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DAILY NEWS IN ENGLISH

German Green Party chief Robert Habeck quits Twitter after data hack Green politician Robert Habeck announced via Twitter on Monday that after "a sleepless night" he was deleting his account, as the platform had started to "rub off" on him. The move comes in reaction to criticism of one of his posts and thehacking of his private informationvia his social media accounts. Habeck went on to explain his decision in an article entitled "Bye bye, Twitter and Facebook." Habeck had earlier received backlash for the wording used in a campaign video posted on Twitter ahead of this yearʼs Thuringia state elections. "Weʼre trying to do everything so that Thuringia becomes an open, free, liberal, democratic and ecological state," he said in the video, prompting critics to question why Habeck did not already believe the state was free and democratic.

Carlos Ghosn makes first court appearance in Japan Carlos Ghosn appeared at the Tokyo District Court on Tuesday morning to hear an explanation for his ongoing detention. The former Nissan boss arrived in handcuffs with a rope around his waist, wearing plastic sandals and a dark suit with no tie. The 64-year-old appeared to have lost weight during his seven weeks in detention.

Ghosn, who is accused of financial misconduct, told the court that all of his actions were taken "with the knowledge and approval of the appropriate executives inside the company." The hearing was requested by Ghosn himself, who told the court he had been "wrongly accused and unfairly detained." However, the presiding judge said Ghosnʼs continued detention was justified because he posed a flight risk and could tamper with evidence. In Japan, suspects are routinely held without bail because of fears they might tamper with evidence.

7/2019 • 9 JANUARY, 2019

Turkeyʼs Erdogan calls for ʼcarefulʼ US withdrawal from Syria ahead of Bolton visit The comments came before Erdogan was to meet Trump adviser John Bolton

Turkeyʼs president praised Donald Trumpʼs decision to remove US troops from Syria, but said the withdrawal should be "planned carefully."

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in an op-ed published by the New York Times on Monday that US President Donald Trump made the "right call" to pull out troops from Syria. Erdogan was scheduled to meet with Trumpʼs national security adviser John Bolton in Turkeyʼs capital of Ankara on Tuesday to discuss the withdrawal, which the Turkish president said needed to be "planned carefully." "President Trump made the right call to withdraw from Syria," the Turkish president said. "The United States withdrawal, however, must be planned carefully and performed in cooperation with the right partners to protect the interests of the United States, the international community and the Syrian people." Erdogan claimed that Turkey "is the only country with the power and commitment to perform that task." Trump announced in December that 2,000 US troops stationed in Syria would be "coming back now" and claimed victory over the so-called "Islamic State" (IS) mil-

itants in Syria. The US presidentclaimed Erdogan would "eradicate whatever is left"of the jihadi group.

The decision was widely criticized by the USʼ European allies andled to the resignationof Trumpʼs Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. On Sunday, however, Bolton saidthat there was no timeline for removing the troopsand that there were "objectives we want to accomplish that condition the withdrawal," including the total defeat of IS. Erdogan said in his op-ed that while IS had been defeated in a "military sense," the victory was a "mere first step." "We are deeply concerned that some outside powers may use the organization’s remnants as an excuse to meddle in Syria’s internal affairs," he said. "The lesson of Iraq, where this terrorist group was born, is that premature declarations of victory and the reckless actions they tend to spur create more problems than they solve. The international community cannot afford to make the same mistake again today."

Attackers knock Bremen AfD leader Frank Magnitz unconscious in street Police are looking for three men who attacked and injured Frank Magnitz, party leader of the right-wing populist Alternative for Germany (AfD) in the city state of Bremen. A police report said the incident happened on Monday afternoon, near Bremenʼs Goetheplatz. Magnitz, a member of Germanyʼs lower house of parliament, was attacked by three masked men, AfD party officials saidin a statement. Magnitz had left a New Year reception hosted by local newspaper the Weser-Kurier shortly before. He was knocked unconscious with a piece of wood and kicked in the head as he lay on the ground, the party said. A construction worker was said to have intervened and stopped the attack. The 66-year-old Magnitz was reported to be in hospital, having sustained "severe" injuries.

German government hack presents media with dilemma The government is hunting for the hacker or hackers who stole massive amounts of personal information from political leaders and celebrities — and the German media is, of course, following every step. Interior MinisterHorst Seehofermet with the heads of the data security and federal criminal police offices on Monday, but there was no press briefing afterward. All a ministry spokesman told reporters was thata 19-year-old witness had been questionedand that "significant progress" was being made in the investigation.

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7/2019 • 9 January, 2019

European Court of Justice rules Polish arrest warrants can be halted The European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled against extraditing suspects to Poland on Wednesday if there are "serious and fact-based grounds" to believe the suspect would not receive a fair trial. The ruling concernsa Polish man in Irelandwho claims recent justice reforms in Poland harmed his chances of being treated fairly.

The man is suspected of drug trade. In recent years, Polandʼs ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party has been working to place courts under a tighter control of the executive branch. Among other steps, the parliament now has power to choose members of the National Council of the Judiciary whose job is to oversee judicial impartiality.

More recently, the lawmakers changed retirement age for the Supreme Court judges, which critics believe was aimed at ousting the most experienced judges and stacking the body with government supporters. The Supreme Court and its chief Malgorzata Gersdorf are opposing the move.

Nigerian army targets newspaper for ʼundermining securityʼ Nigeriaʼs military has been accused ofundermining press freedomafter soldiers raided a newspaper for publishing a front-page story about a planned operation against the Boko Haram insurgency. Two reporters at the Daily Trustnewspaper in the northeast city of Maiduguri were arrested on Sunday, including regional editor Uthman Abubakar and reporter Ibrahim Sawab, and dozens of computers were seized.

The military claims it was forced to take action because the newspaper had published "classified security information." However, human rights activists and journalists have condemned the militaryʼs actions, describing as a blatant attack on freedom of speech. The newspaper reported that the Nigerian military was assembling thousands of troops and equipment in preparation for a large-scale operation in the northern part of Borno State – the latest attempt to retake Baga and five other towns from extremist group Boko Haram. More than 27,000 people have been killed since the violence broke out in 2009 and approximately 1.8 million are homeless. Army spokesman Brigadier-General Sani Usman alleged the report provided the insurgents with "early warning" and ultimately "sabotaged the planned operations…putting the lives of troops and imminent and clear danger."

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Queen film Bohemian Rhapsody wins top honor Golden Globe Awards:

Bohemian Rhapsody, the biopic about British rock band Queen and its frontman Freddie Mercury, has won the Golden Globe for best film drama. The motion picture beat out favorite A Star is Born.

Bohemian Rhapsody pulled off a ma-

jor upset at the 76th annual Golden Globe Awards on Sunday, taking home two top prizes — best drama film and best actor for Rami Malek. The film won over early favorite A Star Is Born, starring Lady Gaga, superhero smash hit Black Panther, Spike Leeʼs BlacK‐ kKlansman and If Beale Street Could Talk. Sundayʼs winners are seen as a predictor to which films will win the all-important Academy Awards (Oscars) on February 24. The

Confusion over missing Saudi journalist in Turkey who ʼvanishedʼ from consulate Turkish and Saudi officials have given conflicting reports on the whereabouts of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who has been missing since he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Tuesday. Khashoggi, a regular contributor to The Washington Post, has been a fierce critic of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and has criticized Saudi Arabiaʼs policies toward Qatar and Canada,the war in Yemen and a

awards were hosted by actors Sandra Oh and Andy Samberg, who opened the ceremony with a comedy skit. During her routine, Oh made fun of white actors performing Asian roles. "Crazy Rich Asians is the first studio film with an Asian American lead since Ghost in the Shell and Aloha," Oh joked. An unscripted "Iʼm sorry" from fellow actress Emma Stone, who was the lead in Aloha, had the audience laughing and Oh looking relieved. crackdown on dissent, the media and activists. Khashoggiʼs personal website bore a banner saying, "Jamal has been arrested at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul!" without elaborating. A Saudi official denied that Khashoggi had been detained inside the consulate. "Mr. Khashoggi visited the consulate to request paperwork related to his marital status and exited shortly thereafter," the official said.

"He is neither in the consulate nor in Saudi custody."

Afghan leader rejects resignation of spy chief, top ministers President Ashraf Ghani on Sunday

Cambodia celebrates 40th anniversary of Khmer Rouge ouster Cambodiaʼs ruling party on Monday celebrated the 40th anniversary of the countryʼs liberation from the Khmer Rouge regime. Prime Minister Hun Sen hailed January 7 as Cambodiaʼs "second birthday" at a ceremony in Phnom Penhʼs Olympic Stadium.

"Today we celebrate this ceremony in order to recall unforgotten memories of the most heinous crimes of Pol Potʼs group," Hun Sen told the crowd, and thanked Vietnam for saving the country. On January 7, 1979, Khmer Rougeʼs 4-year-long reign of terror came to an end when Hun Sen, a former Khmer Rouge cadre, led Vietnamese forces into the capital to expel the murderous regime. The regime, led by Pol Pot, was an ultracommunist autocracy that sought to transform Cambodia into an agrarian utopia. Their plan failed entirely and resulted in the deaths of at least 1.7 million people, who died of starvation and sickness or were murdered. Phay Siphan, a Cambodian government spokesperson, says the country can never forget the Khmer Rouge rein of terror. "Everyone remembers it. It is important that the ruling party commemorates it every year," Siphan told DW.

urged Interior Minister Wais Ahmad Barmak, Defense Minister Tareq Shah Bahrami, and intelligence chief Masoum Stanekzai to stay in their posts, the Afghan government said.

The three officials submitted resignation letters on Saturday, citing policy differences and a spate of deadly attacks. "President Ghani did not approve their resignations... and gave them the necessary instructions to improve the security situation," a statement from the presidential palace said. The offers to step down followed the resignation of Ghaniʼs national security adviser and close ally, Hanif Atmar, on Friday. Atmar, one of the countryʼs most powerful politicians, has been replaced by former ambassador to the US Hamdullah Mohib.

7/2019 • 9 January, 2019

Germany pledges full EU support for Ireland over Brexit German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas has reiterated that the EU finds a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland "unacceptable."

He warned of "serious damage" in the event of a no-deal scenario.

Speaking alongside his Irish counterpart, Simon Coveney, on Tuesday, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said the EU would not accept ahard border between Ireland, an EU member state, and Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom.

Maas pledged theEUʼs full support for the Republic of Irelandin the face ofincreasing uncertainty ahead of a fast-approaching deadlinefor Britainʼs exit from the European Union. The border issue is one of the most contentious in the Brexit negotiations.

Maas urged British lawmakers to support Prime Minister Theresa Mayʼs Brexit deal, rather than risk leaving

German intelligence foiled 2016 Islamic State terror attack Three teams of "Islamic State" (IS) terrorists were to have traveled to Germany in 2016 to prepare for and carry out a devastating attack — with the target possibly a music festival. A man, Oguz G., and woman, Marcia M., who traveled to Syria in autumn 2015 to join IS were to have played a central role in the attack. From ISʼ then-de facto capital of Raqqa, Marcia M. — who was herself a convert to Islam — tried to recruit women in northern Germany to marry IS members so that they could be granted permission to enter Germany. However, one of the women who was contacted was an informant for Germanyʼsdomestic intelligence agency, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), who alerted authorities. Details of the case emerged after an investigation by the German broadcasters ARD and WDR, as well as the Süd‐ deutsche Zeitung and Zeit newspapers.

The case was confirmed by the German Federal Prosecutorʼs Office.

the EU without an agreement in place: "We are very much focused on working to make sure there is no nodeal Brexit because it would trigger disadvantages for my own country and for the EU at large. It might have anegative effecton jobs in Germany."

The German foreign minister was dire in his warning, saying, "Even anodealscenario is still an option despite theserious damagethat this would cause on both sides." DWʼs Fabian von der Mark, traveling with Maas, posted a tweet citing Maas describing Germanyʼs special understanding of "how walls and borders can threaten peace."

German hacker behind massive political data leak identified

Germanyʼs investigative police force, the BKA, has arrested the hacker responsible for what some have called one of the largest data leaks in Germanyʼs history. The 20-year-old from the western German state of Hesse could now face charges of stealing and illegally publishing private data. "The suspect was questioned on January 7 by the responsible prosecutor and BKA officials," the BKA announced in a statement. "He extensively confessed to the accusations against him and provided helpful information beyond his own crimes." According to

the BKA, the suspect said he was acting alone, and there are no indications of anyone else or any foreign state being involved. The BKA said the suspect had indicated he was motivated by "anger at the public statements of the politicians, journalists and public figures concerned." The published material included personal data from Chancellor Angela Merkel and other political leaders, celebrities and journalists. Hundreds of politicians from all political parties except the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) were affected.

Recession fears grip emerging markets amid currency crises Turkey, South Africa and Argentina are among the emerging economies most at risk of recession, chief economist for business information provider IHS Markit, Nariman Behravesh, told DW. The countries, which have seen their currencies battered this year, have "twin deficits" and large amounts of dollar and euro-denominated debt.

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7/2019 • 9 January, 2019 Germany attempts ʼface-savingʼ resolution to Saudi drugs boycott

The human rightsrow between Saudi Arabia and Canada made international headlinesin recent weeks, when the Riyadh government suddenly suspended new trade and investment to the Great White North. The punitive measures were in response to a simple tweet by Canadaʼs foreign minster, calling for the release of two jailed Saudi activists. Receiving less attention has been the diplomatic spat between Europeʼs No. 1 economy and the oil-rich kingdom — also sparked by a ministerʼs comments; this time Sigmar Gabriel, Germanyʼs thenforeign minister. During the political crisis in Lebanon last November that saw Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri resign and later rescind his decision, Riyadh was widely accused of forcing his departure, which Gabriel alluded to as "adventurism." ʼShamefulʼ remarks hurt tiesRiyadh immediately recalled its ambassador to Berlin, telling the German government the comments were "shameful."

In May, it went further and froze all new business with Germany. Over the subsequent months, several German pharmaceutical and medical technology firms, including Siemens Healthineers, Bayer and Boerhringer Ingelheim, have been excluded from public healthcare tenders in the kingdom. A pharmaceutical industry source told DW, on condition of anonymity, that Saudi authorities had not given any written explanation about the exclusion, and that there was no clear path for Germany to resolve the issue. Efforts by German diplomats to mediate with Saudi authorities were delayed, initially, by the Holy Month of Ramadan, and the summer break, as Gulf countries stop work in July and August due to the extreme heat.

eBay sues Amazon for allegedly poaching its sellers Online retailer eBay filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against its competitor Amazon, accusing the Seattle-based giant of using eBayʼs own messaging system to steal sellers. eBay described Amazonʼs scheme as an "orchestrated, coordinated, worldwide campaign" to "illegally lure eBay sellers." While both eBay and Amazonʼs revenue is boosted by independent sellers, the group has become a greater part of Amazonʼs recent growth. In 2017, more than half the items sold on Amazon came from third-party sellers. In eBayʼs lawsuit, Amazon representatives are accused of creating eBay accounts and then messaging sellers to persuade them to take their goods to Amazon.com instead. eBay argues that the move violated its user agreement.

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Can fresh US-China trade talks bring a breakthrough?

US officials are in China on Monday for the start of fresh trade negotiations. Whatʼs on the agenda — and what progress could be made as another deadline looms in the trade battle between Beijing and Washington?

Ahead of US-China trade talks, Chinaʼs Commerce Ministry said in a statement that the renewed negotiations over the ongoing trade row would include "positive and constructive discussions." The key will be how seriously Beijing takes the arrival of the working team led by Deputy US Trade Representative Jeffrey Gerrish, who is set to meet mid-level Chinese officials in Beijing.The two sides are expected to discuss a series of technical issues, including non-tariff barriers, intellectual property and agriculture and industrial purchases. The talks are the first between the worldʼs

French gas stations left dry by ʼyellow vestʼ blockades French gas giant Total on Monday said "yellow vest" protesters continue to block 11 major fuel depots, resulting in 75 gas stations running out of fuel. A company spokesman said that if the blockade werenʼt lifted soon, more petrol stations could run out of fuel. In the region of Brittany, local officials have considered imposing restrictions on how much gas motorists can buy to prevent more stations from going dry.

France has been gripped by antigovernment protests since French President Emmanuel Macron introduced sweeping measures to combat climate change, including a fuel tax hike. On Saturday, riots broke out in Paris, leaving scores injured and costly devastation in its wake. Protesters believe Macron needs to withdraw the reforms, citing high living costs in the country. But the government has refused to back down. Instead, Macron said last week that the protests show "that we shouldnʼt change course because it is the right one."

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The small, but surprising secret to Germanyʼs economic success Itʼs a dreaded dinner party question that leaves many of us scrambling to make our mundane jobs sound more interesting than they are. Itʼs also the first thing I ask Steffen Lange, the branch manager of a company called "Berliner Schrauben" (Berlin screws), when we meet at his workplace on a cold autumn morning. "Itʼs all in the name," he tells me. "Where weʼre from: Berlin. And what we focus on — screws." But the name doesnʼt quite reveal the full story.

Screws account for 60 percent of turnover. Berliner Schrauben also supplies pipe fixtures, dowels, wood connectors and a range of associated tools. It might not dazzle your dinner party guests. But itʼs pretty likely to pay for the wine.

Berliner Schrauben exemplifies Germanyʼs "mittelstand." The term refers to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with fewer than 500 employees and an annual turnover of no more than €50 million ($57 million).

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two largest economies since last monthʼs summit in Argentina, where US President Donald Trump and his counterpart, Xi Jinping,agreed to hold off on more tariffsfor 90 days starting December 1 while they attempted to negotiate a deal. The trade war has damaged both economies over the past year. The Chinese government expects growth to have eased to around 6.5 percent in 2018, down from 6.9 percent in 2017, meaning Beijing may be ready to make a deal. And the conflict has also started to hit global stock prices, with Apple dragging markets down this past week.

France plans tougher laws to counter yellow vest protests

France has said it plans to ban participation in unauthorized demonstrations in an effort to counter the ongoing yellow vest movement. The government is scrambling to put an end to the increasingly violent protests.

France plans to introduce tough legislation to ban unauthorized demonstrations and sanction rioters in response to violent yellow vest protests, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe has announced. Eight weeks into demonstrations that have led toriots and clashes with police in Paris and other cities, the French government is struggling to deal with the leaderless movement that has become increasingly radicalized.

Philippe said Monday the government planned "updating the law in order to sanction those who do not respect this obligation to declare protests, those who take part in undeclared protests, those who arrive at protests with balaclavas." He also announced a plan to ban "troublemakers" from participating in demonstrations, similar to the way football hooligans are banned from stadiums. In response to destruction of businesses and property in riots, "the troublemakers, and not taxpayers" would be responsible for paying for damages, he said.

7/2019 • 9 January, 2019

Celebrated artists who took a final bow in 2018 Time to say goodbye: Significant cultural figures who passed away in 2018

From Dolores OʼRiordan of The Cranberries fame to "Queen of Soul" Aretha Franklin and writer Tom Wolfe, we celebrate those dearly departed musicians, directors and artists whose legacies continue to resonate.

In 2018, comic book fans mourned two of the industryʼs legends: Stan Lee, the man who invented Marvel Comics, died in November, just a few months after Steve Ditko, the artist and co-creator of various Marvel superheroes such as Spider-Man and Doctor Strange, passed away in June. The creator of the cult Nickelodeon animated series SpongeBob SquarePants,Stephen Hillenburg, also died in November. Indie rock pioneers Dolores OʼRiordan had a string of global hits with her band The Cranberries in the 1990s, including "Zombie," a protest song against the Northern Ireland conflict and one

of the signature songs of the era. Following a suicide attempt, OʼRiordan was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2013 anddrowned in a bathtub hotel in January 2018. The autopsy revealed heavy alcohol intoxication.

OʼRiordan was 46 years old. The nameRichard Swiftis less known, but the musician and composer had a defining impact on the indie rock scene of the past decade and before.

The multi-instrumentalist played with the bands The Shins and The Arcs and accompanied the Black Keys on tour. He died from complications related to alcohol addiction at the age of 41.

Looted colonial art: Is there the political will to return pilfered artifacts?

While African nations have long demanded the restitution of poached cultural artifacts, in former colonial powers like France and Germany the debate has recently reached fever pitch as cultural and political figures make the case for repatriation. In November, a 108-page breakout report

by French academics Bénédicte Savoy and Felwine Sarr on the "Restitution of African Cultural Heritage" proposed the return of thousands of colonial art objects to create a more balanced representation in African museums. Following the re-

port, French president Emmanuel Macron made the commitment toreturn such goods, most especially to Benin. But so far, Germany has been wavering. 2019 marks a century since Germany lost its colonial possessions following the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. The Humboldt Forum in the newly rebuilt Berlin Palace will open on September 14 with a permanent exhibition including a number of cultural artifacts appropriated during Germanyʼs sometimes genocidal colonial forays in Africa.

Kenya: Solar motorcycles take on Nairobi smog Kenya has a motorcycle problem. According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, more than 190,000 new motorcycles and three-wheeled vehicles were registered in 2017, compared to approximately 66,000 cars. This trend has continued into 2018, with 108,000 motorcycles and threewheelers registered since January against just 38,000 cars. Whatʼs worrying is the fact that these motorcycles — which are increasing in demand thanks toa growing young populationin search of employment — produce more carbon emissions than cars. A baseline survey on electric mobility in Kenya conducted by the University of Nairobi reveals a steep rise in cumulative emissions from two and three-wheeled vehicles between 2005 and 2017. Clean energy technology for motorcycles is simplynot developing at the same rate as cars. "Cars are getting more efficient because of vehicle emission technologies, while motorcycles are not," David Rubia, an air quality and mobility program officer at the United Nations Environment Program (UN Environment), told DW. "One motorcycle can have up to 300 times more hydrocarbon emissions, and 10 to 50 times more for particulate matter [compared to] an average petrol car."

Sting to return to Budapest for summer 2019

Sting is head over heels for Budapest. After a successful free show with Shaggy a month ago on Heroes’ Square, the former Police frontman has just announced another Budapest concert for next summer. On 2 July, the Grammywinning singer brings his My Songs tour to the Papp László Aréna, where he will be taking the stage with his own band. From “Englishman In New York” to “Every Breath You Take”, the set should include Sting’s biggest hits.

Tickets are on sale now.

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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 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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7/2019 • 9 January, 2019

Andy Murrayʼs expectations ʼtemperedʼ before Australian Open

A year on from hip surgery, and with just eight wins to show for his trouble, Andy Murray has definitely not lost his sense of humour. On New Yearʼs Eve, he posted a picture of himself drinking from an (empty?) bottle of champagne. Six other unopened bottles of booze were in front of the teetotaller as he "celebrated" the end of a miserable 2018. And then again on Instagram a week later, Murray could be seen perched next to the Australian Open trophy with the selfdeprecating admission that, as a fivetime runner-up, it is the closest he is ever likely to get.

Paul Gascoigne denies sex assault on Durham train

Ex-footballer Paul Gascoigne, who is accused of sexually assaulting a woman on a train, told a court he has "done nothing wrong". The former England midfielder, 51, is accused of kissing the woman without her consent on board the service from York to Durham. During a 10-minute hearing at Teesside Crown Court, he elected to be tried by a jury and will stand trial in October. He repeated his not guilty plea to a charge of sexual assault by touching. During the hearing he was warned by the judge to be quiet, after calling out: "Sir, Your Honour", when told his trial would take place from 14 October. He then said he was "worried to bits", and "scared". When asked for his nationality in court, Mr Gascoigne replied: "England, Protestant."

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Aleksandar Kolarovʼs free kick stunner secures Serbia win over Costa Rica

Kyle Edmund hits with Roger Federer on 24th birthday

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.

Australian Open:

Kyle Edmund prepared for the Australian Open - and celebrated his 24th birthday - by practising with defending champion Roger Federer in Melbourne.

The British number onewithdrew from the Sydney Internationalon Thursday with a knee injury. Edmund, who offered Federer some birthday cake,appeared to be moving freelyin Tuesdayʼs hit with the Swiss.

Edmund reached his first Slam semifinal at last yearʼs tournament in a breakthrough 2018. The Yorkshire-

man, ranked 14th in the world, replaced Andy Murray asBritish number one in Marchand won his first ATP Tour title in October. However, he was beaten 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 by Japanʼs world number 185 Yasutaka Uchiyama in his first tournament of the year at Brisbane. The Australian Open begins on 14 January.

Andres Iniesta: Former Barcelona midfielder apologises for posing with two people in blackface Former Barcelona and Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta has apologised after posting a photograph of himself with two people in blackface as part of Epiphany celebrations in Spain.

Former Barcelona and Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta has apologised after posting a photograph of himself with two people in blackface as part of Epiphany celebrations in Spain.

The imageshows Iniesta, 34, his wife, two of his children and a

group dressed in costumes related to Three Kings Day. Two of the group are painted black - the role of Balthazar in Spain is often played by a white man in blackface. A statement said Iniesta did not want to "bother" anyone with the photograph. On Tuesday night, the photo had not been removed from the Vissel Kobe playerʼs social media. "[Iniesta] apologises to those people who may have been offended," the statement, released by Iniestaʼs representatives, added.