A man poses for pictures next to an inflatable Santa Claus in Shanghai on December 24. AFP
A man poses for pictures next to an inflatable Santa Claus in Shanghai on December 24. AFP
Tourists visit the Taj Mahal engulfed in fog on a winter morning in Agra. AFP
Tourists visit the Taj Mahal engulfed in fog on a winter morning in Agra. AFP
People hold a giant Palestinian flag in Manger Square, near the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Jesus in the occupied West Bank city of Bethlehem. AP
People hold a giant Palestinian flag in Manger Square, near the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Jesus in the occupied West Bank city of Bethlehem. AP
People dressed in Santa Claus costumes take part in a morning run on Christmas Eve in Madrid. AP
People dressed in Santa Claus costumes take part in a morning run on Christmas Eve in Madrid. AP
Anthony Joshua celebrates after winning his fight against Otto Wallin. Reuters
Anthony Joshua celebrates after winning his fight against Otto Wallin. Reuters
Protesters wave Palestinian flags at a rally in LA. AFP
Protesters wave Palestinian flags at a rally in LA. AFP
A man takes part in Pacu Jawi, a bull race competition, in Tanah Datar, Indonesia. Originally held annually to celebrate rice harvest, the event has now become a major tourist attraction in the region. AP
A man takes part in Pacu Jawi, a bull race competition, in Tanah Datar, Indonesia. Originally held annually to celebrate rice harvest, the event has now become a major tourist attraction in the region. AP
Candles are lit next to a nativity scene in Manger Square, next to the Church of the Nativity, in Bethlehem. AP
Candles are lit next to a nativity scene in Manger Square, next to the Church of the Nativity, in Bethlehem. AP
An orangutan drinks from a cup during a Christmas event at Budapest Zoo. EPA
An orangutan drinks from a cup during a Christmas event at Budapest Zoo. EPA
A woman rests with her shopping bags at the Christmas market in the Tuileries Garden in Paris. EPA
A woman rests with her shopping bags at the Christmas market in the Tuileries Garden in Paris. EPA

World

Today's best photos: from an inflatable Santa to a bull race in Sumatra

The National picks the most striking images from around the world

The National

December 24, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

More from The National:

Saturday's best photos: From mourners in Prague to a Florida rocket launch

Friday's best photos: From an installation in Kyiv to a procession in Guatemala

Thursday's best photos: From an ashram in Mathura to a protest in Buenos Aires

Wednesday's best photos: From Christmas lights in Mexico to a choir in London

Tuesday's best photos: From a volcano in Iceland to harissa in Kashmir

Monday's best photos: From whirling dervishes to German farmers

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Alaan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202021%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Parthi%20Duraisamy%20and%20Karun%20Kurien%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%247%20million%20raised%20in%20total%20%E2%80%94%20%242.5%20million%20in%20a%20seed%20round%20and%20%244.5%20million%20in%20a%20pre-series%20A%20round%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

The specs

Engine: 5.2-litre V10

Power: 640hp at 8,000rpm

Torque: 565Nm at 6,500rpm

Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto

Price: From Dh1 million

On sale: Q3 or Q4 2022 

While you're here
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

 

Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Updated: December 24, 2023, 12:19 PM`