From the Editors: Dubai gets tough on money laundering

DUBAI TAKES UP THE CUDGELS AGAINST MONEY LAUNDERING: Over the last couple of decades, Dubai has widened its area of influence on the global stage from being a trading hub to a centre of global finance. However, some unscrupulous entities seek to misuse this liberal regime and tend to engage in financial malpractices. In this regard, the Ministry of Justice’s decision to suspend activities of 200 firms that failed to take anti-money laundering measures is a laudable move that will help reinforce global investor confidence in the emirate’s legal system. Dubai will always be open to business, but everyone remains subject to the law of the land. [COMMENT BY: Somshankar Bandyopadhyay, Assistant Editor]

OBAMA BATS FOR BIDEN: Former US President Barack Obama made his first in-person campaign pitch for his former vice-president Joe Biden in Philadelphia and assured voters that Biden could mend a fractured country. With less than two weeks before the polls, Obama spoke about the merits of democracy, lashed out at President Donald Trump and warned against being complacent. The visit to the Rust Belt state has underscored its importance, a battleground state wooed by both candidates, and all eyes will be on it when the results are announced. [COMMENT BY: Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor]

MOHAMMED SIRAJ IS THE TOAST OF THE ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE: His three-wicket burst broke the back of the Kolkata Knight Riders on Wednesday, and they never really recovered in Abu Dhabi. Siraj demonstrated that old-fashioned swing and seam have a place in T20 cricket if the conditions are right. But his ability to hit the right line and length underlined the utility of medium-pacers. Bangalore also bowled an IPL record four consecutive maidens. Two by Siraj were interspersed by one each from Chris Morris and Washington Sundar. Never in the history of IPL had any team bowled more than two back-to-back and this is testimony to the effectiveness of Bangalore’s bowling unit. [COMMENT BY: Shyam Krishna, Senior Associate Editor]

CANCER FREE IN 10 DAYS? HOW? Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt had some good news to share weeks after his lung cancer diagnosis was made public. The ‘Munna Bhai MBBS’ actor said on October 21 that he’s beaten cancer, leaving fans and strangers perplexed. How did he recover from such a virulent disease so quickly? Twitter users kept asking if it was an actual condition or just a publicity stunt. Memes, a natural condition born from mass confusion, have emerged. Sanju Baba, what really happened? [COMMENT BY: Karishma Nandkeolyar, Assistant Online Editor]