Passengers queue outside Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey on August 2, as part of an evacuation by France. AFP
Passengers queue outside Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey on August 2, as part of an evacuation by France. AFP
Passengers queue outside Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey on August 2, as part of an evacuation by France. AFP
Passengers queue outside Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey on August 2, as part of an evacuation by France. AFP

US orders evacuation of non-essential embassy staff from Niger


Patrick deHahn
  • English
  • Arabic

The US State Department on Thursday announced a withdrawal of non-emergency staff and their families from its embassy in Niger's capital Niamey because of instability after the coup.

"Given ongoing developments in Niger and out of an abundance of caution, the Department of State is ordering the temporary departure of non-emergency US government personnel and eligible family members from the US embassy in Niamey," spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.

Last week, members of the Nigerien military claimed control of the country's institutions and installed its own leader, overthrowing the democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum.

It was the seventh military takeover in less than three years for the West and Central Africa region.

On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Mr Bazoum by phone, Mr Miller said in a separate statement.

"We reiterate that the safety and security of President Bazoum and his family are paramount," he said.

"The United States is dedicated to finding a peaceful resolution that ensures that Niger remains a strong partner in security and development in the region."

Earlier, Mr Miller said the evacuation was to protect "safety and security" of US citizens and government staff while "commercial flight options are limited".

France sent its first evacuation flight on Tuesday, on which people from several European states travelled. It has since sent two more, and a fourth is reportedly planned.

An Italian military plane with 99 passengers arrived in Rome from Niger on Wednesday and other countries are considering sending flights for additional nationals seeking to leave Niger.

The US embassy will continue to be "open for limited, emergency services for US citizens", Mr Miller said, while the government's travel advisory has raised its threat level to "Do not travel".

"We are only able to provide emergency assistance to US citizens in Niger given our reduced personnel."

The US has said it is in communication with military members now leading the country, and its newly appointed ambassador Kathleen FitzGibbon is set to arrive in Niamey soon.

"The United States remains committed to our relationship with the people of Niger and to Nigerien democracy," Mr Miller said. "We remain diplomatically engaged at the highest levels."

Niger evacuation flights land in Europe - in pictures

  • Italian, other European and US citizens evacuated from Niger arrive at Rome's Ciampino Airport. Reuters
    Italian, other European and US citizens evacuated from Niger arrive at Rome's Ciampino Airport. Reuters
  • French and other European citizens evacuated from Niger after the military coup arrive at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. Reuters
    French and other European citizens evacuated from Niger after the military coup arrive at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. Reuters
  • Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani greets passengers at Rome's Ciampino Airport. EPA
    Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani greets passengers at Rome's Ciampino Airport. EPA
  • Raissa Kalembho, who was visiting her husband with their children in Niger, speaks to journalists after landing at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport. EPA
    Raissa Kalembho, who was visiting her husband with their children in Niger, speaks to journalists after landing at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport. EPA
  • The first evacuation flight arrived at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport on Wednesday morning. Reuters
    The first evacuation flight arrived at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport on Wednesday morning. Reuters
  • Italian, other European and US citizens evacuated from Niger after the military coup board a bus after landing at Rome's Ciampino Airport. Reuters
    Italian, other European and US citizens evacuated from Niger after the military coup board a bus after landing at Rome's Ciampino Airport. Reuters
  • A man evacuated from Niger speaks to journalists at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport. AFP
    A man evacuated from Niger speaks to journalists at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport. AFP
How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
  • Submit their request
What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
  • Never over populated areas
  • Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
  • Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
  • Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
  • Should have a live feed of the drone flight
  • Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
While you're here
Results

6.30pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 (PA) US$100,000 (Dirt) 2,000m, Winner Bandar, Fernando Jara (jockey), Majed Al Jahouri (trainer).

7.05pm Meydan Classic Listed (TB) $175,000 (Turf) 1,600m, ​​​​​​​Winner Well Of Wisdom, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.

7.40pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 2,000m, ​​​​​​​Winner Star Safari, Mickael Barzalona, Charlie Appleby.

8.15pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (D) 1,600m, Winner Moqarrar, Fabrice Veron, Erwan Charpy.

8.50pm Nad Al Sheba Trophy Group 2 (TB) $300,000 (T) 2,810m, Winner Secret Advisor, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.

9.25pm Curlin Stakes Listed (TB) $175,000 (D) 2,000m, ​​​​​​​Winner Parsimony, William Buick, Doug O’Neill.

10pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 2,000m, Winner Simsir, Ronan Whelan, Michael Halford.

10.35pm Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 1,400m, ​​​​​​​Winner Velorum, Mickael Barzalona, Charlie Appleby.

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

Fixtures and results:

Wed, Aug 29:

  • Malaysia bt Hong Kong by 3 wickets
  • Oman bt Nepal by 7 wickets
  • UAE bt Singapore by 215 runs

Thu, Aug 30: 

  • UAE bt Nepal by 78 runs
  • Hong Kong bt Singapore by 5 wickets
  • Oman bt Malaysia by 2 wickets

Sat, Sep 1: UAE v Hong Kong; Oman v Singapore; Malaysia v Nepal

Sun, Sep 2: Hong Kong v Oman; Malaysia v UAE; Nepal v Singapore

Tue, Sep 4: Malaysia v Singapore; UAE v Oman; Nepal v Hong Kong

Thu, Sep 6: Final

Combating coronavirus

The Vines - In Miracle Land
Two stars

Naga
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3EMeshal%20Al%20Jaser%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3EAdwa%20Bader%2C%20Yazeed%20Almajyul%2C%20Khalid%20Bin%20Shaddad%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Recycle Reuse Repurpose

New central waste facility on site at expo Dubai South area to  handle estimated 173 tonne of waste generated daily by millions of visitors

Recyclables such as plastic, paper, glass will be collected from bins on the expo site and taken to the new expo Central Waste Facility on site

Organic waste will be processed at the new onsite Central Waste Facility, treated and converted into compost to be re-used to green the expo area

Of 173 tonnes of waste daily, an estimated 39 per cent will be recyclables, 48 per cent  organic waste  and 13 per cent  general waste.

About 147 tonnes will be recycled and converted to new products at another existing facility in Ras Al Khor

Recycling at Ras Al Khor unit:

Plastic items to be converted to plastic bags and recycled

Paper pulp moulded products such as cup carriers, egg trays, seed pots, and food packaging trays

Glass waste into bowls, lights, candle holders, serving trays and coasters

Aim is for 85 per cent of waste from the site to be diverted from landfill 

If you go

The flights

The closest international airport for those travelling from the UAE is Denver, Colorado. British Airways (www.ba.com) flies from the UAE via London from Dh3,700 return, including taxes. From there, transfers can be arranged to the ranch or it’s a seven-hour drive. Alternatively, take an internal flight to the counties of Cody, Casper, or Billings

The stay

Red Reflet offers a series of packages, with prices varying depending on season. All meals and activities are included, with prices starting from US$2,218 (Dh7,150) per person for a minimum stay of three nights, including taxes. For more information, visit red-reflet-ranch.net.

 

Stuck in a job without a pay rise? Here's what to do

Chris Greaves, the managing director of Hays Gulf Region, says those without a pay rise for an extended period must start asking questions – both of themselves and their employer.

“First, are they happy with that or do they want more?” he says. “Job-seeking is a time-consuming, frustrating and long-winded affair so are they prepared to put themselves through that rigmarole? Before they consider that, they must ask their employer what is happening.”

Most employees bring up pay rise queries at their annual performance appraisal and find out what the company has in store for them from a career perspective.

Those with no formal appraisal system, Mr Greaves says, should ask HR or their line manager for an assessment.

“You want to find out how they value your contribution and where your job could go,” he says. “You’ve got to be brave enough to ask some questions and if you don’t like the answers then you have to develop a strategy or change jobs if you are prepared to go through the job-seeking process.”

For those that do reach the salary negotiation with their current employer, Mr Greaves says there is no point in asking for less than 5 per cent.

“However, this can only really have any chance of success if you can identify where you add value to the business (preferably you can put a monetary value on it), or you can point to a sustained contribution above the call of duty or to other achievements you think your employer will value.”

 

Updated: August 03, 2023, 6:06 AM