Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) has restored and restarted half of the reduction cells at its Al Taweelah smelter in Abu Dhabi, marking a major milestone in the facility’s recovery following an Iranian attack in March.
The company said 631 of the smelter’s 1,262 reduction cells have now been restarted, with restoration work progressing simultaneously across its three potlines.
The Al Taweelah smelter entered an emergency shutdown on March 28 after an Iranian attack on Khalifa Economic Zone Abu Dhabi prompted the full evacuation of the site.
EGA restarted the first restored reduction cell on May 26 and has since accelerated efforts to bring the facility back into operation.
The company expects the smelter to return to full production during the first quarter of 2027.
EGA targets full production by Q1 2027
Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, chief executive officer of Emirates Global Aluminium, said: “With our sustained good progress, we continue to expect that we will reach full production at Al Taweelah smelter during Q1 2027. The restoration of Al Taweelah is the biggest challenge we have ever faced as a company. Thousands of dedicated colleagues are working around the clock to bring back Al Taweelah, and EGA, stronger than ever before.”
Following the emergency shutdown, molten aluminium solidified inside every reduction cell, leaving metal pads weighing up to 45 tonnes that had to be removed before operations could resume.
EGA said almost 80 per cent of the cells can be restarted following removal of the solidified metal.
The remaining cells require additional repairs, including demolition and replacement of their internal linings, depending on their operating condition before the shutdown.
To accelerate the restoration, EGA has more than tripled its capacity to repair and restart reduction cells compared with its normal maintenance programme.
The company achieved this by optimising workflows, deploying additional equipment, strengthening workforce capabilities and introducing new industrial processes.
Once restarted, each reduction cell typically requires about a week to stabilise and reach full production.
Some of the molten aluminium produced is used to restart additional cells, while the remainder is transferred to EGA’s Casthouse for processing into finished aluminium products.
EGA accelerates E40 technology upgrades
EGA is also using the restoration period to accelerate the deployment of its E40 technology pilot at Al Taweelah.
The project involves upgrading 13 reduction cells operating with DX technology to test the performance of the new system before a potential wider rollout.
The pilot would otherwise have required operating cells to be shut down during construction.
If successfully deployed across all 808 DX technology reduction cells at Al Taweelah, EGA estimates that E40 technology could increase annual molten aluminium production by 67,000 tonnes.
The company said the pilot will help establish the technology’s performance before a decision on industrial-scale implementation.
Al Taweelah alumina refinery operates at 50% capacity
Meanwhile, EGA confirmed that its Al Taweelah alumina refinery continues to operate at approximately 50 per cent capacity.
Although the refinery is technically ready to increase production, EGA said the timing of any further ramp-up would depend on supply chain conditions and the optimisation of its alumina sourcing strategy.
The restoration of the smelter remains a key operational priority for EGA, which is working to progressively recover production capacity while undertaking equipment repairs and technology upgrades.
The company has maintained its target of returning the Al Taweelah smelter to full production in Q1 2027.
From 26 October, Q Mobility will introduce paid public parking across 1,455 spaces in three Al Ain sectors, supervised by the Integrated Transport Centre. Costing Dhs2 per hour via the Darb or TAMM apps, the system aims to address rising demand, improve space availability, and enhance access to businesses and facilities.
Q Mobility will introduce paid public parking in three sectors of Al Ain from October 26, covering 1,455 spaces across Al Mu’tarid and Central District, according to a WAM report.
The rollout will take place under the regulatory supervision of the Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility), an affiliate of the Department of Municipalities and Transport.
1,455 spaces included in rollout
The new system will cover three sectors, with designated parking spaces reserved for People of Determination. The measure comes amid rising demand for public parking as Al Ain experiences population growth and an expansion of commercial and service activities.
Regulating parking use is intended to improve space availability and access to businesses and public facilities for residents, visitors and employees.
Hourly fees set at Dhs2
Motorists using designated standard parking spaces will pay Dhs2 per hour. Payments can be made through the Darb and TAMM apps.
Q Mobility has urged drivers to follow parking signs and instructions, use spaces for their designated purposes and pay the applicable fees in line with the regulations.
The introduction of paid parking marks a change in how public spaces are managed across the three sectors, with the system aimed at addressing demand and improving parking availability.
The UK has announced enhanced defence support for Saudi Arabia, deploying RAF Typhoon jets, transport aircraft, and military advisers. Operating solely in a defensive capacity, British forces will protect Saudi cities and infrastructure from escalating Houthi drone and missile attacks, following recent strikes on Riyadh airport.
The United Kingdom has announced additional military support for Saudi Arabia, including the deployment of Royal Air Force (RAF) Typhoon fighter jets to conduct defensive missions amid escalating Houthi attacks in the region.
The aircraft will undertake defensive counter-air operations aimed at protecting Saudi cities and critical national infrastructure from missiles and drones, according to a UK government statement.
The British government stressed that the Typhoon jets would operate exclusively in a defensive role and would not conduct offensive strikes against the Houthis.
The announcement comes amid heightened regional security concerns following attacks targeting Saudi infrastructure, including King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.
UK expands military support for Saudi Arabia
Alongside the fighter jets, the UK will provide an RAF A400M transport aircraft to support the movement of defence equipment within Saudi Arabia.
British military advisers will also be deployed to assist Saudi staff officers.
The latest measures build on the UK’s existing military support for the kingdom, which includes air defence equipment designed to protect against missile and drone attacks.
The UK will also extend its air-to-air refuelling support for Saudi defensive air operations, including operations aimed at degrading Houthi military targets in Yemen that threaten Saudi and Yemeni populations.
The government said the additional assistance was intended to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s ability to respond to aerial threats and protect essential infrastructure.
UK condemns attacks on Riyadh airport
UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting condemned the continuing Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, particularly those targeting civilian infrastructure.
“The continuing attacks from the Houthis on our ally Saudi Arabia are absolutely despicable. The targeting of the airport in Riyadh in particular shows the lengths the Houthis are going to escalate the situation in the region.
“That’s why today I have approved further UK military support. RAF Typhoons will fly defensive air missions to help protect Saudi airspace from drones and missiles. This builds on the UK equipment and personnel we already have in the country to defend against Houthi air attacks.”
The UK government said Saudi Arabia and Yemen had the right to defend themselves against attacks, while expressing concern about the humanitarian impact of escalating violence.
How Kings League MENA is bringing football to a new generation of fans
Secret cards, streamer-owners and a president who can walk on and take a penalty. Wael Al-Fayez, managing director of Kings League MENA, explains why a football league built on gaming logic fits a region that already lives online
In Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt, a lot of football is played on a screen. Games analyst Niko Partners puts the number of gamers across the three countries at about 70 million, playing roughly 10 hours a week. Their favourite genre is sports. Football titles such as EA Sports FC and eFootball account for 70 to 80 per cent of all sports-game play, and sports gamers are the most likely of any group to follow esports.
Riyadh has already shown how big that audience can get. The 2025 Esports World Cup paid out more than $70m in prize money, drew 750 million viewers and brought 3 million visitors to Boulevard Riyadh City.
In the same entertainment district, at Cool Arena, Kings League MENA is trying something different. The football is real: seven players a side, two 20-minute halves, played on an actual pitch. But the rulebook reads as if a game designer wrote it. Secret cards unlock in-match advantages. Team presidents can step on and take a penalty. And the creators who own the teams stream every match live on Twitch, Kick, YouTube and TikTok, chatting with fans as it unfolds.
The format started in Barcelona in 2022, when former Spain defender Gerard Piqué teamed up with streamer and esports caster Ibai Llanos. The regional edition is a joint venture between Kings League and SURJ Sports Investment, a Public Investment Fund company. It is now in its first full season. Split 1 is running at Cool Arena from September 18 to October 30, with 10 teams from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Morocco, Jordan, Kuwait and Qatar.
Running it is Wael Al-Fayez, former chief commercial officer of the Saudi Pro League, who became Kings League MENA’s first managing director in September.
Wael Al-Fayez, MD of Kings League MENA/ Image: Supplied
He told Gulf Business why the league is built for the region’s gamers, what its streamer-presidents bring, and where he wants it to go next.
Built for the swipe-up generation
Al-Fayez doesn’t pitch Kings League as football with gimmicks. He pitches it as football rebuilt around how young people already spend their time.
“Kings League is sport redesigned for the ‘swipe-up’ generation, that has grown up with mobile devices and social media, and consumes sport and entertainment differently: through creators, live interaction, short-form content and community participation,” he says. The seven-a-side format, the rulebook and the mobile-first distribution are all designed around those habits.
Gaming sits at the centre of that picture. “With the growth of esports, gaming and the creator economy, younger audiences do not necessarily separate sport from digital entertainment,” he says. “They move naturally between these different worlds, which aligns closely with how Kings League is designed and distributed.”
He puts the size of that audience at roughly 140 million people under 30 across the Arab world. “The younger generations in the Arab world – approximately 140 million people are under the age of 30 across this region – already live at the intersection of football, gaming, streaming and digital content,” he says. “Kings League brings those worlds together uniquely and compellingly.”
And he thinks the region has everything the format needs. “The MENA region has the perfect ingredients for Kings League: huge passion for football, a young population, a booming creator economy, massive engagement with digital content, and an openness to new products and experiences.”
Riyadh as the home ground
Saudi Arabia is the obvious base. Al-Fayez points out that the kingdom has hosted more than 100 major international sporting events since 2018 and is preparing for the 2034 FIFA World Cup. It is also building itself into an entertainment and gaming centre through Riyadh Season and the Esports World Cup.
“MENA is developing one of the world’s most dynamic sports economies, with significant investment in digital, technology-led and next-generation sports experiences,” he says. “And it is so exciting for Kings League MENA to be a part of this wave, driving the region’s sports entertainment sector forward.”
The joint venture with SURJ Sports Investment is what lets the league act on it. Al-Fayez says it pairs Kings League’s experience of rolling out and running competitions with SURJ’s regional knowledge, strategic guidance and relationships, “allowing us to build a competition that is locally relevant and globally connected.”
The numbers that sold it
The test came a year ago. The eight-team Kings Cup MENA kicked off on October 24, 2025, over five days at Boulevard Riyadh City, as part of Riyadh Season. “The success of last year’s Kings Cup MENA validated the model for the region,” Al-Fayez says. “The opening matchday had more than 2 million live streaming viewers. Our social media content generated 717 million impressions (July-December 2025). And the online queue to buy tickets for the arena reached 40,000 at one point – when we were only selling 1,300 tickets per session.”
The league is now in seven major markets: Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, MENA and Spain. It also runs two international tournaments. “Young audiences around the world have shown incredible appetite for the concept, and we have very high ambitions for what we can do in MENA,” he says.
He is careful not to frame any of this as a threat to the traditional game. “We see Kings League as complementary to the traditional game – which remains incredibly strong across the region – giving fans a thrilling new way to experience football,” he says. “This is particularly the case for younger fans who, as we know, are getting harder and harder to reach with traditional platforms and formats.”
Streamers in the boardroom
If the rules are the game mechanics, the presidents are the players everyone came to watch. Each team is led by a creator, and Al-Fayez calls this “one of the most unique and impactful dynamics in Kings League.”
“They are more than merely recognisable faces attached to teams – they are team owners, community builders and cultural connectors who actively shape their teams’ identities, personalities and fanbases,” he says.
The biggest of them came up through gaming. AboFlah, president of ABO FC, built his following on gaming videos and was named YouTube’s top creator in MENA in 2021. Al-Fayez calls him “the biggest YouTuber in the Arab world.”
Split 1 has added more names. There are now three Saudi presidents: Drb7h, Abdulrahman Al Shehri and RAED. German creator Younes Zarou, who has Moroccan heritage and, Al-Fayez says, more than 110 million followers, is co-president of FC Bakhira. Two Jordan national team players, Yazan Al Neimat and Ali Olwan, are co-presidents of 3BS and Red Zone.
What they bring is an audience that is already watching. The presidents stream matches on their own channels on TikTok, YouTube, Twitch and Kick, and fans talk to them in the chat while the game is on.
“Younger audiences today do not only want to watch matches; they want to follow personalities, interact live, create and share content, and feel part of a community,” Al-Fayez says. “Our presidents make that relationship immediate and authentic.”
“We believe that presenting football in this way, and working with content creators, will ultimately only grow the overall football audience and keep young fans connected to the sport.”
Game rules, real football
The rule everyone talks about is the President Penalty, which lets a team president walk onto the pitch and take a spot kick. “These moments connect the content creators that lead our teams directly with the action, and create moments of real sporting drama that can change the result of a game,” Al-Fayez says.
But he insists the twists sit on top of serious football. “But although the Kings League rules are innovative, the sporting competition is very real. Our players are elite-level seven-a-side players.”
The reigning champions, DR7, led by Saudi creator Drb7h, have several Saudi national futsal team players in the squad, including Nawaf Arwan and Abdullah Alaqeeli. “All our teams are playing to win, with real intensity, as anyone who comes to Cool Arena will see,” he says. The league runs with professional-level structures, regulations and refereeing.
Fans who can’t get into the arena have options. Matches stream live on the presidents’ personal channels and on Kings League’s official social accounts, and broadcast partner MBC Group shows them on MBC Action and Shahid.
Brands that like to break the rules
That young, online audience is also the commercial pitch. “Kings League MENA offers brands a distinctive way to connect with a young, digitally engaged audience through football, creators, entertainment and culture – 70 per cent of the Kings League MENA audience is aged 18-34,” Al-Fayez says.
The other draw is freedom. “We are not restricted by the regulations of traditional sports and can be very creative,” he says. In Spain, Netflix sent a S.W.A.T. team onto the pitch and had Chris Hemsworth throw the dice at half-time to promote a film. In Italy, a “thief” invaded the pitch and stole the match ball, a stunt for Crédit Agricole’s personal items insurance. “These activations add another layer of fun and entertainment to the fan experience.”
The MENA partners include adidas, Badael, Red Bull, Vox and Webook, along with broadcast partner MBC Action/Shahid and joint venture partner SURJ Sports Investment.
Level up
For now, the focus is this season. “It is a privilege to take on this role at such an important moment for Kings League MENA,” Al-Fayez says. “The success of the 2025 Kings Cup MENA demonstrated huge demand for that product in this region, and we now have an opportunity to convert that momentum into long-term growth.”
“My immediate priority is to deliver an outstanding Split 1.” The league has grown from eight teams to 10, and its first full championship season runs over 11 matchdays and 51 matches.
Beyond that, the ambition is permanence. “Our ambition is for Kings League MENA to become an established and highly anticipated part of the region’s sports and entertainment calendar,” he says. He wants to build “a large and loyal audience by consistently delivering an outstanding product: real competition, compelling content, and a next-generation sports entertainment experience that resonates authentically with young fans across the region.”
That audience is meant to pay the bills through sponsorship, media rights, ticketing, licensing, merchandising and digital partnerships.
He also wants MENA teams to win on the global stage. They have already started. This summer, DR7 beat Los Troncos, then the reigning world club champions, at the Kings World Cup Clubs in Italy.
“Ultimately, Kings League MENA should become a platform through which regional talent, football culture, digital culture, brands and fan communities can connect, and a bridge for regional talent and audiences to a world stage within Kings League’s global competition ecosystem.”
Tesla has opened online reservations in the UAE for its Roadster electric sports car.
Tesla’s long-awaited Roadster electric sports car is available for online reservations in the UAE, with customers required to pay a total of Dhs210,000 to secure their place in the booking queue.
According to Tesla’s UAE reservation page, customers must make an initial payment of Dhs20,000, followed by a further Dhs190,000 within 10 days to complete the reservation process.
The booking amount is fully refundable, although Tesla has yet to confirm the vehicle’s final purchase price or delivery timeline.
The development offers UAE customers an opportunity to reserve the high-performance electric sports car, which remains under development.
Tesla Roadster UAE: Reservation costs and payment terms
Tesla’s UAE website currently lists three Roadster configurations: Performance, Thrust and Rocket.
The Performance variant is described as road-ready, with seating for two, active aerodynamics and a multi-mode suction system.
The Thrust variant, marked as having limited availability, adds acceleration thrusters to the Performance configuration.
Meanwhile, the Rocket variant, listed as invite-only, features seating for one and is described as incorporating a full flight system alongside the Performance and Thrust capabilities.
For the Thrust variant, Tesla’s website states that availability is restricted to one order per customer. The company also reserves the right to cancel duplicate orders, multiple purchases using the same account or phone number, and orders sharing identical payment or address details.
The reservation payment structure is as follows:
Tesla states that reservations are not final until the full payment is received and confirmed.
Final Roadster price and delivery date remain unconfirmed
Under Tesla’s UAE Roadster Reservation Agreement, the Dhs210,000 payment secures an approximate priority position for configuring and ordering the vehicle rather than an actual vehicle purchase.
The agreement states that the company is still determining the vehicle’s options, features and hardware, meaning the final purchase price cannot yet be confirmed.
Customers will be invited to configure their vehicles and enter into a separate order agreement as production approaches.
A final purchase agreement will subsequently specify the vehicle’s configuration, purchase price, applicable taxes, duties, transport and delivery charges, and other fees.
Tesla also makes clear that the Roadster remains under development and that no delivery date is offered or guaranteed.
Can customers cancel their Tesla Roadster reservations?
According to the reservation terms, customers can cancel their bookings through their Tesla accounts before entering into the final purchase agreement and receive a full refund.
Tesla may also cancel reservations under the agreement, with the reservation payment refunded.
The company states that reservation payments will not be held in a separate escrow or trust account and will not earn interest.
Reservations are also non-transferable without Tesla’s prior written consent.
The agreement identifies Tesla Motors Netherlands B.V. (Dubai Branch) as the contractual partner for UAE reservations, with the terms governed by UAE laws applicable in Dubai.
While the online reservation facility provides customers with an opportunity to secure priority for the Roadster, Tesla has not confirmed when deliveries will begin in the UAE or how much the finished vehicle will cost.
Image: Getty Images/Image for illustrative purpose
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U by Emaar, Emaar’s lifestyle loyalty programme, and Visa have signed an exclusive 10-year partnership to develop a premium co-branded credit card and rewards programme targeting high-net-worth customers across the Gulf.
The agreement will cover the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, combining Visa’s global payments network and technology with Emaar’s hospitality, dining, entertainment, retail and lifestyle portfolio.
The partnership will focus on premium, high-net-worth (HNW) and ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) customers, with a tiered credit card programme offering lifestyle rewards, travel privileges and exclusive experiences.
An invitation-only tier is also planned for selected customers, featuring enhanced travel, concierge and lifestyle benefits.
Emaar, Visa to introduce premium credit cards
Under the agreement, the U by Emaar and Visa co-branded credit card will allow customers to earn and redeem UPoints across participating Emaar destinations and digital platforms.
The programme will offer rewards linked to hospitality, dining, entertainment, wellness, travel and retail spending.
Visa will provide technology integration with the U by Emaar loyalty programme and mobile application, including card-linking technology and application programming interfaces (APIs).
The integration is designed to enable real-time earning and redemption of UPoints, simplifying the rewards process for participating customers.
The planned card tiers will include benefits such as global airport lounge access, premium dining privileges, dedicated concierge services and exclusive lifestyle offers.
Partnership targets high-net-worth GCC customers
Devendar Agarwal, Visa’s CEMEA Head of Global Clients, Tech Partners and Merchant Business & GCC Acceptance, said: “Consumers increasingly expect seamless experiences that connect payments, rewards and everyday lifestyle spending. Through this long-term partnership with U by Emaar, we are combining Visa’s global payments expertise, technology and analytics capabilities with a leading lifestyle ecosystem to deliver greater value for premium customers across the GCC. Together, we are creating a platform designed to deepen customer engagement while supporting the next phase of loyalty innovation in the region.”
The agreement will also see Visa Consulting & Analytics support the programme through customer insights and data analysis aimed at improving customer acquisition, engagement and portfolio performance.
The companies said the partnership has been structured to support potential expansion into additional regional markets over the coming decade.
U by Emaar expands loyalty ecosystem
Hakan Keskin, Head of Hospitality at Emaar Hospitality Group, said: “Partnering with Visa is a defining milestone in the evolution of U by Emaar. This is not simply a co-branded card, it is a holistic, decade-long commitment to delivering the most premium, seamlessly integrated lifestyle rewards experience in the region. Visa’s technology, analytics, and global network give us the platform to truly serve our most valued members, and to extend that proposition to HNW and UHNW customers across the UAE, KSA, and Bahrain.”
The collaboration represents an expansion of U by Emaar’s loyalty offering, linking its existing lifestyle rewards ecosystem with Visa’s payment capabilities.
For Visa, the agreement provides an opportunity to expand its premium card offering through a regional hospitality and lifestyle partnership.
