Bright is all right
Sunglasses are a year-round necessity here in the UAE but, in some other countries, spring is the time of year to invest in some nice sunglasses, so we're going to embrace that fact. First up are these eye-catching Danica Patrick Nascar wraparound shades. Brightly coloured and reasonably priced, they're a winner.
store.nascar.com. Dh55.
Porsche poser
If you're looking for sunnies with a bit more sophistication, this Porsche Design pair is the ones for you. The shape is classic but with a modern twist in that there's a carbon fibre-like design running across the top of them. In addition to this cool black pair they also come in dark brown Havana, dark red and blue.
Check them out at porsche-design.com. Dh1,100.
The right Formula
These 2012 Sebastian Vettel/Red Bull Racing shades are so new they're not even on the Red Bull store website yet. Luckily we tracked them down so you, too, can wear the sunglasses the two-time F1 champion will sport this season. Navy, and badged with the official team logo, you're bound to look like a winner in them.
f1store.formula1.com. Dh443.
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: SimpliFi
Started: August 2021
Founder: Ali Sattar
Based: UAE
Industry: Finance, technology
Investors: 4DX, Rally Cap, Raed, Global Founders, Sukna and individuals
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
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
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
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
