Former Israeli prime minister and leader of the Likud party Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara greet supporters in Jerusalem as Israelis went to the polls on Tuesday. EPA
Mr Netanyahu greets supporters after the end of voting for the national elections. AFP
Prime Minister Yair Lapid addresses supporters at his campaign headquarters in Tel Aviv. EPA
The prime minister's wife Lihi Lapid, centre, cheers her husband. AFP
The leader of the Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) far-right party Itamar Ben Gvir at his party's campaign headquarters in Jerusalem. AFP
Otzma Yehudit party members in upbeat mood. AFP
A Likud party supporter responds to favourable exit polls. Getty
Supporters of Mr Netanyahu react as early exit polls suggest a comeback for the former leader. EPA
An Ultra-Orthodox Jewish Israeli selects his ballot paper on the day of Israel's general election at a polling station in Jerusalem. Reuters
Mr Netanyahu and his wife Sara cast their ballot at a polling station in Jerusalem in the country's fifth election in less than four years. AFP
A man kisses his dog after casting his ballot in Tel Aviv during the Israeli elections. AP
Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid smiles as he casts his vote at a polling station in Israel's coastal city of Tel Aviv. Mr Lapid urged the electorate to cast their ballot after voting in an election that might lead to veteran leader Benjamin Netanyahu making a comeback alongside far-right allies. Reuters
Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz, right, head of the new centre-right National Unity Party, and his wife Revital Gantz vote at a polling station in the city of Rosh Haayin in central Israel. AFP
Ultra-Orthodox Jews watch their Rabbi Israel Hager vote during Israeli elections in Bnei Brak. AP
An Ultra-Orthodox Jewish man votes in Israel's parliamentary election at a polling station in Bnei Brak. AP
An Israeli man walks with a little girl towards the ballot box to cast his vote. AP
A little girl helps her mother cast her ballot on the day of Israel's general election at a polling station in Taibe, northern Israel. Reuters
Israelis queue to cast their ballots on the day of Israel's general election at a polling station in Tel Aviv. Reuters
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish Israelis wait to cast their ballots at a polling station in Jerusalem. Reuters
An Israeli man casts his ballot at a drive-through polling station for people quarantined as a result of Covid-19 in Jerusalem. Reuters
Today may be voting day in Israel, but after five elections in three years there is little public enthusiasm for the contest to be found on the streets of Jerusalem.
If all voters in Israel's election were like Naomi, though, turnout would be sky-high. The 22-year-old architecture student, who grew up in France, is full of energy, even though she has been up since the early morning.
It was her passion for the far-right Religious Zionism party, particularly its most famous politician, Itamar Ben-Gvir, that got her out of bed. “He stands for what people actually believe deep down. Only he has the courage to say it, particularly about terrorism.”
Outside a polling station on central Jerusalem's Hillel Street, Naomi and her fellow volunteers are manning a gazebo plastered with images of Mr Ben-Gvir. “I have already voted, but my friend here can't. He's 17, which makes him too young.”
A supporter of former Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party on the campaign trail at Mahane Yehuda market in Jerusalem on polling day's eve. Reuters
Officials sort ballot papers before a polling station opens to the voters of Kiryat Arba, a Jewish settlement in Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Reuters
Far-right politician Itamar Ben-Gvir at the ballot box on general election day in Kiryat Arba, a Jewish settlement in Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Reuters
An Israeli soldier casts a ballot at Kerem Shalom Army Base in the south of Israel, close to the border with the Gaza strip. AFP
An election campaign billboard by Blue and White party on a bridge in Ramat Gan, Tel Aviv. Reuters
A billboard for Finance Minister Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu party in Jerusalem. AFP
An billboard for the far-right Religious Zionist party led by Bezalel Smotrich. AFP
An election campaign bandwagon and a chance for a selfie as Benjamin Netanyahu aims to return Likud to power. AFP
Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israeli far-right politician and leader of the Otzma Yehudit (Jewish power) party, greets supporters. AFP
Israelis hang a poster of Likud party candidate Benjamin Netanyahu in the southern city of Beersheva in the run up to Israel's election on November 1. AFP
A popsicle break beneath an election campaign hoarding for Israel's ultra-Orthodox Shas political party near Mahane Yehuda market in Jerusalem. Israelis are back at the polls for a fifth time in less than four years. AP
Knesset member Sami Abu Shehadeh, second left, head of the nationalist Balad party, meets Israel's Palestinian citizens during his election campaign tour in Musmus village. AP
An election hoarding for Sami Abu Shehadeh's Balad party campaign in Umm Al Fahm. Israel’s Palestinian citizens could be central to breaking the country’s political deadlock. AP
A campaign poster of National Unity Party leader Benny Gantz in the southern city of Beersheva. AFP
Benjamin Netanyahu addresses supporters from behind a security screen beside his wife Sara, right, and Likud member Miri Regev during a campaign rally in the northern city of Tirat Carmel. AFP
Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israeli far-right politician and leader of the Otzma Yehudit, at an event in Tel Aviv. Getty
National Unity leader Benny Gantz makes an address in Tel Aviv. AFP
Since 2019, Israel has had four inconclusive elections, which resulted in two short-lived coalition governments. AFP
Likud's Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at a campaign rally at Migdal HaEmek in the Northern District of Israel. AFP
A giant image of National Unity's Benny Gantz looks over one of the motorways into Tel Aviv. Reuters
Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid leads a fragmented coalition spanning left to right. Reuters
Polls suggest Prime Minister Yair Lapid's camp is set for a weaker showing than in the last election. AP
Prime Minister Yair Lapid speaks at an event in the city of Rishon Lezion in Gush Dan. AP
In Jerusalem, a Netanyahu supporter blows a shofar, made of a ram's horn. AFP
Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to form a 'strong, stable and national' government. Reuters
A poster of Arab politician Ahmad Tibi of the Ta'al party in his home town of Taibe in Gilboa region. Reuters
But away from the buzz around Mr Ben-Gvir, whose increasingly noisy and extreme input could prove instrumental in putting former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu back in power, interest is distinctly patchy.
In a cafe a few minutes' walk away, music producer Ephraim, 35, is having a coffee opposite a particularly busy polling station. He is an example of how these elections could pass some Israelis by altogether. “Oh, that's why it is so lively,” he says, after he told why the area is crowded. “I didn't even realise people were voting there,” he says, listlessly.
Ephraim is not voting this time. “It's pointless, nothing changes and there will probably be another one in a few months.”
The barista of the cafe, Zahar, 24, was planning on voting, although she did not seem quite sure. “I'll probably vote for Labour after work,” she says hesitantly.
Her party is one of a number on Israel's left that are struggling to get noticed this time round. Liberal messages are going out of fashion as the right seizes momentum. Despite Zahar's lack of enthusiasm, she is nonetheless angry that everyone is talking about her ideological opponents. “It's depressing how many people my age like him,” she says about Mr Ben-Gvir's appeal.
Nearby, a group of women, who did not want to be named, were campaigning for the ultraorthodox Shas party. “Shas is a gift from God. Other parties are just politics. Shas is perfect!” Traditional religious parties such as theirs can always rely on a high turnout. Rabbis tell their communities how to vote, and the majority listen.
Despite this, the situation is still better than many politically engaged Israelis had feared.
Communications strategist Jason, 40, describes himself as living in “middle class, middle Israel suburbia city”. He reported a “steady flow” of voters at polling stations throughout his politically diverse neighbourhood.
The data seemed to be backing him up. Cumulative turnout figures were released every two hours. By 4pm they had reached 47.5 per cent, the highest level since 1999.
The data does not show who is voting. In Israel's complex system of proportional representation, this detail is key, particularly when it comes to the Arab vote, which this time round has been cast as the most troubled and important bloc of all.
A Palestinian smokes shisha as he watches news on the Israeli elections, in Hebron in the occupied West Bank. Reuters
While turnout overall may be on the high side, in Arab areas it will, as ever, be depressed, even though their vote could be pivotal in stopping a government led by Mr Netanyahu, which would probably include extreme-right, anti-Arab ministers.
As polls begin to close and campaigners pack up stands and move towards party headquarters, the picture from the streets is a mixed one and the drama is far from over.
The nature of a new government will not be clear for days. Israel may not even get one at all. In that case, the country can expect to see the same banners, the same politicians and the same mixed emotions in just a few months' time, in yet another election.
Ephraim at the cafe says that if that happens, more Israelis will give up voting like he has. “I want them to stop taking place, not because I care about politics, but because they are so expensive.” He will get an answer soon.
1,228 - games at the helm, ahead of Sunday's Premier League fixture against West Ham United.
704 - wins to date as Arsenal manager.
3 - Premier League title wins, the last during an unbeaten Invincibles campaign of 2003/04.
1,549 - goals scored in Premier League matches by Wenger's teams.
10 - major trophies won.
473 - Premier League victories.
7 - FA Cup triumphs, with three of those having come the last four seasons.
151 - Premier League losses.
21 - full seasons in charge.
49 - games unbeaten in the Premier League from May 2003 to October 2004.
UK Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.
Germany Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
Italy The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
Switzerland Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
Bareilly Ki Barfi Directed by: Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari Starring: Kriti Sanon, Ayushmann Khurrana, Rajkummar Rao
Three and a half stars
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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.
Day 3, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Lahiru Gamage, the Sri Lanka pace bowler, has had to play a lot of cricket to earn a shot at the top level. The 29-year-old debutant first played a first-class game 11 years ago. His first Test wicket was one to savour, bowling Pakistan opener Shan Masood through the gate. It set the rot in motion for Pakistan’s batting.
Stat of the day – 73 Haris Sohail took 73 balls to hit a boundary. Which is a peculiar quirk, given the aggressive intent he showed from the off. Pakistan’s batsmen were implored to attack Rangana Herath after their implosion against his left-arm spin in Abu Dhabi. Haris did his best to oblige, smacking the second ball he faced for a huge straight six.
The verdict One year ago, when Pakistan played their first day-night Test at this ground, they held a 222-run lead over West Indies on first innings. The away side still pushed their hosts relatively close on the final night. With the opposite almost exactly the case this time around, Pakistan still have to hope they can salvage a win from somewhere.
The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
If you go
The flights
Etihad flies direct from Abu Dhabi to San Francisco from Dh5,760 return including taxes.
The car
Etihad Guest members get a 10 per cent worldwide discount when booking with Hertz, as well as earning miles on their rentals. A week's car hire costs from Dh1,500 including taxes.
The hotels
Along the route, Motel 6 (www.motel6.com) offers good value and comfort, with rooms from $55 (Dh202) per night including taxes. In Portland, the Jupiter Hotel (https://jupiterhotel.com/) has rooms from $165 (Dh606) per night including taxes. The Society Hotel https://thesocietyhotel.com/ has rooms from $130 (Dh478) per night including taxes.
More info
To keep up with constant developments in Portland, visit www.travelportland.com. Good guidebooks include the Lonely Planet guides to Northern California and Washington, Oregon & the Pacific Northwest.
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
