9 Leaders of Hong Kong Pro-Democracy Protests Found Guilty

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9 April 2019, 12:50

Benny Tai,Chan Kin Man,Chu Yiu Ming — Occupy Central leaders, from right, Benny Tai, Chan Kin Man and Chu Yiu Ming shout slogans before entering a court in Hong Kong, Tuesday, April 9, 2019. Nine leaders of the 2014 Hong Kong pro-democracy movement hear the verdicts in their trial. The co-founders of the "Occupy Central" campaign - legal Professor Benny Tai Yiu-Ting, sociology professor Chan Kin-man and retired pastor Chu Yiu-ming - are facing charges related to the planning and implementation of the campaign which became part of the large-scale pro-democracy Umbrella Movement protests which were carried out 79 days between September and December 2014. Photo: Kin Cheung / AP

HONG KONG — A Hong Kong court found nine leaders of 2014 pro-democracy demonstrations guilty Tuesday on public nuisance and other charges, in a verdict that activists say likely presages more restrictions on free expression in the semi-autonomous Chinese territory.

Those convicted included law professor Benny Tai, retired sociology professor Chan Kin-man and pastor Chu Yiu-ming. Two current lawmakers, one former lawmaker, two student leaders and a political activist were also found guilty.

The nine were leaders of the non-violent “Occupy Central” campaign to demand the right of the city’s population to choose its own leader rather than merely approve a candidate picked by Beijing.

“Hong Kong courts, by labeling peaceful protests in pursuit of rights as public nuisance, are sending a terrible message that will likely embolden the government to prosecute more peaceful activists, further chilling free expression in Hong Kong,” Maya Wang, senior China researcher at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement.

Prior to the verdict’s announcement, Chan said he and the others had no regrets for their actions but were chiefly concerned with the movement’s legacy.

While the verdicts will have an impact on the individuals, “we are more concerned about how this movement will be recognized by the people of Hong Kong,” Chan said.

Hong Kong’s biggest popular protest in recent years, also known as the umbrella movement, laid siege to government headquarters and paralyzed Hong Kong’s financial district for 79 days. Thousands staked out encampments on major thoroughfares. Several hundred were arrested.

The movement fizzled without winning concessions from the Hong Kong government for free elections and the pro-democracy movement has struggled to retain a high-profile in recent years.

More than 100 supporters, some raising yellow umbrellas that were a symbol of the protests, gathered at the courthouse in the West Kowloon district.

Tai said that was a sign the spirit of the protests lived on.

“I have the confidence, many people today, with me together, we will continue to strive for Hong Kong’s democracy. And we will persist and we will not give up,” Tai said.

Ranging in age from their 30s to 70s , the nine defendants span generations of Hong Kong citizens who have been agitating for full democracy.

Tai, Chan and Chu were found guilty of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance. Tai and Chan were also found guilty of inciting others to cause a public nuisance, while the other six were found guilty of inciting others to cause a public nuisance, as well as inciting people to incite others to cause a public nuisance.

Each charge carries a maximum penalty of seven years. The defendants had all pleaded not guilty, calling the prosecutions politically motivated. They are due back in court for sentencing Tuesday afternoon.

Three university students prosecuted in 2016 for their leadership roles in the protests received community service. But Hong Kong judges have since faced mounting pressure from Beijing to hand down heavier sentences to deter future protests.

Some fear that central government meddling will erode judicial independence, a bedrock value that undergirds the city’s standing as a global business capital.

The former British colony was handed over to Chinese rule in 1997 under an agreement in which China promised it could retain its own laws, economic system and civil rights for 50 years.

However, China’s ruling Communist Party under authoritarian President Xi Jinping appears to be growing impatient with efforts by Hong Kong activists to promote greater democracy. The Hong Kong government last year banned a local political party that advocated the territory’s independence from Beijing.

Man-kei Tam, Director of Amnesty International Hong Kong, called the verdicts a “crushing blow for freedom of expression and peaceful protest in Hong Kong.”

“The government is increasingly using prosecutions as a political tool to target peaceful activists, abusing the law to silence debate about sensitive issues such as Hong Kong democracy and autonomy,” Tam said.

“We urge the government to cease this chilling assault against people legitimately exercising their right to freedom of expression.”

Gov’t Moves ‘Big Joke’ to Obscure Civilian Post

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Teeranai Charuvastra, News Chief

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9 April 2019, 12:22

Lt. Gen. Surachate Hakparn (in red circle) during a police meeting on April 9, 2019.

BANGKOK — A former immigration chief was stripped of all police posts in an order released by the junta on Tuesday.

Lt. Gen. Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, considered a future police commissioner prior to his sudden transfer last week, was moved to a civilian position attached to the Prime Minister’s Office – a downgrade from his influential role in the force. The order, sent out via an internal police memo, also removed Surachate from all existing police duties.

A spokeswoman for PM Prayuth Chan-ocha said Surachate will likely serve as a “special adviser” to the cabinet.

“But it depends on which position the Prime Minister’s Office decides is available for this transfer,” Taksada Sangkachan told reporters today.

Top government officials continue to stay tight-lipped over the abrupt decision to transfer Surachate to an inactive duty. Gen. Prayuth walked past reporters at Government House without responding to their shouts of questions this morning.

Deputy junta chairman Prawit Wongsuwan, who oversees police affairs, was expected to offer an explanation for Surachate’s downfall today, but he did not show up for work. Prawit’s aides said the general is on sick leave and maintained he is not avoiding reporters.

The police issued an order removing Surachate from his powerful post “effective immediately” on April 5, without providing any reasons.

The announcement took many by surprise as Surachate was one of the most visible faces of the police, with his jurisdiction previously including immigration and cybercrimes. Some observers had speculated he would be the future police commissioner.

Surachate was not seen in public for days prior to the transfer order. He was briefly spotted attending a police meeting earlier this morning, but he left without talking to reporters. Phone calls to the former immigration commander were not answered. His public Facebook profile has also been deactivated.

Deputy police commissioner Srivara Ransibrahmanakul did not give a clear answer when questioned by the media today.

“I don’t know everything,” Gen. Srivara said.

Note: Some details were omitted from this story due to legal concerns.

70s HK Pop Singer ‘Agnes Chan’ Looks Back on Stardom, Talks Motherhood

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Asaree Thaitrakulpanich, Staff Reporter

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9 April 2019, 11:36

Agnes Chan holds up Thai versions of her books.

BANGKOK — “We can’t return we can only look behind from where we came / And go round and round and round in the circle game,” sings the sharp, clear voice of a 63-year old woman.

In the 1970s, every teen in Asia was bopping along to Hong Kong teen singer Agnes Chan’s guitar-strummed folk hits, such as puppy-love anthem “You Are 21, I am 16” and soulful “Circle Game.” Bangkok youth flocked to catch a glimpse of her during her numerous concerts and film promotions.

On a recent visit to Khaosod to promote her latest books – an autobiography and a parenting book – middle-aged fans brought their vintage records for their teenage idol to sign after hearing her sing a few lines from one of her old hits.

“I think it is very magical that because of my books, I’m back in Thailand and have the chance to see my fans again,” Chan said.

Available in Thai for the first time, her autobiography “38 Revelations in Life” details her tumultuous teenage years as a star and Japanese emigre. Press followed her avidly when she married a Japanese man in 1985, moved to the island nation – a huge cultural hurdle for a Chinese woman at the time. She then stirred up the “Agnes Controversy” in 1988 by being a publicly working mother there.

Chan says the path for working moms in Japan is still hard, but has improved since her time.

“I think a lot of young women know they can decide their future now. Not everything has to be approved by their husbands, or their fathers, or their brothers,” she said.

In the same year as her working-mom revolution, she became a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and in 1989 graduated from Stanford University with a PhD in education. She has traveled to Thailand numerous times to raise awareness against child trafficking.

Unlike most parenting books written by Asian mothers, she’s not pushing for Tiger Parenting – authoritarian parenting methods demanding high levels of academic and social achievement.

Despite its title, “50 Education Methods From a Mother Who Put 3 Sons Into Stanford University” is about giving unconditional love and supporting your child’s self-esteem, she says.

“I’m not a Tiger Mom,” she said, laughing. “This book will be a surprise to most parents because actually, you don’t have to be a tiger mom to make your child successful. I don’t care whether they have good grades or if they’re a good student. Most of all, I want them to be happy as a person and at the same time, to give them the skills so that they can succeed.”

MFA Chides Diplomats for Observing Thanathorn’s Case

By

Teeranai Charuvastra, News Chief

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9 April 2019, 11:34

Future Forward Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit pose for photos with foreign diplomats at Pathumwan Police Station in Bangkok on April 6, 2019.

BANGKOK — The government on Tuesday said it will invite a group of foreign diplomats for a talk, after they accompanied the leader of Future Forward Party when he reported to a police station to hear a sedition charge last week.

Foreign affairs minister Don Pramudwinai said the diplomats’ actions amount to “interfering” with Thailand’s justice system. He said foreign dignitaries are only allowed to observe legal proceedings involving their nationals, not Thais.

“This kind of incident has never happened in other countries, and it cannot happen [here],” Don told reporters at Government House. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will invite them for a discussion to ask for their cooperation and reach a mutual understanding to not let it happen again, because it’s against diplomatic principles.”

Read: Gov’t Says Trying Thanathorn in Military Court is Fair

Diplomats from 10 countries and two international organizations were present when Future Forward Party chairman Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit reported to police on April 6 to hear a sedition charge filed against him.

Police accuse Thanathorn, whose party placed third in last month’s election, of assisting a group of anti-junta demonstrators to escape police custody back in 2015. He was charged under Section 116 of the Criminal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years. Government officials have confirmed Thanathorn will stand trial in a military court.

Future Forward spokeswoman Pannika Wanich said the diplomats showed up to observe the police’s questioning of Thanathorn on their own volition.

“If they didn’t think it was important, they wouldn’t have been there,” Pannika told the media.

Although foreign diplomats – mostly from Western nations – have routinely observed police inquiries and court trials of prominent activists since the 2014 coup, Don said today they cannot do so.

“It’s Thai justice procedures,” the minister said. “If they have any questions or don’t understand something, they should make inquiries to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about whether they can observe the proceedings.”

Thanathorn said he will submit his defense testimony to the police on May 15. His court appearance has yet to be appointed.

The Workshop, a Dress Rehearsal for Life!: World Premiere of Unique and Rare Musical, in Bangkok

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Khaosod English

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9 April 2019, 10:39

Bangkok will be the venue for the world-premiere of a unique and rare musical. It’s called ‘THE WORKSHOP, A Dress Rehearsal for Life!’ written by the globally renowned ‘Transformational Life Coach’ Dr. Chérie Carter-Scott, and based on the numerous coaching-workshops she has conducted, in more than 30 countries of the world, over a four-decade career.

Like the famed Broadway musical ‘A Chorus Line’ which was about various artists auditioning for the chorus line in a stage-production, this musical is about various characters gathering together for a ‘Personal Development’ workshop.

That’s why the musical is called ‘The Workshop, A Dress Rehearsal for Life!’

The play is comprised of eleven individuals, of diverse ethnicity, occupation, sexual preference, who have individual challenges, and seek solutions. Their stories are funny, sad, and moving. What they all enjoy in the workshop, is the shared human connection.

Dr Cherie and her sister, Lynn wrote the play in order for larger audiences to share this human experience. After all, the characters in the play are everyday people who share the same challenges of contemporary society-boundary management, overweight, overwork, abuse, discrimination, communication breakdown.

“They break down, and break through!” that in essence, is what her famed ‘Inner Negotiation’ workshops are about, where Dr Chérie invites her participants to a zone of ‘emotional safety.’

Known as the ‘Mother of Coaching,’ American-born Dr. Chérie Carter-Scott, who started her work in 1974, has written more than 20 books on the subject, including #1 NY Times Best Seller, which was translated into 40 languages. She has been on the Oprah Winfrey Show twice, featured on numerous TV, radio, print media, and conducted her workshops in more than 30 countries around the world. Her diverse range of clients have included the UN, many Fortune 500 companies, universities, hospitals, cruise liners, private individuals.

Throughout the last ten years, Dr. Chérie, her coach-husband Michael Pomije and sister Lynn Stewart (who co-wrote ‘The Workshop’) have been based in Thailand, conducting workshops, training corporate coaches, travelling to various other countries, to maintain their numerous Coach Training assignments.

The idea of writing a stage musical production based on her experiences, had been in her head for many years. Dr. Chérie had her first draft monitored by a script-doctor in New York, did a full reading with theatre-artists, hired an ‘arranger’ to make the music in her head translate to the piano keys. It was a step-by-step process, which all came to life later, in Bangkok.

It was to make the drama enjoyable and entertaining, that Dr Cherie created more than 17 songs, writing the lyrics herself, and setting them to a diverse range of genres- classical, Gospel, Country Western, even a German beer song.

Every character has his/her own special song, which defines and differentiates them. There are many inspiring group songs like ‘I want,’ which sums up their collective desire for ‘change.’

According to Dr. Chérie, ‘The Workshop, A Dress Rehearsal for Life!’ is a musical for the young and old. It is for anyone who has ‘challenges’ and wants ‘changes’ in their lives. She is sure that all the audiences who watch the play, will connect and be transformed in some manner.

The multi-million-baht musical has a live band and an excellent technical team.

The Artistic Director is renowned opera singer Stefan Sanchez, CEO of the Grand Opera Thailand company in Bangkok. He describes this production as “One of the most unique, moving, and amazing musicals” he has undertaken.

The Choreography and Movement Director is Darren Royston, who has worked with RADA and the National Theatre in UK.

Most exciting about this English-language musical, is that the entire cast and the Director are Thai artistes. The ensemble has been intensively trained by English language dialog and diction coaches, and they are all are set to take the stage by storm.

Two Thai names to watch out for, are the well-known singer Pete Pol (of ‘The Star’ fame), who has a huge fan following, and TV star Yah Janya.

The rest of the cast are top singers who graduated from Mahidol University. The Stage Director, Napisi Reyes, also teaches at Mahidol and has directed multiple musical productions. The team has been rehearsing actively for more than four months.

Dr. Chérie describes her maiden stage-production as ‘A dream come true,’ since it amalgamates her four-decade long career in an entertaining, ninety-minute capsule of music, dance, and theatre.

In fact, many of her ‘clients’ from around the world, are expected to fly down to Bangkok, for this world-premiere musical.

Theatre Producer, Ken Davenport describes The Workshop as “A uniquely gripping and unprecedented experience, that will encourage many people to find their own inner truth!”

‘THE WORKSHOP, A DRESS REHEARSAL FOR LIFE!’ will be held at the Thailand Cultural Centre (Small Hall), on MAY 18 &19, as also on MAY 29/ 30/ 31 & JUNE 1, at 7-30 pm.

For Tickets

www.thaiticketmajor.com

[email protected]

Phone: 02 262 3838

EARLY BIRD Discounts are available on Tickets, until 20 April.

Doubts over Election Commission’s Party List Allocations Grow

By

Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer

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8 April 2019, 16:54

Lawyer and activist Arnon Nampa, right, leads a protest against the Election Commission April 7, 2019 at Bangkok’s Victory Monument. Photo: Thai Lawyers for Human Rights / Twitter

BANGKOK — A growing number of groups and parties are expressing doubts over the fairness of the Election Commission’s calculation of party-list MP seats.

The chorus includes major political parties, a mathematician and the kingdom’s leading independent poll observation group. The reactions came after the Election Commission released a statement on Friday saying no less than 25 political parties will obtain at least one party-list seat.

Before the election, the commission estimated that a minimum of 70,000 votes would be needed for the allocation of one party-list seat. Under an elaborate new formula released by the commission, the threshold is reduced to 35,000.

This will enable a dozen or so small parties to obtain a party-list MP seat, leading to questions over whether the new formula aims to enable small parties in the pro-junta camp to enter parliament.

Laddawan Tantivitayapitak of P-NET, the country’s leading independent poll observation group, said on Sunday that the commission must consider the issue of legitimacy.

“At the beginning, [the threshold] was specified at 71,000 per seat. Shouldn’t we stick to that figure?” she asked in a statement released on Sunday.

In a stunt, former Election Commissioner turned Democrat Party MP candidate Somchai Srisuthiyakorn held a mock class on Monday afternoon showing it is possible to come up with different computations depending on how the formula released by the commission on Friday is interpreted. The formula was released in the form of a worded explanation, rather than a mathematical equation.

Besides the Democrat Party, other parties casting doubts over the allocation of party-list MP seats include Pheu Thai and Future Forward Party.

Future Forward party leader Thanathorn Juangroonruangkit said on Sunday he fears it may be “unfair” that the number of votes required for a party-list seat has dropped after the conclusion of polling.

In a related development, human rights lawyer Arnon Nampa staged a protest at Victory Monument on Sunday evening after he was accused of defaming the commission. Arnon vows to carry out the protest every evening at the same spot. At least seven people have been accused of committing libel against the commission so far.

Global Shares Mixed After China-US Trade Talks Show Progress

By

Associated Press

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8 April 2019, 16:33

Investors monitor stock prices Monday at a brokerage house in Beijing. Photo: Andy Wong / Associated Press

BANGKOK — Shares slipped in early trading in Europe on Monday following a mixed day in Asia after trade talks between China and the US wrapped up with officials on both sides claiming progress.

Britain’s FTSE 100 fell 0.2% to 7,432.38, while the DAX in Germany declined 0.3% to 11,976.40. The CAC 40 in France lost 0.1% to 5,469.27. Wall Street looked set for a soft open, with the future contract for the Dow down 0.2% at 26,336.00 while that for the S&P 500 edged 0.1% lower to 2,891.90.

It was the start to yet another week of uncertainty over Britain’s planned split from the European Union.

Cross-party talks to jumpstart plans for the so-called Brexit were due to resume before Friday’s deadline for leaving the EU. The opposition Labour Party is hopeful the country’s political impasse can be resolved, its business minister Rebecca Long-Bailey said.

In Asia, Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 index slipped 0.2% to 21,761.65 and the Shanghai Composite index clawed back losses to edge 0.1% lower, ending at 3,244.81. South Korea’s Kospi was nearly unchanged at 2,210.60, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index added 0.4% to 30,049.94. India’s Sensex shed 0.3% to 38,754.38. Shares rose in Taiwan but fell in Singapore and Indonesia.

China’s official news agency said Sunday that trade talks with the US in Washington last week “achieved new progress.” It said remaining issues will be handled through “various effective means” but did not elaborate on where or when further discussions will happen. It said three-day talks that ended Friday dealt with issues including technology transfer, intellectual property rights protection, non-tariff measures, agriculture and enforcement.

Beijing and Washington are working to end a standoff over Beijing’s industrial and technology policies that has shaken financial markets and darkened the world economic outlook.

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement Friday that “significant work remains” and the two sides would be in continuous contact.

Wall Street closed out another solid week of gains Friday, logging its longest winning streak in a year and a half. A strong rebound in hiring eased worries that the U.S. economy is slowing too sharply, helping to keep traders in a buying mood.

The unemployment rate last month remained near a 50-year low of 3.8%. Average hourly earnings rose 3.2% in March from a year earlier, which was weaker than economists’ forecasts. Markets pay close attention to the numbers because while higher wages help workers afford to buy more things, they also crimp corporate profit margins.

The “goldilocks” jobs report was a positive start for the week, Jingyi Pan of IG said in a report. But she added that “Much of what may move markets sits closer to the end of the week and could continue to warrant caution given the strong optimism currently baked into the market.”

Profitability is a top concern as companies line up to begin reporting their first-quarter results next week.

ENERGY: The strong US jobs report boosted expectations for oil demand, with benchmark US crude picking up 28 cents to $63.36 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It gained 1.6% to settle at $63.08 a barrel on Friday. Brent crude, the international standard, added 32 cents to $70.66 per barrel. It added 1.4% to close at $70.34 on Friday.

CURRENCIES: The dollar weakened to 111.45 Japanese yen from 111.73 yen while the euro rose to $1.1223 from $1.1217. The British pound advanced to $1.3059 from $1.3041 on Friday.

Story: Elaine Kurtenbach

UK Mulls Direct Regulation of Social Media Companies

By

Associated Press

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8 April 2019, 16:11

This July 16, 2013 file photo shows a sign at Facebook headquarters in Menlo Park, Calif. Photo: Ben Margot / Associated Press

LONDON — The UK for the first time on Monday proposed direct regulation of social media companies, with senior executives potentially facing fines if they fail to block damaging content such as terrorist propaganda or images of child abuse.

The regulations would create a statutory “duty of care” for social media companies such as Facebook and Twitter to protect young people who use their sites. The rules would be overseen by an independent regulator funded by a levy on internet companies.

“No one in the world has done this before, and it’s important that we get it right,” Media Secretary Jeremy Wright told the BBC. “And I make no apologies for the fact that we will put forward proposals here, which we believe are the right way to approach this, but we will then listen to what people have to say about them.”

A 12-week consultation will now take place before the draft bill is published.

While the United States has largely relied on market forces to regulate content in a country where free speech is revered, governments in Europe have signaled they are willing to take on the tech companies to block harmful content and prevent extremists from using the internet to fan the flames of hatred.

Britain’s Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, criticized tech firms for failing to act despite repeated calls for action against harmful content.

“That is why we are forcing these firms to clean up their act once and for all,” Javid said.

Facebook’s UK head of public policy, Rebecca Stimson, said the goal of the new rules should be to protect society while also supporting innovation and freedom of speech.

“These are complex issues to get right and we look forward to working with the government and Parliament to ensure new regulations are effective,” she said.

Wright insisted the regulator would be expected to take account of freedom of speech while balancing against preventing harm.

“What we’re talking about here is user-generated content, what people put online, and companies that facilitate access to that kind of material,” he said. “So this is not about journalism. This is about an unregulated space that we need to control better to keep people safer.”

Story: Danica Kirka

King Strips Ex-PM Thaksin of Paramilitary Rank

By

JINTAMAS SAKSORNCHAI

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8 April 2019, 15:44

In this March 9, 2016, file photo, Thailand's former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra responds to questions during an interview in New York. Photo: Frank Franklin II / Associated Press

BANGKOK — King Vajiralongkorn on Monday stripped the fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra of his leading rank in the Volunteer Defense Corps.

In a decree published in the Royal Gazette, Thaksin’s rank as a general of the state paramilitary service was removed by request of the Interior Ministry, which oversees the body. The order cites him fleeing convictions in several criminal cases as the reason.

It’s the latest in a series of moves against the billionaire, who became Thailand’s prime minister in 2001 before a military coup ousted him in 2006. A royal decree on March 30 stripped Thaksin of his royal decorations, a few days after the army recalled a special medal granted to him as a prominent alumnus of its academy.

These decisions come amidst the power struggle that is the aftermath of the general election on 24 March. Both the junta-backed Phalang Pracharath and Thaksin-aligned Pheu Thai have claimed victory and their right to form a coalition.

American Airlines Extends Max-Caused Cancellations

By

Associated Press

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8 April 2019, 13:50

In a March 13, 2019 file photo, an American Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 sits at a boarding gate at LaGuardia Airport in New York. Photo: Frank Franklin II / Associated Press

WASHINGTON — American Airlines is extending by over a month its cancellations of about 90 daily flights as the troubled 737 Max plane remains grounded by regulators.

American said Sunday it is extending the cancellations through June 5 from the earlier timeframe of April 24. The airline acknowledged in a statement that the prolonged cancellations could bring disruption for some travelers.

The Boeing-made Max jets have been grounded in the U.S. and elsewhere since mid-March, following two deadly crashes in Ethiopia and Indonesia. Airlines that own them have been scrambling other planes to fill some Max flights while canceling others.

American Airlines Group Inc., the largest U.S. airline by revenue, has 24 Max jets in its fleet. The Ft. Worth, Texas-based airline said it is awaiting information from U.S. regulators, and will contact customers affected by the cancellations with available re-bookings.

Boeing and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said last week the company needs more time to finish changes in a flight-control system suspected of playing a role in the two crashes. That means airlines could be forced to park their Max jets longer than they expected.

American said Sunday that by canceling the flights in advance, “we are able to provide better service to our customers with availability and re-booking options,” and to avoid last-minute flight disruptions.

American’s reservations staff will contact affected customers directly by email or phone, the airline said. “We know these cancellations and changes may affect some of our customers, and we are working to limit the impact to the smallest number of customers,” the statement said.

Boeing said Friday that it will cut production of the Max jet, its best-selling plane, underscoring the mounting financial risk it faces the longer the airliner remains grounded.

Starting in mid-April, Boeing said, it will cut production of the plane to 42 from 52 planes per month so it can focus on fixing the flight-control software that has been implicated in the two crashes.

Preliminary investigations into the deadly accidents in Ethiopia and Indonesia found that faulty sensor readings erroneously triggered an anti-stall system that pushed down the plane’s nose. Pilots of each plane struggled in vain to regain control over the automated system.

In all, 346 people died in the crashes. Boeing faces a growing number of lawsuits filed by families of the victims.

The announcement to cut production came after Boeing acknowledged that a second software issue has emerged that needs fixing on the Max — a discovery that explained why the aircraft maker had pushed back its ambitious schedule for getting the planes back in the air.

Story: Marcy Gordon

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