Al Ahli Saudi left Dubai with three points towards their bid for a hat-trick of Asian Champions League titles after a fiery meeting with Al Wasl.Roger Ibanez and Francisco Trincao, two big-money imports to Saudi Arabian football, scored, before Feras Albrikan clinched a 3-1 win in stoppage time.The margin of defeat was harsh on a spirited Wasl side, who deserved more than the lone strike by Pedro Malheiro in first-half stoppage time.Given the gap they were bridging to the high-spending Saudi Pro League side, the home players fully merited the backing they got from their fans on a hostile night in Zabeel.Before kick-off, Ahli’s players stood on the 18-yard line and were serenaded with their club anthem by the travelling supporters.GOAL | Roger Ibañez puts Al Ahli 1–0 ahead against Al Wasl in the 20th minute of their AFC Champions League Elite clash.#AlAhli #AlWasl #ACLElite pic.twitter.com/rIQLOvOu1n— Alkass English (@alkassenglish) October 12, 2026Around 200 had made the trip from Jeddah, but they were drowned out by the noise of the home faithful. The Ultras Junoon are always loud, but they were particularly rowdy when the Ahli anthem was being sung.The home players responded. Wasl’s start was bright, and they fashioned the first opening, only for Siaka Sidibe to blaze over from the edge of the box.Home optimism was dissipated in the 20th minute, though, when Ibanez headed in...
Read briefing Yemen's Houthi rebels launched fresh attacks against Saudi Arabia on Monday, following deadly missile strikes on Riyadh's international airport that killed passengers, some of whom were preparing to board flights to perform Umrah.Saudi authorities extended the suspension of operations at King Khalid International Airport until midnight on October 17 following an attack on Saturday that killed 13 people and injured more than 300, and another on Sunday in which one person was killed.The King Fahd International Airport in Dammam was also hit on Sunday evening, Saudi Arabia's General Authority for Civil Aviation said, with the damage being assessed. A missile launched at Riyadh by the Yemeni Houthi militia has been intercepted and destroyed, the Saudi-led coalition said.The interception was announced shortly after authorities sounded a threat alarm, followed by three explosions, in the Saudi capital on Sunday night.The strikes came as Yemeni government forces, backed by the Saudi-led coalition, clashed with Houthi rebels on the outskirts of the strategic south-western city of Taiz, repelling fresh attacks amid warnings that a tightening rebel siege is worsening conditions inside the Yemeni city. A military spokesman said on Monday that air strikes prevented the Houthis from sending reinforcements to Taiz. At least 20 people have been killed in a series of attacks since last week on...
Read briefing A teacher from the UAE injured in an attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh has been assured she will be able to complete her Umrah pilgrimage once she recovers.The teacher, whose name was not released, was travelling with a colleague from Abu Dhabi to Makkah via Riyadh when the airport came under attack on Saturday.Saudi Health Minister Fahad Al Jalajel visited the two women in hospital on Sunday when he went to see people injured in the attack and find out about their medical care.One of the teachers told the minister how their journey had been interrupted, according to Saudi state-run television channel Al Ekhbariya. She praised the doctors treating her.Mr Al Jalajel said King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had instructed officials to ensure the women received full support throughout their recovery.“You’re not part of what happened. We know that. For that reason, King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman are telling us to take full care of you, even the recovery, and that you continue on your Umrah,” he told her.Suspension of flightsSaudi Arabia has extended the suspension of operations at the airport following the deadly attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels at the weekend.The General Authority of Civil Aviation said on Monday that the suspension would continue while checks on the safety and operational readiness of airport sites were completed...
Read briefing President Nechirvan Barzani of Iraq's Kurdistan region has said weapons must be held by the Iraqi government and warned that the country must not threaten Gulf states, as Baghdad enters a new phase following the withdrawal of US-led coalition forces.“Iraq should not be a threat to Gulf countries. Iraq should never do that, that is not sovereignty,” Mr Barzani said at the annual Middle East Research Institute Forum in Erbil on Monday. “Weapons should be in the hands of the government,” he added, arguing that Iraq needed to strengthen its ability to exercise sovereignty and take responsibility for its own security.The remarks come as Iraq faces pressure to bring armed factions under state control following attacks by Iran-aligned groups on targets in Iraq and across the region. The US-led coalition against ISIS completed its military withdrawal from Iraq on September 30, with security co-operation between Baghdad and Washington now moving towards a bilateral framework.In a statement marking October 1 as the day of full Iraqi sovereignty following the withdrawal, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi said the serious work of dealing with weapons outside state control began now.Mr Barzani said Iraq no longer needed such a large international coalition after 12 years of its presence, adding that the country should develop bilateral security relationships with partner states. “We thank t...
Read briefing Britain’s Prime Minister Andy Burnham was urged on Monday to take direct action against Iran if it succeeded in attacking a British airbase.The UK announced sanctions against two Iranian nationals who the government said had been involved in Iranian plots to attack Britain, which Mr Burnham blamed on Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.He was told by former deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden that Iran considered the UK its enemy and “smells weakness”.He said Iran had attempted attacks at bases in Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, Akrotiri in Cyprus and Fairford in Gloucestershire. The UK introduced sanctions on the IRGC in July, following the first two incidents and a series of attacks against dissidents in previous years.A successful attack would require direct action, suggested Mr Dowden, who also asked for a pledge of “enhanced support and assistance to allies under constant attack”, noting the targeting of Saudi Arabia in recent days.Mr Burnham said Britain was providing the “most robust response” to the situation and “playing its part”.Under Monday’s sanctions, the head of counter-espionage operations within the IRGC, Ruhollah Bazghandi, will be subject to an asset freeze, travel ban and prevented from running any companies in the UK. The government believes he was directly involved in threatening, planning or conducting attacks against in the UK or against it...
Read briefing Iran sent seven conditions to the US for reopening the Strait of Hormuz but the American response has been "insufficient", the head of the Supreme National Security Council told state media.Mohsen Rezaei said Washington had approached Tehran through three channels over the past two months – Pakistan, Qatar and Iraq – asking Iran to present its proposals for reopening the strategic waterway.“About two weeks ago, we communicated seven conditions to the Americans, stating explicitly that until these conditions are met, the Strait of Hormuz will not be opened to them and no negotiations will take place,” Mr Rezaei said.“The Americans have now responded. While they have accepted some of our conditions, others remain unresolved.“We are no longer in the process of responding to the Americans. They have given their reply, and we consider it insufficient. They must clarify the issues that remain ambiguous to us.” Tehran effectively blocked the strait by attacking ships and laying mines after being attacked by Israel and the US in February at the start of the Iran war. The US has retaliated by imposing a blockade of Iranian ports. Iran and the US exchanged proposals to end the conflict through mediators during the UN General Assembly at the end of September. Sources close to the Iranian delegation and western diplomats told The National at the time that Tehran offered no concessions fr...
Read briefing Manchester City completed a thumping win over Liverpool in an emotionally charged match at Anfield on Sunday. In their first game since the Premier League's findings, City secured a 3-0 win over a 10-man Liverpool.The match was evenly balanced in the first half but took a decisive turn in the second after Ryan Gravenberch was shown a red card in the 62nd minute. Erling Haaland gave City the lead three minutes later before Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki completed a statement win.An independent commission found Manchester City guilty of more than 100 breaches of the Premier League's financial rules over a nine-year period.The club have lodged an appeal against the verdict and continue to maintain their innocence, arguing that the commission's decision contains “clear material errors” and that City have evidence supporting their position.Liverpool fans, however, created a hostile atmosphere on Sunday with 60,000 in attendance. Home supporters drowned out the announcement of City's team with boos and chants."It looked like the fans had the time of their lives... I think my Dad enjoyed himself!"Erling Haaland on celebrating with the fans and his father after scoring at Anfield. pic.twitter.com/ODEi78AWPF— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 11, 2026Victory gave City six wins from six and moved them three points clear of Arsenal on 18 points, providing an impressive respo...
Read briefing Saudi Arabia's King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh was attacked again on Sunday after a missile strike by Yemen's Houthi rebels killed 13 people and injured more than 300, sparking global condemnation, including from the UN, the EU and the UAE.The Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen's government said a projectile struck the airport's Terminal 4, causing a fire, while a missile was intercepted in the vicinity. Operations at the airport were suspended after Saturday's deadly attack. Houthi military spokesman Brig Gen Yahya Saree earlier on Sunday issued a warning to "all air shipping companies, experts, employees, workers and travellers against using Saudi airports and airspace – as they are subject to targeting". India's embassy in Riyadh said on Sunday that an Indian citizen injured in Saturday's attack had died. "We are in touch with the family and will provide all support for ensuring the early repatriation of mortal remains," the embassy said in a post on X.The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation said Sunday's attack "resulted in injuries, and that an assessment of the damage and verification of the safety of the facilities is under way".The authority later reported that King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, in the kingdom's Eastern Province, was also attacked and that the damage was being assessed. In a statement earlier, the Houthis said the air...
Read briefing US President Donald Trump has lifted decades-old restrictions on flights between the US and Lebanon, removing a major obstacle to restoring direct air links.Mr Trump said restrictions imposed under four presidential determinations issued in 1985, 1992, 1998 and 2007 were “no longer necessary” to ensure the security of aircraft.He signed the decision on September 30 and it was published in the Federal Register.It follows a meeting between Mr Trump and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the White House in July, during which Mr Aoun requested that the restrictions be lifted.Mr Aoun welcomed the move, describing it as “a sign of confidence in the measures taken by the Lebanese state to guarantee the security of civil aviation”.He thanked Mr Trump for responding favourably to his request, as well as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for following up on the matter. Mr Aoun also reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to international civil aviation security standards and expressed hope that the decision would strengthen co-operation between Beirut and Washington.Lebanese ambassador to Washington, Nada Mouawad, also welcomed the decision, saying it “opens the door to the resumption of direct flights between Lebanon and the United States”.The restrictions were introduced in 1985 by the administration of president Ronald Reagan after the hijacking of TWA Flight 847 by alleged Hezbollah militants...
Read briefing US President Donald Trump said on Sunday Russia and Ukraine agreed to stop attacks on each other’s energy infrastructure, and announced an immediate halt after an escalation in deadly strikes.“Effective immediately, there is an energy ceasefire in the war between Russia and Ukraine. Both parties have agreed. Do not break it,” Mr Trump wrote on social media.He provided no details on its duration, how it would be enforced or which sites would be covered.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an interview with the news outlet Axios that he was not aware of any ceasefire but added that if Moscow agreed to it, Kyiv would accept it.“The ceasefire announcement was news for me. But if Russians agree to an energy ceasefire Ukraine will agree. If President Trump negotiated it with [Russian President Vladimir] Putin – please tell us when the ceasefire begins – we are ready and we will accept it,” Mr Zelenskyy said.The announcement followed a dispute between Mr Trump and Mr Zelenskyy over attacks on Russian oil refineries. Mr Trump criticised the strikes on Saturday, a day after Washington temporarily lifted sanctions on Russian fuel that were intended to limit Moscow’s revenue for its war.“I think it’s time for Ukraine to get a new president,” Donald Trump told reporters at the White House.Mr Zelenskyy responded on Sunday by offering to organise elections if Mr Put...
Read briefing The UAE National Guard's Coast Guard Division rescued 22 crew members after a fire broke out on an oil tanker in the Arabian Gulf.A specialised coast guard team responded to the crew's report of a fire and successfully located the tanker. The crew members were rescued, given first aid procedures before being transferred to relevant authorities. The rescued individuals were all Asian nationals. The swift response demonstrated the operational readiness of the UAE National Guard's maritime personnel, who are trained for emergencies in international waters. The division's timely actions ensured the safety of everyone on board.All the individuals rescued are in stable medical condition, the authority added. This incident highlights the vital role of the UAE's maritime security forces in protecting lives in the Arabian Gulf, a key global shipping lane.The National Guard's Coast Guard Division collaborates with federal and emirate-level agencies to ensure comprehensive coverage of the UAE's coastline and the broader Arabian Gulf, where maritime incidents are common due to heavy vessel traffic.
Read briefing This publisher did not include a summary in its feed. Open the briefing for attribution and the original report link.
Read briefing Red Bull's Max Verstappen claimed a double in Singapore on Saturday as he won a chaotic sprint race before clinching pole position for Sunday's Grand Prix. The Dutchman has largely endured a frustrating campaign but will now be fancied to make it back-to-back race victories after his triumph at the Bahrain Grand Prix, hosted in Malaysia last weekend. That breakthrough followed a run of three successive podiums for the four-time world champion.Verstappen will have Ferrari's Charles Leclerc alongside him on the front row while Lewis Hamilton was third-fastest. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli was only fourth-fastest for Mercedes.The result means Verstappen will be on pole for his 250th F1 race and for the first time at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. Earlier in the day, Verstappen, 29, had showcased his pace by winning an eventful sprint race staged in tricky conditions.Russell was leading, with the track still wet from an earlier downpour, when he drifted a little wide at the final corner of the first lap and lost control. His Mercedes flew across the track and into the wall.QUALIFYING TOP 10 ✨VerstappenLeclerc Hamilton AntonelliNorrisRussellPiastriGasly Lawson Lindblad#F1 #SingaporeGP pic.twitter.com/bESpfx8Efw— Formula 1 (@F1) October 10, 2026Ferrari's Hamilton took second place, having made a flying start from sixth on the grid with teammate Leclerc taking third.A l...
Read briefing Goals from Riccardo Calafiori and substitute Bruno Guimaraes saw Arsenal come from behind to beat Leeds United 2-1 on Saturday.Leeds, who were on top for an hour, had led through James Justin's 55th-minute opener, and it looked like being another difficult afternoon for the champions after their 3-0 defeat to Brighton immediately before the international break. However, Calafiori's equaliser proved the turning point, and was quickly followed by a triple substitution by home boss Mikel Arteta to cement the shift in momentum in favour of his side. One of those subs was Guimaraes, and the Brazil midfielder started and finished a flowing team move to complete the turnaround and secure all three points. “It feels unbelievable. I felt in the last game against Brighton we were not at the level. Today the mentality was bouncing back,” said Guimaraes.“This is my first official game at home. It feels unbelievable to score and it's an important goal, three important points. Great finish and I am very happy.”Arsenal ratingsDavid Raya – 7: Great save to thwart Gudmundsson at end of first half. Kept busy by Leeds, and generally up to challenge. Ben White – 6: Nodded back into a good area for equaliser that Arsenal scarcely deserved at the time. Ezri Konsa – 7: Had his hands full with Calvert-Lewin but had a strong game and distribution improved as match went on. Gabriel – 6: Few sloppy momen...
Read briefing Dubai Police has warned of the increasing dangers as artificial intelligence makes fake videos and voices harder to detect.A study by the force's Future Foresight Centre has found that rapidly advancing deepfake technologies pose multiple threats that impact public safety, information credibility, the reliability of digital evidence and related decision-making.The research warns that AI-generated content is increasingly difficult to distinguish from authentic material, making manipulated videos, images and audio more convincing. This could enable criminals to better impersonate people, steal identities, deceive the public and spread misinformation.The study coincides with Cybersecurity Awareness Month, observed every October, and forms part of the Ministry of Interior’s Safe UAE Through Your Digital Awareness campaign.When seeing is no longer believingA key finding is that the deepfake challenge extends beyond detecting fabricated content. As manipulation techniques advance, people may increasingly suspect genuine photographs, videos and audio, making it harder to know what to trust.The study highlights the need to verify the origin, authenticity and integrity of digital content to protect individuals and institutions from deception and misinformation.Hamdan Al Ghassiya, director of the Future Foresight Centre at Dubai Police, said generative AI's implications went beyond ident...
Read briefing US President Donald Trump on Friday said Russia has agreed to supply millions of barrels of diesel to global markets after a call with President Vladimir Putin.The move comes as Mr Trump faces growing domestic political pressure to bring down rising diesel prices – caused by supply constraints in the Iran war and Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries – ahead of November's midterm elections.Under the deal, Mr Trump said in a social media post Russia will immediately supply more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel fuel to the US and global market place, in addition to 500,000 tonnes in November, followed by 1 million more tonnes “immediately thereafter”. Mr Trump said, “based on the condition of their diesel refineries,” Russia will deliver 3 million tonnes of diesel fuel “within a short period of time”.The Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control released a correspondent general licence allowing the sale of Russian-origin diesel fuel through midnight on April 7, 2027. The department said the general licence does not authorise any debit to an account on the books of a US financial institution of Russia's central bank, its national wealth fund, or its finance ministry.The move drew quick condemnation from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who said allowing Russia to sell its petroleum products “is an investment in war that needs to end, not continue”.
Read briefing A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Panama on Friday, according to the US Geological Survey, sparking warnings about tsunamis off its coast.The quake had a depth of 12.6km and occurred in Herrera Province, roughly 200km to the south-west of the Panama Canal, the USGS said.The USGS initially registered an 8.0 magnitude before revising it. Panama’s geological institute reported the quake as a 7.2 magnitude.Some buildings were reported damaged but the critical Panama Canal was not affected, nor was the passage of ships through the trade waterway.Flights were suspended at Tocumen International airport, a major regional hub.Local newspaper La Prensa said that people across different regions evacuated buildings, businesses, schools and homes following the earthquake.In Panama, where earthquakes of this magnitude are rare, television images showed elderly residents reduced to tears in the streets as a series of weaker aftershocks rattled the country.“We’re scared. It’s just the two of us old folks here. The house has cracked, and we’re afraid it could fall on us,” said Ricardo Brown, speaking to Reuters by phone from the Las Minas area in Herrera province in southern Panama, where he noted the quake damaged a number of homes.Shaking was also felt as far as San Jose, the capital of neighbouring Costa Rica, according to a Reuters witness.Omar Smith, who heads Panama's civil protectio...
Read briefing A battle is brewing over how to retrieve a tipped fuel assembly at the soon-to-be-restarted Palisades nuclear reactor in Michigan. The reactor, which closed in 2022 but was purchased by Holtec International, has become a poster child for an AI and data centre-induced nuclear energy renaissance in the US. Efforts to restart the reactor in Covert, Michigan, hit a snag on August 30, when, according to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), one of the fuel assemblies tipped during fuelling, causing resumption to be placed on hold. The NRC said no radiation was released during the incident. But the incident has confirmed concerns about the unorthodox nature of restarting a shuttered nuclear reactor, which are known as “zombie reactors”. According to publicly available documents and correspondence between Palisades workers and the NRC, Holtec International has proposed a method for retrieving the tipped fuel.In the requests Holtec made to the NRC, the company says that the fuel rods have “retained their integrity as primary fission product barrier”. The energy firm also says that the fuel assembly is situated at a 30-degree angle “from the core plate”. In its application, Holtec proposed using a specially designed recovery tool to lift the tilted assembly and a protective canister to support and enclose it during its transfer from the reactor vessel to the spent fuel pool.A news...
Read briefing This publisher did not include a summary in its feed. Open the briefing for attribution and the original report link.
Read briefing JJ Thompson has a very varied CV. He came ninth on The X Factor in 2013 as part of a boy band, spent years as a radio presenter before launching a podcast production company during Covid, which ultimately failed.Then, in June 2024, he walked away from a job offer at one of the UAE's biggest radio networks to start from scratch in real estate with no salary. More than two years later, he's earning an average of Dh130,000 a month at Dubai-based property brokerage Strada. How did money feature in your childhood?I think I have some financial trauma. My dad was a business owner and we seemed to have a little bit and then very little. I've always had a bit of an issue with finances. I don't know if it's through ADHD or childhood, but I'm good at spending money.I'm learning to get a hold of money and get rid of it as quickly as possible – forcing myself to buy property, which is weird to say, because either I’ll spend the money or I'll invest in property to make sure it doesn't get spent. What was your first job? What did you earn?A waiter when I was 16 years old, £4.50 an hour. I moved to London from Coventry when I was 19 and had random bar jobs for those three years. I worked for my dad doing roofing but he fired me after a couple of months.When I moved to London, I worked in Harrods, spraying perfume on the ground floor. That's where I met my now-wife. Then I worked in a call cent...
Read briefing Apple indicated on Thursday that it would be making a smart-home product-related announcement on October 13, releasing a video showing someone embroidering the company's famous multicoloured logo. The caption being created read "Welcome home", seemingly confirming months of rumours that Apple will soon be introducing a new device for the home during the event, which is scheduled to take place next Tuesday at 9am Washington time (5pm GST). "The upcoming display-based device could become a central interface for controlling smart-home products, accessing content and services, and interacting with Apple’s AI capabilities, potentially giving Apple a stronger foothold in the smart-home ecosystem," said Anshika Jain, principal analyst for the technology market analysis firm Counterpoint.Ms Jain said that signs point to another announcement from Apple, probably the introduction of a refreshed HomePod, a Siri-enabled speaker that was first introduced in 2018. Welcome home. October 13. pic.twitter.com/ChelGSDOTI— Greg Joswiak (@gregjoz) October 8, 2026"With Apple Intelligence and a more capable Siri, the company is positioning HomePod as an entry point into an AI-powered home ecosystem," she said.Ms Jain said that unlike Apple's success with iPhone, Mac and MacBook sales, she does not necessarily expect the refreshed HomePod to be an initial hit. "Shipment growth is likely to remain mode...
Read briefing The UAE and Saudi Arabia have signed an agreement to develop rail links and deepen energy co-operation between the Gulf neighbours.Mohamed Alsuwaidi, the UAE Minister of Investment, and Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, Saudi Minister of Energy and Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, signed the preliminary agreement in Riyadh, state news agency Wam reported.The agreement sets out a framework for rail links between the countries, with a focus on moving goods and cargo across borders. It provides for technical and economic studies to support logistics integration, improve supply efficiency and advance broader regional economic development.The agreement also outlines measures to streamline cross-border trade and transport, with both sides committing to studies that will assess the feasibility of linking their rail networks. The agreement reflects growing momentum behind Gulf-wide integration as the two countries seek to strengthen economic ties and reduce friction in bilateral trade corridors.Beyond rail, the deal extends to energy infrastructure, covering co-operation on electricity interconnection and the exchange and sale of power between the two nations.Technical, economic and environmental feasibility studies will be conducted to evaluate interconnection opportunities, with both parties agreeing to co-ordinate with other GCC member states on expanding the Gulf's broader sy...
Read briefing A woman who was reported missing was found dead by police in Ras Al Khaimah on Thursday.The police force in the emirate extended its deepest condolences and sincere sympathy to the family of the deceased, referred to as Sheikha, in a post on X.Earlier on Thursday, police had announced the disappearance of Sheikha, a middle-aged woman with “a special medical condition”.
Read briefing The UAE is to decriminalise attempted suicide as part of amendments to the country's Crimes and Penalties Law.A previous amendment in 2020 to the legislation on attempted suicide gave judges the discretion to offer mental health treatment as an alternative to prison.“The removal of criminal liability for attempted suicide recognises that someone experiencing a crisis needs care and support,” said Dr Hassan Elhais, a lawyer at Amal Al Rashedi Lawyers and Legal Consultants.“Removing the fear of prosecution can encourage people to seek help earlier and give families greater confidence to request urgent assistance.”This improves the chances of early intervention, provides the care and support needed, and supports suicide prevention efforts, state news agency Wam said.The new laws also lay out penalties for those whose actions cause someone to try to take their own life.A three-to-five year prison sentence awaits anyone convicted of causing somebody to attempt suicide, who then suffers a serious injury or permanent disability as a result.If someone's actions are found to have caused another person to take their own life, the sentence is increased to up seven years in prison. If someone causes a person under the age of 18 to attempt suicide, the charge is raised to premeditated murder. Foreign citizens found guilty of these charges face deportation.The amendments include imposing a m...
Read briefing 