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40/2019 • 16 FEBRUARY, 2019 WEEKEND ISSUE

DAILY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Spain to hold early election on April 28 Spainʼs government has called early elections to be held in April

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and the Socialist party had governed for nearly eight months after a no-confidence vote ousted former PM Mariano Rajoy.

Bellingcat identifies third Russian suspect in Salisbury poisoning Investigative groupBellingcat on Thursday said it has "conclusively" identified a third mansuspected of involvement in the nerve agent attack that nearly killedformer Russian intelligence agent Sergei Skripaland his daughter Yulia in Salisbury. Bellingcat last yearidentified two of the main suspectsin the attack. The UK, Germany, the United States and France have said there is"no plausible alternative"to Moscowʼs involvement, demanding the Kremlin provide information about its nerve agent reserves.

300 babies die in war zones every day, Save the Children reports War zone acts including denial of aid, damage to hospitals and outright attacks killed 100,000 babies every year in the worldʼs 10 worst conflict-affected countries, the international charity Save the Children said on the eve of Munichʼs Security Conference. And, a fifth of children were living in zones impacted by conflict, more than any time in the past two decades, said the report.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced on Friday that Spain will hold early general elections on April 28. The move comes after the socialist PSOE governmentʼsbudget legislation was defeated in parliament. "Spain needs to keep advancing, progressing with tolerance, respect, moderation and common sense," Sanchez told Spaniards in a television address. "I have proposed to dissolve parliament and call elections for April 28," the prime minister said. The elections will be the third parliamentary vote in Spain in a three and a half year period and will take place roughly one month before EU parliamentary elections are held. "During these eight months, we have heard things that are very dangerous," Sanchez said of the current political discourse in Spain. The socialist leader denounced the conservative opposition as obstructionist and decried right-wing accusations that he was an "illegitimate" head of government. To be approved, Sanchezʼs budget had hinged on the support of two separatist Catalan parties, who demanded that Spain recognize the regionʼs right to selfdetermination in exchange for their vote. Additionally, atrial of 12 sepa-

ratist leadersthat began last week in Madrid, further angered the Catalan parliamentary bloc. The ruling socialist party ultimately rejected their demands and the budget was defeated. "You may call me traditional, but one cannot govern without a budget," Sanchez conceded to reporters on Friday. A brief tenure Sanchez has led Spain for merely eight months, after his predecessor Mariano Rajoy of the conservative party was ousted in a dramatic parliamentary no-confidence vote. PSOEʼs fragile minority government was sustained by a tenuous coalition of far-left Podemos party, Basque nationalist lawmakers and — crucially — 17 Catalan separatist MPs. Opinion polls project that Sanchez could obtain a large share of the vote, but the socialists would be unable to form a majority in parliament, even with the support of Podemos. The conservative parties PP, Ciudadanos and far-right Vox, which has seen a surge in support recently, could be able to form a majority together. Such a union has already been formed in regional parliament of Andalusia, after local elections took place there in December.

Kashmir suicide car bomb kills dozens of Indian troops

Munich Security Conference: A masterclass in backroom diplomacy

At least 41 police paramilitaries were killed and many others wounded in an attack on their convoy in Indian-controlled Kashmir, officials said on Friday. The bombing is believed to be the single deadliest terror attack in the regionʼs history. Muneer Ahmed Khan, a senior police officer, said the attack occurred on a key highway on Thursday, as the convoy reached the town of Lethpora on the outskirts of the disputed regionʼs main city, Srinagar. He said one bus was destroyed and at least five other vehicles damaged by the blast.

Roughly 35 heads of state and government, 80 foreign and defense ministers, and some 600 security policy experts will be in attendance at the Munich Security Conference (MSC) this year. Conference chief Wolfgang Ischinger has called it the "largest and most important" MSC since its founding more than 50 years ago. On Friday afternoon, a 48-hour program kicks off that is packed with dozens of events that feature debates between prominent government leaders — including those from hostile and even warring camps.

40/2019 • 16 February, 2019 Weekend issue

ʼPutinʼs chefʼ reports spark grisly death threats against Russian journalists Russian oligarch Yevgeny Prigozhin is said to have close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. So close, in fact, that he is known as "Putinʼs chef" because he has catered state dinners, a presidential birthday party, and owns companies that provide meals for schools and the Russian military. In recent times, he has featured prominently in the Russian media, including in the independent investigative newspaper Novaya Gazeta, which reported that Prigozhin was seen attending talks between Russian and Libyan military leadership on November 9. Novaya Gazeta has extensively reported on Prigozhin, whose activities are suspected to extend far outside the culinary arts. He reportedly runs a troll factory in Saint Petersburg, which churns out disinformation and propaganda designed to discredit the West. Prigozhin, who has beensanctioned by the United States, has also allegedly taken action against Russian dissidents and individuals who are disliked by the regime.

Berlin’s baby polar bear: It’s a girl!

The little bear measures just 61 centimeters and could get its first visitors as early as March

Greek archaeologists locate lost ancient city of Tenea

Zookeepers in Berlin have announced that their baby polar bear is a lively girl with "a few sharp claws."

The ruins of a housing settlement and dozens of rare coins have confirmed the location of the ancient city of Tenea, Greeceʼs culture ministry announced on Tuesday. Excavations at a site in the southern Greek region of Peloponnese turned up "proof of the existence of the ancient city," the ministry said in a statement. The city of Tenea is believed to have been founded by Trojans who were taken prisoner during the Trojan War in the 12th or 13th century BCE. Until now, the city had only been mentioned in ancient texts and it was unknown whether it existed. Main excavations in the area started in 2013, the most recent excavations unearthed seven graves dating to the Roman era and Hellenistic period, as well as the remnants of a housing settlement. "It is significant that the remnants of the city, the paved roads, the architectural structure, came to light," lead archaeologist Eleni Korka told Reuters news agency. The dig revealed marble and stone floors of buildings as well as carefully constructed walls. Some 200 rare coins dating from the 4th century BCE were also unearthed as well, indicating that Tenea was very wealthy, Korka said.

Vets at Berlin Zoo were excited on Friday to announce that the newest addition to their polar bear family is a "lively, strong girl." The baby bear, born on December 1, was separated from its mother Tonja for the first time for a 15-minute medical examination. Veterinarian Günter Strauss said she measured 61 centimeters from head to toe and was "a hefty 8.5 kilos on the scales." "Thanks to her mother’s milk,

Post Malone, Franz Ferdinand, Son Lux and many more confirmed for Sziget 2019 After Ed Sheeran, the Foo Fighters and Twenty One Pilots, more major stars have been confirmed for the Sziget Festival 2019. Post Malone, Franz Ferdinand, Son Lux, Years&Years and other attractive acts have just been announced to appear at Budapest’s biggest summer extravaganza, taking place between 7-13 Au-

Polls open for general election in coup-plagued Fiji Polls opened on Wednesday in Fiji as the Pacific Island nation held its second general election since a military coup toppled the government in 2006. Half a million people are expected to cast their votes as two leaders of separate military coups vie for the premiership in the popular tourist destination. The incumbent, Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, has remained in power since his bloodless takeover 12 years ago. Heallowed a general election in 2014 andwon reelectionin a landslide victory. The 64-year-old leader of the FijiFirst Party has promised stability in a country that has seen four coups take place over the space of two decades. He was initially branded a dictator by regional powers such as Australia and New Zealand, but has earned greater international acceptance since the 2014 election.

which with around 30 percent fat is very nutritious, the baby has grown quickly in recent weeks," Strauss said. "She currently drinks two hours a day and hasn’t eaten solid food yet." The bear has not yet been named. Zoo directors said this will be determined in conjuction with potential future adopters. Visitors will be pleased to hear that she may make her first public appearance as early as March. gust.

Germany to fund late entry into battery cell production To say that Asian countries dominate the production of electric car battery cells is an understatement. According to a 2014 European Commission report, Asian companies have achieved an insurmountable 88 percent share of global Lithium-ion manufacturing capacity — with more than 50 percent belonging to China alone. Over the past four

years, South Korea, Japan and China have ramped up their battery-cell production capacities to cope with the exponential demand for electric vehicles (EVs), while most manufacturers in Europe hesitated due to tight margins and the huge investment required. That is until Tuesday when Germanyʼs economic affairs minister Peter Altmaier announced the government would set aside €1 billion ($1.2 billion) to support the production of next-generation solidstate batteries in Europe. Speaking at a two-day electromobility conference in Berlin, Altmaier said it was important the German state offer its full support to the venture "as was the case with the development of Airbus and Ariane [space program]."

40/2019 • 16 February, 2019 Weekend issue

Dark, intense shades meet casual feminine style:WINTER SALE few more days to go!!! WINTER SALE! UP TO 50% ON THE COLLECTION AUTUMN/WINTER IN OUR BUDAPEST STORES!! /Högl Store Andrassy Andrássy út 12 (only 100 meters from your Hotel Moments to Opera) , Högl Store Allee Center Október 23. utca 8, Högl Aréna Mall Kerepesi út 9 /

The Högl autumn/winter 2018/19 collection confidently showcases the new on-trend colours dark plum, violet, rust brown and different shades of grey. The new season’s styles are impressively strong, but still feminine. They come in a range of new colours and materials, in slim, elegant styles with block heels and profiled soles – guaranteed to turn heads. Nightwalker Mysterious and as dark as the night, the styles in this part of the collection won’t fail to impress. The focus is on new interpretations of classics: boots and ankle boots with stylish details such as laces, eyelets and buckles. The colour palette

ranges from black to dark grey to the new addition of dark plum. Swarovski® crystal detailing emphasises the feminine look and adds a hint of opulence. Winter styles are enhanced by a Gore-Tex® membrane, and are available in both casual suede and metallic leather. Sense Maker Delicate greys bring a ray of light in the winter darkness, complemented by clean, simple lines. The urban focus of the collection uses a palette of flattering dark grey, stone, nude and mauve tones. Trendy block heels and new queenie heels feature strongly. From sneakers to heels (in round, V-neck and high-fronted cuts) to

bootees and over-knee boots, the high-quality leather and soft neutral colours of these new designs complement next season’s relaxed, feminine look perfectly. Experiencer The third theme of the collection is expressed in earthy tones, from espresso to rust brown and camel. Sneakers, bootees and heels in burnt colours and retrochic style invite to experiment with all sorts of different combinations. The multi-tone effect of the new materials used for ankle boots – such as crushed Naplak – adds a surprising twist to their look. Singer Adrien Szek‐ eres is now 3rd year brand ambassador of Högl Shoes in Hungary!

Stars named for Balaton Sound 2019 Hungary’s biggest music festival outside Budapest, Balaton Sound, has just announced a second round of headliners for its 2019 event. Artists include Brit-nominated UK singer Jess Glynne, rap star G-Eazy and big-name trance DJ Armin van Buuren. The Chainsmokers return to Balaton Sound after last year’s successful set, Alex Pall and Drew Taggart having just released Sick Boy, an album of singles issued throughout 2018. A set by legendary Dutch DJ Tiësto will crown opening night, while London drum ‘n’ bass band Rudimental close the whole shebang. Balaton Sound, Zamárdi, 3-7 July

40/2019 • 16 February, 2019 Weekend issue

NASA bids farewell to historic Mars rover Opportunity The US space agency hailed the rover as an icon

5 things to know about the HIVprevention drug, PrEP US President Donald Trump has announced a plan to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic in America. The drug known as PrEP, which prevents spread of the disease, still faces challenges to widespread adoption around the world. In his annualState of the Union address, US President Donald Trump announced his administrationʼs plan to end the HIV epidemic in the United States by 2030. The main goal of the plan is to reduce new infections by 75 percent over the next five years

and end the epidemic. Around 40,000 Americans contract the disease each year. Globally, 36.9 million people have HIV and 5,000 more get it every day. One important part of preventing the transmission of HIV is the drug PrEP, which stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis. Derived from the antiretroviral drugs that reduce the amount of HIV in infected patients — thus reducing their likelihood of transmitting the virus to others — PrEP is for people who have not yet contracted HIV. Here are five things to know about PrEP.

After 15 years, the history-making rover "is at an end" despite attempts to restore it after a Martian dust storm. The US space agency hailed the rover as "an icon" that would inspire future missions to the Red Planet. The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on Wednesday announced that it was bidding a final farewell to "one of the most successful and enduring feats of interplanetary exploration." "NASAʼsOpportunity rover missionis at an end after almost 15 years exploring the surface of Mars and helping lay the groundwork for NASAʼs return to the Red Planet," NASA said in a statement. NASA engineers had tried for months to revive the

rover followinga devastating dust storm. Opportunitylanded on Mars in the Meridiani Planum region on January 24, 2004. Although only expected to last 90 Martian days, Opportunity beat NASA scientistsʼ most ambitious expectations. It sent its last signal from Perseverance Valley. During its time on the Red Planet, Opportunity sent Earth more than 217,000 images, including 15 360-degree color panoramas of the surface.

One night in February brings a dozen choirs together in Budapest

Carnival season in Budapest and beyond

Midwinter can be bleak but never dull in Budapest. On 9 February, popular events series The Night of Choirs brings together a dozen groups to sing in several rooms of the MagNet Community House on showcase boulevard Andrássy út. Performances start at 6pm. Next month, 200 singers perform 35 shows after sundown for the winter edition of the popularNight of Choirsfestival. Hosted at theMagNet community hubfor cultural attractions, the event features performances in diverse genres from folk to jazz. Concerts start early evening and community singing will bring the day to a close at 10pm. Tickets at 1,600 forints are available on the event’s website. Set between the Bajza utca and Kodály körönd stations on the M1 Millennium Underground, MagNet House is a centre for diverse community activities. The building is also home to MagNet Bank, a financial institution focused on ethical commerce. 4

Michelangelo, Rubens and Dalí all coming to Budapest in 2019 view for nearly three months until 30 June, The Triumph of the Body exhibition featuring 80 drawings by Michelangelo should draw bumper crowds to Budapest’s revamped Museum of Fine Arts this spring. Later in October, the museum will present Rubens and the Golden Age of Flemish Painting, a total of 120 works of art,

Costume parades and carnival masks denote Budapest’s farewell to winter. With the onset of ‘farsang’, or carnival season, Hungary’s capital sees colourful crowds flooding to masquerade galas and themed events. This colourful festive period stretches until Ash Wednesday, this year falling on 6 March, when Lent begins the run-up to Easter. However, in stark contrast to fasting, farsang celebrations see a diet rich in meat and sweets. A staple for the season is the carnival doughnut, a treat of powdered sugar and jam.

Michelangelo, Rubens and Salvador Dalí all feature at the bighitting exhibitions coming to Budapest’s Museum of Fine Arts and the Hungarian National Gallery during 2019. The season starts on 5 April with a display of 80 drawings by Michelangelo, on loan from the Louvre, the Uffizi and the British Museum. On

ten by Van Dyck and 30 by Rubens himself. Curated from 50 prestigious collections around the world, including the Hermitage, the Prado and London’s National Gallery, the exhibition will run until February 2020. Over at the National Gallery, The

Surrealist Movement from Magritte to Dalí – Crisis and Rebirth in 1929 will focus on

the leading artists active in this groundbreaking genre during the momentous year of the Wall Street Crash. The exhibition, on show from 27 June until 20 October, is being organised in collaboration with the Pompidou Centre in Paris, which will provide many of the featured pieces.

40/2019 • 16 February, 2019 Weekend issue

Is the future of health technology already in our hands? Imagine using a smartphone to detect malaria, eye diseases and monitor drug addiction

Nets ʼnʼ Lasers: some of our best hopes for mitigating the threat of space debris Space debris is a bit like space itself: We know itʼs up there, but beyond that thereʼs so much we know we donʼt know. The statistics are fun, though, if a little misleading. Itʼs a bit of a safari crunching the numbers, but here goes. Since 1957, the year the Soviet Union sent Sputnik into space, there have been 4,900 space launches. So far so good. In that time we have put 6,600 satellites in orbit and/or created "an on-orbit population of more than 18,000 tracked objects." Elsewhere, ESA cites "more than 17,000 orbital objects" being tracked and catalogued by the US Space Surveillance Network. And in a third document itʼs 22,000 objects. But you get the idea: Itʼs a lot. Of the 6,600 satellites, 3,600 remain in space, and less than a third (about 1,100) are operational.

With new technology turning smartphones into pocket clinics, it’s all on the table. When talking aboutsmartphones and our health, we tend to focus on the negatives. Addiction, distraction and dependency are just a few examples. But what about the positive aspects? Some major advancements in smartphone technology mean they can now be used to carry out complex medical procedures - ranging from eyesight examinations to detecting melanomas and malaria.

With smartphone use now reaching around 39 percent of the global population and 50 percent of the developing worldʼs population, these new technologies have the potential to transform healthcare, especially for people living in rural and poor areas. Here are just a few inventions taking advantage of the enormous computing power of smartphones — a list that is by no means exhaustive.

Elegant Café Párisi breathes new life into Budapest’s splendid Lotz Hall

Arctic temperatures grip US Midwest Freezing temperatures have gripped the northern United States due to a split in the polar vortex, a mass of cold air that normally stays bottled up in the Arctic. The Wednesday morning temperature in Chicago was -30 degrees Celsius (-22 Fahrenheit) which felt like -46 degrees with the wind chill. It was expected to get down to -33 degrees on Thursday. The weather wreaked havoc on airports and train services. More than 1,800 flights were cancelled at Chicagoʼs two major airports, while rail operator Amtrak

cancelled train services from its hub in the city. At Chicagoʼs OʼHare airport, ground crews were told to avoid spending more than 15 minutes at a time exposed to the freezing air, which delayed the lucky flights that managed to take off. Commuters heading to work in Chicago had to layer up to fend off the cold. "I have two shirts on... I have a hoodie, I have my big winter coat, I have a face mask and a skullcap and I am still cold," sandwich shop manager Daniel Gonzalez said.

Café Párisi is on the top floor of the building, with theAndrássy Entertainment Centreand, from tomorrow, an Avatar exhibition below. The café is open every day and the Lotz Hall can be rented for special events such as birthday parties, company gatherings or a fairy-tale wedding. Café Párisi Address: District VI. Andrássy út 39 Open: Daily 9am-9pm

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Hungary Budapest: Debrecen: Eger: Hévíz:

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Europe Moscow: Paris: Prague: Rome: Varsaw: Vienna:

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Culture

Renovated Museum of Fine Arts in Budapest to Open on 31 October AFTER MORE THAN THREE YEARS OF RENOVATION, THE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS BUDAPEST WILL OPEN ON 31 OCT 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.

40/2019 • 16 February, 2019 Weekend issue

Anthony Joshua v Jarrell Miller: American challenger praises Tyson Fury

Tyson Fury "looks more like a heavyweight champion" than Anthony Joshua, says Joshuaʼs next opponent Jarrell Miller. Unified world heavyweight champion Joshua, 29, will meet New Yorkʼs Miller at Madison Square Garden on 1 June. The Briton is a 1-10 favourite with bookmakers towin on his US debutagainst an opponent who is undefeated. "In my eyes, [Fury] is somebody who has been doing good in and outside the ring," Miller told BBC Sport.

Stuart Bingham says snooker in catch-22 over betting

Snooker "would not be sport" without betting sponsorship, says exworld champion Stuart Bingham but the level of promotion is a "nightmare". Of the 20 ranking events, 11 are sponsored by betting companies, while other invitational events are also financed by them. Bingham, 42, who serveda threemonth banfor betting breaches last season, won the English Open last month. The situation is a "catch-22", he told BBC Sport. "It is in our faces, it is everywhere," he added. 6

London Broncos have long-term ambition to win Super League title Promoted London Broncos must have the ambition to win Super League in the future, says head coach Danny Ward. The Broncos will be back in the top flight in 2019 afterbeating Toronto Wolfpack 4-2 in the Million Pound Gameon Sunday. "We need to make it work, have a five-year plan of where we want to be," Ward told BBC Radio London. "Next year is going to be tough but we want a long-term vision to make London the best club in the country." He added: "We donʼt just want to compete in Super League, but win it. We are not there just to survive." Ward, who took charge following the departure of Andrew Henderson at the end of last season, described their victory over the Wolfpack in Canada as "one of the proudest moments" of his career. "What a performance, what a day and what an achievement - I am still on a massive high," he said on their return to England. "To lead the club into the Million Pound Game and win promotion is one of my biggest ever achievements."

Gerard Pique promises to ʼprove wrongʼ critics of his tournament reform role Davis Cup:

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique says he will "prove wrong" critics of his role in the reform of the Davis Cup. And the four-time Champions League winner says he "hates" it when Roger Federer and others refer to the competition as the "Pique Cup". The 25-year, £2.15bn revamp of the Davis Cup is funded by an investment group led by Piqueʼs Kosmos company. "In the future we will see this competition as one of the biggest in the calendar of tennis," he

said. The Davis Cup finals will be played in a new week-long 18nation World Cup-style format in Madrid in November. Matches will consist of two singles and one doubles rubber, and the six group winners, plus the best two secondplaced teams - based on sets, games and points won - will qualify for the knockout phase.

Caster Semenya has Athletics South Africaʼs ʼunqualified supportʼ in case against IAAF Caster Semenya has the "unqualified support" of Athletics South Africa (ASA) in her court case against athleticsʼ governing body, the IAAF. Olympic 800m champion Semenya, 28, is challenging a proposed rule by the IAAF that would restrict the levels of testosterone in female runners. The IAAFdenied a report on Thursdaythat lawyers would argue athletes like Semenya should be classified as male. The ASA said it had a "consti-

tutional obligation" to contest the rule. "Athletics South Africa has reaffirmed its total commitment to back and fight alongside Semenya," a statement read. "As South Africans, we all have a constitutional obligation to contest any infringements of human rights, shaped by our experiences under apartheid." Apartheid was asystem of racial segregationimposed by a minority white ruling group in South Africa from 1948 to 1991.