British actor Amir El Masry, 30, is sitting across from me in a cafe in San Sebastian in Spain. The Cairo-born star is in an ecstatic mood. The night before, he was at a cinema watching his own film, Limbo, with an audience, for the first time, as part of the San Sebastian International Film Festival in the beautiful Basque city by the sea. "It was just incredible," he says. "I couldn't have asked for a better reception. It's just something else when you watch it with an audience."
That first viewing with the public should have been at the Cannes Film Festival, but then the coronavirus intervened, leading to the event being cancelled. The film's team also missed the Toronto festival last month. But the wait to see the movie has been worth it.
Limbo is one of the buzz films of the year, and that is all the more surprising given it is a deadpan comedy about refugees waiting on a Scottish island for the results of their asylum claims. The film's director Ben Sharrock shot it on the Uist islands in the Outer Hebrides, and his work has been compared to that of award-winning directors Aki Kaurismaki and Elia Suleiman.
Limbo has received rave reviews. The Guardian gave it five stars and showered praise on El Masry.
The star had studied criminology and sociology at Royal Holloway, University of London, before making the switch to acting in 2008 after the renowned Omar Sharif advised him to start his career in Egypt.
It was sound advice. Soon after, El Masry won the Best Young Actor award at the Egyptian Oscars in 2009 for his role as Ramzy, a spoilt politician's son, in Ramadan Mabrouk Abu El Alamein Hamouda. He later studied drama at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art in 2013, and went on to act in Rosewater, a 2014 US political drama written and directed by Jon Stewart. El Masry got his breakthrough in 2016, playing a chef in the BBC mini-series The Night Manager alongside Tom Hiddleston.
El Masry admits that he initially approached Sharrock’s script with scepticism. “My agent sent me a little blurb of the film saying it tackles the refugee crisis. I thought, here we go again, it’s probably going to have a white saviour character, and the focus won’t be on the individuals.”
The script was so humane ... the central focus was on this asylum seeker with a rich cultural background that reminds us that they would rather be at home in their country
As he turned the pages, though, the actor was pleasantly surprised to learn that wasn't the case. "The script was so humane, and the central focus was on this asylum seeker, this person, with a rich cultural background that reminds us that they would rather be at home in their country. That tied in with the amount of humour in the film. Honestly, I've never laughed and cried so much reading a script."
El Masry sent in a self-tape and auditioned for the casting director a couple of times before meeting the director, who then offered him the lead role. It was a dream come true for an actor who felt his career was hindered by a lack of roles in English-language films for those of Arab and North African descent.
“I was frustrated for a long time in England,” he says. “A lot of the parts I didn’t get were based on how I looked. It was always: ‘Oh, we decided to go with someone white or something else with this.’ They couldn’t imagine that someone who looked like me could be bankable, or commercial and carry a film.”
He would go into castings and have people ask after he recited lines with his West London accent if he could use his “real voice”.
There was an expectation that being an Arab, he would gesticulate a lot. And he says the roles he was auditioning for were for Arab terrorists or reeked of Islamophobia.
It makes the praise that El Masry is receiving for Limbo all the more satisfying. His character, Omar, is a musician who can't play the oud that he always seems to be carrying around because of a broken hand. He is a quiet, sensitive character, who frequently calls his parents and wonders if he should have stayed to fight in Syria alongside his brother.
"To embody what it was like to go through that journey was essential," El Masry says. He learnt to play the oud, even though his hand is in a plaster cast for most of the movie.
“I took five lessons a week with a professional oud player, initially Khyam Allami, who composed the song in the film, and then Attab Haddad, who helped me on set.” In a typical dose of self-deprecating humour, he quips: “I’m sure they cried hearing me play.”
During the two weeks of rehearsals for the film, he also met asylum seekers who went through a government resettlement programme with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and were part of a single men's group charity in Glasgow.
"They were hilarious and so open about their feelings and fears going through the process, and what it felt like to be away from their families.
"That's the point we need to remind people – that they're just like everybody else. They've just happened to have had a rough time."
El Masry feels the humour in Limbo reflects the mental state of asylum seekers well. "They mask what's happening to them with humour, and that for me is immensely relatable. People who tend to suffer or go through turmoil tend to use humour as a mechanism to deal with tough situations, especially people from an Arab background."
What makes Limbo so special is that within the humour there is a political edge. The asylum seekers go to cultural assimilation classes that teach them how to apply for a job and go on dates. It's well-meaning on the surface, but is more an indictment of how backwards some Europeans consider the refugees to be.
In these classes with Omar are Afghan Freddy Mercury super-fan Farhad (Vikash Bhai), as well as Nigerians Abedi (Kwabena Ansah) and Wasef (Ola Orebiyi), who quarrel about football and the intricacies of US sitcom Friends.
"I was so lucky to be able to work with such rounded individuals who knew the weight of the story," says El Masry. "Vikash and I had worked on [British TV crime series] McMafia. We didn't have any scenes together, but we spent so much time together. He brings so much heart into Farhad. And Ola and Kwabena as well."
Being on the Uist islands added to the bond between the actors. "It did feel like we only had each other because it's so vast, and it takes 45 minutes to get anywhere. So, when you do meet, it feels like a connection you want to hold on to."
With his coming roles as a banker in HBO series Industry and in Netflix's futuristic dating drama The One, El Masry is a star we're going to love welcoming into our homes.
Limbo is playing at the London Film Festival, which is on until Sunday, October 18 and will be screened at the Cairo International Film Festival in December
EA Sports FC 25
Developer: EA Vancouver, EA Romania
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4&5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
Match info
Premier League
Manchester United 2 (Martial 30', Lingard 69')
Arsenal 2 (Mustafi 26', Rojo 68' OG)
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
AUSTRALIA SQUAD
Steve Smith (capt), David Warner, Cameron Bancroft, Jackson Bird, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine, Chadd Sayers, Mitchell Starc.
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
What is an FTO Designation?
FTO designations impose immigration restrictions on members of the organisation simply by virtue of their membership and triggers a criminal prohibition on knowingly providing material support or resources to the designated organisation as well as asset freezes.
It is a crime for a person in the United States or subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to knowingly provide “material support or resources” to or receive military-type training from or on behalf of a designated FTO.
Representatives and members of a designated FTO, if they are aliens, are inadmissible to and, in certain circumstances removable from, the United States.
Except as authorised by the Secretary of the Treasury, any US financial institution that becomes aware that it has possession of or control over funds in which an FTO or its agent has an interest must retain possession of or control over the funds and report the funds to the Treasury Department.
Source: US Department of State
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The specs: 2018 Maxus T60
Price, base / as tested: Dh48,000
Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder
Power: 136hp @ 1,600rpm
Torque: 360Nm @ 1,600 rpm
Transmission: Five-speed manual
Fuel consumption, combined: 9.1L / 100km
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Profile of Foodics
Founders: Ahmad AlZaini and Mosab AlOthmani
Based: Riyadh
Sector: Software
Employees: 150
Amount raised: $8m through seed and Series A - Series B raise ongoing
Funders: Raed Advanced Investment Co, Al-Riyadh Al Walid Investment Co, 500 Falcons, SWM Investment, AlShoaibah SPV, Faith Capital, Technology Investments Co, Savour Holding, Future Resources, Derayah Custody Co.
Sugary teas and iced coffees
The tax authority is yet to release a list of the taxed products, but it appears likely that sugary iced teas and cold coffees will be hit.
For instance, the non-fizzy drink AriZona Iced Tea contains 65 grams of sugar – about 16 teaspoons – per 680ml can. The average can costs about Dh6, which would rise to Dh9.
Cold coffee brands are likely to be hit too. Drinks such as Starbucks Bottled Mocha Frappuccino contain 31g of sugar in 270ml, while Nescafe Mocha in a can contains 15.6g of sugar in a 240ml can.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Cofe
Year started: 2018
Based: UAE
Employees: 80-100
Amount raised: $13m
Investors: KISP ventures, Cedar Mundi, Towell Holding International, Takamul Capital, Dividend Gate Capital, Nizar AlNusif Sons Holding, Arab Investment Company and Al Imtiaz Investment Group
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What is cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying or online bullying could take many forms such as sending unkind or rude messages to someone, socially isolating people from groups, sharing embarrassing pictures of them, or spreading rumors about them.
Cyberbullying can take place on various platforms such as messages, on social media, on group chats, or games.
Parents should watch out for behavioural changes in their children.
When children are being bullied they they may be feel embarrassed and isolated, so parents should watch out for signs of signs of depression and anxiety
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201.5-litre%204-cylinder%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20101hp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20135Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20Six-speed%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh79%2C900%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Honeymoonish
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The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.0-litre%20six-cylinder%20turbo%20(BMW%20B58)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20340hp%20at%206%2C500rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20500Nm%20from%201%2C600-4%2C500rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20ZF%208-speed%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E0-100kph%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204.2sec%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETop%20speed%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20267kph%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh462%2C189%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWarranty%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2030-month%2F48%2C000k%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
FFP EXPLAINED
What is Financial Fair Play?
Introduced in 2011 by Uefa, European football’s governing body, it demands that clubs live within their means. Chiefly, spend within their income and not make substantial losses.
What the rules dictate?
The second phase of its implementation limits losses to €30 million (Dh136m) over three seasons. Extra expenditure is permitted for investment in sustainable areas (youth academies, stadium development, etc). Money provided by owners is not viewed as income. Revenue from “related parties” to those owners is assessed by Uefa's “financial control body” to be sure it is a fair value, or in line with market prices.
What are the penalties?
There are a number of punishments, including fines, a loss of prize money or having to reduce squad size for European competition – as happened to PSG in 2014. There is even the threat of a competition ban, which could in theory lead to PSG’s suspension from the Uefa Champions League.
