194/2018 • 25 AUGUST, 2018 WEEKEND ISSUE
DAILY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Austriaʼs Sebastian Kurz cozies up to German conservatives They hailed the controversial Austrian leaderʼs electoral success
Members of Angela Merkelʼs conservative CDU have welcomed Sebastian Kurz at a conference in Erfurt where he spoke of the need to secure Europeʼs borders.
Pulling at the collars on button-down shirts and rearranging summer dresses in the sticky summer heat, some 3,300 members of German Chancellor Angela Merkelʼs conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) descended on Erfurt Thursday evening for an annual gathering of the partyʼs Thuringia state faction. A year after Merkel herself was guest of honor at the event, talk among conservative voters at the eastern German cityʼs convention center was only of one man: this yearʼs guest of honor,Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz. ʼA Europe that protectsʼ As he entered to a soundtrack that wouldnʼt be out of place in Lord of the Rings, alongside his host Mike Mohring, who heads the CDU parliamentary group in Thuringia, the words "A Europe that Protects" filled the hallʼs huge screens. The slogan is the official motto forAustriaʼs sixthmonth presidency of the Council of the European Union, borrowed for the evening by Thuringiaʼs conservatives. "Peace, freedom, security and prosperity," thatʼs what securing the future of a united EU is about, Kurz told the audience. For the Austrian chancellor, that meansclosing the EUʼs external borders, getting rid of Merkelʼs refugee quotas for member states, erecting asylum centers outside the bloc and refusing migrant rescue ships from docking. Call to close EU bordersWhen it comes to the question of migration, Kurz has
sided with far-right figuressuch as Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. He has also cozied up to Germanyʼs hard-line conservative interior minister, Horst Seehofer, who heads the CDUʼs Bavarian sister party, the CSU, and has arguably been the biggest political thorn in Merkelʼs side over the past several months. "Europeʼs internal borders canʼt function if the external borders donʼt work," Kurz said, drawing enthusiastic applause from the attendees. Outside at the bratwurst sausage buffet, however, opinions wavered. "He doesnʼt just think about Austria, he thinks of everything on a European, even a worldwide scale," said Jürgen, a 63-year-old CDU member, after Kurzʼs speech. "Itʼs also good that heʼs keeping the door open to Russia," said Jürgenʼs 61year-old wife, Christine. She, however, isnʼt a fan of completely closing the EUʼs borders. "There are plenty of refugees who integrate well. We just need stricter checks," Christine added, as her husband shook his head in disagreement. Conservative ʼrole modelʼKonstantin, a 22-year-old apprentice electrician, believes Kurz could be a "role model" for conservatives across Europe. "The CDU needs to become more conservative again after Merkel," he said. So conservative that it could consider forming a coalition government with the farright?
Madrid approves measure to exhume Francoʼs remains
German coffers bulge as country books record surplus
Climate change sets the world on fire
Forest fires near Berlin could burn for days
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchezʼs Socialist government has called for the exhumation of Francisco Francoʼs remains, despite conservative complaints that decree-law should only be used for national emergencies. Sanchez ousted conservative Mariano Rajoy in a June noconfidence vote, and has made his vow to remove Francoʼs remains one of his governmentʼs headline policies. "Spain canʼt allow symbols that divide Spaniards," he said.
The German economy continues to power forward, despite concerns over how global trade conflicts could affect Europeʼs powerhouse. Destatis, the countryʼs main statistics office, released data on Friday showing that the countryhad notched up yet another six-month record budget surplusin the first half of 2018, taking in €48.1 billion ($55.6 billion) more than it spent from January to June when federal, state and local accounts were added together.
In 2017, parts of Europe, Canada and the US were ravaged by wildfires on an unprecedented scale. In 2018, new records are being set around the world as hot, dry temperatures and fires become the new normal. Almost 20 fires have ravaged California over the past two months. Some are still blazing. The region is experiencing earlier, longer and more ferocious wildfire seasons due to increasingly hot, dry temperatures.
German authorities have warned that it could be some time until forest fires burning outside Berlin are extinguished. Hundreds of firefighters have been deployed to the area, but strong winds are hampering their efforts. Wildfires threatening villages southwest of Berlin could continue burning for days, Brandenburg state Premier Dietmar Woidke said during a visit to region on Friday. "At the moment, itʼs not clear when we will be able to give the all-clear…it could be a matter of days," he told reporters. "The wind is a huge a concern."
194/2018 • 25 August, 2018 Weekend issue
Cologne ricin plotters bought a hamster to test biological weapon The wife of a Tunisian man who was detained last month over aricin-based biological weapon plotwas also arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of being an accomplice. German federal prosecutors said the 43-year-old German woman, named only as Yasmin H, was suspected of helping prepare an act of violence and helping produce biological weapons. Her husband, Sief Allah H. was arrested on June 12 for "planning a serious act of violent subversion." Read more:Ricin — an easy-to-obtain bio-weapon from the internet Hamster conspirator Prosecutors allege that Yasmin H, reportedly a convert to Islam, allowed her husband to use her online accounts to order ingredients to make ricin. The couple allegedly then bought a hamster to test the effectiveness of the toxin. On Tuesday, prosecutors said Yasmin H. had organized also a trip to Poland for her husband in late 2017 to buy explosive materials.
ʼJunkʼ art stash may yield multimillion dollar masterpieces New York gallery owner David Killen believes he has uncovered six paintings by Dutch-American abstract master Willem de Kooning, which — if verified — could be worth tens of millions of dollars. The works were part of a stash of artworks that languished in a storage locker in New Jersey until the dealer offered $15,000 for the lot. Killen is confident that a painting by legendary Swiss modernist Paul Klee is also among the artistic flotsam. A worthwhile investment A de Kooning canvas, "Untitled XXV" (pictured top), soldfor a record $66.3 million (€56.7 million) at Christieʼs in 2016, while another sold privately for a reported $300 million in 2015 — as part of a $500 million sale that include a Jackson Pollock painting. Killen estimates the discovered works could sell for between $10,000 and $10 million when they are auctioned late this year and early the next. He is planning to unveil the paintings Tuesday at a party in New York. 2
British Airways, Air France to halt flights to Tehran British Airways and Air France have said they will halt direct flights to Iran starting in September
The move comes months after US President Donald Trump announced plans to reimpose sanctions on Tehran. British Airways and Air France have announced they will end direct flights to Iranʼs capital, Tehran, starting next month. British Airways, which is owned by Spanishregistered IAG , said its last outbound flight from London to Tehran will be on September 22, with the return flight scheduled for September 23. Air France, which had run connections to the Iranian capital through its low-cost operator, Joon, said it would end flights from Paris
Air guitarists compete for world title (and world peace) in Finland The elite among the international air guitar scene donʼt just gather each year in the Finnish city of Oulu to shake their long hair and jump around on stage, but also to strive for loftier humanitarian goals. According to the ideology of the Air Guitar World Championships, as stated on the official website, "wars would end, climate change stop and all bad things disappear, if all the people in the world played the air guitar." Contestants from six countries are gearing up for the final of the air guitar world championships on Friday, organizers said. Contestants are judged on their
to Tehran on September 18. The move comes months after US President Donald Trump announced he would reimpose sanctions on Iran,some of which took effectthis month. In May, he withdrew the United States from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal,an agreement between the Middle Eastern country and Western powers under which most international sanctions on the nation were lifted in return for restrictions on and inspections of its nuclear program. ability to pretend to strum rock or heavy metal electric guitar solos — minus the instrument. Invisible acoustic guitars are also allowed. The final features 15 contestants, including the American Matt Burns (top photo), who was crowned world champion at the 22nd edition of the annual event last year.
Islamist parties benefit from political polarization The moment you step out of Lahore airport you are greeted by hundreds of gigantic banners with smiling portraits ofImran Khan, a former cricket player and candidate for prime minister in the
Russian trolls ʼpromoting discordʼ over vaccines A new studypublished in the American Journal of Public Health on Friday reported that "social media are frequently abused to spread harmful health content," most significantly, anti-vaccine material. The researchers with Johns Hopkins University found that Twitter bots andRussian trollswere to blame for the spread of the disinformation that "increases the risks of global pandemics." "Antivaccine advocates have a significant presence in social media, with as many as 50 percent of tweets about vaccination containing anti-vaccine beliefs," the study found, after analyzing 900 tweets determined to belong to either bots or trolls. According to the authors, while bots may share malware or false health information, human trolls based in Russia actively "promoted discord." The "Weaponized Health Communication" study reported that while "Russian trolls and sophisticated Twitter bots post content about vaccination at significantly higher rates than does the average user," they also gave "equal attention to pro- and anti-vaccination arguments."
Pakistani general electionon Wednesday. Khanʼs election symbol, a cricket bat, is also omnipresent in Lahore, capital of Punjab province in eastern Pakistan. You can clearly tell that Khanʼs Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI, Movement for Justice) party is going to give Nawaz Sharifʼs Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) party a tough time in its political stronghold. Unlike in the West, election posters and banners are hugely important in Pakistan. They tell you which party has more funds and a greater presence in cities. For instance, it is difficult to find election banners for the Pakistan Peopleʼs Party (PPP), headed byBilawal Bhutto Zardari, son of late premier Benazir Bhutto. The PPP is all but finished in Pakistanʼs most populous and electorally significant Punjab province. The main electoral battle here is between the PTI and the PML-N.
194/2018 • 25 August, 2018 Weekend issue
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Air guitarists compete for world title (and world peace) in Finland The elite among the international air guitar scene donʼt just gather each year in the Finnish city of Oulu to shake their long hair and jump around on stage, but also to strive for loftier humanitarian goals. According to the ideology of the Air Guitar World Championships, as stated on the official website, "wars would end, climate change stop and all bad things disappear, if all the people in the world played the air guitar." Contestants from six countries are gearing up for the final of the air guitar world championships on Friday, organizers said. Contestants are judged on their ability to pretend to strum rock or heavy metal electric guitar solos — minus the instrument. Invisible acoustic guitars are also allowed. The final features 15 contestants, including the American Matt Burns (top photo), who was crowned world champion at the 22nd edition of the annual event last year.
Szimpla Fashion - Budapest designers pop up Szimpla Kert The aim of this event is to provide a platform for Hungarian designers to present their brands and sell their products. The range is extensive, including clothes and bags as well as jewellery, beauty products, paintings and ceramics. Come and find something matching your style or take home unique souvenirs while supporting independent artists and designers.
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194/2018 • 25 August, 2018 Weekend issue
Whatʼs the right intimate hygiene? Health News:
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and versatile transitioning from daywear to evening-wear with just the change of accessories. All of Celeniʼs products are proudly crafted in Hungary. End of season sale has kicked off in our showroom. Grab your favorite unique pieces at unbelievable prices until stock lasts. If you can’t find what you are looking for, we design it for you. Our showroom is situated in the very heart of Budapest. Book an appointment today. Contact us at: info@celeni.hu +36-70/670-0116 Metropolitan Store 1054 Budapest,Aulich utca 4.
Do you know the right intimate hygiene practices? Did you know that dads can suffer from postnatal depression too? Or that turmeric can treat glaucoma? DW brings you this weekʼs health news, all in one handy guide! The personal care aisles in drugstores offer a variety of intimate hygiene products, especially for women. They include soaps, wet wipes for on-thego, gels and many other products - the sort of things that promise cleanliness and hygiene for those particularly sensitive, intimate parts of our bodies. But a recentstudyof more than 1,400 women, conducted by researchers in Canada, showed that using intimate hygiene products may increase the risk of vaginal and urinary tract infections. So whatʼs the best way to tend to your intimate parts? The answer is
less is more. When washing intimate areas, you should always use water, irrespective of your biological sex. In women, shower gels and intimidate hygiene products can disturb the natural vaginal flora, which can cause bacterial or fungal infections. When it comes to cleaning the penis, men should also stick to water and make sure to clean the area around and under the foreskin carefully under running water. People who experience a burning or itching sensation in their intimate areas should seek medical advice.
The freedom of being a freak: Tim Burton at 60
Usutu virus spreads among birds in Germany
Tim Burton is a fan of tried-and-true methods. He likes to use recurring shots, stylistic devices and motifs in his films – such as scarecrows or snow in a noiseless environment.His works often open with a tracking shot following someone or something, accompanied by eerie music. The introduction might reveal the background story of a character, for example how The Penguin was abandoned by his parents as a child in Batman Returns. His films are inhabited by vampires, skeletons or ghosts that seem scary at first glance, but are actually rather nice. The freedom of being a freak Burton developed his preference for outsiders after growing up in Burbank, a Californian city of 100,000 inhabitants; heʼs turned them into a recurring theme of his films. "At school, nobody seemed to like me," the then already successful director said in 1994, in the MTV series titled Freaks, Nerds & Weirdos. 4
Butterflies flourishing in hot summer but face problems ahead With the recent heatwave, more and more birds in Germany are contracting the Usutu virus. The pathogen, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, has repeatedly led to the death of birds in recent years. In the summer months in particular, infections have been more frequent because the mosquitoes that transmit the virus multiply more rapidly. So far, the Bernhard Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine has been able to detect the virus in 43 bird carcasses from ten German states. The doctors had investigated 132 suspected cases. The number of unreported cases is likely to be significantly higher.
many species are in dramatic decline, and in many regions around the world.
Youʼve probably heard about it by now:insects are dying off. And not just a few of them here and there;
So it may come as pleasant surprise to see more butterflies around this summer. Turns out theheat wave that has large parts of Europe sweatingand complaining about record temperatures is actually a good thing for many butterfly species! Ecologist Paul Ashton from the University of Edge Hill in the United Kingdom explained that many butterfliesʼ flight period is limited by cold weather and rain in summer. The insects were off to a good start because last winter was cold in many northwestern European countries.
194/2018 • 25 August, 2018 Weekend issue
One drink a day is one too many, scientists say Alcohol:
VW ʼhail cannonsʼ anger drought-hit Mexican farmers Mexican farming communities accused Volkswagen (VW) on Tuesday of "arbitrarily" provoking a drought in the central state of Puebla, where the German automobile manufacturer operates its largest car factory outside of Germany. Read more: Climate change and farming: ʼUnpredictability is here to stayʼ Farmers in Cuautlancingo, the rural municipality where the plant is located, claimed that VWʼs use of "hail cannons" was causing a drought that has made them lose 2,000 hectares (5,000 acres) of crops. In June, VW started using the shockwave generators — sonic devises that purport to disrupt the formation of hail in the atmosphere — to prevent its newly-built vehicles, which are parked in an outdoor lot, from being damaged by the falling ice pellets. The practice purportedly disrupts the formation of hailstones.
Leo Budapest Bar - the best panoramic view of the city! A study of drinking around the world warns that even an occasional glass of wine can increase your chances of disease and an early death. Scientists say thereʼs no such thing as a "safe level" of alcohol consumption. Alcohol consumption caused almost 3 million premature deaths in 2016, according to the results of amajor study of drinkingin 195 countries. The research, published Friday in the medical journal The Lancet, found that drinking was the leading factor in deaths of people between the ages of 15 and 49. It also concluded that any amount of alcohol
consumption, even one drink every now and again,increased the risk of health problems like cancer, cardiovascular disease and tuberculosis. "The health risks associated with alcohol are enormous," said Emmanuela Gakidou, senior author and director at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) in Seattle.
Pooping in the name of science A team of researchers in North Carolina has come up with a rather unusual appetizer. Scientists at the Wake Forest School of Medicine in Winston-Salem have mixed a probiotic cocktail of bacteria found in baby feces.Their results were published in the journal Scientific Reports. Probiotic foods are considered to be a kind of superfood. Yoghurt, sauerkraut or certain cheeses, for example, are probiotic and therefore contain many lactic acid bacteria. These are good for the intestinal
flora and should contribute to general health. Read more: DWʼs Health News: Even minor stress is a health risk The intestinal bacteria strains used by the researchers could help the human body to produce so-called short-chain fatty acids. Hariom Yadav, head of the study, explained: "Short-chain fatty acids are a key component of good gut health." Obese people or patients with diabetes, autoimmune diseases and cancer in particular often have fewer short-chain fatty acids.
Hotel Clark, at the Buda foot of Chain Bridge, houses two outlet. Beefbar on the ground floor and, on the roof terrace, Leo Budapest named after the famous lions guarding the bridge. At the panoramic bar, you can admire the breathtaking vista of Buda Castle, the Danube, Chain Bridge and the rooftops of the riverfront while sipping on a refreshing drink. Leo offers a wide variety of wines and cocktails, and the kitchen is led by talented young chef András Sipos, also responsible for downstairs.
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Culture
Events Horizon: what’s happening in Budapest – August 2018
Festivals, cool concerts, cultural events and amazing parties – Budapest is always buzzing. Every month, we bring together all of the important happenings taking place in and around Hungary’s capital, so you can plan ahead. In August, the Sziget Festival, WAMP Design Fair and fantastic fireworks are all among the many exciting events you shouldn’t miss. Whether you would like to shake it to the coolest beats, immerse yourself in culture or give in to guilty pleasures, we present a bunch of events for the upcoming weeks. Get out there and enjoy everything that Budapest has to offer! A38 Concerts WAMP Design Fair Rigoletto Liberty Bridge Picnics Jason Derulo Sziget Festival Festival of Folk Arts CityMatiné Saint Stephen’s Day The Budapest Short International Film Festival A38 Concerts WAMP Design Fair Rigoletto Liberty Bridge Picnics Jason Derulo Sziget Festival Festival of Folk Arts CityMatiné Saint Stephen’s Day The Budapest Short International Film Festival
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194/2018 • 25 August, 2018 Weekend issue
Fernando Alonso wants Red Bull apology over denial of his claim they tried to sign him
Fernando Alonso wants Red Bull to apologise after they denied his claim they offered him a drive for 2019. The 37-year-old said Red Bull approached him about the seat being vacated by Daniel Ricciardo, who is joining Renault. But two-time world champion Alonso has since said he would be leaving Formula 1 at the end of the season, with Pierre Gasly moving to Red Bull instead. "It was not the case for me to join this adventure," said Alonso. Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said the team "offered Fernando a contract in the past but that was back in 2007".
Ronnie Baker: American sprinter sets fastest 100m time of season
American sprinter Ronnie Baker set the fastest 100m time of the season by clocking 9.87 seconds to win at the Chorzow meeting in Poland. It meant the 24-year-old lowered his personal best, as well as the seasonʼs best of 9.88 he shared with compatriot Noah Lyles. His time also eclipsed Usain Boltʼs previous meeting record of 9.98, which was set in 2014. "I felt ready," said the world indoor 60m bronze medallist. Baker will have the opportunity to win the Diamond League title in Brussels on 31 August. 6
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 archrivals Spain on day two was the current goal of the tournament front-runner, the Portuguese may have just met his match. Aleksandar Kolarov, take a bow. A combination of poor finishing and sublime goalkeeping had kept the scores level until Serbia’s no.11 produced his moment of magic. Kolarov’s powerful left foot is no secret, but few inside the stadium would have expected such a thunderous strike when the Roma defender stood over a free kick midway through the second half. His shot was unstoppable; a 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.
Kimi Raikkonen heads Lewis Hamilton Belgian GP:
Ferrariʼs Kimi Raikkonen pipped Lewis Hamiltonʼs Mercedes insecond practiceat the Belgian Grand Prix. Raikkonen set a lap of 1min 43.355 seconds,beating Hamilton by 0.168secson their qualifying simulation runs. The second Mercedes of Valtteri Bottas was third, 0.448secs away, while Hamiltonʼs title rival Sebastian Vettel had a scrappy session and was fifth. Vettel made er-
rors on his fastest laps and was beaten by Red Bullʼs Max Verstappen. However, Mercedes and Ferrari appear to be very closely matched not just from the qualifying pace but also from the driversʼ performance when they ran on race fuel loads later in the session.
US Open 2018: Andy Murray to face James Duckworth on Grand Slam return Andy Murray will play Australiaʼs James Duckworth when he makes his return to Grand Slam tennis after a 14-month absence with a hip injury. The former world number one, now ranked 378th, could play third seed Juan Martin del Potro in the third round. Kyle Edmund, his replacement as British number one, faces Italyʼs Paolo Lorenzi, while Cameron Norrie meets Australian Jordan Thompson.
Johanna Konta has a tough match against French sixth seed Caroline Garcia. British number one Konta, 27, has dropped to 46 in the rankings after a year in which she has struggled to find consistency. Heather Watson and Katie Swan face each other in qualifying on Friday for a place in the main draw, but Naomi Broady is out, as is brother Liam in the menʼs draw. The US Open, the fourth and final major of the year, begins in New York on Monday.