De Villiers steers S Africa to 112-run win


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AB de Villiers lashed a sensational century as South Africa beat England by 112 runs in the third one-day international at Newlands on Friday to level the series at 1-1. De Villiers showed skill and superb control as he reached a hundred in just 75 balls - the second fastest by a South African - and ended with 121 off 85 deliveries as the home side smashed 354 for six, their highest score against England and equalling their best at Newlands.

South Africa's previous highest total against England was 311 for seven in East London in 2004/5. The fastest one-day century for South Africa is in 44 balls by Mark Boucher against Zimbabwe in 2006. South Africa won the toss and openers Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla ensured they made a flying start with a stand of 107 off 111 balls. Captain Smith was bowled by Luke Wright for 54 off 56 deliveries, while Amla batted with application and wristy elegance through to the 32nd over when he edged Stuart Broad to wicketkeeper Matt Prior for 86.

De Villiers reached his century in the 44th over and went on to make the highest score by a South African against England, beating the 118 Herschelle Gibbs made in Durban in 2005. The 25-year-old shared in stands of 94 with Amla and 95 with Alviro Petersen (51 not out) as South Africa made full use of the powerplay overs. Broad claimed four wickets for England, but was punished for 71 runs in his 10 overs.

England openers Andrew Strauss and Luke Wright played some breathtaking strokes as they raced to 41 in 5.3 overs, but returning fast bowlers Wayne Parnell and Morne Morkel then reduced the visitors to 58 for three. Kevin Pietersen and Paul Collingwood shared a gritty 84-run partnership until part-time off-spinner JP Duminy removed Pietersen, sweeping a ball back on to his stumps, for 45. Then Eoin Morgan went for a duck when 12th man Johan Botha sprinted in from the long-off boundary and caught him low to the ground off the same bowler.

Collingwood was the one batsman to master the South African attack, scoring 86 off 82 balls before he was caught at deep mid-on off Parnell. Parnell, who claimed a career-best five for 48, and Morkel (three for 39) wrapped up the tail as England were all out for 242 in the 42nd over. South Africa next play England in Port Elizabeth on Sunday and the final match is in Durban on December 4. The first game of the five-match series was washed out.

*Reuters

UK's plans to cut net migration

Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.

Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.

But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.

Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.

Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.

The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.

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Richard Jewell

Director: Clint Eastwood

Stars: Paul Walter Hauser, Sam Rockwell, Brandon Stanley

Two-and-a-half out of five stars 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How has net migration to UK changed?

The figure was broadly flat immediately before the Covid-19 pandemic, standing at 216,000 in the year to June 2018 and 224,000 in the year to June 2019.

It then dropped to an estimated 111,000 in the year to June 2020 when restrictions introduced during the pandemic limited travel and movement.

The total rose to 254,000 in the year to June 2021, followed by steep jumps to 634,000 in the year to June 2022 and 906,000 in the year to June 2023.

The latest available figure of 728,000 for the 12 months to June 2024 suggests levels are starting to decrease.

The National Archives, Abu Dhabi

Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.

Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en

Sheer grandeur

The Owo building is 14 storeys high, seven of which are below ground, with the 30,000 square feet of amenities located subterranean, including a 16-seat private cinema, seven lounges, a gym, games room, treatment suites and bicycle storage.

A clear distinction between the residences and the Raffles hotel with the amenities operated separately.

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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A new relationship with the old country

Treaty of Friendship between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates

The United kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates; Considering that the United Arab Emirates has assumed full responsibility as a sovereign and independent State; Determined that the long-standing and traditional relations of close friendship and cooperation between their peoples shall continue; Desiring to give expression to this intention in the form of a Treaty Friendship; Have agreed as follows:

ARTICLE 1 The relations between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates shall be governed by a spirit of close friendship. In recognition of this, the Contracting Parties, conscious of their common interest in the peace and stability of the region, shall: (a) consult together on matters of mutual concern in time of need; (b) settle all their disputes by peaceful means in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.

ARTICLE 2 The Contracting Parties shall encourage education, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two States in accordance with arrangements to be agreed. Such arrangements shall cover among other things: (a) the promotion of mutual understanding of their respective cultures, civilisations and languages, the promotion of contacts among professional bodies, universities and cultural institutions; (c) the encouragement of technical, scientific and cultural exchanges.

ARTICLE 3 The Contracting Parties shall maintain the close relationship already existing between them in the field of trade and commerce. Representatives of the Contracting Parties shall meet from time to time to consider means by which such relations can be further developed and strengthened, including the possibility of concluding treaties or agreements on matters of mutual concern.

ARTICLE 4 This Treaty shall enter into force on today’s date and shall remain in force for a period of ten years. Unless twelve months before the expiry of the said period of ten years either Contracting Party shall have given notice to the other of its intention to terminate the Treaty, this Treaty shall remain in force thereafter until the expiry of twelve months from the date on which notice of such intention is given.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned have signed this Treaty.

DONE in duplicate at Dubai the second day of December 1971AD, corresponding to the fifteenth day of Shawwal 1391H, in the English and Arabic languages, both texts being equally authoritative.

Signed

Geoffrey Arthur  Sheikh Zayed