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Make note of the rules for UAE National Day celebrations: As the 51st National Day fast approaches, there is much excitement in the air. However, the rules laid out by the UAE Ministry of Interior for the celebrations must be read carefully and followed to the full. Mainly concerning traffic and public health, these rules aim to ensure that the celebrations are a smooth sail with proper decorum being followed and no disruptions caused to public movement. Marches and random gatherings have also been prohibited, which must be duly taken note of. [COMMENT BY: Sharmila Dhal, UAE Editor]
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No place for nuclear weapons: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has said that the country's ultimate goal is to have the world's most powerful nuclear force. Making the announcement after inspecting North Korea's largest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) he praised the scientists for making 'a wonderful leap' in technology. At a time when the world is battling insecurity and economic distress, it can ill afford a threat from North Korea. Nuclear weapons will not solve the world's problems. Only a joint effort for peace and security from world leaders can help make the world a better place. [COMMENT BY: Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor]
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Bleak Black Friday sales in the US; online sales top $9 billion in new record: It was a bleak Black Friday sale this year as far as retail outlets in the US were concerned. However, according to Adobe, consumers spent a record $9.12 billion online shopping during Black Friday this year, which tracks sales on retailers’ websites. Consumers embraced flexible payment plans on the sale weekend, and many spent hours browsing online. Retailers are now under immense pressure to deliver, but it looks like shoppers are holding out for the biggest and best deals – especially as inflation hits their wallets. [COMMENT BY: Dhanusha Gokulan, Chief Reporter]
Image Credit: Bloomberg
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FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022: Messi gives Argentina hope Argentina had to avoid defeat against Mexico last night to remain in the World Cup and their star man Lionel Messi rose to the occasion. The-35-year-old knows this will be his last World Cup. It is the one elite stage on which he has yet to collect the prize. In his career he was won four Champions Leagues, the Ballon d'Or seven times and 10 La Liga titles at Barcelona. He even has a Ligue 1 title at Paris Saintt-Germain. But the World Cup is the missing link. He suffered the heartbreak of defeat in 2014 by Germany in the final and this is his last chance. Argentina’s campaign got off to a terrible start with a defeat to Saudi Arabia but they beat Mexico 2-0 where Messi got the first goal and provided an assist for the second. Their World Cup show is back on track because where there is Messi, there is hope. [COMMENT BY: Imran Malik, Assistant Sports Editor]
Image Credit: REUTERS
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Bollywood’s Urfi Javed blasts Chetan Bhagat, so did he deserve it?: It’s never a good idea to make statements that showcase your prejudices towards women and author Chetan Bhagat -- whose books have spawned various Bollywood films -- has learned it the hard way. In a recent interaction, Bhagat made this flippant remark about how Urfi Javed -- known for her risqué wardrobe choices and some obnoxious styling – was distracting the youth in India. But the actress and reality show participant wasn’t impressed. Javed promptly took to her Instagram and reminded Bhagat of his problematic and toxic gaze towards women. She reminded him about his role in #MeToo movement in India and how the tainted author was under the spotlight for allegedly sending inappropriate messages to younger women. "Men like him will always blame the women than accepting their own shortcomings! Just because you're a pervert doesn't means it's the girls fault or what she is wearing! … Unnecessarily dragging me in a conversation, commenting on how my clothes are distracting young boys is such a [expletive] thing to say!,” she wrote in her Instagram yesterday. It was an acidic and whiplash reaction from Urfi, but can we really blame her? Corroding a woman’s being and her clothes for men’s inappropriate behavior is so 1990s, Mr novelist. For a man, who claims to be erudite and worldly, Bhagat seems to have missed a few chapters when it comes to what constitutes toxic thinking. We are not impressed. [COMMENT BY: Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Entertainment Editor]
Image Credit: Instagram/Uorfi/ChetanBhagat