Europe wide
Some of French groups are threatening Friday to continue their journey to Brussels, the capital of Belgium and the European Union, and to meet up with drivers from other countries on Monday.
Belgian authorities joined French police in banning the threatened blockade. A similar lorry cavalcade was planned for Friday in Vienna but cancelled after authorities prohibited it.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
National Editorial:Â Suleimani has been killed, now we must de-escalate
Mina Al Oraibi:Â Air strike casts a long shadow over the decade ahead
Jack Moore:Â Why the assassination is such a monumental gamble
Matthew Levitt:Â Iran retains its ability to launch terror attacks
Damien McElroy: AÂ CEO tasked with spreading Iran's influence
Hussein Ibish: Trump's order on solid constitutional ground
Simon Waldman:Â Cautious Israel keeping a low profile
Rashmee Roshan Lall: Sound of silence in South Asia
Richard Olson: Why Afghanistan will be very wary
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Kareem Shaheen on Canada
The Disaster Artist
Director:Â James Franco
Starring: James Franco, Dave Franco, Seth Rogan
Four stars
Recommended
Women are on the front line of the coronavirus fight, and we should all remember that by Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka
Coronavirus: How the world can end the pandemic by Bill Gates
Famine on the rise in the Middle East and North Africa
Inside the UN's Dubai aid facility delivering support to people in need across the globe
Off-roading in the UAE: How to checklist
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
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Part three:Â an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternativeÂ
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
National Editorial:Â Suleimani has been killed, now we must de-escalate
Mina Al Oraibi:Â Air strike casts a long shadow over the decade ahead
Jack Moore:Â Why the assassination is such a monumental gamble
Matthew Levitt:Â Iran retains its ability to launch terror attacks
Damien McElroy:Â AÂ CEO tasked with spreading Iran's influence
Hussein Ibish:Â Trump's order on solid constitutional ground
Simon Waldman:Â Cautious Israel keeping a low profile
JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH
Directed by: Shaka King
Starring: Daniel Kaluuya, Lakeith Stanfield, Jesse Plemons
Four stars
UAE v IRELAND
All matches start at 10am, and will be played in Abu Dhabi
1st ODI, Friday, January 8
2nd ODI, Sunday, January 10
3rd ODI, Tuesday, January 12
4th ODI, Thursday, January 14
Paltan
Producer: JP Films, Zee Studios
Director: JP Dutta
Cast: Jackie Shroff, Sonu Sood, Arjun Rampal, Siddhanth Kapoor, Luv Sinha and Harshvardhan Rane
Rating: 2/5
Four%20scenarios%20for%20Ukraine%20war
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
Meydan Racecourse racecard:
6.30pm: The Madjani Stakes Listed (PA) | Dh175,000 |Â 1,900m
7.05pm: Maiden for 2-year-old fillies (TB) |Â Dh165,000 |Â 1,400m
7.40pm: The Dubai Creek Mile Listed (TB) |Â Dh265,000 |Â 1,600m
8.15pm: Maiden for 2-year-old colts (TB) |Â Dh165,000 |Â 1,600m
8.50pm: The Entisar Listed (TB) |Â Dh265,000 |Â 2,000m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) |Â Dh190,000 |Â 1,200m
10pm: Handicap (TB) |Â Dh190,000 |Â 1,600m.




