The Iraqis who pick over their country's old battlefields for military scrap metal and wiring have few other ways to make a living but the task comes with enormous risks.
So numerous are the wounds inflicted by mines and unexploded ordnance in Jurf Al Milh that the southern Iraqi village is better known as Al Bitran, which means "the amputees" in the local dialect.
Hundreds of villagers have lost limbs to mines and unexploded ordnance from Iraq's war with Iran from 1980 through1988.
Al Bitran, east of the city of Basra, is near the Shatt Al Arab waterway which marks the border with Iran.
The first victims were mainly sheep herders who took their flocks to graze in areas not marked as minefields, even though they were strewn with unexploded bombs and artillery shells.
Sheno Abdullah is one of those who lost a leg in an explosion. "In 1980, when the war began, Iranian planes dropped bombs on our region at dawn, everybody left but a few," he said.
"When the war ended, people returned but they didn't know that the land was full of mines," he said, speaking at the small mosque where he serves sometimes as muezzin.
In 1991, the village, like the rest of Iraq, descended deeper into poverty as a result of international sanctions imposed on the country following the occupation of Kuwait.
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Collecting scrap metal and electric wires from military hardware left on the battlefields became a means of livelihood for many in the village, and the result was an increase in the number of people maimed.
"I was out [in the field] to seek my living from God, collecting iron and copper; the kilogram of flour had become so expensive," said Falih, who lost a leg and five finger tips in an explosion.
As the number of amputees grew in southern Iraq, a prosthetics and orthotics workshop opened in Basra in 1995 with the help of the International Committee of the Red Cross, providing artificial limbs to about 8,000 patients.
The workshop makes up to 50 prosthetic parts a month. About a third of the patients who come to the centre lost limbs because of diabetes, 10 per cent suffered various kinds of accidents, with the rest mainly war and war-related casualties, including Al Bitran villagers, said one of the centres' directors, Mohsen Al Sayed.
Shiite paramilitary groups known as Popular Mobilisation began a demining campaign last month near Al Bitran, using bulldozers and specialised vehicles to clear the desert area.
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
A little about CVRL
Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.
One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases.
The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery.
Our Time Has Come
Alyssa Ayres, Oxford University Press
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
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Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
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Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
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Political flags or banners
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Bikes, skateboards or scooters