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80/2019 • 6 APRIL, 2019 WEEKEND ISSUE

DAILY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Obama meets ʼmy friend Angelaʼ in Berlin She is worthy of applause - he said

Former US president Barack Obama was in Berlin on Friday to meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Waving to cameras as the two exited the German Chancellery together, the pair did not stop for photos or take questions from journalists, stressing that the meeting was not a political event. Merkelʼs spokesman Steffen Seibert said he "would firmly reject" the impression that the meeting was a direct signal to current US President Donald Trump. The pair have already met once since the end of Obamaʼs time in office, at a conference in 2017.

However, it is clear that Obama and the chancellor had a better working relationship that the complicated ties between Merkel and his successor, despite a surveillance scandal during Obamaʼs tenure revealing that the NSA had spied on German intelligence agents, and even on Merkel herself.

Speakingat an event in the western city of Colognethe night before, Obama praised "my friend Angela Merkel," for what he saw as her level-headed and compassionate leadership. His comment drew a jubilant reaction.

"Yes, she is worthy of applause," Obama said, smiling. He received similarly positive crowd responses for his comments that governments should have equal amounts of men and women, and that strong leaders need to listen. "The first thing required of a

leader is to be someone who can listen to what people care about and about the struggles theyʼre going through…to sit across the table and listen to their stories," the ex-president said in a talk centered around what makes good leadership. For some in Germany, Obamaʼs brief tour was a welcome reminder of a time when the leaders of the US and Germany enjoyed a more cordial relationship. Local newspapers like the Rhein Zeitung, remarking on Obamaʼs visit, lamented that Trump "hardly ever misses an opportunity to criticize Merkel and the Germans."The first thing required of a leader is to be someone who can listen to what people care about and about the struggles theyʼre going through…to sit across the table and listen to their stories," the ex-president said in a talk centered around what makes good leadership. For some in Germany, Obamaʼs brief tour was a welcome reminder of a time when the leaders of the US and Germany enjoyed a more cordial relationship. Local newspapers like the Rhein Zeitung, remarking on Obamaʼs visit, lamented that Trump "hardly ever misses an opportunity to criticize Merkel and the Germans." or some in Germany, Obamaʼs brief tour was a welcome reminder of a time when the leaders of the US and Germany enjoyed a more cordial relationship.

Philippines releases documents detailing drug war tactics

Napoleon love letters fetch over half a million euros at Paris auction

US citizens among those arrested in new Saudi Arabia crackdown

Thousands of police documents related to PhilippinePresident Duterteʼs war on drugswere ordered to be made public on Tuesday by the Philippine top court. Documents related to over 20,000 drug killings between July 2016 and November 2017 are to be handed over to two law firms that questioned the legality of the governmentʼs war on drugs.

Human rights groups hope that the documents could reveal evidence of extrajudicial killings.

The letters, which the French state has auctioned at Drouot in Paris, had been in the collection of the bankrupt investment firm Aristophil. On sale were three of the many letters Napoleon wrote to his wife Josephine. The French auction house Drouot announced on Friday that three love letters written byFrench Emperor Napoleon Bonapartewere sold for a combined total of €513,000 ($575,000) in Paris on Thursday. The letters, penned by Napoleon between 1796 and 1804, were sent to his wife Josephine de Beauharnais.

A day after praising her at an event in Cologne, the former US president met with Chancellor Merkel in the German capital.

Germany brings home ʼIslamic Stateʼ children from Iraq The German Foreign Ministry said Friday it had brought several children of convicted "Islamic State" (IS) militants back to Germany from Iraq. The returns were carried out with the consent of the parents, a ministry source said, adding that the number of repatriations so far had "reached a high single-digit figure." The children are staying with their relatives in Germany. With the collapse of the once expansive IS caliphate, a number of European countries are facing the difficult question of how to deal with returning jihadis and their children.

Saudi Arabia arrested eight people this week in a bid to silence supporters of detained womenʼs rights activists, human rights groups announced on Friday. Two of those detained hold both US and Saudi passports. The arrests come as11 women stand trialafter being arrested for campaigning for theright to driveand an end to the kingdomʼs system of mandatory male guardianship. The arrest and ongoing detention of the women has drawn Western condemnation. Several of the women being held by authorities claim that they have been the victims oftorture and sexual assault.

80/2019 • 6 April, 2019 Weekend issue

France cools Iran spat with new ambassador The French government has appointed an ambassador to Iran after the role was left vacant for months following a diplomatic dispute with the Islamic republic, according to a decree published in Franceʼs Official Gazette. The government named veteran diplomat Philippe Thiebaud (pictured), who once represented France at the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, as its permanent representative in Iran.

Franceʼs AFP news agency reported that Iran had tapped Bahram Ghasemi, spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, as its ambassador to France, another post left empty since the summer.

Iranʼs choice is a controversial one. Ghasemi, who previously served as ambassador to Italy and Spain, had earlier this week credited Lebanese militant group Hezbollah with preventing terrorist groups from reaching Europe.

Hezbollahʼs military wing is considered a terrorist group by the EU.

Germany extends ban on arms exports to Saudi Arabia Germany announced Wednesday it would extend a temporary ban on arms exports to Saudi Arabia until the end of the month. The ban, which Germany instituted followed the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi and applies to countries involved in the Yemen war, has led to both domestic and international tension, with Chancellor Angela Merkelʼs government facing pressure from theGerman arms industryand some EU neighbors angered over the export freeze. The ban was originally set to last until March 9.

"We decided this [extension] with a view to developments in Yemen," Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said following a meeting of Merkelʼs cabinet. "We believe that the Yemen war must end as soon as possible."

"Not only will there not be any permits issued until the end of this month, but products with permits already granted will also not be delivered," Maas added. The minister said that the German government would evaluate the arms export situation with respect to developments in Yemen over the course of the month. Around 10,000 people are estimated to have been killed in the war in Yemen since 2015, when Saudi Arabia launched a military intervention in the country.

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Asia Bibi: Still a ʼprisonerʼ in Pakistan?

But Bibi is still not a free person, and her whereabouts are unknown

Former far-right Dutch politician converts to Islam A former Dutch far-right MP and right-hand man to anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders revealed he has converted to Islam. He was known for saying that Islam is "a lie" and the Quran is "poison." For years, as a lawmaker for Wildersʼ Freedom Party (PVV), Joram van Klaveren fought a relentless campaign in the Lower House against Islam in the Netherlands. Back then, according to the daily tabloid Algemeen Dagblad (AD), the "hardliner pleaded for banning the burqa and minarets, saying ʼwe donʼt want any Islam, or at least as little as possible in the Netherlands.ʼ" However, the 40-year-old Van Klaveren said he had changed his mind halfway through writing an anti-Islam book, which, on Tuesday, he told the respected NRC Handelsblad "became a refutation of objections non-Muslims have" against the religion.

Asia Bibi, a Christian woman who had spent almost a decade on death row over blasphemy allegations, was acquitted by Pakistanʼs top court in January. n January, Pakistanʼs highest courtupheld its October 2018 ruling to acquit Asia Bibi , an impoverished Catholic woman, of blasphemy charges. Bibi, a mother of five, was arrested in June 2009, after her neighbors complained she had made derogatory remarks about Islamʼs Prophet Muhammad. A year later, Bibi was sentenced to death despite strong opposition from national and international human rights groups. After the Supreme Courtʼs ruling, Asia Bibi should have been a free person. She is

Will Mindanao referendum bring peace to Philippinesʼ restive region?

Meccah Samanodi, 24, cast her vote at Vilo elementary school, a short walk from Notre Dame University in Cotabato city, where she is a faculty member. "I voted in favor of Cotabato city becoming part of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) because I believe in my heart having this new region will finally resolve the injustices inflicted upon the Bangsamoro people over a long period of time," Samanodi told DW. She

not in jail, as there is no case against her.

The blasphemy allegations against her have been proven wrong.

Should she choose to leave the country for Canada, where her daughters are reportedly staying, she has every right to depart. But itʼs been more than two months since Bibiʼs acquittal, and not many people in Pakistan know where she is. Itʼs been reported that Bibi has been kept in "protective custody" in an unknown location. voted "yes" in the January 21 referendum, but said she fully understood those who made a different choice. "Many people in my city worry we are risking our economic prosperity, security and progressive spirit. It will take time for everyone to feel good about the outcome. Nevertheless, we need to give peace a chance.

Hopefully, the new Bangsamoro will live up to its potential."

Swedish royal heist jewelry found, reports say The trial of a young man accused of stealing royal jewelry from a Swedish cathedral was halted on Tuesday

when officials announced that the jewelry had been found in a rubbish bin in a Stockholm suburb. Thieves made off with an orb and two crownsworth approximately 65 million Swedish crowns ($7.1 million) from a hilltop cathedral west of Stockholm in July, before fleeing via a nearby lake system. Police said they had recovered what they believed to be King Karl IXʼs funeral regalia in an area around Stockholm and that they were working "intensely" to confirm the items were the royal jewelry.

A 22-year-old Swedish man is standing trialaccused of stealing the objects from an alarmed display after the glass was smashed. The defendant, who was arrested Sept. 12, has not been publicly identified. A second man has been detained but not charged.

80/2019 • 6 April, 2019 Weekend issue

Éminence Organic Skin Care comes to Aria Hotel Budapest by Library Hotel Collection World’s #1 professional organic skin care favored by Hollywood movie stars to be available exclusively at Aria Hotel Budapest’s award-winning spa from April.

Éminence has long been one of the leading skin care brands among the world’s celebrity elite. The company has grown since its founding to become a favorite among Hollywood movie stars and a-listers, with the likes of Meghan Markle, Cameron Diaz and Hugh Jackman being just some of the big names that swear by its range. Éminence has strict quality controls on every one of its products, growing the ingredients in worldwide organic and biodynamic farms to ensure its products are GMO, SLS and paraben-free without any testing on animals. Because of its dedication to high-quality, environmentally friendly cosmetics, the Éminence brand is exclusively available in places where treatments and products are used only by professional beauticians trained in Éminence’s special educational program. NowAria Hotel Budapest by Library Hotel Collectionwill be joining this international community, with itsHarmony Spa Budapestbecoming the exclusive Hungarian partner from April. As part of this partnership, Harmony Spa Budapest will provide twelve special treatments alongside the availability of Éminence’s range of biodynamic skin care products within the Aria Hotel. Based on the

brand’s strict quality assurance principles, Éminence has transferred its specialist knowledge to the colleagues of the Budapest hotel’s awardwinning* spa and beauty facilities.

For instance, the 60-minute Aria Signature Facial treatment will assist with dehydrated skin through a muscle tone enhancing message. The luxury 90-minute anti-aging facial treatment, meanwhile, will combine extra high potency vitamin C and sunflower seed serum with a special massage technique to help remove deep wrinkles caused by aging skin. About Éminence The origin of the Éminence brand actually reaches back beyond its establishment in Canada with the founding brothers adopting the heritage of their mother. Her natural skin care recipes have since gone on to form the foundation for Éminence, which is nowadays the leading organic skin care brand available worldwide across 50 countries. It’s the focus on social responsibility that has remained at the core of the company, however, which is committed to remaining an ecologically friendly company. Éminence plants a new sapling for every product purchased, for example, having planted over 11 million trees as part of theForest for Future-

program. It’s for this reason that the company uses FSC-certified paper coming from responsible sources for its packaging and soy ink for its printing, all in the name of its self-built responsibility for future generations.

But that’s not all. The Éminence Kids Foundation has become a social mission over the last three years, which aims to provide nutritious organic food for children suffering from serious illnesses. The idea was born from one of the founder’s own experiences and, as a survivor of childhood leukemia, he insists that it was his mother’s diet of good, organic food as a supplement to his treatment to be a significant reason for his ability to recover and to avoid relapse. It’s partly this social conscience that has helped make Éminence such a popular brand among Hollywood’s big name celebrities. It has been highly praised by movie stars like Jennifer Lawrence, Liv Tyler and Katherine Heigl, and was included as a part of the Oscar Award Winners’ Gift Package. Cameron Diaz has even said thatshe never goes to the beachwithout the biodynamic-certified Facial Recovery Oil. www.harmonyspabudapest.com https://www.facebook.com/harmonyspabudapest

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 August.

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

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80/2019 • 6 April, 2019 Weekend issue

ʼPeace is Powerʼ: Yoko Onoʼs works on show in Leipzig Her works spanning five decades are now on show in Leipzig

Dissident Czech literary master Milan Kundera at 90 His "The Unbearable Lightness of Being" brought the Prague Spring to life for international readers. But the writer who went into exile in Paris in 1975 wants to be remembered as a French writer.

Milan Kunderaʼs novels delve deeply into the the thoughts, feelings and beliefs of the individual. But his books also often portray relationships, and not only between two people. In his masterpiece, The Unbearable Lightness of Being, Kundera tells the story of a love triangle against the backdrop of

the Prague Spring. The epic turned Kundera into an international literary star when it was published in 1984.

By then, the dissident Czech novelist had been living in exile in Paris for almost a decade. His books had been banned in Czechoslovakia, and since the Soviet-backed government deprived him of citizenship in 1978, he has remained the countryʼs most famous exiled writer. Even after the Velvet Revolution, the fall of the Iron Curtain and the creation of the Czech Republic, the writer has not returned to live in his homeland.

She is arguably the most hated woman in music history. Yet Yoko Ono is not only John Lennonʼs widow, she also stands alone as an artist.

Yoko Ono has over 2,000 square meters (around 21,500 square feet) and three floors of exhibition space in the Leipzig Museum of Fine Arts at her disposal. "Yoko Ono. Peace is Power" is the most extensive retrospective of the Japanese-American artistʼs work in Germany to date. As curator, Onoʼs long-time friend and confidante Jon Hendricks has been on site to ensure that everything is set up

in the spirit of the eccentric artist. On display are smaller objects, spacefilling installations and sculptures by the 86-year-old Ono. With this onewoman show, the museum is showcasing Onoʼs entire artistic oeuvre since the 1960s. All sorts of media, including films, video works and her solo albums, are included in the exhibition, with rarely shown drawings also on display in Leipzig.

Find vegan beers, Baileys and brandy at new Budapest pub

Sting to return to Budapest for summer 2019

Szabad Bistro is a welcome venture for vegans in Budapest looking to eat and drink in a casual environment. Besides focusing on food free from meat and dairy products, here beer and even Baileys are prepared according to vegan guidelines.

The newly opened Szabad Bistro breaks away from this trend by featuring a strong line of drinks that haven’t been in contact with animal products, such as gelatine, during the manufacturing process. You can ask for different types of craft beers, pálinka and Baileys made with almond milk. Freshly pressed almond milk goes into the coffee, too. American beet salad(950 forints) is made of beetroot, orange, cabbage and coriander, all mixed with a sauce comprising sunflower oil and black salt. There are also pesto paninis (740 forints), bagels with hummus (850 forints) and sandwiches with beetroot and tzatziki (950 forints).Szabad Bistro FacebookDistrict VII. Király utca 101Mon-Fri 11am-11pm, Sat 3pm-11pm 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,

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 Grammy-winning 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.

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.

80/2019 • 6 April, 2019 Weekend issue

Summit Meeting of the Schlager Stars at Nassfeld All details at www.nassfeld.at/en/events

As part of the sun skiing programme, Nassfeld brings the stars of the local schlager scene to the stage for a big open-air concert on 5 and 6 April 2019. Including: the chart topper Melissa Naschenweng, Nino de Angelo, Marco Ventre & Band, Marc Pircher and many more.

Number 1 in the Austrian album charts, highest entry as a newcomer in Switzerland and more than 1 million views of her video clip “I steh auf Bergbauernbuam“ within just three weeks; Melissa Naschenweng and her new album ”Wirbelwind“ bring a breath of fresh air to the schlager scene and to Nassfeld. Because the ski resort brings the successful singer to the Schlager Summit Open-Air Concert directly on the piste on Friday, 5 April 2019.

But her colleague DJane Bibi Booom also represents a new, young generation of artists who simply cross the lines between different genres. With her typical mix of dance music, schlager and popular party hits, the musician in her dirndl and the red headphones has already established her fan community some time ago: ”The music is a wild mix but if the groove is a hit and the party is a great success, then this is all that counts in the end.“ And this is what you can expect from her at Nassfeld! Hannah and “Die Draufgänger“ with their cover ver-

sion of “Cordula Grün“ will also fire up the party atmosphere on Friday. It will also be a concert on home turf for Marco Ventre & Band. They will get the schlager fans going on Saturday, 6 April 2019. Nino de Angelo, an “old“ hand and one of the greatest in the industry, will perform many songs to sing along to also on Saturday.

Just like all-round talent and popular musician Marc Pircher as well as the Ladykryners, who became famous in the schlager & folk music scene with a cover version of ”Bella Ciao“. The concerts on the giant Nassfeld stage, on the Tressdorfer Alm, surrounded by the Carnic Alps, start from 6:00 pm on both days. A day ticket costs € 29.00 and also includes the night ride experience on the Millennium Express from Tröpolach to the event area (uphill rides start from 5:00 pm).

The 2-day ticket is available for € 49.00. The tickets are available from Ö-Ticket (plus € 2.00 ticket fee) or at the Hermagor Tourist Office. Photo credits: ©nassfeld.at

Banksyʼs shredded ʼGirl with Balloonʼ now on display in Germany First created by Banksy as a stencil street art piece in 2002, the world renowned image of a young girl with her hand extended toward a heartshaped red balloon has most famously been a symbol of political protests — including during the building of the Israel-Palestine segregation barrier in 2005 and the Syrian civil war in 2014. But when the

street artist recently attempted to shred his work after it was sold for auction at Sothebyʼs — which he renamed "Love is in the Bin" — in order to draw attention to the folly of the big money global art world, he ironically only added to its renown, and no doubt its value. Read more: Banksy video says ʼBalloon Girlʼ shredding went wrong .

Collective push against climate change more powerful than youʼd think Peter Kalmus sits outside Californiaʼs Pasadena City Hall in his electric car.

His sons, aged 10 and 12, are on steps of the grand building, waving signs with the slogans: "School strike for climate" and "Adults, act like it!"

Kalmusʼ Tesla is just the kind of luxury youʼd expect a climate scientist at NASAʼs jet propulsion laboratory to have. But he doesnʼt exactly live a lavish lifestyle. Actually, he says, he usually cycles. He hasnʼt been on a plane since 2012, and he eats a vegetarian diet. As someone who works in climate science, Kalmus feels thereʼs no excuse not to reduce his carbon footprint. "This is an urgent crisis," he says. "Those of us who understand that should act like itʼs an urgent crisis."

Múzeum+ February at Museum of Fine Arts

Weather

Sun

7 / 21

Mon

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7 / 16

9 / 18

Hungary Budapest: Debrecen: Eger: Hévíz:

6/15 5/16 4/16 5/15

Athens: Berlin: Bratislava: Bucharest: London: Madrid:

4/8 0/13 5/7 6/15 3/17 10/13

Kecskemét: Keszthely: Siófok:

5/15 4/16 6/13

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

0/14 5/10 5/8 10/13 5/16 5/15

Culture

Right here, right now!

Fatboy Slim comes to Budapest Akvárium Club BRIGHTON BEATMASTER FATBOY SLIM IS COMING TO BUDAPEST FOR HIS LOCAL CLUB DEBUT AT THE FOCAL AKVÁRIUM ON 25 MAY.

The February edition of monthly event series Múzeum+ is being held on the 14th at the Museum of Fine Arts. For each of these events, besides interactive workshops and concerts, an Englishlanguage guided tour also features. This time the theme is German Renaissance Art, starting at 7pm. For the complete schedule, check the museum website.

Brighton beatmaster Fatboy Slim is coming to Budapest for his local club debut at the focal Akvárium on 25 May. The veteran of many a festival – Glasto, Exit, Coachella – has played Hungary before but never in the intimate surroundings of a sweaty club.

The booking represents a major coup for the Akvárium, whose line-up for 2019 also includes John Digweed and Kruder & Dorfmeister. Tickets have not yet gone on sale for Fatboy Slim in the Main Hall of the Akvárium – but keep an eye on theclub’s websiteas they’re bound to sell out in no time. Slim, who successfully shifted from indie to electronica in the 1990s, reignited his career with the hit Eat, Sleep, Rave, Repeat, in 2013. The DJ star is currently playing a series of huge arenas in the UK, from London to Glasgow. Akvárium Klub District V. Erzsébet tér 12

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80/2019 • 6 April, 2019 Weekend issue

Miami Open: Naomi Osaka & Bianca Andreescu through to third round

World number one Naomi Osaka came through a three-set tussle with 141-ranked Yanina Wickmayer to reach the Miami Open third round.

Japanese top seed Osaka, who had a first-round bye, beat the Belgian qualifier 6-0 6-7 (3-7) 6-1. Osaka, 21, hit 14 aces and saved five of six break points to set up a meeting with Taiwanʼs Hsieh Su-wei. "In the second set I got really emotional, so in the third I just tried to shut off my feelings," Osaka said. "I had to work hard out there." Osaka failed to defend her title in Indian Wells earlier this month after she wasbeaten in the fourth roundby Belinda Bencic.

Pele: Brazil legend feels ʼmuch betterʼ after hospital treatment

Brazil legend Pele said he feels "so much better" after being admitted to a Paris hospital for a urinary infection.

The 78-year-old had been taken in for treatment on Wednesday after a promotional event with Paris St-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe. "The antibiotics are working and the tests are all (well). I think Iʼm ready to play again," Pelesaid on Twitter. In recent years, Pele was taken to hospital forkidney and prostateproblems and forexhaustionlast year. Widely regarded as thegreatest player of all time,he scored 1,281 goals in 1,363 appearances during his 21-year career, including 77 goals in 91 appearances for Brazil.

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Aleksandar Kolarovʼs free kick stunner secures Serbia win over Costa Rica

Ronnie OʼSullivan still ʼfighting and punchingʼ as he closes in on world number one spot

A brilliant second half free kick from captain Aleksandar Kolarov led Serbia to a deserved win over Costa Rica. Serbia were wasteful in front of goal but did enough to secure three vital points in Group E. Another World Cup day, another sublime freekick. If Cristiano Ronaldo’s ice-cold effort tosnatch a point against archrivals Spain on day two was the current goal of the tournament front-runner, the Portuguese may have just met his match. Aleksandar Kolarov, take a bow. A combination of poor finishing and sublime goalkeeping had kept the scores level until Serbia’s no.11 produced his moment of magic.

Kolarov’s powerful left foot is no secret, but few inside the stadium would have expected such a thunderous strike when the Roma defender stood over a free kick midway through the second half. His shot was unstoppable; a sidefooted 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.

Ronnie OʼSullivan will become the oldest man to lead the world rankings

Five-time world champion Ronnie OʼSullivan says he is "still fighting and punching" after reaching the final of the Tour Championship in Llandudno.

The 43-year-oldbeat Judd Trump 10-9in the semi-final and will become the oldest world number one since Ray Reardon in 1983 if he takes the title. Trump, who defeated OʼSullivan in the Masters, said he was "gutted" after missing a match ball yellow. OʼSullivan last led the world rankings nine years ago - in May 2010. "Youʼve got to enjoy the moment sometimes," OʼSullivan told BBC Sport. The current world number two - who will meet Neil

Robertson or Mark Allen in the final which starts on Saturday - would replace Mark Selby as number one if he wins. "Iʼm 43, 44, knocking on and Iʼm not sure thereʼs going to be too many of them. Thereʼs very few people that have been the best in the world and the greatest at what theyʼve done, so I feel like Iʼm in that bracket," he said. "Maybe thereʼs eight billion people on this planet. How many can say they are the greatest at what theyʼve done?

Jürgen Klopp praises Ralph Hasenhüttlʼs ʼincredibleʼ job before Premier League clash Their teams have only met once before, but Ralph Hasenhüttl and Jürgen Klopp go way back. Liverpool travel to Southampton on Friday in a game with huge significance and two ex-Bundesliga coaches impressing in England.

Ralph Hasenhüttl is getting used to being up against it. The Austrian coachtook a leap of faithwhen he agreed to take the reins at relegation-threatened Southampton just before Christmas after leaving RB Leipzig. So far, heʼs been rewarded. A run of three wins in four games has helped the south coast

club pull five points clear of the drop zone and Hasenhüttlʼs return of 26 points from 18 games, enough to see them comfortably midtable if extrapolated over a season, has seen him gather plaudits from Saints fans, the English press and the head coach he faces on Friday night. “Hasenhuttl is doing an incredible job. Since he’s been at Southampton they are eighth in the form table. The analysis (of Southampton) was very interesting – they don’t look like a team fighting to stay in the league," said Klopp in his prematch press conference.