Live updates: Abu Dhabi F1
Chris Brown’s debut Abu Dhabi concert marked a fresh beginning for the R&B star.
The Etihad Park show, running as part of the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix after-race concert series, is his first since releasing his new album 11:11 earlier this month.
In many ways, the concert was the best representation of that record, in that it was sprawling, eclectic and saw Brown deliver a mixtape of a set spanning R&B, dance, pop and Afrobeats.
“Abu Dhabi, I want to thank you all for having us out here tonight,” he said when greeting the crowd. “And you know I came to party.
Flanked by dancers, Brown opened the show by launching into Beautiful People.
It was a fine showcase of his silky vocals that sailed over burbling dance beats.
Brown also used the occasion to remind us why more than 40 of his songs hit the US charts, from the scintillating dance-R&B hybrid of Yeah X 3 to the rambunctious hip-hop anthem Ayo.
Old school fans were rewarded with energetic takes of 2005 breakout single Run It! as well as the evergreen 2010 R&B hit Deuces.
New single Summer Too Hot fit neatly between those nostalgic works, proving Brown hasn’t lost his affinity for R&B despite the genre-hopping of recent times.
Such an evolution proves that one of the toughest gigs in the music business is being one of his backup dancers.
The 10-string crew were put through their paces as Brown's nimble feet blazed throughout the set, particularly in buoyant jams like Party and Poppin’.
The F1 after-race concert line-up series continues with Shania Twain on Saturday and the Foo Fighters on Sunday.
Access to the concert is exclusive to Grand Prix ticket holders.
Tickets are available at abudhabigp.com
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
WORLD CUP SQUAD
Dimuth Karunaratne (Captain), Angelo Mathews, Avishka Fernando, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Isuru Udana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Jeevan Mendis, Milinda Siriwardana, Lasith Malinga, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep
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.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Oppenheimer
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The specs: 2018 Mercedes-AMG C63 S Cabriolet
Price, base: Dh429,090
Engine 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission Seven-speed automatic
Power 510hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque 700Nm @ 1,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 9.2L / 100km
Kandahar%20
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DIVINE%20INTERVENTOIN
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Company Profile
Company name: Big Farm Brothers
Started: September 2020
Founders: Vishal Mahajan and Navneet Kaur
Based: Dubai Investment Park 1
Industry: food and agriculture
Initial investment: $205,000
Current staff: eight to 10
Future plan: to expand to other GCC markets
MATCH INFO
Sheffield United 0 Wolves 2 (Jimenez 3', Saiss 6)
Man of the Match Romain Saiss (Wolves)
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
COMPANY PROFILE
● Company: Bidzi
● Started: 2024
● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid
● Based: Dubai, UAE
● Industry: M&A
● Funding size: Bootstrapped
● No of employees: Nine
DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin
Director: Shawn Levy
Rating: 3/5
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
