• Risa Tanaka, a feeding diver with four years of experience, wears a Santa Claus costume while practicing in preparation for a Christmas special feeding performance at the Sunshine Aquarium in Tokyo, Japan, 14 December 2023. The aquarium once prepared a different seasonal aquarium performance at the penguin tank but bird flu forced the cancellation of the performance and the return of their traditional 'Santa Diver' feeding performance. The special Christmas performance will occur from 22 to 25 December 2023. EPA / KIMIMASA MAYAMA
    Risa Tanaka, a feeding diver with four years of experience, wears a Santa Claus costume while practicing in preparation for a Christmas special feeding performance at the Sunshine Aquarium in Tokyo, Japan, 14 December 2023. The aquarium once prepared a different seasonal aquarium performance at the penguin tank but bird flu forced the cancellation of the performance and the return of their traditional 'Santa Diver' feeding performance. The special Christmas performance will occur from 22 to 25 December 2023. EPA / KIMIMASA MAYAMA
  • A land art installation of 448 hand-sculpted pyramids by Jim Denevan, part of a Public Art Abu Dhabi initiative on Fahid Island, Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    A land art installation of 448 hand-sculpted pyramids by Jim Denevan, part of a Public Art Abu Dhabi initiative on Fahid Island, Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Light sculptures of polar bears installed as part of a seasonal decoration for the New Year and Christmas holidays in Moscow, Russia. EPA
    Light sculptures of polar bears installed as part of a seasonal decoration for the New Year and Christmas holidays in Moscow, Russia. EPA
  • An animatronic head of E.T. is displayed among a collection of movie memorabilia to be auctioned in California. The mechanical model is expected to go for at least $1 million during the four-day Hollywood Legends sale, which began on Thursday. AFP
    An animatronic head of E.T. is displayed among a collection of movie memorabilia to be auctioned in California. The mechanical model is expected to go for at least $1 million during the four-day Hollywood Legends sale, which began on Thursday. AFP
  • Folk artists perform during the annual Bengaluru festival in the Indian state of Karnataka. The festival showcases folk dance and cultural diversity that have shaped Bengaluru into a vibrant metropolis. EPA
    Folk artists perform during the annual Bengaluru festival in the Indian state of Karnataka. The festival showcases folk dance and cultural diversity that have shaped Bengaluru into a vibrant metropolis. EPA
  • High-rises pierce through the clouds over Kuwait City. AFP
    High-rises pierce through the clouds over Kuwait City. AFP
  • Models take to the runway during the main show at Africa Fashion Week in Nairobi, Kenya. AFP
    Models take to the runway during the main show at Africa Fashion Week in Nairobi, Kenya. AFP
  • Artists take part in the parade in Medellin that highlights the folklore, beliefs and legends of Colombia. EPA
    Artists take part in the parade in Medellin that highlights the folklore, beliefs and legends of Colombia. EPA
  • Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski collide while chasing the ball during the second half of an NBA game in Oklahoma City. AP
    Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski collide while chasing the ball during the second half of an NBA game in Oklahoma City. AP
  • Choreographer Mourad Merzouki poses with the French synchronised swimming team at the National Institute of Sport, Expertise and Performance in Paris. AFP
    Choreographer Mourad Merzouki poses with the French synchronised swimming team at the National Institute of Sport, Expertise and Performance in Paris. AFP
  • Argentina's President Alberto Fernandez greets his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva at a summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Reuters
    Argentina's President Alberto Fernandez greets his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva at a summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Reuters
  • People stand in a giant kaleidoscope, an installation by French artist Guillaume Marmin, during the Festival of Lights in Lyon, France. AFP
    People stand in a giant kaleidoscope, an installation by French artist Guillaume Marmin, during the Festival of Lights in Lyon, France. AFP
  • A word cloud for the recently ended Cop28 climate summit that was held in Dubai.
    A word cloud for the recently ended Cop28 climate summit that was held in Dubai.
  • A woman wearing traditional Hanfu clothing has her photo taken outside the Forbidden City during a snowfall in Beijing, China. Getty Images
    A woman wearing traditional Hanfu clothing has her photo taken outside the Forbidden City during a snowfall in Beijing, China. Getty Images
  • Municipal workers remove a monument to Mykola Schors, a Soviet field commander during the Russian Civil War, in Kyiv, Ukraine. Reuters
    Municipal workers remove a monument to Mykola Schors, a Soviet field commander during the Russian Civil War, in Kyiv, Ukraine. Reuters

World

Beshara: The most captivating pictures of the week

This week's selection includes Santa Claus in Aquarium, Sculptures of Polar Bear and Head of E.T.

The National

December 15, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

More from The National:

Taylor Swift named Time Magazine's Person of the Year 2023

A fashion guide to Sole DXB 2023: Launches, pop-ups and ticket prices

My Own Home: Ras Al Khaimah family enjoy resort-style living in Al Hamra Village villa

What is harees, the Arabic dish added to Unesco's Intangible Cultural Heritage list?

The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4.0-litre%20twin-turbo%20V8%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E640hp%20at%206%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E850Nm%20from%202%2C300-4%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E8-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E11.9L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDh749%2C800%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

Global Fungi Facts

• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil

Updated: December 15, 2023, 10:42 AM