• A view of part of the ancient Kirkuk Citadel in Iraq's northern city of Kirkuk, the capital of the Kirkuk governorate.
    A view of part of the ancient Kirkuk Citadel in Iraq's northern city of Kirkuk, the capital of the Kirkuk governorate.
  • Kirkuk Citadel is located in the centre of Kirkuk and is one of the oldest parts of the urban city. AFP
    Kirkuk Citadel is located in the centre of Kirkuk and is one of the oldest parts of the urban city. AFP
  • Some historians believe its oldest parts were built by the Gutian nomadic people and that it was renowned as far back as 3,500 years ago.
    Some historians believe its oldest parts were built by the Gutian nomadic people and that it was renowned as far back as 3,500 years ago.
  • Other historians believe Kirkuk Citadel was built during the reign of the Assyrian king Ashur Nasirpal II between 850 and 884 BC. AFP
    Other historians believe Kirkuk Citadel was built during the reign of the Assyrian king Ashur Nasirpal II between 850 and 884 BC. AFP
  • But in a country battered by years of conflict and government negligence, compounded by climate change, many of Iraq's Christian, Islamic and Mesopotamian historic sites have been left to weather away. AFP
    But in a country battered by years of conflict and government negligence, compounded by climate change, many of Iraq's Christian, Islamic and Mesopotamian historic sites have been left to weather away. AFP
  • Officials are hopeful that the site can be promoted from its current position of Unesco’s tentative list of heritage sites to the coveted World Heritage List.
    Officials are hopeful that the site can be promoted from its current position of Unesco’s tentative list of heritage sites to the coveted World Heritage List.
  • For without protection this status would bring, the site is likely to crumble into worse disrepair. AFP
    For without protection this status would bring, the site is likely to crumble into worse disrepair. AFP

MENA

The ancient citadel of Kirkuk - in pictures

Officials are hopeful that the weather-beaten site can be included on Unesco’s prestigious World Heritage List

The National

May 25, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

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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

Most match wins on clay

Guillermo Vilas - 659

Manuel Orantes - 501

Thomas Muster - 422

Rafael Nadal - 399 *

Jose Higueras - 378

Eddie Dibbs - 370

Ilie Nastase - 338

Carlos Moya - 337

Ivan Lendl - 329

Andres Gomez - 322

While you're here
The biog

Nickname: Mama Nadia to children, staff and parents

Education: Bachelors degree in English Literature with Social work from UAE University

As a child: Kept sweets on the window sill for workers, set aside money to pay for education of needy families

Holidays: Spends most of her days off at Senses often with her family who describe the centre as part of their life too

While you're here
You might also like
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If you go...

Etihad flies daily from Abu Dhabi to Zurich, with fares starting from Dh2,807 return. Frequent high speed trains between Zurich and Vienna make stops at St. Anton.

While you're here

Reputation

Taylor Swift

(Big Machine Records)

The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors

Power: Combined output 920hp

Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic

Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km

On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025

Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

While you're here
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

Heather, the Totality
Matthew Weiner,
Canongate 

UAE currency
MATCH INFO

Argentina 47 (Tries: Sanchez, Tuculet (2), Mallia (2), De La Fuente, Bertranou; Cons: Sanchez 5, Urdapilleta)

United States 17 (Tries: Scully (2), Lasike; Cons: MacGinty)

RESULTS

6.30pm: Meydan Sprint Group 2 US$175,000 1,000m
Winner: Ertijaal, Jim Crowley (jockey), Ali Rashid Al Raihe (trainer)

7.05pm: Handicap $60,000 1,400m
Winner: Secret Ambition, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar

7.40pm: Handicap $160,000 1,400m
Winner: Raven’s Corner, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar

8.15pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes Group 3 $200,000 2,000m
Winner: Folkswood, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

8.50pm: Zabeel Mile Group 2 $250,000 1,600m
Winner: Janoobi, Jim Crowley, Mike de Kock

9.25pm: Handicap $125,000 1,600m
Winner: Capezzano, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer

While you're here
While you're here

First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus 

The specs

Engine 60kwh FWD

Battery Rimac 120kwh Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (LiNiMnCoO2) chemistry

Power 204hp Torque 360Nm

Price, base / as tested Dh174,500 

Test

Director: S Sashikanth

Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan

Star rating: 2/5

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Iraq