• Members of the Up Helly Aa 'Jarl Squad' parade through the streets of in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on January 30, 2024 during the Up Helly Aa festival later in the day. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP)
    Members of the Up Helly Aa 'Jarl Squad' parade through the streets of in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on January 30, 2024 during the Up Helly Aa festival later in the day. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP)
  • Ukrainian former prisoners of war react following a prisoner exchange with Russia at an undisclosed location in Ukraine. AFP
    Ukrainian former prisoners of war react following a prisoner exchange with Russia at an undisclosed location in Ukraine. AFP
  • A bull is dragged into the Papaloapan River to be returned to a ranch, after a bull running event at a festival for the Virgin of the Candelaria in Tlacotalpan, Veracruz state, Mexico. AP
    A bull is dragged into the Papaloapan River to be returned to a ranch, after a bull running event at a festival for the Virgin of the Candelaria in Tlacotalpan, Veracruz state, Mexico. AP
  • French high wire artist Philippe Petit performs above an audience at the Cathedral of St John the Divine in New York. AFP
    French high wire artist Philippe Petit performs above an audience at the Cathedral of St John the Divine in New York. AFP
  • Exploring the ice walls, trails and caverns at Ice Castles in North Woodstock, New Hampshire. AFP
    Exploring the ice walls, trails and caverns at Ice Castles in North Woodstock, New Hampshire. AFP
  • People run from explosions in the Embakasi area of Nairobi. At least two people were reported dead and 222 injured when a lorry carrying gas exploded. AFP
    People run from explosions in the Embakasi area of Nairobi. At least two people were reported dead and 222 injured when a lorry carrying gas exploded. AFP
  • An almost empty street during a 'silent strike' to mark the third anniversary of the military coup in Yangon, Myanmar. AFP
    An almost empty street during a 'silent strike' to mark the third anniversary of the military coup in Yangon, Myanmar. AFP
  • Workers transport sacks of vegetables on their bicycles at a wholesale market in Mumbai. AFP
    Workers transport sacks of vegetables on their bicycles at a wholesale market in Mumbai. AFP
  • Demonstrators clash with police outside the Argentinian National Congress during a debate on President Javier Milei’s 'omnibus' reform bill, in Buenos Aires. AFP
    Demonstrators clash with police outside the Argentinian National Congress during a debate on President Javier Milei’s 'omnibus' reform bill, in Buenos Aires. AFP
  • Filmmaker and producer, Mohanad Yaqubi during his Masterclass, R21 aka Restoring Solidarity held at Cinema Akil, Al Serkal Avenue, Dubai. Victor Besa / The National
    Filmmaker and producer, Mohanad Yaqubi during his Masterclass, R21 aka Restoring Solidarity held at Cinema Akil, Al Serkal Avenue, Dubai. Victor Besa / The National
  • Inside view of the BAPS Hindu Temple in Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National
    Inside view of the BAPS Hindu Temple in Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Youths perform stunts on roller-skates, during a car racing competition in Kabul. AFP
    Youths perform stunts on roller-skates, during a car racing competition in Kabul. AFP
  • Women of the paramilitary forces parade during India's 75th Republic Day celebrations, in New Delhi. EPA
    Women of the paramilitary forces parade during India's 75th Republic Day celebrations, in New Delhi. EPA
  • People cross a street at night, in front of Manhattan's Grand Central terminal, in New York. AFP
    People cross a street at night, in front of Manhattan's Grand Central terminal, in New York. AFP
  • Palestinians look in their neighbour's damaged house after an Israeli strike in Rafah, in the south of Gaza. AP
    Palestinians look in their neighbour's damaged house after an Israeli strike in Rafah, in the south of Gaza. AP
  • Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Thai Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara walk together after signing a mutual visa exemption agreement in Bangkok. Reuters
    Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Thai Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara walk together after signing a mutual visa exemption agreement in Bangkok. Reuters
  • Protesters throw soup at the Mona Lisa at the Louvre art gallery in Paris, France. AFP
    Protesters throw soup at the Mona Lisa at the Louvre art gallery in Paris, France. AFP
  • Snow-covered trees and houses in Faraya as seen from Kfardebian, Lebanon. Reuters
    Snow-covered trees and houses in Faraya as seen from Kfardebian, Lebanon. Reuters
  • Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, billed as the world’s largest cruise ship, sails from the Port of Miami in Florida, US, on its maiden cruise. AFP
    Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, billed as the world’s largest cruise ship, sails from the Port of Miami in Florida, US, on its maiden cruise. AFP
  • Football fans in Newport, Wales, stand on scaffolding to watch Monday's FA Cup match between Newport County and Manchester United. Reuters
    Football fans in Newport, Wales, stand on scaffolding to watch Monday's FA Cup match between Newport County and Manchester United. Reuters
  • An environmental agent from the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation holds five species of turtle hatchling to be released into the wild near Manaus, Brazil. EPA
    An environmental agent from the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation holds five species of turtle hatchling to be released into the wild near Manaus, Brazil. EPA
  • An audience watches a bullfight at the Monumental Plaza de Toros Mexico in Mexico City, after the Supreme Court revoked a ban on bullfighting on Sunday. AFP
    An audience watches a bullfight at the Monumental Plaza de Toros Mexico in Mexico City, after the Supreme Court revoked a ban on bullfighting on Sunday. AFP
  • A worker arranges red lanterns for the Lunar New Year celebrations in Huaian, in China’s eastern Jiangsu province. AFP
    A worker arranges red lanterns for the Lunar New Year celebrations in Huaian, in China’s eastern Jiangsu province. AFP
  • A farmer harvests cloves in Lhoknga, Indonesia's Aceh province. AFP
    A farmer harvests cloves in Lhoknga, Indonesia's Aceh province. AFP
  • Sheep cross an old bridge that has emerged from the dwindling waters of the Guadalteba reservoir, during a severe drought near Malaga, southern Spain. Reuters
    Sheep cross an old bridge that has emerged from the dwindling waters of the Guadalteba reservoir, during a severe drought near Malaga, southern Spain. Reuters
  • Tyler, the Creator, left, and Kanye West attend the Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony for US singer/songwriter Charlie Wilson in Los Angeles. AFP
    Tyler, the Creator, left, and Kanye West attend the Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony for US singer/songwriter Charlie Wilson in Los Angeles. AFP
  • A drone shot shows ice floes drifting on the Wieprz river in Jeziorzany village, eastern Poland. EPA
    A drone shot shows ice floes drifting on the Wieprz river in Jeziorzany village, eastern Poland. EPA
  • Firefighters battle a major blaze in the Makadara area of Kenya's capital Nairobi. AFP
    Firefighters battle a major blaze in the Makadara area of Kenya's capital Nairobi. AFP
  • Guests attend a state dinner for French President Emmanuel Macron at the Royal Palace in Stockholm, Sweden. AFP
    Guests attend a state dinner for French President Emmanuel Macron at the Royal Palace in Stockholm, Sweden. AFP
  • The James Webb Space Telescope captured this image of spiral galaxy NGC 1512, which is 30 million light years from Earth. Reuters
    The James Webb Space Telescope captured this image of spiral galaxy NGC 1512, which is 30 million light years from Earth. Reuters

Weekend

The best photos of the week: From a fire festival to a spiral galaxy

Striking pictures from around the world

The National

February 02, 2024

  • English
  • Arabic

More from The National:

Friday's best photos: From an ice cave in New Hampshire to a bull in Mexico

Thursday's best photos: From Zuckerberg in US Senate to snow in Kashmir

Wednesday's best photos: From Up Helly Aa fire festival to the 17th King of Malaysia

Tuesday's best photos: From anniversary of Gandhi's death to French farmers' protest

Monday's best photos: From Lunar New Year preparations to turtle hatchings

Sunday's best photos: From world's largest cruise ship to Venice's Carnival

Company profile

Date started: Founded in May 2017 and operational since April 2018

Founders: co-founder and chief executive, Doaa Aref; Dr Rasha Rady, co-founder and chief operating officer.

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Sector: Health-tech

Size: 22 employees

Funding: Seed funding 

Investors: Flat6labs, 500 Falcons, three angel investors

Key figures in the life of the fort

Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.

Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.

Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.

Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae

Cherry

Directed by: Joe and Anthony Russo

Starring: Tom Holland, Ciara Bravo

1/5

Company profile

Date started: 2015

Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki

Based: Dubai

Sector: Online grocery delivery

Staff: 200

Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends

LAST-16 FIXTURES

Sunday, January 20
3pm: Jordan v Vietnam at Al Maktoum Stadium, Dubai
6pm: Thailand v China at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
9pm: Iran v Oman at Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Monday, January 21
3pm: Japan v Saudi Arabia at Sharjah Stadium
6pm: Australia v Uzbekistan at Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
9pm: UAE v Kyrgyzstan at Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Tuesday, January 22
5pm: South Korea v Bahrain at Rashid Stadium, Dubai
8pm: Qatar v Iraq at Al Nahyan Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Champion%20v%20Champion%20(PFL%20v%20Bellator)
%3Cp%3EHeavyweight%3A%20Renan%20Ferreira%20v%20Ryan%20Bader%20%3Cbr%3EMiddleweight%3A%20Impa%20Kasanganay%20v%20Johnny%20Eblen%3Cbr%3EFeatherweight%3A%20Jesus%20Pinedo%20v%20Patricio%20Pitbull%3Cbr%3ECatchweight%3A%20Ray%20Cooper%20III%20v%20Jason%20Jackson%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EShowcase%20Bouts%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EHeavyweight%3A%20Bruno%20Cappelozza%20(former%20PFL%20World%20champ)%20v%20Vadim%20Nemkov%20(former%20Bellator%20champ)%3Cbr%3ELight%20Heavyweight%3A%20Thiago%20Santos%20(PFL%20title%20contender)%20v%20Yoel%20Romero%20(Bellator%20title%20contender)%3Cbr%3ELightweight%3A%20Clay%20Collard%20(PFL%20title%20contender)%20v%20AJ%20McKee%20(former%20Bellator%20champ)%3Cbr%3EFeatherweight%3A%20Gabriel%20Braga%20(PFL%20title%20contender)%20v%20Aaron%20Pico%20(Bellator%20title%20contender)%3Cbr%3ELightweight%3A%20Biaggio%20Ali%20Walsh%20(pro%20debut)%20v%20Emmanuel%20Palacios%20(pro%20debut)%3Cbr%3EWomen%E2%80%99s%20Lightweight%3A%20Claressa%20Shields%20v%20Kelsey%20DeSantis%3Cbr%3EFeatherweight%3A%20Abdullah%20Al%20Qahtani%20v%20Edukondal%20Rao%3Cbr%3EAmateur%20Flyweight%3A%20Malik%20Basahel%20v%20Vinicius%20Pereira%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The Africa Institute 101

Housed on the same site as the original Africa Hall, which first hosted an Arab-African Symposium in 1976, the newly renovated building will be home to a think tank and postgraduate studies hub (it will offer master’s and PhD programmes). The centre will focus on both the historical and contemporary links between Africa and the Gulf, and will serve as a meeting place for conferences, symposia, lectures, film screenings, plays, musical performances and more. In fact, today it is hosting a symposium – 5-plus-1: Rethinking Abstraction that will look at the six decades of Frank Bowling’s career, as well as those of his contemporaries that invested social, cultural and personal meaning into abstraction. 

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Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion

The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.

Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".

The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.

He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.

"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.

As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.

Results

2pm: Serve U – Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (Dirt) 1,400m; Winner: Violent Justice, Pat Dobbs (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)

2.30pm: Al Shafar Investment – Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,400m; Winner: Desert Wisdom, Bernardo Pinheiro, Ahmed Al Shemaili

3pm: Commercial Bank of Dubai – Handicap (TB) Dh68,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Fawaareq, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson

3.30pm: Shadwell – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Down On Da Bayou, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer

4pm: Dubai Real Estate Centre – Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Rakeez, Patrick Cosgrave, Bhupat Seemar

4.30pm: Al Redha Insurance Brokers – Handicap (TB) Dh78,000 (D) 1,800m; Winner: Capla Crusader, Bernardo Pinheiro, Rashed Bouresly

Updated: February 02, 2024, 6:01 PM
Weekend