Gearing up for the upcoming referendum on independence with posters of Iraqi Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani in Erbil, capital of the autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq, on September 7, 2017.  Safin Hamed  / AFP
Gearing up for the upcoming referendum on independence with posters of Iraqi Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani in Erbil, capital of the autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq, on September 7, 2017. SShow more

President of Iraqi Kurdistan says independence vote is due to failure of unity



President of Iraqi Kurdistan insists that the independence referendum is a result of failure of unity between Baghdad and Erbil.

Masoud Barzani said, "Holding the referendum is the right and legitimate choice for the citizens of Kurdistan. We have tried to provide the opportunity or the adequate amount of time to build a real partnership in Baghdad. Unfortunately we have failed," Mr Barzani told Al Arabiya. "This is why we had to take this decision."

His comments come as pressure increases on Iraq’s Kurdistan region to either postpone or cancel the poll scheduled to take place on September 25. Neighbouring countries such as Turkey and Iran, as well as the United States have urged Erbil to postpone the poll.

Mr Barzani said that that those asking for a postponement should "offer us an alternative."

The Kurdish president insists the goal now is to build a new relationship with Baghdad. "We have failed at building a partnership so we must now work on being good neighbours," he said.

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Erbil- the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan — has tried to avoid resorting to independence from Baghdad's central government. "The truth is we have reached a point where there is no room for another choice,"Mr Barzani said.

In 2003, Baghdad and Erbil agreed to form a national, civil, democratic and confederate state. "But today we live in the shadow of a sectarian religious state," Mr Barzani stressed. Baghdad was guilty of many constitutional infringements, he added.

"The main point that we agreed upon -in 2003- was that there should be a true and legitimate partnership between both sides. This was terminated because Baghdad eliminated the principle of partnership and did not adhere to the constitution."

Baghdad's central government withheld budget payments to the Kurdistan region in 2014, ostensibly because the Kurds began selling crude oil independently of the federal government.

Erbil says, "The oil sale came only after they made the provincial budget cuts."

Mr Barzani also refers to the non implementation of Article 140 as one of the main reasons for the referendum. The article was created to end territorial disputes between Baghdad and Erbil by stipulating that the administrative statuses of these areas should be determined with referendums by the end of 2007.

"The Article was completely ignored by Baghdad" said Mr Barzani.

Oil-rich Kirkuk province is one of the disputed territories between Baghdad's central government and Erbil. Last week, the province announced it will participate in Iraqi Kurdistan's independence vote — even though it is not part of the Kurdistan region.

The move sparked tensions between Kirkuk’s different ethnic leaders and angered the authorities in Baghdad.

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Meanwhile, Mr Barzani insists that negotiations with Baghdad will continue even after the votes are cast and results are announced. “Negotiation will continue with Baghdad even after the results are announced. We condemn any act of violence so we will continue to negotiate with Baghdad on all the issues presented."

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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989

Director: Goran Hugo Olsson

Rating: 5/5

Indika
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Credit Score explained

What is a credit score?

In the UAE your credit score is a number generated by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), which represents your credit worthiness – in other words, your risk of defaulting on any debt repayments. In this country, the number is between 300 and 900. A low score indicates a higher risk of default, while a high score indicates you are a lower risk.

Why is it important?

Financial institutions will use it to decide whether or not you are a credit risk. Those with better scores may also receive preferential interest rates or terms on products such as loans, credit cards and mortgages.

How is it calculated?

The AECB collects information on your payment behaviour from banks as well as utilitiy and telecoms providers.

How can I improve my score?

By paying your bills on time and not missing any repayments, particularly your loan, credit card and mortgage payments. It is also wise to limit the number of credit card and loan applications you make and to reduce your outstanding balances.

How do I know if my score is low or high?

By checking it. Visit one of AECB’s Customer Happiness Centres with an original and valid Emirates ID, passport copy and valid email address. Liv. customers can also access the score directly from the banking app.

How much does it cost?

A credit report costs Dh100 while a report with the score included costs Dh150. Those only wanting the credit score pay Dh60. VAT is payable on top.

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BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE

Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega

Director: Tim Burton

Rating: 3/5

Basquiat in Abu Dhabi

One of Basquiat’s paintings, the vibrant Cabra (1981–82), now hangs in Louvre Abu Dhabi temporarily, on loan from the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. 

The latter museum is not open physically, but has assembled a collection and puts together a series of events called Talking Art, such as this discussion, moderated by writer Chaedria LaBouvier. 

It's something of a Basquiat season in Abu Dhabi at the moment. Last week, The Radiant Child, a documentary on Basquiat was shown at Manarat Al Saadiyat, and tonight (April 18) the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is throwing the re-creation of a party tonight, of the legendary Canal Zone party thrown in 1979, which epitomised the collaborative scene of the time. It was at Canal Zone that Basquiat met prominent members of the art world and moved from unknown graffiti artist into someone in the spotlight.  

“We’ve invited local resident arists, we’ll have spray cans at the ready,” says curator Maisa Al Qassemi of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. 

Guggenheim Abu Dhabi's Canal Zone Remix is at Manarat Al Saadiyat, Thursday April 18, from 8pm. Free entry to all. Basquiat's Cabra is on view at Louvre Abu Dhabi until October

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The stats

Ship name: MSC Bellissima

Ship class: Meraviglia Class

Delivery date: February 27, 2019

Gross tonnage: 171,598 GT

Passenger capacity: 5,686

Crew members: 1,536

Number of cabins: 2,217

Length: 315.3 metres

Maximum speed: 22.7 knots (42kph)

Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23

UAE fixtures:
Men

Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final

Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final