Flight Centre UAE has a Vienna Christmas Markets offer for National Day that includes return economy airfares, airport transfers, a four-night stay in a four-star hotel and a half-day sightseeing tour of the city. Every year from mid-November, the Austrian capital draws tourists from the UAE and all over the world who seek Christmas treats and are looking for a true winter experience. Flight Centre's Vienna Christmas Markets offer is valid for stays between December 1 and December 5. Rates start from Dh3,665 per person, including taxes.
Head to a spa retreat in the desert
Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara has a Spa Essence offer available until December 31. The package includes accommodation in a deluxe room, suite or villa, daily buffet breakfast and a spa experience for two, in which you will enjoy a 60-minute stress release massage, a 60-minute Elemis dry-skin facial and a 30-minute oriental foot-reviver treatment. Qasr Al Sarab is located in Rub Al Khali, the largest uninterrupted sand desert in the world. Rates for this package start from Dh3,712 per night, including taxes.
A picnic in the Singapore gardens
The Singapore Botanic Gardens have recently been listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site and, in celebration, the Mandarin Oriental, Singapore, is offering a Picnic in the Gardens package. Available for stays until the end of March, the package includes accommodation in an Ocean Grand room with views of the Singapore Flyer, art supplies and a wellness nature experience, which includes a one-hour private tai chi lesson. Guests will also enjoy a picnic for two in the gardens. The offer is valid for a minimum of two nights, with room rates starting from Dh3,689 per night, including taxes.
Christmas on the mountains of Oman
The Alila Jabal Akhdar mountain resort in Oman has a three-day Fizz, Fire and Spice package for Christmas. The escape package, which is available for stays from between December 24 and December 27, includes a mountain-view suite, a welcome drink, daily breakfast, dinner on Christmas Eve, Christmas lunch, a Boxing Day hike and high tea, plus a Dh95 gift voucher for retail or spa services and free Wi-Fi. Alila Jabal Akhdar is perched 2,000 metres above sea level in Al Hajar Mountains and features 86 villas and suites. Rates for the Christmas offer start from Dh4,409 per night for two, including taxes for a minimum three-night stay.
mhealy@thenational.ae
STAGE 4 RESULTS
1 Sam Bennett (IRL) Deceuninck-QuickStep - 4:51:51
2 David Dekker (NED) Team Jumbo-Visma
3 Caleb Ewan (AUS) Lotto Soudal
4 Elia Viviani (ITA) Cofidis
5 Matteo Moschetti (ITA) Trek-Segafredo
General Classification
1 Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates - 12:50:21
2 Adam Yates (GBR) Teamn Ineos Grenadiers - 0:00:43
3 Joao Almeida (POR) Deceuninck-QuickStep - 0:01:03
4 Chris Harper (AUS) Jumbo-Visma - 0:01:43
5 Neilson Powless (USA) EF Education-Nippo - 0:01:45
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Friday (All UAE kick-off times)
Borussia Dortmund v Eintracht Frankfurt (11.30pm)
Saturday
Union Berlin v Bayer Leverkusen (6.30pm)
FA Augsburg v SC Freiburg (6.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Werder Bremen (6.30pm)
SC Paderborn v Hertha Berlin (6.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Wolfsburg (6.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Borussia Monchengladbach (9.30pm)
Sunday
Cologne v Bayern Munich (6.30pm)
Mainz v FC Schalke (9pm)
Match info
Liverpool 4
Salah (19'), Mane (45 2', 53'), Sturridge (87')
West Ham United 0
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Power: 650hp at 6,750rpm
Torque: 800Nm from 2,500-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel consumption: 11.12L/100km
Price: From Dh796,600
On sale: now
If you go…
Emirates launched a new daily service to Mexico City this week, flying via Barcelona from Dh3,995.
Emirati citizens are among 67 nationalities who do not require a visa to Mexico. Entry is granted on arrival for stays of up to 180 days.
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
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Women’s World T20, Asia Qualifier, in Bangkok
UAE fixtures Mon Nov 20, v China; Tue Nov 21, v Thailand; Thu Nov 23, v Nepal; Fri Nov 24, v Hong Kong; Sun Nov 26, v Malaysia; Mon Nov 27, Final
(The winners will progress to the Global Qualifier)
Nick's journey in numbers
Countries so far: 85
Flights: 149
Steps: 3.78 million
Calories: 220,000
Floors climbed: 2,000
Donations: GPB37,300
Prostate checks: 5
Blisters: 15
Bumps on the head: 2
Dog bites: 1
HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Directed by Sam Mendes
Starring Dean-Charles Chapman, George MacKay, Daniel Mays
4.5/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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