Sea lions congregate in front of a police car obstructing the path of riot police during clashes with fishermen who are protesting against the government following the repeal of the existing fishing law and the non-payment of promised bonuses, in Valparaiso, Chile December 28, 2023. REUTERS / Rodrigo Garrido TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Sea lions congregate in front of a police car obstructing the path of riot police during clashes with fishermen who are protesting against the government following the repeal of the existing fishing law and the non-payment of promised bonuses, in Valparaiso, Chile December 28, 2023. REUTERS / Rodrigo Garrido TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
A child stands in front of a light sculpture at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre during Christmas festivities, in Athens, Greece. Reuters
A child stands in front of a light sculpture at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre during Christmas festivities, in Athens, Greece. Reuters
A dog dressed as Santa Claus looks at the camera after participating in the "Sanperrestre", an annual festive dog walk in Madrid, Spain. Reuters
A dog dressed as Santa Claus looks at the camera after participating in the "Sanperrestre", an annual festive dog walk in Madrid, Spain. Reuters
Migrants wait to disembark from a Spanish coast guard vessel in the port of Arguineguin, on the island of Gran Canaria. Reuters
Migrants wait to disembark from a Spanish coast guard vessel in the port of Arguineguin, on the island of Gran Canaria. Reuters
People watch performers at the 'Wall of Death' show in an amusement park during the annual Mahim Fair in Mumbai, India. EPA
People watch performers at the 'Wall of Death' show in an amusement park during the annual Mahim Fair in Mumbai, India. EPA
Germany's Andreas Wellinger soars during a training jump for the second stage of the Four-Hills tournament that is part of the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup, in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, southern Germany. AFP
Germany's Andreas Wellinger soars during a training jump for the second stage of the Four-Hills tournament that is part of the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup, in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, southern Germany. AFP
A man gets a shave at a barber shop ahead of the English Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Manchester United at The City Ground in Nottingham. AFP
A man gets a shave at a barber shop ahead of the English Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Manchester United at The City Ground in Nottingham. AFP
The 9pm 'family fireworks' explode over Sydney Opera House during New Year’s Eve celebrations in Sydney. AFP
The 9pm 'family fireworks' explode over Sydney Opera House during New Year’s Eve celebrations in Sydney. AFP

World

Today's best photos: From sea lions attending protest to New Year's Eve celebrations

The National picks the most striking images from around the world

The National

December 31, 2023

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More from The National:

Saturday's best photos: from a huge fish in Somalia to skiing in Austria

Friday's best photos: From a fake Coup d'Etat to a robot spaceplane

Thursday's best photos: From the Grand Mosque in Mosul to a cruise ship in Malta

Wednesday's best photos: From Art in the Eastern Mangroves to a swim in the North Sea

Tuesday's best photos: From salsa in Cali to sailing in Sydney

Monday's best photos: Midnight mass, from Chandigarh to Surabaya

Tamkeen's offering
  • Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
  • Option 2: 50% across three years
  • Option 3: 30% across five years 
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?

The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.

A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.

Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.

The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.

When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.

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Our legal consultant

Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

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

Tomorrow 2021
Towering concerns
Updated: December 31, 2023, 3:20 PM