No matter what happens this matchweek, Al Hilal know they will remain top of the Saudi Pro League table come Monday morning, but the chasing pack are all hot on their heels and will be eager to close the gap on the leaders.
All kick-off times are UAE.
Al Tai v Al Fayha, Friday, 7pm
The hosts have finally got their first win since under new coach Laurentiu Reghecampf. A 3-2 win over Al Riyadh last time out was chaotic, but it lifted them out of the relegation zone. Another win could move them higher up the table and within one point of Al Fayha.
Vuk Rasovic’s side have been inconsistent, going four matches without defeat before falling to Al Nassr 3-1. Bouncing back quickly could be the difference between cementing their place as a top-half team or slipping into uncertainty.
Prediction: Al Tai 1-3 Al Fayha
Al Fateh v Al Hilal, Friday, 7pm
The pick of the games this weekend sees league leaders Al Hilal travel to one of the most difficult grounds in the Saudi Pro League to face Al Fateh. Slaven Bilic’s side have strolled past their last four visitors, collecting maximum points, scoring 17 goals and conceding just four in the process to climb to fourth in the table.
Al Hilal are the only remaining unbeaten side in the competition and ride a four-match win streak that includes victories against Al Ahli and Al Shabab. They boast the meanest defence in the league, having conceded just eight goals, and the second-most prolific attack with 30 goals scored, two more than their upcoming opponents.
Prediction: Al Fateh 2-2 Al Hilal
Al Shabab v Al Ittihad, Friday, 10pm
Traditionally one of the most significant fixtures in the Saudi Pro League calendar, this encounter comes around this season with both sides struggling, albeit to varying extents. Al Ittihad are without a win in their last four games, and are only still in sixth place thanks to their bright start to the season in which they won five of their first six matches. In turn, Al Shabab are teetering in the bottom half of the table, with only three wins so far, including just one in their last four.
Both teams dropped points against supposedly inferior opponents, with Al Ittihad being held to a 2-2 draw by promoted Al Hazem, while Al Shabab were beaten 2-1 by minnows Abha.
Prediction: Al Shabab 0-0 Al Ittihad
Abha v Al Okhdood, Saturday, 7pm
This match could be decisive in the race to escape relegation come the end of the season, even at this early stage. Abha and Al Okhdood occupy 15th and 16th places respectively, separated by just one point.
A managerial change produced a mini revival for Abha who picked up four points from their last three matches, having failed to collect any points in the four matches before that. Their win against Al Shabab in matchweek 11 was their first since matchweek 3. Al Okhdood, meanwhile, have lost their last three matches, and questions will be asked of coach Jorge Mendonca should they lose yet another one.
Prediction: Abha 2-1 Al Okhdood
Al Ettifaq v Al Raed, Saturday, 10pm
Steven Gerrard’s Al Ettifaq needed a late Demarai Gray goal to produce a 3-2 comeback win in their previous match against Al Wehda, a win that helped arrest their recent slumps. Back at home against bottom-placed Al Raed, another win could help them build momentum and potentially overtake a team or two above them in the table.
Al Raed’s season has gone from bad to worse. A difficult start to the season, with matches against Al Hilal, Al Nassr and Al Taawoun in their first five fixtures, gave way to an easier run of games, but the team from Buraidah came away with just a point from their games against Al Okhdood, Al Hazem and Al Khaleej, leaving them in danger of drifting further away from safety.
Prediction: Al Ettifaq 4-1 Al Raed
Al Nassr v Al Khaleej, Saturday, 10pm
After losing their first two matches, Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr are flying now, up to second place and closing the gap on leaders Al Hilal. They go into matchweek 12 seeking a third win in a row, with the added boost of returning to their home fortress of Al Awwal Park.
Al Khaleej have flattered to deceive this term. Two wins in three games was followed by a four-match winless run which they will try to end, but the trip to Riyadh will be complicated for coach Pedro Emanuel, who faces his former side.
Prediction: Al Nassr 4-0 Al Khaleej
Al Hazem v Al Wehda, Sunday, 7pm
Experienced coach Jose Carreno has revived Al Hazem since taking over, leading them to a 4-3 win over Al Raed followed by a 2-2 draw against Al Ittihad. Next up for the promoted side is a home encounter against Carreno’s former team Al Wehda.
Al Wehda were left frustrated by conceding late in their most recent outing, losing to Al Ettifaq 3-2. Australian forward Craig Goodwin has been in hot form for the Makkah club, but his heroics have not been able to end a four-match winless run.
Prediction: Al Hazem 2-1 Al Wehda
Al Tawoun v Damac, Sunday, 7pm
The dark horses of this early stage of the 2023/24 season, Al Taawoun have lost only one match so far, but their 1-1 draw against Al Khaleej last time out will feel like a missed opportunity, and saw them concede second place to Al Nassr. They remain in a respectable third spot and only five points of the leaders Al Hilal.
Georges-Kevin N’Koudou once more proved to be the difference maker for Damac, leading them to a third win in their last four matches as they continue their rise up the league table. The trip to Buraidah will be a real test of the true quality of Cosmin Contra’s side, but they will have confidence in their abilities, having previously held the likes of Al Hilal, Al Fateh and Al Shabab to draws.
Prediction: Al Taawoun 3-2 Damac
Al Ahli v Al Riyadh, Sunday, 10pm
Momentum from the Jeddah derby win against Al Ittihad has quickly dissipated for Al Ahli and coach Matthias Jaissle finds himself under pressure after his team lost to Al Hilal and were knocked out of the King’s Cup in midweek, despite ending the match with a two-man advantage.
Unfortunately for Jaissle, his upcoming opponents are on the rise. A managerial change at Al Riyadh is bearing fruit with new boss Igor Jovicevic has seen his side collect seven points from their last four matches.
Prediction: Al Ahli 1-0 Al Riyadh
Four reasons global stock markets are falling right now
There are many factors worrying investors right now and triggering a rush out of stock markets. Here are four of the biggest:
1. Rising US interest rates
The US Federal Reserve has increased interest rates three times this year in a bid to prevent its buoyant economy from overheating. They now stand at between 2 and 2.25 per cent and markets are pencilling in three more rises next year.
Kim Catechis, manager of the Legg Mason Martin Currie Global Emerging Markets Fund, says US inflation is rising and the Fed will continue to raise rates in 2019. “With inflationary pressures growing, an increasing number of corporates are guiding profitability expectations downwards for 2018 and 2019, citing the negative impact of rising costs.”
At the same time as rates are rising, central bankers in the US and Europe have been ending quantitative easing, bringing the era of cheap money to an end.
2. Stronger dollar
High US rates have driven up the value of the dollar and bond yields, and this is putting pressure on emerging market countries that took advantage of low interest rates to run up trillions in dollar-denominated debt. They have also suffered capital outflows as international investors have switched to the US, driving markets lower. Omar Negyal, portfolio manager of the JP Morgan Global Emerging Markets Income Trust, says this looks like a buying opportunity. “Despite short-term volatility we remain positive about long-term prospects and profitability for emerging markets.”
3. Global trade war
Ritu Vohora, investment director at fund manager M&G, says markets fear that US President Donald Trump’s spat with China will escalate into a full-blown global trade war, with both sides suffering. “The US economy is robust enough to absorb higher input costs now, but this may not be the case as tariffs escalate. However, with a host of factors hitting investor sentiment, this is becoming a stock picker’s market.”
4. Eurozone uncertainty
Europe faces two challenges right now in the shape of Brexit and the new populist government in eurozone member Italy.
Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at IG, which has offices in Dubai, says the stand-off between between Rome and Brussels threatens to become much more serious. "As with Brexit, neither side appears willing to step back from the edge, threatening more trouble down the line.”
The European economy may also be slowing, Mr Beauchamp warns. “A four-year low in eurozone manufacturing confidence highlights the fact that producers see a bumpy road ahead, with US-EU trade talks remaining a major question-mark for exporters.”
Temple numbers
Expected completion: 2022
Height: 24 meters
Ground floor banquet hall: 370 square metres to accommodate about 750 people
Ground floor multipurpose hall: 92 square metres for up to 200 people
First floor main Prayer Hall: 465 square metres to hold 1,500 people at a time
First floor terrace areas: 2,30 square metres
Temple will be spread over 6,900 square metres
Structure includes two basements, ground and first floor
Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
Results
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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.
SPECS
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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.
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Brief scoreline:
Liverpool 2
Mane 51', Salah 53'
Chelsea 0
Man of the Match: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Brief scores:
Arsenal 4
Xhaka 25', Lacazette 55', Ramsey 79', Aubameyang 83'
Fulham 1
Kamara 69'
The distance learning plan
Spring break will be from March 8 - 19
Public school pupils will undergo distance learning from March 22 - April 2. School hours will be 8.30am to 1.30pm
Staff will be trained in distance learning programmes from March 15 - 19
Teaching hours will be 8am to 2pm during distance learning
Pupils will return to school for normal lessons from April 5
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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TOURNAMENT INFO
Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier
Jul 3- 14, in the Netherlands
The top two teams will qualify to play at the World T20 in the West Indies in November
UAE squad
Humaira Tasneem (captain), Chamani Seneviratne, Subha Srinivasan, Neha Sharma, Kavisha Kumari, Judit Cleetus, Chaya Mughal, Roopa Nagraj, Heena Hotchandani, Namita D’Souza, Ishani Senevirathne, Esha Oza, Nisha Ali, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi
It
Director: Andres Muschietti
Starring: Bill Skarsgard, Jaeden Lieberher, Sophia Lillis, Chosen Jacobs, Jeremy Ray Taylor
Three stars
Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
Tips to keep your car cool
- Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
- Park in shaded or covered areas
- Add tint to windows
- Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
- Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
- Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
