• Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo (C) swims in the Seine River, in Paris on July 17, 2024, to demonstrate that the river is clean enough to host the outdoor swimming events at the Paris Olympics later this month. Despite an investment of 1. 4 billion euros ($1. 5 billion) to prevent sewage leaks into the waterway, the Seine has been causing suspense in the run-up to the opening of the Paris Games on July 26 after repeatedly failing water quality tests. But since the beginning of July, with heavy rains finally giving way to sunnier weather, samples have shown the river to be ready for the open-water swimming and triathlon -- and for 65-year-old Hidalgo. (Photo by EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP)
    Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo (C) swims in the Seine River, in Paris on July 17, 2024, to demonstrate that the river is clean enough to host the outdoor swimming events at the Paris Olympics later this month. Despite an investment of 1. 4 billion euros ($1. 5 billion) to prevent sewage leaks into the waterway, the Seine has been causing suspense in the run-up to the opening of the Paris Games on July 26 after repeatedly failing water quality tests. But since the beginning of July, with heavy rains finally giving way to sunnier weather, samples have shown the river to be ready for the open-water swimming and triathlon -- and for 65-year-old Hidalgo. (Photo by EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP)
  • Oil washes up on the sand in Valencia, Spain, after a fuel spill, estimated to measure between 1.5km and 2km, which has forced the closure of L'Arbre del Gos and El Saler beaches. EPA
    Oil washes up on the sand in Valencia, Spain, after a fuel spill, estimated to measure between 1.5km and 2km, which has forced the closure of L'Arbre del Gos and El Saler beaches. EPA
  • A Shiite Muslim girl takes part in a mourning procession to mark Ashura, in Istanbul, Turkey. Reuters
    A Shiite Muslim girl takes part in a mourning procession to mark Ashura, in Istanbul, Turkey. Reuters
  • An attendee's outfit at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US. Reuters
    An attendee's outfit at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US. Reuters
  • A boat is decorated with a statue of the Virgen del Carmen ready for an ocean procession honouring the patron saint of fishermen and sailors in Taboga island, near Panama City. AFP
    A boat is decorated with a statue of the Virgen del Carmen ready for an ocean procession honouring the patron saint of fishermen and sailors in Taboga island, near Panama City. AFP
  • The core stage of the Artemis II rocket is transported out of the Nasa Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, Louisiana, en route to the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. AFP
    The core stage of the Artemis II rocket is transported out of the Nasa Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, Louisiana, en route to the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. AFP
  • US singer Patti Smith performs on stage at the Theatre Antique de Lyon Fourviere in France. AFP
    US singer Patti Smith performs on stage at the Theatre Antique de Lyon Fourviere in France. AFP
  • Shiite Muslims re-enact the 7th century battle of Karbala during activities marking Ashura, in the Sadr City district of Baghdad, Iraq. AP
    Shiite Muslims re-enact the 7th century battle of Karbala during activities marking Ashura, in the Sadr City district of Baghdad, Iraq. AP

News

Best photos of July 17: Swimming the Seine to Ashura in Baghdad

The National picks the most striking images from around the world

The National

July 17, 2024

  • English
  • Arabic
ELIO

Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett

Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

Rating: 4/5

Three ways to limit your social media use

Clinical psychologist, Dr Saliha Afridi at The Lighthouse Arabia suggests three easy things you can do every day to cut back on the time you spend online.

1. Put the social media app in a folder on the second or third screen of your phone so it has to remain a conscious decision to open, rather than something your fingers gravitate towards without consideration.

2. Schedule a time to use social media instead of consistently throughout the day. I recommend setting aside certain times of the day or week when you upload pictures or share information. 

3. Take a mental snapshot rather than a photo on your phone. Instead of sharing it with your social world, try to absorb the moment, connect with your feeling, experience the moment with all five of your senses. You will have a memory of that moment more vividly and for far longer than if you take a picture of it.

How to keep control of your emotions

If your investment decisions are being dictated by emotions such as fear, greed, hope, frustration and boredom, it is time for a rethink, Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at online trading platform IG, says.

Greed

Greedy investors trade beyond their means, open more positions than usual or hold on to positions too long to chase an even greater gain. “All too often, they incur a heavy loss and may even wipe out the profit already made.

Tip: Ignore the short-term hype, noise and froth and invest for the long-term plan, based on sound fundamentals.

Fear

The risk of making a loss can cloud decision-making. “This can cause you to close out a position too early, or miss out on a profit by being too afraid to open a trade,” he says.

Tip: Start with a plan, and stick to it. For added security, consider placing stops to reduce any losses and limits to lock in profits.

Hope

While all traders need hope to start trading, excessive optimism can backfire. Too many traders hold on to a losing trade because they believe that it will reverse its trend and become profitable.

Tip: Set realistic goals. Be happy with what you have earned, rather than frustrated by what you could have earned.

Frustration

Traders can get annoyed when the markets have behaved in unexpected ways and generates losses or fails to deliver anticipated gains.

Tip: Accept in advance that asset price movements are completely unpredictable and you will suffer losses at some point. These can be managed, say, by attaching stops and limits to your trades.

Boredom

Too many investors buy and sell because they want something to do. They are trading as entertainment, rather than in the hope of making money. As well as making bad decisions, the extra dealing charges eat into returns.

Tip: Open an online demo account and get your thrills without risking real money.

While you're here
Essentials

The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Delhi from about Dh950 return including taxes.
The hotels
Double rooms at Tijara Fort-Palace cost from 6,670 rupees (Dh377), including breakfast.
Doubles at Fort Bishangarh cost from 29,030 rupees (Dh1,641), including breakfast. Doubles at Narendra Bhawan cost from 15,360 rupees (Dh869). Doubles at Chanoud Garh cost from 19,840 rupees (Dh1,122), full board. Doubles at Fort Begu cost from 10,000 rupees (Dh565), including breakfast.
The tours 
Amar Grover travelled with Wild Frontiers. A tailor-made, nine-day itinerary via New Delhi, with one night in Tijara and two nights in each of the remaining properties, including car/driver, costs from £1,445 (Dh6,968) per person.

While you're here
While you're here
The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

Updated: July 17, 2024, 10:45 AM
PhotographyPhotos of the Day