With Ramayana Part 1 set to premiere at the Academy Museum in Los Angeles on October 27, the producer has given his most detailed account yet of the project’s ambitions, The Indian Express reports. In short, he sees the two-part film as the opening chapter of a cinematic universe that he believes outranks Hollywood’s biggest franchises.

Not a movie, a launchpad

Speaking at the film’s Telugu pre-release event on Monday, Malhotra described the Ramayana less as a story to adapt and more as a philosophy passed down through generations of Indian families. He said the goal was never to make one or two films and call it a day. The films are meant to start Rama’s journey, not finish it.

To make the point, he played a previously unseen behind-the-scenes video setting out the full expansion plan. The list is long:

• Video games

• A merchandise line covering apparel, toys, gadgets and home furnishings

• Spin-offs, including origin films, TV series and animated features

• Theme park attractions

• A Broadway musical

• Virtual reality, augmented reality and metaverse experiences

Galaxy far, far away? Been there.

Malhotra didn’t avoid the obvious comparison. Star Wars, Marvel and DC each built what they call a universe, he said, and then made his claim: “Ramayana is a universe.”

He said a large part of the production went into explaining the epic’s scale to Western collaborators. His message to them, as he described it, was “this is bigger than anything you have.” He was quick to add that he and his team are fans of those franchises. The Ramayana simply came first, by a few thousand years.

No borrowed blueprints

Malhotra also addressed a long-running criticism of Indian mythological cinema: that it borrows Hollywood’s look and storytelling instead of developing its own. His answer was that the source material already has its own art, costumes, characters, creatures and music, so there’s no need to look elsewhere for inspiration. He described the project as an investment in what the next generation will inherit.

The roll call

The film’s credits are as large as its plans. Nitesh Tiwari, the National Award-winning director of Dangal and Chhichhore, directs. Ranbir Kapoor plays Rama and Yash plays Ravana. Yash also co-produces through his banner, Monster Mind Creations. Sai Pallavi is Sita, Sunny Deol is Hanuman and Ravie Dubey is Lakshman. Kajal Aggarwal plays Mandodari. Arun Govil, who played Rama in Ramanand Sagar’s 1987 TV series Ramayan, returns to the epic as King Dashrath.

Hans Zimmer and AR Rahman compose the score together. Shridhar Raghavan and Tiwari adapted the screenplay from Valmiki’s original text.

Ramayana Part 1 releases worldwide on November 5. Part 2 follows on Diwali 2027. The theme park, presumably, will take a bit longer.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tuesday that Russia and Iran have "never" worked so closely, as Moscow seeks to play a mediating role in the Middle East war.

Araghchi hosted his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Iran on Monday, in his first visit since the outbreak of the conflict.

"We covered everything from Europe to West Asia, including Lebanon, Palestine, Ukraine and Yemen. Also focused on expansion of economic and nuclear cooperation," Araghchi wrote on X.

"Never in our history have Iran and Russia worked as closely as now."

US advises Americans in Saudi Arabia to follow Civil Defence alerts

The United States has advised its citizens in Saudi Arabia to follow Civil Defence alerts and exercise extreme caution amid heightened security concerns following reported missile and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attacks on airports in the Kingdom.

In a security alert issued on October 19, the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia urged American citizens to remain vigilant and follow safety instructions issued by Saudi Arabia's Civil Defence through cellular broadcasts.

“U.S. citizens are reminded to follow the guidance of national alerts released by Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence via cellular broadcast,” the embassy stated.

The advisory warned of potential further attacks on airports, airspace closures, flight cancellations and travel disruptions, urging Americans to exercise extreme caution while using airports in the Kingdom.

Iran president says country has no 'fundamental disagreements' with neighbors

President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran is willing to resolve tensions through dialogue, blaming U.S. interference for divisions in the region, state-run IRNA reported.

Pezeshkian said during Monday's meeting with Lavrov that U.S. military bases in neighboring countries increased tensions, instability and insecurity.

Hegseth makes surprise trip to Middle East

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has made an unannounced trip to the Middle East.

Hegseth announced on social media that he was in the Middle East visiting troops that were on an unspecified, "historic mission." However, the post also came several hours after Axios reported that Hegseth was in Israel visiting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

When asked about the visit and the reports, the Pentagon declined to comment.

Iran embraces Russia, rejects German accusation of attack on Jewish leader

Iran's top security official called for stronger cooperation after meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Tehran on Monday, Iran's state-run IRNA news agency said.

Gen. Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said that cooperation could include joint economic projects, such as the completion of transportation corridors. Lavrov, meanwhile, condemned the U.S.-Israeli military attacks on Iran as illegal.

Also in Tehran on Monday, Iran summoned Germany's ambassador over what the Iranian Foreign Ministry called baseless accusations. Germany had summoned Iran's ambassador in Berlin after a ​court sentenced two men with ties to Iran's intelligence ​service for plotting to kill the leader of a Jewish organization in Germany.

Iran's attempts to strike US ships near Hormuz 'unsuccessful': USS George Washington Captain DeLeo

Capt. Nicholas DeLeo, commanding officer of the forward-deployed USS George Washington, told reporters during a recent media visit in the US Fifth Fleet area that Iran had attempted to strike “a variety of ships” near the Strait of Hormuz, but none had succeeded.

“Those have all been unsuccessful, and I can tell you that reason is 100% due to our sailors on this ship,” DeLeo said, according to the carrier’s commanding officer’s remarks reported during the visit.

He said the carrier and its crew use both offensive and defensive measures to protect Navy vessels, and that crews continuously train for missile and drone threats.

The Nimitz-class carrier is operating in the Arabian Sea near the Strait of Hormuz, supporting the US maritime blockade of Iran, escorting commercial tankers and defending shipping lanes.

DeLeo’s statement indicates that Iranian attacks are not limited to a single vessel type or target, suggesting threats against military ships, commercial vessels, or both, near one of the world’s most strategically sensitive energy chokepoints.

His claim that all attempts were unsuccessful is a morale and deterrence message, but it also implies an ongoing campaign of missile, drone, or other maritime threats requiring constant defensive operations.

'Blatant aggression': China’s premier backs Iran, slams US and Israeli strikes

Chinese Premier Li Qiang condemned US and Israeli attacks on Iran and renewed China’s opposition to unilateral US sanctions in a Monday meeting with Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref, Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported. According to IRNA, Li said the strikes were “blatant aggression” that came during negotiations and without UN Security Council approval. He also backed reviving the Islamabad Agreement and said Beijing would keep defending Iran’s legitimate rights in international forums. Aref was in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, for a meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) prime ministers.

Russia stands by Iran as Trump shrugs off ‘limited’ Moscow-Beijing support

Russia pledged to sustain political and economic cooperation with Iran during Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s visit to Tehran on Monday, even as US President Donald Trump welcomed what he called "limited" Russian and Chinese backing for Tehran.

Lavrov met Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi and President Masoud Pezeshkian, reaffirming Moscow’s 20-year strategic partnership and saying Russia would not abandon economic and investment agreements despite the war.

He called Iran’s cause “just,” accused Washington and Israel of an unprovoked campaign, and urged diplomacy, restored Gulf navigation and guarantees against renewed strikes.

Trump, meanwhile, said Russia and China were doing “very little” to help Iran, calling their limited support “a very positive thing.”

Iran blacklists 122 vessels, says it acted against over 40

Iran’s has placed 122 vessels on its latest “non-compliance list,” saying it has acted against more than 40, according to a statement published by Iranian state media. The Gulf Strait Authority said 19 vessels are negotiating to avoid listing or secure removal if already included. Two vessels have agreed to meet their obligations and be removed, while about 30 others have received warnings and will be listed if they fail to respond. The statement said the authority would assist vessels that voluntarily address violations and seek removal from the list.

Iran officials ramp up calls for nuclear weapons

Iranian officials are now openly declaring that the time for nuclear weapons has come, with a growing faction demanding Tehran weaponise its enrichment program and withdraw from the NPT to establish a complete deterrent against future US-Israeli attacks, per the Financial Times.

Iranian officials now argue that negotiations alone have failed to prevent repeated attacks.

Hassan Ghashghavi, a spokesperson for parliament’s National Security Committee, said Iran’s new Supreme Leader could issue a new ruling on nuclear weapons and “nobody can stop him from doing so.” One insider estimates support for acquiring a bomb has surged from “almost zero to over 50%.”

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Iran summons German ambassador over accusations

German Ambassador Axel Dittmann was called to Iran's Foreign Ministry on Monday over what Tehran described as repeated baseless accusations by German officials, state-affiliated media reported.

The move followed Germany's decision to summon Iran's ambassador in Berlin after a Hamburg court last week sentenced two men to lengthy prison terms over plots to attack prominent Jewish and pro-Israel figures in Germany. The men were convicted of spying for Iran and identifying potential targets.

Alireza Yousefi, a senior Iranian Foreign Ministry official, rejected the allegations, describing them as a longstanding tactic used by Israel and some Western countries against Iran.

Yousefi also accused Berlin of attempting to conceal its alleged involvement in American and Israeli military strikes against Iran, saying Tehran would continue pursuing international accountability for what it called “Germany's participation in war crimes.”

Iran President Pezeshkian meets Russia’s Lavrov in Tehran

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Tehran on Monday to discuss bilateral relations and regional and international developments, according to state-affiliated news agencies.

The two officials also discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between Tehran and Moscow, the country’s presidency said, without providing further details.

Yemen forces launch 13 air strikes on Houthi targets in Taiz

Yemeni government forces said they had launched 13 air strikes targeting Houthi positions, weapons sites and vehicles across Taiz governorate.

The strikes targeted several locations, including 60th Street north of Taiz city, Taiz Airport, Al Rabiei in the northwest, Dhubab district in the west, and Al Maafir and Al Masrakh districts in the south.

Netanyahu calls Trump 'by far, the greatest friend Israel has ever had'

US President Donald Trump told Benjamin Netanyahu he expects him to win a "tremendous" election victory next week, in a telephone call aired by the Israeli prime minister on Monday.

In the call on speakerphone that Netanyahu released a day after Trump endorsed him, the right-wing prime minister in turn called Trump "by far, the greatest friend Israel has ever had".

Macron arrives in UAE for official visit

UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Monday received French President Emmanuel Macron, who arrived in the UAE on an official visit.

An official reception ceremony was held for Macron upon his arrival at the airport. The national anthems of the UAE and the French Republic were played, while an honour guard lined up in salute.

US‑Israel war on Iran: Recent developments

Day 233: Iran officials ramp up calls for nuclear weapons

Day 232: 7-day Hormuz reopening plan still on the table: Iran

Day 231: Saudi Arabia intercepts four drones in Riyadh and east

Day 230: Iran faces cash shortages, military strain: CENTCOM

Day 230: Saudi-led coalition shows cruise missile interception

The conference, originally scheduled for October 26–29 in Riyadh, was expected to bring together leading international investors, business executives, policymakers and strategic partners to mark the initiative's 10th anniversary.

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The institute announced the postponement on Monday but did not attribute the decision to the regional security situation, saying instead that it wanted to ensure the landmark event met the expectations of its international participants.

Princess Dr Maha bint Mishari Al Saud, CEO of FII Institute said the decision reflects the organisation's commitment to delivering an exceptional anniversary edition.

"This decision comes from a deep commitment to our partners, members, speakers, and delegates," she said.

"Because this is our landmark tenth edition, we want to ensure it delivers the full scale, extraordinary quality, and unforgettable impact that our community has come to expect and truly deserves."

The postponement comes as Saudi Arabia faces a wave of missile and drone attacks by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi group, including strikes on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport that have killed civilians, injured hundreds and disrupted international flights.

The attacks have heightened security concerns among international investors and business executives expected to attend the conference, often described as "Davos in the Desert". However, the institute's official announcement did not explicitly link the postponement to the attacks.

The event is a major platform for attracting international investment to Saudi Arabia and promoting Vision 2030, the Kingdom's economic diversification programme aimed at reducing its reliance on oil.

The postponement follows disruptions to several other international events in Saudi Arabia amid the deteriorating security situation, including the cancellation or rescheduling of business gatherings and sporting and cultural events.

The FII Institute said new dates for the 2027 conference would be announced soon. All existing registrations and partnerships will remain valid, while its teams will contact participants and partners directly to provide assistance.

"We are profoundly grateful to our community for your continued trust, patience, and friendship," Princess Maha said.

"We cannot wait to welcome you home to Riyadh in 2027 for a truly special and memorable FII10," she added.

In an interview with The Times published Thursday, October 15, the 55-year-old actor said he and Depp had already been out of touch for years by the time the texts became public, and the two have had no contact since. Among all the accusations the former couple traded, Bettany said, that portrayal struck him as “the most odd” part. He was speaking while promoting his Disney+ series VisionQuest.

He said, “I hadn’t spoken to Johnny in years when that happened and I haven’t spoken to him since. I was being painted as this close friend of a guy I hadn’t spoken to in years and, honestly, amid all the s--- two celebrities threw at each other, that bit was the most odd,” he said.

“So I decided to say nothing because, I think, people know me. I’ve been married 23 years [to actress Jennifer Connelly] and, for what I do, I live an incredibly quiet life,” Bettany added. “Everybody kind of thought this is probably a nothing burger — and left it alone.”

What the messages said

The texts date to 2013, when Depp and Bettany were working together. The two appeared in three films between 2010 and 2015. In one message, Depp wrote, “Lets burn Amber.” Bettany replied in the same mock-medieval spirit. He said he wasn’t sure Heard was a witch and suggested a “drowning test” instead, adding that he had a pool. On the stand, Depp said the exchange was a riff on Monty Python and was never meant literally.

The messages surfaced first in Depp’s 2020 U.K. libel suit against the publisher of The Sun, which he lost. They came up again during his 2022 U.S. defamation trial against Heard. In that trial, Depp described Bettany as a good friend. and claimed Heard disliked Bettany because of their friendship.

Bettany had once spoken warmly of Depp in public. In a 2016 post on X, then Twitter, he described Depp as among the kindest and gentlest people he knew. The post appears to have disappeared when Bettany left the platform.

Not the first time he’s addressed it

Bettany also discussed the texts with The Times in 2022. He called the experience embarrassing and said the messages had been stripped of context. He said he had known Depp before Depp’s marriage to Heard but not during it, so he had no first-hand view of the relationship. He also said he doubted anyone with a smartphone would be comfortable having lawyers comb through their private messages.

The legal backdrop

Depp, 63, and Heard, 40, began dating in 2013, married in 2015, and split the following year. In 2018, Heard wrote a Washington Post op-ed describing herself as a survivor of domestic abuse. The piece did not name Depp, but he sued her for defamation, arguing it clearly referred to him. Heard countersued, accusing Depp of orchestrating a smear campaign against her.

In 2022, a Virginia jury largely sided with Depp and awarded him $15 million. That amount was later reduced under the state’s cap on punitive damages. Heard won one of her three counterclaims and was awarded $2 million. The two settled in December 2022, and Heard paid Depp $1 million in June 2023. A source close to Depp said at the time that he planned to split the money among five charities, as noted by People.

What happened?

Apu Nahasapeemapetilon spoke again in Sunday’s episode of The Simpsons on Fox, titled The Revengening. His comeback had reportedly been kept under wraps until it aired. The big change is the voice: Apu is now played by Sunil Malhotra, an actor born in India and raised in the US. Malhotra described the moment on Instagram as a reclamation, saying: “It truly is his homecoming.”

Why did he stop talking?

The turning point was The Problem With Apu, a 2017 documentary by Indian-American comedian Hari Kondabolu. It argued that the character, a South Asian shopkeeper, was built on racial stereotypes. Apu’s last speaking appearance came that October in the episode The Serfsons. After that, he stayed in Springfield but only in the background.

Azaria announced in 2020 that he would no longer voice Apu. He later said on Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast that part of him felt he needed to personally apologise to every Indian person in the US.

Who is Apu?

Apu has been part of The Simpsons since 1990. He runs Springfield’s Kwik-E-Mart convenience store and became one of the show’s best-loved supporting characters. For nearly three decades he was voiced by Hank Azaria, who used an exaggerated Indian accent for the role.

Who is Sunil Malhotra?

Malhotra is an experienced voice and screen actor. His credits include Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi, The Legend of Vox Machina, The Legend of Korra and Grey’s Anatomy.

He told Variety that when his agent mentioned a Simpsons audition, he knew right away it was for Apu, and his stomach sank. But he was also curious. Apu had been silent for eight years, and Malhotra wondered whether the writers’ room had changed. He asked himself whether the show could bring Apu back in a way that acknowledged and apologised for past mistakes, whether he could make the character his own, and whether all of that could be done in a way that still felt like The Simpsons.

How was the new Apu shaped?

Malhotra worked with showrunner Matt Selman and co-executive producer Cesar Mazariegos on how to bring the character back in a way that fits 2026. He called it a “deeply collaborative experience.” He said he hopes it works both for long-time fans and for South Asian kids who, like him, eventually stopped watching the show.

Is anyone else changing?

Yes. Apu’s wife, Manjula, will now be voiced by Janina Gavankar, known for Apple TV’s The Morning Show. She takes over from Jan Hooks and Tress MacNeille.

The speed of the arrests did little to calm a film industry still unsettled by Sunday’s attack. The actor had just finished a football game in Juhu and was heading home when the gunmen struck. Tiger came away with minor abrasions, but his driver took a bullet, according to Hindustan Times. With the driver wounded, the actor moved into the driver’s seat himself and got the car away.

Actor Karan Veer Mehra, who had been on the pitch with Tiger that evening, was driving in the car directly behind. He later told NDTV that he saw spots of blood once the shooting stopped. Tiger was then seen meeting Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, with bandages visible on his hand and chest.

Jackie Shroff steps out

On Monday, Jackie Shroff made his first public outing since the attack, turning up at a Mumbai ceremony renaming a road as Bappi Lahiri Marg in honour of the late singer and composer. Members of the Lahiri family were present, as were Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and actor Suniel Shetty.

True to form, Jackie carried his trademark potted plant and posed for photographs with the chief minister and other guests. According to officials from the Chief Minister’s Office, the two men, who are on friendly terms, chatted briefly but did not bring up the shooting.

Suniel Shetty: ‘It could happen to anyone’

Suniel greeted Jackie with a hug, whom he called a friend from childhood. Speaking to reporters, as quoted by Hindustan Times, he said that if someone as widely loved as Tiger could be targeted, it could happen to anyone.

He pointed out that Tiger’s life revolves around fitness and sport, said he could not understand why the actor was attacked, and stressed how vital safety has become.

He added that he was relieved Tiger was unhurt and that the injured driver was on the mend. “The whole world loves Tiger and Jackie Dada, and if something like this can happen to him, it could happen to anyone. It shouldn’t have happened. Tiger is so focused on sports and exercise; I don’t know why this occurred—it shouldn’t have. It is so, so important for us to stay safe. For me, Jackie Dada is a childhood friend, and I just hope everything turns out well. I’m also relieved that Tiger himself is fine—it was his driver who got hurt, and he is currently recovering.”

Now, the Asian nation faces a diliemma: It claims to have the talent base to support the proposed chip making and critical minerals hub, known as Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC), framed as a pillar of the US-led "Pax Silica" alliance.

But industry and academic analysts warn: the country must rapidly scale up engineering, semiconductor and AI training if the LEC is to move beyond hosting foreign investments.

Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines (SEIPI) estimates that as of 2026, the semiconductor and electronics sector needs 56,605 trained workers — including 5,875 engineers, 6,483 technicians and 44,247 operators.

SEIPI has also warned: the Philippines produces fewer engineers annually than Vietnam, according to SEIPI President Dr. Danilo Lachica.

What checks out

• 56,605 workers by 2026: Multiple reports say the local semiconductor and electronics industry will need 56,605 trained operators, technicians and engineers in 2026.

• Government target: The government’s semiconductor and electronics workforce goal was previously 128,000 skilled professionals by 2028. This was adjusted to 2030, according to the Advanced Science and Technology Institute, a government research arm.

• Vietnam comparison: SEIPI's Lachica said the Philippines produces fewer engineers annually than Vietnam, which he claimed has “10 times more engineering graduates every year.”

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Talent gap posed by 'Pax Silica'?

Pax Silica is a planned 4,000-acre high-tech manufacturing and innovation zone in New Clark City, Tarlac, under the Luzon Economic Corridor.

It is designed to host semiconductor design, fabrication and advanced packaging, AI computing, critical-minerals processing, data centres, energy infrastructure and research facilities.

It poses multiple challenges at the same time: water, electricity and talent.

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) estimates the project could generate more than 130,000 high-quality jobs, according to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).

Industry estimates cited by the Manila Times project up to 180,000 direct professional jobs and 800,000 "supporting jobs".

Driven by decades of semiconductor assembly, test and electronics manufacturing, the Philippines has a large pool of electronics, electrical, mechanical and computer engineers.

The country's electronics manufacturing sector exported products valued at an estimated $50 billion in 2025.

One industry report lists 278 companies in the electronics and semiconductor products industry in the Philippines.

Bigger challenge

But Pax Silica requires deeper specialisation in chip design, fabrication, advanced packaging, AI systems, cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure and industrial automation.

A paper published by the School of Economics of the University of the Philippines (UP-Diliman) warned that the country risks becoming merely a host for foreign-led AI and semiconductor investments.

There's a caveat: it cited that the key challenge is to builds "stronger domestic technological and industrial capabilities".

It urged Manila to negotiate capability-building provisions while Pax Silica’s governance framework is still being finalised.

Finance Secretary Ralph Recto has also called for schools and training centers near manufacturing hubs, saying semiconductor and electronics zones within the Luzon Economic Corridor will sharply raise demand for highly skilled workers.

What must happen

Industry reports point to three priorities: expand university and technical-vocational programs in semiconductor engineering and AI; align curricula with fab, packaging, data-center and advanced-manufacturing requirements; and create industry-led apprenticeships in Clark, Tarlac and nearby corridors.

The Philippines has enough engineers to start, but not yet enough highly specialized talent to sustain a full-scale semiconductor, AI and advanced-manufacturing ecosystem without a major national upskilling push.

Sources: Presidential Communications Office/BCDA; Manila Bulletin citing UP School of Economics; BusinessWorld.

The Philippines produces roughly 87,000 engineering and technology graduates annually, but it does not publish a single current official figure that separately breaks out electrical and electronics engineers each year.

The latest widely cited CHED-based figure is 87,083 engineering and technology graduates in academic year 2018–2019; electronics-industry groups say the country still produces fewer engineers than regional competitors such as Vietnam.infobusiness.

What the data show

• Engineering and technology graduates: CHED data cited by the Philippine electronics industry show 87,083 graduates in AY 2018–2019, or 10.9% of more than 790,000 college graduates.

• There's a broader engineering trend: Engineering graduates rose from 49,373 in 2010 to 87,083 in 2019, according to CHED figures cited in industry and academic reporting, according to LinkedIn.

• Electrical engineering: CHED maintains historical graduate data for electrical engineering, but the publicly available FOI record covers 2005–2019 rather than a current annual total.

• Electronics engineering: Program-level data show highly variable graduation numbers, and there's currently no available updated CHED breakdown for electronics engineering graduates.

• TESDA: TESDA projects sustained demand through 2030 for electronics assembly and servicing, electrical installation and maintenance, semiconductor operations, renewable energy, automation and smart-systems support. It also expects rising demand for higher-level certifications and specialised micro-credentials.

• Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines (SEIPI): Industry projections estimate the semiconductor and electronics sector will need 56,605 trained workers by 2026, including 5,875 engineers, 6,483 technicians and 44,247 operators. SEIPI has also warned that the Philippines produces fewer engineers annually than Vietnam.

• JobStreet/APCDA labour-market data: Engineering remains among the most in-demand occupations in Philippine job postings, while electrical and electronics is among the industries with the most hiring activity.

STEM challenge

A congressional commission (EDCOM 2) found that proficiency falls from 30% in Grade 3 to 0.47% in Grade 12, with a 5.5-year learning gap by age 15.

In its final report titled “Turning Point”, the 2022 PISA found that Filipino 15-year-olds scored 355 in math against an OECD average of 472, and fewer than 25% of senior high students enroll in STEM strands.

Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia all outscored the Philippines. About half of science teachers did not major in science, according to the EDCOM 2 report.

The causes are mostly structural: The commission traces the decline to rapid post-1960s expansion without matching teacher training and classrooms. Other factors include stunting, mass promotion and lost instructional time.

What history shows

In the 1970s, Philippine universities were the hotbed of student activism. For example, the First Quarter Storm began at the University of the Philippines (UP).

After Martial Law in 1972, the mobilisation of students trained activists who later joined the underground New People’s Army, sucked into the communist promise.

The cost was a generation of talent pulled out of classrooms and careers, even while neighbours like China, Singapore, Taiwan and Malaysia pulled off economic miracloes.

This had a profound effect on the country's engineering manpower.

Now, there' a strange calm in the Philippine countryside.

The insurgency has withered: The military says the NPA is a spent force reduced to a “negligible” size, though veteran rebels dispute that. One estimate put it at around 1,100 fighters.

Peace, however, hasn’t produced a technical workforce.

Why 2028 looks like the tipping point

Several clocks run out together:

• Marcos Jr.’s term ends in 2028.

• The semiconductor industry’s target is 128,000 engineers and technicians by 2028, even as engineering enrollment has declined.

• EDCOM 2’s plan frontloads reforms in 2026 to 2028.

• The 2026 budget gave education P1.37 trillion, meeting the UN benchmark of 4.4% of GDP for the first time.

The stakes are high.

Vietnam expects electronics exports above $140 billion, and the World Bank warns that without major STEM gains by 2030 the Philippines risks being trapped in low-wage services.

Even existing engineers face a bottleneck: many end up on assembly lines because the sector’s hiring requirements are tight.

The bigger lesson

The Philippines has a large engineering pipeline — about 87,000 engineering and technology graduates a year at its recent peak.

Demand is strongest in semiconductors, renewable energy, automation, construction and advanced manufacturing, making specialised upskilling more urgent than simply increasing overall engineering enrollment.

Energy hasn’t vanished from Filipino youth, but it has shifted from armed struggle to anti-corruption marches.

The scandal involved flood-control projects allegedly substandard or never built, which is also a failure of technical competence and integrity.

Whether that energy goes into building schools, labs and engineering careers before Marcos Jr's watch is out in 2028 may decide the Philippines’ place in the global chip economy.

Foreign direct investment, international businesses, asset managers and entrepreneurs have all contributed to the country’s emergence as one of the region’s most internationally connected economies. Yet focusing only on inbound investment risks overlooking an important shift now under way.

The UAE is increasingly becoming not simply a destination for global capital, but a platform from which that capital operates.

This distinction matters.

That evolution reflects the growing maturity of the country's financial ecosystem.

A more sophisticated investment market

The growth of the UAE's financial centres provides one indication of the direction of travel. DIFC reported more than 500 wealth and asset-management companies at the end of 2025, alongside 1,052 regulated firms. The number of family-related entities operating within the centre reached 1,289, reflecting the increasing importance of Dubai to internationally mobile private wealth. Abu Dhabi has experienced similarly strong momentum. ADGM reported that assets under management increased by 36 per cent during 2025, with 171 asset and fund managers collectively managing 244 funds by year end.

But the significance of this growth goes beyond the number of firms establishing a presence.

A deeper asset management and private wealth ecosystem changes the type of financial activity taking place in a market. An international investor establishing in the UAE may have assets in Europe, operate businesses in the Middle East, and hold investment interests in Asia. A fund manager based in Abu Dhabi may raise capital from investors across several continents before deploying it into multiple markets. A family office in Dubai may need to consider investment management alongside succession, governance and the ownership of assets spread around the world.

The UAE is therefore increasingly sitting at the intersection of these different capital flows.

Capital is becoming more international and more complex

This creates a different set of requirements for the financial sector.

When investment activity becomes more international, the question is no longer simply whether an individual market offers attractive opportunities. Investors must also consider how effectively their structures work across jurisdictions.

Ownership, governance, succession, reporting and regulation can all become more complicated when multiple markets are involved.

For private wealth in particular, this is becoming increasingly relevant. The continued expansion of family offices and foundations in the UAE reflects a wider shift towards more formalised approaches to managing family wealth.

DIFC, for example, reported significant growth in both family-related entities and foundations during 2025. That suggests the conversation around private wealth in the region is evolving beyond investment performance alone.

Families are increasingly considering how wealth should be governed, transferred and invested over decades rather than individual investment cycles.

The importance of financial connectivity

The next stage of this development may be less about competing with other international financial centres and more about connecting effectively with them.

Global capital rarely operates within a single jurisdiction.

A structure established in one financial centre may hold investments in another, be managed from a third and ultimately benefit investors or family members living across several countries.

For investors, what matters is that those arrangements can operate with sufficient legal, regulatory and administrative certainty. This makes connectivity between established international financial centres increasingly important.

It is also why the growth of centres such as DIFC and ADGM should not necessarily be viewed through the traditional lens of competition between jurisdictions. As cross-border investment becomes more complex, different centres can perform complementary roles within the same investment architecture.

For Jersey, which has a longstanding role in supporting cross-border investment and private wealth, this evolution creates an opportunity to complement the UAE’s growing financial ecosystem, particularly through structures that support internationally mobile capital, assets and families.

A UAE-based family office, for example, does not stop being international simply because it manages its investment activity from Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Quite the opposite: establishing a sophisticated base in the UAE can increase the need for structures that support investments, businesses and family interests internationally.

A different measure of financial centre success

This points towards a broader change in how successful financial centres may need to think about growth.

Traditional measures remain important: assets under management, new firms, foreign investment, and financial sector employment all provide valuable indications of scale.

But connectivity is becoming another measure of maturity.

Can investors use a financial centre to access multiple markets? Can investment structures accommodate assets and stakeholders across jurisdictions? Can families manage increasingly international wealth without creating unnecessary complexity? And can institutional investors operate across markets while maintaining appropriate governance and oversight?

These questions will become more important as the UAE's financial sector continues to expand.

The country's success in attracting international financial institutions and private capital has already established it as an important global financial hub. The next chapter is about what happens once that capital is here.

Increasingly, the answer may be that it does not simply stay in the UAE. It is managed from the UAE, structured through international networks and deployed around the world.

That represents a subtle but important evolution in the UAE's investment story: from a market that attracts global capital to one that increasingly helps shape how global capital moves.

The post, shared on Sunday, opened with home video of the siblings dancing together as children, followed by a photo of the pair by the ocean and a four-page letter addressed to “prez.” In it, Kaia recalled being too nervous to get her ears pierced as a child, until her brother offered to go first. She wrote that holding the earring later returned to her from his body left her with a single thought: that it belonged to him.

Reflecting on life without him, she wrote that she is learning to love him without being able to see him, and to talk to him without reaching for her phone. "I am learning how to love you when I cannot see you. How to tell you something without picking up my phone to call you. How to be your sister in a world that I can't reach for you in," she wrote.

Presley died on September 20. According to BBC, the police are treating his death as a suspected overdose, and the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has listed the case as pending further investigation. The Santa Monica Police Department said there is no sign that foul play was involved.

His mother, supermodel Cindy Crawford, also posted a tribute on Sunday alongside a black-and-white portrait of her son, writing that the family was “beyond heartbroken.” She described him as a gentle, loving soul and said the family was proud of the kindness and openness he brought to the world.

She wrote, "He is a sweet, beautiful soul who loved and is loved, now and forever. We are so proud of how he showed up in the world, with kindness and vulnerability. We feel so blessed to have had Presley in our lives for 27 years."

Signing off on behalf of herself, his father and his sister, she bid her “sweet boy” farewell until they meet again.

Presley followed his mother and sister into modelling, walking his first runway for Moschino at just 16. In recent years, he had spoken candidly about his struggles with mental health and drug use, and regularly posted videos on Instagram under a series he called “Mental Health Mondays.”

His father, businessman Rande Gerber, co-founded a beverage brand Casamigos with George Clooney.

Sharjah City Municipality has completed the project to upgrade roads, pavements and parking facilities in the area in seven and a half months, ahead of the original one-year contractual deadline. The development was carried out under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.

Covering 185,000 square metres, the project aims to improve residents’ quality of life, ease movement around the neighbourhood, enhance road safety and give Al Yarmook a more organised urban appearance.

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The improvements also include a new 5,400 square metre park, 280 newly planted trees, 227 energy-efficient streetlights, 32 pedestrian benches and an integrated camera surveillance system.

Dedicated motorcycle parking introduced

For the first time across Sharjah, dedicated motorcycle parking spaces have been introduced as part of the Al Yarmook development project, providing designated areas for riders and helping improve parking management across the emirate.

The initiative forms part of a wider effort to organise parking, reduce random parking and make it easier for residents and visitors to find designated spaces.

The project also created and prepared 4,160 paid parking spaces along roadsides and in internal open areas. The spaces are intended to improve vehicle parking arrangements and make more efficient use of available land.

53 roads and improved infrastructure

The project covered a total area of 185,000 square metres and included the construction of 53 roads covering 56,876 square metres, with a combined length of approximately nine kilometres.

It also involved the development and maintenance of the internal road network, as well as 41 lanes, passages and pedestrian pavements covering more than 31,320 square metres.

Infrastructure works included electricity, water and gas lines, telecommunications networks, sewage systems and rainwater drainage facilities. The project also focused on organising utility routes, improving connectivity between buildings and public facilities, and making movement through the neighbourhood easier for residents and visitors.

Sewage and rainwater drainage works have been completed in full, covering 14,800 linear metres.

Quality control measures included reviewing detailed network plans, checking the quality of construction materials, monitoring implementation, testing the networks, verifying levels and inspecting rainwater inlets, manholes and associated structures.

The municipality also cleaned and levelled 36 plots of land covering approximately 31,000 square metres. Some of these plots were earmarked for smart parking facilities, while others were designated for school buses.

The work has improved the appearance of the neighbourhood while allowing better use of available land.

New parks and more green spaces

The municipality has expanded recreational facilities in Al Yarmook with the development of a 5,400 square metre park featuring a shaded children's play area, a football pitch, visitor seating and an office for security and park supervision.

A second, smaller park was also created, with its design incorporating an existing mature ghaf tree to preserve it. The park includes a children's play area and family seating, providing an additional community space for residents.

The municipality also planted 280 sea hibiscus trees, alongside other flowering species, along the main roads to enhance Al Yarmook’s urban landscape and expand its green spaces. The project also included maintaining existing landscaped areas to preserve greenery and improve the neighbourhood’s overall appearance.

Free permits for building façade improvements

Improving the appearance of buildings was another key part of the development.

Engineer Faisal Al Mulla, Director of the General Services Department at Sharjah City Municipality and head of the project team, said the municipality established a specialised team to monitor building façades alongside the main construction team.

The initiative covered more than 535 buildings, and maintenance permits were issued for 231 of them.

All permits issued to property owners for modifying or maintaining building façades were provided free of charge, easing the process of repainting buildings and removing features that detract from the area's overall appearance.

The initiative is intended to improve the urban landscape while preserving the neighbourhood's aesthetic character.

Dedicated centre for municipal inspectors

Under the directives of the Ruler of Sharjah, a plot of land was allocated for a dedicated building to serve as a base for municipal inspectors carrying out field duties in the area.

The facility has been completed and fully equipped in accordance with the required specifications and standards.

Inspectors will use the centre as a starting point for monitoring public cleanliness, the area's overall appearance, building façades, shop signs and other signage, as well as carrying out other duties within their responsibilities.

227 streetlights and surveillance cameras

The project included the installation of 227 energy efficient streetlights and 32 benches along pedestrian pavements to improve safety and comfort for residents and visitors.

An integrated camera surveillance system was also established to strengthen security and safety throughout the area.

Project completed ahead of schedule

Al Mulla said the project was completed in seven and a half months through advance planning, coordinated implementation and cooperation among the government entities involved.

Although the original contractual period was one year, the work was organised according to an ambitious eight months schedule to minimise disruption and complete the improvements as quickly as possible.

The neighbourhood was divided into seven work zones, allowing construction to proceed in phases while keeping parts of the area accessible to residents and shop owners. This approach helped avoid a complete closure of the neighbourhood and reduced the impact of construction on daily life and business activity.

The project was carried out in collaboration with the Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority, the Department of Planning and Survey, the Directorate of Public Works, Sharjah Police General Command, and the Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority.

The Roads and Transport Authority was involved from the early stages, reviewing the works, monitoring implementation and overseeing quality to ensure compliance with approved technical specifications and standards.

The project began with the approval of infrastructure plans and the issuance of the required certificates and permits, followed by the implementation and inspection of the works.

The municipality said the improvements are intended to provide an integrated, safe and sustainable urban environment, improve access throughout Al Yarmook and enhance the daily experience of residents and visitors.

Sharjah Al Yarmook project: Key facts

• Directive: Implemented under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah.

   

• Area: 185,000sqm; completed in 7.5 months, ahead of the one-year deadline.

• Roads: 53 roads spanning 56,876sqm and approximately 9km.

• Parking: 4,160 paid spaces; dedicated motorcycle parking introduced for the first time across the areas covered.

• Pedestrian facilities: 41 lanes, passages and pavements covering 31,320sqm.

• Infrastructure: 14,800 linear metres of sewage and rainwater drainage networks completed.

• Land: 36 plots covering 31,000sqm cleaned and levelled for smart parking and school buses.

• Parks: One 5,400sqm park and a smaller park preserving a mature ghaf tree.

• Greenery: 280 trees planted; existing landscaped areas maintained.

• Building façades: 535-plus buildings covered; 231 free maintenance permits issued.

• Lighting and seating: 227 energy efficient streetlights and 32 benches installed.

• Security: Integrated CCTV surveillance system established.

• Municipal services: Dedicated, fully equipped base for municipal inspectors.

• Construction: Seven work zones to minimise disruption to residents and businesses.

• Partners: Roads and Transport Authority, Planning and Survey, Public Works, Sharjah Police, and Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority.

   

Starring Shanaya Kapoor, the show doesn't promise the sparkle, crushes and inter-house rivalries of the films, instead, violence and a competition with apparently much higher stakes than a trophy.

Johar teased the series with a clip and a caption that left little room for subtlety, calling it “gritty, gory, unabashed and absolute madness.”

Wait, what is this exactly?

If you’re confused, you’re in good company. The announcement has left plenty of fans scratching their heads. Is it a sequel? A reboot? A spin-off set in the same universe, where St. Teresa’s has quietly descended into chaos? And how exactly does a franchise best known for “The Disco Song” and pastel blazers end up described as “gory”?

The makers aren’t offering a family tree just yet. What they are offering is a lot of confidence.

The team makes its case

Johar described the new chapter as “a phoenix rising,” noting that the franchise that began with big dreams in 2012 is now breaking every rule it once set. He praised director Reema Maya’s genre-bending approach and Shanaya’s double role, adding that the first look is only the tip of the iceberg.

Maya was equally direct about lowering expectations of familiarity. She described the series as Student Of The Year stripped down and rebuilt as a thriller competition, saying the web format gives the team room for the conversations they want to have with young audiences. She also had warm words for the music, the young cast and her lead, calling Shanaya “a director’s actor.”

Shanaya, for her part, called the project “a bold statement,” explaining that playing her character in such a contrasting way was a deliberate choice to challenge expectations of mainstream storytelling. She described the role as layered, flawed and real, and the most challenging and rewarding experience of her career so far.

From class topper to cult following

The original Student of the Year (2012), directed by Johar, launched Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan and Sidharth Malhotra, who did rather well for themselves after leaving school. Student of the Year 2 followed in 2019 with Tiger Shroff, Ananya Panday and Tara Sutaria.

After Dark, directed by Reema Maya and produced by Dharmatic Entertainment, also stars Divik Sharma and Manya Grover. Whether it ends up as a bold reinvention or the franchise’s rebellious phase, one thing is clear: this year’s student won’t be winning on charm alone.

Slow-moving traffic is visible on sections of Sheikh Zayed Road (E11), Al Khail Road (E44) and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road (E311), while Emirates Road (E611) remains largely clear.

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Sheikh Zayed Road

Heavy congestion is affecting Sheikh Zayed Road (E11) near Abu Hail and the Sharjah-Dubai corridor, with long stretches of slow-moving traffic visible on Google Maps.

Traffic eases through central Dubai, though motorists may face delays around Al Safa, Umm Suqeim, and Al Sufouh.

Further south, traffic is moving steadily through Dubai Marina and Jebel Ali, with only isolated slow-moving sections near major interchanges.

Al Khail Road

Motorists on Al Khail Road (E44) are encountering heavy traffic around Al Quoz and Al Quoz Fourth, where a stretch of the highway is marked red on Google Maps.

Congestion is also visible near Dubai Design District and Business Bay, with traffic slowing around connecting junctions.

Further along E44, delays are reported around Al Warqa and Warsan 2, particularly near the junctions leading towards Al Awir.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road (E311) is experiencing slower traffic near Mirdif and Muhaisnah, with several congested sections on surrounding roads.

Further south, traffic slows near Jumeirah Village Circle and Dubai Sports City, particularly around the exits serving neighbouring residential communities.

Pockets of congestion are also visible around Motor City and the connecting roads towards Arabian Ranches.

Traffic improves along the outer sections of E311, including stretches towards Dubai South.

Emirates Road

Traffic on Emirates Road (E611) is moving smoothly across most sections of Dubai, with no widespread congestion visible on the main highway.

Routes around Al Awir, Dubai Investments Park and the approaches to Dubai South are also largely clear.

Other affected roads

Motorists face additional delays on Damascus Street (D62), with congested stretches around Al Qusais, Al Rashidiya, and Nad Al Hamar.

Traffic is also slow on sections of the roads connecting Al Barsha, JVC and Motor City, while localised congestion is visible near the Dubai-Al Ain Road (E66) interchange.

Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time and check traffic conditions before travelling.

His wife was left grieving and facing unexpected legal complications. A property sale was disrupted, and settling his estate required the involvement of relatives in the UK, including his elderly and unwell parents.

His case highlights a risk many UAE expats overlook - without a registered will, even straightforward matters such as selling a family home or settling an inheritance can become complicated.

And he is far from alone. A recent YouGov survey found that nearly half (49 per cent) of UAE expats have yet to start a will, while 56 per cent believe their assets would automatically pass to their spouse or partner.

"It was a stark reminder of how quickly circumstances can change, even when someone has already taken steps to put their affairs in order. Had the will been completed and registered in time, it could have provided clear instructions for the distribution of his assets and potentially reduced some of the uncertainty, delay and administrative burden facing his wife,” said Samara Iqbal, founder at Aramas International Lawyers, who recounted the case to Gulf News.

Will your spouse automatically inherit everything?

"I think the biggest misconception is that marriage automatically takes care of everything. People assume their spouse will inherit all their assets, have immediate access to their finances and be able to continue managing everything as before," according to Anton Pirinen, founder of Blanket, an online estate planning platform.

However, where the UAE's default civil inheritance rules apply to non-Muslim expats, the estate is distributed according to a prescribed formula.

“If the deceased leaves behind a spouse and children, half of the estate goes to the surviving husband or wife, while the remaining half is divided equally among the children, regardless of gender.”

If there are no children, parents or siblings may also be entitled to inherit, depending on the circumstances. "So, in short, not everything automatically goes to your husband or wife," Pirinen explained.

Another important consideration is that any inheritance allocated to children legally belongs to them. This means the surviving spouse cannot necessarily access or use those assets as they wish, even when the money is needed for family expenses. "This can create financial complications, particularly when the estate includes the family home, savings or a business," Pirinen said.

What happens to bank accounts and property?

For families dealing with the death of a loved one, accessing money to cover everyday expenses can become an immediate concern.

"Bank accounts and other assets may be subject to restrictions while the estate is administered, and being married doesn't automatically give someone immediate access to their late spouse's finances. Even where inheritance rights are clear, the legal process can take time," Pirinen said.

This can create difficulties for families who depend on those funds to cover mortgage payments, rent, school fees and other household expenses.

"Being married doesn't mean you can immediately withdraw funds from your late spouse's bank account. There are legal procedures to follow, and that is something families need to understand before they find themselves in that situation," he added.

Property transactions may also become more complicated if ownership needs to be transferred or an inheritance process must be completed before a sale can proceed.

What happens to your children if you die without a will?

The YouGov study, commissioned by Blanket and conducted among 1,014 UAE expat residents in September 2026, found that only 24 per cent of parents with children under 18 had formally documented guardianship arrangements. Yet 73 per cent believed their families could find their wishes concerning their children or dependants.

"Discussing who you would want to care for your children is important, but a conversation alone isn't the same as putting appropriate legal arrangements in place," Pirinen said.

Without formal guardianship arrangements, families may face additional legal complications, particularly if both parents die. Courts may need to determine who should care for the children, depending on the applicable laws and family circumstances.

Can families face legal problems even when there is a will?

Having a will does not necessarily prevent complications, particularly when an expat owns assets in multiple countries. Saim Khan, Senior Associate at BSA Law, recalled a case involving a client who had registered a will through the DIFC covering his assets in the UAE and France.

He subsequently prepared another will in France covering his properties there. However, the two documents contained conflicting instructions about how the assets should be distributed.

"The two wills contradicted each other on how the assets were to be divided among his heirs. The inconsistency was raised before both the French courts and the DIFC Courts. It was held that the later will, the French one, would prevail," Khan explained.

Resolving the conflict delayed the distribution of the inheritance, leaving the beneficiaries facing financial difficulties while awaiting the necessary probate order. "Until the probate order was obtained, they faced considerable financial hardship and inconvenience."

According to Khan, the case demonstrates why expats with assets in multiple countries should ensure their wills are carefully coordinated.

"The lesson is that wills made in different jurisdictions must be drafted together. Each should be clearly limited to the assets in its own jurisdiction, and the later will should not revoke the earlier one by accident."

How to make a will in the UAE

For expats who have been putting off preparing a will, the process begins with identifying their assets and deciding how they want their estate to be distributed.

According to Iqbal, the simplest approach is to consult a UAE succession-planning lawyer who can recommend an appropriate registration authority based on the individual's circumstances. Inheritance rights and registration options can vary, expats should obtain advice based on their religion, nationality, family circumstances and the location of their assets.

The general process involves:

1. Identify your assets: List the property, savings, investments, business interests and other assets you want covered.

2. Choose your beneficiaries: Decide who should inherit your assets, subject to the applicable inheritance laws.

3. Appoint an executor: Select someone responsible for administering your estate.

4. Consider guardianship arrangements: Where legally available, specify your wishes for the care of minor children.

5. Draft and review the will: Ensure the document meets the legal requirements of the chosen registration authority.

6. Register the will: Complete the required execution and registration procedures, submit identification documents and pay the applicable fees.

Depending on the authority, registration may involve an online process or an appointment.

Where can expats register a will, and how much does it cost?

Several registration options are available in the UAE, each with different eligibility requirements, fees and procedures.

1. Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD)

The Civil Wills Office accepts non-UAE citizens regardless of religion, offering an onshore civil-will registration route.

• Regular registration: Dh950

• Special registration: Dh2,500

2. DIFC Courts Wills Service

This English-language service is available to eligible non-Muslims and operates under its own wills and probate framework.

• Single Full Will: Dh10,000

• Two mirror Full Wills: Dh15,000

Other will categories have different fees.

3. Dubai Courts

Dubai Courts provides an onshore registration option for non-Muslim wills, with Arabic documentation requirements.

Applicants should check directly with Dubai Courts for the applicable registration fees and any additional charges.

4. ADGM Courts Notary Public and Wills Office

This provides a notarisation route for wills requiring certified Arabic-English documentation.

• Published fee: Dh950 plus US$155 per will

ADGM does not operate its own probate service. Probate applications are handled through ADJD.

These fees were provided by the legal experts and should be confirmed with the relevant authorities before applying. Legal drafting, translation and subsequent estate-administration expenses may also be charged separately.

Why are so many expats putting it off?

Despite owning homes, businesses and other assets in the UAE, many expatriates have yet to make formal inheritance arrangements. The YouGov survey found that 28 per cent of respondents without a finalised will believed they did not have enough assets to need one. Another 21 per cent simply did not know where to start.

Pirinen said this highlights a misconception that estate planning is only necessary for wealthy individuals. In reality, it is also about ensuring that decisions concerning loved ones, property and other assets are clearly documented.

For Iqbal, the most important advice is not to wait until a medical emergency or another major life event forces the issue. 

"My strongest advice is not to leave this until a health crisis or a major life event. We have seen first-hand how quickly a family can move from believing there is time to finding themselves facing complicated legal procedures without the protection they intended to put in place."

She added that the purpose of preparing a will goes beyond deciding who receives an inheritance.

"The objective is not simply to decide who inherits, it is to reduce uncertainty, protect the family's interests and avoid leaving loved ones with unnecessary legal and financial burdens at an already difficult time."

Day 232: 7-day Hormuz reopening plan still on the table: Iran

Day 231: Saudi Arabia intercepts four drones in Riyadh and east

Day 230: Iran faces cash shortages, military strain: CENTCOM

Day 230: Saudi-led coalition shows cruise missile interception

Day 229: Falling shrapnel injures resident as Houthis claim airport strike

Day 228: Netanyahu is seriously considering resuming strikes on Iran

Day 227: Houthis claim attack targeting Riyadh airport

Day 226: Houthis issue new threat to Saudi Arabia’s airspace

Day 225: US, UK warn citizens to avoid Riyadh airport

UAE mourns Saudi officers killed in helicopter crash

The United Arab Emirates has expressed its solidarity and sincere condolences to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia following the martyrdom of two officers in the crash of a reconnaissance helicopter belonging to the Ministry of National Guard in the Najran region.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) expressed its sincere condolences and sympathy to the families of the two martyrs, and to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its people over this tragedy.

Egypt agrees to help Saudi Arabia fight Houthi attacks

Egypt's top security body said Sunday it has agreed to support close ally Saudi Arabia in the major escalation of fighting between the kingdom and Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, which has marked the latest front in the Iran war.

Saudi Arabia has been pressing allies for military assistance. The Houthis have repeatedly attacked airports and oil infrastructure across the kingdom with drones and missiles that can change direction during flight, posing a challenge to interceptors. At least 19 people have been killed, thousands of flights have been affected and global markets have been rattled.

Iran warns AI firms over military support

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has warned governments, investors and businesses in the region against providing financial or other resources to AI and data companies he accuses of supporting military operations that kill civilians.

In a post on X, Ghalibaf said 'Persian Gulf Data Authority' was coming and warned that those assisting the companies could face enforcement action.

Trump backs Netanyahu ahead of Israel election

Trump endorsed Benjamin Netanyahu before Israel's close-fought parliamentary election on October 27, providing a boost to the veteran prime minister's bid to win a new mandate.

Netanyahu touted his close relationship with the US president in a video released by his Likud party, saying that together they had "crushed Iran" and adding that re-election would allow him to work with Trump to "elminate the Iranian threat over the next two years, or even sooner".

"Bibi Netanyahu has been Strong, Brave, and Brilliant in the face of tremendous opposition, including that coming from even Israel, itself," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, using a common nickname for the Israeli leader.

"This is the kind of Partner that the United States of America is demanding of Israel, a Country for which it has done so much. Please let this Letter serve to represent my Complete and Total Endorsement of Bibi Netanyahu in his upcoming Race for Re-Election as Prime Minister of Israel."

The election is seen as a referendum on Netanyahu, who quickly thanked the US leader for his support on Sunday.

"Thank you, President Trump, for your tremendous support and for our work together. Together we will complete the mission!" he wrote on X.

"I ask you to listen carefully to what President Trump said this evening," Netanyahu told voters. "He said that together we have accomplished extraordinary things... But there is still a mission to complete."

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IRGC claims oil tanker hit by mine

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reported that another supertanker, carrying about two million barrels of crude, hit a mine while sailing an "unauthorised" route with its tracking systems off. The IRGC framed the explosion and engine room fire as enforcement against ships ignoring new transit rules imposed after the US-Israeli conflict began in late February.

The latest claim follows an earlier Iranian report of a similar tanker incident. Reuters reported that Iranian state media described two tankers catching fire after mine strikes, but said the reports had not been independently confirmed.

In the latest incident, the vessel’s name, flag, ownership, crew status and the extent of any environmental damage were not disclosed in the initial reports. There was no independent confirmation that the tanker had struck a mine, according to Reuters reporting carried by other outlets.

GCC calls for a return to dialogue, diplomacy

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) foreign ministers on Sunday called for a return to dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the crisis involving Iran and safeguard regional security and stability, urging a political solution to prevent further tensions. The call was included in the final communiqué of the GCC Ministerial Council’s 168th session in Manama, Bahrain.

Oil prices fall as Trump waives Russia sanctions

Oil prices fell in early Asian trading Monday after US President Donald Trump waived sanctions and tariffs on Russia under the Graham Russia-Iran Act.

Brent crude futures fell $1.90, or 1.73%, to $108 a barrel by 8.30am Beijing time, after settling Friday at their highest level since May 19. US West Texas Intermediate crude fell 64 cents, or 0.63%, to $100.8 a barrel.

However, Murban crude rose by $3.39 or 3.08% to $113.4 .

Trump on Friday waived the application of sanctions, restrictions and duties on Russia under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act.

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Araghchi: Iran's 7-day plan to reopen Hormuz still 'on the table'

Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said that Tehran's proposed seven-day plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is "still on the table."

Araghchi made the remarks in an interview with Iran's official news agency IRNA on the sidelines of the 52nd Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad. Tasnim, IRGC's mouthpiece, also carried the interview with Araghchi.

The Iran FM said Tehran's conditions for ceasing hostilities and reopening the strait were "completely clear" and had been submitted to the United States under the seven-day plan.

Pakistan, Egypt condemn Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia

Pakistan and Egypt have condemned attacks by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement on Saudi Arabia, reaffirming their support for the kingdom’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and security amid escalating regional tensions.

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty exchanged views on regional developments during a telephone call on Sunday, October 18, Pakistan’s Foreign Office said.

“The two leaders exchanged views on recent regional developments and strongly condemned the Houthi attacks against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” the ministry said, adding that both countries reaffirmed their full solidarity with Riyadh.

The ministers also discussed cooperation under the R-4 framework, which brings together Pakistan, Egypt, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia. They expressed their intention to hold another meeting soon to strengthen ties and coordinate responses to regional issues.

Iran threatens to turn Israel into ‘scorched land’

IRGC warns of retaliation over any strike on Iranian energy infrastructure, threatening displacement of Israelis to Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has threatened devastating retaliation against Israel if Iranian energy infrastructure is attacked, warning that the occupied territories would be turned into “scorched land” and their inhabitants displaced to Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula.

“Any aggression against Iran's energy infrastructure, although it will be immediately repaired by young scientists, will turn the occupied territories into a scorched land forever and will displace its usurpers to Sinai Peninsula. The world will see what will happen!” the IRGC spokesperson was quoted as saying in a post shared by IRNA English on X.

The threat was reported on Sunday, October 18, amid escalating tensions in the US-Israeli war against Iran, which began with strikes on February 28, 2026.

The statement did not identify a specific Israeli target or provide a timeline for any retaliatory action.

Saudi Civil Defence says danger has passed in Jizan

Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence has announced that the danger has passed in the southern city of Jizan, seven minutes after issuing an alert warning residents of a potential threat.

Authorities urged residents to continue following Civil Defence instructions and avoid gathering or filming at the scene.

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US warns of airport attack risks in Saudi Arabia

The US Mission in Saudi Arabia has warned of potential missile and drone attacks, airport closures and flight disruptions. Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport remains suspended, while Jeddah and Dammam airports are operating with delays and cancellations.

The mission urged travellers to check flight status, consider land transport alternatives and avoid filming or sharing images of missile interceptions and strike sites, warning that violations of Saudi law could lead to detention.

IRGC: US military moved 700km to evade Iran missiles

US naval forces have moved 700 km away to avoid Iranian missiles, IRGC deputy commander Mostafa Izadi said.

“We are advancing day by day, and the Guards’ missiles have gained the capability to target enemy vessels,” Izadi was quoted by the IRGC-affiliated Fars news agency as saying.

“American forces are now wandering at sea and have moved about 700 kilometers away so that the missiles of the Guards Aerospace Force cannot harm them,” the report added.

Araghchi accuses Macron of backing atrocities against Iran

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused French President Emmanuel Macron of endorsing atrocities against Iran, saying the French leader had “made his bed” by assuring US President Donald Trump of his support.

“Too late to blame the war his ilk helped cause,” Araghchi wrote on X on Monday, accusing Macron of bearing responsibility for the consequences of a conflict he said Western leaders had helped trigger.

The accusation comes amid continuing tensions between Tehran and Western governments over the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran, which began on February 28, 2026.

France has said it did not participate in the initial strikes. In a joint statement with Germany and the United Kingdom on February 28, the three countries condemned Iran's nuclear and ballistic-missile programmes and its regional activities, while calling for renewed negotiations and protection of civilians.

Macron has also called for de-escalation and a halt to attacks on civilian infrastructure. In March, he said France's involvement in defending regional partners was strictly defensive and urged the parties to resume negotiations.

Araghchi's remarks reflect Tehran's broader criticism of Western governments that it considers politically or militarily supportive of Washington and its allies.

Iran’s missile sites survived bombing: IRGC adviser

Mohammadreza Naghdi, a senior adviser to the commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, said Monday that Iran’s missile facilities were not damaged despite heavy bombing. Naghdi added Iran's strategic stockpiles remain intact. The claim, reported by Iran International, has not been independently verified.

In late August, also spelled Naghdi (also spelled "Naqdi") said more than 90% of Iran’s missiles remain intact and secure. He also said domestic production was keeping pace with use, allowing Iran to maintain its capabilities despite wartime losses.

That statement came as recent US media reports questioned White House claims that American strikes destroyed Iran’s missile and drone capabilities. Those reports said the strikes did not completely disable Iran’s underground missile networks and drone launch platforms.

In a state television broadcast, Naghdi asserted that the production rate of ballistic missiles "exceeds" the rate at which they are launched, and that Iran’s stockpiles will not be depleted.

Iran’s IRGC denies reports of explosions in eastern Tehran

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has denied reports of explosions in eastern Tehran, saying no blast or security incident had been reported in the area.

The public relations office of the Seyyed al-Shohada Corps, the IRGC’s unit in Tehran province, dismissed the reports early Monday, October 19, as false, according to Iran’s Mehr News Agency. The statement followed claims circulating on social media that explosions had been heard in the eastern part of the capital.

The denial comes amid heightened regional tensions following the US-Israeli war against Iran. Explosions, airstrikes and military activity have fuelled public concern over security incidents across Iran during the conflict.

No danger found after Tel Aviv-Vienna flight diverted over bomb threat

Austrian Airlines said no danger was found aboard a flight from Tel Aviv to Vienna after it made an emergency landing in Sofia, Bulgaria, following a bomb threat on Sunday.

Bulgarian authorities searched Flight OS82, its passengers and crew after the threat was reported.

The aircraft later continued to Vienna on Sunday night, carrying all 51 passengers and six crew members, the airline said.

Macron arrives in Kuwait to begin four-nation Gulf tour

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Kuwait on Monday for an official visit, accompanied by a delegation of senior French officials, Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported.

Kuwaiti Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah and Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al Hamad Al Sabah led the reception at the Amiri Airport.

Macron was also welcomed by Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al Sabah and other senior Kuwaiti officials, including the ministers of interior, defence and foreign affairs. Macron’s visit is part of a Gulf tour from October 19 to 21 that will also take him to the UAE, Bahrain and Qatar.

Netanyahu: Israel ready to strike enemies at any moment

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that Israel will not hesitate to strike its enemies at a moment's notice, eight days before a tight election and following his warnings to Iran.

Netanyahu said he spoke to the commander of an unspecified base and saw Israel's "capability to strike our enemies the moment it is required".

"I say to our enemies: Do not test us - you will receive harsher blows than you have suffered to date," he said in a video statement from the base.

Houthi rebels strike military camp in southern Yemen

Iranian-backed Houthi rebels struck a military camp for government forces in southern Yemen on Monday, killing at least 20 soldiers, two Yemeni military officials said.

The rebels fired ballistic missiles on the Al Alam military camp in the southern province of Shabwa in an attack that also wounded at least two dozen of troops, they said.

The military officials with the internationally recognised government of Yemen spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief the media.

US embassies urge 'heightened vigilance' in Middle East

US embassies across much of the Middle East urged Americans to increase their vigilance on Monday, citing a "complex security environment" and travel disruptions eight months into the US-Israel-Iran war.

Embassies in the Gulf, Israel, Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan issued a security alert saying: "Americans currently in the Middle East should exercise heightened vigilance due to the complex security environment.

"Be aware of potential flight cancellations, airspace closures, and travel disruptions."

The warning cited attacks by Yemen's Houthis on Saudi Arabia, where Riyadh's international airport remains closed after 18 people were killed in a string of strikes this month.

"The hostilities have the potential to escalate rapidly beyond that immediate area," the warning said, urging US citizens to monitor flight information and prepare contingency plans.

Houthi attack on Yemen govt camp kills over 30

A Houthi attack killed more than 30 people and wounded at least 70 others on Monday when three ballistic missiles struck a military camp in Yemen's oil-rich Shabwa province, two military sources told AFP.

The government sources said the missiles hit the al-Alam camp, used by forces aligned with Yemen's internationally recognised government, amid renewed fighting with the Iran-backed Houthis after the collapse of a truce that had largely held since 2022.

Majed al-Nuzaili, spokesperson for the Yemeni armed forces, wrote on X that the "Houthi militia targeted Shabwa with three ballistic missiles".

He said the attack hit a training centre for members of the security and police services.

A government military source in Shabwa said the army feared the strikes could pave the way for a ground offensive "similar to what happened in Mocha", when the Houthis seized the strategic port city on Yemen's Red Sea coast near the Bab al-Mandab strait.

The source, who requested anonymity, added that the Houthis cut a road linking government-held Shabwa with Houthi-controlled Al-Bayda province on Sunday, with locals saying they had been prevented from using the route.

Saudi Arabia: Danger alert lifted in Najran Province

Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence has announced that the danger has passed in Najran Province, following an earlier warning issued through the National Early Warning Platform about a potential threat.

In a post on X, Civil Defence urged residents to continue following safety instructions, avoid gathering and refrain from filming.

Residents were advised to call 998 in an emergency.

Abdullah bin Zayed, Saudi FM discuss regional developments

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, discussed the latest regional developments and efforts to maintain the security and stability of the region during a phone call with Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The two sides also discussed the fraternal relations between the two countries and ways to strengthen frameworks for joint cooperation in a manner that serves their mutual interests and brings prosperity and well-being to their peoples.

Macron arrives in UAE for official visit

UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Monday received French President Emmanuel Macron, who arrived in the UAE on an official visit.

An official reception ceremony was held for Macron upon his arrival at the airport. The national anthems of the UAE and the French Republic were played, while an honour guard lined up in salute.

Russia calls for Gulf dialogue to prevent wider Middle East war

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has called for dialogue among Gulf states to prevent a return to full-scale war in the Middle East, describing regional stability as essential for economic cooperation.

Speaking at the Russia-GCC Strategic Dialogue in Manama on October 18, Lavrov said Russia’s trade with Gulf Cooperation Council member states grew by 45% in 2025. He also reaffirmed Moscow’s support for peace efforts and proposed greater regional cooperation on Gulf security.

Iran says US responsible for 'insecurity' in Hormuz strait

Iran's top diplomat on Monday accused the United States of being responsible for the "insecurity" in the Strait of Hormuz, which has been at the heart of the conflict between the foes.

"The war imposed by the United States and the Zionist regime (Israel), combined with the economic blockade, constitutes the principal source of insecurity in our region," said Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, having previously referred to "the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz" during a joint press conference with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.

Saudi Arabia lifts danger alerts in Riyadh and Al Kharj

Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence has announced that the danger has passed in Riyadh City and Al-Kharj Governorate following earlier warnings issued through the National Early Warning Platform.

In posts on X, Civil Defence urged residents to continue following safety instructions, avoid gathering and refrain from filming. Residents were advised to call 911 in an emergency.

Egypt parliament delays debate on military support to Saudi to next week

Egypt's parliament on Monday delayed a debate on President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's request to authorise military support for Saudi Arabia until next week, state media reported, after an emergency session ended without a decision a day earlier.

The sessions over the past two days were convened after Sisi asked lawmakers to approve military support for Saudi Arabia if requested by the kingdom, which has come under near-daily attacks from Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis.

"House Speaker Hisham Badawi has adjourned the second parliamentary session dedicated to discussing authorisation for taking necessary measures to support and assist the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with discussions set to resume on October 26," the state-run Al-Akhbar newspaper reported.

Two lawmakers told AFP on Sunday that no decision was reached during the session in order to "give all lawmakers the opportunity to speak and express their views", adding that most parliamentarians supported the proposal.

Saudi investment conference to be postponed after Houthi attacks

A major Saudi investment conference is set to be postponed, three sources briefed on the matter told AFP on Monday, as the kingdom comes under repeated attacks from Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis.

One source said that the event "won't happen on time" and that organisers "won't announce a new date soon". A second source, who confirmed the event would be postponed, added: "Who would be willing to risk flying to Riyadh these days?".

Saudi Arabia's Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute hosts an annual forum dubbed "Davos in the desert", which usually draws foreign leaders and business titans, and this year it is scheduled to be held in Riyadh from October 26 to 29.

Qatar, Iran discuss energy cooperation in Doha

Qatar’s Minister of State for Energy Affairs Saad Sherida Al Kaabi met Iran’s Acting Minister of Petroleum Hamid Bovard in Doha on Monday to discuss energy relations and cooperation between the two countries.

Iranian man jailed for liking Netanyahu social media post

An Iranian man remains in prison 75 days after his arrest for liking a social media post by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, human rights news agency HRANA reported Monday.

Vahid Vidafar, a resident of Tabriz in northwestern Iran, was arrested by Intelligence Ministry agents on August 5 and is being held in the city's prison.

Vidafar suffers from a spinal disc condition and has been denied medical treatment, according to HRANA. He has been allowed only one brief phone call with his family, while details of the judicial proceedings against him remain unknown.

Netanyahu calls Trump 'by far, the greatest friend Israel has ever had'

US President Donald Trump told Benjamin Netanyahu he expects him to win a "tremendous" election victory next week, in a telephone call aired by the Israeli prime minister on Monday.

In the call on speakerphone that Netanyahu released a day after Trump endorsed him, the right-wing prime minister in turn called Trump "by far, the greatest friend Israel has ever had".

Yemen forces launch 13 air strikes on Houthi targets in Taiz

Yemeni government forces said they had launched 13 air strikes targeting Houthi positions, weapons sites and vehicles across Taiz governorate.

The strikes targeted several locations, including 60th Street north of Taiz city, Taiz Airport, Al Rabiei in the northwest, Dhubab district in the west, and Al Maafir and Al Masrakh districts in the south.

Iran President Pezeshkian meets Russia’s Lavrov in Tehran

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Tehran on Monday to discuss bilateral relations and regional and international developments, according to state-affiliated news agencies.

The two officials also discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between Tehran and Moscow, the country’s presidency said, without providing further details.

Saudi airport closure disrupts life in kingdom's capital

The prolonged closure of Riyadh's airport after a series of fatal attacks has exposed the risks confronting Saudi Arabia's drive to shift its international image, disrupting businesses, airlines and residents more than a week after flights were grounded.

Deadly strikes by Yemen's Houthis in recent weeks have dealt a blow to the kingdom, forcing the airport to close until further notice and a slate of events to be postponed or cancelled including its flagship investment forum dubbed "Davos in the desert".

Government agencies in the Saudi capital have also told employees to work from home starting Monday, one worker and two consultants told AFP, as has the 99-storey Kingdom Centre skyscraper in downtown Riyadh housing the regional office of the International Monetary Fund.

"When people start throwing missiles directly at Riyadh airport and any other airport, you can't just continue to operate," said Captain Desmond Ross, an aviation expert based in Dubai and Ireland with decades of experience as a pilot and air traffic controller.

"An attack on an airport is something entirely different from a non-aviation target," he told AFP.

"I think Riyadh has suffered that more dramatically than any other of the Gulf nations or the Arab nations," during the ongoing Middle East war.

Iran summons German ambassador over accusations

German Ambassador Axel Dittmann was called to Iran's Foreign Ministry on Monday over what Tehran described as repeated baseless accusations by German officials, state-affiliated media reported.

The move followed Germany's decision to summon Iran's ambassador in Berlin after a Hamburg court last week sentenced two men to lengthy prison terms over plots to attack prominent Jewish and pro-Israel figures in Germany. The men were convicted of spying for Iran and identifying potential targets.

Alireza Yousefi, a senior Iranian Foreign Ministry official, rejected the allegations, describing them as a longstanding tactic used by Israel and some Western countries against Iran.

Yousefi also accused Berlin of attempting to conceal its alleged involvement in American and Israeli military strikes against Iran, saying Tehran would continue pursuing international accountability for what it called “Germany's participation in war crimes.”

Iran officials ramp up calls for nuclear weapons

Iranian officials are now openly declaring that the time for nuclear weapons has come, with a growing faction demanding Tehran weaponise its enrichment program and withdraw from the NPT to establish a complete deterrent against future US-Israeli attacks, per the Financial Times.

Iranian officials now argue that negotiations alone have failed to prevent repeated attacks.

Hassan Ghashghavi, a spokesperson for parliament’s National Security Committee, said Iran’s new Supreme Leader could issue a new ruling on nuclear weapons and “nobody can stop him from doing so.” One insider estimates support for acquiring a bomb has surged from “almost zero to over 50%.”

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Iran blacklists 122 vessels, says it acted against over 40

Iran’s has placed 122 vessels on its latest “non-compliance list,” saying it has acted against more than 40, according to a statement published by Iranian state media. The Gulf Strait Authority said 19 vessels are negotiating to avoid listing or secure removal if already included. Two vessels have agreed to meet their obligations and be removed, while about 30 others have received warnings and will be listed if they fail to respond. The statement said the authority would assist vessels that voluntarily address violations and seek removal from the list.

Russia stands by Iran as Trump shrugs off ‘limited’ Moscow-Beijing support

Russia pledged to sustain political and economic cooperation with Iran during Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s visit to Tehran on Monday, even as US President Donald Trump welcomed what he called "limited" Russian and Chinese backing for Tehran.

Lavrov met Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi and President Masoud Pezeshkian, reaffirming Moscow’s 20-year strategic partnership and saying Russia would not abandon economic and investment agreements despite the war.

He called Iran’s cause “just,” accused Washington and Israel of an unprovoked campaign, and urged diplomacy, restored Gulf navigation and guarantees against renewed strikes.

Trump, meanwhile, said Russia and China were doing “very little” to help Iran, calling their limited support “a very positive thing.”

'Blatant aggression': China’s premier backs Iran, slams US and Israeli strikes

Chinese Premier Li Qiang condemned US and Israeli attacks on Iran and renewed China’s opposition to unilateral US sanctions in a Monday meeting with Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref, Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported. According to IRNA, Li said the strikes were “blatant aggression” that came during negotiations and without UN Security Council approval. He also backed reviving the Islamabad Agreement and said Beijing would keep defending Iran’s legitimate rights in international forums. Aref was in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, for a meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) prime ministers.

Update: At least 53 people, 200+ hurt in Houthi missile strike

A Houthi missile strike on a Yemeni government base killed at least 53 people and injured more than 200, the deadliest attack since the Iran-aligned group resumed large-scale operations in July, AP reported.

Houthi rebels struck Yemeni government forces with ballistic missiles at a camp in Shabwa province, killing at least 53 soldiers and wounding 200 recruits, according to military officials and the provincial government. The BBC reported that three ballistic missiles hit the Martyr Ahmed al-Sulaimani Training Centre at Al-Alam camp, where new internal-security recruits were training; authorities reported 53 deaths and more than 200 injuries.

Iran's attempts to strike US ships near Hormuz 'unsuccessful': USS George Washington Captain DeLeo

Capt. Nicholas DeLeo, commanding officer of the forward-deployed USS George Washington, told reporters during a recent media visit in the US Fifth Fleet area that Iran had attempted to strike “a variety of ships” near the Strait of Hormuz, but none had succeeded.

“Those have all been unsuccessful, and I can tell you that reason is 100% due to our sailors on this ship,” DeLeo said, according to the carrier’s commanding officer’s remarks reported during the visit.

He said the carrier and its crew use both offensive and defensive measures to protect Navy vessels, and that crews continuously train for missile and drone threats.

The Nimitz-class carrier is operating in the Arabian Sea near the Strait of Hormuz, supporting the US maritime blockade of Iran, escorting commercial tankers and defending shipping lanes.

DeLeo’s statement indicates that Iranian attacks are not limited to a single vessel type or target, suggesting threats against military ships, commercial vessels, or both, near one of the world’s most strategically sensitive energy chokepoints.

His claim that all attempts were unsuccessful is a morale and deterrence message, but it also implies an ongoing campaign of missile, drone, or other maritime threats requiring constant defensive operations.

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Speaking to reporters at the White House before departing for Kansas, President Trump confirmed he would meet with the Russian and Chinese leaders to broker peace and halt nuclear proliferation.

"Anything I can do to end the war, whether somebody’s there or not, whatever I could do to end the war," Trump said when asked if he would meet with Xi and Putin without Zelensky present.

"And they do want to have a meeting. That’s my suggestion, because I’m going to be over in China in November, on the denuclearisation. And if we can do denuclearisation, I will have done the world a big, big favour."

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Addressing initial queries regarding a potential three-way sit-down with Moscow and Beijing, Trump noted that while a meeting had not yet been formally arranged, he actively supported the idea, primarily framed around global denuclearisation.

"No, but I would do it," Trump said regarding a trilateral meeting. "Not so much for Ukraine, because Russia, frankly, has been fine on Ukraine. They haven’t been doing much. And the same thing with China. We would have it to talk about nuclear weapons and denuclearisation. And anytime I can have a meeting on denuclearisation... We have more—during my term, I did it. We have more nuclear weapons than anybody. Russia is second, China is third, but catching up."

Indicating that Beijing could serve as the host city for the talks following his upcoming trip to Asia, Trump added: "We would schedule a meeting based on the denuclearisation, and that’s a very positive thing for the world. So, I would do it... If President Xi wants to have it, I’d have it. I’m sure we’d talk about other things like trade, too."

When asked about Zelensky’s recent remark that the US administration was on "the wrong side of history," Trump criticised the Ukrainian leader's handling of the conflict and suggested that someone else could negotiate on Ukraine's behalf.

"Zelensky doesn’t know what he’s talking about," Trump declared. "Zelensky is a man who should have had this war settled a long time ago. If he would have listened to me, he would have made a much better deal a long time ago, and he’d have a million people living from his side." 

Asserting that the battlefield stalemate has resulted in catastrophic human loss without significant territorial shifts, Trump argued that Kyiv needs fresh leadership at the negotiating table. 

"To be honest, I don't think — I think it’s time for somebody else to negotiate on behalf of Ukraine, because what’s happened, very little land has moved, but a million people, a tremendous number of people are dead," Trump asserted. "They’re losing their male population. Ukraine could have had this thing settled a long time ago if he would have listened to me, and you remember the Oval Office, he would have had this settled a long time ago. Maybe it’s time for Zelensky to get somebody else to negotiate."

Earlier on Sunday, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed a trilateral summit with US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping next month to discuss the Ukraine conflict, aiming to negotiate a peace deal favourable to Moscow.

The proposal reflects an effort by Putin to capitalise on improving relations with President Trump, a move that has raised concerns in Ukraine and among Washington's European allies, especially the lack of representation from Ukraine, the report said.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed to WSJ that discussions about a possible meeting were underway.

“There is no clear understanding yet regarding the meeting itself or its potential agenda, although all three parties acknowledge the hypothetical possibility of such a meeting taking place,” Peskov told WSJ.

Earlier this month, Russian Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov said, as reported by TASS, that Trump and Putin are potentially set to meet in person on the sidelines of the upcoming APEC summit in China. 

"An important international event is coming up in China - the APEC summit. At least for now, both the Russian and US leaders are interested in attending. Accordingly, if both leaders are at the same international venue, I assume they will find an opportunity to meet, shake hands and talk," Ushakov said, as quoted by TASS.

On the other hand, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday said that a potential trilateral meeting involving Russian President Vladimir Putin could take place in the United States during the upcoming G20 Summit in December, adding that confirmation from Moscow and Washington was still awaited.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is running for a fourth non-consecutive term, created the Bolsa Familia program in 2003.

The scheme guarantees a monthly income for poor families, with requirements such as using the money for children's schooling and vaccinations.

After trailing his right-wing challenger Flavio Bolsonaro by two percentage points in a first round earlier this month, polls show Lula statistically tied with his rival in Sunday's runoff.

His administration modified the Bolsa Familia payment schedule until the end of the year "to mitigate exceptional risks" linked to the El Nino climate phenomenon, according to the minister of development.

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About half of the families would have received the October payment after the elections, according to the original calendar.

Social measures

All families will now receive the money before the vote.

Jair Bolsonaro, jailed ex-leader and father of Flavio Bolsonaro, took a similar step before the 2022 runoff which he ultimately lost to Lula.

The current president depends on votes from poorer regions, such as northeastern Brazil.

Lula has passed a series of social measures in the final stretch of campaigning as a way to strengthen his chances of victory.

He scored an important win by getting parliamentary approval of a reduction in working hours, an extremely popular measure that even Flavio Bolsonaro supported.

From critical raw materials to icebreakers and undersea cables, the bloc wants to up its presence in the geopolitical battleground, according to a draft of its new "strategy for the Arctic" seen by AFP.

"The new reality in the Arctic requires Europe to be a strong and reliable partner. That is precisely what we aim to achieve with our new strategy," said Jozef Sikela, the EU's head of international partnerships.

"It addresses the region's most pressing challenges, from accelerating climate change to growing security and geopolitical tensions, and sets out how Europe should respond."

Competition is on the rise in the Arctic as global warming causes sea ice to melt. Countries such as Russia, China and the United States have been ramping up activity, racing to claim natural resources and new maritime routes.

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With three Arctic nations among its 27 members — Denmark, Finland and Sweden — the European Union has skin in the game.

And President Donald Trump's repeated threats to bring Greenland — a vast, autonomous Danish territory — under US control have rattled Europe.

Given that what happens in the far north also has repercussions further south, the strategy, which is to be presented by the EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, aims to set out a common EU approach to the region.

The draft seen by AFP stresses the need to cooperation with "like-minded" non-EU nations, such as Canada, Britain and Norway, and envisages a regular summit of "Northern Neighbourhood" partners.

What about the US?

Only recently a key ally in the region, the United States is listed among those who could participate, but the country is otherwise more noticeable for its absence from the remainder of the document.

While Trump's tone has cooled since the beginning of the year, eventually leading to the signing of a security deal with Greenland and Denmark, many in Europe remain wary.  

The United States is named only a handful of times in the 20-page paper, compared with almost two dozen mentions for Canada.

Some of the initiatives listed in the strategy seemingly aim to cut dependencies on Washington. 

According to the draft, Brussels is planning a "sovereign and secure" submarine cable to connect Greenland with the EU's mainland as part of a broader "Pan-Arctic" cable project also linking Canada, Japan and South Korea.

The bloc is also working to provide satellite connectivity in the Arctic through satellite constellation project IRIS², which aims to rival Elon Musk's Starlink.

How to counter an aggressive Russia is also top of mind, with the document pointing to hybrid threats such as "drone incursions" and the sabotage of undersea cables.

The strategy envisages better data-sharing to monitor Moscow's so-called "shadow fleet" of sanctions-busting oil tankers.

And it stresses the importance of boosting Europe's icebreaker fleet, saying Brussels will develop options for joint procurement, pooling and sharing of polar vessels with allies.

Investments in renewable energy and critical raw material projects are also foreseen, among a series of other plans. 

In its latest weather bulletin, the NCM forecast fair to partly cloudy conditions, with convective clouds developing over eastern areas and extending towards some inland and western regions during the afternoon, bringing possible rainfall.

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The unsettled conditions are being influenced by an extension of a surface low-pressure system accompanied by an upper-air low-pressure system.

Winds will be light to moderate, becoming fresh to strong at times with cloud activity and causing blowing dust.

Wind speeds could reach 60km/h in mountainous areas, 50km/h inland and 35km/h along coastal areas and islands.

Temperatures are forecast to reach 40°C in inland areas, while coastal regions and islands will record highs of between 34°C and 38°C. Mountainous areas will see temperatures ranging from 28°C to 33°C.

Humidity will increase overnight and into Wednesday morning, with mist possible in some coastal and inland areas.

Rain chances continue through Thursday

The NCM said unsettled weather would persist on Wednesday, with convective clouds forming over eastern areas and extending towards inland and western regions during the afternoon, accompanied by possible rainfall.

Winds could reach 50km/h, stirring up dust, while humid conditions overnight may lead to mist in some coastal and inland areas.

On Thursday, partly cloudy conditions will continue, with convective clouds developing over eastern and western areas during the afternoon, potentially bringing further rain.

Winds could reach 40km/h, accompanied by blowing dust.

Temperatures to fall on Saturday

Friday is expected to be generally fair to partly cloudy, with clouds developing over eastern areas, some of which may become convective during the afternoon.

Humidity will rise overnight, with fog or mist possible over some western coastal areas early on Saturday.

By Saturday, temperatures are forecast to decline gradually, with clouds appearing over eastern and northern areas.

Winds will reach 35km/h on Friday and Saturday, while mist may form in some coastal and inland areas early on Sunday.

Sea conditions will remain slight in the Arabian Gulf and the Sea of Oman through Thursday, becoming slight to moderate in the Arabian Gulf on Friday and Saturday.

The initiatives were discussed at a meeting of the supreme leadership council of the General Command of Sharjah Police, chaired by Major General Abdullah Mubarak bin Amer, Commander-in-Chief of Sharjah Police.

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The meeting examined a range of new digital projects and analytical studies focusing on traffic and community-related phenomena, with the aim of supporting institutional development, improving the efficiency of police operations and enhancing the quality of services provided to the public.

The council reviewed digital programmes and projects and their role in improving the working environment, simplifying procedures and strengthening integration between systems and services. The initiatives are also intended to improve the efficiency of operational and administrative processes.

The projects form part of Sharjah Police’s wider efforts to accelerate digital transformation and make greater use of modern technologies to improve police operations and deliver better services to the community.

Major General Abdullah Mubarak bin Amer stressed that the development of security operations and public services depends on adopting digital solutions and using findings from specialised studies to support decision-making and guide action.

He also emphasised the importance of continued institutional development to improve operational efficiency, raise service standards and strengthen security and safety across Sharjah.

The meeting reflects Sharjah Police’s focus on combining digital innovation with data-driven analysis to support decision-making, enhance operational performance and address issues affecting community security and road safety.

The initiative was unveiled on the opening day of AccessAbilities Expo 2026, where Dubai Police is showcasing the Himmah X smart bag as part of its efforts to make frontline policing more accessible and inclusive.

The bag contains electronic devices and assistive technologies designed to support people with different disabilities, reduce communication barriers and help officers respond more effectively to their needs in the field.

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Carried in the luxury patrol operated by the Tourist Police Department under the General Department of Criminal Investigation, the portable kit is intended to bring assistance directly to people at tourist attractions and destinations, rather than requiring them to visit police service centres.

The initiative reflects Dubai Police’s efforts to integrate accessibility into its field operations and support the development of a safer, more inclusive environment for residents and visitors.

Technology designed around people

Major Mohammed Abdulrahman Al Mazrouei, acting chairperson of the people of determination empowerment council at Dubai Police, said the force’s participation in the exhibition reflects its commitment to developing innovative services that empower People of Determination and support their active participation in society.

“Innovation at Dubai Police is not limited to developing systems, vehicles and modern technologies, but is based on employing these capabilities to serve society and create a tangible positive impact on the lives of its members,” he said.

Al Mazrouei said the Himmah X smart bag offers a new approach to providing assistive technologies through frontline police services, with flexible and inclusive solutions designed around people’s needs.

He added that Dubai Police was using the exhibition to highlight cooperation between its various general departments and police councils, while promoting a culture of innovation and empowerment.

The efforts support Dubai’s vision of becoming a city that is more accessible and welcoming to People of Determination, he said, adding that police services should proactively consider the needs of all members of society.

Bringing assistance closer

Mohammad Al Hajjaji, secretary of the people of determination empowerment council at Dubai Police, said the Himmah X smart bag represents an important step towards incorporating assistive technology into field policing.

He said the bag provides practical solutions that take into account different disabilities and enables people to communicate with officers and seek assistance more easily.

“What distinguishes the smart bag ‘Himmah X’ is the idea behind it, which is to make assistive technologies part of the field services system, so that a person of determination is not always forced to search for the appropriate means of communication or assistance,” Al Hajjaji said.

“Rather, we seek to bring these means closer to them and make them available within a more flexible and inclusive service environment.”

He said showcasing the technology in the Ferrari Mansory patrol was intended to demonstrate that the value of luxury police vehicles extends beyond their appearance and capabilities.

“True excellence, we believe, lies not only in the power or luxury of the vehicle, but in our ability to employ technology and our capabilities to serve people and overcome the challenges facing people of determination,” he said.

The approach reflects the exhibition theme adopted by Dubai Police: “Limitless Abilities… Aspirations Shape the Future.”

Interactive activities at the exhibition

Alongside the Ferrari Mansory patrol and Himmah X smart bag, Dubai Police is presenting a range of community initiatives and interactive activities at its stand in Za’abeel Hall 6.

These include the Determination Challenge, a game featuring 20 questions each day aimed at raising awareness of how to interact with People of Determination.

The “Our Touch Creates Art” initiative, organised in cooperation with the Positive Spirit Council, is also featured at the stand.

Another initiative, “Little Translator”, involves students from Hemaya Schools and aims to encourage sign language learning, improve communication and promote social inclusion.

Visitors can also learn about the Esaad privilege card and the benefits available to People of Determination. The stand additionally highlights the Therapeutic Horse Riding initiative and hosts police dog demonstrations by the General Department of Protective Security and Emergency.

Dubai Police is continuing to welcome visitors to its stand at AccessAbilities Expo 2026 in Za’abeel Hall 6, where it is presenting its latest innovations, services and community initiatives.

The participation forms part of the force’s broader efforts to develop more inclusive police services and improve quality of life for People of Determination in Dubai.

The warning was issued as part of the nationwide “The UAE is safe with your digital awareness” campaign, which stresses that people are legally responsible for the content they share online.

An awareness video released during cybersecurity awareness month in October highlighted the importance of respectful online communication and cautioned users against using social media to target others with personal attacks or offensive remarks.

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The campaign was launched by the Ministry of Interior in cooperation with Dubai Police and the Dubai Electronic Security Centre (DESC) to raise awareness of cybercrime and promote safe and responsible digital behaviour across society.

UAE law sets fines of up to Dh500,000

The campaign highlighted Article 43 of Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 on Combating Rumours and Cybercrimes, which sets out penalties for insulting others or attributing incidents to them that could expose them to punishment or public contempt.

Under the provision, anyone who commits such an offence through an information network, information technology or an information system may face imprisonment and a fine ranging from Dh250,000 to Dh500,000, or either of the two penalties.

The law also provides for an aggravating circumstance when the offence is committed against a public official or a person entrusted with a public service in connection with their duties.

The campaign reminded social media users that comments posted online can carry legal consequences, urging them to consider the impact of their words before publishing or sharing content.

Call for respectful online discussions

The initiative encourages people to use social media to express their views constructively and exchange opinions respectfully, rather than resorting to mockery, personal attacks or language that could hurt others.

It also calls on the public to promote positive dialogue and mutual respect, helping create a safer and more welcoming digital environment that reflects the UAE’s social values.

Authorities emphasised the importance of individual responsibility in maintaining respectful online spaces, where differences of opinion can be discussed without resorting to insults or offensive behaviour.

Campaign targets cybercrime and online fraud

Beyond promoting responsible social media use, “The UAE Is Safe with Your Digital Awareness” seeks to educate the public about cybercrime, online fraud and the methods criminals use to exploit technological developments.

The campaign also addresses evolving cyber threats, including the misuse of modern artificial intelligence technologies.

Through its awareness initiatives, the campaign aims to strengthen digital literacy, encourage responsible online conduct and help individuals protect themselves and others from cybercrime.

The message is clear: think before you post, respect others online and remember that digital communication carries legal responsibility.

The clarification comes after schools in Dubai and Sharjah issued circulars asking parents and visitors not to photograph or film students on campus, or share images containing other children through WhatsApp groups, social media or other digital platforms without appropriate consent.

While photographs help families preserve memories of school performances, celebrations and other milestones, educators say children’s privacy and dignity must remain a priority, particularly when images can be circulated beyond their intended audience.

Nevita Pandya MBE, CEO and Principal of GEMS International School – Dubai Hills, believes clear guidelines help children participate in school life without feeling pressured to have their images captured or shared.

She explains, "Children should be able to participate fully in school life without their images being captured or circulated without appropriate permission." As she adds, a photograph can reveal more than we realise, including a child’s school, location or routine. "Clear guidelines establish that children’s privacy and dignity come before an adult’s wish to record or share a moment.”

She adds that schools and parents should also consider children’s own preferences. “Alongside parental permission, we should listen to children’s views in an age-appropriate way and respect their discomfort. Their participation in school life should never depend on agreeing to publicity.”

Why sharing school photographs can be risky

Even when photographs are shared in familiar WhatsApp groups, parents may have little control over where the images go next.

“It is essential. A familiar WhatsApp group can feel private, but images can still be saved, forwarded or shared beyond the intended audience,” Pandya says.

Before sharing a photograph, she advises parents to consider whose children are visible, whether permission covers that use and whether the image reveals personal information. “Permission to take a photograph should not be assumed to include permission to publish it.”

Dr Ghadeer Abu-Shamat, Principal of Al Khaleej International School, says children’s images should be treated with the same care as other personal information."Once an image is shared, especially online, it can be difficult to control who has access to it or how it may be used in the future. Being mindful helps protect children's safety, dignity, and privacy.”

She adds that knowing photographs of her child are not circulated without her knowledge gives families greater peace of mind.

“It gives families greater control over their child's digital footprint and reduces the risk of images being viewed, copied, or shared beyond the intended audience. It also demonstrates respect for parental choice and children's privacy rights.”

Parents call for a balance between privacy and sharing memories

While supporting safeguards around children's images, parent Suad Saleh, whose child attends GEMS International School, believes the rules should encourage responsible behaviour rather than prevent families from sharing every photograph.

“If it’s a photo of your own children, with no other children visible in the background, and it’s an appropriate and respectful photo, I don’t necessarily see any harm in sharing it. I think the important thing is also to be mindful of who you are sharing it with and the privacy of your children.”

For Saleh, “it’s about using good judgment rather than saying that parents should never photograph or share pictures of their children.”

She believes the guidelines should focus on educating parents about responsible sharing.

“I think that the rules should emphasise more to educate and encourage responsible behaviour rather than simply restrict parents completely.”

Dr Abu-Shamat says the rules can encourage parents to consider the consequences before posting or forwarding images.

“These rules encourage parents to pause and consider the implications before posting or forwarding images. They reinforce the importance of consent, respect for other families, and awareness of digital safety.”

Simon Jodrell, Principal of Jebel Ali School in Dubai, says clear guidance can help parents understand how to share photographs responsibly, even when their intentions are good.

“Often, parents share photographs with the very best intentions, without necessarily considering who else might appear in the background or where those images might eventually end up,” he says. “Simple, sensible guidance encourages parents to think before posting and to respect the wishes of others.”

Teaching children about consent and online responsibility

The guidelines could also help children develop healthier attitudes towards privacy and sharing images online, particularly when parents model the behaviour they expect from their children.

“Asking before taking or sharing a photograph teaches children that their boundaries matter and that other people’s boundaries deserve equal respect,” Pandya says.

She also points to wider digital wellbeing concerns, including appearance-based comparison, the pursuit of online approval, and social media use that displaces sleep or physical activity.

“Effects vary, but those risks deserve serious attention. We should help young people understand that their worth is not measured by likes, and that meaningful experiences do not always need to be photographed, posted or publicly validated.”

Saleh agrees that rules alone are not enough. Children also need to see adults respecting other people's boundaries. “When children see their parents asking permission, respecting boundaries, and being thoughtful about what they share, they learn that digital responsibility is part of everyday life.”

Jodrell believes the guidelines can also open up conversations at home about children’s digital footprints and their right to privacy.

“Children are growing up in a world where sharing photographs and information is part of everyday life, so it is important they understand that not everything needs to be shared publicly,” he says.

He advises parents to ask children how they feel about having their photographs shared, model considerate behaviour and explain why other people’s privacy matters. Schools can reinforce these lessons through teaching about responsible online behaviour.

Dr Abu-Shamat says the guidelines provide an opportunity for families to discuss consent, digital citizenship, privacy and online responsibility, helping children understand that not every moment needs to be photographed or shared.

How parents can support schools

Schools can help families understand the rules by explaining when photography is permitted, what consent covers and how images may be shared, Pandya says.

As she says, families should understand that permission concerning their own child does not extend to other children. School-managed photographs, shared through appropriately restricted channels and in accordance with consent, can help families preserve memories while limiting exposure.

She adds that children whose families decline photography must remain fully included in school celebrations.

“We should also encourage adults to be present and enjoy the occasion. Celebrating achievement and belonging should never require a child to surrender their privacy.”

Parents can support schools by following photography and filming policies, seeking permission before photographing or sharing images of other children, and respecting families who do not consent.

Dr Abu-Shamat also advises parents to avoid sharing school-related photographs in WhatsApp groups or on social media if other students are identifiable, without the necessary consent. Saleh recommends avoiding sensitive personal information when sharing images.

In Al Raha Gardens, you can feel that world the moment you step onto its paths. They wind between the villas and open onto pocket after pocket of green. Follow one and it might lead you to a new friendship. Follow another and you’ll find a shortcut to the cafés and grocery stores, all within walking distance. Nothing here feels too far away, and the homesickness that comes with any move starts, slowly, to ebb.

Jackie Wilson has lived in Dubai and Abu Dhabi for more than two decades, and for her 'there has never been anywhere quite like Al Raha Gardens'. So what gives this neighbourhood its old-fashioned sense of community?

With Wilson as our guide, we set off to meet the residents who know it best.

‘You feel as if you’re looked after’

Our first stop is with Heba Attia, who moved here in 2020, just before COVID arrived. “We really wanted the vibe of a community. I’ve always wanted to know my neighbours, and at first I couldn’t see too much happening,” she says.

So she set about changing that. One of her first ideas, naturally, was Halloween. She started a WhatsApp group, went on to become Vice President of the residents’ association, and today Wilson calls her “a pillar of the community”. “I’ve created so many events and done so many activities, including planning a mini-library,” Attia says.

Listen to her describe the neighbourhood and you start to see the invisible web strung between the villas: groups and sub-groups, with something for everyone. Keen gardener? There’s a group for you. Want to stay fit? There’s another. Planning playdates? There’s one for that too. Even the street cats have their champions, with a dedicated group setting up feeding stations and running trap-neuter-return programmes.

When the weather turns pleasant, the paths come alive. The women hold their gatherings, the children play outside, and you might even pass a young entrepreneur or two selling their wares.

The gardening society is thriving. “People exchange seeds, recommend places to buy what’s missing, or give away their extras. Last year the giveaways were lights to grow seeds indoors, and pots for outdoors,” Attia recalls. “We share simple suggestions and always guide each other to make it successful.”

But the real measure of a neighbourhood is what happens when it matters, and here, someone is always looking out for you. “You feel as if you’re looked after,” Attia says.

She tells the story of the ice-cream truck. Her child missed it and was in tears, so the community rallied, security guards included, to make sure there was an ice cream after all. “We even got ice creams for the guards,” she remembers.

The same willingness extends for different situations. When a dog goes missing, the groups light up with messages and everyone turns out to search. And when this year’s conflict brought rising anxiety, the community answered. A new WhatsApp group was set up to keep residents informed and calm.

“We explained when to go out, or when we had to stay home,” Attia says. Residents also created 'safe spaces' where anyone in need of reassurance could find support and a kind word.

'Help is always given so lovingly’

A few paths along, we meet Suzana Oliver, fondly known as the “Google of the Gardens”. For her, it all comes down to trust. “What really makes it special is that there is such love and trust in the community. If I post that I have a problem with my irrigation system, someone else will say, ‘I have the same,’ and then we find the solution together,” she says.

That willingness to help extends to the neighbourhood’s street cats, too. Some residents set up feeding stations, while others work with vets in the community to arrange trap-neuter-return (TNR) programmes.

The same spirit of looking out for one another shapes how newcomers are welcomed. Neighbours drop by to say hello, Oliver says, making it easier for new residents to find their feet and feel at home.

There’s always a get-together or celebration on the calendar, especially at Eid, when a dedicated Eid group plans community meals. And every so often, everyone gathers for a potluck, each family bringing a dish from home.

The swimmers’ club

Fitness, like friendship, comes in many forms here, and one of them is in the pool.

Jan Naylor arrived in Al Raha Gardens 20 years ago. Her children were already swimmers, which meant regular trips to Dubai to train. “So I thought I would form a swimming club,” she says. And she did. The club has held together through COVID and through this year’s conflict.

Naylor teaches swimming to women of all ages, and introduced an aquafit programme to give older women another way to stay active. Swimming, she says, also offers welcome relief from everyday stress. Over time, the sessions have become about more than fitness. The women have grown close, and their time in the water has become a chance to catch up and deepen friendships. Exercise is something to look forward to, not another item on the to-do list. “These ladies are a special group,” Naylor says.

Oliver agrees, noting that the energy spills over into yoga and other workouts. “They just work at bettering themselves and becoming healthier,” she says.

The children have their own reasons to look forward to the pool. Along with water safety and fitness, they get to know the other kids in the neighbourhood.

A bewitching welcome

Our walk ends with Kirsty Montaut, who moved here from New Zealand last year with her husband and son. Moving countries is never easy. Where do you begin again, and how? But when they saw the open green spaces of Al Raha Gardens, they felt a little more at ease. “There are so many paths that we keep discovering new ones every day,” she says. Each one seems to lead to another patch of green.

Everything is close by, too, from the shops to the school. Her son can even ride his bike to school.

The moment she truly felt welcomed came at Halloween, which this community takes very seriously indeed. “The residents put so much effort into planning events here. They even planned which villas to visit for trick-or-treating,” she says. In the photos she and other residents shared, the children are earnestly decked out in all the witchery and wizardry you’d expect, broomsticks in hand.

And, she too, echoes the familial feeling that echoes around the community. "There are the mum helping mum groups in fitness clubs; it's also so much, women supporting women. We all know that we're all juggling so much here, and to have that kind of support is a relief," she says.

It's a snowball effect, she adds. You know one person; they'll bring friends, and you will get involved, and soon you will be in different groups, and if you're a mum, a part of different playdates. So, if you're new in Al Raha Gardens, Kirsty says, come out of the house, and test the waters. Literally, get in the pool.

As she says, "This entire umbrella of community fitness clubs, really improved my mental health."

And so, this month, the broomsticks will come out again, the trick-or-treat routes will be mapped, and a new families will knock on unfamiliar doors for the first time. If Al Raha Gardens is anything to go by, those doors will open wide, and someone will be waiting with a welcome.

“Those have all been unsuccessful, and I can tell you that reason is 100% due to our sailors on this ship,” DeLeo said, according to the carrier’s commanding officer’s remarks reported during the visit.

He said the carrier and its crew use both offensive and defensive measures to protect Navy vessels, and that crews continuously train for missile and drone threats.

The Nimitz-class carrier is operating in the Arabian Sea near the Strait of Hormuz, supporting the US maritime blockade of Iran, escorting commercial tankers and defending shipping lanes.

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The USS George Washington's (CVN-73) core mission is to enforce a US blockade on Iranian oil, monitoring threats, and providing air support and surveillance alongside the strike group. It is accompanied by other operating elements, including the guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG-86), USS Robert Smalls, USS Benfold (DDG-65) and Carrier Air Wing 5 (CVW-5).

DeLeo’s statement indicates that Iranian attacks are not limited to a single vessel type or target, suggesting threats against military ships, commercial vessels, or both, near one of the world’s most strategically sensitive energy chokepoints.

His claim that all attempts were unsuccessful is a morale and deterrence message, but it also implies an ongoing campaign of missile, drone, or other maritime threats requiring constant defensive operations.

USS George Washington (CVN-73) is a Nimitz Class aircraft carrier currently operated by the United States Navy. The carrier, built by Northrop Grumman in Virginia, has been in active service for 34 years.

Each nuclear-powered supercarrier can embark up to 90 aircraft and operate with virtually unlimited range, providing unmatched air superiority and strike capability worldwide.

The Nimitz class nuclear-powered supercarriers have served as the cornerstone of US naval power projection for over 50 years.

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The rupee has been gaining strength ever since the RBI decided to rein in the fait currency. Currently the Indian rupee is trading at Dh25.83 versus unchanged since the previous session. Now, an expat will have to spend DH38.71 to get a Rs1000 in exchange.

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Peso softens

The Philippine peso (PHP) is back above the Dh17 mark coming in at DH17.09 slightly higher than its previous close. Changes in oil prices impact the local currency because the Philippines imports most of its oil. Expectations that the US Federal Reserve may keep rates high have strengthened the US dollar.

For now, favorable rates are prompting households to reassess strategy, deciding whether to lock in current levels or wait for another shift in the market. (Check live forex rates here)

Current exchange rates as of 08:30 am on October 20:

• Indian rupee: 25.83 unchanged from yesterday's levels.

• Pakistani rupee: 75.65, unchanged from yesterday's levels.

• Philippine peso: 17.09, unchanged from yesterday's levels.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has in recent days argued Alberta's vote is being held "at the worst possible time," urging Canadians to rally together to confront US President Donald Trump's trade war and annexation threats.

Polls indicated less than a quarter of people in the western province want independence, but separatist leader Mitch Sylvestre told AFP on Monday he remained optimistic. 

"We're hoping to win," said Sylvestre, who heads the Alberta Prosperity Project, at a restaurant in the provincial capital Edmonton where his side was watching the returns. 

Why it matters: Alberta independence vote Alberta’s Oct. 19 vote is not a direct secession referendum. Voters are deciding whether the oil-rich province should remain in Canada or begin the legal process toward a future binding independence referendum. A “yes” to separation would not make Alberta independent. It would trigger complex negotiations with Ottawa, other provinces and Indigenous peoples, while creating years of constitutional and economic uncertainty.

Most polling stations will close at 8:00 pm (0200 GMT Tuesday) but more than 100 will close late due to delayed openings, Alberta's elections authority said. 

Elections Alberta said 1.4 million of the 3.1 million eligible voters cast advance ballots. Those ballots were being counted starting at 5:00 pm.

Results may not come until Tuesday's early hours, Elections Alberta said.  

David Gallagher, who voted earlier on a chilly Edmonton morning, told AFP an independent Alberta was a "silly idea."

"I want to stamp it down and stop it," the 58-year-old said.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, a conservative, has said she is voting against independence but called the referendum to settle an issue that has divided the province.

If a majority votes to separate, she has pledged to move forward with a binding referendum.

If the federalists win, Smith said the secession question should be considered closed.

Foreign influence?

Alberta has the world's fourth-largest proven oil reserves, and much of the separatist momentum has been driven by anger over oil industry management.

Smith has blamed Carney's predecessor Justin Trudeau for igniting the separatist fire, accusing him of trying to crush oil production to advance his pro-climate agenda.

Alberta's independence push has also drawn sustained interest from Trump allies.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called Alberta a "natural partner" for the United States. Elon Musk, the world's richest person and a top Trump supporter, posted on X this month that Alberta "should separate."

Separatist leaders have also held meetings at the US State Department and with Republican political operatives.

'Huge uncertainty'

Carney, who grew up in Alberta, has worked to improve relations between the province and Ottawa since taking office last year.

He has partnered with Smith on advancing a new pipeline to export more Alberta bitumen overseas, a project considered a nonstarter during Trudeau's tenure.

But he has also warned Albertans that even a nonbinding vote on independence would be a "dangerous bluff," drawing on his experience during Brexit, when he was the Bank of England's governor.

He said the "huge uncertainty" that followed the Brexit vote hurt the British economy, cautioning Alberta over unintended economic consequences.

Sylvestre said Carney "threatened" the province in the closing days of the campaign. 

Carney's message was "voting against Canada is dangerous," Sylvestre said. "I think that's very, very unreasonable."

Haley Erdegard, a 44-year-old who voted in Edmonton, voiced discomfort with the idea advanced by some separatists that Alberta is forced to share too much of its oil revenue with the rest of Canada.

"The whole point of privilege is that if you have more than somebody else, you're supposed to share," she told AFP.

"I think we probably need to put some more work towards cooperation before making rash decisions about trying to start our own country."

Why the vote matters

The vote matters because Alberta holds the world’s fourth-largest proven oil reserves and anchors Canada’s energy economy.

Separatists argue federal environmental rules and equalisation payments disadvantage the province.

Opponents warn independence could bring heavy debt, lost investment and weaker access to export markets.

Even if the remain side wins decisively, the campaign has already forced a national debate over western alienation, energy policy and Canadian unity — pressures facing Prime Minister Mark Carney amid US tariffs and Trump’s calls for Canada to become the 51st state.