A Palestinian teenager was killed on Friday by Israeli troops during West Bank protests, the Palestinian Health Ministry said, days after Israel approved plans for 3,000 new settler homes in the occupied territory despite international criticism.
Friday is often marked by protests in the West Bank against the expansion of Israeli settlements, which most of the international community regard as illegal.
The health ministry said Mohammed Daadas, 13, died in hospital after being shot in the stomach during clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli forces in the village of Deir Al Hatab, east of Nablus.
Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh said the death of Daadas was “organised state terrorism”, the official Palestinian news agency Wafa reported.
The Israeli army, contacted by AFP, said the incident was under review.
“A riot was instigated on a route adjacent to Elon Moreh community,” it said. Troops responded with “riot dispersal means and live fire” at people who “hurled rocks” at soldiers.
Five other Palestinians were injured Friday in clashes in Beita and Beit Dajan villages in the northern West Bank, Wafa said.
The Israeli military told AFP troops used “riot dispersal means” at two sites where “approximately 140 violent rioters hurled rocks” at troops.
The confrontations come days after Israel on October 27 announced it would advance plans for 3,000 more homes for Jewish settlers in the West Bank, despite international criticism.
The approvals came a day after the US criticised Israel for its policy of building settlements. President Joe Biden's administration said it “strongly” opposed new construction in the West Bank.
Israel has also advanced a project to build about 1,300 homes for Palestinians in the district.
About 475,000 Israeli settlers now live in fortified communities in the West Bank, which is home to more than 2.8 million Palestinians.
Palestinians eye the West Bank, which Israel captured in the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, as part of a future state, while hardline Israelis, including Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, say it is a heartland of Jewish history.
Mr Bennett has ruled out formal peace talks with the Palestinian Authority, saying he prefers to focus on economic improvements.
On Friday, the European Union delegation to the Palestinians said it was “alarmed” about the condition of Palestinian prisoners Miqdad Al Qawasmeh and Kayed Fasfous, who have refused food for more than 100 days to protest their detention, Wafa said.
The pair, who the agency said have been in hospital for more than a month, are held in administrative detention.
Israel says the procedure, in which detainees are held without charge or trial for renewable six-month periods, is intended to allow authorities to hold suspects while continuing to gather evidence.
Palestinians and human rights advocates say the protocol violates due process and leads to abuse.
“Israeli authorities must respect international law and cease the extensive use of administrative detention without formal charges, as well as avoid loss of life,” the EU delegation wrote on Twitter.
According to Palestinian prisoners' right group Addameer, more than 4,000 Palestinians are held in Israeli jails, including some 500 in administrative detention.
In numbers
Number of Chinese tourists coming to UAE in 2017 was... 1.3m
Alibaba’s new ‘Tech Town’ in Dubai is worth... $600m
China’s investment in the MIddle East in 2016 was... $29.5bn
The world’s most valuable start-up in 2018, TikTok, is valued at... $75bn
Boost to the UAE economy of 5G connectivity will be... $269bn
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
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UAE v IRELAND
All matches start at 10am, and will be played in Abu Dhabi
1st ODI, Friday, January 8
2nd ODI, Sunday, January 10
3rd ODI, Tuesday, January 12
4th ODI, Thursday, January 14
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
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Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Key products and UAE prices
iPhone XS
With a 5.8-inch screen, it will be an advance version of the iPhone X. It will be dual sim and comes with better battery life, a faster processor and better camera. A new gold colour will be available.
Price: Dh4,229
iPhone XS Max
It is expected to be a grander version of the iPhone X with a 6.5-inch screen; an inch bigger than the screen of the iPhone 8 Plus.
Price: Dh4,649
iPhone XR
A low-cost version of the iPhone X with a 6.1-inch screen, it is expected to attract mass attention. According to industry experts, it is likely to have aluminium edges instead of stainless steel.
Price: Dh3,179
Apple Watch Series 4
More comprehensive health device with edge-to-edge displays that are more than 30 per cent bigger than displays on current models.
Sam Smith
Where: du Arena, Abu Dhabi
When: Saturday November 24
Rating: 4/5
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
