• A woman wearing a wetsuit, mask and flippers prepares to take to the water for a training session in Basra, Iraq. Reuters
    A woman wearing a wetsuit, mask and flippers prepares to take to the water for a training session in Basra, Iraq. Reuters
  • Iraqi female swimming coach Elaf, 35, teaches a child how to swim and dive, at a swimming pool in Basra. Reuters
    Iraqi female swimming coach Elaf, 35, teaches a child how to swim and dive, at a swimming pool in Basra. Reuters
  • Coach Elaf teaches children to be confident in the water. Reuters
    Coach Elaf teaches children to be confident in the water. Reuters
  • Young swimmers stand in line before entering the pool for their lesson in Basra. Reuters
    Young swimmers stand in line before entering the pool for their lesson in Basra. Reuters
  • A woman receives tuition on scuba diving from coach Elaf. Reuters
    A woman receives tuition on scuba diving from coach Elaf. Reuters
  • Swimming coach Elaf checks a scuba diving student's oxygen supply. Reuters
    Swimming coach Elaf checks a scuba diving student's oxygen supply. Reuters
  • Young swimmers work on their technique, under the guidance of coach Elaf. Reuters
    Young swimmers work on their technique, under the guidance of coach Elaf. Reuters
  • Swimming coach Elaf gives instructions as children practise diving at a pool in Basra. Reuters
    Swimming coach Elaf gives instructions as children practise diving at a pool in Basra. Reuters
  • A young swimmer is taught to float in the water by Basra swimming coach Elaf. Reuters
    A young swimmer is taught to float in the water by Basra swimming coach Elaf. Reuters
  • A woman puts on her scuba diving kit for a lesson with coach Elaf, in Basra, Iraq. Reuters
    A woman puts on her scuba diving kit for a lesson with coach Elaf, in Basra, Iraq. Reuters

Swimming and diving lessons in Basra - in pictures


  • English
  • Arabic

More from The National:

The abandoned village of Al Madam in Sharjah - in pictures

Dubai-bred shark pups released in Arabian Gulf in conservation programme

Roman Marcus Aurelius arch in Tripoli among restoration work - in pictures

Israeli swimmers film sharks in shallow waters off Israel - in pictures

Afghan life away from the public eye - in pictures

What are the influencer academy modules?
  1. Mastery of audio-visual content creation. 
  2. Cinematography, shots and movement.
  3. All aspects of post-production.
  4. Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
  5. Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
  6. Tourism industry knowledge.
  7. Professional ethics.
JAPANESE GRAND PRIX INFO

Schedule (All times UAE)
First practice: Friday, 5-6.30am
Second practice: Friday, 9-10.30am
Third practice: Saturday, 7-8am
Qualifying: Saturday, 10-11am
Race: Sunday, 9am-midday 

Race venue: Suzuka International Racing Course
Circuit Length: 5.807km
Number of Laps: 53
Watch live: beIN Sports HD

Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

%20Ramez%20Gab%20Min%20El%20Akher
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStreaming%20on%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMBC%20Shahid%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo

The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
​​​​​​​Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km

What is the FNC?

The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning. 
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval. 
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
 

Destroyer

Director: Karyn Kusama

Cast: Nicole Kidman, Toby Kebbell, Sebastian Stan

Rating: 3/5 

UAE release: January 31 

Russia's Muslim Heartlands

Dominic Rubin, Oxford

Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

MATCH INFO

Rajasthan Royals 158-8 (20 ovs)
Kings XI Punjab 143/7 (20 ovs)

Rajasthan Royals won by 15 runs