• A couple carrying a freshly cut Christmas tree at a plantation in Negenborn, Germany. Julian Stratenschulte / EPA
    A couple carrying a freshly cut Christmas tree at a plantation in Negenborn, Germany. Julian Stratenschulte / EPA
  • British prime minister David Cameron, right, opens the door to a meeting room as he prepares to greet Hungarian premier Viktor Orban on the sidelines of an EU summit in Brussels, Belgium. Virginia Mayo / EPA
    British prime minister David Cameron, right, opens the door to a meeting room as he prepares to greet Hungarian premier Viktor Orban on the sidelines of an EU summit in Brussels, Belgium. Virginia Mayo / EPA
  • Members of the Qatari armed forces take part in Qatar’s National Day celebrations in Doha. Naseem Zeitoon / Reuters
    Members of the Qatari armed forces take part in Qatar’s National Day celebrations in Doha. Naseem Zeitoon / Reuters
  • Bonta and Fred Cunningham, dressed as Princess Leia and Obi-Wan Kenobi, grab something to eat at the MacArthur Center food court in Norfolk, Virginia, before seeing the showing of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Todd Spencer / The Virginian-Pilot via AP
    Bonta and Fred Cunningham, dressed as Princess Leia and Obi-Wan Kenobi, grab something to eat at the MacArthur Center food court in Norfolk, Virginia, before seeing the showing of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Todd Spencer / The Virginian-Pilot via AP
  • Bank of Japan governor Haruhiko Kuroda attends a news conference at the BOJ headquarters in Tokyo. Toru Hanai / Reuters
    Bank of Japan governor Haruhiko Kuroda attends a news conference at the BOJ headquarters in Tokyo. Toru Hanai / Reuters
  • A diver dressed in a Santa Claus costume performs during an event celebrating the upcoming Christmas holiday at Lotte World Aquarium in Seoul, South Korea. Kim Hong-ji / Reuters
    A diver dressed in a Santa Claus costume performs during an event celebrating the upcoming Christmas holiday at Lotte World Aquarium in Seoul, South Korea. Kim Hong-ji / Reuters
  • Refugees arrive on a vessel of Frontex, European Border Protection Agency, after their rescue near the Greek island of Lesbos. Santi Palacios / AP Photo
    Refugees arrive on a vessel of Frontex, European Border Protection Agency, after their rescue near the Greek island of Lesbos. Santi Palacios / AP Photo
  • A worker arranges about ten thousand discarded beverage cans to form a Christmas tree in front of a church in Jakarta, Indonesia. Tatan Syuflana / AP Photo
    A worker arranges about ten thousand discarded beverage cans to form a Christmas tree in front of a church in Jakarta, Indonesia. Tatan Syuflana / AP Photo

World in focus — best photos for December 18, 2015


  • English
  • Arabic

A look at the best photos from around the world.

RESULTS

6pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 – Group 1 (PA) $55,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Rajeh, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Musabah Al Muhairi (trainer)

6.35pm: Oud Metha Stakes – Rated Conditions (TB) $60,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Get Back Goldie, William Buick, Doug O’Neill

7.10pm: Jumeirah Classic – Listed (TB) $150,000 (Turf) 1,600m
Winner: Sovereign Prince, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby

7.45pm: Firebreak Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Hypothetical, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer

8.20pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 – Group 2 (TB) $350,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Hot Rod Charlie, William Buick, Doug O’Neill

8.55pm: Al Bastakiya Trial – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Withering, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass

9.30pm: Balanchine – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Creative Flair, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

List of alleged parties
  • May 15 2020: Boris Johnson is said to have attended a Downing Street pizza party
  • 27 Nov 2020: PM gives speech at leaving do for his staff
  • Dec 10 2020: Staff party held by then-education secretary Gavin Williamson 
  • Dec 13 2020: Mr Johnson and his then-fiancee Carrie Symonds throw a flat party
  • Dec 14 2020: Shaun Bailey holds staff party at Conservative Party headquarters 
  • Dec 15 2020: PM takes part in a staff quiz
  • Dec 18 2020: Downing Street Christmas party 
Wicked: For Good

Director: Jon M Chu

Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater

Rating: 4/5

Who has been sanctioned?

Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.

Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.

Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.

Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.

The Old Slave and the Mastiff

Patrick Chamoiseau

Translated from the French and Creole by Linda Coverdale

Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction

Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.

Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.

Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.

Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.

Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.

What are the guidelines?

Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.

Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.

Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.

Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.

Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.

Source: American Paediatric Association
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