Big jump in Dubai school enrolments and all eyes on US Fed, our editors comment on the top stories of November 1

DUBAI SCHOOL ENROLMENTS GO UP: The release of new data by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority that over 326,000 students are currently enrolled in Dubai’s private schools points to an increase of 4.5 per cent since the end of the last academic year. This is significant because it reflects the continued ability of Dubai to attract families, even as it is a statement about the world-class teaching that schools in the city can offer. Destination Dubai is as relevant in the education sector as it is in any other sphere. (By Sharmila Dhal, UAE Editor).

WILL US FED SOOTHE CONSUMER WORRIES? Consumers everywhere should by now have gotten used to the US Federal Reserve throwing in the monthly spanner in their budget calculations. Another 0.75 per cent is what everyone is expecting tomorrow, adding more payment outgo on credit card, loans and mortgage bills. Will the Fed chief Jerome Powell at least now give some indication of how long the rate spree is likely to continue? Or at least let the markets and consumers know whether the intensity of the 0.75 per cent hikes will be reduced. Because on those decisions rest the prospects of a consumer having to pay a few hundreds more on his commitments. (By Manoj Nair, Business Editor)

FRANCE SUFFER MASSIVE BLOW AS POGBA IS RULED OUT OF WORLD CUP: France have received a major blow as their talismanic midfielder Paul Pogba has been ruled out of the Qatar World Cup this month. The Juventus star will miss France’s title defence as he needs more time to recover from a knee operation. The 29-year-old former Manchester United player has not featured for the Serie A side this season due to the injury that he suffered in July. He initially opted not to have surgery in a bid to be fit for the tournament but now has been ruled out. France’s first match is on 22 November against Australia and they will also be without N’Golo Kante, Wesley Fofana and Boubacar Kamara. Coach Didier Deschamps will be taking a depleted squad to Qatar and could find the going tough. Pogba is the latest high-profile name to miss the showpiece event and joins a growing list which includes England’s Reece James, Kyle Walker, Kalvin Phillips, Portugal’s Diego Jota, Pedro Neto and Argentina’s Paulo Dybala. (By Imran Malik, Assistant Sports Editor)

MASS EXODUS OF HOLLYWOOD STARS FROM TWITTER? Hollywood stars, unlike their Bollywood counterparts, have never shied away from taking a stand and making their displeasure known. An army of Hollywood stars are now quitting Twitter as a mark of protest following the Twitter takeover by Elon Musk. And as soon as he took on the reins, re-instated controversial rapper Ye, previously known as Kanye West, back into the Twitterverse. Ye’s Twitter account was suspended after his string of anti-semitic remarks, but the new leader doesn’t find anything problematic with it. But not everyone shares his sentiments. Earlier today, Hollywood heavyweight and producer Shonda Rhimes -- writer and producer of hits like ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and ‘Scandal – announced that she’s done with Twitter and is quitting the social media platform. Singers like Toni Braxton and Sara Bareilles have also called it quits with Twitter. Something tells me that the exodus will begin in earnest soon and with good reason. (By Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Entertainment Editor)