A street vendor displays gemstone rings at a market in Tahrir Square, in the Iraqi capital Baghdad. AFP
A street vendor displays gemstone rings at a market in Tahrir Square, in the Iraqi capital Baghdad. AFP
A coffee shop worker pours a drink for a customer at a market in Tahrir Square, Baghdad. AFP
A coffee shop worker pours a drink for a customer at a market in Tahrir Square, Baghdad. AFP
A tailor works in his shop at Tahrir Square, Baghdad. AFP
A tailor works in his shop at Tahrir Square, Baghdad. AFP
Staff at an antiques shop at Tahrir Square market, Baghdad. AFP
Staff at an antiques shop at Tahrir Square market, Baghdad. AFP
Customers buy loose gemstones from a street seller at Tahrir Square market, Baghdad. AFP
Customers buy loose gemstones from a street seller at Tahrir Square market, Baghdad. AFP
A porter pulls a laden handcart at Tahrir Square market in Baghdad. AFP
A porter pulls a laden handcart at Tahrir Square market in Baghdad. AFP
Gulls swoop as people feed the birds on a bridge over the Tigris river, in Baghdad. AP Photo
Gulls swoop as people feed the birds on a bridge over the Tigris river, in Baghdad. AP Photo
Shiite Muslim pilgrims visit the holy shrine of Imam Abbas, in the holy city of Karbala, Iraq. Abbas is highly revered for his loyalty. AP Photo
Shiite Muslim pilgrims visit the holy shrine of Imam Abbas, in the holy city of Karbala, Iraq. Abbas is highly revered for his loyalty. AP Photo
Shiite Muslim pilgrims gather in the tomb of Imam Abbas in Karbala, 100 kilometres south-west of Baghdad, Iraq. AP Photo
Shiite Muslim pilgrims gather in the tomb of Imam Abbas in Karbala, 100 kilometres south-west of Baghdad, Iraq. AP Photo
Shiite Muslim pilgrims touch the tomb of Imam Abbas in Karbala, Iraq. AP Photo
Shiite Muslim pilgrims touch the tomb of Imam Abbas in Karbala, Iraq. AP Photo
A youth shows off his balancing skills as he performs stunts on a bicycle, on the bank of the Shatt Al-Arab river at sunset, in the southern Iraqi city of Basra. AFP
A youth shows off his balancing skills as he performs stunts on a bicycle, on the bank of the Shatt Al-Arab river at sunset, in the southern Iraqi city of Basra. AFP
Iraqi youths show off their balancing skills as they perform stunts on motorbikes, on the bank of the Shatt Al-Arab river, Basra. AFP
Iraqi youths show off their balancing skills as they perform stunts on motorbikes, on the bank of the Shatt Al-Arab river, Basra. AFP

MENA

From Samarra to Basra, daily life of Iraqis - in pictures

Take a look at some of the best images from around Iraq

The National

March 20, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

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How has net migration to UK changed?

The figure was broadly flat immediately before the Covid-19 pandemic, standing at 216,000 in the year to June 2018 and 224,000 in the year to June 2019.

It then dropped to an estimated 111,000 in the year to June 2020 when restrictions introduced during the pandemic limited travel and movement.

The total rose to 254,000 in the year to June 2021, followed by steep jumps to 634,000 in the year to June 2022 and 906,000 in the year to June 2023.

The latest available figure of 728,000 for the 12 months to June 2024 suggests levels are starting to decrease.

Quick pearls of wisdom

Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”

Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.” 

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