Global pop group Now United have kicked off virtual auditions for their newest member, who will come from the Mena region.
The group have 15 members from 15 countries around the world, and will next week welcome its 16th member, selected from a Middle Eastern or North African country.
The band have been in Dubai for the past few weeks during the search, and this week, the final round of virtual auditions gets under way.
While the identities of the 13 Mena finalists have not yet been revealed, Now United’s management have confirmed that a candidate from the UAE is in the running to join the band, alongside finalists from Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, Libya, Algeria, Tunisia, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
The finalists will take part in a virtual bootcamp, which started on Monday, with members of the band and their team gathering in Dubai to make the final selection. Over the next week, the band’s fans from around the world can watch as Now United group members, together with choreographer Kyle Hanagami, casting director Kerrie Mailey, and group creator Simon Fuller, narrow down the entries from the shortlist.
Fuller, who also created pop band the Spice Girls, said: "The addition of a new member to Now United is a huge moment for us. We've had an amazing response and have seen remarkable quality and diversity in the talent across the Middle East and North Africa. It is going to be quite a challenge to choose just one person.
“We are looking for someone extraordinary, with undeniable talent, passion and a wonderful positive spirit. They should be an inspiration to our fans all over the world and represent this incredible region with pride and joy. I can't wait to see who the next member will be!”
The global pop group already has members from countries including South Korea, Germany, Mexico, China, the Philippines, Senegal, Canada and more. The search for a band member from the Mena region is taking place in partnership with Pepsi, which has been working with the band since 2018.
“The diversity, passion and vibrancy of Now United has captured the hearts and entertained millions around the world. We’re proud to welcome the band back to the region for the final phase of this talent search,” said Tamer El Rafie, vice president of beverages marketing for PepsiCo Africa, Middle East and South Asia.
Fans of Now United can follow the search on the band’s social media pages and YouTube channel. The winning member will be selected next week.
Types of fraud
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Smishing: The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.
Vishing: The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.
SIM swap: Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.
Identity theft: Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.
Prize scams: Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.
* Nada El Sawy
Kareem Shaheen on Canada
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World Cup final
Who: France v Croatia
When: Sunday, July 15, 7pm (UAE)
TV: Game will be shown live on BeIN Sports for viewers in the Mena region
MATCH INFO
Liverpool 4 (Salah (pen 4, 33', & pen 88', Van Dijk (20')
Leeds United 3 (Harrison 12', Bamford 30', Klich 66')
Man of the match Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
PLAY-OFF%20DRAW
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- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
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Martin Sabbagh profile
Job: CEO JCDecaux Middle East
In the role: Since January 2015
Lives: In the UAE
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Studied: Corporate finance
'O'
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Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
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Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
The specs
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Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
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BLACKBERRY
RESULTS
UAE%20v%20West%20Indies
Abu Dhabi race card
5pm Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic Prestige | Dh110,000 | 1,400m
5.30pm Abu Dhabi Colts Classic Prestige | Dh110,000 | 1,400m
6pm Abu Dhabi Championship Listed | Dh180,000 | 1,600m
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7.30pm Handicap (TB) |Dh100,000 | 2,400m
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Company%20profile
Gran Gala del Calcio 2019 winners
Best Player: Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)
Best Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini (Atalanta)
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Best Goal: Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria vs Napoli)
Best Team: Atalanta
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Best Women’s Player: Manuela Giugliano (Milan)
Best Women’s XI: Laura Giuliani (Milan); Alia Guagni (Fiorentina), Sara Gama (Juventus), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus), Elisa Bartoli (Roma); Aurora Galli (Juventus), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Valentina Cernoia (Juventus); Valentina Giacinti (Milan), Ilaria Mauro (Fiorentina), Barbara Bonansea (Juventus)
Simran
Director Hansal Mehta
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Soham Shah, Esha Tiwari Pandey
Three stars
Living in...
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Bio:
Favourite Quote: Prophet Mohammad's quotes There is reward for kindness to every living thing and A good man treats women with honour
Favourite Hobby: Serving poor people
Favourite Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite food: Fish and vegetables
Favourite place to visit: London
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Hamilton $60m x 2 = $120m
Vettel $45m x 2 = $90m
Ricciardo $35m x 2 = $70m
Verstappen $55m x 3 = $165m
Leclerc $20m x 2 = $40m
TOTAL $485m
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Aayan%E2%80%99s%20records
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
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Price: From Dh590,000
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Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
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Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
Global Fungi Facts
• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil
