US judge schedules Lockerbie bombing suspect’s trial for April 2026
The US judge overseeing the case of Lockerbie bombing suspect Abu Agila Mohammad Masud[1] has set jury selection for April 20, 2026.
Judge Dabney Friedrich acknowledged the "complicated nature[2]" and "voluminous discovery of evidence" in the case surrounding the 1988 attack that resulted in the explosion of a Pan Am flight and the deaths of 270 people in Scotland.
Mr Masud, 73[3], limped into court and donned headphones to listen to the status conference in Arabic. He looked straight ahead for the whole proceedings, never glancing at victims' families[4], who took up several rows of court seats.
He didn't appear to communicate with his court-appointed lawyer during proceedings. In 2023, Mr Masud pleaded not guilty[5] in connection to one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in UK and US history.
Only one other person, former Libyan intelligence officer[6] Abdelbaset Al Megrahi, has been convicted for the bombing.
After his conviction in 2001, Megrahi spent seven years in a Scottish prison, but he was eventually released on compassionate grounds and died in Libya in 2012. In 2003, Libya claimed responsibility for the attack that brought down the plane.
The US government filed charges against Mr Masud in 2020, but it took more than two years to extradite him from Libya. Mr Masud's health problems, lawyer changes and logistical problems have caused the trial planning to move at a snail's pace.
A court transcript seen by The National show the methodical nature of the case.
At least three depositions of foreign citizens will have to take place outside the US before the trial begins, according to the court transcript.
Though specifics are not disclosed, ways of potentially dealing with Mr Masud's health problems are also discussed. His court-appointed lawyers have promised to provide updates about his medical condition to better prevent any delays.
In court on Thursday, Judge Friedrich emphasised the need to stay on schedule. "I want this to be aggressive," she said, referring to trial planning dates and schedule preparations.
Mr Masud's lawyer told the judge that although there is "some disagreement" about the extent of his medical problems, both defence and prosecutors are on the same page about how to deal with it going forward.
All 259 people on board the Pan Am flight died in the attack and 11 people were killed on the ground by falling debris on December 21, 1988, shortly after the plane took off from London bound for New York.
Of the victims, 190 were US citizens, along with people from the UK and Argentina, India, South Africa and Spain, among others.
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Analysis
Maros Sefcovic is juggling multiple international trade agreement files, but his message was clear when he spoke to The National on Wednesday. The EU-UAE bilateral trade deal will be finalised soon, he said.
It is in everyone's interests to do so. Both sides want to move quickly and are in alignment. He said the UAE is a very important partner for the EU.
It's full speed ahead - and with some lofty ambitions - on the road to a free trade agreement. We also talked about US-EU tariffs. He answered that both sides need to talk more and more often, but he is prepared to defend Europe's position and said diplomacy should be a guiding principle through the current moment.
BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
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Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km On sale: December Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
The BIO
Favourite piece of music: Verdi's Requiem.
It's awe-inspiring. Biggest inspiration: My father, as I grew up in a house where music was constantly played on a wind-up gramophone. I had amazing music teachers in primary and secondary school who inspired me to take my music further.
They encouraged me to take up music as a profession and I follow in their footsteps, encouraging others to do the same. Favourite book: Ian McEwan's Atonement - the ending alone knocked me for six. Favourite holiday destination: Italy - music and opera is so much part of the life there.
I love it.
The%20specs
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The burning issue
UAE currency
Match info
Who: India v AfghanistanWhat: One-off Test match, BengaluruWhen: June 14 to 18TV: OSN Sports Cricket HD, 8am startsOnline: OSN Play (subscribers only)
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
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%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Sofia%20Coppola%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Cailee%20Spaeny%2C%20Jacob%20Elordi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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World Mental Health Day
Quick%20facts
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EStorstockholms%20Lokaltrafik%20(SL)%20offers%20free%20guided%20tours%20of%20art%20in%20the%20metro%20and%20at%20the%20stations%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EThe%20tours%20are%20free%20of%20charge%3B%20all%20you%20need%20is%20a%20valid%20SL%20ticket%2C%20for%20which%20a%20single%20journey%20(valid%20for%2075%20minutes)%20costs%2039%20Swedish%20krone%20(%243.75)%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ETravel%20cards%20for%20unlimited%20journeys%20are%20priced%20at%20165%20Swedish%20krone%20for%2024%20hours%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EAvoid%20rush%20hour%20%E2%80%93%20between%209.30%20am%20and%204.30%20pm%20%E2%80%93%20to%20explore%20the%20artwork%20at%20leisure%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nag%20Ashwin%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPrabhas%2C%20Saswata%20Chatterjee%2C%20Deepika%20Padukone%2C%20Amitabh%20Bachchan%2C%20Shobhana%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%E2%98%85%E2%98%85%E2%98%85%E2%98%85%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi Rating: 4/5
About Karol Nawrocki
o Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
o A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April. o Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings. o Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6 Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC Best advice you've ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
Our commentary on Brexit
The%20specs%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDual%20permanently%20excited%20synchronous%20motors%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E516hp%20or%20400Kw%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E858Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle%20speed%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERange%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E485km%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh699%2C000%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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October 3: v Wuhan Jiangda Women's FCOctober 6: v Hyundai Steel Red Angels Women's FCOctober 9: v Sabah FA
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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment - major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040.
The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on[7] Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins[8]
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE[9]
3%20Body%20Problem
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The Uefa Awards winners
Uefa Men's Player of the Year: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) Uefa Women's Player of the Year: Lucy Bronze (Lyon) Best players of the 2018/19 Uefa Champions League
Goalkeeper: Alisson (Liverpool) Defender: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) Midfielder: Frenkie de Jong (Ajax)
Forward: Lionel Messi (Barcelona) Uefa President's Award: Eric Cantona
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Cucumber, smoked salmon and cream cheese mini club sandwiches Elderflower and lemon syllabub meringue
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Cartlow: £13.4m Rabbitmart: £14m
Smileneo: £5.8m Soum: £4m imVentures: £100m
Plug and Play: £25m
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Director: Christopher McQuarrie Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg Rating: 4/5
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Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
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How%20to%20avoid%20getting%20scammed
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3ENever%20click%20on%20links%20provided%20via%20app%20or%20SMS%2C%20even%20if%20they%20seem%20to%20come%20from%20authorised%20senders%20at%20first%20glance%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EAlways%20double-check%20the%20authenticity%20of%20websites%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EEnable%20Two-Factor%20Authentication%20(2FA)%20for%20all%20your%20working%20and%20personal%20services%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EOnly%20use%20official%20links%20published%20by%20the%20respective%20entity%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EDouble-check%20the%20web%20addresses%20to%20reduce%20exposure%20to%20fake%20sites%20created%20with%20domain%20names%20containing%20spelling%20errors%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
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Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Westminster, London
- Camden, London
- Glasgow, Scotland
- Islington, London
- Kensington and Chelsea, London
- Highlands, Scotland
- Argyll and Bute, Scotland
- Fife, Scotland
- Tower Hamlets, London
Defence review at a glance
o Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given "turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster" o Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems o Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
o Number of active reserves should be increased by 20% o More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade o New "hybrid Navy" with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
RESULTS
Time; race; prize; distance
4pm: Maiden; (D) Dh150,000; 1,200mWinner: General Line, Xavier Ziani (jockey), Omar Daraj (trainer)
4.35pm: Maiden (T); Dh150,000; 1,600mWinner: Travis County, Adrie de Vries, Ismail Mohammed
5.10pm: Handicap (D); Dh175,000; 1,200mWinner: Scrutineer, Tadhg O'Shea, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
5.45pm: Maiden (D); Dh150,000; 1,600mWinner: Yulong Warrior, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
6.20pm: Maiden (D); Dh150,000; 1,600mWinner: Ejaaby, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson
6.55pm: Handicap (D); Dh160,000; 1,600mWinner: Storyboard, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
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8.05pm: Handicap (T); Dh190,000; 1,800mWinner: Good Trip, Tadhg O'Shea, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
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Zakat: an Arabic word meaning 'to cleanse' or 'purification'. Nisab: the minimum amount that a Muslim must have before being obliged to pay zakat. Traditionally, the nisab threshold was 87.48 grams of gold, or 612.36 grams of silver.
The monetary value of the nisab therefore varies by current prices and currencies. Zakat Al Mal: the 'cleansing' of wealth, as one of the five pillars of Islam; a spiritual duty for all Muslims meeting the 'nisab' wealth criteria in a lunar year, to pay 2.5 per cent of their wealth in alms to the deserving and needy. Zakat Al Fitr: a donation to charity given during Ramadan, before Eid Al Fitr, in the form of food.
Every adult Muslim who possesses food in excess of the needs of themselves and their family must pay two qadahs (an old measure just over 2 kilograms) of flour, wheat, barley or rice from each person in a household, as a minimum.
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- Financial well-being incentives
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Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion
The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid. Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority's tax collection efforts".
The scheme's first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited. He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.
"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said. As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017[10], though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don't know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don'ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
TO A LAND UNKNOWN
Director: Mahdi Fleifel Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa
Rating: 4.5/5
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MATCH INFO
South Africa 66 (Tries: De Allende, Nkosi, Reinach (3), Gelant, Steyn, Brits, Willemse; Cons: Jantjies 8) Canada 7 (Tries: Heaton; Cons: Nelson)
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New Zealand 176-8 (20 ovs)
England 155 (19.5 ovs)
New Zealand win by 21 runs
References
- ^ https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/us/2025/06/03/lockerbie-bombing-suspect-trial-pan-am/ (www.thenationalnews.com)
- ^ https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/2022/12/12/what-is-the-lockerbie-bombing-and-what-happened-in-1988/ (www.thenationalnews.com)
- ^ https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/us-news/2022/12/12/lockerbie-bombing-suspect-due-in-us-court/ (www.thenationalnews.com)
- ^ https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/uk-news/2023/12/21/touching-tributes-paid-to-270-lockerbie-victims-after-senseless-act-35-years-ago/ (www.thenationalnews.com)
- ^ https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/us-news/2023/02/08/lockerbie-bombing-suspect-pleads-not-guilty-in-us-court/ (www.thenationalnews.com)
- ^ https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/us-news/2023/02/08/lockerbie-bombing-suspect-pleads-not-guilty-in-us-court/ (www.thenationalnews.com)
- ^ an affection for classic cars lives on (www.thenational.ae)
- ^ the age of the electric vehicle begins (www.thenational.ae)
- ^ how cars came to the UAE (www.thenational.ae)
- ^ As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017 (www.thenational.ae)