The moon rises in its waxing gibbous stage behind a statue atop the Erie County Court Building in Buffalo, New York. Julio Cortez / AP Photo
The moon rises in its waxing gibbous stage behind a statue atop the Erie County Court Building in Buffalo, New York. Julio Cortez / AP Photo
A child leaps between rock platforms as a woman walks behind him as the sun sets behind Lake Erie at the Erie Basin Marina in Buffalo, New York. Julio Cortez / AP Photo
A child leaps between rock platforms as a woman walks behind him as the sun sets behind Lake Erie at the Erie Basin Marina in Buffalo, New York. Julio Cortez / AP Photo
People attend a concert organised by pro-independence organization ANC (Catalan National Assembly) held at the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona. Enric Fontcuberta / EPA
People attend a concert organised by pro-independence organization ANC (Catalan National Assembly) held at the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona. Enric Fontcuberta / EPA
Competitors take part in the fourth stage during the first edition of the Marathon des Sables Peru between Ocucaje and Arloveto in the Ica desert. Jean-Philippe / AFP Photo
Competitors take part in the fourth stage during the first edition of the Marathon des Sables Peru between Ocucaje and Arloveto in the Ica desert. Jean-Philippe / AFP Photo
ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport's Daniel Abt of Germany celebrates with teammates after winning the FIA Formula E race in Hong Kong. Tyrone Siu / Reuters
ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport's Daniel Abt of Germany celebrates with teammates after winning the FIA Formula E race in Hong Kong. Tyrone Siu / Reuters
Dancers perform during the 2017 FINA World Aquatics Gala in Sanya in China's southern Hainan province. AFP Photo
Dancers perform during the 2017 FINA World Aquatics Gala in Sanya in China's southern Hainan province. AFP Photo
Rohingya migrants stand along a track running through the Thankhali refugee camp in Cox's Bazar. Ed Jones / AFP Photo
Rohingya migrants stand along a track running through the Thankhali refugee camp in Cox's Bazar. Ed Jones / AFP Photo
People dressed as Santa Claus enjoy the snow during the Saint Nicholas Day at the Alpine ski resort of Verbier, Switzerland. Denis Balibouse / Reuters
People dressed as Santa Claus enjoy the snow during the Saint Nicholas Day at the Alpine ski resort of Verbier, Switzerland. Denis Balibouse / Reuters
A couple watch the ceiling featuring jellyfish at Enoshima aquarium in Fujisawa west of Tokyo. Shizuo Kambayashi / AP Photo
A couple watch the ceiling featuring jellyfish at Enoshima aquarium in Fujisawa west of Tokyo. Shizuo Kambayashi / AP Photo
Australia's Pat Cummins ducks to avoid a delivery from England's Stuart Broad during the second day of their Ashes test match in Adelaide. Rick Rycroft / AP Photo
Australia's Pat Cummins ducks to avoid a delivery from England's Stuart Broad during the second day of their Ashes test match in Adelaide. Rick Rycroft / AP Photo

World

World in focus - best photos for 3 December, 2017

Take a look at some of the best images from around the world in the past 24 hours

Jason Von Berg
Abu Dhabi

December 03, 2017

  • English
  • Arabic

View more galleries from The National:

'This was amazing': From JBR to Louvre Abu Dhabi, the country celebrates National Day 

Dubai Rugby Sevens: Fans turn out in force on Day 2 - in pictures

The end of the unholy alliance as Yemen's Saleh dumps the Houthis

World in focus - best photos for December 2, 2017

QUALIFYING RESULTS

1. Max Verstappen, Netherlands, Red Bull Racing Honda, 1 minute, 35.246 seconds.
2. Valtteri Bottas, Finland, Mercedes, 1:35.271.
3. Lewis Hamilton, Great Britain, Mercedes, 1:35.332.
4. Lando Norris, Great Britain, McLaren Renault, 1:35.497.
5. Alexander Albon, Thailand, Red Bull Racing Honda, 1:35.571.
6. Carlos Sainz Jr, Spain, McLaren Renault, 1:35.815.
7. Daniil Kvyat, Russia, Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda, 1:35.963.
8. Lance Stroll, Canada, Racing Point BWT Mercedes, 1:36.046.
9. Charles Leclerc, Monaco, Ferrari, 1:36.065.
10. Pierre Gasly, France, Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda, 1:36.242.

Eliminated after second session

11. Esteban Ocon, France, Renault, 1:36.359.
12. Daniel Ricciardo, Australia, Renault, 1:36.406.
13. Sebastian Vettel, Germany, Ferrari, 1:36.631.
14. Antonio Giovinazzi, Italy, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:38.248.

Eliminated after first session

15. Antonio Giovinazzi, Italy, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:37.075.
16. Kimi Raikkonen, Finland, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:37.555.
17. Kevin Magnussen, Denmark, Haas Ferrari, 1:37.863.
18. George Russell, Great Britain, Williams Mercedes, 1:38.045.
19. Pietro Fittipaldi, Brazil, Haas Ferrari, 1:38.173.
20. Nicholas Latifi, Canada, Williams Mercedes, 1:38.443.

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

Two products to make at home

Toilet cleaner

1 cup baking soda 

1 cup castile soap

10-20 drops of lemon essential oil (or another oil of your choice) 

Method:

1. Mix the baking soda and castile soap until you get a nice consistency.

2. Add the essential oil to the mix.

Air Freshener

100ml water 

5 drops of the essential oil of your choice (note: lavender is a nice one for this) 

Method:

1. Add water and oil to spray bottle to store.

2. Shake well before use. 

Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

ESSENTIALS

The flights 
Fly Etihad or Emirates from the UAE to Moscow from 2,763 return per person return including taxes. 
Where to stay 
Trips on the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian cost from US$16,995 (Dh62,414) per person, based on two sharing.

Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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Wednesday (midnight UAE)

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