Live updates: Follow the latest news on Israel-Gaza
Shani Louk, a 22-year-old Israeli-German woman, has died after being taken hostage by Hamas militants on October 7.
The family were informed of her death by the Israeli military.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the death of my sister,” her sibling Adi Louk said on social media.
Ms Louk's mother, Ricarda Louk, told NTV: “Unfortunately, we received the news yesterday that my daughter is no longer alive.”
She said her daughter’s body had not yet been found, but some remains were submitted for a DNA test.
The family previously expressed their hope that she was alive, but now believe she was killed on the same day as the attack, NTV reported.
“At least she didn't suffer,” her mother said.
Ms Louk’s father, Nissim Louk, said she and her friends tried to escape the attack in their car but 10 minutes later, they were met by armed Hamas militants who shot at the vehicle, killing his daughter “instantly”.
Her death was confirmed by Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a post on X.
It said she was “paraded around Gaza” by Hamas. “Our hearts are broken,” the ministry said.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, whose government has staunchly supported Israel as it mounted an offensive against Gaza in retaliation, said Hamas had to be held accountable.
“For me, this news is terrible,” Mr Scholz said during an official visit to Nigeria. “This shows all the barbarism that lies behind Hamas.”
Ms Louk had been attending the Supernova music festival near Kibbutz Re'im, in southern Israel, when she was kidnapped.
Images seen in the aftermath of the attack showed her lying in the back of a pick-up truck as it was being driven back to Gaza.
The student from Berlin was on holiday in Israel when she attended the event close to the border with Gaza.
Authorities believe more than 220 people were taken hostage by Hamas, with at least four having been released following negotiations.
if you go
The flights
Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.
The hotel
Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.
The tour
Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The biog
Place of birth: Kalba
Family: Mother of eight children and has 10 grandchildren
Favourite traditional dish: Al Harees, a slow cooked porridge-like dish made from boiled cracked or coarsely ground wheat mixed with meat or chicken
Favourite book: My early life by Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah
Favourite quote: By Sheikh Zayed, the UAE's Founding Father, “Those who have no past will have no present or future.”
The story in numbers
18
This is how many recognised sects Lebanon is home to, along with about four million citizens
450,000
More than this many Palestinian refugees are registered with UNRWA in Lebanon, with about 45 per cent of them living in the country’s 12 refugee camps
1.5 million
There are just under 1 million Syrian refugees registered with the UN, although the government puts the figure upwards of 1.5m
73
The percentage of stateless people in Lebanon, who are not of Palestinian origin, born to a Lebanese mother, according to a 2012-2013 study by human rights organisation Frontiers Ruwad Association
18,000
The number of marriages recorded between Lebanese women and foreigners between the years 1995 and 2008, according to a 2009 study backed by the UN Development Programme
77,400
The number of people believed to be affected by the current nationality law, according to the 2009 UN study
4,926
This is how many Lebanese-Palestinian households there were in Lebanon in 2016, according to a census by the Lebanese-Palestinian dialogue committee
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Haircare resolutions 2021
From Beirut and Amman to London and now Dubai, hairstylist George Massoud has seen the same mistakes made by customers all over the world. In the chair or at-home hair care, here are the resolutions he wishes his customers would make for the year ahead.
1. 'I will seek consultation from professionals'
You may know what you want, but are you sure it’s going to suit you? Haircare professionals can tell you what will work best with your skin tone, hair texture and lifestyle.
2. 'I will tell my hairdresser when I’m not happy'
Massoud says it’s better to offer constructive criticism to work on in the future. Your hairdresser will learn, and you may discover how to communicate exactly what you want more effectively the next time.
3. ‘I will treat my hair better out of the chair’
Damage control is a big part of most hairstylists’ work right now, but it can be avoided. Steer clear of over-colouring at home, try and pursue one hair brand at a time and never, ever use a straightener on still drying hair, pleads Massoud.
Company profile
Name: Fruitful Day
Founders: Marie-Christine Luijckx, Lyla Dalal AlRawi, Lindsey Fournie
Based: Dubai, UAE
Founded: 2015
Number of employees: 30
Sector: F&B
Funding so far: Dh3 million
Future funding plans: None at present
Future markets: Saudi Arabia, potentially Kuwait and other GCC countries
Company%20Profile
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Gulf Under 19s final
Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B
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THE%C2%A0SPECS
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Super%20Mario%20Bros%20Wonder
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More on Quran memorisation:
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet