Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini shows teeth marks on his shoulder where he was bitten by Uruguay’s Luis Suarez, during their 2014 World Cup match at the Dunas arena in Natal in this June 24 photo. Tony Gentile / Reuters
Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini shows teeth marks on his shoulder where he was bitten by Uruguay’s Luis Suarez, during their 2014 World Cup match at the Dunas arena in Natal in this June 24 photo. Tony Gentile / Reuters
Children play around a man disguised as Batman at the Favela do Metro slum area just near the Maracana stadium, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on January 9. Families living in this shantytown within a stone’s throw of Rio’s mythical Maracana stadium refuse to have their homes demolished as part of a project to renovate the district before the Fifa World Cup. Yasuyoshi Chiba / AFP
Children play around a man disguised as Batman at the Favela do Metro slum area just near the Maracana stadium, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on January 9. Families living in this shantytown within a stone’s throw of Rio’s mythical Maracana stadium refuse to have their homes demolished as part of a project to renovate the district before the Fifa World Cup. Yasuyoshi Chiba / AFP
The mother, right, of Abdolah Hosseinzadeh, who was murdered in 2007, slaps Balal, who killed her son, during the execution ceremony in the northern city of Nowshahr in Iran on April 15 just before she removed the noose around his neck with the help of her husband, sparing the life of her son’s convicted murderer. Arash Khamooshi / AFP
The mother, right, of Abdolah Hosseinzadeh, who was murdered in 2007, slaps Balal, who killed her son, during the execution ceremony in the northern city of Nowshahr in Iran on April 15 just before she removed the noose around his neck with the help of her husband, sparing the life of her son’s convicted murderer. Arash Khamooshi / AFP
A man sharpens his machete as young people, who created a self-defence committee for their district Benz-vi, meet before leaving for a patrol in their district, on March 12 in Bangui. UN investigators left for the Central African Republic on March 10 to launch a probe into human right violations in the conflict-ravaged country amid fears of genocide and ethnic cleansing. Sia Kambou / AFP
A man sharpens his machete as young people, who created a self-defence committee for their district Benz-vi, meet before leaving for a patrol in their district, on March 12 in Bangui. UN investigators left for the Central African Republic on March 10 to launch a probe into human right violations in the conflict-ravaged country amid fears of genocide and ethnic cleansing. Sia Kambou / AFP
A giant cloud of hot volcanic ash clouds engulfs villages in Karo district during the eruption of Mount Sinabung volcano located on Indonesia’s Sumatra island on February 1. Fourteen people, including four schoolchildren, were killed February 1 after they were engulfed by scorching ash clouds. Sutanta Aditya / AFP
A giant cloud of hot volcanic ash clouds engulfs villages in Karo district during the eruption of Mount Sinabung volcano located on Indonesia’s Sumatra island on February 1. Fourteen people, including four schoolchildren, were killed February 1 after they were engulfed by scorching ash clouds. Sutanta Aditya / AFP
This three image combo photo shows the Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo rocket separating from the carrier aircraft, left, prior to it exploding in the air, right, during a test flight on Friday, October 31. The Virgin Galactic rocket that exploded during a test flight killed a pilot aboard and seriously injured another while scattering wreckage in Southern California’s Mojave Desert. Kenneth Brown / AP
This three image combo photo shows the Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo rocket separating from the carrier aircraft, left, prior to it exploding in the air, right, during a test flight on Friday, October 31. The Virgin Galactic rocket that exploded during a test flight killed a pilot aboard and seriously injured another while scattering wreckage in Southern California’s Mojave Desert. Kenneth Brown / AP
A girl from the minority Yazidi sect rests after fleeing violence in Sinjar, in this August 13 file photo. Youssef Boudlal / Reuters
A girl from the minority Yazidi sect rests after fleeing violence in Sinjar, in this August 13 file photo. Youssef Boudlal / Reuters
A fighter jet flies overhead as Ukrainian soldiers sit on an armoured personnel carrier in Kramatorsk, in eastern Ukraine, in this April 16 file photo. Marko Djurica / Reuters
A fighter jet flies overhead as Ukrainian soldiers sit on an armoured personnel carrier in Kramatorsk, in eastern Ukraine, in this April 16 file photo. Marko Djurica / Reuters
South Sudanese children from the Dinka ethnic group pose at cattle camp in the town of Yirol, in central South Sudan on February 12. UN leader Ban Ki-moon condemned on February 12 what he said was the use of cluster bombs in the war in South Sudan, a day after the opening of peace talks between South Sudan’s government and rebels. Troops loyal to President Salva Kiir and renegade soldiers who support his former vice president Riek Machar had been battling since mid-December. Fabio Bucciarelli / AFP
South Sudanese children from the Dinka ethnic group pose at cattle camp in the town of Yirol, in central South Sudan on February 12. UN leader Ban Ki-moon condemned on February 12 what he said was the use of cluster bombs in the war in South Sudan, a day after the opening of peace talks between South Sudan’s government and rebels. Troops loyal to President Salva Kiir and renegade soldiers who support his former vice president Riek Machar had been battling since mid-December. Fabio Bucciarelli / AFP
A golfer hits a tee shot as African migrants sit atop a border fence during an attempt to cross into Spanish territory, between Morocco and Spain’s north African enclave of Melilla, in this October 22 file photo. Jose Palazon / Reuters
A golfer hits a tee shot as African migrants sit atop a border fence during an attempt to cross into Spanish territory, between Morocco and Spain’s north African enclave of Melilla, in this October 22 file photo. Jose Palazon / Reuters
Actor George Clooney and British lawyer Amal Alamuddin leave the palazzo Ca Farsetti on a taxi boat on September 29 in Venice, after a civil ceremony to officialise their wedding. Pierre Teyssot / AFP
Actor George Clooney and British lawyer Amal Alamuddin leave the palazzo Ca Farsetti on a taxi boat on September 29 in Venice, after a civil ceremony to officialise their wedding. Pierre Teyssot / AFP
Syrian refugees wait to cross into Turkey at the border September 22 near the southeastern town of Suruc in Sanliurfa province, Turkey. The Turkish deputy Prime Minister said some 60,000 Syrian had fled across the border as Islamic State militants shelled villages close to the border. On Friday Sept. 19, after permission was granted from Ankara, Turkey opened part of its border to Syria to the refugees. Getty Images
Syrian refugees wait to cross into Turkey at the border September 22 near the southeastern town of Suruc in Sanliurfa province, Turkey. The Turkish deputy Prime Minister said some 60,000 Syrian had fled across the border as Islamic State militants shelled villages close to the border. On Friday Sept. 19, after permission was granted from Ankara, Turkey opened part of its border to Syria to the refugees. Getty Images
Oscar Pistorius reacts in the Pretoria High Court on September 11 in Pretoria, South Africa. South African Judge Thokosile Masipa had ruled out murder charges but had left it until the next day to announce whether Oscar Pistorius was guilty of culpable homicide as the six-month trial of the Olympic double-amputee sprinter came to an end. His defence maintained that Mr Pistorius mistook Ms Reeva Steenkamp for an intruder in his home when he fired several shots into his bathroom allegedly in self-defence but killing his girlfriend. Kim Ludbrook / EPA/Gallo Image/Getty Images
Oscar Pistorius reacts in the Pretoria High Court on September 11 in Pretoria, South Africa. South African Judge Thokosile Masipa had ruled out murder charges but had left it until the next day to announce whether Oscar Pistorius was guilty of culpable homicide as the six-month trial of the Olympic double-amputee sprinter came to an end. His defence maintained that Mr Pistorius mistook Ms Reeva Steenkamp for an intruder in his home when he fired several shots into his bathroom allegedly in self-defence but killing his girlfriend. Kim Ludbrook / EPA/Gallo Image/Getty Images
US Secretary of State John Kerry kicks around a soccer ball while talking on his mobile phone during an airplane refueling stop at Sal Island, Cape Verde, enroute to Washington, DC on May 5. Saul Loeb / AFP
US Secretary of State John Kerry kicks around a soccer ball while talking on his mobile phone during an airplane refueling stop at Sal Island, Cape Verde, enroute to Washington, DC on May 5. Saul Loeb / AFP
In this photo taken on a smartphone on July 12, people run to shelter from a hailstorm on the beach at Ob River, the major river in western Siberia in Novosibirsk, Russia. The Investigative Committee said in a statement that two young girls aged three and four had died in the lakeside town of Bredsk, not far from the large Siberian city of Novosibirsk. The two girls died after sustaining traumatic brain injuries when a tree fell on their tent, where they were taking shelter from the storm along with their families. Nikita Dudnik / AP
In this photo taken on a smartphone on July 12, people run to shelter from a hailstorm on the beach at Ob River, the major river in western Siberia in Novosibirsk, Russia. The Investigative Committee said in a statement that two young girls aged three and four had died in the lakeside town of Bredsk, not far from the large Siberian city of Novosibirsk. The two girls died after sustaining traumatic brain injuries when a tree fell on their tent, where they were taking shelter from the storm along with their families. Nikita Dudnik / AP
A fisherman transports a dead whale shark after it was caught in fishermen’s nets, in Yangzhi county, Fujian province, in this August 1 file photo. Reuters
A fisherman transports a dead whale shark after it was caught in fishermen’s nets, in Yangzhi county, Fujian province, in this August 1 file photo. Reuters
Senior soloist of the Joburg Ballet Kitty Phetla performs in a classroom at the Nka-Thuto Primary School in Soweto on October 16. Using ballet and dance to promote healthy and positive choices, Joburg Ballet provided lecture demonstrations to 20 schools in Soweto, raising awareness and informing students of the available free classes they provide together with the provincial department of education. Marco Longari / AFP
Senior soloist of the Joburg Ballet Kitty Phetla performs in a classroom at the Nka-Thuto Primary School in Soweto on October 16. Using ballet and dance to promote healthy and positive choices, Joburg Ballet provided lecture demonstrations to 20 schools in Soweto, raising awareness and informing students of the available free classes they provide together with the provincial department of education. Marco Longari / AFP
This image released by Ellen DeGeneres shows actors Jared Leto, Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep, Ellen DeGeneres, Bradley Cooper, Peter Nyong’o Jr., Channing Tatum, Julia Roberts, Kevin Spacey, Brad Pitt, Lupita Nyong’o and Angelina Jolie as they pose for a “selfie” during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on March 2 in Los Angeles. Ellen DeGeneres / AP
This image released by Ellen DeGeneres shows actors Jared Leto, Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep, Ellen DeGeneres, Bradley Cooper, Peter Nyong’o Jr., Channing Tatum, Julia Roberts, Kevin Spacey, Brad Pitt, Lupita Nyong’o and Angelina Jolie as they pose for a “selfie” during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on March 2 in Los Angeles. Ellen DeGeneres / AP
Tariq Khdeir is greeted by his mother after being released from jail in Jerusalem on July 6. The picture was taken outside the courthouse following the release of Khdeir, a 15-year-old American of Palestinian descent, whose beating by Israeli police during a violent protest in East Jerusalem drew US concern. Ronen Zvulun / Reuters
Tariq Khdeir is greeted by his mother after being released from jail in Jerusalem on July 6. The picture was taken outside the courthouse following the release of Khdeir, a 15-year-old American of Palestinian descent, whose beating by Israeli police during a violent protest in East Jerusalem drew US concern. Ronen Zvulun / Reuters
A hospital security guard helps a student injured in the shootout at a school under attack by Taliban gunmen in Peshawar, Pakistan on Tuesday, December 16. Taliban gunmen stormed a military school in the northwestern Pakistani city, killing and wounding dozens, officials said, in the latest militant violence to hit the already troubled region. Mohammad Sajjad / AP
A hospital security guard helps a student injured in the shootout at a school under attack by Taliban gunmen in Peshawar, Pakistan on Tuesday, December 16. Taliban gunmen stormed a military school in the northwestern Pakistani city, killing and wounding dozens, officials said, in the latest militant violence to hit the already troubled region. Mohammad Sajjad / AP
Women mourn as they surround the body of their relative Osama Taher, 15, a student who was killed during an attack by Taliban gunmen on the Army Public School, at his house in Peshawar on December 16. Zohra Bensemra / Reuters
Women mourn as they surround the body of their relative Osama Taher, 15, a student who was killed during an attack by Taliban gunmen on the Army Public School, at his house in Peshawar on December 16. Zohra Bensemra / Reuters
A young girl is pictured after she was wounded during clashes between riot police and prostestors after the funeral of Berkin Elvan, the 15-year-old boy who died from injuries suffered during last year’s anti-government protests in Istanbul on March 12. Riot police fired tear gas and water cannon at protestors in the capital Ankara, while in Istbanbul, crowds shouting anti-government slogans lit a huge fire as they made their way to a cemetery for the burial of Berkin Elvan. Bulent Kilic / AFP
A young girl is pictured after she was wounded during clashes between riot police and prostestors after the funeral of Berkin Elvan, the 15-year-old boy who died from injuries suffered during last year’s anti-government protests in Istanbul on March 12. Riot police fired tear gas and water cannon at protestors in the capital Ankara, while in Istbanbul, crowds shouting anti-government slogans lit a huge fire as they made their way to a cemetery for the burial of Berkin Elvan. Bulent Kilic / AFP
Chelsea Pensioner Albert Willis plants a poppy at the Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red evolving art installation at the Tower of London on October 9 in London. 888,246 poppies were planted in the moat by volunteers. Each poppy represents a British or Colonial fatality in the First World War. The poppies are for sale with 10 per cent plus all net proceeds going to six service charities. Chris Jackson / Getty Images
Chelsea Pensioner Albert Willis plants a poppy at the Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red evolving art installation at the Tower of London on October 9 in London. 888,246 poppies were planted in the moat by volunteers. Each poppy represents a British or Colonial fatality in the First World War. The poppies are for sale with 10 per cent plus all net proceeds going to six service charities. Chris Jackson / Getty Images
A masked pro-Russian protester sits on a chair as he poses for a picture inside a regional government building in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine in this April 25 file photo. Marko Djurica / Reuters
A masked pro-Russian protester sits on a chair as he poses for a picture inside a regional government building in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine in this April 25 file photo. Marko Djurica / Reuters

World

Year in review 2014: Pictures of the year

Mark Asquith

December 25, 2014

  • English
  • Arabic

The photo editors at The National have rounded up the best pictures from the year.
See all our Year in Review coverage

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League final:

Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
School uniforms report
Kareem Shaheen on Canada
The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors

Power: Combined output 920hp

Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic

Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km

On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025

Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000

Infiniti QX80 specs

Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6

Power: 450hp

Torque: 700Nm

Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000

Available: Now

THE%C2%A0SPECS
%3Cp%3EEngine%3A%204-cylinder%202.5-litre%20%2F%202-litre%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3EPower%3A%20188hp%20%2F%20248hp%0D%3Cbr%3ETorque%3A%20244Nm%20%2F%20370Nm%0D%3Cbr%3ETransmission%3A%207-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3EOn%20sale%3A%20now%0D%3Cbr%3EPrice%3A%20From%20Dh110%2C000%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Porsche Taycan Turbo specs

Engine: Two permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors

Transmission: two-speed

Power: 671hp

Torque: 1050Nm

Range: 450km

Price: Dh601,800

On sale: now

More from Neighbourhood Watch:
War 2

Director: Ayan Mukerji

Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana

Rating: 2/5

Plastic tipping point
UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs

Engine: four-litre V6 and 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo

Transmission: six-speed and 10-speed

Power: 271 and 409 horsepower

Torque: 385 and 650Nm

Price: from Dh229,900 to Dh355,000

Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?

The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.

A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.

Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.

The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.

When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
While you're here
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Haltia.ai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202023%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECo-founders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Arto%20Bendiken%20and%20Talal%20Thabet%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20AI%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2041%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20About%20%241.7%20million%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Self%2C%20family%20and%20friends%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
On Women's Day
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

SHAITTAN
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EVikas%20Bahl%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAjay%20Devgn%2C%20R.%20Madhavan%2C%20Jyothika%2C%20Janaki%20Bodiwala%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The%20specs%3A%202024%20Mercedes%20E200
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%20four-cyl%20turbo%20%2B%20mild%20hybrid%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E204hp%20at%205%2C800rpm%20%2B23hp%20hybrid%20boost%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E320Nm%20at%201%2C800rpm%20%2B205Nm%20hybrid%20boost%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E9-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7.3L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENovember%2FDecember%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh205%2C000%20(estimate)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The%20specs%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%204cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E261hp%20at%205%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E400Nm%20at%201%2C750-4%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10.5L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C999%20(VX%20Luxury)%3B%20from%20Dh149%2C999%20(VX%20Black%20Gold)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
House-hunting

Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove

  1. Edinburgh, Scotland 
  2. Westminster, London 
  3. Camden, London 
  4. Glasgow, Scotland 
  5. Islington, London 
  6. Kensington and Chelsea, London 
  7. Highlands, Scotland 
  8. Argyll and Bute, Scotland 
  9. Fife, Scotland 
  10. Tower Hamlets, London 

 

Hydrogen: Market potential

Hydrogen has an estimated $11 trillion market potential, according to Bank of America Securities and is expected to generate $2.5tn in direct revenues and $11tn of indirect infrastructure by 2050 as its production increases six-fold.

"We believe we are reaching the point of harnessing the element that comprises 90 per cent of the universe, effectively and economically,” the bank said in a recent report.

Falling costs of renewable energy and electrolysers used in green hydrogen production is one of the main catalysts for the increasingly bullish sentiment over the element.

The cost of electrolysers used in green hydrogen production has halved over the last five years and will fall to 60 to 90 per cent by the end of the decade, acceding to Haim Israel, equity strategist at Merrill Lynch. A global focus on decarbonisation and sustainability is also a big driver in its development.

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