When it first opened its doors in 2005, the Emirates Palace hotel in Abu Dhabi instantly redefined luxury in the Middle East. Commissioned by the UAE government and initially managed by Kempinski Hotels, the landmark was conceived not merely as a resort, but as a symbol of the nation’s prosperity and cultural pride. Built at a reported cost of $3 billion, it has since become one of the world’s most iconic hotels.

Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Palace: 21 years of grandeur

Celebrating 21 years of luxury at Abu Dhabi's iconic Emirates Palace

Women apply sindoor, or vermilion powder, to each other’s faces during Sindoor Khela on the final day of Durga Puja celebrations in Hyderabad, India. The traditional ritual, observed by married women, marks the farewell to Goddess Durga before her idols are immersed, symbolising devotion, prosperity and marital happiness.

Durga Puja celebrations light up cities across India

Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026: Stunning winning images capture nature’s wonders

Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026: Nature’s wonder

Musketeers of The Marquis of Winchester Regiment fire a salvo from their guns during a battle to re-enact the 1645 English Civil War, at Old Basing House near Basingstoke south east England.

English Civil War comes alive again at Basing House

Aerial view of Qasr Al Hosn and the surrounding area of Abu Dhabi in the 1950s, showing the emirate before the oil boom transformed the city.

Abu Dhabi in the 1950s: Life before the oil boom

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, views a map while travelling by train from Abu Dhabi to Dubai to attend the inauguration of the Etihad Rail station in Dubai.

Look: UAE President attends Etihad Rail station opening

A Palestinian jockey rides during a local horse race in al-Majd, west of the Israeli-occupied West Bank city of Hebron.

Hooves, dust and cheers return to West Bank village

This aerial view shows patches of blooming wildflowers in the Atacama Desert near Copiapo, Chile.

Rare floral spectacle transforms Atacama Desert

Afghan children attend a circus training session on the rooftop of a house in Kabul on September 21, 2026.

Kabul children find joy at rooftop circus sessions

Tarpaulins cover the ice cave of the 'Mer de Glace' glacier to prevent it from melting, at the Montenvers station in Chamonix, France.

Photos: France’s iconic Mer de Glace glacier shrinks

Smoke billows from one of the towers of the World Trade Center and flames and debris explode from the second tower in New York, Sept. 11, 2001

9/11 attacks: 25 years on, in pictures

The first set of customers enter the Apple Store at Dubai Mall to buy the new iPhone in 2025.

Dubai’s iPhone sale-day rush through the years

Delayed passengers wait and queue with their luggage at Terminal 3 of London Heathrow airport, west of London on September 8, 2026, following major disruption due an issue affecting the NATS air traffic control systems.

UK flight chaos: Passengers stranded as planes pile up

Competitors ride donkeys during an annual race held in the southern village of Roum, Lebanon.

Donkey races bring festive cheer to Lebanon’s Roum

Aymara indigenous people perform a ritual to thank 'Pachamama' (Mother Earth) after an unusual snowfall at the Northern Summit of La Paz, along the road to the Yungas, in La Paz department, Bolivia.

Rare snowstorm disrupts life across Bolivia’s Andes

Indian expats from Kerala in UAE came together on Wednesday to celebrate Thiruvonam, the most important day of the Onam festival.

Indian expats from Kerala celebrate Onam across the UAE

Dolly Parton, left, Lily Tomlin, center, and Jan Fonda arrive for the premiere of their film “9 To 5" in New York on Dec. 14, 1980.

Dolly Parton’s remarkable life and career in photos

Rocky, a gibbon hand-raised by on-site caretaker Jodi Kleier, sits in an enclosure at the Gibbon Conservation Center in Santa Clarita, Calif.

LA sanctuary marks 50 years protecting rare gibbons

Young fighters compete in an action-packed bout during the 7th Youth MMA World Championships at Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Youth MMA stars battle for glory in Abu Dhabi

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