A Rohingya refugee cries as she arrives with a group near the makeshift Kutupalang refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, on August 30, 2017. Mohammad Ponir Hossain / Reuters
A Rohingya refugee cries as she arrives with a group near the makeshift Kutupalang refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, on August 30, 2017. Mohammad Ponir Hossain / Reuters
Nearly 50,000 of Myanmar's Rohingya have fled towards Bangladesh in past week
Latest UN figures showed 27,500 Rohingya had made it across the border since Friday last week, an increase of almost 10,000 on the previous day's figures, while another 20,000 were estimated to be stuck in no-man’s land between the two countries
An estimated 47,500 of Myanmar’s one million Rohingya have fled towards Bangladesh in the past week, the United Nations said on Thursday, as Britain’s ambassador to the UN urged Aung San Suu Kyi to “set the right tone” to de-escalate tensions and the EU raised the spectre of inter-communal violence.
Latest UN figures showed 27,500 Rohingya had made it across the border since Friday last week, an increase of almost 10,000 on the previous day's figures. Another 20,000 were estimated to be stuck in no-man’s land between the two countries, as fighting between Myanmar security forces and the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (Arsa) militant group continued.
Others lost their lives attempting to escape. Bangladesh coastguards on Thursday found the bodies of 17 Rohingya, many of them children, who drowned when their boats capsized in choppy waters crossing from Myanmar.
While the conflict is worse in the north of the state, fears were growing for those in other areas as the European Union reported that “increasing intimidation of aid workers” over recent weeks was hampering the delivery of support in central Rakhine and putting lives at risk. It also highlighted increasing hate speech on social media.
“The biggest risk is that violence becomes inter-communal and spreads,” the EU’s European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Operation warned in a Wednesday report.
The scale of the current exodus — which began after the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army launched deadly attacks on security posts in the early hours of August 25 — is far greater than the one that followed similar attacks last October. Myanmar's security forces responded to those attacks with brutal clearance operations which the UN later said likely amounted to crimes against humanity and possible ethnic cleansing.
Between last October's attacks by Arsa and those on Friday last week, around 87,000 of the mainly stateless Muslim minority crossed into Bangladesh.
The latest attacks by Arsa — deemed a terrorist organisation by the Myanmar government — came just hours after an advisory commission led by former UN secretary general Kofi Annan had announced its recommendations on how to help solve long running tensions in Rakhine. The attacks were widely condemned by international governments and agencies who predicted they would spark a repeat of last year’s clearance operations and civilian casualties.
And as the conflict continues, reports suggest increasing numbers of non-Rohingya civilians are falling victim to killings and arson attacks carried out by Arsa. As with reports involving attacks against the Rohinyga community, however, this information is very hard to verify as the affected area is in virtual lockdown.
Britain raised concerns about the crisis on Thursday at a closed-doors meeting of the UN Security Council. Afterwards, UK ambassador to the UN Matthew Rycroft said there were still many “hugely supportive” allies of State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, who is the de facto leader of Myanmar's civilian-led government. The longtime pro-democracy campaigner and Nobel peace laureate has faced condemnation from some international quarters for failing to speak out against abuses and the ongoing oppression of the Rohingya.
But, Mr Rycroft added: "We look to her to set the right tone and to find the compromises and the de-escalation necessary in order to resolve the conflict for the good of all the people in Burma."
So far, barring an initial statement condemning the Arsa attacks on the day they occurred, Ms Suu Kyi has made no official comments on the ongoing violence. Despite removing her state counsellor title from its Facebook page, Ms Suu Kyi's information committee continues to post graphic images of non-Muslim civilian casualties and statements linking international aid organisations to Arsa.
On Thursday, UN ambassador to Myanmar Scot Marciel described as “absurd” claims that aid agencies related to the US government were supporting terrorism. His comments came after the government released more pictures of World Food Programme food packets they said had been found in Arsa camps.
The WFP said it takes food diversions very seriously and has asked the government to provide further information to help it trace where the parcels were originally sent. Additional information is yet to be provided.
A spokesman for the Myanmar government could not be contacted for a response.
MATCH DETAILS
Juventus 2 (Bonucci 36, Ronaldo 90 6)
Genoa 1 (Kouame 40)
LILO & STITCH
Starring:Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Rating: 4.5/5
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA
Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi
Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser
Rating: 4.5/5
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)
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch automatic
Power: 169bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: Dh54,500
On sale: now
Monday's results
UAE beat Bahrain by 51 runs
Qatar beat Maldives by 44 runs
Saudi Arabia beat Kuwait by seven wickets
Last-16
France 4
Griezmann (13' pen), Pavard (57'), Mbappe (64', 68')
Argentina 3
Di Maria (41'), Mercado (48'), Aguero (90 3')
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
Premier League-standard football pitch
400m Olympic running track
NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
600-seat auditorium
Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
Specialist robotics and science laboratories
AR and VR-enabled learning centres
Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
South Africa squad
: Faf du Plessis (captain), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock (wkt), Theunis de Bruyn, AB de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen (wkt), Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Duanne Olivier, Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada.
A Cat, A Man, and Two Women
Junichiro Tamizaki Translated by Paul McCarthy
Daunt Books
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
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
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.
Brock Lesnar retained the WWE Universal title against Roman Reigns
Braun Strowman and Nicolas won the Raw Tag Team titles against Sheamus and Cesaro
AJ Styles retained the WWE World Heavyweight title against Shinsuke Nakamura
Nia Jax won the Raw Women’s title against Alexa Bliss
Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon beat Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn
The Undertaker beat John Cena
The Bludgeon Brothers won the SmackDown Tag Team titles against the Usos and New Day
Ronda Rousey and Kurt Angle beat Triple H and Stephanie McMahon
Jinder Mahal won the United States title against Randy Orton, Rusev and Bobby Roode
Charlotte retained the SmackDown Women’s title against Asuka
Seth Rollins won the Intercontinental title against The Miz and Finn Balor
Naomi won the first WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal
Cedric Alexander won the vacant Cruiserweight title against Mustafa Ali
Matt Hardy won the Andre the Giant Battle Royal
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances