• This aerial view taken on January 2, 2023 shows ski tourists on ski slopes amidst snow-free meadows in Leutasch, Austria. - Due to the warm temperatures of the last few days, there is a lack of snow in the ski areas. (Photo by Daniel LIEBL / various sources / AFP) / Austria OUT
    This aerial view taken on January 2, 2023 shows ski tourists on ski slopes amidst snow-free meadows in Leutasch, Austria. - Due to the warm temperatures of the last few days, there is a lack of snow in the ski areas. (Photo by Daniel LIEBL / various sources / AFP) / Austria OUT
  • A worker cleans the floor under the red lanterns of Chinese New Year decorations at Thean Hou Temple, before the Lunar New Year celebrations, which mark the year of the rabbit, in Kuala Lumpur. AFP
    A worker cleans the floor under the red lanterns of Chinese New Year decorations at Thean Hou Temple, before the Lunar New Year celebrations, which mark the year of the rabbit, in Kuala Lumpur. AFP
  • A boy walks on slabs of ice that have formed on the shore of the Fraser River between Agassiz and Chilliwack, British Columbia, after a cold snap last month. AP
    A boy walks on slabs of ice that have formed on the shore of the Fraser River between Agassiz and Chilliwack, British Columbia, after a cold snap last month. AP
  • Feeding birds at the Abu Dhabi Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Feeding birds at the Abu Dhabi Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • A black-and-white image of the lunar surface and Earth taken by South Korean lunar orbiter Danuri after reaching the Moon's orbit. AFP
    A black-and-white image of the lunar surface and Earth taken by South Korean lunar orbiter Danuri after reaching the Moon's orbit. AFP
  • An image taken with a drone shows the fog as it floats over the Karancs mountain near Salgotarjan, Hungary. EPA
    An image taken with a drone shows the fog as it floats over the Karancs mountain near Salgotarjan, Hungary. EPA
  • People enjoy a winter day at Hafelekar, 2,256 m above sea level, near Innsbruck, Austria. EPA
    People enjoy a winter day at Hafelekar, 2,256 m above sea level, near Innsbruck, Austria. EPA
  • Humboldt Penguins are counted during the annual stocktake at London Zoo in London. AP
    Humboldt Penguins are counted during the annual stocktake at London Zoo in London. AP
  • Buffalo Bills players wait as teammate Damar Hamlin is examined after he collapsed during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals. AP
    Buffalo Bills players wait as teammate Damar Hamlin is examined after he collapsed during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals. AP
  • Sunset at Al Hudayriat Island, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    Sunset at Al Hudayriat Island, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

World

Today's best photos: from snow-free meadows in Austria to sunset at Al Hudayriat Island

The National picks the most striking images from around the world

The National

January 03, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

More from The National:

Monday's best photos: from Benedict XVI's wake to return of Green Sarcophagus

Sunday's best photos: from the sunrise in Seoul to blackouts in Bakhmut

Saturday's best photos: from a fusilier in Switzerland to a landslide in Japan

Friday's best photos: from penguins on the beach to a Debutante Ball

Thursday's best photos: from Spanish food battle to Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding

Wednesday's best photos: from a multi-vehicle crash in China to ice-covered houses in Canada

The President's Cake

Director: Hasan Hadi

Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem 

Rating: 4/5

The specs

  Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now

Guardians%20of%20the%20Galaxy%20Vol%203
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJames%20Gunn%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Chris%20Pratt%2C%20Zoe%20Saldana%2C%20Dave%20Bautista%2C%20Vin%20Diesel%2C%20Bradley%20Cooper%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
While you're here
Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
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

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Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

Our legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Tightening the screw on rogue recruiters

The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.

 Only recruitment companies authorised by the government are permitted as part of Tadbeer, a network of labour ministry-regulated centres.

A contract must be drawn up for domestic workers, the wages and job offer clearly stating the nature of work.

The contract stating the wages, work entailed and accommodation must be sent to the employee in their home country before they depart for the UAE.

The contract will be signed by the employer and employee when the domestic worker arrives in the UAE.

Only recruitment agencies registered with the ministry can undertake recruitment and employment applications for domestic workers.

Penalties for illegal recruitment in the UAE include fines of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment

But agents not authorised by the government sidestep the law by illegally getting women into the country on visit visas.

Updated: January 03, 2023, 1:06 PM
World