In a dazzling display, Karim Benzema led Al-Ittihad to a 4-0 triumph over Al-Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League, notching a goal and three assists to keep his team at the top with 33 points, while Al-Ettifaq struggles at 13th place.

Meanwhile, a stoppage-time effort from Abdulaziz Al-Othman propelled Al-Qadsiah past Al-Khaleej with a narrow 1-0 victory, boosting their standing to 25 points and snapping Al-Khaleej's four-match unbeaten streak.

Cristiano Ronaldo was in fine form for Al-Nassr, scoring twice in their 2-0 win over Damac, solidifying their third-place rank of 25 points as their opponents grappled with a significant setback due to a red card.

Shifting to Brazil, the 37th International Conference of Latin American and Caribbean Muslims is underway, delving into how Shariah education influences identity preservation, with collaboration from the Islamic Dawah Center and the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs.

On the domestic front in Saudi Arabia, authorities have intensified their crackdown on drug trafficking with multiple arrests and seizures, particularly a significant haul of 240 kg of qat, urging the public to report any suspicious activities via dedicated hotlines.

Lastly, former Israeli defense minister Moshe Yaalon stirred controversy by accusing the Israeli army of "ethnic cleansing" in Gaza, drawing swift condemnation amidst ongoing conflict, which has already resulted in high casualties on both sides.