DAILY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Vote counting begins in Nigeriaʼs delayed presidential election Most polling stations closed at 2 p.m. local time (1300 UTC) in Nigeria on Saturday following a delayed election to pick the president of Africaʼs most populous nation and leading oil producer. Despite a promise by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that it had overcome logistical difficulties that forced the postponement of last weekendʼs vote, some polling stations still opened hours late. A coalition of civic groups said there were delays to the delivery of some materials and the deployment of staff. Election officials allowed those stations to remain open past the afternoon deadline. Incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari was one of the first to vote, and he emerged from the polling booth in his hometown of Daura, in the northwestern state of Katsina, to say he was confident of victory. His main challenger, Atiku Abubakar, who represents the main opposition Peopleʼs Democratic Party (PDP), voted in Yola, in the northeastern state of Adamawa.
Namibian lawmakers seek justice from Germany on genocide Between 1904 and 1908, German colonial troops stationed in what was then known as German South West Africa violently repressed attempted uprisings by the Nama and Herero ethnic groups. For many years, Namibia has been pushing Germany to accept the genocide committed against its people when it was still its colony, but the snailpace at which Germany has handled the issue has often led to frustrations among ordinary Namibians, particularly the communities that were most affected. Now a delegation of Namibian lawmakers has arrived in Berlin where it will attempt to reach an agreement with Germany based on the German parliamentʼs 1989 resolution to accept historical and political responsibility for Namibia.
47/2019 • 25 FEBRUARY, 2019
Franceʼs Marine Le Pen stokes anti-EU sentiment Marine Le Penʼs National Rally party hopes to surge in Mayʼs elections for the European Parliament
Marine Le Penʼs National Rally party hopes to surge in Mayʼs elections for the European Parliament. What role does it play as part of a broader euroskeptic boost across Europe? Elizabeth Bryant reports from Paris.
Chinaʼs peer-to-peer lenders face crisis, investors face ruin A major upheaval is underway in Chinaʼs peer-to-peer (P2P) finance sector after numerous cases of fraud and negligence. As loans helped finance cars and property, could the crisis worsen the countryʼs economic slowdown? Itʼs not a great time to be a smalltime Chinese investor. The Shanghai stock market lost 25 percent of its value last year, leaving tens of millions of retail investors nursing heavy losses. Last summer, the first cracks appeared in the countryʼs massive housing bubble, when protesters gathered outside the offices of major
developers, complaining that their new off-plan apartments had suddenly plummeted in value. To top it all off, millions of small-time investors have lost their life savings, having invested in online peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platforms — a burgeoning segment of the finance industry that imploded suddenly following allegations of widespread fraud and mismanagement. The platforms that connect lenders and borrowers — often entrepreneurs and households not able to get credit from state-run banks — first sprung up in China more than a decade ago.
Beethoven House closes ahead of composerʼs anniversary year Strolling down the Bonngasse, the street where the Beethoven House is located, one could easily overlook the humble facade were it not for the tourist groups that cluster outside. For many, treading the squeaky wooden floors that were once walked upon by Ludwig van Beethoven himself is an emotional moment, particularly when they gaze into the cordoned-off "birth room,"
empty save for a bust of Beethoven on a pedestal. From February 28, the room where the infant Beethoven is said to have entered the world — probably with a loud cry — and the house his family lived in wonʼt ever be the same. The Beethoven House is closing for several months, the permanent exhibition being given a thorough workover and the facilities expanded.
Catholic Cardinal Marx says files on child abusers ʼdestroyedʼ Germanyʼs top cardinal, Reinhard Marx, slammed the Catholic Church officials for their response tothe decadeslong pedophilia scandalat a conference called by Pope Francis in the Vatican on Saturday. "Sexual abuse of children and young people can be traced back, in no small part, to the abuse of power in the area of administration," Marx said in his address with the pope in attendance. Vatican officials were "trampling on the rights of victims" by deliberately canceling or overriding procedures for investigating child abuse, according to Marx. "It was not the perpetrators, but the victims who were regulated and pushed into silence," said Marx, who also serves asthe head of the German Bishopsʼ Conference. "The files that documented these horrible acts and could name those responsible were destroyed or not created at all."
Venezuela: Tear gas fired as aid trucks try to cross border Security forces have clashed with local residents in the Venezuelan town of Urena just over the border from the Colombian town of Cucuta, ahead of opposition leader Juan Guaidoʼs arrival on Saturday. Members of the Venezuelan National Guard fired rubber bullets and threw tear gas at locals who were throwing stones at them. The residents were trying to remove a barricade on a border bridge that was blocking humanitarian aid deliveries from the Colombian side.
weather today BUDAPEST
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47/2019 • 25 February, 2019
S!sters to enter the fray as Germanyʼs Eurovision candidate in Tel Aviv "Weʼre going to have to get some rest and have a good cry," said Carlotta of S!sters after their victory was announced on Friday. Both she and her duo partner, Laurita, jumped breathlessly on the stage of the Adlershof television studios in Berlin, holding up an Israeli flag before giving a repeat performance of their song. It was a giggling rendition, but the voices emerged strong and blended well again, both performers exuberant. Carlotta, who has also performed with the German rock band Revolverheld, described the song "Sister" as "a very authentic and powerful kind of pop." Had they thought they would win? "Not in the least," said Laurita, "We wished it of course, but it was really just a dream." Added Carlotta: "You wish it so much that itʼs a fantasy, and then when you actually win, you canʼt realize it because that fantasy is still in your head."
Lionel Messi has scored 650 goals in his career for Barcelona and Argentina Lionel Messi scored the 50th hattrick of his career as Barcelona came from behind to beat Sevilla and go 10 points clear at the top of La Liga. In a masterclass from the Catalansʼ captain, he first equalised with a brilliant volley from 16 yards. He levelled for a second time with a curling shot from the edge of the box. Messi then chipped Tomas Vaclik for his third, his 36th goal in 35 games against Sevilla, before setting up Luis Suarez for an injury-time fourth. It really was a one-man show with Barcelona not playing particularly well as they extended their lead over second-placed Atletico Madrid, who host Villarreal on Sunday. Sevilla - who are out of form - took the lead twice in the first half from a Jesus Navas counter-attack strike and Gabriel Mercadoʼs eight-yard finish.
Air ticket wars, meager profits for Asiaʼs budget carriers
Surge in German arms sales to Saudi Arabia and Turkey
The skies over Asia Pacific are more crowded than ever thanks to the rise of low-cost airlines. As costs continue to rise, and flyers are tempted with fares for just a few cents, profit margins are razor-thin.
Germanyʼs Economic Affairs Ministry disclosed Thursday that German firms sent €160 million ($184 million) worth of arms to Saudi Arabia between January and October last year. That was up €50 million on the whole of 2017. Berlin only decided on afull stop in November, prompted by the Saudi murder of the journalist Jamal Khashoggi, amid restrictions already applying over Riyadhʼs role in war-torn Yemen. Read more:Amnesty slams Western arms sales to Saudi Arabia Riyadh leads a nine-country coalition backing a Yemeni government opposed by Iranbacked Houthi rebels, who last month reached a fragile ceasefire arrangementunder UN mediation. German weapons exports to Turkey — mostly naval items — more than tripled to €202 million in the same timeframe, up on €62 million in 2017, the ministry said in its reply to parliament. Erdogan isunder international scrutinyover his intention to dislodge Kurdish rebel groups in neighboring wartorn Syria.
Intense price wars among budget airlines are helping tens of millions of Asian consumers to fly for the first time. Cebu Pacific, for example, is currently offering one-way tickets within the Philippines for 99 pesos ($1.90, €1.68). One of Indiaʼs top carriers, meanwhile, has been known to offer promotional base fares equivalent to as low as 2 cents. Cheaper, in some cases, than taking a rickshaw, flying is no
longer the preserve of Asiaʼs burgeoning middle and upper classes; itʼs now in the reach of low-income groups, who typically travel long distances by train or bus — journeys that often take several days. A potent drug to hook Asian consumers, these ultra-low prices are, however, hurting the bottom line of the regionʼs burgeoning budget airline sector, as it struggles with rising costs in an era of overcapacity.
Movie fan travel tips for Los Angeles The Hollywood dream factory has produced many Oscar winning movies. Often the films feature the city and its landmarks. The first Academy Oscars were held in 1929 at Hollywoodʼs Roosevelt Hotel. In the following decades the ceremony took place at eight other venues until in 2002 the Oscars found its permanent home at the Dolby Theatre, which was designed specifically to host the awards ceremony. Fans who wonʼt be able to
gain a place at the red carpet can enjoy the many other movie hot spots in the city. The original DeLorean time machine from "Back to the Future," stunt shows and thrilling rides attract 8 million visitors annually to Hollywood’s oldest movie studio. It was founded in 1912 by German immigrant Carl Laemmle. Universal has produced Oscar winning movies like "Schindler’s List" but also TV series like "Desperate Housewives." Competitor Warner Studios also offers studio tours.
Budapestʼs historic Lotz Hall café reopened as Café Párisi After two years of undesired silence a new café has opened its gates in Budapest’s neo-renaissance styled jewellery box, the former Paris Deparment Store (Párisi Nagy Áruház). Situated in the heart of the city on Andrássy avenue, Café Párisi is the perfect location for those who wish to enjoy the luxury of early 20th century Budapest.
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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Syrian girls attacked in Berlin, racism suspected A man spouting racist insults allegedly confronted two Syrian teenagers in northeastern Berlin and punched them in the face, authorities said Saturday. He hit the girls, aged 15 and 16, "with his fist several times ... before fleeing into a shopping arcade," police alleged in a statement. Both girls were taken to hospital for treatment. Read more: Racist or Islamist — lonewolf attackers show similar patterns Hours later, a woman reportedly attacked a 12-year-old girl in the southeastern district of Neukölln. Officers alleged the suspect tried to tear off the girlʼs headscarf, pulled her hair and threatened her with pepper spray. The woman also allegedly attempted to stab the child with a syringe filled with what appeared to be blood, police said. Officers from the state security police are investigating the incidents, which took place late Friday. The suspected hate crimes highlight tensions over migration in Germany. Last month, a 50-year-old German man was charged with attempted murder after he deliberately drove his car into foreigners in the western cities of Bottrop and Essen. Eight people were injured in the New Yearʼs Day attack, including a 4-year-old Afghan boy and a 10-year-old Syrian girl.