Germany's president Horst Koehler is stepping down, following criticism of recent comments he made about the country's mission in Afghanistan.
"I am resigning my post as federal president," Mr Koehler, 67, whose post is largely ceremonial, said in Berlin.
Mr Koehler came under fire for saying that an export-reliant country such as Germany, occasionally needed to defend its economic interests by preventing regional instabilities like that in Afghanistan.
Such regional instabilities "certainly have a negative impact on us through trade, jobs and income," Mr Koehler told German radio on May 22.
A former managing director of the International Monetary Fund,Mr Koehler was elected to the post of president in 2004 and re-elected in 2009.
Polls show that a majority of Germans are opposed to the mission in Afghanistan.
*AFP
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Sukuk explained
Sukuk are Sharia-compliant financial certificates issued by governments, corporates and other entities. While as an asset class they resemble conventional bonds, there are some significant differences. As interest is prohibited under Sharia, sukuk must contain an underlying transaction, for example a leaseback agreement, and the income that is paid to investors is generated by the underlying asset. Investors must also be prepared to share in both the profits and losses of an enterprise. Nevertheless, sukuk are similar to conventional bonds in that they provide regular payments, and are considered less risky than equities. Most investors would not buy sukuk directly due to high minimum subscriptions, but invest via funds.
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Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
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Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
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Less than 5,000 steps - sedentary
5,000 - 9,999 steps - lightly active
10,000 - 12,500 steps - active
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Favourite TV show: That 70s Show
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Company name: Almouneer
Started: 2017
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Number of staff: 120
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Name: Direct Debit System
Started: Sept 2017
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Industry: FinTech
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Pox that threatens the Middle East's native species
Camelpox
Caused by a virus related to the one that causes human smallpox, camelpox typically causes fever, swelling of lymph nodes and skin lesions in camels aged over three, but the animal usually recovers after a month or so. Younger animals may develop a more acute form that causes internal lesions and diarrhoea, and is often fatal, especially when secondary infections result. It is found across the Middle East as well as in parts of Asia, Africa, Russia and India.
Falconpox
Falconpox can cause a variety of types of lesions, which can affect, for example, the eyelids, feet and the areas above and below the beak. It is a problem among captive falcons and is one of many types of avian pox or avipox diseases that together affect dozens of bird species across the world. Among the other forms are pigeonpox, turkeypox, starlingpox and canarypox. Avipox viruses are spread by mosquitoes and direct bird-to-bird contact.
Houbarapox
Houbarapox is, like falconpox, one of the many forms of avipox diseases. It exists in various forms, with a type that causes skin lesions being least likely to result in death. Other forms cause more severe lesions, including internal lesions, and are more likely to kill the bird, often because secondary infections develop. This summer the CVRL reported an outbreak of pox in houbaras after rains in spring led to an increase in mosquito numbers.
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Round 1: Beat Leolia Jeanjean 6-1, 6-2
Round 2: Beat Naomi Osaka 7-6, 1-6, 7-5
Round 3: Beat Marie Bouzkova 6-4, 6-2
Round 4: Beat Anastasia Potapova 6-0, 6-0
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Semi-final: Beat Coco Gauff 6-2, 6-4
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