Tourists visit Al Shindagha Historic District in Bur Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
Tourists visit Al Shindagha Historic District in Bur Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
Former US president Donald Trump leaves New York State Supreme Court, on the final day of a civil fraud trial. Bloomberg
Former US president Donald Trump leaves New York State Supreme Court, on the final day of a civil fraud trial. Bloomberg
Pupils are taught how to shoot by a Taiwanese military instructor in Kaohsiung. AFP
Pupils are taught how to shoot by a Taiwanese military instructor in Kaohsiung. AFP
Palestinians prepare graves in Rafah, southern Gaza, as the Israeli onslaught on the enclave continues. EPA
Palestinians prepare graves in Rafah, southern Gaza, as the Israeli onslaught on the enclave continues. EPA
A member of Afghan security forces stands near the scene of an explosion in the Dasht-e-Barchi district of Kabul. AFP
A member of Afghan security forces stands near the scene of an explosion in the Dasht-e-Barchi district of Kabul. AFP
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, held in a northern penal colony, appears by video link in a Supreme Court hearing in Moscow. Reuters
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, held in a northern penal colony, appears by video link in a Supreme Court hearing in Moscow. Reuters
Visitors at the Las Vegas Convention Centre during the Consumer Electronics Show. AFP
Visitors at the Las Vegas Convention Centre during the Consumer Electronics Show. AFP
Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis is interviewed after a debate with former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley in Des Moines, Iowa. EPA
Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis is interviewed after a debate with former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley in Des Moines, Iowa. EPA
A new mosque with a glass dome is being built in Al Dhaid, Sharjah. Chris Whiteoak / The National
A new mosque with a glass dome is being built in Al Dhaid, Sharjah. Chris Whiteoak / The National
French tennis player Adrian Mannarino watches the roof close on the Rod Laver Arena during a practice session in Melbourne, before the Australian Open. AFP
French tennis player Adrian Mannarino watches the roof close on the Rod Laver Arena during a practice session in Melbourne, before the Australian Open. AFP
Illuminated ice sculptures glow at Harbin Ice and Snow World, in China's northern Heilongjiang province. AFP
Illuminated ice sculptures glow at Harbin Ice and Snow World, in China's northern Heilongjiang province. AFP
Performers take part in the traditional Three Wise Men Parade in Cordoba, Spain, on the eve of Epiphany. EPA
Performers take part in the traditional Three Wise Men Parade in Cordoba, Spain, on the eve of Epiphany. EPA
A barn surrounded by flooded fields after heavy rain during Storm Henk in Nottinghamshire, Britain. Reuters
A barn surrounded by flooded fields after heavy rain during Storm Henk in Nottinghamshire, Britain. Reuters
Women mark the anniversary of the death of Abu Bakr Siddiq, the first Caliph of Islam, at Hazratbal Shrine in Srinagar, in Indian-controlled Kashmir. AP
Women mark the anniversary of the death of Abu Bakr Siddiq, the first Caliph of Islam, at Hazratbal Shrine in Srinagar, in Indian-controlled Kashmir. AP
Orthodox Christians jump to catch a wooden crucifix during Epiphany celebrations in Piraeus, Greece. Reuters
Orthodox Christians jump to catch a wooden crucifix during Epiphany celebrations in Piraeus, Greece. Reuters
The White Day parade during the Carnival of Blacks and Whites in Pasto, Colombia. AFP
The White Day parade during the Carnival of Blacks and Whites in Pasto, Colombia. AFP
Ethiopian Orthodox faithful during a Christmas Eve celebration at Bole Medhanialem Church in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Reuters
Ethiopian Orthodox faithful during a Christmas Eve celebration at Bole Medhanialem Church in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Reuters
Fire engulfs a Rohingya refugee camp at Kutupalong in Cox's Bazar district, Bangladesh. AP
Fire engulfs a Rohingya refugee camp at Kutupalong in Cox's Bazar district, Bangladesh. AP
A party is thrown in Mexico City for a German shepherd donated by Turkey to Mexico after a rescue dog from the country died searching for earthquake survivors last year. EPA
A party is thrown in Mexico City for a German shepherd donated by Turkey to Mexico after a rescue dog from the country died searching for earthquake survivors last year. EPA
Celebrations of Gena, the Ethiopian Orthodox Christmas, in Lalibela. AFP
Celebrations of Gena, the Ethiopian Orthodox Christmas, in Lalibela. AFP
A civic worker dumps election posters a day after the Awami League party led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina won Bangladesh's parliamentary elections, in Dhaka. AFP
A civic worker dumps election posters a day after the Awami League party led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina won Bangladesh's parliamentary elections, in Dhaka. AFP
Worshippers attend a service of the Nativity of Christ Liturgy at the Serbian Orthodox Church of the Holy Prince Lazar in Birmingham, central England. AFP
Worshippers attend a service of the Nativity of Christ Liturgy at the Serbian Orthodox Church of the Holy Prince Lazar in Birmingham, central England. AFP
Cuban veterans participate in a parade commemorating the 65th anniversary of Fidel Castro's entry in Havana. AFP
Cuban veterans participate in a parade commemorating the 65th anniversary of Fidel Castro's entry in Havana. AFP
Qatari driver Nasser Al Attiyah and his French co-driver Mathieu Baumel compete during Stage 3 of the Dakar Rally 2024, between Al Duwadimi and Al Salamiya, Saudi Arabia. AFP
Qatari driver Nasser Al Attiyah and his French co-driver Mathieu Baumel compete during Stage 3 of the Dakar Rally 2024, between Al Duwadimi and Al Salamiya, Saudi Arabia. AFP
Bullet trains leaving Nanjing south railway station, in China's Jiangsu province. AFP
Bullet trains leaving Nanjing south railway station, in China's Jiangsu province. AFP
Catholic devotees try to touch a glass-covered carriage carrying the Black Nazarene, during an annual religious procession in Manila. AFP
Catholic devotees try to touch a glass-covered carriage carrying the Black Nazarene, during an annual religious procession in Manila. AFP
Police search a snow-covered residential area devastated by a tsunami following an earthquake, in Suzu, Japan. Reuters
Police search a snow-covered residential area devastated by a tsunami following an earthquake, in Suzu, Japan. Reuters
State troopers climb the steps of the Nashville capitol’s rotunda before the start of a legislative session, in Tennessee. Reuters
State troopers climb the steps of the Nashville capitol’s rotunda before the start of a legislative session, in Tennessee. Reuters
Soprano Sandy Leung, left, rehearses for Orpheus & Eurydice at Sydney Opera House. EPA
Soprano Sandy Leung, left, rehearses for Orpheus & Eurydice at Sydney Opera House. EPA
A western reef heron at Jubail Mangrove Park in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
A western reef heron at Jubail Mangrove Park in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Weekend

The best photos of the week: From Al Shindagha in Dubai to Mangrove Park in Abu Dhabi

Striking pictures from around the world

The National

January 12, 2024

  • English
  • Arabic

More from The National:

Thursday's best photos: From the Australian Open to Alexei Navalny

Wednesday's best photos: From Iraq's Police Day to a rehearsal at Sydney Opera House

Tuesday's best photos: From a procession in Manila to a rally in Saudi Arabia

Monday's best photos: From a lunar mission to construction work in Hanoi

Sunday's best photos: From Colombia's White Day parade to Mexico's Three Wise Men event

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
While you're here
Jigra
Director: Vasan Bala
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
Rated: 3.5/5
UAE SQUAD FOR ASIAN JIU-JITSU CHAMPIONSHIP

Men’s squad: Faisal Al Ketbi, Omar Al Fadhli, Zayed Al Kathiri, Thiab Al Nuaimi, Khaled Al Shehhi, Mohamed Ali Al Suwaidi, Farraj Khaled Al Awlaqi, Muhammad Al Ameri, Mahdi Al Awlaqi, Saeed Al Qubaisi, Abdullah Al Qubaisi and Hazaa Farhan

Women's squad: Hamda Al Shekheili, Shouq Al Dhanhani, Balqis Abdullah, Sharifa Al Namani, Asma Al Hosani, Maitha Sultan, Bashayer Al Matrooshi, Maha Al Hanaei, Shamma Al Kalbani, Haya Al Jahuri, Mahra Mahfouz, Marwa Al Hosani, Tasneem Al Jahoori and Maryam Al Amri

The President's Cake

Director: Hasan Hadi

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

Rating: 4/5

The Sand Castle

Director: Matty Brown

Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea

Rating: 2.5/5

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

The%20specs%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%204cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E261hp%20at%205%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E400Nm%20at%201%2C750-4%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10.5L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C999%20(VX%20Luxury)%3B%20from%20Dh149%2C999%20(VX%20Black%20Gold)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
EA Sports FC 26

Publisher: EA Sports

Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S

Rating: 3/5

The%20US%20Congress%20explained
%3Cp%3E-%20Congress%20is%20one%20of%20three%20branches%20of%20the%20US%20government%2C%20and%20the%20one%20that%20creates%20the%20nation's%20federal%20laws%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20Congress%20is%20divided%20into%20two%20chambers%3A%20The%20House%20of%20Representatives%20and%20the%20Senate%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%C2%A0The%20House%20is%20made%20up%20of%20435%20members%20based%20on%20a%20state's%20population.%20House%20members%20are%20up%20for%20election%20every%20two%20years%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20A%20bill%20must%20be%20approved%20by%20both%20the%20House%20and%20Senate%20before%20it%20goes%20to%20the%20president's%20desk%20for%20signature%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20A%20political%20party%20needs%20218%20seats%20to%20be%20in%20control%20of%20the%20House%20of%20Representatives%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20The%20Senate%20is%20comprised%20of%20100%20members%2C%20with%20each%20state%20receiving%20two%20senators.%20Senate%20members%20serve%20six-year%20terms%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20A%20political%20party%20needs%2051%20seats%20to%20control%20the%20Senate.%20In%20the%20case%20of%20a%2050-50%20tie%2C%20the%20party%20of%20the%20president%20controls%20the%20Senate%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer

Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000

Engine 3.6L V6

Transmission: Six-speed automatic

Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm

Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm

Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km

Wicked: For Good

Director: Jon M Chu

Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater

Rating: 4/5

MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
  • Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000 
  • Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000 
  • Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000 
  • Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000 
  • HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000 
  • Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000 
  • Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000 
  • Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000 
  • Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000 
  • Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000 
  • Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000 
  • Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
  • Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
  • Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
Updated: January 12, 2024, 6:01 PM
Weekend