A portrait of hope and love in a country suffering one of the world's hardest coronavirus onslaughts has won World Press Photo of the Year.
An independent jury chose Danish photographer Mads Nissen's portrait, The First Embrace, as the winner in the World Press Photo Foundation's competition.
It shows Rosa Luzia Lunardi, 85, being embraced by nurse Adriana Silva da Costa Souza at Viva Bem care home in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on August 5.
“To me, this is a story about hope and love in the most difficult times,” Nissen said.
“When I learnt about the crisis that was unfolding in Brazil and the poor leadership of President [Jair] Bolsonaro, who has been neglecting this virus from the very beginning, calling it ‘a small flu', I really felt an urge to do something about it.”
His work was chosen as the winner from a short list of six.
Nissen, based in Copenhagen, graduated in 2007 from the Danish School of Journalism and moved to Shanghai to document the human and social consequences of China’s historic economic rise.
Since 2014 he has worked as a staff photographer at the Danish daily Politiken.
“This iconic image of Covid-19 memorialises the most extraordinary moment of our lives, everywhere,” said Kevin Lee, a member of the selection panel.
“I read vulnerability, loved ones, loss and separation, demise, but importantly, also survival, all rolled into one graphic image.
"If you look at the image long enough, you’ll see wings, a symbol of flight and hope.”
As this year’s winner, Nissen will receive €5,000 ($5,980) and an invitation to the World Press Photo Festival 2021.
His photograph will be part of an annual exhibition at De Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Honeymoonish
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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
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
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Brief scores:
Toss: South Africa, chose to field
Pakistan: 177 & 294
South Africa: 431 & 43-1
Man of the Match: Faf du Plessis (South Africa)
Series: South Africa lead three-match series 2-0
Match info
Uefa Champions League Group F
Manchester City v Hoffenheim, midnight (Wednesday, UAE)
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Film: In Syria
Dir: Philippe Van Leeuw
Starring: Hiam Abbass, Diamand Bo Abboud, Mohsen Abbas and Juliette Navis
Verdict: Four stars