Family-friendly visas for UAE travel and the wait for US Fed decision, Gulf News Editors comment on top news of November 1

SEAMLESS TRAVEL TO UAE FOR FAMILIES: The UAE’s family group visa application works perfectly for parents and their children by extending visa fee exemptions to children under 18 accompanied by their parents. The convenience of family group tourist visa applications is exclusive to approved travel agencies within and outside the UAE. This streamlines the process for families travelling together. The UAE has also taken a significant step forward, using advanced digital tools to allow visitors to apply for visas electronically, reducing processing times to mere minutes, even for those outside the country. This initiative not only promotes family travel but also positions the UAE as a family-friendly destination for visitors. (Jay Hilotin, Senior Assistant Editor)

NO US FED RATE HIKE SEEN: The US Federal Reserve’s two-day monetary policy meeting, which concludes today, is not expected to pave the way for a real market-moving outcome. Economists have widely flagged that there is little to no chance policymakers will alter the interest rates. Even if there is an extended pause in rate hikes, investors worldwide will keep a close watch on the move as it is quickly mirrored by central banks in the UAE and other key Gulf states. This is primarily because macro-level interest rate decisions affect us on a grass-roots level, as it not only gives us an idea on whether borrowing rates will stay high in the near future but it will also help us gauge how the announcement will influence our savings and market investments. More importantly, any indication of when interest rates will be lowered will prove far more beneficial to the average man. (Justin Varghese, Your Money Editor)

WILDFIRES AND MELTING ICE — A CALL FOR ACTION: Wildfires on two ends of the globe have shone the light once again on seasonal phenomena and how people bear the brunt of changing weather patterns. A Southern California wildfire fuelled by desert winds burned 2,200 acres and prompted evacuation orders for 4,000 people. In Australia, firefighters toiled through the night to repel bushfires on the border between Queensland and New South Wales. There is not much one can do in the face of sudden attacks by nature. But some things are surely in our hands. Two days ago, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that Nepal’s mountains had lost one-third of their ice due to global warming over 30 years. This certainly calls for action. (By Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor)

BOLLYWOOD’S MET GALA IN MUMBAI? Hollywood has its iconic Met Gala, where flamboyance and outlandish costumes are a mainstay, and Bollywood isn’t far behind. Last night, stars turned out in full force for the launch of a luxury mall in Mumbai. Deepika Padukone, Alia Bhatt, and Katrina Kaif chose to dazzle in fashion-forward gowns and vertiginous heels. While their outfits were impossibly impractical for a mall trawl or a good dose of retail therapy, we have to give them credit for trying to impress — the bigger and more voluminous their gowns, the bigger the impact. Being a maximalist in fashion was the credo of the night, and surprisingly, we bought it. (By Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Entertainment Editor)

MESSI MAGIC CONTINUES TO CAPTIVATE: Lionel Messi has been keeping fans spellbound worldwide with his beautiful game. The football magician from Argentina has been adding several trophies to his glittering cabinet, including the World Cup last year. The Argentine skipper claimed his eighth Ballon d’Or for his inspirational performance against France to win his first World Cup. The 36-year-old has announced that he might not play in the next World Cup, but he has been inspiring the Selecao to victories in the qualifiers. So Messi fans will be hoping to see him in the World Cup 2026. There’s still a lot of magic left in him. (By A.K.S. Satish, Sports Editor)