Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
Gaza is the "most dangerous operation" for the World Food Programme of all its recent missions, the UN body's regional director for Mena and Eastern Europe Corinne Fleischer told The National.
WFP's aid workers not only risk being injured or killed by Israeli shelling and air strikes in the enclave, but also face further danger from the "breakdown in law and order", she said.
At least 200 humanitarian staff members have been killed in Gaza since Israel's war began on October 7, which the UN said is the deadliest conflict in history for aid workers.
"The numbers speak for themselves," Ms Fleischer told The National.
In February, the WFP suspended operations in northern Gaza, where 70 per cent of the population are facing "catastrophic levels of hunger", according to the UN. The suspension came after food convoys were being attacked by starving Gazans who did not know when their next meal would be, Ms Fleischer said.
"People were so hungry that as soon as the trucks would arrive, they would not only run to the trucks but jump on them, open the boxes and eat the food before bringing some back to their families."
As the security of both those distributing aid and receiving it is essential, Ms Fleischer said the WFP began negotiations with the Israelis to expand its operations and ensure that its staff were provided with a safe pathway to the north.
The WFP resumed its operation three weeks after the suspension and is now in talks to bring food through more access points.
Other crises 'forgotten'
The WFP operates in more than 120 countries and territories, with about 23,000 members of staff worldwide.
The wars in Ukraine and Gaza have overshadowed longer, protracted conflicts and humanitarian crises such as Syria, which have been "forgotten", Ms Fleischer said.
This has exacerbated the gap between the needs of people and the funding of aid groups such as the WFP, she said.
"Twelve years ago, we supported six million people. Now, we support 36 million – six times more," she said.
People are in more need of assistance not only due to new wars, but also climate change and economic shocks, she added.
The war in Ukraine "broke the camel's back", Ms Fleischer said, as food prices went up and needs soared to "record levels".
Yemen struggling
The focus on Ukraine and Gaza has also caused NGOs such as the WFP to downgrade operations in countries that rely heavily on assistance, such as Syria and Yemen.
In Yemen, the WFP used to feed 9.5 million people and is bringing that number down to 6.5 million due to lack of funds and worsening security.
"Now we have five governorates that are at a record high in levels of hunger, unlike anything we've seen since 2018t," Ms Fleischer said. "Acute malnutrition in children has gone up by 20 per cent."
In August last year, the WFP launched an appeal for Yemen, after announcing it would have to make cuts to its food assistance programme across the country by September if the funding gap was not bridged. The situation has since deteriorated.
The war in Gaza is the latest to erupt in the region but with Israeli-Iranian tensions on the horizon, Ms Fleischer said it was imperative not to allow another conflict to break out.
"What is brewing is quite big and a lot of efforts are being made not to have it," Ms Fleischer said.
Another war would "exceed all our capabilities".
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Ovo's tips to find extra heat
- Open your curtains when it’s sunny
- Keep your oven open after cooking
- Have a cuddle with pets and loved ones to help stay cosy
- Eat ginger but avoid chilli as it makes you sweat
- Put on extra layers
- Do a few star jumps
- Avoid alcohol
Women’s World T20, Asia Qualifier, in Bangkok
UAE fixtures Mon Nov 20, v China; Tue Nov 21, v Thailand; Thu Nov 23, v Nepal; Fri Nov 24, v Hong Kong; Sun Nov 26, v Malaysia; Mon Nov 27, Final
(The winners will progress to the Global Qualifier)
Panipat
Director Ashutosh Gowariker
Produced Ashutosh Gowariker, Rohit Shelatkar, Reliance Entertainment
Cast Arjun Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Kriti Sanon, Mohnish Behl, Padmini Kolhapure, Zeenat Aman
Rating 3 /5 stars
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
Stage 3 results
1 Adam Yates (GBR) Mitchelton-Scott 4:42:33
2 Tadej Pocagar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates 0:01:03
3 Alexey Lutsenko (KAZ) Astana 0:01:30
4 David Gaudu (FRA) Groupama-FDJ
5 Rafal Majka (POL) Bora-Hansgrohe
6 Diego Ulissi (ITA) UAE Team Emirates 0:01:56
General Classification after Stage 3:
1 Adam Yates (GBR) Mitchelton-Scott 12:30:02
2 Tadej Pocagar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates 0:01:07
3 Alexey Lutsenko (KAZ) Astana 0:01:35
4 David Gaudu (FRA) Groupama-FDJ 0:01:40
5 Rafal Majka (POL) Bora-Hansgrohe
6 Wilco Kelderman (NED) Team Sunweb) 0:02:06
EXPATS
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Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi
Director: Kangana Ranaut, Krish Jagarlamudi
Producer: Zee Studios, Kamal Jain
Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Ankita Lokhande, Danny Denzongpa, Atul Kulkarni
Rating: 2.5/5
The specs: 2018 Bentley Bentayga V8
Price, base: Dh853,226
Engine: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 550hp @ 6,000pm
Torque: 770Nm @ 1,960rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 11.4L / 100km
Tips from the expert
Dobromir Radichkov, chief data officer at dubizzle and Bayut, offers a few tips for UAE residents looking to earn some cash from pre-loved items.
- Sellers should focus on providing high-quality used goods at attractive prices to buyers.
- It’s important to use clear and appealing photos, with catchy titles and detailed descriptions to capture the attention of prospective buyers.
- Try to advertise a realistic price to attract buyers looking for good deals, especially in the current environment where consumers are significantly more price-sensitive.
- Be creative and look around your home for valuable items that you no longer need but might be useful to others.
