UAE service economy gets ‘bounce’ and residents must stay aware of scammers, our editors comment on the top stories of November 25

UAE’S SERVICE ECONOMY GETS ADDED ‘BOUNCE’: And so, the Doha World Cup generated bounce filters deep into UAE’s economy, each time an order for food is placed online with a restaurant or aggregator, a sale gets billed in-store, or when a hotel room or flight ticket is booked. And then there are new project launches, some of them jaw-dropping-ly inspiring even in a market so used to such. A sense of optimism pervades, which sets up for a bumper finale of consumer activity through December. And this optimism suggests that the UAE economy and its consumers feel sufficiently cushioned to withstand any jitters 2023 may have for the global economy. Now, if only those policymakers up at Federal Reserve decide to lower the next rate hike…(By Manoj Nair, Business Editor)

BEWARE OF FRAUDSTERS: Police have advised residents to beware of fraudsters who impersonate as employees of banks and the government institutions to entrap victims and empty cash from their bank accounts. Sharjah Police have arrested a gang involving in such fraudulent operation in the UAE. The fraudsters make random calls to the public, impersonating as bank employees, asking for personal data and issuing warnings about blocking or freezing accounts. Some were swindled into providing details. Residents should not share any bank details over the phone, and should immediately inform the police if they receive any such calls. (By Ashfaq Ahmed, Senior Assistant Editor)

TWITTER MUST EXTEND CAUTION: Twitter is all set to provide a "general amnesty" to some suspended accounts. This may start as early as next week. The latest development has come after Elon Musk, the new owner of Twitter, started a poll on Wednesday asking Twitter users whether accounts that had "not broken the law or engaged in egregious spam" should be let back on the social media platform. In recent days, several accounts, such as that of former US President Donald Trump, have already been reinstated by Musk. While it is Twitter’s prerogative to lift bans on accounts that previously spread disinformation and hate, it is incumbent upon the company – as the world’s most influential social media platform – to ensure that it doesn’t allow the space to be misused by repeat offenders. (By Sadiq Shaban, Opinion Editor)

BEAUTIFUL GAME MADE TO LOOK EVEN MORE BEAUTIFUL: The Qatar World Cup has been keeping the world ecstatic with some sublime football. There have been shades of brilliance in the first few days of the showpiece in Qatar and Brazil’s Richarlison’s stunning goal is by far the best. It was an absolute thrill to watch. It is for these moments that the players train day in and day out, to conjure up something that’s absolutely impossible. However, the presence of mind, the athleticism and the precision from an absolute impossible position, defying gravity made Richarlison’s goal against Serbia a marvel that made the beautiful game look even more beautiful. This goal also brought to memory the long-range free-kick taken by Roberto Carlos that left hosts France stunned in 1997 in a warm-up tournament ahead of the World Cup. (By A.K.S. SATISH, Sports Editor)

MICHAEL JACKSON’S MUSICAL GENIUS: It’s been 40 years since the release of the late pop star’s album ‘Thriller’, which is the most successful album of all time. It has sold more than 100 million copies worldwide since its release on November 30, 1982. The music from that album still sounds relevant and fresh today, and the spooky video for the title track is embedded in the minds of millions. There hasn’t quite been a pop star like Jackson again. The tragedy of his death and the controversies surrounding him might have dimmed the light of his persona a bit, but his music will always showcase how special he was as a true musician. (By Jennifer Barretto, Assistant Editor – Entertainment)