Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
A four-day pause in the fighting between Hamas and Israel in the Gaza Strip has begun, with the agreement set to allow the release of dozens of Israeli hostages held by the militant group, as well as Palestinians detained in Israel.
More than 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza have faced heavy and continuous Israeli air strikes and ground assaults since the October 7 attack by Hamas.
The group killed about 1,200 Israelis and took more than 200 hostage. Israel's retaliatory attacks on the enclave have killed more than 14,500.
The temporary truce, mediated by Qatar, will allow more aid to reach the millions of Palestinians trapped in the enclave.
On Thursday, Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari said the pause would begin at 7am local time (9am UAE time) on Friday.
Mr Al Ansari said the two sides exchanged lists of those to be released, with the first group of 13 women and children held by Hamas to be freed at 4pm on Friday.
Under the deal, Israeli aircraft are to stop flying over the southern Gaza Strip and will halt operations in the north Gaza, including Gaza city, between 10am and 4pm.
Three Palestinian prisoners, including women and children, will be released for every hostage, Mr Al Ansari said.
It is expected that 50 Israeli hostages – women and children under the age of 19 – will be released by Hamas and between 200 and 300 aid lorries, eight carrying fuel and cooking gas, will enter the enclave, Mr Al Ansari said.
In exchange, 150 Palestinian prisoners are to be released by Israel.
Indonesian Hospital stormed
Less than an hour before the pause began in Gaza, Israeli forces reportedly stormed the Indonesian Hospital in the northern part of the strip, the Gaza Health Ministry was quoted as saying.
One woman was killed in the assault and three other people were injured, said Dr Munir Al Bursh, director general of the ministry.
Weeks of aerial bombardment has reduced most of Gaza to rubble and the Israel military has pushed deep into the enclave, with a ground incursion aiming to unearth infrastructure and underground tunnels used by militants.
The Israeli bombardment has hit hospitals, schools, refugee camps and UN shelters.
PAST 10 BRITISH GRAND PRIX WINNERS
2016 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2015 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2014 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2013 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes-GP)
2012 - Mark Webber (Red Bull Racing)
2011 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari)
2010 - Mark Webber (Red Bull Racing)
2009 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)
2008 - Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
2007 - Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)
The Greatest Royal Rumble card as it stands
The Greatest Royal Rumble card as it stands
50-man Royal Rumble - names entered so far include Braun Strowman, Daniel Bryan, Kurt Angle, Big Show, Kane, Chris Jericho, The New Day and Elias
Universal Championship Brock Lesnar (champion) v Roman Reigns in a steel cage match
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Casket match The Undertaker v Chris Jericho
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
if you go
The flights
Emirates offer flights to Buenos Aires from Dubai, via Rio De Janeiro from around Dh6,300. emirates.com
Seeing the games
Tangol sell experiences across South America and generally have good access to tickets for most of the big teams in Buenos Aires: Boca Juniors, River Plate, and Independiente. Prices from Dh550 and include pick up and drop off from your hotel in the city. tangol.com
Staying there
Tangol will pick up tourists from any hotel in Buenos Aires, but after the intensity of the game, the Faena makes for tranquil, upmarket accommodation. Doubles from Dh1,110. faena.com
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
