• A view of part of the ancient Kirkuk Citadel in Iraq's northern city of Kirkuk, the capital of the Kirkuk governorate.
    A view of part of the ancient Kirkuk Citadel in Iraq's northern city of Kirkuk, the capital of the Kirkuk governorate.
  • Kirkuk Citadel is located in the centre of Kirkuk and is one of the oldest parts of the urban city. AFP
    Kirkuk Citadel is located in the centre of Kirkuk and is one of the oldest parts of the urban city. AFP
  • Some historians believe its oldest parts were built by the Gutian nomadic people and that it was renowned as far back as 3,500 years ago.
    Some historians believe its oldest parts were built by the Gutian nomadic people and that it was renowned as far back as 3,500 years ago.
  • Other historians believe Kirkuk Citadel was built during the reign of the Assyrian king Ashur Nasirpal II between 850 and 884 BC. AFP
    Other historians believe Kirkuk Citadel was built during the reign of the Assyrian king Ashur Nasirpal II between 850 and 884 BC. AFP
  • But in a country battered by years of conflict and government negligence, compounded by climate change, many of Iraq's Christian, Islamic and Mesopotamian historic sites have been left to weather away. AFP
    But in a country battered by years of conflict and government negligence, compounded by climate change, many of Iraq's Christian, Islamic and Mesopotamian historic sites have been left to weather away. AFP
  • Officials are hopeful that the site can be promoted from its current position of Unesco’s tentative list of heritage sites to the coveted World Heritage List.
    Officials are hopeful that the site can be promoted from its current position of Unesco’s tentative list of heritage sites to the coveted World Heritage List.
  • For without protection this status would bring, the site is likely to crumble into worse disrepair. AFP
    For without protection this status would bring, the site is likely to crumble into worse disrepair. AFP

The ancient citadel of Kirkuk - in pictures


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The six points:

1. Ministers should be in the field, instead of always at conferences

2. Foreign diplomacy must be left to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation

3. Emiratisation is a top priority that will have a renewed push behind it

4. The UAE's economy must continue to thrive and grow

5. Complaints from the public must be addressed, not avoided

6. Have hope for the future, what is yet to come is bigger and better than before

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ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA

Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi

Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser

Rating: 4.5/5

Result

Arsenal 4
Monreal (51'), Ramsey (82'), Lacazette 85', 89')

West Ham United 1
Arnautovic (64')

About RuPay

A homegrown card payment scheme launched by the National Payments Corporation of India and backed by the Reserve Bank of India, the country’s central bank

RuPay process payments between banks and merchants for purchases made with credit or debit cards

It has grown rapidly in India and competes with global payment network firms like MasterCard and Visa.

In India, it can be used at ATMs, for online payments and variations of the card can be used to pay for bus, metro charges, road toll payments

The name blends two words rupee and payment

Some advantages of the network include lower processing fees and transaction costs

Afghanistan Premier League - at a glance

Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium

Fixtures:

Tue, Oct 16, 8pm: Kandahar Knights v Kabul Zwanan; Wed, Oct 17, 4pm: Balkh Legends v Nangarhar Leopards; 8pm: Kandahar Knights v Paktia Panthers; Thu, Oct 18, 4pm: Balkh Legends v Kandahar Knights; 8pm: Kabul Zwanan v Paktia Panthers; Fri, Oct 19, 8pm: First semi-final; Sat, Oct 20, 8pm: Second semi-final; Sun, Oct 21, 8pm: final

Table:

1. Balkh Legends 6 5 1 10

2. Paktia Panthers 6 4 2 8

3. Kabul Zwanan 6 3 3 6

4. Nagarhar Leopards 7 2 5 4

5. Kandahar Knights 5 1 4 2

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