It was reported earlier this week that 230,000 trips had been made between Dubai and Oman this past Eid Al Adha, with tourists enjoying holiday breaks across both sides of the border. Dubai Customs said it had 1,400 employees working around the clock during the holiday period to deal with the rush.
In contrast, what you see here is a scene at an Abu Dhabi border 53 years ago, in July 1965: a small building with a traditional barjeel – or wind tower – a lone Land Rover, the Abu Dhabi flag flying overhead and probably only a handful of military members manning the post.
Granted, it wasn't a busy holiday weekend that July, and the exact location remains unclear, but it must have been a desolate posting – though one taken out of a deep sense of duty and pride, as the emirate began to transform and develop. A year later, Sheikh Zayed would become the Ruler of Abu Dhabi.
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Read more:
Fifty years on: How the opening of the bridge to everywhere changed the face of Abu Dhabi
WATCH: How Land Rovers dominated the seven emirates 50 years ago
The dirham in your wallet has something of note to celebrate this weekend
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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
Queen
Nicki Minaj
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Match info:
Leicester City 1
Ghezzal (63')
Liverpool 2
Mane (10'), Firmino (45')
