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Al-Ahli retains Asian Champions League title with extra-time goal from Al-Brikan
via Egypt Today3 min read
Ten-man Al-Ahli secured their second consecutive Asian Champions League Elite title, defeating Japan's Machida Zelvia 1-0 in extra time. The decisive goal came from substitute Feras Al-Brikan, who scored from close range after a cross from Riyad Mahrez. Al-Ahli played with ten men after Zakaria Hawsawi received a red card in the 68th minute for headbutting Tete Yengi. Despite being outnumbered, Matthias Jaissle's team held strong, with goalkeeper Edouard Mendy making crucial saves. The victory makes Al-Ahli only the second team to retain the trophy in the Asian Champions League era, following Al-Ittihad in 2005. The final match was held in Jeddah, Al-Ahli's home base, which hosted the centralized eight-team finals tournament for the second season in a row.
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Arsenal secured a 1-0 home victory against Newcastle United, with Eberechi Eze scoring the decisive goal, to return to the top of the Premier League. The win came after successive league defeats to Bournemouth and Manchester City, which had seen Arsenal drop from the summit for the first time since October. Despite the unconvincing performance, Mikel Arteta's side earned three vital points. Eze's ninth-minute strike, a curled right-footed shot, was Arsenal's 17th goal from a corner this season, setting a Premier League record. Newcastle, experiencing their fourth consecutive league defeat, remain in 14th place. Arsenal now has 73 points from 34 games, while Manchester City has 70 points from 33 games. Arsenal will face Atletico Madrid in a Champions League semi-final first leg on Wednesday.
Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty highlighted efforts in preparing Egypt's second National Strategy for Human Rights for 2026-2031, following directives from President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. Abdelatty chaired the seventh ministerial meeting of the Supreme Standing Committee for Human Rights, which included ministers and representatives from national entities. The strategy's development involved extensive consultations with national entities, experts, youth, parliamentarians, civil society, and national councils. Participants expressed a belief that this strategy will significantly contribute to the national approach to human rights. Minister of Social Solidarity Maya Morsy emphasized the right to development as a crucial pillar. The meeting featured discussions on national efforts to strengthen human rights across political, economic, social, and cultural fields, as well as legislative measures for human rights promotion and protection in Egypt.
Admiral Osama Rabie, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority, announced the transit of the giant cruise ship MSC Euribia through the Suez Canal on April 26, 2026, during its maiden southbound voyage. The vessel, one of the world's largest cruise ships, had been delayed for several weeks at the Strait of Hormuz before altering its route to use the Red Sea and Suez Canal to reach Europe, avoiding the Cape of Good Hope. The MSC Euribia, operated by MSC Cruises and running on liquefied natural gas, measures 331 meters in length and 51.9 meters in width, and transited with a crew of 192. The Suez Canal also facilitated the transit of the cruise ship Celestyal Journey in the same convoy. Rabie emphasized the Suez Canal's capacity to handle the newest and largest vessels, supported by ongoing development projects like the Southern Sector Development Project, which has enhanced navigational safety. He highlighted the canal's continued appeal as a crucial global shipping route due to its time-saving and cost-reducing benefits, reinforcing its role as the fastest, shortest, and safest maritime corridor connecting East and West. On the same day, 45 ships transited the canal, with a combined net tonnage of approximately 1.7 million tons.
Must ReadEgypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty has called for continued negotiations between the United States and Iran to end the ongoing war. In phone conversations with Iran's Abbas Araghchi and Qatar's Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Abdelatty emphasized the importance of a diplomatic solution and dialogue to prevent the expansion of regional conflicts. The discussions occurred after US President Donald Trump canceled a planned trip by his envoys to Islamabad for talks with Iran, citing Iran's stance in negotiations. Trump stated he saw "no point" in sending the delegation but denied the decision indicated a move towards military action. Abdelatty stressed the need to maintain the negotiating path, intensify coordination among relevant parties to sustain the ceasefire, and consolidate de-escalation to end the war. He highlighted that sustainable regional security and stability require respect for state sovereignty, consideration of the security concerns of regional countries, particularly Gulf states, and ensuring the security and freedom of international navigation. The US-Iran war is currently under a ceasefire to allow for talks, which US President Donald Trump extended last week. The conflict, triggered by US and Israeli strikes on February 28, has resulted in numerous casualties and widespread destruction in Iran, with Iranian retaliatory strikes causing further instability and disrupting global oil flows due to Tehran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz.