These are the men responsible for the worst terror attack to hit Spain in more than a decade.
At least 14 have died and 130 were injured in the attacks in Barcelona and Cambrils, with the youngest victim only aged three-years-old. The casualty rate could have been significantly higher as reports have emerged that the group also planned to blow up the iconic Sagrada Familia cathedral.
The terrorist cell so far appears to be 12-strong, many of whom come from the Catalan town of Ripoll and are of Moroccan descent.
An imam of a mosque in the small Catalan town of Ripoll, 85 miles north of Barcelona, is believed to be the responsible for bringing together the band of youths who perpetrated the attack. It is unclear if Abdelbaki Es Satty, who is believed to be around 45, masterminded the attack or simply sowed the seeds of radicalisation amongst the group of local Muslims who have gone on to become mass murderers.
The current status of Satty is a mystery. He left town around a month ago but local media reports suggest that his could be the third body that has reportedly been found at the site of a house which exploded when two blundering would-be terrorists attempting to create weapons. The authorities, who raided his flat on Saturday, have not confirmed that they have stopped searching for the imam.
In what was initially thought to be a gas explosion from a drugs lab, the two as-yet unnamed people located at the house in Alcanar blew themselves up when trying to create a compound, known in Arabic as “mother of Satan”, using canisters of propane gas and an acetone peroxide compound.
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Read more:
Spain attacks: Missing 7-year-old boy Julian Cadman confirmed dead
Spain attacks: More tragic details emerge about the dead and missing
Barcelona attack: Suspect Moussa Oukabir killed by police in Cambrils
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A man injured in the blast, a Spanish national from Melilla in Morocco believed to be Mohamed Houli Chemlal was arrested as a suspected cell member.
Worryingly, Younes Abouyaaqoub, the 22-year-old Moroccan believed to be the driver of the van that ploughed through crowds of tourists on Las Ramblas, has evaded capture. Police believe he may have escaped from the scene on a metro train, then hijacked a car and killed its driver before disappearing. There are fears he may have crossed over the border into France.
Echoing the make-up of previous terrorist groups who have targeted Europe, the cell appears to be populated by young men. Siblings have formed part of these groups in the past and this Spanish cell is no different, featuring two sets of brothers. Many of the group appeared to the outside world as ‘normal’ men, interested in sport and girls.
The youngest of the group is Moussa Oukabir, aged only 17. Using his older brother’s documentation, he hired the van that weaved across Las Ramblas aiming to hit as many innocent people as possible. A skinny teenager, locals from his home town told the press her was a keen footballer who did not appear to hold extreme beliefs. After escaping from the carnage he helped create in Barcelona, he joined a second group of terrorists in the sea-side town of Cambrils. It was there that he was shot dead by police after taking part in another vehicle-based attack.
Oukabir’s brother, Driss, 28, handed himself into police when his name was broadcast on television. He claims his younger brother stole his documents without his knowledge or permission and is in police custody. His paperwork that included his home address in Ripoll helped police trace the web of extremists connected to the attack.
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Read more:
Spaniards chant 'No Fear' in defiant memorial to the dead of Las Ramblas
Quiet seaside resort of Cambrils emerges from a terrifying night
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Also in police custody is Mohammed Aalla, the owner of the black A3 Audi used in the Cambrils attack. The car swerved into a group of pedestrians enjoying a nighttime stroll along the sea, before ramming into a checkpoint at a roundabout, hitting a kerb and flipping over.
The five men inside, who were wearing what was later found to be fake suicide belts, were able to clamber out of the vehicle and began to brandish an axe, a machete and knives. They killed a woman and injured her family and others before they were all shot dead by police.
Mohammed Aalla’s brother, Said, 18, was one of the group who died in Cambrils. Also in the group was 24-year-old Mohamed Hychami, who was involved in the rental of the van used for the attack and a second van that was used by Moussa Oukabir as a getaway vehicle. Hychami’s brother, Omar, 21, was also killed during this second attack, as was the 19-year-old brother of Younes Abouyaaqoub, the suspect who remains on the run.
Brief scoreline:
Manchester United 2
Rashford 28', Martial 72'
Watford 1
Doucoure 90'
Need to know
When: October 17 until November 10
Cost: Entry is free but some events require prior registration
Where: Various locations including National Theatre (Abu Dhabi), Abu Dhabi Cultural Center, Zayed University Promenade, Beach Rotana (Abu Dhabi), Vox Cinemas at Yas Mall, Sharjah Youth Center
What: The Korea Festival will feature art exhibitions, a B-boy dance show, a mini K-pop concert, traditional dance and music performances, food tastings, a beauty seminar, and more.
For more information: www.koreafestivaluae.com
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
UAE jiu-jitsu squad
Men: Hamad Nawad and Khalid Al Balushi (56kg), Omar Al Fadhli and Saeed Al Mazroui (62kg), Taleb Al Kirbi and Humaid Al Kaabi (69kg), Mohammed Al Qubaisi and Saud Al Hammadi (70kg), Khalfan Belhol and Mohammad Haitham Radhi (85kg), Faisal Al Ketbi and Zayed Al Kaabi (94kg)
Women: Wadima Al Yafei and Mahra Al Hanaei (49kg), Bashayer Al Matrooshi and Hessa Al Shamsi (62kg)
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Getting there
The flights
Flydubai operates up to seven flights a week to Helsinki. Return fares to Helsinki from Dubai start from Dh1,545 in Economy and Dh7,560 in Business Class.
The stay
Golden Crown Igloos in Levi offer stays from Dh1,215 per person per night for a superior igloo; www.leviniglut.net
Panorama Hotel in Levi is conveniently located at the top of Levi fell, a short walk from the gondola. Stays start from Dh292 per night based on two people sharing; www. golevi.fi/en/accommodation/hotel-levi-panorama
Arctic Treehouse Hotel in Rovaniemi offers stays from Dh1,379 per night based on two people sharing; www.arctictreehousehotel.com
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
Afcon 2019
SEMI-FINALS
Senegal v Tunisia, 8pm
Algeria v Nigeria, 11pm
Matches are live on BeIN Sports
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
The%20specs%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%204cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E261hp%20at%205%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E400Nm%20at%201%2C750-4%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10.5L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C999%20(VX%20Luxury)%3B%20from%20Dh149%2C999%20(VX%20Black%20Gold)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Trump v Khan
2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US
2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks
2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit
2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”
2022: Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency
July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”
Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.
Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”
TERMINAL HIGH ALTITUDE AREA DEFENCE (THAAD)
What is THAAD?
It is considered to be the US's most superior missile defence system.
Production:
It was created in 2008.
Speed:
THAAD missiles can travel at over Mach 8, so fast that it is hypersonic.
Abilities:
THAAD is designed to take out ballistic missiles as they are on their downward trajectory towards their target, otherwise known as the "terminal phase".
Purpose:
To protect high-value strategic sites, such as airfields or population centres.
Range:
THAAD can target projectiles inside and outside the Earth's atmosphere, at an altitude of 150 kilometres above the Earth's surface.
Creators:
Lockheed Martin was originally granted the contract to develop the system in 1992. Defence company Raytheon sub-contracts to develop other major parts of the system, such as ground-based radar.
UAE and THAAD:
In 2011, the UAE became the first country outside of the US to buy two THAAD missile defence systems. It then stationed them in 2016, becoming the first Gulf country to do so.
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
