The Iraqi government has been laying sewage and water pipes across Baghdad and repaving roads. All photos: Reuters
The Iraqi government has been laying sewage and water pipes across Baghdad and repaving roads. All photos: Reuters
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani is pushing to improve services for citizens weary of years of conflict and government neglect
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani is pushing to improve services for citizens weary of years of conflict and government neglect
The infrastructure works have been buoyed by high oil prices and the relative stability the country is enjoying
The infrastructure works have been buoyed by high oil prices and the relative stability the country is enjoying
The government has been improving roads, bridges and pavements, as well as removing security checkpoints that had made congestion worse
The government has been improving roads, bridges and pavements, as well as removing security checkpoints that had made congestion worse
It has also been cleaning up the facades of buildings damaged by war and revamping parks and promenades that hug the Tigris River
It has also been cleaning up the facades of buildings damaged by war and revamping parks and promenades that hug the Tigris River
Electricity supply has also improved but disruptions are expected to return in summer as consumption peaks
Electricity supply has also improved but disruptions are expected to return in summer as consumption peaks
The country's recent stability has opened it up to tourists, mostly from Arab states
The country's recent stability has opened it up to tourists, mostly from Arab states
One of the main projects is a 2.5km corniche along the Tigris, next to Abu Nawas park
One of the main projects is a 2.5km corniche along the Tigris, next to Abu Nawas park
Fitted with running and cycling lanes, benches and public bathrooms, it has received throngs of visitors since it opened this year
Fitted with running and cycling lanes, benches and public bathrooms, it has received throngs of visitors since it opened this year
Many Iraqis said the changes were the most significant they had seen since the 2003 US invasion
Many Iraqis said the changes were the most significant they had seen since the 2003 US invasion
However, they still fall short in a country that made more than $115 billion from oil sales in 2022 and suffers from rampant corruption
However, they still fall short in a country that made more than $115 billion from oil sales in 2022 and suffers from rampant corruption
The current works are being financed by a budget of $400 million, with Baghdad also seeking help from abroad
The current works are being financed by a budget of $400 million, with Baghdad also seeking help from abroad

MENA

Iraq

Baghdad given makeover as repairs kindle guarded optimism — in pictures

Large investment and overseas help have helped to reinvigorate public spaces and infrastructure

The National

May 17, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

More from The National:

UK hands back 6,000 antiquities borrowed from Iraq 100 years ago

Germany to help protect Iraq's water supplies from climate change threat

Iraq's ancient pottery industry struggling in a modern era — in pictures

Changing environment affects Iraq's honey production - in pictures

Volunteers rebuild Iraq's destroyed homes one at a time

UAE Tour 2020

Stage 1: The Pointe Palm Jumeirah - Dubai Silicon Oasis, 148km
Stage 2: Hatta - Hatta Dam, 168km​​​​​​​
Stage 3: Al Qudra Cycle Track - Jebel Hafeet, 184km​​​​​​​
Stage 4: Zabeel Park - Dubai City Walk, 173km​​​​​​​
Stage 5: Al Ain - Jebel Hafeet, 162km​​​​​​​
Stage 6: Al Ruwais - Al Mirfa, 158km​​​​​​​
Stage 7: Al Maryah Island - Abu Dhabi Breakwater, 127km

MATCH INFO

Champions League quarter-final, first leg

Ajax v Juventus, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)

Match on BeIN Sports

The bio

Favourite vegetable: Broccoli

Favourite food: Seafood

Favourite thing to cook: Duck l'orange

Favourite book: Give and Take by Adam Grant, one of his professors at University of Pennsylvania

Favourite place to travel: Home in Kuwait.

Favourite place in the UAE: Al Qudra lakes

While you're here
Five films to watch

Castle in the Sky (1986)

Grave of the Fireflies (1988)

Only Yesterday (1991)

Pom Poki (1994)

The Tale of Princess Kaguya (2013)

On Women's Day
On Women's Day
Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills

A Long Way Home by Peter Carey
Faber & Faber

Another way to earn air miles

In addition to the Emirates and Etihad programmes, there is the Air Miles Middle East card, which offers members the ability to choose any airline, has no black-out dates and no restrictions on seat availability. Air Miles is linked up to HSBC credit cards and can also be earned through retail partners such as Spinneys, Sharaf DG and The Toy Store.

An Emirates Dubai-London round-trip ticket costs 180,000 miles on the Air Miles website. But customers earn these ‘miles’ at a much faster rate than airline miles. Adidas offers two air miles per Dh1 spent. Air Miles has partnerships with websites as well, so booking.com and agoda.com offer three miles per Dh1 spent.

“If you use your HSBC credit card when shopping at our partners, you are able to earn Air Miles twice which will mean you can get that flight reward faster and for less spend,” says Paul Lacey, the managing director for Europe, Middle East and India for Aimia, which owns and operates Air Miles Middle East.

MATCH INFO

Sheffield United 0 Wolves 2 (Jimenez 3', Saiss 6)

Man of the Match Romain Saiss (Wolves)

Updated: May 17, 2023, 8:15 AM`
Middle EastIraqBaghdad