Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
How they qualified: 2021 AFC Champions League winners.
Manager: Simone Inzaghi. Appointed Al Hilal coach - succeeding Jorge Jesus - one day after leaving Inter Milan, where his team had finished runners-up in Serie A and were humiliated 5-0 by Paris Saint-Germain in the Uefa Champions League final. Had led Inter to the 2023.24 title and won the Italian Cup twice.
Star player: Salem Al Dawsari. Hilal legend and club captain is now 33 but still producing the goods, registering 26 goals and 18 assists across competitions last season. Saudi winger also topped the AFC Champions League Elite scoring charts with 10 goals. Has made 445 appearances for the club, scoring 130 goals and providing another 17 assists.
One to watch: Aleksandar Mitrovic. Prolific Serbian striker missed a chunk of the campaign with a hamstring injury but still registered 28 goals in 36 games, taking his Hilal total to 68 goals in 79 games since moving from Fulham. The 30-year-old is also Serbia's all-time top scorer with 59 goals in 99 games.
Domestic season record: Second in Saudi Pro League, eight points behind champions Al Ittihad.
Fixtures:
- June 18 (11pm kick-off UAE): Real Madrid at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens.
- June 23 (2am KO) Red Bull Salzburg at Audi Field, Washington, DC.
- June 27 (5am KO) Pachua at Geodis Park, Nashville.
Red Bull Salzburg (Austria)
How they qualified: Ninth-best team in the Uefa four-year coefficient rankings.
Manager: Thomas Letsch. German coach was appointed in December having previously been a youth-team coach, assistant manager and interim manager (for two games) at the club. Previous jobs include managing Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem and Bundesliga outfit VfL Bochum.
Star player: Dorgeles Nene. Silky-skilled 22-year-old Mali winger is enjoying the best season of his career, sitting second in the Austrian scoring charts with 13 goals while also providing eight assists. Heads to US in great form, having scored eight in his past nine matches.
One to watch: Oscar Gloukh. Former Maccabi Tel Aviv attacking midfielder is also hitting new heights for Salzburg, reaching double figures in goals for the first time in his career. Already has 19 caps and three goals for Israel despite only turning 21 in April.
Domestic season record: Currently second in the Austrian Bundesliga, two points behind leaders Sturm Graz.
Fixtures:
- June 18 (8pm kick-off UAE): Pachua at TQL Stadium, Cincinnati.
- June 23 (2am KO): Al Hilal at Audi Field, Washington, DC.
- June 27 (5am): Real Madrid at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia.
Pachuca (Mexico)
How they qualified: 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup winners.
Manager: Jaime Lozano. Former Mexico national team manager was appointed weeks before the start of the tournament after Guillermo Almada's sudden resignation. The fiery Uruguayan had led Pachuca to the Champions Cup title last year.
Star player: Solomon Rondon. Experienced Venezuelan striker's career has seen him score goals in Spain, Russia, England, China, Argentina, and now Mexico. The 35-year-old has been impressive for Pachuca, scoring 36 times in 67 games, including 16 this season. Won best player and top-scorer awards in Pachuca's title-winning Champions Cup campaign.
One to watch: Oussama Idrissi. Dutch-born Moroccan international is a key player for Pachuca with the winger registering 25 assists in 74 appearances, including 10 this season. A star performer in the Champions Cup title-run and a huge fan favourite.
Domestic season record: Currently eighth in Liga MX, nine points behind leaders Toluca.
Fixtures:
- June 18 (8pm kick-off UAE): Red Bull Salzburg at TQL Stadium, Cincinnati.
- June 22 (11pm KO): Real Madrid at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte.
- June 27 (5am KO) Al Hilal at Geodis Park, Nashville.
Real Madrid (Spain)
How they qualified: 2021/22 & 2023/24 Uefa Champions League winners.
Manager: Xabi Alonso. Former Madrid midfielder's first gig as Los Blancos coach will be the tournament in the US. Alonso takes over from club legend Carlo Ancelotti after enjoying a hugely successful spell as Bayer Leverkusen coach.
Star player: Kylian Mbappe. After a stalled start following his dream move from Paris Saint-Germain, Mbappe found his groove to finish as La Liga top-scorer with 31 goals in 34 games (and 42 in 54 across all competitions). Will be hungry for a trophy after watching old club PSG finally securing a Champions League crown.
One to watch: Trent Alexander-Arnold. Would have joined Real for free from Liverpool on June 30, but the Spanish club wanted him on board for the Club World Cup, so they forked out €10 million to get the defender released from his contract early. An attacking right-back who provided 92 assists in 354 Liverpool games, while also scoring 23 goals.
Domestic season record: Finished second in La Liga, four points behind champions Barcelona.
Fixtures:
- June 18 (11pm kick-off UAE): Real Madrid at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens.
- June 22 (11pm KO): Real Madrid at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte.
- June 27 (5am): Red Bull Salzburg at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia.
Read more:
Group A guide: Al Ahly, Porto, Palmerias, Inter Miami
Group B guide: Atletico Madrid, Seattle Sounders, Botafogo, PSG
Group C guide: Benfica, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Bayern Munich
Group D guide: Flamengo, Esperance, Chelsea, Los Angeles FC
Group E guide: River Plate, Urawa Red Diamonds, Monterrey, Inter Milan
Group F guide: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan HD, Mamelodi Sundowns
Group G guide: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus
Group H guide: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, RB Salzburg
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 years Ramadan fell in May
More coverage from the Future Forum
The%20US%20Congress%20explained
%3Cp%3E-%20Congress%20is%20one%20of%20three%20branches%20of%20the%20US%20government%2C%20and%20the%20one%20that%20creates%20the%20nation's%20federal%20laws%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20Congress%20is%20divided%20into%20two%20chambers%3A%20The%20House%20of%20Representatives%20and%20the%20Senate%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%C2%A0The%20House%20is%20made%20up%20of%20435%20members%20based%20on%20a%20state's%20population.%20House%20members%20are%20up%20for%20election%20every%20two%20years%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20A%20bill%20must%20be%20approved%20by%20both%20the%20House%20and%20Senate%20before%20it%20goes%20to%20the%20president's%20desk%20for%20signature%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20A%20political%20party%20needs%20218%20seats%20to%20be%20in%20control%20of%20the%20House%20of%20Representatives%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20The%20Senate%20is%20comprised%20of%20100%20members%2C%20with%20each%20state%20receiving%20two%20senators.%20Senate%20members%20serve%20six-year%20terms%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20A%20political%20party%20needs%2051%20seats%20to%20control%20the%20Senate.%20In%20the%20case%20of%20a%2050-50%20tie%2C%20the%20party%20of%20the%20president%20controls%20the%20Senate%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Racecard
6pm: Mina Hamriya – Handicap (TB) $75,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
6.35pm: Al Wasl Stakes – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (Turf) 1,200m
7.10pm: UAE Oaks – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,900m
7.45pm: Blue Point Sprint – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,000m
8.20pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy – Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (T) 2,810m
8.55pm: Mina Rashid – Handicap (TB) $80,000 (T) 1,600m
Read more about the coronavirus
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
Display: 21cm Liquid Retina Display, 2266 x 1488, 326ppi, 500 nits
Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Storage: 128/256/512GB
Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4
Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps
Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID
Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
T20 WORLD CUP QUALIFIER
Results
UAE beat Nigeria by five wickets
Hong Kong beat Canada by 32 runs
Friday fixtures
10am, Tolerance Oval, Abu Dhabi – Ireland v Jersey
7.30pm, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi – Canada v Oman
The biog
Name: Marie Byrne
Nationality: Irish
Favourite film: The Shawshank Redemption
Book: Seagull by Jonathan Livingston
Life lesson: A person is not old until regret takes the place of their dreams
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Origin
Dan Brown
Doubleday
More on Quran memorisation:
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
SERIE A FIXTURES
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Saturday
Roma v Udinese (5pm)
SPAL v Napoli (8pm)
Juventus v Torino (10.45pm)
Sunday
Sampdoria v AC Milan (2.30pm)
Inter Milan v Genoa (5pm)
Crotone v Benevento (5pm)
Verona v Lazio (5pm)
Cagliari v Chievo (5pm)
Sassuolo v Bologna (8pm)
Fiorentina v Atalanta (10.45pm)
Countdown to Zero exhibition will show how disease can be beaten
Countdown to Zero: Defeating Disease, an international multimedia exhibition created by the American Museum of National History in collaboration with The Carter Center, will open in Abu Dhabi a month before Reaching the Last Mile.
Opening on October 15 and running until November 15, the free exhibition opens at The Galleria mall on Al Maryah Island, and has already been seen at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Info
What: 11th edition of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship
When: December 27-29, 2018
Confirmed: men: Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Kevin Anderson, Dominic Thiem, Hyeon Chung, Karen Khachanov; women: Venus Williams
Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ae, Virgin megastores or call 800 86 823
Evacuations to France hit by controversy
- Over 500 Gazans have been evacuated to France since November 2023
- Evacuations were paused after a student already in France posted anti-Semitic content and was subsequently expelled to Qatar
- The Foreign Ministry launched a review to determine how authorities failed to detect the posts before her entry
- Artists and researchers fall under a programme called Pause that began in 2017
- It has benefited more than 700 people from 44 countries, including Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Sudan
- Since the start of the Gaza war, it has also included 45 Gazan beneficiaries
- Unlike students, they are allowed to bring their families to France
