World Cup fans set to rack up the air miles


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Portugal, total: 4,275km Portugal fans could be the worst off among the top teams in South Africa. They start in Port Elizabeth then have to travel 769km to Cape Town and then 1,753km to Durban. If they finish second to Brazil in Group G, inevitably dubbed the "Group of Death", they will travel back 1,753km to Cape Town for their second-round match. Netherlands, total: 4,094km Holland supporters will also be racking up the kilometres. Their first game is in Johannesburg, followed by a 588km trip to Durban and then a 1,753 journey to Cape Town. If they top the group they will be going back to Durban, another 1,753km, for their next match.

England, total: 3,259km England fans have some of the longest journeys. Their first game against USA is in Rustenburg, followed by a 1,385km trip to Cape Town and then 769km to Port Elizabeth. If they finish top of Group C, their next trip is 1,205km back to Rustenburg. Brazil, total: 1,176km Brazil has a relaxing start, with their first two games in Johannesburg, followed by a 588km trip to Durban. If they win the group, they go back 588km to Johannesburg.

USA, total: 634km The US have games that are relatively close together. They start in Rustenburg, then travel 120km to Johannesburg and 58km to Pretoria. If they come second in their group, their next game will be 456km away in Bloemfontein. South Africa, total: 283km South Africa have some of the shortest journeys of all. Their first game is in Johannesburg, then they go 58km to Pretoria and 105km to Rustenburg. If they secure second place in their group to reach the knockout stages, they will next travel 120km to Johannesburg.

* Sebastien Berger

Oppenheimer
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Ajax v Juventus, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)

Match on BeIN Sports

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Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

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Fujairah 130 for 8 in 20 overs

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Sharjah 131 for 8 in 19.3 overs

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The specs: 2018 Volkswagen Teramont

Price, base / as tested Dh137,000 / Dh189,950

Engine 3.6-litre V6

Gearbox Eight-speed automatic

Power 280hp @ 6,200rpm

Torque 360Nm @ 2,750rpm

Fuel economy, combined 11.7L / 100km

Company%20profile
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THE SPECS

Engine: Four-cylinder 2.5-litre

Transmission: Seven-speed auto

Power: 165hp

Torque: 241Nm

Price: Dh99,900 to Dh134,000

On sale: now

ELIO

Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett

Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

Rating: 4/5

THREE
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Nayla%20Al%20Khaja%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Jefferson%20Hall%2C%20Faten%20Ahmed%2C%20Noura%20Alabed%2C%20Saud%20Alzarooni%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

RESULTS
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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

How the bonus system works

The two riders are among several riders in the UAE to receive the top payment of £10,000 under the Thank You Fund of £16 million (Dh80m), which was announced in conjunction with Deliveroo's £8 billion (Dh40bn) stock market listing earlier this year.

The £10,000 (Dh50,000) payment is made to those riders who have completed the highest number of orders in each market.

There are also riders who will receive payments of £1,000 (Dh5,000) and £500 (Dh2,500).

All riders who have worked with Deliveroo for at least one year and completed 2,000 orders will receive £200 (Dh1,000), the company said when it announced the scheme.

The Details

Kabir Singh

Produced by: Cinestaan Studios, T-Series

Directed by: Sandeep Reddy Vanga

Starring: Shahid Kapoor, Kiara Advani, Suresh Oberoi, Soham Majumdar, Arjun Pahwa

Rating: 2.5/5 

WITHIN%20SAND
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