74/2019 • 30 MARCH, 2019 WEEKEND ISSUE
DAILY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Alaa AbdelFattah freed from prison A key Egyptian pro-democracy activist and blogger, Alaa Abdel-Fattah, was released from prison on Friday afterserving a five-year sentence for holding an unauthorized protest. His imprisonment in 2013 for taking part in a peaceful demonstration was seen by many observers as another indication that Egypt was returning to autocratic rule. Dozens of activists have been jailed in Egypt in recent years for violating draconian laws banning public gatherings that rights advocates say are aimed only at muzzling dissent.
French retailer Decathlon cancels plan to sell sports hijab French sporting goods chain Decathlon has canceled plans to sell a runnerʼs hijab in France following a public outcry and opposition from some politicians who called for a boycott. Decathlon official Xavier Rivoire told the RTL broadcaster on Tuesday that the Muslim headscarf designed for runners would not be sold at its stores in France for the time being. Read more: Muslim fashion for women: Modesty meets trendy style Decathlon had initially said it would sell the sports hijab to meet "a requirement of certain runners, and we are therefore responding to this sporting requirement." Several French politicians criticized Decathlon for its plans to sell the product in France, including Health Minister Agnes Buzyn. Such a product is "not forbidden by law," she said on RTL, but "it is a vision of women that I do not share. I would have preferred that a French brand not promote the veil." Several French politicians criticized Decathlon for its plans to sell the product in France, including Health Minister Agnes Buzyn. Such a product is "not forbidden by law," she said on RTL, but "it is a vision of women that I do not share. I would have preferred that a French brand not promote the veil."
Angela Merkel honored with ʼelectro-operaʼ in Netherlands The play focuses on struggles she faced during her career
A Dutch theater has staged a "Wagnerian electro-opera" about German Chancellor Angela Merkel, a "woman whom nobody really knows."
Facebook, Instagram ban British farright figure Tommy Robinson Facebook has taken harsh measures against British far-right personality Tommy Robinson, banning him from its platforms and closing his Facebook page and Instagram profile. Robinson is said to have violated Facebookʼs "community standards" by promoting "organized hate" and other prohibited behavior. Specifically, the company noted in a statement that Robinsonʼs pages had repeatedly broken its standards by "posting material that uses
dehumanizing language and calls for violence targeted at Muslims." "This is not a decision we take lightly, but individuals and organizations that attack others on the basis of who they are have no place on Facebook or Instagram," the social media giant said. Anti-fascist and anti-racist organization Hope Not Hate welcomed the decision, referring to Robinson as "a farright thug who uses his platform to bully, abuse and stir up division."
Ronnie OʼSullivan and Mark Selby through to second round Five-time world champion Ronnie OʼSullivan booked his place in the second round of the Welsh Open with victory over Sanderson Lam. After going 2-1 down, breaks of 95 and 116 helped OʼSullivan to a 4-2 win to set up a tie with Chinaʼs Yuan Sijun. Three-time world champion Mark Selby beat Anthony McGill 4-2, with Adam Duffy his next opponent. Former world champion Neil Robertson made a maximum 147 break dur-
ing his 4-1 win against Jordan Brown. There were also first-round wins for Barry Hawkins and Stuart Bingham, Hawkins beat Sunny Akani 4-0, Bingham was a 4-0 winner over Ali Carter, while Nigel Bond won a deciding frame to beat Alan McManus 4-3. Duane Jones gave the home crowd something to cheer when he produced an upset to beat Xiao Guodong 4-3. Jonesʼ compatriot Jackson Page is out, having lost 4-1 to Zhao Xintong.
Germanyʼs extra-special wish for the United Kingdom to stay Germany would probably miss Britain more than other members of the EU 27 when, and if, Brexit finally happens. Thatʼs the opinion of Norbert Röttgen, who heads the German parliamentʼs foreign affairs committee. With the Brexit process stalling ahead of athird vote on Theresa Mayʼs withdrawal deal, Röttgen told DW he still hoped that Brexit might not happen. "We know the high and valuable contribution of Britain to the European Union. Perhaps Germany even more than others do," the former environment minister explained.
Mass protests in Algeria as Bouteflika clings to power Protesters crowded the streets of several Algerian cities for thesixth weekly protest against veteran president Abdelaziz Bouteflikaand his allies on Friday. Huge numbers of demonstrators, including veterans of the countryʼs 1990s civil war, congregated in front of the central post office in downtown Algiers. "Weʼre fed up with those in power," the demonstrators chanted. "We want a new government." Strong police presence was noticeable in Algiers, with helicopters flying overhead.
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