• EMBARGOED TO 0001 WEDNESDAY MARCH 29 Undated handout artist impression of a black hole drifting through the Milky Way galaxy. An ultramassive black hole around 33 billion times the mass of the Sun has been discovered by astronomers in the UK. Scientists from Durham University said the gargantuan black hole is one of the biggest ever found. Issue date: Friday June 10, 2022.
    EMBARGOED TO 0001 WEDNESDAY MARCH 29 Undated handout artist impression of a black hole drifting through the Milky Way galaxy. An ultramassive black hole around 33 billion times the mass of the Sun has been discovered by astronomers in the UK. Scientists from Durham University said the gargantuan black hole is one of the biggest ever found. Issue date: Friday June 10, 2022.
  • Newly confirmed Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf leads his family in Muslim prayer during their first night of his leadership at Bute House, Edinburgh, after breaking fast together during Ramadan. Reuters
    Newly confirmed Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf leads his family in Muslim prayer during their first night of his leadership at Bute House, Edinburgh, after breaking fast together during Ramadan. Reuters
  • A colourful hyacinth field in Lisse, the Netherlands. EPA
    A colourful hyacinth field in Lisse, the Netherlands. EPA
  • An anti-war activist holds up a sign reading "Stop war exercise, go home" in front of a marine taking up position in a military drill in Pohang, South Korea. Reuters
    An anti-war activist holds up a sign reading "Stop war exercise, go home" in front of a marine taking up position in a military drill in Pohang, South Korea. Reuters
  • The clock tower of Hatay, Turkey, still standing after the 7.8-magnitude earthquake on February 6 killed more than 50,000. AFP
    The clock tower of Hatay, Turkey, still standing after the 7.8-magnitude earthquake on February 6 killed more than 50,000. AFP
  • An aerial view of the zone affected by a landslide in Alausi, Ecuador, in which at least seven people were killed. AFP
    An aerial view of the zone affected by a landslide in Alausi, Ecuador, in which at least seven people were killed. AFP
  • Israeli military veterans wave national flags during a rally against the government's judicial reform bill, near Netanya. AFP
    Israeli military veterans wave national flags during a rally against the government's judicial reform bill, near Netanya. AFP
  • A protester ducks to avoid missiles during continuing demonstrations over the government's pension reform plan in France. AFP
    A protester ducks to avoid missiles during continuing demonstrations over the government's pension reform plan in France. AFP
  • Pope Francis kisses a child at his weekly general audience in St Peter's Square at the Vatican. Reuters
    Pope Francis kisses a child at his weekly general audience in St Peter's Square at the Vatican. Reuters
  • Actress Jodie Turner-Smith attends the premiere of the film Murder Mystery 2 in Los Angeles. Reuters
    Actress Jodie Turner-Smith attends the premiere of the film Murder Mystery 2 in Los Angeles. Reuters
  • US senator Elizabeth Warren speaks to Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation chairman Martin J. Gruenberg before a committee hearing on 'Recent Bank Failures and the Federal Regulatory Response', in Washington. Reuters
    US senator Elizabeth Warren speaks to Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation chairman Martin J. Gruenberg before a committee hearing on 'Recent Bank Failures and the Federal Regulatory Response', in Washington. Reuters
  • German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (R) and his wife Elke Buedenbender (L) welcome Britain's King Charles III and the Queen Consort Camilla at Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, part of the royal couple's three-day official visit to Germany. AP
    German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (R) and his wife Elke Buedenbender (L) welcome Britain's King Charles III and the Queen Consort Camilla at Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, part of the royal couple's three-day official visit to Germany. AP
  • A child plays with a cat next to a makeshift animal shelter in the Cihangir neighbourhood of Istanbul. AP
    A child plays with a cat next to a makeshift animal shelter in the Cihangir neighbourhood of Istanbul. AP
  • A meatball made using genetic code from the mammoth on display at the Nemo Science Museum in Amsterdam. AP
    A meatball made using genetic code from the mammoth on display at the Nemo Science Museum in Amsterdam. AP

World

Today's best photos: from a black hole to a mammoth meatball

The National picks the most striking images from around the world

The National

March 29, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

More from The National:

Tuesday's best photos: from a T-rex skeleton in Switzerland to Messi's statue in Paraguay

Monday's best photos: From lightning in Kuwait to a vintage radio collector in Zimbabwe

Sunday's best photos: From a tornado in Mississippi to 10,000 taekwondo participants

Saturday's best photos: from Pope Francis with a baby to the northern lights in Finland

Friday's best photos: From Abu Dhabi plaza in the fog to a waxwork of King Charles

Rocketman

Director: Dexter Fletcher

Starring: Taron Egerton, Richard Madden, Jamie Bell

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars 

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

While you're here
Company%20profile
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School uniforms report
Updated: March 29, 2023, 4:48 PM
Photography