• Punjab Grill, an upscale Indian restaurant, has opened in the Venetian Village within the Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal. The restaurant opened last Wednesday (November 25) and will celebrate its official launch on December 21. Punjab Grill serves up North Indian/Punjabi cuisine and is the only Indian restaurant in Venetian Village. Signature bites include tandoori guchchi; salmon tikka; chaamp tajdar (slowly braised lamb chops); and tandoori duck. Punjab Grill is a popular eatery in India with several locations throughout the country. There is also a Punjab Grill in Singapore, with plans to open other locations in Bangkok and Washington, DC. This is the first Middle East location. For reservations, call 02 449 9839. www.venetianvillage.ae
• Nando's is offering free desserts during the festive season. The casual eatery, famous for its flame-grilled peri peri chicken, will have buy one, get one free offers on its entire dessert menu throughout December. Choose from Nando's four signature desserts: carrot cake; chocolate peanut butter stacks; chocolate nut torta filled with Nutella; and salted caramel cheesecake. Each dessert is normally Dh26 each. For December, you'll get two desserts for Dh26. The offer is available at all Nando's locations across the UAE. www.nandos.ae
• Check out the new Hakkatini Nights at Hakkasan Abu Dhabi for a relaxed, post-work evening out. Guests get two signature beverages and three classic dim sum for just Dh80. Dim sum selections include har gow (shrimp dumpling), Chinese chive dumpling and a taro croquette. The offer is available daily from 6pm to 8pm. Hakkasan Abu Dhabi is in Emirates Palace on Corniche Road. For reservations, call 02 690 7999.
• The Sportsman's Arms, the new gastropub in Zayed Sports City, has just launched weekend roasts. Dig into roast striploin of beef; leg of lamb; and turkey with sides that include sweet potato mash; cauliflower cheese; green beans; gravy and Yorkshire pudding. General manager Simon Housecroft says, "We have a fondness for cooking simple ingredients incredibly well. We welcome our guests to treat themselves to a remarkable dining experience within a traditional pub setting." The authentic roasts are available every Saturday and Sunday from noon to 11pm. Dh95 or Dh110 for a mixed choice of meats. For reservations, call 02 403 4235.
The Birkin bag is made by Hermès.
It is named after actress and singer Jane Birkin
Noone from Hermès will go on record to say how much a new Birkin costs, how long one would have to wait to get one, and how many bags are actually made each year.
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
Essentials
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Delhi from about Dh950 return including taxes.
The hotels
Double rooms at Tijara Fort-Palace cost from 6,670 rupees (Dh377), including breakfast.
Doubles at Fort Bishangarh cost from 29,030 rupees (Dh1,641), including breakfast. Doubles at Narendra Bhawan cost from 15,360 rupees (Dh869). Doubles at Chanoud Garh cost from 19,840 rupees (Dh1,122), full board. Doubles at Fort Begu cost from 10,000 rupees (Dh565), including breakfast.
The tours
Amar Grover travelled with Wild Frontiers. A tailor-made, nine-day itinerary via New Delhi, with one night in Tijara and two nights in each of the remaining properties, including car/driver, costs from £1,445 (Dh6,968) per person.
MATCH INFO
Euro 2020 qualifier
Ukraine 2 (Yaremchuk 06', Yarmolenko 27')
Portugal 1 (Ronaldo 72' pen)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Jeff Buckley: From Hallelujah To The Last Goodbye
By Dave Lory with Jim Irvin
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Brief scores:
Kashima Antlers 0
River Plate 4
Zuculini 24', Martinez 73', 90 2', Borre 89' (pen)
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Credits
Produced by: Colour Yellow Productions and Eros Now
Director: Mudassar Aziz
Cast: Sonakshi Sinha, Jimmy Sheirgill, Jassi Gill, Piyush Mishra, Diana Penty, Aparshakti Khurrana
Star rating: 2.5/5
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
Keep it fun and engaging
Stuart Ritchie, director of wealth advice at AES International, says children cannot learn something overnight, so it helps to have a fun routine that keeps them engaged and interested.
“I explain to my daughter that the money I draw from an ATM or the money on my bank card doesn’t just magically appear – it’s money I have earned from my job. I show her how this works by giving her little chores around the house so she can earn pocket money,” says Mr Ritchie.
His daughter is allowed to spend half of her pocket money, while the other half goes into a bank account. When this money hits a certain milestone, Mr Ritchie rewards his daughter with a small lump sum.
He also recommends books that teach the importance of money management for children, such as The Squirrel Manifesto by Ric Edelman and Jean Edelman.
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
