Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
Hezbollah confirmed the death of its leader Hassan Nasrallah on Saturday, hours after the Israeli military announced he had been killed in a strike targeted at the central headquarters of the Lebanese militant group in Beirut on Friday.
In a statement, the group vowed to continue its battle against Israel “in support of Gaza and Palestine, and in defence of Lebanon”.
Earlier, the Israeli army said: “Yesterday, September 27, 2024, Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the Hezbollah terrorist organisation and one of its founders, was eliminated by the IDF.” Its statement, added that the attack also killed Ali Karaki, the Commander of Hezbollah’s Southern Front, and another Hezbollah commander.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps deputy commander for operations Brig Gen Abbas Nilforooshan was also killed in Friday's strike on Beirut, Iranian media reported.
The Israeli army said its fighter jets conducted a targeted strike on the central headquarters of Hezbollah “which was located underground embedded under a residential building” in Dahieh. Six buildings were almost entirely destroyed in the attack, leaving huge craters behind.
At least six people were killed and 91 wounded in the attack in Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon’s Health Ministry said, but the death toll is likely to rise significantly as rescue teams comb through the rubble.
“The strike was conducted while Hezbollah’s senior chain of command were operating from the headquarters and advancing terrorist activities against the citizens of the State of Israel,” the Israeli army said in the statement.
The death of Hezbollah's leader marks a significant Israeli blow to the group and to the Iran-backed “Axis of Resistance.” Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei said on Saturday that all the resistance forces in the region stand by Hezbollah and support it. He called on all Muslims to support the people of Lebanon in confronting Israel.
“The Zionist criminals must know that they are too small to cause significant harm to the strong structure of the Lebanese Hezbollah,” he said shortly after the Israeli announcement.
The Iranian foreign ministry said Hezbollah would carry on despite the death of its leader. “The glorious path of the leader of the resistance, Hassan Nasrallah, will continue and his sacred goal will be realised in the liberation of Quds [Jerusalem], God willing,” the ministry's spokesman Nasser Kanani said in a post on social media platform X.
Israel launches wave of strikes on Hezbollah targets – in pictures
Thousands of people have fled the area of the attack, congregating in squares, parks and on pavements in downtown Beirut and seaside areas.
Mr Nasrallah became the leader of Hezbollah following the assassination of his mentor Sheikh Abbas Al Musawi by Israel in 1992, 10 years after the Israeli invasion of Lebanon that sparked the group's inception. Hezbollah has since become the strongest political power in Lebanon, arguably better armed than the country's own forces, and a foe of the Israeli military in the south, notably during the month-long 2006 war. Israel tried and failed to assassinate Mr Nasrallah in 2006, destroying his offices and home.
He had become an increasingly elusive figure, despite appearing regularly on television to give briefings. He had not been spotted in public for years.
Hezbollah began low-intensity attacks across the border a day after its Palestinian ally Hamas staged an unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people and kidnapping 251, taking them into Gaza.
Israel has bombarded the Gaza Strip daily in the year since, killing more than 41,500 people and displacing millions multiple times. Hezbollah has said it will not end its assaults over the border – which have been reaching further into Israeli territory – until Israel stops its attacks on Gaza.
It has in the past days shifted the focus of its operation from Gaza to Lebanon, where heavy bombing has killed more than 1,000 people and sparked an exodus of around 118,000. The bombing followed an Israeli operation which blew up thousands of walkie talkies and radios owned by the group, killing 42 and injuring thousands.
According to figures released by the Lebanese Health Ministry on Saturday, between September 16 and 27, Israeli strikes killed 1,030 people, including 56 women and 87 children. More than 6,300 people have been injured.
In a statement, Hamas condemned the Israeli attacks on residential buildings in the southern Beirut suburb and the killing of Mr Nasrallah. “We consider this a cowardly terrorist act, a massacre and a heinous crime that proves once again the bloodiness and brutality of this [Israeli] occupation.”
Yemen's Houthis said Mr Nasrallah's death would strengthen their determination to confront “the Israeli enemy”.
The Israeli army's chief of staff said it had not emptied its “toolbox” with his killing. “This is not the end of our toolbox. The message is simple, anyone who threatens the citizens of Israel – we will know how to reach them,” Herzi Halevi said in a statement.
US President Joe Biden called Israel's killing of Nasrallah "a measure of justice for his many victims", including Americans, Israelis and Lebanese people, "over a four-decade reign of terror".
In his statement, Mr Biden called for the region to "de-escalate" through diplomatic resolutions the US and other allies are pushing.
Strikes continued into Saturday morning on dozens of Hezbollah targets in the area of Bekaa in eastern Lebanon and across the south, its military said, adding it had targeted launchers aimed at Israeli civilians, weapons storage and Hezbollah's infrastructure.
The Israeli military said it carried out another round of strikes on Dahieh on Saturday afternoon.
Strikes hit two storage areas near Beirut airport on Saturday evening, a Lebanese security source told The National. "Strikes, presumably carried out by Israel, hit two storage areas that were reportedly used to store ceramics and steel," said the source. "They are located near the airport," added the source.
Hezbollah had launched a surface-to-surface missile from Lebanese territory into central Israel, which fell in an open area, the Israeli military said, adding it had called up three reserve battalions for operational activities and to strengthen the defence in the central command.
Hezbollah on Saturday claimed a rocket attack on northern Israel, the first after heavy Israeli strikes pounded Beirut's southern suburbs overnight. Its fighters targeted Kibbutz Kabri in northern Israel “with a salvo of Fadi-1 rockets”, the group said in a statement.
Israel has approved battle plans for its campaign on the northern border with Lebanon, its military chief said. Lt Gen Herzi Halevi did not give details about the plans but said in a statement that “challenging days await us”. He added that the military is at “peak readiness” and that Israeli is “determined to continue destroying the Hezbollah terrorist organisation and to keep fighting”.
The escalation has sharply increased fears the conflict could spiral out of control, potentially drawing in Iran, Hezbollah's principal backer, as well as the US.
The bio
Favourite book: Kane and Abel by Jeffrey Archer
Favourite quote: “The world makes way for the man who knows where he is going.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson, American essayist
Favourite Authors: Arab poet Abu At-Tayyib Al-Mutanabbi
Favourite Emirati food: Luqaimat, a deep-fried dough soaked in date syrup
Hobbies: Reading and drawing
Jeff Buckley: From Hallelujah To The Last Goodbye
By Dave Lory with Jim Irvin
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
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Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
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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
Racecard
6.30pm: The Madjani Stakes (PA) Group 3 Dh175,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,400m
7.40pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 (D) 1,200m
8.50pm: Dubai Creek Mile (TB) Listed Dh265,000 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 (D) 1,600m
The National selections
6.30pm: Chaddad
7.05pm: Down On Da Bayou
7.40pm: Mass Media
8.15pm: Rafal
8.50pm: Yulong Warrior
9.25pm: Chiefdom
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
Profile of Tamatem
Date started: March 2013
Founder: Hussam Hammo
Based: Amman, Jordan
Employees: 55
Funding: $6m
Funders: Wamda Capital, Modern Electronics (part of Al Falaisah Group) and North Base Media
Champions League Last 16
Red Bull Salzburg (AUT) v Bayern Munich (GER)
Sporting Lisbon (POR) v Manchester City (ENG)
Benfica (POR) v Ajax (NED)
Chelsea (ENG) v Lille (FRA)
Atletico Madrid (ESP) v Manchester United (ENG)
Villarreal (ESP) v Juventus (ITA)
Inter Milan (ITA) v Liverpool (ENG)
Paris Saint-Germain v Real Madrid (ESP)
Results:
First Test: New Zealand 30 British & Irish Lions 15
Second Test: New Zealand 21 British & Irish Lions 24
Third Test: New Zealand 15 British & Irish Lions 15
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Top financial tips for graduates
Araminta Robertson, of the Financially Mint blog, shares her financial advice for university leavers:
1. Build digital or technical skills: After graduation, people can find it extremely hard to find jobs. From programming to digital marketing, your early twenties are for building skills. Future employers will want people with tech skills.
2. Side hustle: At 16, I lived in a village and started teaching online, as well as doing work as a virtual assistant and marketer. There are six skills you can use online: translation; teaching; programming; digital marketing; design and writing. If you master two, you’ll always be able to make money.
3. Networking: Knowing how to make connections is extremely useful. Use LinkedIn to find people who have the job you want, connect and ask to meet for coffee. Ask how they did it and if they know anyone who can help you. I secured quite a few clients this way.
4. Pay yourself first: The minute you receive any income, put about 15 per cent aside into a savings account you won’t touch, to go towards your emergency fund or to start investing. I do 20 per cent. It helped me start saving immediately.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
RESULTS
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group 1 (PA) Dh119,373 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner: Brraq, Adrie de Vries (jockey), Jean-Claude Pecout (trainer)
7.05pm: Handicap (TB) Dh102,500 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Taamol, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (Turf) 1,800m
Winner: Eqtiraan, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
8.15pm: UAE 1000 Guineas Trial (TB) Dh183,650 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Soft Whisper, Pat Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor.
9.50pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Hypothetical, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer.
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,000m
Winner: Etisalat, Sando Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
COMPANY PROFILE
● Company: Bidzi
● Started: 2024
● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid
● Based: Dubai, UAE
● Industry: M&A
● Funding size: Bootstrapped
● No of employees: Nine