Mourners take part in the funeral procession of a Palestinian teenager killed by Israel in Jenin, the occupied West Bank, last month. EPA
Mourners take part in the funeral procession of a Palestinian teenager killed by Israel in Jenin, the occupied West Bank, last month. EPA
Mourners take part in the funeral procession of a Palestinian teenager killed by Israel in Jenin, the occupied West Bank, last month. EPA
Mourners take part in the funeral procession of a Palestinian teenager killed by Israel in Jenin, the occupied West Bank, last month. EPA

Israeli army kills two in West Bank raid


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The Israeli army has killed two young Palestinian men in a dawn raid in the occupied West Bank.

Six others were wounded in the raid on Kafr Dan on Monday, near the Palestinian city of Jenin, said the official Wafa news agency, citing hospital officials in the city.

The men were shot during violence that broke out after the army arrived to demolish the homes of two other men killed last year, it said.

The Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed the deaths and said three others were wounded, with one in a critical condition.

Israel said its forces were in the area to demolish the homes of the alleged killers of an Israel Defence Force commander shot dead near Jenin in October.

It did not immediately confirm the death toll.

The raid comes a few days after Israel swore in a new government, poised to be the most right-wing in its history.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emerged victorious in November's election, with the help of ultra-Orthodox and far-right parties.

His government is expected to entrench Israel's occupation in the West Bank and expand illegal settlements.

  • President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with members of the new Israeli government. Reuters
    President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with members of the new Israeli government. Reuters
  • Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara attend a toast for the new speaker of Israel's parliament. Reuters
    Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara attend a toast for the new speaker of Israel's parliament. Reuters
  • Benjamin Netanyahu after the traditional group photo with Israel's new government. EPA
    Benjamin Netanyahu after the traditional group photo with Israel's new government. EPA
  • Benjamin Netanyahu during the first cabinet meeting of his new government in Jerusalem. AFP
    Benjamin Netanyahu during the first cabinet meeting of his new government in Jerusalem. AFP
  • New Knesset speaker Amir Ohana, centre, with his partner Alon, left, their children, and Benjamin Netanyahu at the Knesset in Jerusalem. AFP
    New Knesset speaker Amir Ohana, centre, with his partner Alon, left, their children, and Benjamin Netanyahu at the Knesset in Jerusalem. AFP
  • Outgoing Prime Minister Yair Lapid attends a special session of Israel's parliament, the Knesset, to swear in a new government. AFP
    Outgoing Prime Minister Yair Lapid attends a special session of Israel's parliament, the Knesset, to swear in a new government. AFP
  • Israeli Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at the special session. EPA
    Israeli Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at the special session. EPA
  • Sara Netanyahu, centre top, Benjamin Netanyahu's wife, Lihi Lapid, centre left, Yair Lapid's wife, and Esther Hayut, President of the Supreme Court of Israel. Reuters
    Sara Netanyahu, centre top, Benjamin Netanyahu's wife, Lihi Lapid, centre left, Yair Lapid's wife, and Esther Hayut, President of the Supreme Court of Israel. Reuters
  • Designated Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir, left, and designated Israeli Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich, right, at the session in parliament. Getty Images
    Designated Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir, left, and designated Israeli Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich, right, at the session in parliament. Getty Images
  • Member of Knesset Aryeh Deri attends a special session of the Knesset, Israel's parliament, to approve and swear in a new right-wing government, in Jerusalem. AP
    Member of Knesset Aryeh Deri attends a special session of the Knesset, Israel's parliament, to approve and swear in a new right-wing government, in Jerusalem. AP
  • Designated Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir speaks at the swearing-in session. Getty Images
    Designated Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir speaks at the swearing-in session. Getty Images
  • Protesters against the new Netanyahu government outside the Knesset, Israel's parliament, as it is sworn in. EPA
    Protesters against the new Netanyahu government outside the Knesset, Israel's parliament, as it is sworn in. EPA
  • Israelis protest against the new government. EPA
    Israelis protest against the new government. EPA

Israeli forces often demolish the homes of Palestinians who carry out attacks in Israel and against its soldiers in the Palestinian territories.

Orders were issued in October to demolish the homes of the two men accused of killing the IDF commander with the elite Nahal unit at a West Bank checkpoint.

It said the commander died during a gun battle as Palestinian militants attempted to storm the checkpoint.

Last year was the deadliest in the Israel-Palestinian conflict since 2005, with more than 200 Palestinians killed, mostly in the occupied West Bank.

Jenin was a particular hotspot and suffered almost-daily raids.

The army said its targets were Palestinian militants behind a wave of attacks in Israel that left more than 30 dead throughout the year.

Most of the perpetrators come from Jenin and Nablus, it said.

COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Start times

5.55am: Wheelchair Marathon Elites

6am: Marathon Elites

7am: Marathon Masses

9am: 10Km Road Race

11am: 4Km Fun Run

Company%C2%A0profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Eamana%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2010%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Karim%20Farra%20and%20Ziad%20Aboujeb%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EUAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERegulator%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDFSA%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinancial%20services%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E85%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESelf-funded%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

The%20US%20Congress%2C%20explained
%3Cp%3E-%20US%20Congress%20is%20divided%20into%20two%20chambers%3A%20the%20House%20of%20Representatives%20and%20Senate%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20435%20members%20make%20up%20the%20House%2C%20and%20100%20in%20the%20Senate%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20A%20party%20needs%20control%20of%20218%20seats%20to%20have%20a%20majority%20in%20the%20House%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20In%20the%20Senate%2C%20a%20party%20needs%20to%20hold%2051%20seats%20for%20control%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20In%20the%20event%20of%20a%2050-50%20split%2C%20the%20vice%20president's%20party%20retains%20power%20in%20the%20Senate%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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.

Calls

Directed by: Fede Alvarez

Starring: Pedro Pascal, Karen Gillian, Aaron Taylor-Johnson

4/5

A cryptocurrency primer for beginners

Cryptocurrency Investing  for Dummies – by Kiana Danial 

There are several primers for investing in cryptocurrencies available online, including e-books written by people whose credentials fall apart on the second page of your preferred search engine. 

Ms Danial is a finance coach and former currency analyst who writes for Nasdaq. Her broad-strokes primer (2019) breaks down investing in cryptocurrency into baby steps, while explaining the terms and technologies involved.

Although cryptocurrencies are a fast evolving world, this  book offers a good insight into the game as well as providing some basic tips, strategies and warning signs.

Begin your cryptocurrency journey here. 

Available at Magrudy’s , Dh104 

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

Financial considerations before buying a property

Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.

“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says. 

Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.

Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier. 

EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS

Estijaba – 8001717 –  number to call to request coronavirus testing

Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111

Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre

Emirates airline – 600555555

Etihad Airways – 600555666

Ambulance – 998

Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries

The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo

The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
​​​​​​​Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km

Company%20profile
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Updated: January 02, 2023, 5:26 AM