Traffic on the water logged road around Discovery Gardens and Al Furjan area in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
Traffic on the water logged road around Discovery Gardens and Al Furjan area in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
Traffic on the water logged road around Discovery Gardens and Al Furjan area in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
Traffic on the water logged road around Discovery Gardens and Al Furjan area in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National


Rain in the UAE: a sensible approach to ease traffic


The National
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May 03, 2024

Sensible preparations for rain in the UAE

With regard to the report UAE weather: Abu Dhabi and Dubai hit by heavy rain and thunder (May 02): I was enjoying the rain this time around. It eased the heat and it wasn't as bad as the last spell. I appreciate the UAE's information and notice drive and the alerts residents received on their phones. It was a sensible move to allow remote learning and work over to ease the traffic on the roads.

Melanie K, Abu Dhabi

Palestine denied UN membership

In reference to Thomas Watkins's article US defends veto of Palestinian bid for full UN membership (May 01): All this talk of international peace, security and the UN charter but the US has come across as the polar opposite of these values in the past eight months. The US can't really claim to be pro-peace anymore. For that Biden would have to reverse the Israel policies drastically.

Jane McBride, Sacramento, US

It's unfortunate that even as the UN exists, there is increasing conflict and the use of veto power to protect some politicians obviously on the wrong side of international law.

Roshan Jamal, Frankfurt, Germany

Palestinian statehood should be a given, instead of these discussions around whether or not they qualify for it. The pure audacity of keeping something away from people simply to steal their land from under them for another nation's glory is twisted. There should be no debate. Palestine is already regarded as a state in many quarters, it should be officially recognised too so that Israel's illegal occupation and war can finally come to an end.

Diego San M, Kinshasa, Congo

Respect for the World Central kitchen

With reference to Jihan Abdalla's report Decision to resume Gaza work is 'hardest and simplest', World Central Kitchen founder says (April 30): I admire the people who took this decision. It takes courage to resume work so soon after the devastating attacks on their colleagues. Gazans are being brutalised by war and these guys are doing more than their bit to prevent famine. They deserve all the international support.

Majd Karim, Dubai

A careful cricket team selection

Regarding the report India expected to play it safe with T20 World Cup 2024 squad selection (April 30): This was an interesting read. The selection of players for June has been done sensibly and with care, taking their present form into account in the T20. Rohit Sharma will lead the team with other players - Sanju Samson, Virat Kohli adding strength to make the team even more powerful and poised to win the T20 World Cup. Wishing them all the best for the Caribbean and US tour.

K Ragavan, Bengaluru, India

Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

Company%20Profile
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Updated: May 03, 2024, 3:58 AM