Pia Torelli is an Italian photographer who has roamed around the world from a very young age. Backpacking in the late 70’s with friends to Turkey, Greece, Afghanistan, Iran, India and Nepal, Torelli became an experimented worldwide traveller. She then started earning a regular income working as deckhand on sailboats on the French southeastern coast.
In the 1980s, she trained as a photographer and began working all over the USA and the rest of the world. She travelled back to Afghanistan with an NGO in 2002 and then returned for a third time this year. Her photographs are on display at Alliance Française in Dubai until the end of this month.
Q: You have led an extremely active life and seen some fabulous places so that must give you a perspective on Afghanistan unlike many others - how would you describe the place?
Between 2002 and 2013, I feel like the country has moved up but it is still unbalanced. I definitely felt less secure last October compare to my stay in 2002, when I could walk around alone. This year, I had a guard with me at all times.
It is a chaotic city - having been designed in the 1960's for 450,000 people and now having a population of four million and there are constant problems with electricity. There are some new buildings in one part of Kabul, but I wonder who can afford to live there?
Q: What was the main thing you were trying to capture in the photographs?
My idea was to capture how Kabul has progressed both in rebuilding and culturally. I saw some women on the street in the more upmarket areas without the blue burka and in other areas it felt like 15 years ago at the time of the Taliban.
I decide to show both sides of the city in my pictures. For example there is one photo with three women wearing burkas ready to go to a festivity and another picture showing three women on the lake having a pleasant time with their male friends.
Q: Do you think people in the UAE have misconceptions about the country?
I am not sure what the people think about Afghanistan, but for most of the people I talk to, it is still a very dangerous place to be.
I remember the places I visited in the 70's, like Band e Amir national park at 3000 m altitude. The deep blue lakes, the view and the air were out of the world. I also visited another place in 1977: Bamyan, where the famous Buddhas were. They now have been destroyed by the Taliban.
Afghanistan is more than a war torn country and people should know this. One day, I hope it will return to be a country where one can visit like I did in 1977.
Q: What was your biggest challenge when you were there?
To find the places I visited before. Many places were actually not there any more or they were inaccessible because the army had taken them over. For example, I wanted to find a girl I photographed in 2002 at a girl's school and we couldn't even find the school.
Q: Do you have a favourite image from the exhibition - if so, why?
A portrait of a girl I photographed in 2002, because she give me hope for the future of the women.
Q: Do you plan to return?
Yes, indeed. I am planning a fourth trip to Afghanistan. I have another photography project in mind related to Afghan women. I cannot say more right now as it is still in the draft stages.
Q: What other photographic projects are you working on?
At the moment I am getting in touch with construction companies in Dubai. I am interested to work with them to document the new projects for the Expo 2020. It's a very exciting time we are living in Dubai right now.
Q: Where else can we see your work?
On my website www.piatorelli.com I am also planning to take my current show 'Eyes Wide Open - An Afghan Journey' to Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. I suggest people should keep an eye on Pia Torelli Photography FB page to be kept informed. https://www.facebook.com/piatorelliphotography
Q: Finally, what should people hope to take away with them when they come to see your show?
A frame! All photos are for sale, prices starting from AED 750. A percentage of the proceeds goes to my sponsor FBMI and the sale of my works will finance my next trip to Afghanistan for my next show. People can also help FBMI - it is an Afghan-based initiative backed by the UAE government that was set up in 2010 and it has offered more than 3,500 women – many of whom are widows – the opportunity to take control of their lives.
Through offering them employment in the handmade carpet industry, the women and their families receive critical social services in return. That includes a minimum wage of $2 (Dh7) a day and free healthcare check-ups each month and education for children under
the age of 14. It's a very important and valuable initiative.
People should get an understanding of Afghanistan once they have seen my photos. All the news we get from Afghanistan are about bomb attacks, killings, terrorism. We mustn't stick with the news reports only, we have to dig and get more information and refuse to consider a country in a permanent state of war. It is our duty to get properly informed and then spread a positive and encouraging message.
Lastly, I hope the Afghans will recognise my work from they hearts. I would like to help them and show them the true pictures of Afghanistan.
* Eyes Wide Open, An Afghan Journey runs at Alliance Francaise, Dubai until Dec 31
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
England squad
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope, Aaron Ramsdale
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Coady, Marc Guehi, Reece James, Harry Maguire, Tyrone Mings, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Ben White
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Conor Gallagher, Mason Mount, Jordan Henderson, Declan Rice, James Ward-Prowse
Forwards: Tammy Abraham, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Raheem Sterling
More Iraq election coverage:
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
POWERWASH%20SIMULATOR
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The biog
Job: Fitness entrepreneur, body-builder and trainer
Favourite superhero: Batman
Favourite quote: We must become the change we want to see, by Mahatma Gandhi.
Favourite car: Lamborghini
Aston martin DBX specs
Engine: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: nine-speed automatic
Power: 542bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Top speed: 291kph
Price: Dh848,000
On sale: Q2, 2020
Ruwais timeline
1971 Abu Dhabi National Oil Company established
1980 Ruwais Housing Complex built, located 10 kilometres away from industrial plants
1982 120,000 bpd capacity Ruwais refinery complex officially inaugurated by the founder of the UAE Sheikh Zayed
1984 Second phase of Ruwais Housing Complex built. Today the 7,000-unit complex houses some 24,000 people.
1985 The refinery is expanded with the commissioning of a 27,000 b/d hydro cracker complex
2009 Plans announced to build $1.2 billion fertilizer plant in Ruwais, producing urea
2010 Adnoc awards $10bn contracts for expansion of Ruwais refinery, to double capacity from 415,000 bpd
2014 Ruwais 261-outlet shopping mall opens
2014 Production starts at newly expanded Ruwais refinery, providing jet fuel and diesel and allowing the UAE to be self-sufficient for petrol supplies
2014 Etihad Rail begins transportation of sulphur from Shah and Habshan to Ruwais for export
2017 Aldar Academies to operate Adnoc’s schools including in Ruwais from September. Eight schools operate in total within the housing complex.
2018 Adnoc announces plans to invest $3.1 billion on upgrading its Ruwais refinery
2018 NMC Healthcare selected to manage operations of Ruwais Hospital
2018 Adnoc announces new downstream strategy at event in Abu Dhabi on May 13
Source: The National
Match info
Uefa Nations League Group B:
England v Spain, Saturday, 11.45pm (UAE)
Company name: Farmin
Date started: March 2019
Founder: Dr Ali Al Hammadi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: AgriTech
Initial investment: None to date
Partners/Incubators: UAE Space Agency/Krypto Labs
Company info
Company name: Entrupy
Co-founders: Vidyuth Srinivasan, co-founder/chief executive, Ashlesh Sharma, co-founder/chief technology officer, Lakshmi Subramanian, co-founder/chief scientist
Based: New York, New York
Sector/About: Entrupy is a hardware-enabled SaaS company whose mission is to protect businesses, borders and consumers from transactions involving counterfeit goods.
Initial investment/Investors: Entrupy secured a $2.6m Series A funding round in 2017. The round was led by Tokyo-based Digital Garage and Daiwa Securities Group's jointly established venture arm, DG Lab Fund I Investment Limited Partnership, along with Zach Coelius.
Total customers: Entrupy’s customers include hundreds of secondary resellers, marketplaces and other retail organisations around the world. They are also testing with shipping companies as well as customs agencies to stop fake items from reaching the market in the first place.
Tailors and retailers miss out on back-to-school rush
Tailors and retailers across the city said it was an ominous start to what is usually a busy season for sales.
With many parents opting to continue home learning for their children, the usual rush to buy school uniforms was muted this year.
“So far we have taken about 70 to 80 orders for items like shirts and trousers,” said Vikram Attrai, manager at Stallion Bespoke Tailors in Dubai.
“Last year in the same period we had about 200 orders and lots of demand.
“We custom fit uniform pieces and use materials such as cotton, wool and cashmere.
“Depending on size, a white shirt with logo is priced at about Dh100 to Dh150 and shorts, trousers, skirts and dresses cost between Dh150 to Dh250 a piece.”
A spokesman for Threads, a uniform shop based in Times Square Centre Dubai, said customer footfall had slowed down dramatically over the past few months.
“Now parents have the option to keep children doing online learning they don’t need uniforms so it has quietened down.”
T20 WORLD CUP QUALIFIER
Results
UAE beat Nigeria by five wickets
Hong Kong beat Canada by 32 runs
Friday fixtures
10am, Tolerance Oval, Abu Dhabi – Ireland v Jersey
7.30pm, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi – Canada v Oman
RESULTS
5pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner: Samau Xmnsor, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Ottoman, Szczepan Mazur, Abdallah Al Hammadi
6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Sharkh, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 85,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Yaraa, Fernando Jara, Majed Al Jahouri
7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Maaly Al Reef, Bernardo Pinheiro, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: Jinjal, Fabrice Veron, Ahmed Al Shemaili
8pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: Al Sail, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
AWARDS
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AUSTRALIA%20SQUAD
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'The Lost Daughter'
Director: Maggie Gyllenhaal
Starring: Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley, Dakota Johnson
Rating: 4/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
INDIA SQUAD
Virat Kohli (capt), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Vijay Shankar, MS Dhoni (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami
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.
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre, twin-turbo V8
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 582bhp
Torque: 730Nm
Price: Dh649,000
On sale: now
Results
Stage 5:
1. Jonas Vingegaard (DEN) Team Jumbo-Visma 04:19:08
2. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates 00:00:03
3. Adam Yates (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers
4. Sergio Higuita (COL) EF Education-Nippo 00:00:05
5. Joao Almeida (POR) Deceuninck-QuickStep 00:00:06
General Classification:
1. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates 17:09:26
2. Adam Yates (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers 00:00:45
3. Joao Almeida (POR) Deceuninck-QuickStep 00:01:12
4. Chris Harper (AUS) Team Jumbo-Visma 00:01:54
5. Neilson Powless (USA) EF Education-Nippo 00:01:56
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Champions parade (UAE timings)
7pm Gates open
8pm Deansgate stage showing starts
9pm Parade starts at Manchester Cathedral
9.45pm Parade ends at Peter Street
10pm City players on stage
11pm event ends
Score
Third Test, Day 2
New Zealand 274
Pakistan 139-3 (61 ov)
Pakistan trail by 135 runs with 7 wickets remaining in the innings
match info
Chelsea 2
Willian (13'), Ross Barkley (64')
Liverpool 0
Mina Cup winners
Under 12 – Minerva Academy
Under 14 – Unam Pumas
Under 16 – Fursan Hispania
Under 18 – Madenat
The specs
Engine: 2-litre 4-cylinder and 3.6-litre 6-cylinder
Power: 220 and 280 horsepower
Torque: 350 and 360Nm
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Price: from Dh136,521 VAT and Dh166,464 VAT
On sale: now
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