16/2019 • 19 JANUARY, 2019 WEEKEND ISSUE
DAILY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Germany, China promise closer trade ties China and Germany vowed closed financial cooperation on Friday, affirming initiatives to open their respective markets further to each otherʼs banks and insurers. Berlin stopped short of choosing a side inthe US-China trade war,however. The agreements were signed by delegations led by German Finance Minister Olaf Scholz and Vice Premier Liu He, Beijingʼs chief economist. Liu said he welcomed "more qualified German banks to participate in the opening and innovation of Chinaʼs financial market."
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.
Trans-Atlantic rebuke for Trump downgrade of EU ambassador One expert has said lawmakersʼ responses show the trans-Atlantic network still operates
There was no about-face in the US government after DW broke news that the EU ambassadorʼs status had been downgraded. But one expert has said lawmakersʼ responses show the trans-Atlantic network still operates — a bit.
Greek archaeologists locate lost ancient city of Tenea 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.
Bundesliga: Bayern Munich with early chance to turn up heat on Dortmund The Bundesliga returns from its winter break on Friday night, with the champions looking to heap pressure on the contenders. Bayern Munich stumbled in the first half of 2018-19, but their coach sees plenty to build on. The season-opener between Bayern Munich and Hoffenheim bore all the hallmarks of the side that had won six straight titles: periods of utter dominance, a critical decision going their way, a goal from Robert Lewandowski and an important strike in the dying stages. But that 3-1 win also saw Kingsley Coman limp off early, Bayernʼs defense creak under Hoffenheimʼs pressure and the pace
of Julian Nagelsmannʼs side unsettle the Bavarians. After Niko Kovacwon his first seven games, these looked to be minor flaws rather than serious cracks in the foundations. But a dreadful spell between late September and early December sees Bayern six points behind Borussia Dortmund entering the Rückrunde (second half of the season) with those cracks still only papered over while the foundations are relaid. But Kovac saw enough towards the end of last year to encourage him. "We want to build on ourfinal five games of 2018and try to take that positive experience with us so we can keep winning games and build up the necessary confidence,” the Croatian boss said.
Former Macron bodyguard in French custody French PresidentEmanuel Macronʼs former bodyguardand security adviser Alexandre Benalla was taken into custody by officials on Thursday for hismisuse of diplomatic passports. The Paris Prosecutorʼs Office said that Benalla had used diplomatic passports to facilitate his consultancy work in Africa. Additionally, prosecutors are investigating possible forgeries and the unlawful acquisition of administrative documents. French PresidentEmanuel Macronʼs former bodyguardand security adviser Alexandre Benalla was taken into custody by officials on Thursday for hismisuse of diplomatic passports. The Paris Prosecutorʼs Office said that Benalla had used diplomatic passports to facilitate his consultancy work in Africa. Additionally, prosecutors are investigating possible forgeries and the unlawful acquisition of administrative documents.
Australia arrests suspect for murder of Israeli girl A suspect has been arrested over the death of an Israeli woman, Australian police said on Friday, as mourners prepared to hold a vigil for the murdered Aiia Maasarwe in Melbourne. Police said the suspect was male and 20 years old, but did not release any details. The body of the 21-year-old Maasarwe was found by passers-by near La Trobe University early on Wednesday. According to investigators, Maasarwe had attended a comedy show on the previous evening and then took a tram towards the campus.
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