At the turn of the last century, merchants in the nascent port city of Kuwait began retrofitting their dhows to carry cargo far more precious than the pearls they took to the east or the spices they brought back: water.
The city’s population was booming - not because of the discovery of oil, which would come decades later, but because of the trade that had brought both wealth and a wave of new immigrants.
With the boom came an increased demand for water that could no longer be met by Kuwait’s underground aquifers, leading to the start of water shipments from Iraq’s Basra region to the north.
The dhows would typically set sail after the heat of mid-day and arrive in Basra by nightfall. Filling their holds with the semi-sweet water of the Shat Al Arab river would take about two hours, and the boats would return home in time for sunrise in Kuwait, where the water distributors would deliver it to households.
Today, the roles have been reversed. Kuwait, which now gets most of its water from desalination plants, recently sent tankers loaded with fresh water Basra in an attempt to abate public anger over water scarcity there.
For more than a month, demonstrators have taken to the streets of Iraq’s southern cities to demand water supply and other basic services. At least 14 people have been killed and hundreds wounded.
The Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed, told Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi during a phone call in July that “the stability of Baghdad is among Kuwait’s chief concerns”.
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Iraqi farmers fight to save cattle as drought tightens its grip
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Baghdad has yet to resume payment of the $4.6 billion still owed to Kuwait as reparations for the damage to its oil production caused by the Iraqi invasion in 1990. But Iraq’s water woes, along with a power supply crisis, has prompted Kuwait, along with Saudi Arabia, to step in to ensure stability in the regional heavyweight.
During the protests in Basra a photo was circulated on social media purporting to show militants attacking oil facilities in northern Kuwait. The Kuwaiti interior ministry dismissed the claims, but it still conjured up memories of Iraq’s invasion.
Although the protests have not affected Kuwait so far, concerns remain as Iraqi families are forced to purchases water at the rate of $13 (Dh48) a tonne – a cost many in the southern provinces, which have some of the highest rates of unemployment, cannot afford.
“It’s a shame that I am demanding water in 2018. Water I ask for ... nowadays people travel by plane! Alas humanity! I have oil that feeds the entire world,” one man told a local television channel.
Iraq exported 3.543 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude from its southern ports in July, according to the oil ministry, generating revenue of about $7.6 billion based on an average sale price of $69.163 per barrel.
Yet the south of Iraq suffers from high unemployment, patchy electricity and brackish water – all of which is compounded by viciously hot summers.
Rainfall this year has been scarce and the rivers of Iraq, including the Tigris and the Euphrates, are drying up and water reservoirs are only 10 per cent full. In 2003 the High Level Committee for Disaster Risk Reduction had already identified drought as one of the most serious crises facing the country.
In June, the government suspended farming of rice, corn and other cereals that require major irrigation. The drought has halved the area under cultivation in Iraq this summer compared to last year, according to Deputy Agriculture Minister Mahdi Al Qaisi.
“Iraq’s water crisis has been brewing for some time, but it’s really coming to a head now because of an unfortunate combination of factors” said Peter Schwartzstein, a non-resident fellow at the Washington-based Centre for Climate and Security.
“Turkey and Iran are holding back more water than ever, with both countries seemingly taking advantage of Iraq’s instability over the past year,” said Mr Schwartzstein. “As the downstream state, there’s little Iraq can do about this.”
On the outskirts of Basra city, where agriculture was once the main source of income, water shortages have forced farmers to abandon their crops and search for jobs in the city.
“Agriculture has been in a state of slow collapse in southern Iraq for years and while there are many reasons, water is perhaps chief among them,” said Mr Schwartzstein.
“Many farmers have ditched their fields and moved to the slum outskirts of Basra, Baghdad and other cities, as their yields have shrunk. With overly salty water, they simply can’t get a return on their investment.”
Local authorities estimate that some 30 per cent of cattle across the south have been lost during the drought, either dying from thirst or sold off for slaughter. That is a major blow for the estimated 475,000 families in the region who make their living from livestock.
Iraq is expected to begin talks with Saudi Arabia soon to discuss a long-term fix to the shortage of the country’s basic needs.
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Rating: 4/5
Important questions to consider
1. Where on the plane does my pet travel?
There are different types of travel available for pets:
- Manifest cargo
- Excess luggage in the hold
- Excess luggage in the cabin
Each option is safe. The feasibility of each option is based on the size and breed of your pet, the airline they are traveling on and country they are travelling to.
2. What is the difference between my pet traveling as manifest cargo or as excess luggage?
If traveling as manifest cargo, your pet is traveling in the front hold of the plane and can travel with or without you being on the same plane. The cost of your pets travel is based on volumetric weight, in other words, the size of their travel crate.
If traveling as excess luggage, your pet will be in the rear hold of the plane and must be traveling under the ticket of a human passenger. The cost of your pets travel is based on the actual (combined) weight of your pet in their crate.
3. What happens when my pet arrives in the country they are traveling to?
As soon as the flight arrives, your pet will be taken from the plane straight to the airport terminal.
If your pet is traveling as excess luggage, they will taken to the oversized luggage area in the arrival hall. Once you clear passport control, you will be able to collect them at the same time as your normal luggage. As you exit the airport via the ‘something to declare’ customs channel you will be asked to present your pets travel paperwork to the customs official and / or the vet on duty.
If your pet is traveling as manifest cargo, they will be taken to the Animal Reception Centre. There, their documentation will be reviewed by the staff of the ARC to ensure all is in order. At the same time, relevant customs formalities will be completed by staff based at the arriving airport.
4. How long does the travel paperwork and other travel preparations take?
This depends entirely on the location that your pet is traveling to. Your pet relocation compnay will provide you with an accurate timeline of how long the relevant preparations will take and at what point in the process the various steps must be taken.
In some cases they can get your pet ‘travel ready’ in a few days. In others it can be up to six months or more.
5. What vaccinations does my pet need to travel?
Regardless of where your pet is traveling, they will need certain vaccinations. The exact vaccinations they need are entirely dependent on the location they are traveling to. The one vaccination that is mandatory for every country your pet may travel to is a rabies vaccination.
Other vaccinations may also be necessary. These will be advised to you as relevant. In every situation, it is essential to keep your vaccinations current and to not miss a due date, even by one day. To do so could severely hinder your pets travel plans.
Source: Pawsome Pets UAE
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Lamsa
Founder: Badr Ward
Launched: 2014
Employees: 60
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: EdTech
Funding to date: $15 million
Imperial Island: A History of Empire in Modern Britain
Author: Charlotte Lydia Riley
Publisher: Bodley Head
Pages: 384
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: Klipit
Started: 2022
Founders: Venkat Reddy, Mohammed Al Bulooki, Bilal Merchant, Asif Ahmed, Ovais Merchant
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Digital receipts, finance, blockchain
Funding: $4 million
Investors: Privately/self-funded
BACK TO ALEXANDRIA
Director: Tamer Ruggli
Starring: Nadine Labaki, Fanny Ardant
Rating: 3.5/5
THE SPECS
Aston Martin Rapide AMR
Engine: 6.0-litre V12
Transmission: Touchtronic III eight-speed automatic
Power: 595bhp
Torque: 630Nm
Price: Dh999,563
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- High fever
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- Severe headache
- Muscle and joint pains
- Nausea
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- Swollen glands
- Rash
If symptoms occur, they usually last for two-seven days
Profile of Bitex UAE
Date of launch: November 2018
Founder: Monark Modi
Based: Business Bay, Dubai
Sector: Financial services
Size: Eight employees
Investors: Self-funded to date with $1m of personal savings
Abu Dhabi GP starting grid
1 Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
2 Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes)
3 Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)
4 Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)
5 Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull)
6 Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
7 Romain Grosjean (Haas)
8 Charles Leclerc (Sauber)
9 Esteban Ocon (Force India)
10 Nico Hulkenberg (Renault)
11 Carlos Sainz (Renault)
12 Marcus Ericsson (Sauber)
13 Kevin Magnussen (Haas)
14 Sergio Perez (Force India)
15 Fernando Alonso (McLaren)
16 Brendon Hartley (Toro Rosso)
17 Pierre Gasly (Toro Rosso)
18 Stoffe Vandoorne (McLaren)
19 Sergey Sirotkin (Williams)
20 Lance Stroll (Williams)
The specs
Powertrain: Single electric motor
Power: 201hp
Torque: 310Nm
Transmission: Single-speed auto
Battery: 53kWh lithium-ion battery pack (GS base model); 70kWh battery pack (GF)
Touring range: 350km (GS); 480km (GF)
Price: From Dh129,900 (GS); Dh149,000 (GF)
On sale: Now
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
The specs
Engine: 2.3-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 299hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 420Nm at 2,750rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 12.4L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh157,395 (XLS); Dh199,395 (Limited)
THE SPECS
Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder
Power: 210hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: Starting from Dh89,900
On sale: Now
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Company Profile
Name: HyveGeo
Started: 2023
Founders: Abdulaziz bin Redha, Dr Samsurin Welch, Eva Morales and Dr Harjit Singh
Based: Cambridge and Dubai
Number of employees: 8
Industry: Sustainability & Environment
Funding: $200,000 plus undisclosed grant
Investors: Venture capital and government
UAE athletes heading to Paris 2024
Equestrian
Abdullah Humaid Al Muhairi, Abdullah Al Marri, Omar Al Marzooqi, Salem Al Suwaidi, and Ali Al Karbi (four to be selected).
Judo
Men: Narmandakh Bayanmunkh (66kg), Nugzari Tatalashvili (81kg), Aram Grigorian (90kg), Dzhafar Kostoev (100kg), Magomedomar Magomedomarov (+100kg); women's Khorloodoi Bishrelt (52kg).
Cycling
Safia Al Sayegh (women's road race).
Swimming
Men: Yousef Rashid Al Matroushi (100m freestyle); women: Maha Abdullah Al Shehi (200m freestyle).
Athletics
Maryam Mohammed Al Farsi (women's 100 metres).
PSA DUBAI WORLD SERIES FINALS LINE-UP
Men’s:
Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGY)
Ali Farag (EGY)
Simon Rosner (GER)
Tarek Momen (EGY)
Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL)
Gregory Gaultier (FRA)
Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)
Nick Matthew (ENG)
Women's:
Nour El Sherbini (EGY)
Raneem El Welily (EGY)
Nour El Tayeb (EGY)
Laura Massaro (ENG)
Joelle King (NZE)
Camille Serme (FRA)
Nouran Gohar (EGY)
Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG)
SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin
Director: Shawn Levy
Rating: 3/5