A swarm of bees buzzing out the belly of a wrapped body, tunnels walled with corpses and dripping with blood, and staircases reminiscent of the winding realities of MC Escher illustrations.
The official trailer for Paranormal, Netflix's first original Egyptian series, has been released. And it is delightfully spooky.
The series, which is due to hit Netflix on Thursday, November 5, is based on the best-selling thriller novel series by the late Ahmed Khaled Tawfik. The Egyptian author is considered one of the first contemporary writers of horror and science fiction in the Arab world and wrote more than 200 books.
Set in the 1960s, the series tells the story of haematologist Refaat Ismail, who tries to uncover the truth behind a series of supernatural events. His journey of doubt will be presented in a series of six episodes, each centred around one of the famous urban legends in the Paranormal books. Every episode is a standalone story, but all are interconnected through one common, recurring element in the first season: The Khadrawy House.
Throughout the season, Refaat is accompanied by his university colleague, Maggie, as they enter the paranormal world and try to save their loved ones from the immense danger that surrounds them.
The show – which marks the first collaboration between Netflix and Egyptian producers – stars Ahmed Amin, Razane Jammal, Ayah Samaha, and Samaa Ibrahem. It was written and created by Amr Salama. Salama has also directed the show, along with Majid Alansari.
Scroll through below to see the first images from the show:
"I'm very excited about this project," Salama, who is also one of the show's producers, told Egyptian media after production wrapped up in July. "It has always been my dream to make Paranormal into a series. I'm proud to present the books in a new light while still keeping its essence. I can't wait to introduce these exciting stories to Netflix's audience in 190 countries around the world."
Paranormal is the third original Netflix show to come out of the Middle East after Jinn, which takes place in a Jordanian high school that two jinns are using as a supernatural battleground, and Al Rawabi School for Girls, which focuses on a group of bullied outcasts at an all-girl school in Jordan.
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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
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