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DAILY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Zimbabwe crowns first ʼMiss Albinoʼ in bid to tackle stigma Zimbabwe has put on its first "Miss Albino" pageant in an effort to stamp out discrimination and stigma surrounding the condition. The 22-yearold winner says she wants to fight for the rights of children with albinism.

Sithembiso Mutukura beat 12 other contestants to claim the crown at Zimbabweʼs first-ever Miss Albinism beauty contest — an achievement she hopes will inspire others living with the rare disorder. "We must continue to advocate for our rights and I hope my win will empower the girl child," the 22-year-old social work student said. "I have gone through a lot, but I want people living with albinism to be brave and persevere in life." During the event in Harare on Friday night, the contestants had to respond to questions on stage and model a range of gowns and traditional African robes. Mutukura was awarded US$85 (almost €70) in prize money after being named winner.

Vietnamʼs reformist ex-PM Phan Van Khai dies at age 84 Khai was the architect of Vietnamʼs Business Law, which transformed the economy by creating a private sector. He was also Vietnamʼs first postwar leader to pay an official visit to Washington.

Phan Van Khai, the architect of Vietnamʼs economic transformation and the countryʼs first prime minister to visit the United States after the war, died Saturday at the age of 84. He died in Cu Chi, his home district, on the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon. Khai was a Soviet-trained economist from southern Vietnam.

He was prime minister for nine years beginning in 1997 and ushered in an era of reform that saw Vietnam transform itself into one of Southeast Asiaʼs fastestgrowing economies. He also made history as the countryʼs first postwar leader when he visited Washington in 2005. It was a landmark trip that helped solidify relations between the former wartime foes.

64/2018 • 19 MARCH, 2018

German ministers respond to Horst Seehoferʼs Islam comments SPD ministers called for practical integration measures

Chancellor Merkel led the response to the new interior ministerʼs remarks, saying the 4 million Muslims living in Germany and their religion belong in the country.

New Interior Minister Horst Seehofer had told Bildnewspaper "Islam doesnʼt belong to Germany," but added that "the Muslims who live with us are, of course, part of Germany." Seehofer, a former head of Bavariaʼs Christian Social Union (CSU), has always held a harder line on immigrationthan his coalition partners in Merkelʼs Christian Democratic Union (CDU). The CSU also faces state elections in October, in which the Alternative for Germany (AfD), an anti-immigrant party, will present a challenge. Asked about Seehoferʼs remarks, Merkel said on Friday that while Germany was shaped by its Judeo-Christian heritage, "there are 4 million Muslims living in Germany." "They can live their religion here, too," the chancellor said. "These Muslims belong to Germany and in the same way their religion belongs to Germany, that is to say Islam." She added that the form of Islam practiced must conform to the coun-

tryʼs constitution. Three Social Democratic Party (SPD) ministers reacted to Seehoferʼs comments, calling for practical solutions rather than divisive debate. Federal Justice Minister Katarina Barley proposed an end to theoretical debate on the affiliation of Islam to Germany. "Theoretical debates have been going on for long enough," Barley told Saturdayʼs edition of the Rheinische Post. Instead, the focus should be on practical solutions for problems: "As far as our values are concerned, the Basic Law is and will remain the basis of our coexistence." Family Minister Franziska Giffey expressed a similar sentiment: "On the ground, such debates do not help at all," she said during an interview with broadcaster ZDF. The focus should be on organizing the people who live in Germany, whatever their origin or religion, so they can live together and shape societyʼs social peace.

Mauritius President Ameenah Gurib-Fakim resigns amid financial scandal Mauritius President Ameenah GuribFakim announced her resignation Saturday amid an ongoing financial scandal. She is accused of purchasing personal luxury items with a credit card from a nongovernmental organization.

Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, Africaʼs only female head of state, offered her resignation in the "national interest," according to her lawyer Yousouf Mohamed. He added that her resignation would take effect on March 23. Mohamed told local Radio Plus that she had decided to resign "to prevent a constitutional crisis." "She doesnʼt want the country ... to suffer.

In the countryʼs best interests she has decided to leave," the lawyer said.

Gurib-Fakim is accused of using a bank card provided by a nongovernmental organization for personal purchases, including jewelry and luxury items worth at least 25,000 euros ($30,000). She has vowed to fight the allegations.

Ex-FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe fired by US Attorney General Jeff Sessions The timing of McCabeʼs ouster means he may lose out on a full pension after 20 years of working for the FBI. US President Donald Trump hailed the firing as a "great day for Democracy." US Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Friday fired former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe two days before the 20-year FBI veteran was set to retire.

US President Donald Trump had heavily criticized McCabe for what the president said was McCabeʼs bias against his administration.

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64/2018 • 19 March, 2018

Sweden and North Korea end talks ahead of possible Trump-Kim summit The Swedish and North Korean foreign ministers have wrapped up three days of talks on the security situation on the Korean peninsula.

Have they cleared the way for a historic meeting between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un? Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom and her North Korean counterpart Ri Yong Ho discussed the "opportunities and challenges for continued diplomatic efforts to reach a peaceful solution to the conflict," Swedenʼs Foreign Ministry said Saturday. The ministry did not comment on whether thethree days of talksin Stockholm hadlaid any groundwork for a possible meetingbetween US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. "The main focus for the talks was the security situation on the Korean Peninsula," Wallstrom told reporters, adding that UN sanctions, nuclear weapons, and humanitarian concerns in North Korea were also on the agenda. Ri did not address the media during his visit.

Publisher slammed as Hitler appears in ʼgreat leadersʼ book The book "would bring tears of joy to neo-Nazis," a Jewish human rights organization has said. Adolf Hitler carries a certain fascination in some parts of the world that is largely untouched by his atrocities.

Indian publisher Pegasus landed itself in hot water this week when it emerged that itʼs "Great Leaders" book for children included Adolf Hitler. Pictured alongside freedom fighters Mathama Gandhi and Nelson Mandela, the book chose Hitler as one of the "powerful world leaders who have dedicated their lives to the betterment of their countries and the people living in them." Also included in the book are current Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, controversial Burmese leader Aung San Suu Kyi and former US President Barack Obama. "Dedicated to the betterment of countries and people? Adolf Hitler? This description would bring tears of joy to the Nazis and their racist neo-Nazi heirs," said Abraham Cooper of the Jewish human rights organization the Wiesenthal Center.

"Placing Hitler alongside truly great political and humanitarian leaders is an abomination that is made worse as it targets young people with little or no knowledge of world history and ethics," Cooper said.

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Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron to unveil EU roadmap at June leadersʼ summit The two leaders also commented on Russiaʼs alleged nerve agent attack in Salisbury

Canada to deploy troops, helicopters to Mali: Report Canada will send troops and helicopters to Mali to join a UN peacekeeping mission there, Canadian media have reported. The helicopters are expected to replace a German contingent. Canada will soon take part in its first peacekeeping mission to Africa since Rwanda in 1994, sending peacekeepers, backed by helicopters, to join UN Blue Helmets in Mali before autumn, Canadian media reported late on Friday. The commitment comes amid pressure on Canada from Germany and the Netherlands to send peacekeepers, with the Canadian helicopters expected to replace a German contingent, CBC News said, citing a senior government official. The deployment would be for a planned 12 months, according to the report.

ngela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron have said the reform plan must confront the challenges posed by Brexit and rising populism in the EU. German Chancellor Angela Merkel appeared on Friday to welcome Franceʼs calls for bold eurozone reforms, saying that greater cohesion was required across the bloc. "On fostering economic and monetary union, we need to bear in mind that we need to stabilize the euro," Merkel said at a press conference alongside French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Friday. "In our joint-European policy, we want to show results. As Europeans we will be unbeatable if we re-

Donald Trump signs Taiwan Travel Act, drawing Chinaʼs ire US President Donald Trump has signed a law promoting official exchanges between the US and Taiwan. The move could further strain US-China ties. US President Donald Trump on Friday signed legislation promoting contacts between Washington officials and their Taiwanese counterparts, angering China, which considers Taiwan as part of its territory. The Taiwan Travel Act will allow unrestricted two-way travel for officials from the United States and Taiwan, thus restoring direct official US contacts with the self-ruled is-

main united." After holding talks in the Elysee Palace, the leaders announced the two countries would hold a series of meetings on a range of policy areas ahead of the European leadersʼ summit in June. "This is our task

by June: on the eurozone, on migration policy, defense, trade, research, education and large areas that we have been able to set out," Macron said.

"We will propose a clear, ambitious roadmap for this refoundation by June." land, which were cut in 1979 when Washington switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing.

The White House said the bill, which was passed unanimously by Congress, would go into effect on Saturday morning even without the presidentʼs signature.

The United States still does not have formal ties with Taiwan, but is required by lawto help it with selfdefense.

Syria: Al-Qaida and IS increasingly lose territory to Assad With the exception of Idlib, Syriaʼs government has recovered control of most major cities from rebels and ter-

ror organizations. Are the "Islamic State" and al-Qaida being beaten out of Syria? With Syriaʼs civil war now in its eighth year, the "Islamic State" (IS) and al-Qaida — two of the most prominent terror organizations active in the fighting — are on the decline.

DW takes a closer look at their roles in the conflict. IS drew international attention when it swept across Iraq and Syria in 2014, making Raqqa, Syria, its capital and taking control of Iraqʼs second-largest city, Mosul. In Syria, IS now only really controls some area near Iraqʼs border, as well as some parts of the countryside. The organization does not currently have a central headquarters. In October, the US military estimated that the group still had about 6,500 members. AlQaida operates most prominently as Hayʼat Tahrir al-Sham, a Salafist group that is concentrated near and in the major Syrian city of Idlib.

64/2018 • 19 March, 2018

EU states agree on transparency rules to curb tax avoidance European Union countries have agreed on new rules to crack down on cross-border schemes that help companies evade taxes. Tax professionals who fail to inform authorities about these ploys will be hit with penalties.

European Union finance ministers on Tuesday backed transparency measures requiring financial advisors, accountants, lawyers and banks to report "potentially aggressive tax planning arrangements" used by their clients.

The rules, which are due to come into force on July 1, 2020, are part of an effort by the bloc to shut down corporate ploys to shift profits to low-tax countries. Information about the schemes

Facebook bans Trump campaign data firm Cambridge Analytica The social media giant has accused the data analysis company of illegally obtaining user data. At the same time, a whistleblower has said that Cambridge Analytica illegally harvested data from 50 million users.

Facebook announced on Saturday that it had suspended the data research firm Cambridge Analytica for holding onto dubiously obtained user data after assuring the social media firm that the information had been deleted.

Cambridge Analytica has become well-known in political circles for its work on the election campaign of US President Donald Trump and for the pro-Brexit group Leave.eu. Facebook said it was also suspending the firmʼs parent company, Strategic Communications Laboratories (SCL). The incident revolves around an app put on the site in 2015 by Aleksandr Kogan, a professor at the University of Cambridge, that purported to be a personality test and psychological research tool. About 270,000 users downloaded it and shared their information with it, according to Facebook.

will be compiled in a centralized database and shared among the 28 EU member countries. "If the authorities receive information about aggressive tax planning schemes before they are implemented, they will be able to close down loopholes before revenue is lost," said Bulgarian Finance Minister Vladislav Goranov, whose country currently holds the rotating EU presidency.

Renowned British physicist Stephen Hawking dies at 76

British physicist Stephen Hawking has died peacefully in his sleep at the age of 76, according to a family spokesperson. Known around the globe, he worked to make complicated scientific fields accessible to the public. Stephen Hawking, a renowned mathematician, physicist and pop culture icon, has died at the age of 76, his family said in a statement. "We

are deeply saddened that our beloved father passed away today. He was a great scientist and an extraordinary man whose work and legacy will live on for many years. His courage and persistence with his brilliance and humor inspired people across the world," his three children said in a statement. Hawking died in his sleep at his home in Cambridge.

European markets plunge at opening bell as stock market dip deepens Global markets continue to wobble precariously. European markets took a big hit as Tuesdayʼs trading began, following major losses across Asia and particularly in Japan. Wall Street fared no better on Monday. European markets opened on Tuesday awash with red, with the main benchmark indices all down around 3 percent followingWall Streetʼs Monday rout. Minutes after the bell to signal the start of trading, Germanyʼs DAX index dropped 3 percent to 12,308 points. It was a similar story in France and the UK, whose indices opened 3 and 2.5 percent lower respectively.

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64/2018 • 19 March, 2018

Chinese migration brings social change to Italyʼs Alps Home to the largest concentration of Chinese residents in Europe, two mountain villages have become the unlikely setting of an integration experiment. Giulia Saudelli and Matteo Civillini report from northern Italy.

At midday, the fog is so thick one can barely see the mountainside. From the vast space that opens out below, all one can hear are the Chinese workers busily hitting large slabs of stone with their chisels. The quarryʼs owner paces around them, making sure the precious material is handled with care. A few meters away a truck is ready to load the rough-cut stones, which, after a journey down a steep mountain road, will be delivered to the workshops in the tiny villages of Bagnolo Piemonte and Barge. This is the daily routine in the Infernotto Valley, in northern Italy, home to the largest Chinese community in terms of concentration in Europe. Since the early 1990s more than 1,300 of them have settled in this remote area, making up around 10 percent of the total population. The Chinese presence is so strong that Hu has now become the most common surname in Barge. Their arrival initiated what can be described as a 20-yearlong migration experiment, unintentionally providing a testing ground for integration policies in Italy and beyond. What brought them to this unlikely place is the Luserna stone. A pillar of the local economy, the ʼgrey goldʼ — as it is known locally — is a foliated rock featuring sheet-like layers of varying shades of color.

German metalworkers finally secure wage agreement Following weeks of bitter fighting, a wage agreement for the German metal and electrical industries has finally been struck. Employees were able to secure higher wages and more flexible working hours.

A wage agreement was reached in the early hours on Tuesday in Germanyʼs metal and electrical industries. The powerful IG Metall union announced the deal initially covering workers in the southern German state of BadenWürttemberg, but expected to be eventually implemented for a total of 3.9 million workers in the sector nationwide. According to the deal, employeesare to receive a pay hike of 4.3 percent from April this year. Additionally, monthly one-off payments of €100 ($124) were agreed for January through March. Employers and trade union representatives also agreed on the possibility of workers reducing their hours from 35 to 28 hours per week for two years, should they need to look after children or care for older relatives.

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Japanese consumers increasingly getting a taste for German food Asia Japanese consumers increasingly getting a taste for German food Stereotypical images of German bread, beer and sausages begin to fade in Japan as imports of fine wines, quality meat and high-end chocolate and cocoa products rise.

United Kingdom waits to see how the post-Brexit winds will blow The UK is the current world leader in offshore wind capacity. But with the country heading for the EU exit door, can the renewable energy boom last? Lying unpainted on its side, the greenish curve of a 75meter (246 feet) long wind turbine blade bears a passing resemblance to a whale. Itʼs twice the length of a blue whale but at 25 tons, is much lighter than the earthʼs largest creature. For employees at the state-ofthe-art Siemens Gamesa factory in the port city of Hull in northern England, another comparison is more apt. "Four bull elephants, thatʼs how we equate it," said Alison Maxwell, the head of communications at the facility. Siemensʼ £160 million ($223 million/182 million euros) plant has manufactured these great fiberglass beasts for wind farms in Britain since it opened at the end of 2016 in the economically deprived city. And itʼs a good time to be in business.

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To the average Japanese person,German cuisinerevolves almost exclusively around bread, sausages and beer.

The common refrain is that it is a "heavy" diet that does not always sit well with the Japanese palate. Dozens of German companies that recently took part in Japanʼs largest food and drinks trade show, however, are convinced that they can win over sufficient consumers here to make it an important export market for their products. But they admit that there are some uniquely Japanese hurdles that they need to overcome if their products are to be a suc-

cess here. "This is the second year that I have been at Foodex Japan and it is an important part of our three-year plan to get a firm foothold here," said Sascha Magsamen, founder of the Weingut Meine Freiheit vineyard in the Rheingau, a wine-growing region in Germany. "For me, it is a question of sustainability in this market and because German wines do not have much of a reputation in this market — Japanese consumers almost always think of France and Italy when it comes to wines — we have to work hard to build a good image for German wines," he told.

Nissan, Dongfeng to invest heavily in e-cars in China

Ex-Siemens manager pleads guilty in US court to Argentine bribery scheme

Together with its joint venture on the ground, Japanese automaker Nissan is to make a multi-billiondollar investment in the production of e-cars in China. Beijingʼs e-car quota system goes into effect next year. Japanese carmaker Nissan and its Chinese joint venture partner Dongfeng Motor Company announced Monday they would invest $9.5 billion (€7.6 billion) in China to increase annual sales by 1 million vehicles andboost the production of electric cars. The move came as China was rolling out new regulations to limit gas vehicles in a bid to reduce air pollution across the Asian nation. Authorities in Beijing will implement a complex quota system as of 2019, requiring carmakers to produce a minimum number of electric vehicles. They are also looking at plans to completely ban fossil fuel cars at a date that has yet to be decided.

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The case dates back to 2008 when Siemens agreed to resolve bribery investigations in the US and Germany that included a contract in Argentina. The manager admitted he had approved fake invoices to disguise bribes.

The 78-year-old Eberhard Reichert was one of nine people charged in 2011 by the US Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission for their roles in a bribery scheme in Argentina. "Eberhard Reichert tried to sidestep laws designed to root corruption out of the government contracting process," Manhattan US Attorney Geoffrey Berman said in a statement. "Todayʼs plea should be a warning to others that our office is committed to bringing corrupt criminals to justice, no matter how long they run from the law." Reichert, who worked for Seimens for 37 years, until 2001, entered his plea to one count of conspiracy in the New York court. He admitted that while working as a manager at Siemens Business Services in Argentina between 1996 and 2001, he had approved fake invoices and contracts intended to disguise bribery payments to Argentine officials.

64/2018 • 19 March, 2018

Bottled water not safe from microplastic contamination What we drink may well be contaminated. Possibly from the bottles themselves

The revelation from a new global survey into microplastics in bottled water serves up a bitter irony.

Advertisements for bottled water tend to play on themes of purity and healthy living. If sales figures are anything to go by, many of us seem to be buying into that. The global industry is worth €119 billion ($147 billion) a year. But original research and reporting by the global journalism organizationOrb Media, and shared with DW, muddies the association.

The first of its kind on a global scale, the research tested bottled water from 11 brands bought at 19 locations in nine countries around the world for microplastics. The contam-

inant was identified in 93 percent of samples — in sometimes greatly varying quantities. In a world where, according to forecasts by online statistics portal Statista, we will be drinking 391 billion liters of bottled water in 2017 — up from 288 billion liters in 2012 — the study begs the question: Is consuming such tiny plastic particles safe? Thatʼs a tough question to answer. Despite the ubiquity of microplastics in the environment, toxicologists are still in the early stages of figuring out their potential threat to human health.

Russian accused of running spam network extradited to US Suspected Russian hacker Pyotr Levashov pleaded not guilty before a US judge after being extradited from Spain. Prosecutors claim he ran a massive computer network that sent out spam and installed malicious software.

Spanish authorities have extradited to the US a Russian man suspected of carrying out cybercrimes using bulk spam emails and malicious software, US officials announced Friday. Pyotr Levashov, a 37-year-old from St. Petersburg, pleaded not guilty to the charges of wire and email fraud, hacking, identity theft and conspiracy after appearing before a federal judge in the US state of Connecticut. He re-

mains in detention. Levashov was arrested in Aprilwhile vacationing with his family in Barcelona. In October, Spainʼs National Court granted the US extradition request, rejecting a counter-extradition request from Russia. US prosecutors say Levashov ran the sprawling Kelihos botnet — a network involving up to 100,000 infected computers that sent spam emails, harvested usersʼ logins and installed malicious software that intercepted bank account passwords. According to the indictment, the network generated and distributed more than 2,500 spam emails a day and allegedly victimized thousands of people in the US.

German university hospital defends auto firmsʼ nitrogen dioxide test ethics No experiments on animals or humans can take place in Germany without a go from an authorized ethics committee. Dr. Thomas Kraus from Aachen University Hospital says this was the case in the most recent NO2 scandal.

The European Research Group on Environment and Health in the Transport Sector (EUGT) "did not impinge in any way on the nitrogen dioxide (NO2) research it commissioned Aachen University Hospital to do," Professor Thomas Kraus from the hospital told the German press agency DPA on Monday. The EUGT is a now defunct organization that was funded by German carmakers Volkswagen, Daimler and BMW plus partsmaker Bosch, thus raising questions of possible conflicts of interest. In 2013, 25 healthy volunteers were exposed to NO2 pollution for three hours, Kraus said.

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Culture

Budapest’s Széchenyi Baths extend opening hours When the weather is so moody, it is so nice to plunge into a hot pool filled with mineral-rich thermal waters and soak away in the soothing atmosphere.

While the outdoor pools at Budapest’s splendid Széchenyi Baths are always open until 10pm, from March 1st, the indoor thermal area will also stay open until the same time, welcoming those who would rather enjoy the sight of snow from inside, savouring spa delights after dark.

Housed in a stunning NeoBaroque building, the Széchenyi is probably the most popular spa in Budapest, and certainly the largest of its kind in Europe.

While the open-air plunging area is most popular, the Széchenyi altogether holds 11 pools within, each filled with mineral-rich healing waters, as well as steam cabins, saunas and showers.

From March 1st, bathers can enjoy these convivial facilities until as late as 10pm, while the outdoor area stays open until the same time as usual.

Three pools inside are only available to guests with a medical referral, but this still leaves enough room for tranquil relaxation for everyone.

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64/2018 • 19 March, 2018

British parliamentary doping report slams Wiggins, Sky

A British parliamentary report has sharply criticized Team Sky and Bradley Wiggins for using permitted medication to enhance his performance at the 2012 Tour de France.

Sky and Wiggins have rejected the criticism. The report published on Monday by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee, said Team Sky and Bradley Wiggins, had crossed an "ethical line" by using corticosteroids to treat a medical condition during the 2012 Tour.

Bundesliga: Mario Gomez at the double as Stuttgart go seven unbeaten

A return to the international fold was celebrated in style as Stuttgart grabbed another three points on the road. The win lifts them to eighth in the table and an outside shot at European qualification. Never mind a return to the national squad, on this evidence, Gomez will have given Germany coach Jogi Löw plenty to chew as he considers his starting XI to face Spain next Friday night. The veteran striker staked his claim with a brace that gave Stuttgart a sixth win in their last seven league games, lifting the club into European contention. It also showed why he remains one of the best around when it comes to giving himself that crucial yard of space in the penalty area.

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Athletics doping: IOC confident over Russia doping reform plans

Roger Federer, Serena Williams claim 2018 Laureus sports awards

International Olympic Committee chief Thomas Bach believes Russia will resolve its doping issues and field athletes at next yearʼs Rio Games.

Russia was provisionally suspendedfrom world athletics after an independent World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) report alleged "state-sponsored doping". Bach met with his Russian Olympic Committee counterpart Alexander Zhukov to discuss the report. He said he was "confident" in the measures put forward by the ROC. Council members of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) on Friday voted 22-1 in favour of Russia being banned. As it stands, Russian athletes may not enter international competitions, including the World Athletic Series and Rio Olympics, which begin on 5 August next year. Russia will also not be entitled to host the 2016 World Race Walking Cup in Cheboksary and the 2016 World Junior Championships in Kazan. "We are confident that the initiatives being proposed by the ROC, with the responsible international organisations - Wada and the IAAF - will ensure compliance as soon as possible in order to provide participation of the clean Russian athletes at the Olympic Games," said IOC president Bach.

The Mercedes F1 team also claimed a prize

Tennis dominated the 2018 Laureus World Sports Awards. Roger Federer won sportsman of the year and comeback of the year, while Serena Williams was named sportswoman of the year.

Roger Federer was named the Laureus Sportsman of the Year for the fifth time at the Monaco award ceremony on Tuesday. The Swiss veteran was also honored as enjoying the comeback of the year, having become the oldest world number 1 in tennisʼ history, reclaiming the top spot in the menʼs game 14 years after he first occupied it. "This means the world to me, thank you so, so much," Federer said in his acceptance speech, also praising the Lau-

reus Sport for Good Foundation for helping to inspire his own philanthropic work. Serena Williams, meanwhile, was named Sportswoman of the Year, having claimed her 23rd Grand Slam singles title and surpassed German ace Steffi Graf just in time to give birth to her first child, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr, later in 2017. Williams has not been able to return to the court quite as quickly as she had hoped since giving birth.

Per Mertesacker reaps praise, criticism for speaking of pressure felt during career Arsenal center back Per Mertesacker has raised more than a few eyebrows with comments about how much pressure he has felt throughout his career. He also said that he was glad that his playing days were coming to an end. The comments published in Saturdayʼs edition of Der Spiegel news magazine painted a picture of a man who has hated

his job ever since he became a professional footballer 15 years ago.

Per Mertesacker, who is to hang up his boots at Arsenal at the end of the season to take up a jobcoaching at the Premier League clubʼs academy, said he has been so nervous before every game that he feels like vomiting and struggles with diarrhea.