An MV-22 Osprey participates during a joint military helicopter borne operation drill between Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) and U. S. Marines at Higashi Fuji range in Gotemba, southwest of Tokyo, Tuesday, March 15, 2022. (AP Photo / Eugene Hoshiko)
An MV-22 Osprey participates during a joint military helicopter borne operation drill between Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) and U. S. Marines at Higashi Fuji range in Gotemba, southwest of Tokyo, Tuesday, March 15, 2022. (AP Photo / Eugene Hoshiko)
Women compete in a tug-of-war game in the compound of a Hindu temple in Hungloh, a village south of Dharamshala, India. AP
Women compete in a tug-of-war game in the compound of a Hindu temple in Hungloh, a village south of Dharamshala, India. AP
A person stands by a road during a snowstorm in Nuuk, the capital city of Greenland. Reuters
A person stands by a road during a snowstorm in Nuuk, the capital city of Greenland. Reuters
Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi. Vietnam expects to fully reopen to tourism from March 15, after two years in which all international flights were cancelled. EPA
Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi. Vietnam expects to fully reopen to tourism from March 15, after two years in which all international flights were cancelled. EPA
A police officer wearing personal protective equipment carries food and daily supplies for residents of an area under restrictions owing to the spread of the coronavirus in Manzhouli in China’s northern Inner Mongolia region. AFP
A police officer wearing personal protective equipment carries food and daily supplies for residents of an area under restrictions owing to the spread of the coronavirus in Manzhouli in China’s northern Inner Mongolia region. AFP
A worker welds metal inside the Interpipe Steel plant in Dnipro, Ukraine. Exports of steel gas pipes to Texas oil companies and railway wheels to European high-speed train operators has been put on hold as hundreds of the company’s 10,000 employees in the country have joined the fight against Russia. Working with a skeleton crew, Interpipe facilities are running canteens and making metal barriers to block Russian tanks and convoys. At night, its bomb shelters house dozens of local families. AP
A worker welds metal inside the Interpipe Steel plant in Dnipro, Ukraine. Exports of steel gas pipes to Texas oil companies and railway wheels to European high-speed train operators has been put on hold as hundreds of the company’s 10,000 employees in the country have joined the fight against Russia. Working with a skeleton crew, Interpipe facilities are running canteens and making metal barriers to block Russian tanks and convoys. At night, its bomb shelters house dozens of local families. AP
People pose for pictures in front a giant lollipop in the departure hall of Changi International Airport in Singapore. AFP
People pose for pictures in front a giant lollipop in the departure hall of Changi International Airport in Singapore. AFP
A helicopter flies next to the Eiffel Tower to place a new telecoms transmission antenna on its top, in Paris, France. Reuters
A helicopter flies next to the Eiffel Tower to place a new telecoms transmission antenna on its top, in Paris, France. Reuters
A woman who fled to Belgium after Russia invaded Ukraine queues, wrapped in a blanket, outside an immigration office in Brussels. The first temporary reception centre for Ukrainian refugees has been closed and was replaced by a one with twice the capacity at Palais 8 on the Heysel Plateau. Figures released by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees indicate more than 2. 8 million people have fled Ukraine since February 24, 2022. EPA
A woman who fled to Belgium after Russia invaded Ukraine queues, wrapped in a blanket, outside an immigration office in Brussels. The first temporary reception centre for Ukrainian refugees has been closed and was replaced by a one with twice the capacity at Palais 8 on the Heysel Plateau. Figures released by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees indicate more than 2. 8 million people have fled Ukraine since February 24, 2022. EPA
A plane flies past the Washington Monument in Washington, DC, at sunset. AFP
A plane flies past the Washington Monument in Washington, DC, at sunset. AFP

World

Today's best photos: from a helicopter in the mist to a plane at sunset

'The National' picks the most striking images from around the world

The National

March 15, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

More from 'The National':

Monday's best photos: from the Paralympics to water shortages

Sunday's best photos: from a green river to National Elephant Day

Saturday's best photos: from the Dragon of Calais to Lathmar Holi hymns

Friday's best photos: from dogs at Crufts to Batman on the Edge in New York

Thursday's best photos: from lions at Kyiv Zoo to Mount Merapi eruption

On Women's Day

White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogenChromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxideUltramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica contentOphiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on landOlivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour

On Women's Day
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn

The Kingfisher Secret
Anonymous, Penguin Books

German intelligence warnings
  • 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
  • 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
  • 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250 

Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
While you're here
The rules on fostering in the UAE

A foster couple or family must:

  • be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
  • not be younger than 25 years old
  • not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
  • be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
  • have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
  • undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
  • A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
BMW M5 specs

Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor

Power: 727hp

Torque: 1,000Nm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh650,000

more from Janine di Giovanni
While you're here
While you're here
Match info

Who: India v Afghanistan
What: One-off Test match, Bengaluru
When: June 14 to 18
TV: OSN Sports Cricket HD, 8am starts
Online: OSN Play (subscribers only)

Dust and sand storms compared

Sand storm

  • Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
  • Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
  • Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
  • Travel distance: Limited 
  • Source: Open desert areas with strong winds

Dust storm

  • Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
  • Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
  • Duration: Can linger for days
  • Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
  • Source: Can be carried from distant regions
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

Results

5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 2,200m; Winner: Gurm, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)

5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Al Nafece, Al Muatasm Al Balushi, Mohammed Ramadan

6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Ashton Tourettes, Adrie de Vries, Ibrahim Aseel

6.30pm: Arabian Triple Crown – Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Ottoman, Adrie de Vries, Abdallah Al Hammadi

7pm: Liwa Oasis – Group 2 (PA) 300,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Hakeemat Muscat, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami

7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Ganbaru, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi

Updated: March 15, 2022, 2:32 PM
Photography