As Joe Biden was announced as the next President of the United States, celebrations broke out across the country.
Among those celebrating were a number of famous faces, who took to the streets and social media to send their heartfelt congratulations to the new president-elect and vice president-elect Kamala Harris, who made history as the first woman to be elected VP.
Lizzo
Singer Lizzo posted a live video to Instagram as the news was announced, with tears streaming down her face.
“There are few times in this country where I am hopeful,” she said, before taking a second to gain her composure. “I think Trump is out of office, officially. I’m seeing the news everywhere, I think this is the end of that four-year term that felt like 1,000 years, where people lost their lives, their livelihoods. This country fell into a pandemic, a recession.
“And you can’t really blame one president for things but you can blame them for how they handle it,” she continued. “It was so mishandled, and I felt so unseen and so neglected. Whether you’re blue or red, that man didn’t care about you.”
Lady Gaga
Also sharing a teary video to Instagram was Lady Gaga, who has been a vocal supporter of Biden and joined him for a rally in Pennsylvania earlier this month. “I hope all the women know in this country that there is a real reckoning and a real change,” she said.
“I hope people whose voices who have been oppressed by power, I hope you know your voices were heard.
“I’m just ... I’m honestly kind of speechless,” she continued. “This is a very, very special day. It’s a day where a lot of people who felt like we were living in a state of terror and aggression all the time, that it’s over. You can feel warm now.”
Later posting a photo of herself hugging Biden, she wrote: “Joe Biden, Kamala Harris and the American people, you just gave the world one of the greatest acts of kindness and bravery humanity has ever seen. Nothing but love for our new Commander in Chief and the first female VP elected to the White House.”
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who played Vice President Selina Meyer in HBO's popular comedy Veep was among the first to offer her congratulations to Harris.
"'Madam Vice President' is no longer a fictional character," she tweeted.
Mindy Kaling
A poignant moment came from actor and writer Mindy Kaling who, like vice president-elect Harris, is of Indian heritage. "Crying and holding my daughter, 'look baby, she looks like us'", she wrote in a tweet, alongside an image of Harris as a young girl.
Bella and Gigi Hadid
Supermodel sisters Bella and Gigi Hadid, who are of Palestinian-Dutch heritage, also shared their happiness.
"Christmas came early," wrote new mother Gigi. "Proud to be an American."
Bella said: “This is how you come together and make a difference. I am so proud America. I feel hopeful for the future and for the lives of the people. Finally.”
Mark Ruffalo
Avengers actor Mark Ruffalo, who spent the weeks leading up to the election actively encouraging his fans to vote, shared a picture with his daughter saying they were "so happy today".
Chrissy Teigen and John Legend
In California, John Legend and Chrissy Teigen – who have made no secret of their disdain for Trump during his four-year presidency – took to the streets for a drive-by, perched on top of their car as they waved to the crowds who had gathered to celebrate.
Sharing videos to Twitter, Teigen said it was the “best moment of her life".
“Oh my god I do not know how to act, I’m just so happy,” she said, retweeting a post that described her and Legend’s visit as a “royal drive-by”.
Spike Lee
Director Spike Lee joined crowds on the streets of Brooklyn, where an impromptu party then broke out in front of his studio, with hundreds dancing until the early hours.
Jonathan Van Ness
Star of Netflix's Queer Eye, Jonathan Van Ness, joined crowds on the streets of New York City, posting videos of himself cheering excitedly. "Democracy works," he said, sharing a post to Instagram.
Karamo Brown
His co-host Karamo Brown shared a video of himself in tears. “This moment ... we are going to begin healing and to every little girl and woman ... this moment of for you!"
Miley Cyrus
Sharing a viral meme of Biden dancing along to a song played during a speech, Miley Cyrus edited in her famous track. “Now this is a party in the USA!,” she wrote.
Jordan Peele
Taking Trump's own line from his days as host of reality television show The Apprentice, director Jordan Peele tweeted: "You're fired."
Beyonce
Beyonce congratulated Biden and Harris, sharing pictures of each of them when they were young, as well as an image of them holding hands in front of an American flag. The same image was shared by Kim Kardashian West as she offered her congratulations.
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Read more:
In presidential fashion: 36 photos that chart Joe Biden's political style
Gap deletes US election 'unity' sweatshirt tweet following backlash
How much does a celebrity endorsement help a politician?
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Tickets start at Dh100 for adults, while children can enter free on the opening day. For more information, visit www.mubadalawtc.com.
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Starring: Ali El Ghoureir, Khalil El Roumeithy, Mostafa Abo Seria
Stars: 3
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Goalkeepers Henderson, Pickford, Pope.
Defenders Alexander-Arnold, Chilwell, Coady, Dier, Gomez, Keane, Maguire, Maitland-Niles, Mings, Saka, Trippier, Walker.
Midfielders Henderson, Mount, Phillips, Rice, Ward-Prowse, Winks.
Forwards Abraham, Barnes, Calvert-Lewin, Grealish, Ings, Kane, Rashford, Sancho, Sterling.
TICKETS
For tickets for the two-day Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) event, entitled Dubai Invasion 2019, on September 27 and 28 go to www.meraticket.com.
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Picture of Joumblatt and Hariri breaking bread sets Twitter alight
Mr Joumblatt’s pessimism regarding the Lebanese political situation didn’t stop him from enjoying a cheerful dinner on Tuesday with several politicians including Mr Hariri.
Caretaker Culture Minister Ghattas Khoury tweeted a picture of the group sitting around a table at a discrete fish restaurant in Beirut’s upscale Sodeco area.
Mr Joumblatt told The National that the fish served at Kelly’s Fish lounge had been very good.
“They really enjoyed their time”, remembers the restaurant owner. “Mr Hariri was taking selfies with everybody”.
Mr Hariri and Mr Joumblatt often have dinner together to discuss recent political developments.
Mr Joumblatt was a close ally of Mr Hariri’s assassinated father, former prime minister Rafik Hariri. The pair were leading figures in the political grouping against the 15-year Syrian occupation of Lebanon that ended after mass protests in 2005 in the wake of Rafik Hariri’s murder. After the younger Hariri took over his father’s mantle in 2004, the relationship with Mr Joumblatt endured.
However, the pair have not always been so close. In the run-up to the election last year, Messrs Hariri and Joumblatt went months without speaking over an argument regarding the new proportional electoral law to be used for the first time. Mr Joumblatt worried that a proportional system, which Mr Hariri backed, would see the influence of his small sect diminished.
With so much of Lebanese politics agreed in late-night meetings behind closed doors, the media and pundits put significant weight on how regularly, where and with who senior politicians meet.
In the picture, alongside Messrs Khoury and Hariri were Mr Joumbatt and his wife Nora, PSP politician Wael Abou Faour and Egyptian ambassador to Lebanon Nazih el Nagari.
The picture of the dinner led to a flurry of excitement on Twitter that it signified an imminent government formation. “God willing, white smoke will rise soon and Walid Beik [a nickname for Walid Joumblatt] will accept to give up the minister of industry”, one user replied to the tweet. “Blessings to you…We would like you to form a cabinet”, wrote another.
The next few days will be crucial in determining whether these wishes come true.
Other IPL batting records
Most sixes: 292 – Chris Gayle
Most fours: 491 – Gautam Gambhir
Highest individual score: 175 not out – Chris Gayle (for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Pune Warriors in 2013)
Highest strike-rate: 177.29 – Andre Russell
Highest strike-rate in an innings: 422.22 – Chris Morris (for Delhi Daredevils against Rising Pune Supergiant in 2017)
Highest average: 52.16 – Vijay Shankar
Most centuries: 6 – Chris Gayle
Most fifties: 36 – Gautam Gambhir
Fastest hundred (balls faced): 30 – Chris Gayle (for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Pune Warriors in 2013)
Fastest fifty (balls faced): 14 – Lokesh Rahul (for Kings XI Punjab against Delhi Daredevils in 2018)
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No more lice
Defining head lice
Pediculus humanus capitis are tiny wingless insects that feed on blood from the human scalp. The adult head louse is up to 3mm long, has six legs, and is tan to greyish-white in colour. The female lives up to four weeks and, once mature, can lay up to 10 eggs per day. These tiny nits firmly attach to the base of the hair shaft, get incubated by body heat and hatch in eight days or so.
Identifying lice
Lice can be identified by itching or a tickling sensation of something moving within the hair. One can confirm that a person has lice by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs or lice. Head lice are most frequently located behind the ears and near the neckline.
Treating lice at home
Head lice must be treated as soon as they are spotted. Start by checking everyone in the family for them, then follow these steps. Remove and wash all clothing and bedding with hot water. Apply medicine according to the label instructions. If some live lice are still found eight to 12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not re-treat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine-toothed comb.
After the initial treatment, check for, comb and remove nits and lice from hair every two to three days. Soak combs and brushes in hot water for 10 minutes.Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay.
Courtesy Dr Vishal Rajmal Mehta, specialist paediatrics, RAK Hospital
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
Company profile
Name: Dukkantek
Started: January 2021
Founders: Sanad Yaghi, Ali Al Sayegh and Shadi Joulani
Based: UAE
Number of employees: 140
Sector: B2B Vertical SaaS(software as a service)
Investment: $5.2 million
Funding stage: Seed round
Investors: Global Founders Capital, Colle Capital Partners, Wamda Capital, Plug and Play, Comma Capital, Nowais Capital, Annex Investments and AMK Investment Office
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Director: Christian Schwochow
Starring: George MacKay, Jannis Niewohner, Jeremy Irons
Rating: 3/5
The biog
DOB: 25/12/92
Marital status: Single
Education: Post-graduate diploma in UAE Diplomacy and External Affairs at the Emirates Diplomatic Academy in Abu Dhabi
Hobbies: I love fencing, I used to fence at the MK Fencing Academy but I want to start again. I also love reading and writing
Lifelong goal: My dream is to be a state minister
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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