The giant refugee camp at Cox's Bazar is home to about 800,000 Rohingya refugees. AP Photo
The giant refugee camp at Cox's Bazar is home to about 800,000 Rohingya refugees. AP Photo
The giant refugee camp at Cox's Bazar is home to about 800,000 Rohingya refugees. AP Photo
The giant refugee camp at Cox's Bazar is home to about 800,000 Rohingya refugees. AP Photo

World

From maritime 'harassment' to a Rohingya rescue, the non-coronavirus news you may have missed

The US accuses 11 Iranian vessels of 'harassing' its ships and Moon Jae-in secures victory in South Korean election

Taylor Heyman
Taylor Heyman
London

April 16, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

US Navy accuses Iran's Revolutionary Guard of harassing its ships in the Gulf

The US Navy has accused Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of harassing American ships in the Gulf.

The US Fifth Fleet tweeted that 11 Iranian vessels "repeatedly conducted dangerous and harassing approaches" towards US Navy ships, adding the US crew took action "deemed appropriate to avoid collision".

The US Navy said there were no casualties but one vessel came to within 10 metres of its ship.

Widow of former Syrian vice president Abdul Halim Khaddam dies

Abdul Halim Khaddam with his wife Najat Marqabi at Damascus airport in January 2001. AFP
Abdul Halim Khaddam with his wife Najat Marqabi at Damascus airport in January 2001. AFP

Najat Marqabi died less than two weeks after her husband's death from a heart attack in exile of natural causes.

A family announcement said Najat Marqabi was buried at the Islamic cemetery in Paris on Wednesday.

The couple were married for decades and had four children.

Khaddam, who is from the port city of Banias, died on March 31 at age 88. Marqabi was from Damascus.

Russia and European states clash at UN Security Council over Syria chemical weapons report

Syria's close ally Russia clashed with European nations in the UN Security Council on Wednesday over a report from the global chemical weapons watchdog blaming the Syrian air force for a series of attacks using sarin and chlorine on a rebel-held town in 2017.

Moscow dismissed it as “baseless” and the Europeans demanded accountability for the government’s action.

An investigative team of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons said in a 82-page report issued April 8 that the Syrian air force dropped bombs containing either chlorine or sarin on a hospital and open farmland in the central town of Latamneh, injuring more than 70 people and killing at least three — a surgeon and two others.

Hundreds of starving Rohingya rescued from drifting boat

At least two dozen ethnic Rohingya died on a ship that drifted for weeks after failing to reach Malaysia, Bangladesh coastguard officials said on Thursday, following the rescue of 396 starving survivors.

For years, Rohingya from Myanmar have boarded boats organised by smugglers in the hope of finding refuge in South-East Asia, usually making voyages during the dry season from November to March, when the waters are calm.

A human rights group said it believed more boats carrying Rohingya, a Muslim minority group, were adrift at sea, with coronavirus lockdowns in Malaysia and Thailand making it harder for them to find refuge.

"They were at sea for about two months and were starving," a Bangladesh coastguard official told Reuters, adding that the ship was brought to shore late on Wednesday.

The survivors aboard would be sent to Myanmar, said the official.

Moon Jae-in's ruling Democratic Party wins South Korean election

A South Korean woman wears a mask and plastic gloves to cast her vote in the Parliamentary election. Getty
A South Korean woman wears a mask and plastic gloves to cast her vote in the Parliamentary election. Getty
South Koreans wear masks and plastic gloves as they queue up to cast their ballots for the Parliamentary election in Seoul, South Korea. Getty
South Koreans wear masks and plastic gloves as they queue up to cast their ballots for the Parliamentary election in Seoul, South Korea. Getty
Voters wearing masks in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease cast a ballot at a polling station. Reuters
Voters wearing masks in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease cast a ballot at a polling station. Reuters
Voters wait in line to cast their ballots in Seoul, South Korea. Reuters
Voters wait in line to cast their ballots in Seoul, South Korea. Reuters
An electoral worker wearing a face mask waits as voters fill in ballots at polling booths in Seoul, South Korea. Reuters
An electoral worker wearing a face mask waits as voters fill in ballots at polling booths in Seoul, South Korea. Reuters
Voters wait in a line while maintaining social distancing in Seoul, South Korea. AP
Voters wait in a line while maintaining social distancing in Seoul, South Korea. AP
Voters wearing face masks wait in line to cast their ballots at a polling station during the parliamentary election in Seoul, South Korea. Reuters
Voters wearing face masks wait in line to cast their ballots at a polling station during the parliamentary election in Seoul, South Korea. Reuters
A voter wearing plastic gloves casts a ballot at a polling station in Seoul, South Korea. Reuters
A voter wearing plastic gloves casts a ballot at a polling station in Seoul, South Korea. Reuters
Soo Yoon and Yoon Kyung, members of South Korean girl group Rocket Punch, pose for a photo after casting their ballots for the general elections at a polling station in Seoul, South Korea. EPA
Soo Yoon and Yoon Kyung, members of South Korean girl group Rocket Punch, pose for a photo after casting their ballots for the general elections at a polling station in Seoul, South Korea. EPA
People wearing masks wait in line to cast their ballots at a polling station in Seoul, South Korea. Reuters
People wearing masks wait in line to cast their ballots at a polling station in Seoul, South Korea. Reuters
A woman walks past a queue of voters wearing masks while waiting to cast their ballots at a polling station in Seoul, South Korea. Reuters
A woman walks past a queue of voters wearing masks while waiting to cast their ballots at a polling station in Seoul, South Korea. Reuters
Clad in a dopo, a traditional men's outfit, Yoo Bok-yeop (2-L), a senior teacher of Yangji Village School, and his family members photograph themselves after casting their ballots. EPA
Clad in a dopo, a traditional men's outfit, Yoo Bok-yeop (2-L), a senior teacher of Yangji Village School, and his family members photograph themselves after casting their ballots. EPA
A South Korean woman has her temperature checked upon arrival to cast her vote. Getty
A South Korean woman has her temperature checked upon arrival to cast her vote. Getty
South Koreans wear masks and plastic gloves as they queue up to cast their ballots for Parliamentary election in a polling station amid the coronavirus outbreak in Seoul, South Korea. Getty Images
South Koreans wear masks and plastic gloves as they queue up to cast their ballots for Parliamentary election in a polling station amid the coronavirus outbreak in Seoul, South Korea. Getty Images

South Korea's ruling liberal party secured a resounding victory in parliamentary elections, which had the highest turnout in nearly three decades despite the coronavirus sickening thousands and forcing social distancing at polling places.

The ruling Democratic Party and a satellite party it created to win proportional representative seats combined to win 180 seats in the 300-seat National Assembly, election officials said with vote-counting nearly complete Thursday. Meanwhile, conservatives suffered their worst showing in the densely populated Seoul metropolitan area in years.

The comfortable majority is expected to embolden President Moon Jae-in’s government to pursue its key domestic and foreign objectives, such as reviving diplomacy with nuclear-armed rival North Korea, while it grapples with a historic public health crisis that is shuttering businesses and threatening livelihoods.

Tank warfare

Lt Gen Erik Petersen, deputy chief of programs, US Army, has argued it took a “three decade holiday” on modernising tanks. 

“There clearly remains a significant armoured heavy ground manoeuvre threat in this world and maintaining a world class armoured force is absolutely vital,” the general said in London last week.

“We are developing next generation capabilities to compete with and deter adversaries to prevent opportunism or miscalculation, and, if necessary, defeat any foe decisively.”

What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
 
  • Grade 9 = above an A*
  • Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
  • Grade 7 = grade A
  • Grade 6 = just above a grade B
  • Grade 5 = between grades B and C
  • Grade 4 = grade C
  • Grade 3 = between grades D and E
  • Grade 2 = between grades E and F
  • Grade 1 = between grades F and G
Brave CF 27 fight card

Welterweight:
Abdoul Abdouraguimov (champion, FRA) v Jarrah Al Selawe (JOR)

Lightweight:
Anas Siraj Mounir (TUN) v Alex Martinez (CAN)

Welterweight:
Mzwandile Hlongwa (RSA) v Khamzat Chimaev (SWE)

Middleweight:
Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Rustam Chsiev (RUS)
Mohammad Fakhreddine (LEB) v Christofer Silva (BRA)

Super lightweight:
Alex Nacfur (BRA) v Dwight Brooks (USA)

Bantamweight:
Jalal Al Daaja (JOR) v Tariq Ismail (CAN)
Chris Corton (PHI) v Zia Mashwani (PAK)

Featherweight:
Sulaiman (KUW) v Abdullatip (RUS)

Super lightweight:
Flavio Serafin (BRA) v Mohammad Al Katib (JOR)

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to wear a kandura

Dos

  • Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion 
  • Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
  • Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work 
  • Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester

Don’ts 

  • Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal 
  • Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
The biog

DOB: March 13, 1987
Place of birth: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia but lived in Virginia in the US and raised in Lebanon
School: ACS in Lebanon
University: BSA in Graphic Design at the American University of Beirut
MSA in Design Entrepreneurship at the School of Visual Arts in New York City
Nationality: Lebanese
Status: Single
Favourite thing to do: I really enjoy cycling, I was a participant in Cycling for Gaza for the second time this year

While you're here
What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHakbah%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2018%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENaif%20AbuSaida%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESaudi%20Arabia%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E22%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%24200%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Epre-Series%20A%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EGlobal%20Ventures%20and%20Aditum%20Investment%20Management%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Global Fungi Facts

• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil

Things Heard & Seen

Directed by: Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini

Starring: Amanda Seyfried, James Norton

2/5

More on Quran memorisation:
Keane on …

Liverpool’s Uefa Champions League bid: “They’re great. With the attacking force they have, for me, they’re certainly one of the favourites. You look at the teams left in it - they’re capable of scoring against anybody at any given time. Defensively they’ve been good, so I don’t see any reason why they couldn’t go on and win it.”

Mohamed Salah’s debut campaign at Anfield: “Unbelievable. He’s been phenomenal. You can name the front three, but for him on a personal level, he’s been unreal. He’s been great to watch and hopefully he can continue now until the end of the season - which I’m sure he will, because he’s been in fine form. He’s been incredible this season.”

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s instant impact at former club LA Galaxy: “Brilliant. It’s been a great start for him and for the club. They were crying out for another big name there. They were lacking that, for the prestige of LA Galaxy. And now they have one of the finest stars. I hope they can go win something this year.”

'Top Gun: Maverick'

Rating: 4/5

 

Directed by: Joseph Kosinski

 

Starring: Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Miles Teller, Glen Powell, Ed Harris

 
Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

How to get there

Emirates (www.emirates.com) flies directly to Hanoi, Vietnam, with fares starting from around Dh2,725 return, while Etihad (www.etihad.com) fares cost about Dh2,213 return with a stop. Chuong is 25 kilometres south of Hanoi.
 

BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES

SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities

Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails

Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies

Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments

On Women's Day
World