• India's Virat Kohli walks off after being dismissed by Australia on the third day of the first cricket Test match between Australia and India played in Adelaide. AFP
    India's Virat Kohli walks off after being dismissed by Australia on the third day of the first cricket Test match between Australia and India played in Adelaide. AFP
  • Rickshaw pullers along with a dog sit around a bonfire to warm themselves on a cold winter morning in Amritsar. AFP
    Rickshaw pullers along with a dog sit around a bonfire to warm themselves on a cold winter morning in Amritsar. AFP
  • A lioness interacts with newly acquired nine-year-old lion Atlas, left, at Parc Zoologique de Paris (Paris Vincennes zoo), in Paris, France. EPA
    A lioness interacts with newly acquired nine-year-old lion Atlas, left, at Parc Zoologique de Paris (Paris Vincennes zoo), in Paris, France. EPA
  • People gather at Yerablur Military Pantheon cemetery on the eve of the Armenian nationwide mourning to commemorate those killed in a conflict over the region of Nagorno-Karabakh in Yerevan, Armenia. Reuters
    People gather at Yerablur Military Pantheon cemetery on the eve of the Armenian nationwide mourning to commemorate those killed in a conflict over the region of Nagorno-Karabakh in Yerevan, Armenia. Reuters
  • Volcanic lightning over Mount Sakurajima is pictured from Tarumizu city, Kagoshima prefecture, Japan. Reuters
    Volcanic lightning over Mount Sakurajima is pictured from Tarumizu city, Kagoshima prefecture, Japan. Reuters
  • A man works on a sailing ship which is built at a green shipyard in Puntarenas province, Costa Rica. EPA
    A man works on a sailing ship which is built at a green shipyard in Puntarenas province, Costa Rica. EPA
  • A man reacts as he reunites with his son who was among those who were kidnapped upon their release in Katsina. AFP
    A man reacts as he reunites with his son who was among those who were kidnapped upon their release in Katsina. AFP
  • A demonstrator looks through the window of a police van during a gathering to commemorate Trikora in Jakarta, Indonesia. Reuters
    A demonstrator looks through the window of a police van during a gathering to commemorate Trikora in Jakarta, Indonesia. Reuters
  • A woman walks past Christmas decorations at Ginza shopping district in Tokyo, Japan. Reuters
    A woman walks past Christmas decorations at Ginza shopping district in Tokyo, Japan. Reuters
  • Children play in floodwaters in front of a mosque, after a night of heavy rain, in Ra-ngea district in the southern Thai province of Narathiwat. AFP
    Children play in floodwaters in front of a mosque, after a night of heavy rain, in Ra-ngea district in the southern Thai province of Narathiwat. AFP
  • A dust cloud is seen in Colonia Baron, La Pampa, Argentina in this screen grab obtained from a social media video. @VascoSallaberry via Reuters
    A dust cloud is seen in Colonia Baron, La Pampa, Argentina in this screen grab obtained from a social media video. @VascoSallaberry via Reuters

World

World in focus - best photos for December 19, 2020

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

The National

December 19, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

More galleries from The National:

41 photos of 2020's best-dressed men: From John Legend and Jason Momoa to Brad Pitt and Harry Styles

Toyota Land Cruiser named the UAE's most popular car in new study

Al Quaa: secluded Abu Dhabi spot that offers out-of-this-world views of the Milky Way

Infiniti QX80 specs

Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6

Power: 450hp

Torque: 700Nm

Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000

Available: Now

While you're here
Islamophobia definition

A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.

MATCH INFO

Champions League quarter-final, first leg

Ajax v Juventus, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)

Match on BeIN Sports

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Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

The biog

Favourite films: Casablanca and Lawrence of Arabia

Favourite books: Start with Why by Simon Sinek and Good to be Great by Jim Collins

Favourite dish: Grilled fish

Inspiration: Sheikh Zayed's visionary leadership taught me to embrace new challenges.

ACC%20T20%20Women%E2%80%99s%20Championship
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Groom and Two Brides

Director: Elie Semaan

Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla

Rating: 3/5

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

FIGHT CARD

 

1.           Featherweight 66kg

Ben Lucas (AUS) v Ibrahim Kendil (EGY)

2.           Lightweight 70kg

Mohammed Kareem Aljnan (SYR) v Alphonse Besala (CMR)

3.           Welterweight 77kg

Marcos Costa (BRA) v Abdelhakim Wahid (MAR)

4.           Lightweight 70kg

Omar Ramadan (EGY) v Abdimitalipov Atabek (KGZ)

5.           Featherweight 66kg

Ahmed Al Darmaki (UAE) v Kagimu Kigga (UGA)

6.           Catchweight 85kg

Ibrahim El Sawi (EGY) v Iuri Fraga (BRA)

7.           Featherweight 66kg

Yousef Al Husani (UAE) v Mohamed Allam (EGY)

8.           Catchweight 73kg

Mostafa Radi (PAL) v Abdipatta Abdizhali (KGZ)

9.           Featherweight 66kg

Jaures Dea (CMR) v Andre Pinheiro (BRA)

10.         Catchweight 90kg

Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Juscelino Ferreira (BRA)

World