Aaron Rai secured his second Rolex Series title at the 2025 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship after a thrilling play-off victory against Tommy Fleetwood on Sunday. The English golfer, who began the final round with a one-shot lead, faced a challenging start as Fleetwood surged ahead with an early advantage. However, Rai staged a remarkable comeback with four consecutive birdies on the front nine, reclaiming the top spot. The duo engaged in a roller-coaster battle, with Fleetwood regaining control before Rai’s late brilliance on the 16th and 17th holes tied the score heading into the final hole. Despite missing a chance to win in regulation on the 18th green, Rai clinched victory with a decisive birdie putt at the first extra hole, marking his third DP World Tour win. Rai’s final round of 67 included seven birdies and two bogeys, finishing at 25 under par, while Fleetwood carded a bogey-free 66 with an eagle and four birdies. Race to Dubai leader Rory McIlroy shot a ten-under-par 62, finishing one shot behind in a tie for third with Nicolai Højgaard. Rai, who started the week ranked 55th in the season-long standings, now heads to the DP World Tour Championship as the Tour’s most recent winner. Reflecting on his victory, Rai praised Fleetwood’s sportsmanship and credited his caddie, Jason Timmis, for helping him stay focused after a critical missed putt on the 14th hole. The emotional win was celebrated with his father, Amrik, as Rai expressed gratitude for the unforgettable experience.
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Two Major League Baseball pitchers charged in sports gambling scheme
Two pitchers from the Cleveland Guardians, Emmanuel Clase de la Cruz and Luis Leandro Ortiz Ribera, have been charged in connection with a sprawling sports betting and money laundering scheme, as announced by federal prosecutors and the FBI on Sunday. The indictment alleges that the players accepted bribes to manipulate pitches during Major League Baseball (MLB) games, enabling illegal wagers totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars. According to authorities, the scheme not only provided an unfair advantage to certain bettors but also tarnished the integrity of America’s beloved pastime. Both players have vehemently denied any wrongdoing. Prosecutors claim that Clase and Ortiz coordinated with co-conspirators to place fraudulent bets on online sportsbooks, receiving kickbacks in exchange for insider information. For instance, before a game on June 27, 2025, Ortiz allegedly received $7,000 to throw a rigged pitch, while Clase arranged the scheme for the same amount. Clase is also accused of withdrawing $50,000 in cash, with $15,000 allegedly used by a co-conspirator to bet on the pitch. The rigged pitches reportedly helped co-conspirators win $60,000 and $400,000, respectively. US Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr., emphasized the broader implications of the scandal, stating that such corruption undermines public trust in sports. Ortiz was arrested in Boston, while Clase remains at large. Both players were placed on non-disciplinary paid leave during an MLB investigation into sports gambling. They face charges including wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery, and money laundering conspiracy. The Cleveland Guardians have pledged full cooperation with law enforcement and the league. Ortiz’s lawyer, Chris Georgalis, maintains his client’s innocence, asserting that Ortiz never influenced a game improperly. Clase’s representative, Kelvin Nova, has also denied the allegations, stating that Clase does not engage in betting. This case follows recent FBI arrests in similar schemes involving an NBA player, a coach, and members of New York crime families.
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‘Chaos has gone’ – quiet streets on Texas border after Trump crackdown
The Trump administration has significantly intensified enforcement efforts along the entire US-Mexico border, particularly in the El Paso area, leading to a stark reduction in migrant crossings. This shift marks a dramatic change from the chaotic scenes witnessed during the Biden administration, where migrant encampments and overcrowded shelters were commonplace.
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‘I just want to breathe’: Delhi protesters demand action on toxic pollution
In a desperate plea for clean air, dozens of protesters gathered in New Delhi on Sunday, demanding urgent government action to combat the city’s toxic pollution. The Indian capital, home to 30 million people, is frequently ranked among the world’s most polluted cities. A thick haze of hazardous microparticles, known as PM2.5, blanketed the skyline, with levels soaring up to 60 times the United Nations’ daily health limits. These cancer-causing particles are small enough to enter the bloodstream, posing severe health risks. Protesters, including parents with masked children, carried placards with messages like ‘I miss breathing’ and ‘I just want to breathe.’ The demonstration took place near India Gate, where PM2.5 levels were over 13 times the World Health Organization’s recommended maximum. ‘I am here because I don’t want to become a climate refugee,’ said Namrata Yadav, a mother who joined the rally. Tanvi Kusum, a lawyer, expressed frustration, stating, ‘Year after year, it is the same story, but there is no solution.’ Despite government measures such as partial transport restrictions and water trucks spraying mist to clear particulate matter, the pollution crisis persists. A recent study in The Lancet Planetary Health linked 3.8 million deaths in India between 2009 and 2019 to air pollution. The United Nations children’s agency warns that polluted air increases children’s risk of acute respiratory infections. As the protest grew, police detained several activists, confiscating their banners and placards, citing a lack of protest permits. The event underscored the growing public outcry for meaningful action to address Delhi’s deadly air quality crisis.
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US air travel could ‘slow to a trickle’ as shutdown bites, says top official
The United States is bracing for significant disruptions in air travel as the federal government shutdown continues to impact critical services. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy issued a stark warning on Sunday, predicting that air travel could ‘slow to a trickle’ in the coming weeks, particularly as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches. Speaking to Fox News, Duffy emphasized the potential for widespread chaos, with thousands of flights already canceled or delayed. He highlighted the critical role of air traffic controllers, many of whom are expected to stay home due to the shutdown, leading to severe operational challenges. ‘We’re going to see very few air traffic controllers coming to work, which means only a limited number of flights will be able to take off and land,’ Duffy explained. This situation is likely to result in massive disruptions and leave countless Americans frustrated during one of the busiest travel periods of the year. The shutdown has already caused significant strain on various sectors, and the aviation industry is now feeling the brunt of its impact. As families prepare to reunite for Thanksgiving, the prospect of travel chaos looms large, raising concerns about the broader economic and social consequences of the ongoing government impasse.
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Alcaraz off to winning start at ATP Finals with win over De Minaur
Carlos Alcaraz, the top seed, kicked off his ATP Finals campaign with a commanding 7-6(5), 6-2 victory over Australia’s Alex de Minaur in their round-robin match on Sunday in Turin. This marks Alcaraz’s first win in an opening match at the prestigious season-ending championships. Despite a spirited effort from De Minaur, who rallied from a 4-1 deficit to force a tiebreak in the first set, Alcaraz’s resilience and skill proved decisive. The Spaniard broke De Minaur’s serve twice in the second set, securing a 4-1 lead and ultimately closing out the match without allowing a comeback. Both players aimed to improve upon their disappointing performances from last year, where Alcaraz lost two of his three round-robin matches and De Minaur suffered three consecutive defeats. Alcaraz, who is vying to end the year as the world number one, must reach the final with at least one round-robin win or sweep his group matches to secure the top ranking for the second time. Meanwhile, defending champion Jannik Sinner must retain his title to have any chance of finishing the year in the top spot. The ATP Finals, featuring the world’s top eight singles players and doubles teams, boasts a record prize pool of $15.5 million and offers 1,500 ranking points. The tournament will conclude with the final at the Inalpi Arena in Turin on November 16.
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India’s data centre boom confronts a looming water challenge
India’s data centre capacity is on track to skyrocket by 77% by 2027, driven by the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) and the country’s burgeoning digital economy. With global tech giants like Google, Amazon Web Services, and Meta pouring billions into the sector, India is poised to become a global hub for data infrastructure. Google’s recent $15 billion investment in Andhra Pradesh underscores the scale of this transformation. However, this explosive growth comes with significant environmental challenges, particularly concerning water and energy consumption.
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Ireland joins calls to ban Israel from European football
Ireland has become the latest nation to advocate for Israel’s exclusion from European football competitions. On Saturday, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) passed a resolution urging UEFA to suspend Israeli clubs and the national team from all European tournaments. The decision followed a proposal from Dublin-based club Bohemians, which accused the Israel Football Association (IFA) of violating UEFA’s anti-racism policies and permitting the establishment of clubs in ‘illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank’ without Palestinian Football Association approval. The FAI’s motion was supported by 74 members, with seven opposing and two abstaining. In a statement, the FAI confirmed it would formally request UEFA’s executive committee to suspend the IFA for breaching two provisions of UEFA’s statutes. This resolution aligns with similar calls from Norway and Turkey, both of which referenced a UN Commission of Inquiry report accusing Israel of genocide during its conflict in Gaza. In September, UEFA postponed discussions on Israel’s potential ban following a ceasefire agreement brokered by former US President Donald Trump. While a European ban would not affect Israel’s participation in FIFA World Cup qualifiers, it could strain relations between UEFA and the United States, co-host of the 2026 World Cup.
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Lives at risk: UAE Filipinos watch in fear as typhoon Fung-wong batters the Philippines
Filipino expatriates in the UAE are gripped with anxiety as Super Typhoon Fung-wong, locally known as Uwan, wreaks havoc across the Philippines. The storm, which intensified rapidly, has already claimed at least two lives and left vast areas of the Bicol region without power. Authorities are racing to evacuate over a million residents from vulnerable areas as the typhoon is expected to make landfall in Aurora province on November 9, 2025. The storm’s ferocity has raised fears of widespread destruction, particularly in regions still recovering from the devastation caused by Typhoon Kalmaegi just days earlier, which killed 188 people and left hundreds missing. For Filipinos abroad, the situation is deeply personal. Fatima S., a 47-year-old nanny in Sharjah, expressed her fears for her family in Isabela province, where light-material homes are highly susceptible to flooding. ‘Every time I hear about the rising waters, I panic. I can’t be there to help. I can only pray and hope they make it through this storm,’ she said. Meanwhile, J.P., a 26-year-old administrative staff member in Dubai, is stranded in Cebu, where power outages have left her reliant on a nearly drained power bank to stay connected with her family. A.T., a 50-year-old writer based in Dubai, is in Metro Manila but remains worried about his family in the Bicol region, where the typhoon continues to unleash its fury. The storm has also disrupted air travel, with AirAsia Philippines and AirAsia Malaysia cancelling over 400 flights to and from Manila on November 9 and 10. Passengers have been advised to monitor flight status updates and rebook their travel within 30 days at no additional cost.
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Dubai powers ahead as global startup hub: Over 580 digital firms backed in 2025
Dubai is solidifying its position as a leading global hub for digital innovation, with the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy supporting the establishment and expansion of 582 digital startups in the first nine months of 2025. This remarkable growth underscores the emirate’s rising influence in technology entrepreneurship and its strategic efforts to attract the next generation of global digital pioneers. Notably, 70% of these startups are international companies, reflecting Dubai’s growing appeal as a gateway to Middle Eastern, African, and Asian markets. Artificial intelligence (AI) leads the charge, accounting for 21% of supported firms, while HealthTech, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), and FinTech collectively represent another 17%. This momentum aligns with Dubai’s D33 Economic Agenda, which aims to double the emirate’s economy by 2033 and position it among the world’s top three cities for business and innovation. Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, emphasized Dubai’s commitment to fostering a dynamic business environment that enables digital companies to scale globally. Nearly half of the supported firms benefited from establishment assistance, accelerator programs, and incubator services, while 32% utilized the chamber’s “Business in Dubai” platform, a one-stop service model connecting startups with investors and regulatory support. Beyond direct assistance, the chamber has invested in knowledge creation and global outreach, releasing four research reports and organizing 15 sector-specific events and 16 international roadshows across 17 cities in 10 countries. These efforts have positioned Dubai as a “launchpad city” for global startups, bridging East and West with its policy support, funding access, and fast-moving regulatory environment. The UAE’s progressive visa reforms and digital infrastructure have further attracted record levels of talent, with digital startups now contributing over 11% of the UAE’s non-oil GDP. As 2025 progresses, Dubai’s innovation engine shows no signs of slowing, redefining what it means to build, scale, and succeed on a global stage.