Froome suffered a nasty fall as Australian Michael Matthews secured victory on the second stage of the Volta a Catalunya.

The Team Sky rider, 33, scraped a large area of skin off his right thigh in the crash inside the last 40km of the stage from Mataro to Sant Feliu De Guixols. Froome was able to continue but did not attempt to rejoin the peloton. "Someone hit Froomey and he slid and crashed. Weʼll monitor him but it seems he is OK,"said Skyʼs Nicolas Portal. "It was a tricky corner

which had a few roadworks on the right and was also quite bumpy," added Team Sky sports director Portal. Froome eventually finished 13 minutes behind Team Sunwebʼs Matthews, who beat world champion Alejandro Valverde into second in an uphill sprint. Lotto-Soudalʼs Belgian rider Thomas de Gendt extended his overall lead to two minutes 47 seconds. Britainʼs James Knox finished the stage in sixth place and - along with compatriots Simon and Adam Yates and Hugh Carthy - is two minutes and 58 seconds off the lead.