Calm returned to Baghdad on Wednesday after 24 hours of heavy fighting in the capital, after clashes between militias loyal to Moqtada Al Sadr, the popular nationalist cleric, and Iran-backed groups.
Violence flared up after the cleric called for new waves of protesters to occupy the Green Zone ― the seat of government in Iraq, after he said he was resigning from politics in protest at actions by a rival political coalition, the Co-ordination Framework. The rival coalition includes Iran-linked parties and Mr Al Sadr’s arch foe, former prime minister Nouri Al Maliki.
But clashes also occurred throughout the country’s volatile south, with rival Shiite groups burning political party offices. Basra, Iraq’s second largest city ― and by some accounts its poorest ― has historically been a flashpoint between the rival Shiite groups.
A day after the clashes, tyres set alight earlier in the week still send smoke skywards. Because a public holiday was announced by the central government, no municipal workers are on the streets to clean up the protest sites.
Protesters are now left to ponder what’s next for their movements and Iraq. Basra native Majed Ali, 41, said Mr Al Sadr’s call to withdraw was the right thing to stop the bloodshed, but “it is not withdrawal of losers, no, it is like a victory against Iraq’s enemies [referring to Iran-backed militias]”.
Mr Ali said he wished to continue the protest to “clean the country [of] corrupted politicians, but we all respect the Sadr decision to save Iraq”.
Mr Al Sadr said he would resign from politics last week after 10 months of failed negotiations to form a government. Many dismissed the move as a ploy to gain greater leverage, and his supporters stormed the Green Zone, breaching the gates of the government palace, rushing into its lavish salons and marbled halls.
At least 30 people were killed in the clashes, AFP reported, after which Mr Al Sadr gave his supporters 60 minutes to leave the capital.
“I feel so sad for killing many protesters, regardless of their affiliations, they are Iraqis. I wish Sadr would go back to politics as he played a vital role to keep Iraq away from external pressure, mainly from Iran,” Mr Ali said.
“Sadr is a safety valve to Iraq, and I hope the governments and other neutral parties decide to dissolve the parliaments and go forward a very quick election.”
Iraq's oil exports have not been affected by the turmoil in the country, three sources told Reuters on Tuesday, despite Mr Al Sadr’s supporters surrounding Basra’s Majnoon oil field and 210,000-barrel-per-day Basrah refinery.
Iraq’s people are yet to see any real development off the back of oil revenues, as the government formation process stagnates.
Amal Khairi, 48, said she had lost hope of any bright future for her family amid the squabbling by politicians. She said she does not back any militias or political factions, but praised Mr Al Sadr’s decision to withdraw his supporters.
“My son, Mohammed, is a baccalaureate student in his last year of secondary school. He could not go for exams as the Ministry of Education suspended them until further notice.
I am so afraid for my son’s future,” she said.
“I am hopeless that Iraq will be stable or be clear from militias as long as there is a government whose politicians take care of themselves, not the people's favour, she said.
Life in the city began to return to normal on Tuesday afternoon, as businesses and shops gradually opened.
The specs: 2018 Jaguar F-Type Convertible
Price, base / as tested: Dh283,080 / Dh318,465
Engine: 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 295hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm @ 1,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.2L / 100km
Heather, the Totality
Matthew Weiner,
Canongate
THE SPECS
Aston Martin Rapide AMR
Engine: 6.0-litre V12
Transmission: Touchtronic III eight-speed automatic
Power: 595bhp
Torque: 630Nm
Price: Dh999,563
ASHES FIXTURES
1st Test: Brisbane, Nov 23-27
2nd Test: Adelaide, Dec 2-6
3rd Test: Perth, Dec 14-18
4th Test: Melbourne, Dec 26-30
5th Test: Sydney, Jan 4-8
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre, twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Power: 592bhp
Torque: 620Nm
Price: Dh980,000
On sale: now
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Brief scoreline:
Liverpool 5
Keita 1', Mane 23', 66', Salah 45' 1, 83'
Huddersfield 0
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203S%20Money%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202018%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20London%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ivan%20Zhiznevsky%2C%20Eugene%20Dugaev%20and%20Andrei%20Dikouchine%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%245.6%20million%20raised%20in%20total%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
Hydrogen: Market potential
Hydrogen has an estimated $11 trillion market potential, according to Bank of America Securities and is expected to generate $2.5tn in direct revenues and $11tn of indirect infrastructure by 2050 as its production increases six-fold.
"We believe we are reaching the point of harnessing the element that comprises 90 per cent of the universe, effectively and economically,” the bank said in a recent report.
Falling costs of renewable energy and electrolysers used in green hydrogen production is one of the main catalysts for the increasingly bullish sentiment over the element.
The cost of electrolysers used in green hydrogen production has halved over the last five years and will fall to 60 to 90 per cent by the end of the decade, acceding to Haim Israel, equity strategist at Merrill Lynch. A global focus on decarbonisation and sustainability is also a big driver in its development.
Porsche Taycan Turbo specs
Engine: Two permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors
Transmission: two-speed
Power: 671hp
Torque: 1050Nm
Range: 450km
Price: Dh601,800
On sale: now
UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
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.
