DAILY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Washington blasts China over retaliatory tariffs on $3 billion worth of US goods A White House spokeswoman said China was targeting "fairly traded" US goods. Beijingʼs move has bolstered the prospect of an all-out trade war between the worldʼs two largest economies. The United States has lashed out at Beijing afterChinese tariffs on $3 billion (€2.4 billion) worth of US goods entered forceon Monday. "Instead of targeting fairly traded US exports, China needs to stop its unfair trading practices which are harming US national security and distorting global markets," White House deputy spokeswoman Lindsay Walters said. China said on Sunday that it would start taxing 128 mostly agricultural US goods at midnight on Monday, including a 25 percent tariff rate on pork products and a new 15 percent tariff on fruits and nuts.
Dalit caste protests hit India spurred by Supreme Court decision Several people have died in violent clashes between police and protesters led by Dalits. Demonstrators opposed a court ruling to slow down legal proceedings against those accused of crimes against Indiaʼs lowest caste. At least six people were killed on Monday in clashes betweenIndiaʼs lowest caste groupand the police. The street battles were sparked by a Supreme Court ruling that halted the immediate arrest of people accused of discriminating against the marginalized Dalits. The protests, called "Bharat Bandh," or "India shutdown," took place in multiple states in India. Protesters let by Dalits set police posts on fire, blocked rail tracks and major roads and attacked buses and government buildings. Live fire was also exchanged in some places.
76/2018 • 05 APRIL, 2018
Boris Johnson accused of making misleading UK government scientists have said they do not know
British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has come in for criticism over a DW interview in which he said he had been assured the nerve agent came from Russia. However, UK government scientists have said they do not know.
Spotify: Market unicorn prepares to go public The Swedish music-streaming platform Spotify goes public on Tuesday, following in the footsteps of fellow "unicorns" Dropbox and Zscaler. The stock market is healthy and the timing seems good, but what are the risks? Drew Houston and Arash Ferdosi stood in New Yorkʼs Times Square, surrounded by their associates who cheered and threw confetti in celebration. The two Dropbox founders highfived, onlookers clapped, and the cameras flashed. On March 23, theNasdaq stock market welcomed Dropboxwith open arms. Only a few
minutes into trading and stock prices had risen over 50 percent. "A very exciting day for us," said billionaire Houston. "A milestone," said Matt Kennedy of Renaissance Capital, an IPO-focused analyst firm. In the wake of the Dropbox IPO, investors are turning their attention to another major startup about to go public. Spotify,the beloved music-streaming platform based out of Stockholm, opens for public trading on Tuesday. The media is hyping Spotify, the third unicorn to go public this year following Dropbox and the cybersecurity provider Zscaler.
German university hospital defends auto firmsʼ nitrogen dioxide test ethics No experiments on animals or humans can take place in Germany without a go from an authorized ethics committee. Dr. Thomas Kraus from Aachen University Hospital says this was the case in the most recent NO2 scandal. The European Research Group on Environment and Health in the Transport Sector (EUGT) "did not impinge in any way on the nitrogen dioxide (NO2) research it commissioned Aachen University Hospital to do," Professor Thomas Kraus from the
hospital told the German press agency DPA on Monday. The EUGT is a now defunct organization that was funded by German carmakers Volkswagen, Daimler and BMW plus partsmaker Bosch, thus raising questions of possible conflicts of interest. In 2013, 25 healthy volunteers were exposed to NO2 pollution for three hours, Kraus said. "None of them had any negative health effects," he went on, adding that the tests were meant to measure the impact of pollutants in the workplace.
Trump EPA officials to roll back Obama emissions standards for cars Environmental Protection Agency head Scott Pruitt has announced a plan to scrap pollution-preventing standards set in 2012. At the same time, a review of Californiaʼs vehicle emissions limits invites a legal battle. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Monday announced it would ease fuel efficiency rules for cars that had been put in place under Barack Obamaʼs administration. The move was hailed by automobile manufacturers and criticized by environmentalists. "The Obama administrationʼs determination was wrong," said EPA chief Scott Pruitt of the 2012 decision to increase average fuel efficiency across their fleet of car models to 54.5 miles per US gallon (4.32 liters per 100 kilometers) by 2025 from 35.5 miles per US gallon in 2016. The increased standards were intended to reduce fuel consumption and therefore vehicle emissions.
Crystal meth: Huge drugs haul seized in Thailand Police in Thailand have seized a bumper haul of the drug methamphetamine, after a series of raids in the past week. The UN has warned that the "Golden Triangle" region is flooding the region with drugs. Thai police said on Monday said they had confiscated some 700 kilograms (1,540 pounds) of crystal meth as part of a series of raids in which 11 people were arrested. The drugs, which were seized en route to Malaysia, were said to be worth an estimated 700 million Thai baht ($22.42 million, 18.16 million euros), within Thailand.
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76/2018 • 05 April, 2018
Facebook bans Trump campaign data firm Cambridge Analytica The social media giant has accused the data analysis company of illegally obtaining user data. At the same time, a whistleblower has said that Cambridge Analytica illegally harvested data from 50 million users. Facebook announced on Saturday that it had suspended the data research firm Cambridge Analytica for holding onto dubiously obtained user data after assuring the social media firm that the information had been deleted. Cambridge Analytica has become well-known in political circles for its work on the election campaign of US President Donald Trump and for the pro-Brexit group Leave.eu. Facebook said it was also suspending the firmʼs parent company, Strategic Communications Laboratories (SCL). The incident revolves around an app put on the site in 2015 by Aleksandr Kogan, a professor at the University of Cambridge, that purported to be a personality test and psychological research tool. About 270,000 users downloaded it and shared their information with it, according to Facebook.
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge lashes out at St Pauli over 50+1 Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has criticized second division club FC St Pauli, labeling last weekʼs DFL vote an "emotional, populist spectacle." He also spoke about the future of striker Robert Lewandowski. Bayern Munich chief executive officer Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has hit out at the German Football League (DFL) followingThursdayʼs vote to retain the Bundesligaʼs so-called 50+1 rule.
China targets US meat, fruit in retaliation against tariffs on Chinese goods "We donʼt want a trade war, but we are absolutely not afraid of it," a senior Chinese spokesman said as US tariffs entered force in late March. Beijingʼs retaliatory measures appear to make good on that promise. China said it will start taxing $3 billion (€2.4 billion) worth of imports of US meat, fruit and other goods beginning Monday, in response to US tariffs on Chinese goods. The announcementfollows weeks of Chinese threatsto introduce the measures amid a deepening trade dispute between Beijing and Washington. Chinaʼs Customs Tariff Commission will target a total of 128 US goods.It will increase the tariff rate on eight US imports, including pork, by 25 percent.A new 15 percent tariff will be placed on 120 other US goods, including fruits.In a statement announcing the measures,
China said that the US had "seriously violated" World Trade Organization principles and damaged Chinaʼs interests. Beijingʼs move is the latest escalation in its trade dispute with Washington. US President Donald Trump announced a 25 percent tariff on foreign steel imports and a 10 percent tariff on aluminum imports beginning March 23 with temporary exemptions for some countries but none for China. The US has separately threatened to impose some $50 billion (€40.6 billion) in tariffs on Chinese goods over alleged misuse of US intellectual property.
Whatʼs really hidden in the Easter nest? On Easter Sunday, it starts again, the hunt for the Easter eggs. But even if it makes childrenʼs eyes shine, we should be aware that a chocolate bunny has two sides and only one of them is sweet. This Sunday is that magical day, once again. Children press their noses to the windows, looking out into the garden hoping to see him as he strolls through the grass and hides small, colorful eggs. He hides them well, so they wonʼt see them right away but hopefully not so well that they wonʼt be dis-
covered until next year. Heʼs nice that way. Surely, just like every year, none of these children will see him because he is quick and nimble, he zig-zags. He knows how to hide in the thick grass. You may wonder if he doesnʼt want to be seen. Perhaps he is shy? Or he just really likes to play hide and seek? In the end, it wonʼt make a difference to the kids with their flattened noses and big eyes because they will surely discover their little nests and in them, aside from other sweets, there will at least be the easter bunnyʼs little brother, the chocolate easter bunny.
Budapest Spring Fair Between March 23rd and April 22nd, Budapest’s central Vörösmarty Square fills with stands and stalls crammed with hundreds of handcrafted Hungarian products for the Budapest Spring Fair. Besides the traditional and modern folk-art displays, visitors can sample local flavors prepared on-site, while cultural and artisanal events, workshops, folk music and folk-dance shows entertain children and adults alike.
H-1056 Budapest, Só u. 6. Telephone: +36 1 577 0700 Fax: +36 1 577 0710 bhzinfo@zeinahotels.com www.boutiquehotelbudapest.com
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German metalworkers finally secure wage agreement Following weeks of bitter fighting, a wage agreement for the German metal and electrical industries has finally been struck. Employees were able to secure higher wages and more flexible working hours. A wage agreement was reached in the early hours on Tuesday in Germanyʼs metal and electrical industries. The powerful IG Metall union announced the deal initially covering workers in the southern German state of BadenWürttemberg, but expected to be eventually implemented for a total of 3.9 million workers in the sector nationwide. According to the deal, employeesare to receive a pay hike of 4.3 percent from April this year. Additionally, monthly one-off payments of €100 ($124) were agreed for January through March. Employers and trade union representatives also agreed on the possibility of workers reducing their hours from 35 to 28 hours per week for two years, should they need to look after children or care for older relatives.
Publisher slammed as Hitler appears in ʼgreat leadersʼ book The book "would bring tears of joy to neo-Nazis," a Jewish human rights organization has said. Adolf Hitler carries a certain fascination in some parts of the world that is largely untouched by his atrocities. Indian publisher Pegasus landed itself in hot water this week when it emerged that itʼs "Great Leaders" book for children included Adolf Hitler. Pictured alongside freedom fighters Mathama Gandhi and Nelson Mandela, the book chose Hitler as one of the "powerful world leaders who have dedicated their lives to the betterment of their countries and the people living in them." Also included in the book are current Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, controversial Burmese leader Aung San Suu Kyi and former US President Barack Obama. "Dedicated to the betterment of countries and people? Adolf Hitler? This description would bring tears of joy to the Nazis and their racist neo-Nazi heirs," said Abraham Cooper of the Jewish human rights organization the Wiesenthal Center. "Placing Hitler alongside truly great political and humanitarian leaders is an abomination that is made worse as it targets young people with little or no knowledge of world history and ethics," Cooper said.