• A robot football match between the Iranian MRL team, in red, and Russia's Starkit team at the 17th International Iran Open RoboCup, in Tehran. All photos: EPA
    A robot football match between the Iranian MRL team, in red, and Russia's Starkit team at the 17th International Iran Open RoboCup, in Tehran. All photos: EPA
  • Robot footballers tussle for the ball. RoboCup promotes research in robotics and artificial intelligence
    Robot footballers tussle for the ball. RoboCup promotes research in robotics and artificial intelligence
  • When established in 1997, the mission was to field a robot football team capable of beating the human Fifa World Cup holders by 2050
    When established in 1997, the mission was to field a robot football team capable of beating the human Fifa World Cup holders by 2050
  • Twelve teams from Afghanistan, Brazil, China, Egypt, Iran, Germany and Russia are taking part in 2023
    Twelve teams from Afghanistan, Brazil, China, Egypt, Iran, Germany and Russia are taking part in 2023
  • The event is being held at Tehran's Islamic Azad University from April 26 to 28
    The event is being held at Tehran's Islamic Azad University from April 26 to 28
  • A robot soccer match between Iran MRL team (in red) and Russia Starkit team (in blue) during the 17th International Iran Open Robocup 2023, in Tehran, Iran, 27 April 2023. The event takes place at Tehran's Azad university from 26 to 28 April with the participation of 12 teams from foreign universities and schools and hundreds of Iranian teams. EPA / ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH
    A robot soccer match between Iran MRL team (in red) and Russia Starkit team (in blue) during the 17th International Iran Open Robocup 2023, in Tehran, Iran, 27 April 2023. The event takes place at Tehran's Azad university from 26 to 28 April with the participation of 12 teams from foreign universities and schools and hundreds of Iranian teams. EPA / ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH
  • The same year, a Tokyo workshop organised by Japanese researchers discussed using football to promote science and technology
    The same year, a Tokyo workshop organised by Japanese researchers discussed using football to promote science and technology
  • In 1993, Japanese researchers decided to launch a Robot J-League, named after Japan's new football league
    In 1993, Japanese researchers decided to launch a Robot J-League, named after Japan's new football league
  • Interest from researchers outside of Japan saw the project expanded into the Robot World Cup Initiative – RoboCup for short
    Interest from researchers outside of Japan saw the project expanded into the Robot World Cup Initiative – RoboCup for short
  • The first official RoboCup games and conference was held in 1997, in the Japanese city of Nagoya
    The first official RoboCup games and conference was held in 1997, in the Japanese city of Nagoya
  • Teams from Iran have competed in RoboCup since 1998
    Teams from Iran have competed in RoboCup since 1998

MENA

International groups take part in 17th Iran Open RoboCup

The event promotes research in robots and artificial intelligence

The National

April 28, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

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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

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The stats

Ship name: MSC Bellissima

Ship class: Meraviglia Class

Delivery date: February 27, 2019

Gross tonnage: 171,598 GT

Passenger capacity: 5,686

Crew members: 1,536

Number of cabins: 2,217

Length: 315.3 metres

Maximum speed: 22.7 knots (42kph)

 

 

The Perfect Couple

Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor

Creator: Jenna Lamia

Rating: 3/5

More on women's right
MATCH INFO

Asian Champions League, last 16, first leg:

Al Jazira 3 Persepolis 2

Second leg:

Monday, Azizi Stadium, Tehran. Kick off 7pm

FIGHT CARD

Bantamweight Hamza Bougamza (MAR) v Jalal Al Daaja (JOR)

Catchweight 67kg Mohamed El Mesbahi (MAR) v Fouad Mesdari (ALG)

Lighweight Abdullah Mohammed Ali (UAE) v Abdelhak Amhidra (MAR)

Catchweight 73kg Mostafa Ibrahim Radi (PAL) v Yazid Chouchane (ALG)

Middleweight Yousri Belgaroui (TUN) v Badreddine Diani (MAR)

Catchweight 78kg Rashed Dawood (UAE) v Adnan Bushashy (ALG)

Middleweight Sallaheddine Dekhissi (MAR) v Abdel Emam (EGY)

Catchweight 65kg Rachid Hazoume (MAR) v Yanis Ghemmouri (ALG)

Lighweight Mohammed Yahya (UAE) v Azouz Anwar (EGY)

Catchweight 79kg Omar Hussein (PAL) v Souhil Tahiri (ALG)

Middleweight Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Laid Zerhouni (ALG)

RACE CARD

5pm: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival Purebred Arabian Cup Conditions (PA); Dh 200,000 (Turf) 1,600m
5.30pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup Conditions (PA); Dh 200,000 (T) 1,600m
6pm: Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan National Day Cup Listed (TB); Dh 380,000 (T) 1,600m
6.30pm: Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan National Day Group 3 (PA); Dh 500,000 (T) 1,600m
7pm: Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan National Day Jewel Crown Group 1 (PA); Dh 5,000,000 (T) 2,200m
7.30pm: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival Handicap (PA); Dh 150,000 (T) 1,400m
8pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh 100,000 (T); 1,400m

LILO & STITCH

Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders

Director: Dean Fleischer Camp

Rating: 4.5/5

Tomorrow 2021
More on Quran memorisation:
Plastic tipping points
Wicked: For Good

Director: Jon M Chu

Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater

Rating: 4/5

On Women's Day
Updated: April 28, 2023, 4:01 PM
Iran