• Paragliders perform during the UAE 45th National Day celebration held at the corniche in Fujairah. Pawan Singh / The National
    Paragliders perform during the UAE 45th National Day celebration held at the corniche in Fujairah. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Armed Forces Honour Guard stand to attention for the national anthem during a flag raising ceremony in celebration of National Day, at the Breakwater in Abu Dhabi. Mohamed Al Suwaidi / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
    Armed Forces Honour Guard stand to attention for the national anthem during a flag raising ceremony in celebration of National Day, at the Breakwater in Abu Dhabi. Mohamed Al Suwaidi / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
  • Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Sharjah, right, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad, Crown Prince of Fujairah, second right, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, third right, Sheikh Rashid bin Saud, Crown Prince of Umm Al Quwain, fourth right, Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid, Crown Prince of Ajman, left, Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, second left, and Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, third left, Crown Princes and dignitaries attend a flag raising ceremony in celebration of the UAE’s 45th National Day, at the Breakwater in Abu Dhabi. Mohamed Al Suwaidi / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
    Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Sharjah, right, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad, Crown Prince of Fujairah, second right, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, third right, Sheikh Rashid bin Saud, Crown Prince of Umm Al Quwain, fourth right, Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid, Crown Prince of Ajman, left, Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, second left, and Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, third left, Crown Princes and dignitaries attend a flag raising ceremony in celebration of the UAE’s 45th National Day, at the Breakwater in Abu Dhabi. Mohamed Al Suwaidi / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
  • Abdul Rahman, 10, celebrates National Day at City Walk. Reem Mohammed / The National
    Abdul Rahman, 10, celebrates National Day at City Walk. Reem Mohammed / The National
  • Khawla, 8, Mariam, 11, and Abdul Rahman, 10, at City Walk Dubai during UAE National Day. Reem Mohammed / The National
    Khawla, 8, Mariam, 11, and Abdul Rahman, 10, at City Walk Dubai during UAE National Day. Reem Mohammed / The National
  • City Walk Dubai during UAE National Day. Reem Mohammed / The National
    City Walk Dubai during UAE National Day. Reem Mohammed / The National
  • Bikers take a break during the midway point on their Abu Dhabi to RAK ride to celebrate National Day. Duncan Chard for the National
    Bikers take a break during the midway point on their Abu Dhabi to RAK ride to celebrate National Day. Duncan Chard for the National
  • Bikers take a break during the midway point on their Abu Dhabi to RAK ride to celebrate National Day. Duncan Chard for the National
    Bikers take a break during the midway point on their Abu Dhabi to RAK ride to celebrate National Day. Duncan Chard for the National
  • Bikers take a break during the midway point on their Abu Dhabi to RAK ride to celebrate National Day. Duncan Chard for the National
    Bikers take a break during the midway point on their Abu Dhabi to RAK ride to celebrate National Day. Duncan Chard for the National
  • Artists from Vietnam perform during the UAE 45th National Day celebration held at Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development Centre in Fujairah. Pawan Singh / The National
    Artists from Vietnam perform during the UAE 45th National Day celebration held at Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development Centre in Fujairah. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Artists from Vietnam perform during the UAE 45th National Day celebration held at Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development Centre in Fujairah. Pawan Singh / The National
    Artists from Vietnam perform during the UAE 45th National Day celebration held at Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development Centre in Fujairah. Pawan Singh / The National
  • A resident helps construct a mosaic at the 45th National Day event on Yas Island Marina. Mona Al Marzooqi/ The National
    A resident helps construct a mosaic at the 45th National Day event on Yas Island Marina. Mona Al Marzooqi/ The National
  • The Nya & Groovebusters band performs at the National Day event on Yas Island. Mona Al Marzooqi/ The National
    The Nya & Groovebusters band performs at the National Day event on Yas Island. Mona Al Marzooqi/ The National
  • Families gathered to celebrate 45 years of the UAE at a National Day event at Yas Marina Circuit. Mona Al Marzooqi/ The National
    Families gathered to celebrate 45 years of the UAE at a National Day event at Yas Marina Circuit. Mona Al Marzooqi/ The National
  • The UAE celebrates 45 years on Friday, December 2. Mona Al Marzooqi/ The National
    The UAE celebrates 45 years on Friday, December 2. Mona Al Marzooqi/ The National
  • National Day celebrations in Abu Dhabi. Mona Al Marzooqi/ The National
    National Day celebrations in Abu Dhabi. Mona Al Marzooqi/ The National
  • People watching the drift show in Abu Dhabi as part of National Day celebrations. Mona Al Marzooqi/ The National
    People watching the drift show in Abu Dhabi as part of National Day celebrations. Mona Al Marzooqi/ The National
  • At the Corniche family park in Abu Dhabi, families, friends and youngsters gathered during 45th National Day celebrations. Vidhyaa for The National
    At the Corniche family park in Abu Dhabi, families, friends and youngsters gathered during 45th National Day celebrations. Vidhyaa for The National
  • Yola Dance at The Promenade on Al Maryah Island as part of National Day celebrations. Vidhyaa for The National
    Yola Dance at The Promenade on Al Maryah Island as part of National Day celebrations. Vidhyaa for The National
  • Celebrations on Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi. Vidhyaa for The National
    Celebrations on Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi. Vidhyaa for The National

National Day holiday announced for private sector


  • English
  • Arabic

The UAE's private sector workers will be granted three days of public holiday to mark Commemoration Day and the country's landmark 50th National Day.

Employees will enjoy a break from Wednesday, December 1, to Friday, December 3.

The December 1 public holiday is in recognition of Commemoration Day, which remembers those who lost their lives serving their country.

Two further days of leave will be granted to allow citizens and residents to share in the UAE's grand 50th birthday celebrations.

The public holiday was confirmed by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.

Earlier, the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources confirmed public sector workers would also be given the same three-day public holiday.

It will mean a long weekend for many as the Emirates unites for a spectacular line-up of Golden Jubilee celebrations.

The UAE's official 50th National Day event will take place in Hatta on December 2.

A spectacular theatrical show will be broadcast live on December 2 at 5.30pm from a striking, natural location near the town.

People will be able to watch it on the country’s National Day website and all local TV channels.

Afterwards, an event recognising the UAE's rich history will be open to the public from December 4 to 12.

The Bio

Name: Lynn Davison

Profession: History teacher at Al Yasmina Academy, Abu Dhabi

Children: She has one son, Casey, 28

Hometown: Pontefract, West Yorkshire in the UK

Favourite book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Favourite Author: CJ Sansom

Favourite holiday destination: Bali

Favourite food: A Sunday roast

EA Sports FC 26

Publisher: EA Sports

Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S

Rating: 3/5

Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
Rating: 4/5
Naga
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3EMeshal%20Al%20Jaser%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3EAdwa%20Bader%2C%20Yazeed%20Almajyul%2C%20Khalid%20Bin%20Shaddad%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Oppenheimer
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EChristopher%20Nolan%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ECillian%20Murphy%2C%20Emily%20Blunt%2C%20Robert%20Downey%20Jr%2C%20Florence%20Pugh%2C%20Matt%20Damon%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E5%2F5%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
How to increase your savings
  • Have a plan for your savings.
  • Decide on your emergency fund target and once that's achieved, assign your savings to another financial goal such as saving for a house or investing for retirement.
  • Decide on a financial goal that is important to you and put your savings to work for you.
  • It's important to have a purpose for your savings as it helps to keep you motivated to continue while also reducing the temptation to spend your savings. 

- Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

 

 

Developer: Ubisoft Montreal / Ubisoft Toronto
Publisher: Ubisoft
Platforms: Playstation 4, Xbox One, Windows
​​​​​​​Release Date: April 10

W.
Wael Kfoury
(Rotana)

57%20Seconds
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Rusty%20Cundieff%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJosh%20Hutcherson%2C%20Morgan%20Freeman%2C%20Greg%20Germann%2C%20Lovie%20Simone%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2%2F5%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

The Transfiguration

Director: Michael O’Shea

Starring: Eric Ruffin, Chloe Levine

Three stars

The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201.8-litre%204-cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E190hp%20at%205%2C200rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20320Nm%20from%201%2C800-5%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeven-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%206.7L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh111%2C195%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
'Panga'

Directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari

Starring Kangana Ranaut, Richa Chadha, Jassie Gill, Yagya Bhasin, Neena Gupta

Rating: 3.5/5

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Alaan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202021%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Parthi%20Duraisamy%20and%20Karun%20Kurien%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%247%20million%20raised%20in%20total%20%E2%80%94%20%242.5%20million%20in%20a%20seed%20round%20and%20%244.5%20million%20in%20a%20pre-series%20A%20round%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: 2.4-litre 4-cylinder

Transmission: CVT auto

Power: 181bhp

Torque: 244Nm

Price: Dh122,900 

%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nag%20Ashwin%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPrabhas%2C%20Saswata%20Chatterjee%2C%20Deepika%20Padukone%2C%20Amitabh%20Bachchan%2C%20Shobhana%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%E2%98%85%E2%98%85%E2%98%85%E2%98%85%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Law%2041.9.4%20of%20men%E2%80%99s%20T20I%20playing%20conditions
%3Cp%3EThe%20fielding%20side%20shall%20be%20ready%20to%20start%20each%20over%20within%2060%20seconds%20of%20the%20previous%20over%20being%20completed.%0D%3Cbr%3EAn%20electronic%20clock%20will%20be%20displayed%20at%20the%20ground%20that%20counts%20down%20seconds%20from%2060%20to%20zero.%0D%3Cbr%3EThe%20clock%20is%20not%20required%20or%2C%20if%20already%20started%2C%20can%20be%20cancelled%20if%3A%0D%3Cbr%3E%E2%80%A2%09A%20new%20batter%20comes%20to%20the%20wicket%20between%20overs.%0D%3Cbr%3E%E2%80%A2%09An%20official%20drinks%20interval%20has%20been%20called.%0D%3Cbr%3E%E2%80%A2%09The%20umpires%20have%20approved%20the%20on%20field%20treatment%20of%20an%20injury%20to%20a%20batter%20or%20fielder.%0D%3Cbr%3E%E2%80%A2%09The%20time%20lost%20is%20for%20any%20circumstances%20beyond%20the%20control%20of%20the%20fielding%20side.%0D%3Cbr%3E%E2%80%A2%09The%20third%20umpire%20starts%20the%20clock%20either%20when%20the%20ball%20has%20become%20dead%20at%20the%20end%20of%20the%20previous%20over%2C%20or%20a%20review%20has%20been%20completed.%0D%3Cbr%3E%E2%80%A2%09The%20team%20gets%20two%20warnings%20if%20they%20are%20not%20ready%20to%20start%20overs%20after%20the%20clock%20reaches%20zero.%0D%3Cbr%3E%E2%80%A2%09On%20the%20third%20and%20any%20subsequent%20occasion%20in%20an%20innings%2C%20the%20bowler%E2%80%99s%20end%20umpire%20awards%20five%20runs.%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut

Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKinetic%207%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202018%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Rick%20Parish%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abu%20Dhabi%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Clean%20cooking%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2410%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Self-funded%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
  • Submit their request
What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
  • Never over populated areas
  • Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
  • Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
  • Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
  • Should have a live feed of the drone flight
  • Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
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 
UAE squad to face Ireland

Ahmed Raza (captain), Chirag Suri (vice-captain), Rohan Mustafa, Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Boota, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmad, Zawar Farid, CP Rizwaan, Aryan Lakra, Karthik Meiyappan, Alishan Sharafu, Basil Hameed, Kashif Daud, Adithya Shetty, Vriitya Aravind

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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

Updated: November 25, 2021, 7:24 AM