• NASA astronaut Loral O'Hara makes a heart-shaped gesture in a bus while leaving for pre-flight preparation ahead of the expedition to the International Space Station (ISS), at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, September 15, 2023. REUTERS / Maxim Shemetov
    NASA astronaut Loral O'Hara makes a heart-shaped gesture in a bus while leaving for pre-flight preparation ahead of the expedition to the International Space Station (ISS), at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, September 15, 2023. REUTERS / Maxim Shemetov
  • Damaged vehicles lie in a pile-up on the streets of Derna, with the words 'a torrent came', written in Arabic, sprayed on the van. EPA
    Damaged vehicles lie in a pile-up on the streets of Derna, with the words 'a torrent came', written in Arabic, sprayed on the van. EPA
  • Palestinian protesters clash with Israeli security forces during a demonstration marking Israel's withdrawal from Gaza in 2005. AP
    Palestinian protesters clash with Israeli security forces during a demonstration marking Israel's withdrawal from Gaza in 2005. AP
  • Models display creations by Spanish designer Agatha Ruiz de la Prada during the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Madrid, Spain. AP
    Models display creations by Spanish designer Agatha Ruiz de la Prada during the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Madrid, Spain. AP
  • Ahmed Hafidi, 63, stands on the ruins of his guest house in Morocco's Atlas Mountains range after the property was destroyed by an earthquake last week. AFP
    Ahmed Hafidi, 63, stands on the ruins of his guest house in Morocco's Atlas Mountains range after the property was destroyed by an earthquake last week. AFP
  • Migrants gather outside an operational centre called 'Hotspot' on the Italian island of Lampedusa. AFP
    Migrants gather outside an operational centre called 'Hotspot' on the Italian island of Lampedusa. AFP
  • Children and their teachers wait in a kindergarten basement used as a bomb shelter during an air strike alarm in Kryvyi Rih, southern Ukraine. AFP
    Children and their teachers wait in a kindergarten basement used as a bomb shelter during an air strike alarm in Kryvyi Rih, southern Ukraine. AFP
  • Service men and women salute on the deck of the USS America during the 73rd Incheon Landing Operations Commemoration ceremony, off South Korea. Getty Images
    Service men and women salute on the deck of the USS America during the 73rd Incheon Landing Operations Commemoration ceremony, off South Korea. Getty Images
  • Hair spray is applied as models get ready backstage before Irish designer Paul Costelloe's catwalk presentation during London Fashion Week. AFP
    Hair spray is applied as models get ready backstage before Irish designer Paul Costelloe's catwalk presentation during London Fashion Week. AFP
  • A show at the Mont Saint-Michel abbey lights up the night sky during festivities to mark the millennium of the monument. AFP
    A show at the Mont Saint-Michel abbey lights up the night sky during festivities to mark the millennium of the monument. AFP

World

Today's best photos: From an astronaut saying goodbye to a Mont Saint-Michel light show

The National picks the most striking images from around the world

The National

September 15, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

More from The National:

Thursday's best photos: from Italian ice cream to sitting volleyball

Wednesday's best photos: from camel traffic to Bavarian herdsmen - in pictures

Tuesday's best photos: From a land art painting to Pancha Dan festival

Monday's best photos: from the LA Chargers punting to a Turkey cave rescue

Sunday's best photos: from children racing cars to Morocco earthquake aftermath

Saturday's best photos: from SpaceX rocket launch to G20 summit in India

UAE SQUAD

Mohammed Naveed (captain), Mohamed Usman (vice captain), Ashfaq Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Imran Haider, Tahir Mughal, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed, Fahad Nawaz, Abdul Shakoor, Sultan Ahmed, CP Rizwan

UAE v Gibraltar

What: International friendly

When: 7pm kick off

Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City

Admission: Free

Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page

UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)

In numbers: China in Dubai

The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000

Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000

Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent

Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Which honey takes your fancy?

Al Ghaf Honey

The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year

Sidr Honey

The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest

Samar Honey

The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments

While you're here

Expert input

If you had all the money in the world, what’s the one sneaker you would buy or create?

“There are a few shoes that have ‘grail’ status for me. But the one I have always wanted is the Nike x Patta x Parra Air Max 1 - Cherrywood. To get a pair in my size brand new is would cost me between Dh8,000 and Dh 10,000.” Jack Brett

“If I had all the money, I would approach Nike and ask them to do my own Air Force 1, that’s one of my dreams.” Yaseen Benchouche

“There’s nothing out there yet that I’d pay an insane amount for, but I’d love to create my own shoe with Tinker Hatfield and Jordan.” Joshua Cox

“I think I’d buy a defunct footwear brand; I’d like the challenge of reinterpreting a brand’s history and changing options.” Kris Balerite

 “I’d stir up a creative collaboration with designers Martin Margiela of the mixed patchwork sneakers, and Yohji Yamamoto.” Hussain Moloobhoy

“If I had all the money in the world, I’d live somewhere where I’d never have to wear shoes again.” Raj Malhotra

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if you go

The flights

Fly to Rome with Etihad (www.etihad.ae) or Emirates (www.emirates.com) from Dh2,480 return including taxes. The flight takes six hours. Fly from Rome to Trapani with Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) from Dh420 return including taxes. The flight takes one hour 10 minutes. 

The hotels 

The author recommends the following hotels for this itinerary. In Trapani, Ai Lumi (www.ailumi.it); in Marsala, Viacolvento (www.viacolventomarsala.it); and in Marsala Del Vallo, the Meliaresort Dimore Storiche (www.meliaresort.it).

England v South Africa Test series:

First Test: at Lord's, England won by 211 runs

Second Test: at Trent Bridge, South Africa won by 340 runs

Third Test: at The Oval, July 27-31

Fourth Test: at Old Trafford, August 4-8

Updated: September 15, 2023, 12:10 PM