A vehicle of the Iraqi Federal police is seen on a street in Kirkuk, Iraq. REUTERS
A vehicle of the Iraqi Federal police is seen on a street in Kirkuk, Iraq. REUTERS
A vehicle of the Iraqi Federal police is seen on a street in Kirkuk, Iraq. REUTERS
A vehicle of the Iraqi Federal police is seen on a street in Kirkuk, Iraq. REUTERS

Five killed and 18 wounded in series of explosions in Iraq


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At least five people have been killed and 18 wounded in explosions in the Iraqi oil city of Kirkuk on Thursday.

At least six improvised explosive devices went off in the northern city and two more were defused by security forces, the Iraqi military said.

The bombs exploded at two malls, an ice cream shop and a butcher’s shop.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility but ISIS militants are active in the area.

Iraq declared victory over the group, which once held large areas of the country, in December 2017.

But ISIS has switched to guerrilla attacks to undermine the Iraqi government.

Its fighters have regrouped in the Hamrin mountains, which extend from Diyala province on the border with Iran, crossing northern Salahuddin province and southern Kirkuk.

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates

Jeff Buckley: From Hallelujah To The Last Goodbye
By Dave Lory with Jim Irvin

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Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?

The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.

A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.

Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.

The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.

When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.

Tightening the screw on rogue recruiters

The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.

 Only recruitment companies authorised by the government are permitted as part of Tadbeer, a network of labour ministry-regulated centres.

A contract must be drawn up for domestic workers, the wages and job offer clearly stating the nature of work.

The contract stating the wages, work entailed and accommodation must be sent to the employee in their home country before they depart for the UAE.

The contract will be signed by the employer and employee when the domestic worker arrives in the UAE.

Only recruitment agencies registered with the ministry can undertake recruitment and employment applications for domestic workers.

Penalties for illegal recruitment in the UAE include fines of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment

But agents not authorised by the government sidestep the law by illegally getting women into the country on visit visas.