“Trump threatens BBC with $1 billion lawsuit” is certainly the UK headline of the week.
The leading British news organisation stands accused that it is organisationally biased. Irredeemably so, to its many critics.
BBC insiders and former stars are lining up to back the broadcaster. If the organisation has a problem, it is that it is incredibly defensive in its operations.
When its calumny concerns Donald Trump, it is not good enough to wish away the problem. As Chris Blackhurst writes, you would think they would know that just about the worst person to cross is the American President. Poke him and he is riled. The only way to deal with him is to flatter and ingratiate, and if you are found to be at fault, to instantly and fulsomely apologise. Gorging on humble pie is the only language he understands.
Outgoing BBC director general Tim Davie arrives at the BBC headquarters in London. EPA
Yes, BBC chief executive Tim Davie and head of news Deborah Turness have resigned. But that is not enough. It was never going to be enough. Mr Trump seeks complete capitulation. Resignations plus grovelling ought to do it. Anything less will not suffice.
The statement from BBC chairman Samir Shah that the deliberate editing of Mr Trump’s Capitol Hill rally address to make it seem he told his supporters to go to the bastion of US democracy looks woefully misjudged. Overnight, Mr Trump said he had an "obligation" to sue. Expect this one to run and run.
Techno BBC
Another line of argument is that the BBC is so big that it is impossible for managers to keep every part of the newsroom within editorial lines. There are copious controls but no sign of a responsible editor in charge in the case of the Trump documentary.
The BBC reported the views of David Elstein, a former executive producer who worked on the Panorama series, who said a news brand of its calibre should not be made outside the corporation. “My personal view is that current affairs absolutely needs to be under your internal control,” he said. “I’m sure the BBC would have learnt that lesson.”
What if technology loosens that element of control even further? That point was underlined at the JournalismAI conference in London on Tuesday, where it seemed AI was being seen as a cure-all in some parts. Nathalie Malinarich, the BBC's executive news editor for digital development, talked about the AI challenge and said the corporation's material would be produced by machine at such volume that not all output would received editorial scrutiny.
She also talked about the specifics of the work of 150 journalists on local democracy projects that was about to be transformed by AI. The implication was that this work was currently beyond the scope of the management. Technology is being used as a tool to bring it into their purview, but these are cloudy waters.
JournalismAI continues on Wednesday on London's South Bank.
Proclaiming herself the representative of the people's values against “the dominant narrative”, Catherine Connolly became the President of Ireland on Tuesday.
I've written about how her sympathies for the Palestinian cause make Ms Connolly's victory another triumph for progressive politics in Europe. She created a powerful public profile from her campaigning on Middle East issues over the years.
In a reference to the Gaza conflict, she said Ireland had a role to play. “Given our history, the normalisation of war and genocide has never been and will never be acceptable to us,” she said.
Questions deserve to be asked about how much impact this has. It may be highly effective in European terms but does the bloc have real influence? In the case of sustaining the Gaza ceasefire, it's hard to see the Europeans making a difference however strong their public positions.
The inauguration of Ireland's new President Catherine Connolly. Reuters
We have been talking to the chairman of the independent counter-terrorism commission, who has warned the children of British men and women who went to Syria to fight for ISIS could in turn become “serious terrorists”.
With up to 40 such children of UK citizens trapped in Syria, the British government is under an obligation to get them out to prevent them becoming extremists, said Sir Declan Morgan, who has led a report on the UK adopting a new approach to terrorism.
He led a high-level assault on the flagship counter-extremism programme, saying that under its “present approach, 'Prevent', is not fit for purpose”.
“Prevent should be integrated into a wider, local authority-led multi-agency safeguarding ‘front door’ that works with communities to mainstream violence prevention work, currently processed through Prevent, into broader violence-reduction strategies,” he said.
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Building boom turning to bust as Turkey's economy slows
Deep in a provincial region of northwestern Turkey, it looks like a mirage - hundreds of luxury houses built in neat rows, their pointed towers somewhere between French chateau and Disney castle.
Meant to provide luxurious accommodations for foreign buyers, the houses are however standing empty in what is anything but a fairytale for their investors.
The ambitious development has been hit by regional turmoil as well as the slump in the Turkish construction industry - a key sector - as the country's economy heads towards what could be a hard landing in an intensifying downturn.
After a long period of solid growth, Turkey's economy contracted 1.1 per cent in the third quarter, and many economists expect it will enter into recession this year.
The country has been hit by high inflation and a currency crisis in August. The lira lost 28 per cent of its value against the dollar in 2018 and markets are still unconvinced by the readiness of the government under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to tackle underlying economic issues.
The villas close to the town centre of Mudurnu in the Bolu region are intended to resemble European architecture and are part of the Sarot Group's Burj Al Babas project.
But the development of 732 villas and a shopping centre - which began in 2014 - is now in limbo as Sarot Group has sought bankruptcy protection.
It is one of hundreds of Turkish companies that have done so as they seek cover from creditors and to restructure their debts.
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
Funding stage: Series B fundraising round to conclude in February
Investors: Undisclosed
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
Tamkeen's offering
Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
Option 2: 50% across three years
Option 3: 30% across five years
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Last six stroke-play events (First round score in brackets)
Arnold Palmer Invitational Tied for 4th (74)
The US Masters Tied for 7th (72)
The Players Championship Tied for 35th (73)
US Open Missed the cut (78)
Travellers Championship Tied for 17th (67)
Irish Open Missed the cut (72)
Key products and UAE prices
iPhone XS
With a 5.8-inch screen, it will be an advance version of the iPhone X. It will be dual sim and comes with better battery life, a faster processor and better camera. A new gold colour will be available. Price: Dh4,229
iPhone XS Max
It is expected to be a grander version of the iPhone X with a 6.5-inch screen; an inch bigger than the screen of the iPhone 8 Plus. Price: Dh4,649
iPhone XR
A low-cost version of the iPhone X with a 6.1-inch screen, it is expected to attract mass attention. According to industry experts, it is likely to have aluminium edges instead of stainless steel. Price: Dh3,179
Apple Watch Series 4
More comprehensive health device with edge-to-edge displays that are more than 30 per cent bigger than displays on current models.
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
Results
5pm: Al Maha Stables – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m; Winner: Reem Baynounah, Fernando Jara (jockey), Mohamed Daggash (trainer)
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: AF Afham, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
Two months before the first round on April 10, the appetite of voters for the election is low.
Mathieu Gallard, account manager with Ipsos, which conducted the most recent poll, said current forecasts suggested only two-thirds were "very likely" to vote in the first round, compared with a 78 per cent turnout in the 2017 presidential elections.
"It depends on how interesting the campaign is on their main concerns," he told The National. "Just now, it's hard to say who, between Macron and the candidates of the right, would be most affected by a low turnout."
Friday
Nice v Angers (9pm)
Lille v Monaco (10.45pm)
Saturday
Montpellier v Paris Saint-Germain (7pm)
Bordeaux v Guingamp (10pm)
Caen v Amiens (10pm)
Lyon v Dijon (10pm)
Metz v Troyes (10pm)
Sunday
Saint-Etienne v Rennes (5pm)
Strasbourg v Nantes (7pm)
Marseille v Toulouse (11pm)
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
The fourth season of du Football Champions was launched at Gitex on Wednesday alongside the Middle East’s first sports-tech scouting platform.“du Talents”, which enables aspiring footballers to upload their profiles and highlights reels and communicate directly with coaches, is designed to extend the reach of the programme, which has already attracted more than 21,500 players in its first three years.
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi
Director: Kangana Ranaut, Krish Jagarlamudi
Producer: Zee Studios, Kamal Jain
Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Ankita Lokhande, Danny Denzongpa, Atul Kulkarni
