Debutants dance a waltz during the opening ceremony of the traditional 65th Vienna Opera Ball at the Wiener Staatsoper (Vienna State Opera) in Vienna, Austria, 16 February 2023. EPA / CHRISTIAN BRUNA
Debutants dance a waltz during the opening ceremony of the traditional 65th Vienna Opera Ball at the Wiener Staatsoper (Vienna State Opera) in Vienna, Austria, 16 February 2023. EPA / CHRISTIAN BRUNA
Former FTX chief executive Sam Bankman-Fried, who faces fraud charges over the collapse of the bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange, arrives at the Manhattan federal court in New York. Reuters
Former FTX chief executive Sam Bankman-Fried, who faces fraud charges over the collapse of the bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange, arrives at the Manhattan federal court in New York. Reuters
A fruit and vegetable market in Lahore. Many Pakistanis are worried about how they will survive after the government tabled a bill to raise about $640 million in tax revenue. AP
A fruit and vegetable market in Lahore. Many Pakistanis are worried about how they will survive after the government tabled a bill to raise about $640 million in tax revenue. AP
Revellers dance during a street carnival organised by staff members and patients of a psychiatric hospital in Rio de Janeiro. The parade starts inside the hospital and winds its way through the streets of the city's Engenho de Dentro district. AFP
Revellers dance during a street carnival organised by staff members and patients of a psychiatric hospital in Rio de Janeiro. The parade starts inside the hospital and winds its way through the streets of the city's Engenho de Dentro district. AFP
US actress Kristen Stewart poses on the red carpet in Berlin as she arrives for the premiere of the film, She Came To Me. AFP
US actress Kristen Stewart poses on the red carpet in Berlin as she arrives for the premiere of the film, She Came To Me. AFP
French sailor Tanguy de Lamotte, chief executive of Candela US, drives the company's 'flying' electric C-8 boat in Sausalito, California. AFP
French sailor Tanguy de Lamotte, chief executive of Candela US, drives the company's 'flying' electric C-8 boat in Sausalito, California. AFP
Ukrainian soldiers wait at the entrance of a shelter in Bakhmut during fighting. The head of Russia's mercenary outfit Wagner said it could take months to capture the embattled Ukrainian city. AFP
Ukrainian soldiers wait at the entrance of a shelter in Bakhmut during fighting. The head of Russia's mercenary outfit Wagner said it could take months to capture the embattled Ukrainian city. AFP
A drone-generated image of Kuwait City's skyline hovers above the coast as Kuwait celebrates its 62nd independence day and the 32nd anniversary of the end of the First Gulf War. AFP
A drone-generated image of Kuwait City's skyline hovers above the coast as Kuwait celebrates its 62nd independence day and the 32nd anniversary of the end of the First Gulf War. AFP
Ali Cakas takes care of "Enkaz," the cat rescued from rubble by the members of Mardin Fire Department and becomes the source of joy as the search and rescue efforts continue. Getty
Ali Cakas takes care of "Enkaz," the cat rescued from rubble by the members of Mardin Fire Department and becomes the source of joy as the search and rescue efforts continue. Getty
Protesters dressed in mock prison outfits take part in a demonstration against the French government's pension reform plan in Paris. Reuters
Protesters dressed in mock prison outfits take part in a demonstration against the French government's pension reform plan in Paris. Reuters
A woman holds a cage with her pet bird as she leaves the Turkish city of Hatay with her husband after a powerful earthquake that toppled thousands of buildings. EPA
A woman holds a cage with her pet bird as she leaves the Turkish city of Hatay with her husband after a powerful earthquake that toppled thousands of buildings. EPA
A girl plays with a doll in Guwahati, India. Unicef estimates that at least 1.5 million girls under 18 get married in India every year, making it home to the largest number of child brides in the world. AP
A girl plays with a doll in Guwahati, India. Unicef estimates that at least 1.5 million girls under 18 get married in India every year, making it home to the largest number of child brides in the world. AP
Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley reacts to a foul call during the first half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Colorado. AP
Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley reacts to a foul call during the first half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Colorado. AP
Golf fans watch Tiger Woods during the first round of the Genesis Invitational tournament in Los Angeles. AP
Golf fans watch Tiger Woods during the first round of the Genesis Invitational tournament in Los Angeles. AP
Anne Hathaway and husband Adam Shulman attend the premiere of the film, She Came to Me, in Berlin. Getty
Anne Hathaway and husband Adam Shulman attend the premiere of the film, She Came to Me, in Berlin. Getty
A worker stands at the site where a building once stood in Hatay. More than 41,000 people have died after an earthquake struck southern Turkey last week. EPA
A worker stands at the site where a building once stood in Hatay. More than 41,000 people have died after an earthquake struck southern Turkey last week. EPA
Revellers celebrate Women's Carnival Day carnival in Cologne, Germany. The Thursday parade of the 'Old Wives' heralds the beginning of the street carnival. EPA
Revellers celebrate Women's Carnival Day carnival in Cologne, Germany. The Thursday parade of the 'Old Wives' heralds the beginning of the street carnival. EPA
An employee works inside glove-making factory in Sri Lanka's Free Trade Zone in Biyagama. AFP
An employee works inside glove-making factory in Sri Lanka's Free Trade Zone in Biyagama. AFP

World

Today's best photos: from the 65th Vienna Opera Ball to a rubber glove factory

The National picks the most striking images from around the world

The National

February 17, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

More from The National:

Thursday's best photos: from burning coca plants to protests in Beirut

Wednesday's best photos: from the Taj Mahal to a sink hole in Poland

Tuesday's best photos: from Valentine's Day celebrations to a carnival parade

Monday's best photos: from Oman's cycle tour to Rihanna's half-time show

Sunday's best photos: from Russia cross-country skiing to the Great Wall of China

Saturday's best photos: from carnival in Venice to cycling in Oman

The National Archives, Abu Dhabi

Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.

Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en

WHAT%20MACRO%20FACTORS%20ARE%20IMPACTING%20META%20TECH%20MARKETS%3F
%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Looming%20global%20slowdown%20and%20recession%20in%20key%20economies%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Russia-Ukraine%20war%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Interest%20rate%20hikes%20and%20the%20rising%20cost%20of%20debt%20servicing%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Oil%20price%20volatility%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Persisting%20inflationary%20pressures%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Exchange%20rate%20fluctuations%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Shortage%20of%20labour%2Fskills%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20A%20resurgence%20of%20Covid%3F%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
What's in the deal?

Agreement aims to boost trade by £25.5bn a year in the long run, compared with a total of £42.6bn in 2024

India will slash levies on medical devices, machinery, cosmetics, soft drinks and lamb.

India will also cut automotive tariffs to 10% under a quota from over 100% currently.

Indian employees in the UK will receive three years exemption from social security payments

India expects 99% of exports to benefit from zero duty, raising opportunities for textiles, marine products, footwear and jewellery

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Guide to intelligent investing
Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
  • Stay invested: Time in the market, not timing the market, is critical to long-term gains.
  • Rational thinking: Breathe and avoid emotional decision-making; let logic and planning guide your actions.
  • Strategic patience: Understand why you’re investing and allow time for your strategies to unfold.
 
 
Company%20profile
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Our commentary on Brexit
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

Infiniti QX80 specs

Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6

Power: 450hp

Torque: 700Nm

Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000

Available: Now

WOMAN AND CHILD

Director: Saeed Roustaee

Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi

Rating: 4/5

Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

Updated: February 17, 2023, 12:36 PM
World