Evacuees from Sudan's civil conflict have told of their relief and their fears for those left behind as they arrived in Jeddah on Wednesday, as part of a Saudi rescue of 1,700 people.
A ship from the Port of Sudan arrived in the kingdom carrying people of over 65 nationalities to safety.
The vast majority of those fleeing the conflict were foreigners. The evacuation was one of the largest from Sudan so far, as governments around the world step up efforts to save their stranded citizens.
The latest rescue takes the total brought to Saudi Arabia above 2,000.
I had the chance to leave, not like my sisters. I don't know whether they will be able to get out
Moustafa,
evacuee
“We all arrived safely at around 2am,” Bhupendra, one of 278 Indians who arrived on naval warship in Jeddah, told The National.
“The Indian and Saudi staff welcomed us and provided us breakfast. Then our immigration was completed and they sent us to a school, where they have arranged a stay for all Indians. Wi-Fi is also available here, at least people can contact their family.”
Bhupendra and his cohort will have a brief stay at the International Indian School in Jeddah, which has been converted to house those evacuated, before being flown to India in military planes.
They are joined by 256 people flown in on Indian Air Force aircraft from Port Sudan, about 800km from the capital Khartoum, to Jeddah.
Others fretted over those left behind.
The UN says the death toll in the conflict between two warring armies has exceeded 500, and the WHO is warning of "many more" deaths from disease and lack of medical services.
"On top of the number of deaths and injuries caused by the conflict itself, the WHO expects there will be many more deaths due to outbreaks, lack of access to food and water and disruption to essential health services, including immunisation," WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.
Dr Tedros added that only 16 per cent of health facilities were functioning in the Sudanese capital.
A tearful Moustafa, who holds a US passport, said "I had the chance to leave, not like my sisters", as he disembarked a commercial ship in Jeddah.
"I don't know whether they will be able to get out," he told AFP.
However, the rescue also brought pride at a job well done, with hundreds now out of harm's way.
"I am Saudi holding the greatest passport in the world thanks to God," one man told the Saudi Press Agency as he disembarked, waving his green passport.
"This passport today is a matter of pride. As you can see all the nations are represented on this vessel, which makes me very proud. If you are Saudi you will never be left behind with this government behind you. Our government made us proud."
Khartoum and nearby towns such as Omdurman have been the scene of nearly unrelenting violence, despite several foreign-mediated attempts at securing a lasting ceasefire.
Forces loyal to army chief Gen Abdel Fattah Al Burhan are pitted against those backing his deputy-turned-rival Gen Mohamed Dagalo, who commands the powerful paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
“In continuation of the evacuation efforts made by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the directives of the kingdom’s leadership, several evacuees arrived from the Republic of Sudan to the city of Jeddah today,” a statement from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
That number “included 13 Saudi citizens and 1,674 [other] individuals”, the statement said.
The operation brings the total number of people evacuated from Sudan by Saudi Arabia to 2,148, including 114 Saudis and more than 2,000 others of 62 nationalities, the ministry said.
The kingdom has joined the US, Germany, the UK, France and the Netherlands, alongside the regional countries of Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Iraq, in sending military cargo planes to rescue citizens.
One of the largest contingents of people evacuated by Saudi authorities were from Indonesia, whose Foreign Ministry confirmed that 550 citizens had been rescued.
Sri Lanka's Foreign Ministry said 13 of its citizens had arrived in Jeddah and another 12 were awaiting evacuation in Port Sudan.
The Saudi state-affiliated Al Ekhbariya channel broadcast footage of passengers waving the green Saudi flag as they disembarked, as well as pictures of Saudi security forces carrying babies off the ship.
In one clip, an evacuee hugs members of the Saudi military, thanking them through tears as he exits one of the ships in Jeddah. In another, a woman remarks: "I am coming to Saudi Arabia ... congratulations to me, congratulations to me."
Evacuees began arriving in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, with boats carrying 150 people including foreign diplomats and officials.
On Monday, a C-130 Hercules military plane flew dozens of South Korean civilians to Jeddah's King Abdullah Air Base, and a boat ferried about 200 people from 14 countries across the Red Sea from Port Sudan.
The years Ramadan fell in May
Six tips to secure your smart home
Most smart home devices are controlled via the owner's smartphone. Therefore, if you are using public wi-fi on your phone, always use a VPN (virtual private network) that offers strong security features and anonymises your internet connection.
Keep your smart home devices’ software up-to-date. Device makers often send regular updates - follow them without fail as they could provide protection from a new security risk.
Use two-factor authentication so that in addition to a password, your identity is authenticated by a second sign-in step like a code sent to your mobile number.
Set up a separate guest network for acquaintances and visitors to ensure the privacy of your IoT devices’ network.
Change the default privacy and security settings of your IoT devices to take extra steps to secure yourself and your home.
Always give your router a unique name, replacing the one generated by the manufacturer, to ensure a hacker cannot ascertain its make or model number.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
New schools in Dubai
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The years Ramadan fell in May
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs: 2019 GMC Yukon Denali
Price, base: Dh306,500
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Power: 420hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 621Nm @ 4,100rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.9L / 100km
Company%20profile
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The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
The specs: 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor
Price, base / as tested Dh220,000 / Dh320,000
Engine 3.5L V6
Transmission 10-speed automatic
Power 421hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 678Nm @ 3,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 14.1L / 100km
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
Frankenstein in Baghdad
Ahmed Saadawi
Penguin Press
West Asia rugby, season 2017/18 - Roll of Honour
Western Clubs Champions League - Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners up: Bahrain
Dubai Rugby Sevens - Winners: Dubai Exiles; Runners up: Jebel Ali Dragons
West Asia Premiership - Winners: Jebel Ali Dragons; Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Premiership Cup - Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners up: Dubai Exiles
UAE Premiership - Winners: Dubai Exiles; Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
And%20Just%20Like%20That...
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GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
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Three ways to limit your social media use
Clinical psychologist, Dr Saliha Afridi at The Lighthouse Arabia suggests three easy things you can do every day to cut back on the time you spend online.
1. Put the social media app in a folder on the second or third screen of your phone so it has to remain a conscious decision to open, rather than something your fingers gravitate towards without consideration.
2. Schedule a time to use social media instead of consistently throughout the day. I recommend setting aside certain times of the day or week when you upload pictures or share information.
3. Take a mental snapshot rather than a photo on your phone. Instead of sharing it with your social world, try to absorb the moment, connect with your feeling, experience the moment with all five of your senses. You will have a memory of that moment more vividly and for far longer than if you take a picture of it.
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
ENGLAND SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Jack Butland, Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope
Defenders: John Stones, Harry Maguire, Phil Jones, Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, Gary Cahill, Ashley Young, Danny Rose, Trent Alexander-Arnold
Midfielders: Eric Dier, Jordan Henderson, Dele Alli, Jesse Lingard, Raheem Sterling, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Fabian Delph
Forwards: Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy, Marcus Rashford, Danny Welbeck
US tops drug cost charts
The study of 13 essential drugs showed costs in the United States were about 300 per cent higher than the global average, followed by Germany at 126 per cent and 122 per cent in the UAE.
Thailand, Kenya and Malaysia were rated as nations with the lowest costs, about 90 per cent cheaper.
In the case of insulin, diabetic patients in the US paid five and a half times the global average, while in the UAE the costs are about 50 per cent higher than the median price of branded and generic drugs.
Some of the costliest drugs worldwide include Lipitor for high cholesterol.
The study’s price index placed the US at an exorbitant 2,170 per cent higher for Lipitor than the average global price and the UAE at the eighth spot globally with costs 252 per cent higher.
High blood pressure medication Zestril was also more than 2,680 per cent higher in the US and the UAE price was 187 per cent higher than the global price.
Full Party in the Park line-up
2pm – Andreah
3pm – Supernovas
4.30pm – The Boxtones
5.30pm – Lighthouse Family
7pm – Step On DJs
8pm – Richard Ashcroft
9.30pm – Chris Wright
10pm – Fatboy Slim
11pm – Hollaphonic
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The biog
Favourite pet: cats. She has two: Eva and Bito
Favourite city: Cape Town, South Africa
Hobby: Running. "I like to think I’m artsy but I’m not".
Favourite move: Romantic comedies, specifically Return to me. "I cry every time".
Favourite spot in Abu Dhabi: Saadiyat beach
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The%20specs
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Without Remorse
Directed by: Stefano Sollima
Starring: Michael B Jordan
4/5
Gulf Under 19s final
Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
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