President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, sent congratulations to King Hamad of Bahrain on his country's 52nd National Day. AFP / Wam
President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, sent congratulations to King Hamad of Bahrain on his country's 52nd National Day. AFP / Wam
President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, sent congratulations to King Hamad of Bahrain on his country's 52nd National Day. AFP / Wam
President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, sent congratulations to King Hamad of Bahrain on his country's 52nd National Day. AFP / Wam

UAE leaders congratulate Bahrain on 52nd National Day


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President Sheikh Mohamed has congratulated King Hamad of Bahrain as his country celebrates its 52nd National Day.

“I congratulate my brother, King Hamad bin Isa, and our people in the Kingdom of Bahrain on the occasion of National Day, wishing the kingdom further progress and prosperity,” he wrote on X.

“The relations of the UAE and Bahrain are fraternal and historic, and we continue to work together for everything that achieves a better future for the two brotherly countries and peoples.”

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, joined him as he wished Bahrain security, stability and prosperity for the future.

“We congratulate our brothers in the Kingdom of Bahrain, the leadership and people, on their 52nd National Day and the anniversary of my brother, King Hamad bin Isa, assuming the reins of government in the kingdom,” Sheikh Mohammed wrote on X on Friday.

“Our relationship with Bahrain is fraternal and stable, well-established and developed, official, popular and real.

“May God grant them security, stability and prosperity, and may he maintain love and brotherhood between our peoples.”

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, sent his best wishes.

“We congratulate the king, government and people of Bahrain on its National Day, and we ask God to protect Bahrain and its people and to grant them goodness, nobility and prosperity,” he wrote on X.

This weekend’s celebration marks the accession of King Isa bin Salman – King Hamad's father – on December 16, 1961.

It was under his reign that the country became independent some 10 years later.

Bahrain’s modern history began in the late 19th century, when the island became a protectorate of the British Empire.

In 1947, the island became the seat of the Gulf Residency, and home of the most senior British official in the region.

This eventually came to an end with the country's full independence on August 15, 1971. Although independence was achieved in August, Bahrain's National Day is always held later in the year in honour of the late monarch.

The President's Cake

Director: Hasan Hadi

Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem 

Rating: 4/5

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The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.

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  • 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.
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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

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Dates for the diary

To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:

  • September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
  • October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
  • October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
  • November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
  • December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
  • February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
U19&nbsp;WORLD&nbsp;CUP,&nbsp;WEST&nbsp;INDIES

UAE group fixtures (all in St Kitts)

  • Saturday 15 January: UAE beat Canada by 49 runs 
  • Thursday 20 January: v England 
  • Saturday 22 January: v Bangladesh 

UAE squad:

Alishan Sharafu (captain), Shival Bawa, Jash Giyanani, Sailles
Jaishankar, Nilansh Keswani, Aayan Khan, Punya Mehra, Ali Naseer, Ronak Panoly,
Dhruv Parashar, Vinayak Raghavan, Soorya Sathish, Aryansh Sharma, Adithya
Shetty, Kai Smith  

Updated: December 16, 2023, 6:21 AM