The Royal Saudi Navy has assumed command of Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, a multinational maritime task force in the Gulf region at a time of heightened tension between Iran and Israel.
The change of command between Saudi Arabia and New Zealand this week was presided over by US Navy Vice Admiral George Wikoff, commander of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) in Bahrain.
CTF 150 was established in February 2002 and is one of five operational task forces under the CMF. It conducts maritime security operations outside the Arabian Gulf against threats from non-state actors.
CMF, headquartered in Bahrain with US Naval Forces Central Command and US 5th Fleet, is the largest multinational naval partnership in the world, with 46 navies.
“This mission carries great responsibility,” Royal Saudi Navy Commodore Fahad S. Al Joaid said during the handover ceremony. “We will build on the achievements of our predecessors and work closely with all CMF partners to safeguard these vital waters together.”
Tension has heightened in the region since the Israel-Iran war in June. It has also been the scene of attacks – in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden – by Iran-backed Yemeni Houthi rebels against ships.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo hybrid
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 390bhp
Torque: 400Nm
Price: Dh340,000 ($92,579
Day 4, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Not much was expected – on Sunday or ever – of Hasan Ali as a batsman. And yet he lit up the late overs of the Pakistan innings with a happy cameo of 29 from 25 balls. The highlight was when he launched a six right on top of the netting above the Pakistan players’ viewing area. He was out next ball.
Stat of the day – 1,358 There were 1,358 days between Haris Sohail’s previous first-class match and his Test debut for Pakistan. The lack of practice in the multi-day format did not show, though, as the left-hander made an assured half-century to guide his side through a potentially damaging collapse.
The verdict As is the fashion of Test matches in this country, the draw feels like a dead-cert, before a clatter of wickets on the fourth afternoon puts either side on red alert. With Yasir Shah finding prodigious turn now, Pakistan will be confident of bowling Sri Lanka out. Whether they have enough time to do so and chase the runs required remains to be seen.
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.
