• People gather as drifters perform in the desert of Umm Al Quwain in the United Arab Emirates. AFP
    People gather as drifters perform in the desert of Umm Al Quwain in the United Arab Emirates. AFP
  • Heavy flooding in Kangar, Malaysia. More days of severe weather is forecast for the area. EPA
    Heavy flooding in Kangar, Malaysia. More days of severe weather is forecast for the area. EPA
  • Members of the clergy take part in prayers led by Pope Leo XIV, not pictured, at the Armenian Apostolic Cathedral in Istanbul. EPA
    Members of the clergy take part in prayers led by Pope Leo XIV, not pictured, at the Armenian Apostolic Cathedral in Istanbul. EPA
  • Pope Leo visits Sultan Ahmed Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque, in Istanbul. AFP
    Pope Leo visits Sultan Ahmed Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque, in Istanbul. AFP
  • Schoolgirls pose with placards as they align in the formation of the red ribbon to raise awareness on World Aids Day' in Amritsar, India. AFP
    Schoolgirls pose with placards as they align in the formation of the red ribbon to raise awareness on World Aids Day' in Amritsar, India. AFP
  • Laos Air Force helicopters carrying flags at a national day military parade in Vientiane, commemorating of 50 years of communist rule in the South-east Asian country. AFP
    Laos Air Force helicopters carrying flags at a national day military parade in Vientiane, commemorating of 50 years of communist rule in the South-east Asian country. AFP
  • A Spider-Man balloon floats down a street during the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. AFP
    A Spider-Man balloon floats down a street during the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. AFP
  • People view paintings on display at Sotheby's Abu Dhabi Collectors Week exhibition. EPA
    People view paintings on display at Sotheby's Abu Dhabi Collectors Week exhibition. EPA
  • People cram on to a privately owned public transport minibus, celebrating a Nganya Award, which marks Kenya’s matatu culture, in Nairobi. AFP
    People cram on to a privately owned public transport minibus, celebrating a Nganya Award, which marks Kenya’s matatu culture, in Nairobi. AFP
  • Michael Neser of Australia bowls to Joe Root of England during day one of the Second Ashes Test at The Gabba in Brisbane. Root scored his first century on Australian soil. Getty Images
    Michael Neser of Australia bowls to Joe Root of England during day one of the Second Ashes Test at The Gabba in Brisbane. Root scored his first century on Australian soil. Getty Images
  • Floats decorated for Christmas take part in the Coca-Cola Parade in Acapulco, Mexico. EPA
    Floats decorated for Christmas take part in the Coca-Cola Parade in Acapulco, Mexico. EPA
  • Flood-damaged homes in Aceh Tamiang, North Sumatra. The Indonesian island was among the regions hit by a cyclone, with the combined death toll exceeding 1,300. AFP
    Flood-damaged homes in Aceh Tamiang, North Sumatra. The Indonesian island was among the regions hit by a cyclone, with the combined death toll exceeding 1,300. AFP
  • Fireworks go off for the UAE's 54th National Day at Festival Bay, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Fireworks go off for the UAE's 54th National Day at Festival Bay, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Horsing around at a National Day parade at Al Shahama Equestrian Club, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Horsing around at a National Day parade at Al Shahama Equestrian Club, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • A trader carries a fish at Liido beach on the shores of the Indian Ocean in Mogadishu, Somalia. Reuters
    A trader carries a fish at Liido beach on the shores of the Indian Ocean in Mogadishu, Somalia. Reuters
  • President Sheikh Mohamed; Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai; Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah; Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman; Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah; Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Ruler of Umm Al Quwain; and Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, sit in front of a photograph of the first Federal Supreme Council meeting, during the inauguration of the Zayed National Museum. Abdulla Al Bedwawi / UAE Presidential Court
    President Sheikh Mohamed; Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai; Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah; Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman; Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah; Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Ruler of Umm Al Quwain; and Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, sit in front of a photograph of the first Federal Supreme Council meeting, during the inauguration of the Zayed National Museum. Abdulla Al Bedwawi / UAE Presidential Court
  • A man uses his scarf to protect himself from the rain in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, in Chennai, India. Reuters
    A man uses his scarf to protect himself from the rain in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, in Chennai, India. Reuters
  • People wade through a flooded street after heavy rainfall in Wellampitiya on the outskirts of Colombo, Sri Lanka. AFP
    People wade through a flooded street after heavy rainfall in Wellampitiya on the outskirts of Colombo, Sri Lanka. AFP
  • Fursan Al Emarat, the aerobatic demonstration team of the UAE Air Force, in action above the Corniche. Victor Besa / The National
    Fursan Al Emarat, the aerobatic demonstration team of the UAE Air Force, in action above the Corniche. Victor Besa / The National
  • An intrepid surfer rides a big wave in Nazare, Portugal. Getty Images
    An intrepid surfer rides a big wave in Nazare, Portugal. Getty Images
  • Sudanese refugee children from Darfur play at a camp in eastern Chad. Reuters
    Sudanese refugee children from Darfur play at a camp in eastern Chad. Reuters
  • Ugandan presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, addresses supporters at a campaign rally in Masaka. Reuters
    Ugandan presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, addresses supporters at a campaign rally in Masaka. Reuters
  • People use boats to break up foam coating the waters of the Yamuna river in New Delhi, India, where smog from air pollution is rife. Getty Images
    People use boats to break up foam coating the waters of the Yamuna river in New Delhi, India, where smog from air pollution is rife. Getty Images
  • A tent camp housing displaced Palestinians stretches across part of Gaza city. AP
    A tent camp housing displaced Palestinians stretches across part of Gaza city. AP
  • People buy oranges at a wholesale fruit market in Lahore, Pakistan. AP Photo
    People buy oranges at a wholesale fruit market in Lahore, Pakistan. AP Photo
  • Palestinian couples participate in a mass wedding ceremony in Hamad City in Khan Younis, the Gaza Strip. AP
    Palestinian couples participate in a mass wedding ceremony in Hamad City in Khan Younis, the Gaza Strip. AP
  • A diver dressed in a Santa Claus costume swims with a penguin at Sunshine Aquarium in preparation for a Christmas event in Tokyo. AFP
    A diver dressed in a Santa Claus costume swims with a penguin at Sunshine Aquarium in preparation for a Christmas event in Tokyo. AFP
  • US President Donald Trump joined legislators and car manufacturers during an announcement on changes to new fuel economy standards, at the Oval Office in the White House, Washington. EPA
    US President Donald Trump joined legislators and car manufacturers during an announcement on changes to new fuel economy standards, at the Oval Office in the White House, Washington. EPA
  • Sami Pajari and Marko Salminen of Finland kick up the dust, competing in the WRC Rally Saudi Arabia in Jeddah. Getty Images
    Sami Pajari and Marko Salminen of Finland kick up the dust, competing in the WRC Rally Saudi Arabia in Jeddah. Getty Images
  • An art installation about to be set alight at the Israel Midburn Festival in the Negev desert. EPA
    An art installation about to be set alight at the Israel Midburn Festival in the Negev desert. EPA

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Pictures of the week: From drifters in UAE desert to art installation in Israel

The National picks the most striking images from around the world

The National

December 05, 2025

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Updated: December 05, 2025, 6:02 PM
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