An Indian army vehicle crosses Chang La pass near Pangong Lake in Ladakh, a remote Himalayan region where Indian and Chinese soldiers have been in a bitter standoff since early May 2020. AP
An Indian army vehicle crosses Chang La pass near Pangong Lake in Ladakh, a remote Himalayan region where Indian and Chinese soldiers have been in a bitter standoff since early May 2020. AP
An Indian army vehicle crosses Chang La pass near Pangong Lake in Ladakh, a remote Himalayan region where Indian and Chinese soldiers have been in a bitter standoff since early May 2020. AP
An Indian army vehicle crosses Chang La pass near Pangong Lake in Ladakh, a remote Himalayan region where Indian and Chinese soldiers have been in a bitter standoff since early May 2020. AP

World

From India-China stand-off to deadly shark attack: the non-coronavirus news you might have missed

New Delhi and Beijing have agreed to ‘peacefully resolve’ border flare-up that has heightened tensions between the nuclear neighbours

The National

June 07, 2020

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Japan declines to join US and others in condemning China for Hong Kong law

Japan has decided not join the United States, Britain and others in issuing a statement scolding China for imposing a new security law, Kyodo news agency reported on Sunday, citing officials from countries involved.

The United Kingdom, the US, Australia and Canada condemned China on May 28 for imposing a law that they said would threaten freedom and breach a 1984 Sino-British agreement on the autonomy of the former colony.

There was no immediate response from Japan’s foreign ministry and the US embassy in Tokyo. China’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Tokyo separately issued a statement May 28, the day China’s parliament approved the national security legislation, saying the nation was “seriously concerned” about the move, which observers fear could endanger Hong Kong’s special autonomy and freedoms.

Daily Update 

Head of South Korea ‘comfort women’ shelter found dead amid probe

A woman running a shelter for South Korean victims of Japan’s wartime sexual slavery has been found dead in her home, police said Sunday, amid a corruption probe involving the facility.

Prosecutors are investigating claims that the Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance activist group misused funds meant for the so-called “comfort women” – a euphemism for the country’s Second World War sex slaves.

The woman, 60, was believed to have taken her own life, police said.

“She came home by herself and the door was locked,” police said, without giving the woman’s name.

Officers said they did not believe anyone else was involved in her death.

The reason for her death was not known, but the activist group said she had been struggling with the ongoing investigation and a raid of the shelter by prosecutors last month.

“She said she felt as if her entire life was being denied,” it said in a statement.

People wearing face masks to protect against the new coronavirus walk outside of a shopping mall at a pedestran shopping street in Beijing. China's capital is lowering its emergency response level to the second-lowest starting Saturday for the coronavirus pandemic. That will lift most restrictions on people traveling to Beijing from Wuhan and surrounding Hubei province, where the virus first appeared late last year. AP Photo
People wearing face masks to protect against the new coronavirus walk outside of a shopping mall at a pedestran shopping street in Beijing. China's capital is lowering its emergency response level to the second-lowest starting Saturday for the coronavirus pandemic. That will lift most restrictions on people traveling to Beijing from Wuhan and surrounding Hubei province, where the virus first appeared late last year. AP Photo
Health professionals take care of a patient at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) ward where patients infected with the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, are being treated at the Doctor Ernesto Che Guevara Public Hospital in Marica city, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. AFP
Health professionals take care of a patient at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) ward where patients infected with the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, are being treated at the Doctor Ernesto Che Guevara Public Hospital in Marica city, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. AFP
Health professionals work at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) ward where patients infected with the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, are being treated at the Doctor Ernesto Che Guevara Public Hospital in Marica city, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. AFP
Health professionals work at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) ward where patients infected with the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, are being treated at the Doctor Ernesto Che Guevara Public Hospital in Marica city, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. AFP
A South Korean woman receives body temperature check from soldier as she arrive visits at the Seoul National Cemetery during a 65th anniversary of the Memorial Day amid coronavirus pandemic in Seoul, South Korea. South Korea marks the 65th anniversary of the Memorial Day for people who died during the military service in the 1950-53 Korean War. Getty
A South Korean woman receives body temperature check from soldier as she arrive visits at the Seoul National Cemetery during a 65th anniversary of the Memorial Day amid coronavirus pandemic in Seoul, South Korea. South Korea marks the 65th anniversary of the Memorial Day for people who died during the military service in the 1950-53 Korean War. Getty
Gravediggers carry a coffin during a funeral at the Jardines del Recuerdo Cemetery in Managua, amid the new coronavirus pandemic. AFP
Gravediggers carry a coffin during a funeral at the Jardines del Recuerdo Cemetery in Managua, amid the new coronavirus pandemic. AFP
People protest following the death of a young man while in police custody, after he had been arrested allegedly for failing to comply with measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus in Guadalajara, Jalisco state, Mexico. AFP
People protest following the death of a young man while in police custody, after he had been arrested allegedly for failing to comply with measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus in Guadalajara, Jalisco state, Mexico. AFP
Passengers wearing protective face masks are seen at the concourse amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, at Tokyo Metro's newly-opened Toranomon Hills Station in Tokyo, Japan. REUTERS
Passengers wearing protective face masks are seen at the concourse amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, at Tokyo Metro's newly-opened Toranomon Hills Station in Tokyo, Japan. REUTERS
A protester raises his fist in the streets of Sao Goncalo during a protest amidst the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in Sao Goncalo, Brazil. About 300 people walked and shouted slogans against the government of Jair Bolsonaro and protested against the death of the American George Floyd and the boy Joao Pedro (murdered by police in the Salgueiro community). The protesters were sympathizers of the "All Against Racism Movement" and "Black Lives Matter." Getty
A protester raises his fist in the streets of Sao Goncalo during a protest amidst the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in Sao Goncalo, Brazil. About 300 people walked and shouted slogans against the government of Jair Bolsonaro and protested against the death of the American George Floyd and the boy Joao Pedro (murdered by police in the Salgueiro community). The protesters were sympathizers of the "All Against Racism Movement" and "Black Lives Matter." Getty
Visitors at the sold out open air cinema watch a movie in Berlin, Germany. As part of the easing measures concerts, kino and other open air events are allowed from June 2nd in the German capital, with a maximum of 200 people. The lock down measures have largely eased nationwide, with stores, restaurants and cafes open again, though under certain restrictions to avoid people crowding together. The economic outlook as a whole remains uncertain, prompting the German government to approve a EUR 130 billion stimulus package earlier this week. Getty
Visitors at the sold out open air cinema watch a movie in Berlin, Germany. As part of the easing measures concerts, kino and other open air events are allowed from June 2nd in the German capital, with a maximum of 200 people. The lock down measures have largely eased nationwide, with stores, restaurants and cafes open again, though under certain restrictions to avoid people crowding together. The economic outlook as a whole remains uncertain, prompting the German government to approve a EUR 130 billion stimulus package earlier this week. Getty
Disguised as characters of "Alice in Wonderland" and wearing face masks against the spread of the novel coronavirus, Venezuelan migrants perfom in Bogota. AFP
Disguised as characters of "Alice in Wonderland" and wearing face masks against the spread of the novel coronavirus, Venezuelan migrants perfom in Bogota. AFP
People stand in a line waiting food outside a community center during the coronavirus crisis in Padre Rodolfo Ricciardelli neigborhood, before knowed as Villa 1-11-14, in Buenos Aires, Argentina one of the neighborhood most affected by COVID-19. EPA
People stand in a line waiting food outside a community center during the coronavirus crisis in Padre Rodolfo Ricciardelli neigborhood, before knowed as Villa 1-11-14, in Buenos Aires, Argentina one of the neighborhood most affected by COVID-19. EPA
The shadows of synthetic macaws are cast on the pavement backdropped by a mural of a macaw as pedestrians wearing protective face masks walk past, in the Petare neighborhood of Caracas, Venezuela. President Nicolas Maduro and Venezuela's opposition, led by Juan Guaido, have agreed to measures for battling the new coronavirus to be overseen by international health workers, a first step in years toward cooperation between bitter political rivals for the benefit of the country. AP Photo
The shadows of synthetic macaws are cast on the pavement backdropped by a mural of a macaw as pedestrians wearing protective face masks walk past, in the Petare neighborhood of Caracas, Venezuela. President Nicolas Maduro and Venezuela's opposition, led by Juan Guaido, have agreed to measures for battling the new coronavirus to be overseen by international health workers, a first step in years toward cooperation between bitter political rivals for the benefit of the country. AP Photo
Police offciers stand guard as travellers wearing protective face masks queue for check-in on an Air Austral flight to Paris, from Dzaoudzi Airport in Petite Terre on the French Indian Ocean island of Mayotte, as measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) are maintained on Mayotte over concerns about the continued spread of the virus there and a fragile health system. AFP
Police offciers stand guard as travellers wearing protective face masks queue for check-in on an Air Austral flight to Paris, from Dzaoudzi Airport in Petite Terre on the French Indian Ocean island of Mayotte, as measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) are maintained on Mayotte over concerns about the continued spread of the virus there and a fragile health system. AFP
People walk along a street outside the Jama Masjid after the government eased a nationwide lockdown imposed as a preventive measure against the COVID-19 coronavirus in the old quarters of New Delhi. AFP
People walk along a street outside the Jama Masjid after the government eased a nationwide lockdown imposed as a preventive measure against the COVID-19 coronavirus in the old quarters of New Delhi. AFP
People walk in a park after it was reopened with the easing of the lockdown against the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus in Lahore, Pakistan. Countries around the world are taking increased measures to stem the widespread of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus which causes the Covid-19 disease. EPA
People walk in a park after it was reopened with the easing of the lockdown against the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus in Lahore, Pakistan. Countries around the world are taking increased measures to stem the widespread of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus which causes the Covid-19 disease. EPA
A public health officer checks the temperature of a Muslim man as he arrives to attend Friday prayers at a mosque in the southern Thai province of Narathiwat as restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus are slowly eased. AFP
A public health officer checks the temperature of a Muslim man as he arrives to attend Friday prayers at a mosque in the southern Thai province of Narathiwat as restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus are slowly eased. AFP

Clashes at London’s Black Lives Matter protests

Read more here

India and China seek to ‘peacefully resolve’ border face-off

India and China have agreed to “peacefully resolve” the latest border flare-up that has heightened tension between the nuclear-armed neighbours, New Delhi said on Sunday, after a high-level meeting between army commanders.

Tension has flared in recent weeks between the two regional powers over their 3,500-kilometre frontier, which has never been properly demarcated.

Thousands of troops from both countries are involved in the face-off concentrated in India’s Ladakh region, opposite Tibet.

“Both sides agreed to peacefully resolve the situation in the border areas in accordance with various bilateral agreements,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.

The ministry added that the commanders agreed an “early resolution” was “essential” for bilateral relations between the world’s two most populous nations.

“Accordingly, the two sides will continue the military and diplomatic engagements to resolve the situation and to ensure peace and tranquillity in the border areas,” the statement said.

Israelis protest West Bank annexation plan

Read more here 

10-foot shark kills surfer off Australia’s east coast

A surfer was attacked and killed by a three-metre shark off the coast of northern New South Wales state on Sunday, Australian police said.

Several people tried to help the man, aged 60, and fought off the shark before taking him to shore at Salt Beach in South Kingscliff, police said.

He was given first aid for serious injuries to his left leg but died at the scene.

Nearby beaches were cleared of swimmers and surfers and will remain closed for 24 hours.

Kingscliff resident Stuart Gonsal had just arrived at the beach ready for a surf, when he found out about the fatal attack.

“We came down and we hadn’t got in the water and police were immediately hauling people in,” Mr Gonsal told Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio. “We found out there was a fatal shark attack on the south side of the rock wall. We were going to get in – we’re not going to now, for sure.”

Beyond the Headlines

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Power: 727hp

Torque: 1,000Nm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km

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David Haye record

Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
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Whiile you're here
SPECS
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Conflict, drought, famine

Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.

Band Aid

Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.

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Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

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Transmission: 8-speed auto

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Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

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Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails

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Pool A Dubai Hurricanes, Bahrain, Dubai Exiles, Dubai Tigers 2

Pool B Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Jebel Ali Dragons, Dubai Knights Eagles, Dubai Tigers

 

Opening fixtures

Thursday, December 5

6.40pm, Pitch 8, Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Dubai Knights Eagles

7pm, Pitch 2, Jebel Ali Dragons v Dubai Tigers

7pm, Pitch 4, Dubai Hurricanes v Dubai Exiles

7pm, Pitch 5, Bahrain v Dubai Eagles 2

 

Recent winners

2018 Dubai Hurricanes

2017 Dubai Exiles

2016 Abu Dhabi Harlequins

2015 Abu Dhabi Harlequins

2014 Abu Dhabi Harlequins

Company profile

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Staff: 200

Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends

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Results

UAE beat Saudi Arabia by 12 runs

Kuwait beat Iran by eight wickets

Oman beat Maldives by 10 wickets

Bahrain beat Qatar by six wickets

Semi-finals

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Bahrain v Kuwait

 

Sunday:
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Formula 2 race: 1:35pm
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Performance: Guns N' Roses

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