Sultan Al Neyadi celebrates Pakistan's Independence Day from space

Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi has joined in Pakistan's Independence Day celebrations from 400km above Earth.

The UAE history-maker shared a picture of Pakistan's capital Islamabad, taken from the International Space Station on Monday.

Dr Al Neyadi, who is coming to the end of his six-month voyage, paid tribute to Pakistan's "rich culture" in a congratulatory message on social media.

"Happy Independence Day to all Pakistanis, especially those living in the UAE," Dr Al Neyadi wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

"As one of the largest expat communities in my country, we have lived together for years and learned a lot about your rich culture.

More than one million Pakistanis live in the Emirates, the second-largest expatriate community behind neighbouring India.

Colourful celebrations have been held all over the world – including in the UAE – to mark Pakistan's 76th Independence Day.

The milestone event commemorates Pakistan becoming a sovereign state following the end of British rule in 1947.

Dr Al Neyadi has compiled a stellar collection of out-of-this-world snapshots of Earth since arriving on the ISS on March 3.

His eye-catching photography includes images of an active volcano in the Philippines as well as wildfires raging across Southern Europe and a cyclone as it gathered strength in the Arabian Sea.

He has also shared a wide variety of images of the UAE, including his hometown of Umm Ghafa in Al Ain.

Dr Al Neyadi is taking part in the Arab world's first long-duration space mission.

Sultan Al Neyadi's photos from space - in pictures

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Brief scoreline:

Tottenham 1

Son 78'

Manchester City 0

Results:

CSIL 2-star 145cm One Round with Jump-Off

1. Alice Debany Clero (USA) on Amareusa S 38.83 seconds

2. Anikka Sande (NOR) For Cash 2 39.09

3. Georgia Tame (GBR) Cash Up 39.42

4. Nadia Taryam (UAE) Askaria 3 39.63

5. Miriam Schneider (GER) Fidelius G 47.74

Did you know?

Brunch has been around, is some form or another, for more than a century. The word was first mentioned in print in an 1895 edition of Hunter’s Weekly, after making the rounds among university students in Britain. The article, entitled Brunch: A Plea, argued the case for a later, more sociable weekend meal. “By eliminating the need to get up early on Sunday, brunch would make life brighter for Saturday night carousers. It would promote human happiness in other ways as well,” the piece read. “It is talk-compelling. It puts you in a good temper, it makes you satisfied with yourself and your fellow beings, it sweeps away the worries and cobwebs of the week.” More than 100 years later, author Guy Beringer’s words still ring true, especially in the UAE, where brunches are often used to mark special, sociable occasions.