• Indian men lead a cow over burning hay as part of a ritual to seek good fortune and protection from harm during the Hindu Makar Sankranti festival in Bangalore. AFP
    Indian men lead a cow over burning hay as part of a ritual to seek good fortune and protection from harm during the Hindu Makar Sankranti festival in Bangalore. AFP
  • A woman reacts after seeing the body of her family member who was killed in an attack in Nairobi, Kenya. EPA
    A woman reacts after seeing the body of her family member who was killed in an attack in Nairobi, Kenya. EPA
  • A winter swimmer in a frozen lake in Changchun, Jilin province, China. Reuters
    A winter swimmer in a frozen lake in Changchun, Jilin province, China. Reuters
  • Migrants from Honduras walk near the border fence before crossing it illegally from Mexico into the US, in Tijuana, Mexico. Reuters
    Migrants from Honduras walk near the border fence before crossing it illegally from Mexico into the US, in Tijuana, Mexico. Reuters
  • India's Border Security Force soldiers ride their camels as they take part in the rehearsal for the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India. Reuters
    India's Border Security Force soldiers ride their camels as they take part in the rehearsal for the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India. Reuters
  • Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Braydon Coburn checks Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn during an NHL hockey game in Dallas. Reuters
    Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Braydon Coburn checks Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn during an NHL hockey game in Dallas. Reuters
  • Ashleigh Barty signs autographs after winning her match at the Australian Open in Melbourne. Reuters
    Ashleigh Barty signs autographs after winning her match at the Australian Open in Melbourne. Reuters
  • Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks during a town hall at Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario. AP Photo
    Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks during a town hall at Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario. AP Photo
  • A worker preparing lanterns to be hung as Lunar New Year decorations in Renhuai, in China's southwest Guizhou province. AFP
    A worker preparing lanterns to be hung as Lunar New Year decorations in Renhuai, in China's southwest Guizhou province. AFP
  • An Indian participant jumps while trying to control a bull at the annual bull taming event 'Jallikattu' in Palamedu village on the outskirts of Madurai. AFP
    An Indian participant jumps while trying to control a bull at the annual bull taming event 'Jallikattu' in Palamedu village on the outskirts of Madurai. AFP

World in focus - best photos for January 16, 2019


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More galleries from The National:

Sheikh Zayed and Europe: A trip that inspired his vision of the UAE – including the Louvre

Louis Vuitton uses only celebrities for pre-fall 2019

Agony for Syria as Tom Rogic winner sends Australia into Asian Cup last 16

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

Short-term let permits explained

Homeowners and tenants are allowed to list their properties for rental by registering through the Dubai Tourism website to obtain a permit.

Tenants also require a letter of no objection from their landlord before being allowed to list the property.

There is a cost of Dh1,590 before starting the process, with an additional licence fee of Dh300 per bedroom being rented in your home for the duration of the rental, which ranges from three months to a year.

Anyone hoping to list a property for rental must also provide a copy of their title deeds and Ejari, as well as their Emirates ID.

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ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025, Thailand

UAE fixtures
May 9, v Malaysia
May 10, v Qatar
May 13, v Malaysia
May 15, v Qatar
May 18 and 19, semi-finals
May 20, final

MATCH INFO

Serie A

Juventus v Fiorentina, Saturday, 8pm (UAE)

Match is on BeIN Sports

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Floward%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERiyadh%2C%20Saudi%20Arabia%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAbdulaziz%20Al%20Loughani%20and%20Mohamed%20Al%20Arifi%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EE-commerce%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETotal%20funding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAbout%20%24200%20million%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAljazira%20Capital%2C%20Rainwater%20Partners%2C%20STV%20and%20Impact46%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E1%2C200%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
In numbers: China in Dubai

The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000

Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000

Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent

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
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

Brief scores:

Liverpool 3

Mane 24', Shaqiri 73', 80'

Manchester United 1

Lingard 33'

Man of the Match: Fabinho (Liverpool)

Director: Laxman Utekar

Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna

Rating: 1/5

Skoda Superb Specs

Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol

Power: 190hp

Torque: 320Nm

Price: From Dh147,000

Available: Now

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

While you're here
Brief scoreline:

Manchester United 2

Rashford 28', Martial 72'

Watford 1

Doucoure 90'

Day 2, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance

Moment of the day Dinesh Chandimal has inherited a challenging job, after being made Sri Lanka’s Test captain. He responded in perfect fashion, with an easy-natured century against Pakistan. He brought up three figures with a majestic cover drive, which he just stood and admired.

Stat of the day – 33 It took 33 balls for Dilruwan Perera to get off the mark. His time on zero was eventful enough. The Sri Lankan No 7 was given out LBW twice, but managed to have both decisions overturned on review. The TV replays showed both times that he had inside edged the ball onto his pad.

The verdict In the two previous times these two sides have met in Abu Dhabi, the Tests have been drawn. The docile nature of proceedings so far makes that the likely outcome again this time, but both sides will be harbouring thoughts that they can force their way into a winning position.

UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions