Beauty queens representing 130 countries are competing for the Miss Universe 2024 crown. The event will be held in Mexico City from November 14 to 16 at Arena CDMX, where reigning Miss Universe Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua will crown her successor on the final day.
Contestants are steadily arriving in the Mexican capital for what is set to be the long-running competition's most momentous event yet in its 73-year history. This year, many previous limitations have been scrapped, including age, marital status and body type for all contestants. Last year, for the first time, mothers were also allowed to participate.
The UAE, Somalia and Uzbekistan are making their Miss Universe debuts. Iran is sending a representative for the first time, under the title of Miss Universe Persia.
Here are the six contestants representing the Middle East at this year's Miss Universe.
Miss Universe Egypt: Logina Salah
Salah, 34, is a Dubai resident and model, who says she was bullied throughout her childhood due to a skin condition called vitiligo, which causes patches to lose pigment. Now, she is looking forward to representing her country on the world stage.
“I am excited to represent Egypt, women with vitiligo, and anyone who has ever felt that they don't belong,” she previously told The National. “After enduring bullying throughout my childhood because of my skin condition, it took me 15 years to embrace self-love. My mission is to empower those who feel marginalised, letting them know they are not alone and I aspire to make a significant impact on the global Miss Universe stage.”
Miss Universe Bahrain: Shereen Ahmed
The Filipino-Bahraini beauty queen, 29, finished second in the Miss Universe Bahrain competition in 2022. Ahmed has a background in journalism and advocates for single mothers and mental health awareness.
“This pageant journey has always been about more than just a crown – it’s about creating impact, giving hope, and showing single mothers that they are not alone. Together, we can make a difference, and I am so excited to see the change we’ll create on this global platform,” she posted on Instagram.
Miss Universe UAE: Emilia Dobreva
Dobreva is a fashion model and a mother of three. The Dubai resident will be the first UAE representative at the Miss Universe pageant. The model is not new to beauty competitions, having been crowned Miss Friendship International in 2019. During the coronation, Dobreva beat four other finalists to be crowned.
The UAE was first announced as part of the international competition in September. In an Instagram post by the Miss Universe Organisation, Indonesian businesswoman Poppy Capella was named as the national director for the UAE franchise, as well as for Cyprus. She was formerly the national director of Miss Universe Indonesia and Miss Universe Malaysia.
Miss Universe Lebanon: Nada Koussa
Clinical psychologist Koussa, 26, beat 14 other contestants to the Miss Universe Lebanon title at a star-studded event held at Beirut's waterfront. She was crowned by her Miss Lebanon 2022 predecessor Yasmina Zaytoun, the runner-up in Miss World last year.
Eight women made up the judging panel, including Nour Arida, a women's rights activist and model. “On my platform, I always talk about being natural, being true to yourself, I talk about accepting yourself, about not having beauty stereotypes,” Arida told The National.
“For me, I wanted to be here today and share this message, this reminder that each girl has something that is different, she's beautiful in her own way and that we should stop stereotyping women in general.”
Miss Universe Persia: Ava Vahneshan
A first for Miss Universe, Iran's unofficial entry to the global pageant will be Vahneshan, a singer and Chinese medicine specialist. Vahneshan was named as the replacement for Fay Asghari, the first winner of the title, who earlier this year beat 20 other women of Iranian descent to the Miss Universe Persia title at an event in Rome.
Miss Universe Persia said it and Asghari, the sister of Britney Spears's ex-husband Sam Asghari, had mutually agreed to part ways, with the title going to second-place Vahneshan. The daughter of an Iranian immigrant in Portugal, Vahneshan said that at the Miss Universe contest, she will represent “the weight of its history, its culture and the heart of my people".
She posted on Instagram: “But my mission is larger than just representing my country. I stand for every voice, for all those who have never had the chance to be heard, for every story that has been forgotten, for every heart that yearns to be understood. I will stand tall, and I will speak for you."
Miss Universe Israel: Ofir Korsia
The participation of Korsia, 23, an actress and dancer, will mark Israel's return to Miss Universe after a two-year hiatus. In 2022, the Miss Israel organisation – founded in 1952 and which sends representatives to international pageants – said it would no longer do so.
The announcement was made a year after the Israeli city Eilat hosted the pageant, where Miss India Harnaaz Sandhu took the crown.
The competition was revived after American entrepreneur Edgar Saakyan bought the rights to the Miss Universe Israel pageant. Korsia was among eight contestants in the competition, which was held in Florida in the US.
WIDE%20VIEW
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Sun jukebox
Rufus Thomas, Bear Cat (The Answer to Hound Dog) (1953)
This rip-off of Leiber/Stoller’s early rock stomper brought a lawsuit against Phillips and necessitated Presley’s premature sale to RCA.
Elvis Presley, Mystery Train (1955)
The B-side of Presley’s final single for Sun bops with a drummer-less groove.
Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two, Folsom Prison Blues (1955)
Originally recorded for Sun, Cash’s signature tune was performed for inmates of the titular prison 13 years later.
Carl Perkins, Blue Suede Shoes (1956)
Within a month of Sun’s February release Elvis had his version out on RCA.
Roy Orbison, Ooby Dooby (1956)
An essential piece of irreverent juvenilia from Orbison.
Jerry Lee Lewis, Great Balls of Fire (1957)
Lee’s trademark anthem is one of the era’s best-remembered – and best-selling – songs.
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
MATCH INFO
What: 2006 World Cup quarter-final
When: July 1
Where: Gelsenkirchen Stadium, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Result:
England 0 Portugal 0
(Portugal win 3-1 on penalties)
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
Our legal advisor
Ahmad El Sayed is Senior Associate at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.
Experience: Commercial litigator who has assisted clients with overseas judgments before UAE courts. His specialties are cases related to banking, real estate, shareholder disputes, company liquidations and criminal matters as well as employment related litigation.
Education: Sagesse University, Beirut, Lebanon, in 2005.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
UAE central contracts
Full time contracts
Rohan Mustafa, Ahmed Raza, Mohammed Usman, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Sultan Ahmed, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmed, Zawar Farid
Part time contracts
Aryan Lakra, Ansh Tandon, Karthik Meiyappan, Rahul Bhatia, Alishan Sharafu, CP Rizwaan, Basil Hameed, Matiullah, Fahad Nawaz, Sanchit Sharma
Fight card
1. Bantamweight: Victor Nunes (BRA) v Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK)
2. Featherweight: Hussein Salim (IRQ) v Shakhriyor Juraev (UZB)
3. Catchweight 80kg: Rashed Dawood (UAE) v Khamza Yamadaev (RUS)
4. Lightweight: Ho Taek-oh (KOR) v Ronald Girones (CUB)
5. Lightweight: Arthur Zaynukov (RUS) v Damien Lapilus (FRA)
6. Bantamweight: Vinicius de Oliveira (BRA) v Furkatbek Yokubov (RUS)
7. Featherweight: Movlid Khaybulaev (RUS) v Zaka Fatullazade (AZE)
8. Flyweight: Shannon Ross (TUR) v Donovon Freelow (USA)
9. Lightweight: Mohammad Yahya (UAE) v Dan Collins (GBR)
10. Catchweight 73kg: Islam Mamedov (RUS) v Martun Mezhulmyan (ARM)
11. Bantamweight World title: Jaures Dea (CAM) v Xavier Alaoui (MAR)
12. Flyweight World title: Manon Fiorot (FRA) v Gabriela Campo (ARG)
SERIE A FIXTURES
Friday Sassuolo v Torino (Kick-off 10.45pm UAE)
Saturday Atalanta v Sampdoria (5pm),
Genoa v Inter Milan (8pm),
Lazio v Bologna (10.45pm)
Sunday Cagliari v Crotone (3.30pm)
Benevento v Napoli (6pm)
Parma v Spezia (6pm)
Fiorentina v Udinese (9pm)
Juventus v Hellas Verona (11.45pm)
Monday AC Milan v AS Roma (11.45pm)
Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances
All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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3.
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UAE
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4.
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Japan
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5
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Norway
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6.
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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The Birkin bag is made by Hermès.
It is named after actress and singer Jane Birkin
Noone from Hermès will go on record to say how much a new Birkin costs, how long one would have to wait to get one, and how many bags are actually made each year.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
EA Sports FC 24
Company%20profile
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Last five meetings
2013: South Korea 0-2 Brazil
2002: South Korea 2-3 Brazil
1999: South Korea 1-0 Brazil
1997: South Korea 1-2 Brazil
1995: South Korea 0-1 Brazil
Note: All friendlies
