• Al Bateen beach, Abu Dhabi. Photo by Seenu R
    Al Bateen beach, Abu Dhabi. Photo by Seenu R
  • Amidst the pandemic, a morning run at the Beach in JBR with this view of the Ain Dubai and the birds makes one feel relaxed and at peace. "It's better to have a good name than great riches." Photo by Dhes Handumon
    Amidst the pandemic, a morning run at the Beach in JBR with this view of the Ain Dubai and the birds makes one feel relaxed and at peace. "It's better to have a good name than great riches." Photo by Dhes Handumon
  • Jebel Hafeet, Al Ain. "A peaceful environment and a wonderful travel partner makes the best pair." Photo by Annlin Sophia
    Jebel Hafeet, Al Ain. "A peaceful environment and a wonderful travel partner makes the best pair." Photo by Annlin Sophia
  • Beaver moon - camping at Bu Tais. Photo by Adam Tesdale
    Beaver moon - camping at Bu Tais. Photo by Adam Tesdale
  • Rediscovering Abu Dhabi - Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Photo by Sandra Sfeirova
    Rediscovering Abu Dhabi - Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Photo by Sandra Sfeirova
  • Exploring Dubai. Photo by Asif Nasir
    Exploring Dubai. Photo by Asif Nasir
  • End to a wavy rough 2020... picture at Fossil rocks Abu Dhabi. Photo by Ewald Gonsalves
    End to a wavy rough 2020... picture at Fossil rocks Abu Dhabi. Photo by Ewald Gonsalves
  • Camels in the desert ... A covid free world. Photo by Ewald Gonsalves
    Camels in the desert ... A covid free world. Photo by Ewald Gonsalves
  • Dont let the sun go down on you ....Dubai skyline. Photo by Ewald Gonsalves
    Dont let the sun go down on you ....Dubai skyline. Photo by Ewald Gonsalves
  • Halloween Blue Moon! Shot from Al Nagfa, Al Ain , UAE. Photo by Biblin Nelson
    Halloween Blue Moon! Shot from Al Nagfa, Al Ain , UAE. Photo by Biblin Nelson
  • These are my photos clicked when I came to my family after the London lockdown was initiated in March 2020 since then I'm here, capturing my favourite places in the UAE. Photo by Kryselle Barretto
    These are my photos clicked when I came to my family after the London lockdown was initiated in March 2020 since then I'm here, capturing my favourite places in the UAE. Photo by Kryselle Barretto

Goodbye 2020: 'The National' readers' photos of the year


  • English
  • Arabic

The Year in pictures:

The National’s best staff photographer photos of 2020 - chosen by our readers

The best of the Big Picture: Images of 2020

How The National told the story of 2020 - in 27 front pages

Ruwais timeline

1971 Abu Dhabi National Oil Company established

1980 Ruwais Housing Complex built, located 10 kilometres away from industrial plants

1982 120,000 bpd capacity Ruwais refinery complex officially inaugurated by the founder of the UAE Sheikh Zayed

1984 Second phase of Ruwais Housing Complex built. Today the 7,000-unit complex houses some 24,000 people.  

1985 The refinery is expanded with the commissioning of a 27,000 b/d hydro cracker complex

2009 Plans announced to build $1.2 billion fertilizer plant in Ruwais, producing urea

2010 Adnoc awards $10bn contracts for expansion of Ruwais refinery, to double capacity from 415,000 bpd

2014 Ruwais 261-outlet shopping mall opens

2014 Production starts at newly expanded Ruwais refinery, providing jet fuel and diesel and allowing the UAE to be self-sufficient for petrol supplies

2014 Etihad Rail begins transportation of sulphur from Shah and Habshan to Ruwais for export

2017 Aldar Academies to operate Adnoc’s schools including in Ruwais from September. Eight schools operate in total within the housing complex.

2018 Adnoc announces plans to invest $3.1 billion on upgrading its Ruwais refinery 

2018 NMC Healthcare selected to manage operations of Ruwais Hospital

2018 Adnoc announces new downstream strategy at event in Abu Dhabi on May 13

Source: The National

The distance learning plan

Spring break will be from March 8 - 19

Public school pupils will undergo distance learning from March 22 - April 2. School hours will be 8.30am to 1.30pm

Staff will be trained in distance learning programmes from March 15 - 19

Teaching hours will be 8am to 2pm during distance learning

Pupils will return to school for normal lessons from April 5

Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

RESULTS

6.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (Dirt) 1.600m
Winner: Miller’s House, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).

7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Kanood, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass.

7.50pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Gervais, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.

8.15pm: The Garhoud Sprint Listed (TB) Dh 132,500 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Important Mission, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.

8.50pm: The Entisar Listed (TB) Dh 132,500 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Firnas, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.

9.25pm: Conditions (TB) Dh 120,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Zhou Storm, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.