SPANISH PM PROPOSES REFERENDUM ON GREATER AUTONOMY FOR CATALONIA

MADRID: Spain’s prime minister on Monday proposed holding a referendum in Catalonia on greater autonomy for the wealthy region but ruled out allowing a vote on independence as demanded by Catalan leaders. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who since coming to power in June has attempted to defuse tensions over Catalonia’s independence drive by holding talks with separatist president Quim Torra, told radio Cadena Ser the dialogue should lead to “a vote... on the reinforcement of Catalonia’s autonomy”. “It is a referendum for autonomy, not for autodetermination,” he added. Polls show Catalans are divided on the question of independence but an overwhelming majority back a referendum to settle the question.

Malaysian lesbian couple caned in public punishment

KUALA LUMPUR: Two Malaysian Muslim women convicted under Islamic laws of attempting to have sex were caned on Monday in a rare public whipping that was slammed by lawmakers and rights activists as a form of torture. Lawyers and activists said the women, aged 22 and 32, were seated on stools facing the judges and given six strokes from a light rattan cane on their backs by female prison officers. More than 100 people witnessed the caning in Terengganu state. AP

Pak Army chief meets Khan ahead of Pompeo’s visit

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa met Imran Khan on Monday and discussed various security-related issues with the prime minister.

The meeting is significant for its timing as US secretary of state Mike Pompeo is scheduled to visit Islamabad on September 5. The top American diplomat is expected to demand that Pakistan crack down on Taliban operating from its soil. AGENCIES

UAE announces names of its first two astronauts

DUBAI: The UAE has selected its first two astronauts to go on a mission to the International Space Station, Dubai’s ruler said on Monday. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashed al-maktou named the new astronauts as Hazza al-mansouri, 34, and 37-year-old Sultan al-neyadi. Sheikh Mohammed, the UAE’S vice president and prime minister, last year vowed to send four Emirati astronauts to the space station within five years.

Chinese kindergarten calls poledancer for ceremony

BEIJING: Parents attending a ceremony at a kindergarten in the city of Shenzhen on Monday were horrified when a scantily clad pole dancer took to the stage and proceeded with a well-oiled number in plain view of their children. The performance, part of a ceremony observing the start of China’s school year, was quickly denounced by the local education bureau. The authority has since called for the dismissal of the kindergarten director. REUTERS