Erdogan has 'no interest' in re-election, and doctor describes dire straits for Gaza's children
On today's episode of Trending Middle East:
This episode features Alvin R Cabral, Business Reporter – Consumer and Technology; and Lizzie Porter, Turkey Correspondent.
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Web Release
an hour ago
- Web Release
ABU DHABI WORLD GRAPPLING CHAMPIONSHIP TO DEBUT IN AL AIN REGION THIS AUGUST
International Vision Sports Management (IVSM) has announced that the inaugural Abu Dhabi World Grappling Championship 2025 will take place from August 1 to 3, 2025, at ADNEC Centre Al Ain. This initiative is held in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT) and under the banner of Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Pro (AJP). The event aims to cater to the surging global demand for combat sports, particularly grappling, one of the world's fastest-growing disciplines. The championship will feature hundreds of male and female athletes from over 20 countries, welcoming participants of all skill levels from youth and amateurs to masters and professionals. Across three action-packed days, the event will showcase elite competition, further cementing Al Ain Region's status as a premier destination for world-class combat sports. Saeed AL Dhaheri, Destination Management Department Director at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said: 'As Abu Dhabi grows in prominence as a hub for major global sporting events, combat sports have emerged as an increasingly important pillar of our sport and entertainment vision for the emirate. Joining such IPs as Abu Dhabi Showdown Week, UFC Fight Nights, and the Jiu-Jitsu World Championships, we are proud to welcome the Abu Dhabi World Grappling Championship to our portfolio of leading events. We look forward to new audiences in Al Ain Region and across Abu Dhabi being introduced to this exciting and increasingly popular sport.' Tareq Al Bahri, General Manager of International Vision Sports Management, said: 'We are proud to launch the Abu Dhabi World Grappling Championship, the first of its kind globally, in Al Ain Region, Abu Dhabi. This event underscores the UAE's leadership in hosting elite combat sports, offering a platform for athletes worldwide to excel. 'With the support of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, we aim to deliver unparalleled competition and establish a lasting legacy for grappling in the region.' As part of the AJP Tour, the championship will adhere to the highest international standards. Competitors of all nationalities can participate across age divisions (U14, U16, U18, 18+, and 35+) in both amateur and professional categories. Winners will earn 2,000 ranking points and substantial cash prizes, ensuring fierce competition and top-tier performances. The event's opening day will focus on professional bouts up to the semi-finals, followed by youth and amateur competitions on the second day. The championship will conclude with third-place playoffs and thrilling finals. The Al Ain Region of Abu Dhabi was chosen as the host city to highlight its growing prominence within Abu Dhabi's sporting landscape. This initiative underscores Abu Dhabi's commitment to promoting sports tourism and nurturing emerging talent, backed by leading academies and supported by passionate fans from across the GCC and the wider MENA region. Registration is now open via with entries accepted until July 28, 2025. Athletes, coaches, and fans are encouraged to secure their places early to be part of this landmark event.
Khaleej Times
2 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Will airfares rise after Wizz Air Abu Dhabi's exit? Etihad CEO responds
The future of UAE airfares following Wizz Air Abu Dhabi's planned exit will be determined by supply, demand, and market dynamics, according to Antonoaldo Neves, chief executive officer of Etihad Airways. 'The market is the king, so it doesn't matter who is leaving, who is entering, and who is adding capacity. The key question is how will supply and demand be in the future? If there is less demand, fares are going to go down,' Neves told Khaleej Times in an interview last week, when asked about the impact of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi's departure on ticket prices. The ultra-low-cost carrier recently announced it will suspend operations in Abu Dhabi starting September 1, 2025, and dissolve its joint venture. Its promotional fares starting at Dh79 gained strong popularity among UAE travellers, especially those flying to Eastern Europe and CIS countries for tourism, thanks to its affordability. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. Wizz Air cited three main reasons for its withdrawal: engine reliability issues exacerbated by the region's hot and harsh climate, geopolitical instability, and regulatory challenges. The airline said it will now focus on its core markets in Central and Eastern Europe, along with selected destinations in Western Europe. In 2024 alone, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi operated over 19,000 flights, providing more than 4.4 million ultra-low-cost seats. It carried more than 3.5 million point-to-point passengers, contributing around 25 per cent to Zayed International Airport's total point-to-point traffic. Additionally, the airline brought more than 1.2 million international visitors to Abu Dhabi last year. Until now, Abu Dhabi has been home to three major airlines: national carrier Etihad Airways, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, and Wizz Air Abu Dhabi — offering services that cater to every segment, from luxury travellers to budget-conscious flyers. 'I don't know how supply and demand is going to react in the next year or so, because it doesn't depend only on Etihad (as other carriers also operate in UAE),' Neves added. Etihad chief was speaking after receiving delivery of the first of its 30 Airbus A321LR. Despite the airline's exit, aviation analysts expect minimal disruption. 'Wizz Air leaving Abu Dhabi does not leave a gap at all. Wizz Air tried to create something that frankly didn't exist — and we saw the same when AirAsia X came and fled Abu Dhabi within six months,' said Saj Ahmad, chief analyst at London-based StrategicAero Research. Neves also addressed the perception that Etihad is inflating fares. 'We price to demand and competition. So I don't know what fares are going to be. If there's a lot of demand and we don't have planes, the fare goes up. Otherwise, they go down,' he said. 'The notion that Etihad is charging more is just wrong.' He emphasised that the region's aviation market is expansive and can accommodate a variety of carriers. 'In the UAE, we have four amazing airlines — flydubai, Emirates, Etihad and Air Arabia. They all make money. So there is a space for premium carriers, a space for intermediate carriers, and a space for low-cost carriers. The UAE is one of the best markets in the world. We should be very proud of all that,' Neves concluded.
The National
3 hours ago
- The National
Donald Trump admits 'real starvation' happening in Gaza in meeting with UK leader
US President Donald Trump has admitted for the first time that children in Gaza are suffering "real starvation", amid mounting international criticism of Israel's actions in the strip. The situation in Gaza dominated an hour-long press conference between Mr Trump and the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Scotland, in which the US President gave an assessment that was at odds with that of Israel's leaders. In unusually strong language, Mr Trump said he wanted to see children fed, in response to Mr Starmer's view that there is 'revulsion' at the images of emaciated infants. Mr Trump added that 'we're giving a lot of money and a lot of food, and other nations are now stepping up. That's real starvation stuff, I see it, and you can't fake that,' Mr Trump said. 'We have to get the kids fed. 'Israel has a lot of responsibility' for addressing the crisis, Mr Trump added. 'I want them to make sure they get the food.' The US President also appeared to blame Iran for derailing ceasefire talks between Hamas and international mediators last week. 'Iran has been sending out bad signals, I'll tell you, for a country that just got wiped out, they've been sending very bad signals, very nasty signals, and they shouldn't be doing that.' He accused Iran's Foreign Minster Abbas Araghchi of 'saying things that he shouldn't be talking about' and said Iran 'they got involved in this negotiation'. The crisis in Gaza is a priority for the two leaders, but Mr Trump also made a surprise announcement that he had set new deadline of "10 to 12 days" for Russia to make a ceasefire deal in Ukraine, a significant reduction on the previous deadline of 50 days. Mr Trump added that he will make an official announcement on this "tonight or tomorrow". Hostage shield The US President said he was in touch with Benjamin Netanyahu about getting the remaining 20 Israeli hostages in Gaza released, but said it would be difficult to make a deal now that Hamas has only a few hostages left, because the group uses them as a 'shield'. 'Hamas has become very difficult to deal with in the last couple of days, because they don't want to give up this last 20 because they think as long as they have them, they have protection,' he said. 'I'm speaking to Bibi Netanyahu and we are coming up with various plans. If they didn't have the hostages, things would go very quickly but they do, and we know where they have them. When they give them up, they no longer have a shield.' Mr Trump said he told the Israeli Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu that the fight in Gaza against Hamas would have to be conducted in a different way after the latest talks on a ceasefire and hostage release agreement fell apart last week. "I told Bibi that you have to maybe do it a different way," Mr Trump said. "A ceasefire is possible, but you have to get it, you have to end it." Plan for peace UK officials said Mr Starmer had developed a plan for peace in Gaza that prioritised immediate deliveries of humanitarian aid as well as charting a path to a two-state solution. "It's a humanitarian crisis, right?" he said. "It's an absolute catastrophe. I think people in Britain are revolted at seeing what they're seeing on their screen." Speaking in the ballroom of the Turnberry golf hotel in Scotland, where he is on a private trip to his courses, Mr Trump said the US would spearhead efforts to increase aid to Gaza. He said the UK and other European countries would join in provide aid to Gaza 'so we're going to set up food centres where people can walk in with no boundaries,' he said. 'We're not going to have fences.' The US had to 'take care of the humanitarian needs on what they used to call the Gaza Strip' he said, adding that the US had 'trillions of dollars' to spend, with some of it on food. Mr Starmer hopes to promote a UK-led plan 'in the coming days' with his cabinet and with other international allies, including Arab states. The Prime Minister's spokesman added that it was a matter of 'when, not if' the UK recognises a Palestinian state, but said it must be one step on a pathway to peace. The pair met at Mr Trump's luxury golf resort in Turnberry, on Scotland's west coast, before travelling on together later to a second championship estate owned by Trump in the east, near Aberdeen. Hundreds of police officers guarded the perimeter of the Turnberry course and the nearby beach, with a helicopter hovering overhead, although there was no sign of protesters outside the course.
