125/2019 • 1 JUNE, 2019 WEEKEND ISSUE
DAILY NEWS IN ENGLISH
WikiLeaksʼ Julian Assange suffers from ʼpsychological torture:ʼ UN expert A UN torture expert has issued a blistering account of the treatment meted out to Julian Assange
The WikiLeaks founder suffers from physical and mental health issues from years of isolation.
Council of Europe and Russia reach tentative compromise Russia said it had no desire to leave the Council of Europe and was ready to pay its dues following an apparent breakthrough between Moscow and Western nations. Russiaʼs delegation had faced sanctions over Crimea. France and Germany pushed through a compromise which would allow Russia to return to the Council of Europe (CoE), as foreign ministers from the 47 member states resumed their two-day summit in Helsinki. The Russian delegation hasfaced sanctions at the CoE over the annexation of Crimea by Russiain 2014.
Ukraineʼs ruling coalition breaks up ahead of Zelenskiy inauguration A group of lawmakers has quit Ukraineʼs ruling coalition allied with the outgoing President Petro Poroshenko. This could pose an obstacle to incoming leader Volodymyr Zelenskiy and his efforts to call for new elections. The Peopleʼs Front party in Ukraine announced it was exiting the ruling coalition on Friday and looking to form "a new coalition with a new agenda." Party leader Maksym Burbak told lawmakers that the move was caused by the new political configuration in Ukraine, as the country prepares to swear incomedian Volodymyr Zelenskiyas president on Monday.
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has been subjected to "psychological torture" as a result of years of isolation and persecution, a UN human rights expert said Friday. Nils Melzer, the UN rapporteur on torture, visited Assange in a British prison on May 9 accompanied by two medical experts specialized in examining torture victims. "It was obvious that Mr. Assangeʼs health has been seriously affected by the extremely hostile and arbitrary environment he has been exposed to for many years," said Melzer. "Most importantly, in addition to physical ailments, Mr. Assange showed all symptoms typical for prolonged exposure to psychological torture, including extreme stress, chronic anxiety and intense psychological trauma. "The evidence is overwhelming and clear," the independent expert said. "Mr. Assange has been deliberately exposed, for a period of several years, to progressively severe forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, the cumulative effects of which can only be described as psychological torture." In April, the 47-year old Australian was arrested at theEcuadorian Embassy in Londonwhere he sought refuge in 2012 after Sweden sought his extradition on sexual assault charges. Assange is currentlyserving a 50-week sentenceat Londonʼs Belmarsh prison for skipping bail. On Thursday, his lawyer said the Wikileaks founder was in too poor of health to appear at a British courthearing on a US extradi-
tion request, even via a video link from prison. He is currently in the prison health ward. Sweden has since reopened an investigation into an alleged rape in 2010. The United States is seekingAssangeʼs extraditionfor charges ofviolating the US Espionage Actwhen in 2010 he released a huge cache of classified information. Assange said his work is journalistic and numerous media outlets have used Wikileaks documents. "Since 2010, when Wikileaks started publishing evidence of war crimes and torture committed by US forces, we have seen a sustained and concerted effort by several states towards getting Mr. Assange extradited to the United States for prosecution, raising serious concern over the criminalization of investigative journalism in violation of both the US Constitution and international human rights law," Melzer said. "My most urgent concern is that, in the United States, Mr. Assange would be exposed to a real risk of serious violations of his human rights, including his freedom of expression, his right to a fair trial and the prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment," the Swiss law professor said. Melzer said he also worried that the charges against Assange carry a sentence of up to 175 years in prison. "This may well result in a life sentence without parole, or possibly even the death penalty if further charges were to be added in the future," said Melzer.
EU to punish cyberattackers with sanctions
Grumpy Cat, internet celebrity feline, dies age 7
The EU is to impose tough sanctions on those who launch cyberattacks, be it to attack infrastructure, obtain sensitive corporate information or influence elections. "The Council (of EU countries) established a framework which allows the EU to impose targeted restrictive measures to deter and respond to cyberattacks," the council said in a statement issued Friday. Among the measures are asset freezes and travel bans, which can also be imposed for attempted attacks.
Online sensation Grumpy Cat "passed away peacefully" in the hands of her owner after suffering an infection, the felineʼs human family has announced. The 7-year-old catʼs frown earned her millions of fans worldwide. Fans of Grumpy Cat, the mixed-race feline whose dwarfism and underbite gave her the look of perpetual frown, responded with sadness after the catʼs owners announced on Friday that the animal had died at the age of seven. "Some days are grumpier than others," they posted on the catʼs Twitter account.
125/2019 • 1 June, 2019 Weekend issue
Cyprus gas discoveries spark US-Russian gamesmanship In recent years, energy companies have discovered a number of significant gas reserves in the Eastern Mediterranean, and the rush to develop the offshore resources is reshaping the regionʼs political and economic dynamics. Earlier this year, ExxonMobil, together with Qatar Petroleum, found the third large gas reservoir off the coast of Cyprus. Known as the Glaucus-1 field, this latest discovery will add to the inventory of Eastern Mediterranean gas reservoirs coming online in neighboring Israeli and Egyptian territorial waters, which are expected to form a new energy hub for regional and, possibly, export markets. At the same time, officials in Washington are increasingly expressing support for cooperation between Israel, Cyprus and Greece in developing the reserves as a measure to counter both growing Russian influence in the Eastern Mediterranean, and also Turkish hostility towards gas development in Cyprusʼ territorial waters, where both have claims to energy resources.
Turkey: Is mob violence undermining democracy? The leader of the Republican Peopleʼs Party (CHP), Kemal Kilicdaroglu, had most likely prepared himself for a more contemplative day on April 21, when he attended the funeral of a soldier killed during a battle with Kurdish militias. But the atmosphere among those in attendance at the memorial being held in Cubuk, about 40 kilometers (24.8 miles) north of Ankara, turned out to be tense and when Kilicdaroglu arrived, the situation escalated quickly.An angry mob surrounded the 70-year-old, hurling punches at him from all directions; the opposition leader took a few blows to the face. Grimacing in pain, he struggled to stay on his feet amidst the violent uproar. Kilicdarogluʼs bodyguards surrounded him so as to shield him from the many attackers. Finally, they managed to escape into a house. But it didnʼt stop there: Kilicdaroglu had to wait inside while the house was besieged, with some of the men shouting "burn the house down." The attack sparked outrage on social media. On Twitter, hundreds of thousands of users expressed solidarity with the opposition leader by posting with the hashtag #KilicdarogluYalnizDegldir ("Kilicdaroglu is not alone"). 2
UK Labour Party breaks off talks with Theresa May Brexit:
Britainʼs opposition Labour Party says talks with Prime Minister Theresa May on the Brexit stalemate have reached the limit. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the government was too unstable for any deal to be secured. The leader of Britainʼs opposition Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, on Friday announced the end of six weeks of fruitless negotiations with Prime Minister Theresa May to find a compromise deal on the conditions of the countryʼs departure from the European Union. Corbyn said in a letter to May that the talks had "gone as far as they can" and pointed to "important policy gaps" between the two parties. Mayʼs
Italyʼs Matteo Salvini wants hefty fines for migrant rescue vessels Last week, a five-meter (16 feet) long rubber dinghy left the Libyan coast at 4 a.m. with 30 people on board, all hoping to reach mainland Europe. Fourteen hours later, the Italian rescue-vessel Alex spotted it with a broken engine and lying dangerously low in the water. "One of the pregnant women fainted after they were taken on board our main vessel, Mare Jo-
WhatsAppʼs security breach: Made in Israel, implemented worldwide The messaging app WhatsApp identified a security loopholethat allowed attackers to install spyware on phones using the appʼs regular call function, the Financial Times reported earlier this week. The targeted device owner doesnʼt even have to take the call, the report explained, as minutes after the attacker dials "the target phone starts revealing its encrypted content." NSO, an Israeli cybersecurity firm, is believed to be behind exploitation of the app. The group has not denied the reports, but said in a statement that it would investigate "any credible allegations of misuse and if necessary, take action, including shutting down the system." A London-based human rights lawyer brought the case to light after complaining of mysterious WhatsApp calls from Swedish numbers at unusual hours of the night. The man is involved in lawsuits against NSO over the alleged use of its phone-hacking tools to spy on Canada-based Saudi dissident Omar Abdulaziz, a Qatari citizen and a group of Mexican journalists.
Conservative Partyʼsmoves toward choosing a new leaderhad made the government "ever more unstable" and he had little confidence in its ability "to deliver any compromise agreement," Corbyn wrote. He said that although he would "carefully consider any proposals the government wishes to bring forward to break the Brexit deadlock," he would continue to oppose the deal as it stood. nio," Maso Notarianni, a rescuer, said. Notarianni volunteers for Mediterranea Saving Humans, a network of cooperatives, NGOs and ethical banks, who operate the two boats Mare Jonio and Alex in the Mediterranean Sea. The dinghy carried migrants from Sudan, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Chad and Burkina Faso, including four children. "When we reached them,they looked exhausted," Notarianni told DW. Itʼs believed that because the boat was so tiny, radar failed to pick it up.
Japanese private firm sends first
rocket into space The unmanned rocket named MOMO-3 took off Saturday from a test site in Taiki on the northern Japanese island of Hokkiado. Japanese aerospace startup Interstellar Technology said its 10-meter (32-foot) craft reached an altitude of about 100 kilometers (60 miles) before splashing down into the Pacific Ocean. The successful flight lasted about 10 minutes, and came after two failed launches by the same company in 2017 and 2018. "We proved that our rocket developed with a lot of commercially available parts is capable of reaching space," Interstellar Technology CEO Takahiro Inagawa told a news conference in Hokkaido.
125/2019 • 1 June, 2019 Weekend issue
Goa Tourism organized a Road show at Budapest - Goa of India is awaiting you in any season! Goa, a state in India, often referred as the ‘Paradise on earth’ is a land of amazing contrasts. Of tangible and intangible heritage; of human endeavour and natural wonders; of music and stillness. No other place in the world lets you discover so many worlds in the space of a few hours: outside you and inside you! Goa is well known as a premier international tourism destination.
Flanked by the Arabian Sea on the West and the imposing Sahyadri mountains on the East, the Goan landscape rises from sea-level to a towering 1022 metres. Several rivers crisscross the state and add to its natural beauty. Goa is a small state in India with a population of around 1.5 million and area of 3702 sq kms. However, Goa has the highest GDP per capita among all Indian states. Goa was a Portuguese colony for over 450 years and it has left an indelible influence on the original style in local cuisine as well as architecture and other aspects of life. The ‘Carnaval’ festival was introduced to Goa by the Portuguese and is an internationally famous festival. The churches and chapels display European architectural styles. The largest catholic monument in India/Asia is the Se Cathedral at Old Goa, which houses the famous Golden Bell. The Basilica of Bom Jesus at Old Goa, is India’s first Basilica and is an UNESCO world heritage site. Goa’s fame and glory is largely due to its ex-
otic beaches. The 60 mile coastline is dotted with some of the most picturesque beaches in the world; offering unique fusion of sun, sea and sand. Goa has a legacy of sacred architecture that includes magnificent temples, churches and mosques. A unique feature of the Goan temple is the ‘Deepstambh’, the tower of lamps. Goa is at her colourful best during the many festivals that are celebrated all-round the year. The major festivals being Carnival, Shigmo, Ganesh Chaturthi, Christmas, Diwali, Bondera, St Joao, etc. The other major attractions in Goa include Heritage monuments, Wildlife sanctuaries, Watersports, Nightlife, Adventure activities, Forts, Waterfalls, lakes, Spice plantations, Museums, Local cuisine, etc. Goa is one of the biggest hotspots in the Indian subcontinent drawing more that 5 million tourists every year. Goa Tourism has been undertaking promotional events across the world in order to reach out to the potential traveler to this picturesque destination. Goa Tourism,
has organized a tourism promotion event/ roadshow in Budapest on 30.04.2019, in order to showcase and promote the beautiful coastal state of Goa which is nestled on the west coast of the Indian Subcontinent. Mr. D. B. Sawant, General Manager, Goa Tourism Development Corporation said ‘Goa continues to draw Foreign visitors by the thousands every year, thanks to its lovely beaches, mountains, hills, backwaters, cuisine, the relaxed and chilled out way of life and has been consistently voted as one of the world’s must see destinations by leading tourism and travel magazines and surveys.’ He further added ‘The current promotional event seeks to market Goa and India as an attractive destination for Hungarian tourists. Goa is currently receiving regular charter flights from European countries and there is a huge potential to further develop Hungary as a source market for Goa especially in FIT segment.’ We are awaiting you in GOA!
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.
Art Cinema Night On 17 May, the annual Art Cinema Night is being held all over Budapest. From 6pm to 6am, cinemagoers can watch any film on the festival programme with a single ticket. Participating art-house cinemas include the Művész, the Puskin, the Tabán, the Toldi and KinoCafé. These cinemas screen independent films, usually in original language with Hungarian subtitles. For the detailed schedule, check the website.
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125/2019 • 1 June, 2019 Weekend issue
Broccoli, cabbage and kale: leafy green hosts of a cancer-preventing molecule
Ways to prevent dementia
Your mother always said they were good for you
Those who are overweight should definitely do something about their diet and go to the gym. Obesity is a key factor in developing dementia. More excercise improves blood circulation and makes for a healthier metabolism. A Mediterranean-style dietA healthy diet — rich in vegetables, salads and vegetable fats — has a positive effect on your blood vessels. Epidemiological studies show that people who lower their risk of a heart
The exact causes for Alzheimerʼs and other neurodegenerative diseases are unknown. But new WHO guidelines state that exercising, eating healthy, and staying mentally fit can help protect you.
attack or stroke are also likely to develop dementia later than people eating food high on cholesterol. Get your move on! Physical activity puts the blood vessels to use and is therefore good against dementia. It also directly helps the nerve system: The brain ultimately controls the body and receives stimulus back from the nerves in the muscles. The ability to keep oneʼs balance and orient oneself improves — as does the memory. Alcohol is pure poison Alcohol is a nerve agent, too. In higher doses it directly damages the brain. Even in lower concentrations it increases the risk of dementia, by increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases and damaging essential organs.
Your mother always said they were good for you. She was right. Researchers have found that these cruciferous vegetables contain a molecule with the ability to block cancer-causing genes. Broccoli, Brussels sprouts and kale all have something in common, and itʼs not the fact that that theyʼre the vegetables youʼre most likely to guilt yourself into buying only to leave rotting in your fridge (or dousing and frying with a hefty amont of olive oil). Harvard researchers recently discovered that the three green vegetables, along with a variety of othercruciferouscounterparts such as cauliflower and cabbage, contain a molecule that blocks a gene known to play a role in avariety of common human cancers. The molecule isnʼt a big, life-altering
discovery yet. Youʼd have to eat nearly 6 pounds of uncooked Brussels sprouts a day to reap their potential anti-cancer benefit, according to YuRu Lee, one of the studyʼs authors. But the ways in which scientists can use the molecule could have big implications for the future of cancer treatment, according to a study published on Thursday in Science led by Pier Paolo Pandolfi, a director of cancer research at theBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. The centeris a patient care, teaching and research affiliate of Harvard Medical School.
Find vegan beers, Baileys and brandy at new Budapest pub
Night of Coffeehouses
Sweet talk and laughter — German sayings involving forests and trees
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. 4
fter last year’s successful debut, cultural event Coffeehouse Night returns on 17 May. Its aim is to promote Budapest’s proud legacy in the genre. Free events, such as concerts, barista workshops and talks, are being held all over the city.
They also have a host of wonderful sayings and phrases revolving around forests and trees, with one that involves shouting into the woods.
Evergreens are part and parcel of German forests — and their language. Wald, the German term for forest, or Baum (tree), are words that crop up in many everyday German sayings and phrases. Some expressions are selfexplanatory, like not seeing the forest for the trees. Others, like "einen Ast lachen" (literally, laugh a branch), which means to be convulsed with laughter, and "Süssholz raspeln" (literally, grating licorice root), which means sweet-talking someone, may sound a bit odd to non-native ears. Click on the above picture gallery for more German phrases that utilize the terminology — and imagery — of the forest. And when youʼre done, check out more articles in theMeet The Germans seriesto find more about German culture, language and lifestyle.
125/2019 • 1 June, 2019 Weekend issue
Louvre pyramid architect I.M. Pei dies He was best known for his renovation of the Louvre in Paris
Architect I.M. Pei, one of the most famous and prolific architects of the 20th century, has died at the age of 102. He was best known for his renovation of the Louvre in Paris, which at first attracted huge criticism. Architect I.M. Pei, who found fame employing a modern style on numerous high-profile projects over more than six decades, has died at the age of 102, the New York Times reported Thursday. The Chineseborn Pei — who masterminded construction of the Louvre pyramid as part of the art galleryʼs extensive renovation in the 1980s — was said to have died overnight. The son of a prominent banker in China, the young Ieoh Ming Pei moved to the
US in 1935 to study architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University. After teaching and working for the US government, he started work for a New York developer in 1948 and opened his own firm in 1955. Peiʼs portfolio included museums, public buildings and company headquarters around the world, including the Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong and the Athensʼ Museum of Modern Art.
Defending against floods in Bosnia and Herzegovina Project goal: Flood protection and adaptation to climate change-related extreme weather in the Vrbas River Basin Project details: Development of an early-warning system and emergency response plans, reduction of flood risk through construction, as well as management and disaster response training Partner:Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina,Ministry of Spatial Planning, Construction, and Ecology of Republika Srpska,Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Water-Management and Forestry, Ministry of Agriculture,Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of Republika Srpska,Federal Ministry of Environment and Tourism Project duration: March 2015 - March 2020, with continuation under consideration Catastrophic floods in 2014 forced 90,000 people to relocate, killed more than 20 and left Bosnia and Herzegovina traumatized. The scale of the damage was so extreme the small countryʼs economy shrank by 15%. And climate change is only expected to bring more extreme weather, and more devastating high waters. Now, for the first time, Bosnia and Herzegovina is to have a flood management system to avoid a repeat of the devastation five years ago. The project could provide a model for other vulnerable areas in the region.
Looking for Hip Stylish souvenirs from Budapest?
Meet the athletes taking action on climate change Thereʼs no doubting the fact thatclimate changeand sport are intrinsically linked, with sportsmen and women seeing the impacts first-hand, whether onthe ice, in the oceanor simply by observing the plastic wasteleft behind after a match. These are just a few of the athletes stepping up and spreading awareness of the impacts of climate change and pollution. Will Gadd isnʼt just a world-class athlete and adventurer: heʼs using his profile to draw attention to the threat of climate change and is even helping climate scientists collect valuable data from some of the worldʼs most difficult-toreach places. The Canadian was
named a UN Environment Mountain Hero for helping scientists better understand how the Arctic ice is changing. Gadd set out to explore beneath the Greenland ice cap by undertaking a dangerous climb down moulins — vertical ice shafts which carry surface water towards the bedrock of glaciers. Although the Greenland ice sheet is the second biggest in the world, it is also the most understudied, meaning Gaddʼs trip was particularly useful for researchers. Other than exploring glaciers in the name of science, Gadd is best known as the first person to ice climb up Niagara Falls.
Find Bata Orsi Designer Every Saturday and Sunday in Gozsdu udvar "flea market"! bata orsi: ékszereket álmodom borsdesign@hotmail.com..........................................
Weather
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Hungary Budapest: Debrecen: Eger: Hévíz:
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Athens: Berlin: Bratislava: Bucharest: London: Madrid:
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Kecskemét: Keszthely: Siófok:
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Europe Moscow: Paris: Prague: Rome: Varsaw: Vienna:
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Culture
Renovated Museum of Fine Arts to Open on 31 October AFTER MORE THAN THREE YEARS OF RENOVATION, THE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS BUDAPEST WILL OPEN ON 31 OCTOBER. 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.
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125/2019 • 1 June, 2019 Weekend issue
Rory McIlroy still ʼright thereʼ in Wells Fargo Championship
Rory McIlroy believes he remains a leading contender at the Wells Fargo Championship despite falling five shots off the lead at the halfway stage. World number four McIlroy, joint leader after an opening 66, dropped three shots on the final two par-fours and had to settle for a one-under-par 70. Despite the gap, McIlroy is optimistic about his chances at Quail Hollow. "I am still right there, but I get off to a good start on Saturday," the Northern Irishman said on pgatour.com.
Fernando Alonso faces missing a place on Indy 500 grid for race
Fernando Alonso is in danger of failing to make the grid for the Indianapolis 500 after setting the 31st fastest time on the first day of qualifying. The two-time Formula 1 world champion faces a shootout on Sunday with five other drivers for the final three places on the 33-car grid. If it rains as forecast, the shootout will be when weather allows next week. Alonso had five attempts at locking in a place in the top 30 on the grid but the McLaren car was not fast enough. "We didnʼt have the speed," said Alonso, who managed a fastest average over his four-lap run of 227.224mph. 6
Aleksandar Kolarovʼs free kick stunner secures Serbia win over Costa Rica 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 arch-rivals 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 side-footed 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.
Massimiliano Allegri decision ʼthe most difficultʼ Juventus:
Juventus president Andrea Agnelli says the decision to replace manager Massimiliano Allegri was "the most difficult" of his time at the Serie A club. Juve said on Friday that Allegri, 51, wouldleave at the end of the seasonafter five league titles in five years and 11 trophies in total. Italian Allegri had one year remaining on a contract he signed in 2017. "This has been a decision of a lot of focus and emotions," Agnelli said. "At the end of several reflections and analysis, we identified that this was the best decision to make." Under Allegri, who took over from Antonio
Conte in 2014, Juve reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League in the past two years. "We are all useful but no-one is dispensable, starting from me," Agnelli said. "It is the history of the club that it is bigger than any single individual." Allegri said: "We evaluated the future of Juventus and obviously the club decided to take a direction next year without me, but that doesnʼt change anything.
Manchester United: Louis van Gaal on his sacking, his legacy and life in retirement It is almost three years since Louis van Gaal walked into a Wembley news conference and slammed the FA Cup on to the table. The Dutchman had just completed what he regards as his greatest managerial achievement: "Winning a trophy despite having a noose round my neck for six months." Within minutes of the final whistle of Manchester Unitedʼs victory with 10 men against Crystal Palace, it was reported he
would be sacked and replaced by Jose Mourinho. I met Van Gaal in Portugal last week for his first written interview with a British journalist since that day. He looked well, energised and now free from the stresses of over four decades in professional football. The previous week he had confirmed his retirement. Over the course of a fascinating 90 minutes, Van Gaal, now 67, was his usual charismatic self. He laughed - a lot.