• Staff members work on a gigantic snow sculpture for the upcoming 35th Taiyangdao Island (Sun Island) International Snow Sculpture Expo in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China, 18 December 2022 (issued 19 December 2022). EPA / XINHUA / WANG SONG CHINA OUT / MANDATORY CREDIT EDITORIAL USE ONLY
    Staff members work on a gigantic snow sculpture for the upcoming 35th Taiyangdao Island (Sun Island) International Snow Sculpture Expo in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China, 18 December 2022 (issued 19 December 2022). EPA / XINHUA / WANG SONG CHINA OUT / MANDATORY CREDIT EDITORIAL USE ONLY
  • A social worker protests in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian Kashmir, against a new human resource policy framed by the government. EPA
    A social worker protests in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian Kashmir, against a new human resource policy framed by the government. EPA
  • Christmas lights in New Taipei city, Taiwan. It is not an official holiday but many young Taiwanese celebrate with Christmas dinners and exchanging presents. EPA
    Christmas lights in New Taipei city, Taiwan. It is not an official holiday but many young Taiwanese celebrate with Christmas dinners and exchanging presents. EPA
  • Catholics attend early mass in Paranaque, Metro Manila, the Philippines. Getty Images
    Catholics attend early mass in Paranaque, Metro Manila, the Philippines. Getty Images
  • Forensic pathologist Raquel Fortun arranges the skeletal remains of a drugs war victim for autopsy in her laboratory in Manila. AFP
    Forensic pathologist Raquel Fortun arranges the skeletal remains of a drugs war victim for autopsy in her laboratory in Manila. AFP
  • Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams exhibition is previewed for media at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Tokyo. AFP
    Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams exhibition is previewed for media at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Tokyo. AFP
  • Festive decorations in Moscow. AFP
    Festive decorations in Moscow. AFP
  • French naval personnel are briefed on the deck of aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, sailing between the Suez canal and the Red Sea. AFP
    French naval personnel are briefed on the deck of aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, sailing between the Suez canal and the Red Sea. AFP
  • Protesters in Khartoum mark the fourth anniversary of the start of the uprising that ousted long-time autocrat Omar Al Bashir in April 2019. AFP
    Protesters in Khartoum mark the fourth anniversary of the start of the uprising that ousted long-time autocrat Omar Al Bashir in April 2019. AFP
  • The Year of the Rabbit is approaching, as the Seoul Lantern Festival in the South Korean capital's Gwanghwamun square makes clear. AFP
    The Year of the Rabbit is approaching, as the Seoul Lantern Festival in the South Korean capital's Gwanghwamun square makes clear. AFP
  • Spectacled teals fly over the Junam Reservoir, a migratory bird habitat, in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. EPA
    Spectacled teals fly over the Junam Reservoir, a migratory bird habitat, in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. EPA
  • Argentina's players inch through Buenos Aires with the World Cup trophy in front of throngs of adoring fans. AFP
    Argentina's players inch through Buenos Aires with the World Cup trophy in front of throngs of adoring fans. AFP
  • A man rows on Dal Lake on a cold morning in Srinagar. EPA
    A man rows on Dal Lake on a cold morning in Srinagar. EPA
  • Waves smash on to the Galician coast in Pontevedra, Spain. EPA
    Waves smash on to the Galician coast in Pontevedra, Spain. EPA

Today's best photos: from vast snow sculptures to ferocious waves


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  • Arabic

More from The National:

Monday's best photos: from Sikhs at the Golden Temple to football fans in Buenos Aires

Sunday's best photos: from the World Cup final to Santas on gondolas in Venice

Saturday's best photos: from ski jumping in Switzerland to lightning in Albania

Friday's best photos: from Al Forsan to karate championships

Thursday's best photos: from a storm in Louisiana to fuel shortages in Syria

Wednesday's best photos: from a snow leopard to a diving Santa

The specs

Engine: 3.8-litre, twin-turbo V8

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Power: 582bhp

Torque: 730Nm

Price: Dh649,000

On sale: now  

Profile

Company: Justmop.com

Date started: December 2015

Founders: Kerem Kuyucu and Cagatay Ozcan

Sector: Technology and home services

Based: Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai

Size: 55 employees and 100,000 cleaning requests a month

Funding:  The company’s investors include Collective Spark, Faith Capital Holding, Oak Capital, VentureFriends, and 500 Startups. 

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Essentials
The flights: You can fly from the UAE to Iceland with one stop in Europe with a variety of airlines. Return flights with Emirates from Dubai to Stockholm, then Icelandair to Reykjavik, cost from Dh4,153 return. The whole trip takes 11 hours. British Airways flies from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Reykjavik, via London, with return flights taking 12 hours and costing from Dh2,490 return, including taxes. 
The activities: A half-day Silfra snorkelling trip costs 14,990 Icelandic kronur (Dh544) with Dive.is. Inside the Volcano also takes half a day and costs 42,000 kronur (Dh1,524). The Jokulsarlon small-boat cruise lasts about an hour and costs 9,800 kronur (Dh356). Into the Glacier costs 19,500 kronur (Dh708). It lasts three to four hours.
The tours: It’s often better to book a tailor-made trip through a specialist operator. UK-based Discover the World offers seven nights, self-driving, across the island from £892 (Dh4,505) per person. This includes three nights’ accommodation at Hotel Husafell near Into the Glacier, two nights at Hotel Ranga and two nights at the Icelandair Hotel Klaustur. It includes car rental, plus an iPad with itinerary and tourist information pre-loaded onto it, while activities can be booked as optional extras. More information inspiredbyiceland.com

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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 
Company%20Profile
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Most%20polluted%20cities%20in%20the%20Middle%20East
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COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Xpanceo

Started: 2018

Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov

Based: Dubai, UAE

Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality

Funding: $40 million

Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)

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

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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Tightening the screw on rogue recruiters

The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.

 Only recruitment companies authorised by the government are permitted as part of Tadbeer, a network of labour ministry-regulated centres.

A contract must be drawn up for domestic workers, the wages and job offer clearly stating the nature of work.

The contract stating the wages, work entailed and accommodation must be sent to the employee in their home country before they depart for the UAE.

The contract will be signed by the employer and employee when the domestic worker arrives in the UAE.

Only recruitment agencies registered with the ministry can undertake recruitment and employment applications for domestic workers.

Penalties for illegal recruitment in the UAE include fines of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment

But agents not authorised by the government sidestep the law by illegally getting women into the country on visit visas.

Expert input

If you had all the money in the world, what’s the one sneaker you would buy or create?

“There are a few shoes that have ‘grail’ status for me. But the one I have always wanted is the Nike x Patta x Parra Air Max 1 - Cherrywood. To get a pair in my size brand new is would cost me between Dh8,000 and Dh 10,000.” Jack Brett

“If I had all the money, I would approach Nike and ask them to do my own Air Force 1, that’s one of my dreams.” Yaseen Benchouche

“There’s nothing out there yet that I’d pay an insane amount for, but I’d love to create my own shoe with Tinker Hatfield and Jordan.” Joshua Cox

“I think I’d buy a defunct footwear brand; I’d like the challenge of reinterpreting a brand’s history and changing options.” Kris Balerite

 “I’d stir up a creative collaboration with designers Martin Margiela of the mixed patchwork sneakers, and Yohji Yamamoto.” Hussain Moloobhoy

“If I had all the money in the world, I’d live somewhere where I’d never have to wear shoes again.” Raj Malhotra

Traits of Chinese zodiac animals

Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent   

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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What sanctions would be reimposed?

Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:

  • An arms embargo
  • A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
  • A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
  • A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
  • Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
The President's Cake

Director: Hasan Hadi

Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem 

Rating: 4/5

FINAL SCORES

Fujairah 130 for 8 in 20 overs

(Sandy Sandeep 29, Hamdan Tahir 26 no, Umair Ali 2-15)

Sharjah 131 for 8 in 19.3 overs

(Kashif Daud 51, Umair Ali 20, Rohan Mustafa 2-17, Sabir Rao 2-26)

UAE Tour 2020

Stage 1: The Pointe Palm Jumeirah - Dubai Silicon Oasis, 148km
Stage 2: Hatta - Hatta Dam, 168km​​​​​​​
Stage 3: Al Qudra Cycle Track - Jebel Hafeet, 184km​​​​​​​
Stage 4: Zabeel Park - Dubai City Walk, 173km​​​​​​​
Stage 5: Al Ain - Jebel Hafeet, 162km​​​​​​​
Stage 6: Al Ruwais - Al Mirfa, 158km​​​​​​​
Stage 7: Al Maryah Island - Abu Dhabi Breakwater, 127km

'Shakuntala Devi'

Starring: Vidya Balan, Sanya Malhotra

Director: Anu Menon

Rating: Three out of five stars

Teachers' pay - what you need to know

Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:

- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools

- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say

- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance

- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs

- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills

- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month

- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues

Updated: December 20, 2022, 2:05 PM