UN chastises Myanmar over Rohingya

United Nations: The general assembly approved a resolution on Monday urging Myanmar to provide “full citizenship” to its Rohingya Muslim minority and to allow them to move freely throughout the country.

The 1.3 million Rohingyas are denied citizenship under national law and are effectively stateless.

Myanmar authorities officially categorise them as “Bengalis,” implying they are illegal migrants from neighbouring Bangladesh.

The Rohingyas now live under apartheid-like conditions in camps or in restricted villages in Rakhine state.

Hyundai will build two more factories

China: Hyundai Motor Co said yesterday that it will build two factories, its first new manufacturing plants since 2012.

Hyundai said the factories would help it to compete with rivals including Volkswagen and General Motors.

Affiliate Kia Motors Corp also said it would expand capacity at one of its three Jiangsu factories to up to 450,000 vehicles by 2016 from 300,000 now.

The duo said they expect to have a combined China production capacity of 2.7 million vehicles by 2018.

Ebola doctor goes back into fray

Cuba: Doctor Felix Baez, who was cured of Ebola after contracting it in Sierra Leone, said on Monday that he will go back to West Africa to continue with relief efforts.

Dr Baez told state newspaper Granma that he would return to the region in January after ensuring he is fully recovered.

His wife Vania Ferrer said she supported her husband’s decision.

“Of course, I know him, and it could be no other way,” she said.

Top Republican admits attending KKK rally

United States: A top Republican has acknowledged that he once addressed a gathering of white supremacists.

House majority whip Steve Scalise’s aides admitted that he had addressed a group founded by former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke when he served in the Louisiana legislature in 2002.

He is the third-highest ranking Republican in the House of Representatives.

The aide claimed that that Mr Scalise only spoke to rally support for his fiscal policies, not to endorse his audience’s mission.

Sailors killed during tugboat operation

Albania: Two sailors died yesterday while their tugboat worked to secure Greek ferry Norman Atlantic, which has been adrift for three days since a fire broke out on a car deck.

The two Albanians were apparently hit by a line that they had been trying to attach to the fire-hit vessel, said police spokesman Dionis Dulaj.

One man had quickly been confirmed dead while a medical team had worked on the second but could not save him.

Shopping centre fire kills 13

Pakistan: A fire in a shopping centre in Lahore killed at least 13 people on Monday.

The fire broke out at the oldest shopping centre in the eastern city, which is considered Pakistan’s cultural centre.

Firefighters struggled to beat back the blaze with extinguishers and city government officials said the victims died of suffocation and burns.

The fire was caused by a short circuit in one of the shops.

Possible coup while Jammeh in France

Gambia: Heavy gunfire was reported around the presidential palace yesterday as repressive ruler Yahya Jammeh was visiting France.

Banjul residents said soldiers linked to the presidential guard were involved, raising the spectre of mutiny.

Human rights activists say Jammeh’s regime is brutally repressive and has targeted political dissidents, journalists, gays and lesbians.