The International Cricket Council (ICC) has handed a two-match suspension to Pakistan’s fast bowler Haris Rauf for breaching its code of conduct during the Asia Cup Twenty20 matches against India. The ban, effective immediately, renders Rauf ineligible for the first two One Day International (ODI) games against South Africa, with his return slated for the third match in Faisalabad on Saturday. Rauf accumulated four demerit points from two separate incidents during Pakistan’s clashes with India on September 14 and 28. The ICC stated that Rauf violated the article pertaining to bringing the game into disrepute. Despite Rauf contesting the charges, formal hearings upheld the sanctions. Under ICC regulations, accumulating four demerit points within 24 months triggers an automatic two-match suspension. Consequently, Rauf missed Pakistan’s narrow two-wicket victory in the ODI series opener against South Africa on Tuesday. The strained political relations between India and Pakistan were further highlighted during the Asia Cup, with Indian players refusing to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts, a gesture criticized by Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha as contrary to the spirit of the game. Meanwhile, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav defended the decision, stating that some matters transcend sportsmanship. In related sanctions, Pakistan’s opening batter Sahibzada Farhan received an official warning and a demerit point for an offense during the Asia Cup, while Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah faced similar penalties for breaching the ICC code of conduct.
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This Week in Golf: Season-ending drama across all tours as UAE takes centre stage
The golfing world is set for an exhilarating conclusion to the 2025 season as major tournaments unfold across the globe, with the UAE taking center stage. The DP World Tour Finals kick off in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, offering a combined purse of $19 million. These events will crown the 2025 Race to Dubai champion, with players vying for Race to Dubai Bonus Pool payouts, dual PGA Tour–DP World Tour cards, and prestigious Rolex Series titles. Meanwhile, the Asian Tour continues its season with the $2 million Moutai Singapore Open, where Dubai’s Dominic Foos aims to build on his recent success in Macau. The top two players in the International Series Rankings will secure direct promotion to the 2026 LIV Golf League, adding further intrigue to the competition. The LIV Golf Promotions event, scheduled for January 2026 in Florida, will double the number of promotion spots, offering life-changing opportunities for aspiring professionals. On the Ladies European Tour, the ARAMCO China Championship and the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España present significant prize money and season titles. This week’s golf calendar is packed with high-profile events, including the PGA Tour’s World Wide Technology Championship in Mexico, the LPGA’s TOTO Japan Classic, and the DP World Tour’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. As the season draws to a close, players across all tours are poised for dramatic finishes that will shape the future of professional golf.
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Britain’s richest man Gopichand Hinduja dies at 85
Gopichand Hinduja, the esteemed chairman of the Hinduja Group and Britain’s wealthiest individual, has passed away at the age of 85. The news of his demise was confirmed on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, in London, where he had been residing. Hinduja, a prominent figure in global business and philanthropy, leaves behind a legacy of immense contributions to industry and society. The Hinduja Group, a multinational conglomerate with diverse interests ranging from automotive to finance, flourished under his leadership, cementing its position as a powerhouse in the global economy. His passing marks the end of an era for the business world, as colleagues and admirers reflect on his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to excellence. Tributes have poured in from across the globe, highlighting his impact on both the corporate and philanthropic landscapes. Gopichand Hinduja’s life and achievements will continue to inspire future generations, as his legacy endures through the institutions he built and the lives he touched.
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Former US VP Dick Cheney dead at 84, family confirms
Dick Cheney, a pivotal figure in U.S. politics and one of the most powerful vice presidents in American history, has passed away at the age of 84. His family confirmed his death on Tuesday, attributing it to complications from pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease. Cheney, who served as vice president under George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009, was a driving force behind the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, a decision that remains highly controversial.
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Voting opens in New York as Mamdani seeks to become first Muslim mayor
The New York City mayoral elections have commenced with unprecedented voter engagement, as the city stands on the brink of electing its first Muslim mayor. Early voting saw a record-breaking 735,000 ballots cast, quadrupling the numbers from the 2021 election. Leading the race is Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old democratic socialist and assembly member, who has consistently topped opinion polls for months. Mamdani secured a decisive victory in the Democratic primary in June, defeating former New York governor Andrew Cuomo by nearly 13 percentage points. Cuomo, now running as an independent, faces competition from veteran Republican Curtis Sliwa. Outgoing mayor Eric Adams initially planned to run as an independent but withdrew in September, though his name remains on the ballot. Mamdani’s campaign focuses on affordability, advocating for higher corporate taxes, increased taxes on the wealthy, rent stabilization, and expanded subsidized housing. Polls close at 9pm ET, with results anticipated shortly thereafter. Former President Donald Trump has endorsed Cuomo, warning that a Mamdani victory would jeopardize federal funding for New York. Despite being a Republican, Trump urged voters to support Cuomo over Sliwa. Meanwhile, a recent report by the Center for the Study of Organized Hate highlighted a surge in Islamophobic and xenophobic discourse on social media, with over 1.5 billion views of such content targeting Mamdani since his primary win.
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‘They’re forcing us to gain weight’: Select foods allowed in Gaza as essentials remain missing
In the wake of a ceasefire that ended two years of conflict, supermarkets in Gaza have reopened, revealing a stark contrast between the return of luxury items and the continued scarcity of essential goods. Monther al-Shrafi, a resident of Gaza City, observes shelves stocked with chocolates, soft drinks, and cigarettes—items that were once considered unattainable during the famine. However, basic necessities like eggs, fresh meat, and vital medicines such as antibiotics remain conspicuously absent. Shrafi laments, “Can you imagine that there is chocolate in Gaza while there are no antibiotics?”
Following the ceasefire on October 10, Israeli authorities partially reopened the Kerem Shalom border crossing, allowing the entry of goods and international aid for the first time since March 2. While carbohydrates, starches, and sugary products like chocolate and candies have flooded the markets, animal proteins and dairy products are severely restricted. For instance, frozen chicken now costs around 80 shekels (approximately $25) per kilogram, making it unaffordable for most residents.
Shrafi highlights the ongoing food crisis, stating that the available items are unhealthy and cannot replace basic natural foods. He recounts his futile search for painkillers for his daughter’s infected toe, underscoring the dire shortage of essential medicines. According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, Israeli restrictions have led to significant shortages in drugs (56%), medical consumables (68%), and laboratory supplies (67%). Critical medical services, including orthopaedic and open-heart surgeries, face severe gaps.
Israeli authorities control the entry of goods into Gaza, either through direct bans or by delaying import requests. While hundreds of truckloads have entered Gaza in recent weeks, the focus on carbohydrates and sugars has created a misleading impression of abundance. Abdallah Sharshara, a Gaza-based lawyer, argues that Israel is deliberately allowing certain items to conceal the visible signs of starvation. He notes that people are gaining weight unnaturally due to the reliance on processed foods, while fresh meat and eggs remain banned.
Sharshara emphasizes that the partial entry of goods does not meet the actual needs of the population, stating, “Even if Israel allows some goods in, they do not truly reach the people.” The situation in Gaza remains a paradox, with luxury goods symbolizing a superficial recovery while the essential needs of the population continue to be unmet.
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Xpeng’s flying car factory begins trial operations in Guangzhou
Xpeng AeroHT, a subsidiary of the Chinese electric vehicle giant Xpeng, has initiated trial operations at its groundbreaking flying car manufacturing facility in Guangzhou, Guangdong province. The factory, located in Huangpu district—a burgeoning hub for science and technology—marks a significant milestone in the development of the low-altitude economy. The first product to emerge from the production line is the innovative Land Aircraft Carrier, a hybrid vehicle designed for both road and air travel. The facility boasts an initial annual production capacity of 5,000 units, with plans to double this output in the future. At full capacity, the factory will produce one aircraft every 30 minutes. The Huangpu district government has lauded the facility as the world’s first mass production line for flying cars. The initial batch of vehicles will undergo rigorous test flights to validate performance and craftsmanship, paving the way for commercial deliveries next year. The factory’s assembly line, which includes advanced processes such as composite material integration, power systems, connection, painting, and final assembly, sets a new benchmark for the industry. The Land Aircraft Carrier features a three-axle, six-wheel design with 6×6 all-wheel drive and rear-wheel steering, ensuring superior off-road capabilities. Its compact design allows it to fit into standard parking spaces and underground garages, enhancing its practicality. The factory is expected to bolster the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area’s industrial cluster and strengthen China’s position in the global low-altitude economy. This development underscores China’s commitment to innovation and its ambition to lead in emerging technologies.
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Dick Cheney, architect of the US invasion of Iraq, dies aged 84
Dick Cheney, the former US vice president who played a pivotal role in shaping American foreign policy and orchestrating the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 84. Cheney’s family confirmed that his death was due to complications from pneumonia, cardiac, and vascular diseases.
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Hunger monitor says parts of South Sudan face famine threat after months without aid
In the conflict-ridden regions of South Sudan, a dire humanitarian crisis is unfolding as food aid fails to reach thousands of vulnerable people. According to a report released by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a global monitor, approximately 28,000 individuals in Nasir and Fangak counties are experiencing “catastrophic food insecurity,” the most severe level of hunger. The IPC has called for an “immediate and large-scale response” to avert a potential famine. These areas, historically controlled by the SPLM-IO opposition party led by suspended First Vice President Riek Machar, have been engulfed in violence for months. Machar faces treason charges related to a militia attack on a military garrison in Nasir, which the government claims resulted in the deaths of 250 soldiers. Government-led military operations, including aerial bombardments, have targeted opposition forces and allied militias throughout the year. The conflict has effectively partitioned Nasir, with opposition forces controlling large swathes of the county and government forces holding other areas. Heavy fighting and airstrikes have displaced tens of thousands of people, who now reside in informal sites along the Sobat River, a major tributary of the Nile. The violence has severely hindered aid delivery, with Mary-Ellen McGroarty, the South Sudan director for the World Food Program (WFP), stating that access restrictions have “significantly limited” their ability to reach eastern Nasir since February. However, a recent WFP-led mission secured access assurances, marking the first time aid will reach these populations this year. SPLM-IO spokesperson Lam Paul Gabriel accused the government of blocking aid to opposition-controlled areas, a claim denied by Stephen Kueth, chairperson of South Sudan’s Relief and Rehabilitation Commission. Kueth emphasized that food cannot be used as a weapon of war and highlighted government efforts to conduct airdrops in Nasir earlier this year. Despite these efforts, aid groups and opposition officials criticized the airdrops for targeting areas allegedly abandoned by civilians but occupied by the military. The IPC, the only globally recognized framework for declaring famine, outlines strict criteria for such a declaration, including malnutrition-related deaths, severe food shortages, and acute malnutrition among children. Famine declarations are rare, with the last in South Sudan occurring in 2017 during the civil war. Alarmingly, the IPC predicts that over half of South Sudan’s population will face severe hunger by 2026.
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Broadway classic ‘Annie’ makes its UAE debut this December
The iconic Broadway musical ‘Annie’ is poised to make its highly anticipated debut in the UAE this December. From December 12 to 14, 2025, the Zabeel Theatre at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray will come alive with a fresh rendition of this timeless production, masterminded by Olivier Award-winning producer Paul Taylor-Mills. Set against the backdrop of 1930s New York during the Great Depression, ‘Annie’ follows the heartwarming journey of a resilient orphan who escapes the clutches of the tyrannical Miss Hannigan and embarks on a life-changing adventure with billionaire Oliver Warbucks. The musical’s Tony Award-winning score, featuring beloved songs such as ‘It’s the Hard-Knock Life,’ ‘Easy Street,’ and ‘Tomorrow,’ promises to deliver a captivating experience for audiences of all ages. Adding to the festive ambiance, the Zabeel Theatre will be transformed into a winter wonderland, complete with a holiday market, creative workshops, seasonal treats, and a special appearance by Santa Claus. The production boasts a talented UK cast, alongside young performers from Dubai’s Diverse Performing Arts, and features a real dog in the role of Annie’s faithful companion, Sandy. This enchanting event is set to be a highlight of the holiday season, offering a magical experience for families and theater enthusiasts alike.