The Rohingya crisis goes back to the British

Edition: US - Today's top story: The history of the persecution of Myanmar's Rohingya [Click here to view this message in your web-browser](. Edition: US 23 September 2017 [[The Conversation]Academic rigor, journalistic flair]( Editor's note Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya, Myanmar’s religious and ethnic minority have been fleeing to escape widespread violence by the country’s military: there have been mass killings and villages have been burnt to the ground. The United Nations’ top human rights official has accused Myanmar of carrying out a “textbook case of ethnic cleansing.” This assault, however, is only the latest in a long history of persecution. Human rights scholar Engy Abdelkader explains how the root of today’s crisis goes [back to British colonial policies]( and the resulting ethnic tensions that emerged in 1948, soon after Myanmar attained independence. And if you’re tempted to throw up your hands in frustration as you tackle some chore this weekend, look around to see who’s watching before you give up. MIT developmental cognitive scientist Julia Leonard describes how [babies can learn the value of sticking with a hard task]( by observing a tenacious grownup. Kalpana Jain Senior Editor, Religion & Ethics Top story Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh waiting to receive aid. Mohammad Ponir Hossain/Reuters [The history of the persecution of Myanmar's Rohingya]( Engy Abdelkader, Rutgers University The persecution of the Rohingya goes back to 1948, the year when Myanmar achieved independence from the British. Education [Babies can learn the value of persistence by watching grownups stick with a challenge]( Julia Leonard, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Persistence and self-control are valuable traits that can help kids succeed in school and beyond. A new study suggests infants can learn stick-to-itiveness by watching adults persist in a difficult task. [The most important ways parents can prepare children for school]( Allyssa McCabe, University of Massachusetts Lowell Parents want to do everything they can to get their kids' school year off to a good start. Here's why talking with them is one of the best ways to do that. German election [The Angela Merkel model – or how to succeed in German politics]( Patricia Hogwood, University of Westminster Few thought she'd go the distance when she first came to power. That was more than a decade ago. [German election: Merkel safe but don't underestimate the right-wing populists]( Katharina Karcher, University of Bristol The chancellor remains strong but right-wing populists are likely to enter parliament on Sunday. [There are four options for forming a German government next week – here's how they work]( Tom Quinn, University of Essex Angela Merkel is on course for victory but she will need to form a coalition, and there's more than one way to make that happen. [Out of work and low on enthusiasm: young Germans are tuning out of politics]( Vera Trappmann, University of Leeds; Danat Valizade, University of Leeds A survey of young voters reveals a lack of engagement in politics ahead of the national election. Health + Medicine [Scientists are unraveling the mystery of your body's clock – and soon may be able to reset it]( Carrie L. Partch, University of California, Santa Cruz Whether you're a night owl or a morning lark, circadian rhythms control just about every aspect of your health. [Rich American seniors are getting healthier, leaving the poor behind]( Matthew A. Davis, University of Michigan; Kenneth Langa, University of Michigan More seniors are reporting good health in recent years, but gains are primarily among more advantaged groups. Arts + Culture [Why today's teens aren't in any hurry to grow up]( Jean Twenge, San Diego State University Should parents be worried that many teens are putting off traditional rites of passage like working, driving and dating? [In censoring a 'Queer Museum,' Brazil edges closer to authoritarianism]( Marcia Tiburi, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO) Artists, free speech advocates and gay rights activists in Brazil are dismayed after an LGBTQ-centric exhibit was closed because the subject matter offended evangelical Christians. Environment + Energy [How Trump could undermine the US solar boom]( Llewelyn Hughes, Australian National University; Jonas Meckling, University of California, Berkeley A trade spat could jack up the cost of going solar, killing jobs and obstructing efforts to do something about climate change. [As a warming climate changes Kodiak bears' diets, impacts could ripple through ecosystems]( William Deacy, Oregon State University Climate change is making berries ripen early in Kodiak, Alaska, luring bears away from eating salmon. This shift may not hurt the bears, but could have far-reaching impacts on surrounding forests. Economy + Business [Why Trump's tirades are losing their potency]( Elizabeth C. Tippett, University of Oregon President Trump's fiery speech at the United Nations received a mostly subdued response from world leaders and others. Is there a risk we're becoming complacent? ['Medicare for all' could be cheaper than you think]( Gerald Friedman, University of Massachusetts Amherst Bernie Sanders' single-payer health care plan is bound to be expensive and politically impossible. A simple expansion of Medicare offers a cheaper and more passable path to universal care. [How the government can steal your stuff: 6 questions about civil asset forfeiture answered]( Nora V. Demleitner, Washington and Lee University Politicians on the left and right object to this practice, which the Trump administration is championing. [Can the world's megacities survive the digital age?]( Christopher H. Lim, Nanyang Technological University; Vincent Mack, Nanyang Technological University Research shows that technology disrupts economies of scale, turning megacities' huge populations from strength to liability. To survive, megacities, like companies, must adapt. Ethics + Religion [The enduring power of Mosul's rich and diverse past]( Stephennie Mulder, University of Texas at Austin As Mosul rebuilds, its history is a reminder that Islam is not a rigid rulebook of regulations and prohibitions, but a complex religion that has often embraced many traditions. [Why it's offensive to offer a lamb dinner to the Hindu god Ganesha]( Jeffery D. Long, Elizabethtown College Offering food to deities in Hinduism has deep religious significance. And most Hindu deities are not served meat. Politics + Society [RAISE Act: Global panel of scholars explains 'merit-based' immigration]( Alex Reilly, University of Adelaide; Kevin Johnson, University of California, Davis; Mireille Paquet, Concordia University As Congress takes up the issue of immigration, we turned to our global network of scholars to get their perspective on how points systems work. [Should America be the world's cop? What the experts say]( Dennis Jett, Pennsylvania State University; Abram Van Engen, Washington University in St Louis Most Americans don't want the United States to be the world's policemen. Do the experts agree? [Twin earthquakes expose Mexico's deep inequality]( Luis Gómez Romero, University of Wollongong Shattered by powerful back-to-back earthquakes, Mexico is facing daunting damages across six states. Now Chiapas and Oaxaca, the country's two poorest states, which were hit first, fear neglect. [Every year, millions try to navigate US courts without a lawyer]( Lauren Sudeall Lucas, Georgia State University; Darcy Meals, Georgia State University Many who represent themselves in court fail to make it through the process, have their case dismissed or lose what otherwise would have been a winning case. Science + Technology [Equifax breach is a reminder of society's larger cybersecurity problems]( Richard Forno, University of Maryland, Baltimore County The modern world depends on critical systems, networks and data repositories that are not as secure as they should be. Breaches will continue until society as a whole makes some big changes. [Some of the best parts of autonomous vehicles are already here]( Lee Vinsel, Virginia Tech; Constantine Samaras, Carnegie Mellon University Consumers with high hopes of driverless vehicles improving safety might be looking past the boring near-term advances that could make a real difference. It happened before – more than 60 years ago. [Science communicators must consider short-term objectives while keeping their eyes on the prize]( John C. Besley, Michigan State University; Anthony Dudo, University of Texas at Austin; Shupei Yuan, Northern Illinois University Scientists who engage with the public may have goals about influencing policy or behavior. But they also need to think about the short-term objectives that will help get them there. [Languages don't all have the same number of terms for colors – scientists have a new theory why]( Ted Gibson, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Bevil R. Conway, National Institutes of Health People across the globe all see millions of distinct colors. But the terms we use to describe them vary across cultures. New cognitive science research suggests it's about what we want to communicate. [Follow us on Twitter.]( [Join us on Facebook.]( You’re receiving this newsletter from [The Conversation](. Not interested anymore? [Unsubscribe instantly](. We’ll miss you. 625 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02139 USA