Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif on the sets of The Voice India Kids.

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Drydocks World, the leading marine, onshore and offshore service provider to the oil, gas and renewable energy sectors, has signed a contract agreement with SBM Offshore to carry out the construction of the Turret Mooring System, TMS, for Statoil’s Johan Castberg Floating Production Storage and Offloading, FPSO, vessel.

The Johan Castberg FPSO will be permanently moored by the internal TMS at the Johan Castberg field in offshore Norway. The system will allow the vessel to passively weathervane around the anchor legs while simultaneously transferring fluids, power, and communications signals between the vessel and subsea equipment.

Drydocks World will be responsible for detail design of certain specified works, bulk procurement and construction including Super Duplex piping work and TLER/TLIR module.

Drydocks World’s Chief Operating Officer, Mohammad Rizal, commented, "Drydocks World has a strong track record in delivering Turret Mooring Systems with an excellent safety and quality record. We have delivered the world’s largest turret to SBM Offshore, which positioned our yard as a global specialist with expertise in delivering large complex projects. This is the third turret that SBM Offshore has awarded to Drydocks World. Our long-term business relationship started from 1996 with the first FSO conversion and since then we have successfully completed several FPSO projects. Drydocks World is committed to once again delivering a safe and quality product in a timely manner that fully meets our client’s expectations."

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Instagram: Deepika Padukone

Deepika Padukone and Hollywood actor Vin Diesel sent fans in a tizzy soon after the actress shared a photo of them on social media in December.

Now 'xXx: The Return of Xander Cage' director DJ Caruso confirmed the news in a tweet during a chat session with his fans.

In December, the filmmaker had tweeted a picture and wrote: "Xander will travel this road #xandercagereturnsxxx #VinDiesel #Dominicanfiliming #DeepikaPadukone."

Vin Diesel/Instagram

He tweeted when a fan asked him about Deepika's shooting schedule: "@CyrineZanaib @6eyf__ we start in january. She (Deepika) starts sometime in February."

Jet Li, Deepika Padukone and Tony Jaa are joining the cast of Vin Diesel's xXx sequel. They'll join a cast that already includes UFC fighter Conor McGregor and Samuel L. Jackson.

Karisma Kapoor's divorce gets murky

Sanskriti Media and Entertainment

Adding to their long drawn divorce, actress Karisma Kapoor's husband Sunjay Kapur has filed an application at the family court for the custody of their children.

Just last month, the estranged couple's petition of divorce on the grounds of mutual consent was disposed, after both of them withdrew their consent.

The two children, daughter Samiera and son Kiaan Raj who are currently staying with Karisma.

File

Sunjay had filed the same application in the past, but later withdrew it as both the parties filed for divorce on mutual consent, which included the terms and conditions regarding the custody of the children.

But the same divorce petition on the grounds of mutual consent was disposed of last month after Karisma and Sunjay withdrew their consent to the petition.

The couple got married in 2003.

Karan Johar to launch Shah Rukh Khan's son?

Looks like filmmaker Karan Johar has set his eyes on Shah Rukh Khan's son, Aryan Khan.

Karan, who has launched talents like Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan and Sidharth Malhotra, is keen on mentoring Aryan.

The director and Shah Rukh have worked extensively together and share great equations for over two decades now.

And Shah Rukh's 17-year-old son, who has off-late been in the party circuit surely has got all the makings of a Bollywood super star.

According to an interview with a leading daily, Karan stated that Aryan shall venture into the massive B-town only though his movie. While elaborating on his equation with SRK, the director said, "Working with SRK was and is something that I always cherish. I feel whenever there are two people who are strong and close to each other, there is a section of people who are never happy with their closeness."

He further said, "Shah Rukh is beyond family to me. In fact, my equation with him has moved from him to his kids now. I always tell him, "I am going to maintain my youth quotient only because I want to launch Aryan. No one else can launch Aryan but me."

Aryan is currently pursuing his studies in London and is often spotted partying.

Katrina trying to work things out with Ranbir

Sanskriti Media and Entertainment

There have been rumours doing the rounds about Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif's relationship being on rocky ground.

Her recent tell-all interview about not being happy with Ranbir working with Deepika, about not being close to his parents didn't help dwindle these rumours.

But a source close to the couple has actually told a website in India that there isn't really an issue between the two.

It seems all the issues hasn't affected Ranbir and Katrina's relationship. The reports of their break-up apparently didn't affect them since they don't pay too much attention to stories written about them.

While the rumours of their break-up may have worked for 'Tamasha's' publicity, it hasn’t damaged Ranbir and Katrina's relationship.

The actress is willing to iron out any possible friction. Katrina will be taking off to London for Christmas and New Year and she is taking Ranbir with her.

The couple sure need this vacation!

Katrina Kaif's 'Fitoor' intimate scenes

Twitter: @KatrinaAtCannes

'Fitoor', starring Aditya Roy Kapoor and Katrina Kaif has been embroiled in controversies since its inception.

Director Abhishek Kapoor is not entirely happy with the way things are going.

Twitter: @LOrealParisIn

He is disappointed with the way the film is shaping up and called for a re-shoot of a lovemaking scene between the film's lead pair Aditya and Katrina, which he believed wasn't good enough.

The passionate scene is just one of the scenes that will be redone, as per the report. 

Abhishek didn't like what he saw in the edit and has now decided to take out more time to do-over a few scenes which is normal.

Twitter: @KatrinaAtCannes

But all this has left Katrina miffed.

Katrina is angry with the director and strongly disagreed on the point of re-shooting the entire sequence.

Twitter: @KatrinaAtCannes

In fact, till the last moment, the crew had no clue if the shoot was happening at all. Eventually, the producers calmed the actress down and got her to agree to the scene again. But not before she threw a major fit.

'Fitoor' has already been delayed by months after Rekha decided to walk out of the project midway after shooting a few scenes. Tabu was then brought in and Abhishek resumed shooting.

When Ranveer Singh fell for Deepika Padukone

Sanskriti Media and Entertainment

Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone may never have confirmed the many rumours of the two being in a relationship with each other, but the two never hesitate when it comes to supporting or praising each other.

Ranveer has finally revealed when he fell for his ladylove for the first time and also said that he can not forget that first sight.

Sanskriti Media and Entertainment

In an recent interview, Ranveer and Deepika were asked what they thought about each other when they saw each other for the first time.

Ranveer revealed that he saw Deepika during the Zee Cine Awards which were held in Macau. He also said, "The first time I saw her, I almost went flat!"

File

The actor recalls that Deepika was wearing a silver dress at the event which happened in 2012 and when a fan asked him about how does he remember it so well. Here's what Ranveer tweeted: "how can one possibly forget that sight!?"

Genelia Deshmukh pregnant again?

Twitter

Riteish Deshmukh and wife Genelia Deshmukh are enjoying their parenthood with adorable little baby Riaan Deshmukh.

Riaan turned one this November when his parents threw a sailor-themed birthday party for him.

Twitter

However, buzz is that little Riaan will soon have a sweet little sibling to play with.

Bollywood circuits are abuzz that Genelia is pregnant with her second baby.

Twitter

The actress, who was planning to take on work after a long break, has put a stop to these new projects now that she is in the family way again.

Salman, Iulia Vantur caught in one frame

File

Salman Khan is one of the most good looking men in Bollywood and fans are aware of his string of affairs which never culminated into marriage.

The latest in the list is Romanian model Iulia Vantur. Rumours have been rife for a long time now that Salman and Iulia are going strong.

There have been buzzes of an engagement and a wedding too. However, Salman has never admitted to the relationship and has always laughed it off.

Recently, a source close to Salman mentioned that Iulia is busy with her work assignments abroad and therefore there is no question of them getting engaged or married.

Now few pictures have surfaced which shows Salman and Iulia driving away. While Salman is seated in the front, Iulia is seen sitting at the back.

Both Salman and Iulia are clicked in one frame and the two seemed aware of camera presence.

While it might still be some time before Salman Khan's relationship status is revealed to the world at large, these photos have added an all new dimension to the Salman-Iulia saga.

Katrina unhappy with Ranbir, Deepika

Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone during a promotion of upcoming movie 'Tamasha' at Hotel Holiday, Punchkula. (Getty Images)

Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone make a perfect couple on-screen. They have been the talk of the town and their chemistry on and off screen is way too palpable.

The two hottest co-stars of Bollywood were in the news during their aggressive promotional events and their movie 'Tamasha'.

Sanskriti Media and Entertainment

The movie itself was an intense, romantic and pathfinding story that even involved a passionate lip-lock between the two ex-lovers.

So what does Ranbir's current girlfriend Katrina Kaif think about all this?

Ranbir and Deepika Padukone dance during a promotion of their film 'Tamasha'. (AP)

Katrina said that 'Tamasha' is an outstanding movie and that Ranbir was superb in it. However, in a recent interview with GQ, Katrina put forward her actual thoughts on her handsome boyfriend working with his ex-girlfriend, Deepika.

Katrina said when asked about Ranbir working with Deepika, "I can't enforce my will on the people in my life. Their choices are their own. I may not be happy with them but I hope that as they mature or as they evolve, their choices will change!"

Well, that says it all, doesn't it?

Kareena Kapoor says no to Hrithik?

AFP

Hrithik Roshan and Kareena Kapoor Khan make a good Bollywood on-screen couple, despite that they have never worked together after Subhash Ghai's film 'Yaadein' in 2003.

It was their rumoured affair during the movie that saw the two actors walk away in different directions.

Reports suggested that Kareena and Hrithik might come together for Sanjay Gupta's next.

Sanskriti Media

The makers had approached Kareena but Hrithik's father Rakesh Roshan clearly said that Kareena is not in the film.

A popular entertainment tabloid recently reported that Hrithik will be working with his director father Rakesh Roshan once again and the film is set to kick start in February. It doesn’t have a title yet but the daily reports that it will be love story cum revenge drama directed by Sanjay Gupta.

AFP

Sanjay Gupta tweeted: "Ok guys its true that I am working on my next with Hrithik and Rakeshji. But we have not confirmed the lead actress as yet. We will soon :-)."

He continued, "It would be any director's dream come true to get Hrithik and Kareena together for a film. But we have not finalised our heroine yet."

Karisma Kapoor's divorce getting messy?

Actress Karisma Kapoor and estranged husband Sunjay Kapur had filed a mutual consent divorce petition in Mumbai's Family Court and were to end their 12 year old marriage before the end of 2014.

And since, they are unable to reach a consensus, both the parties decided to withdraw the joint petition for divorce.

The court will decide after speaking to Sunjay. Karisma, who was present in the court went through a long counselling session behind closed doors.

Mid Day reports that Karisma and Sunjay have been arguing about is the terms of a Trust being set up for the welfare of their two children, Samaira and Kiaan Raj Kapoor.

Sunjay doesn't want to handover the control of the Trust to Karisma. As a result, Karisma is not giving Sunjay access to their children.

Karisma and Sunjay tied the knot in September 2003.

Preity Zinta getting married... soon?

Sanskriti Media and Entertainment

In the latest wedding buzz, Bollywood's dimpled girl Preity Zinta is all set to marry, according to the reports.

Though the actress herself has denied the news, Times Of India has reported that sources close enough to the actress have confirmed that she's about to fly to USA in January 2016.

AFP

There, she'll be getting married to her American boyfriend, Gene Goodenough at a small and intimate ceremony.

The two have been going steady for a while now and it was Gene who stood by Preity throughout her problems with her ex-boyfriend Ness Wadia.

Katrina doesn't like talking about Salman

Salman and Katrina promote 'Ek Tha Tiger'. (Supplied)

Katrina Kaif, who is Ranbir Kapoor's girlfriend, feels that it would be disrespecting her 'existing relationship' if she talks in public about her ex-boyfriend Salman Khan.

During an appearance on Niranjan Iyengar's talk show 'Look Who's Talking with Niranjan', Katrina was asked about her relationship with the 'Dabangg' actor.

AFP

Katrina replied: "He is an amazing person and everyone in and out of the industry knows that. His parents and family treated me like a daughter always. But it does not seem respectful to my existing relationship if I talk about Salman or his family in the media; hence I choose not to mostly."

On being asked about her 'existing relationship' and her marriage plans with Ranbir, she said: 'Ranbir is my all-time friend'.

Shah Rukh to bring Parineeti, Alia together?

According to rumours Shah Rukh Khan is going to produce a female oriented flick starring Alia Bhatt and Parineeti Chopra in the lead.

The film is said to be directed by Farah Khan, who has been holed out in Goa for some time now working on her script.

 Farah is considering Parineeti and Alia to star in her two heroine drama flick.

Farah has also revealed that Shah Rukh will be producing her next project.

Parineeti had a rough 2014 with back to back flops like 'Daawat-e-Ishq' and 'Kill Dil' while Alia has been giving one hit after another until 'Shaandaar'.

The two girls have been often pitted against each other and it will be interesting to see how things work out in this chick-flick.

Salman talks about rumoured girlfriend Iulia

AFP

The grapevine has always been abuzz with talks of Salman Khan and Romanian TV personality Iulia Vantur being in a relationship.

And some time back, there was a rumour doing the rounds that Salman is secretly engaged to Iulia.

AFP

But later the actor rubbished all the rumours by saying, "There is a lot of buzz about a lot of things about me, which is never true. Yes, I read what is written, hear what is said, and my right answer to your question would be that I am indifferent to all of it. The small things don't bother me at all, but they bother my parents. And that really bothers me."

Salman has always been linked to leading ladies such as Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Katrina Kaif.

But the actor is still unmarried and always laughs it off when he is asked about his marriage.

Yuvraj Singh, Hazel ready for marriage?

(AFP)

Before the dust could settle around the big fat Indian wedding of cricketer Harbhajan Singh and actress Geeta Basra, cricketer Yuvraj Singh and actress Hazel Keech's marriage rumours is creating a buzz in the gossip columns.

It is an open secret that Yuvraj and Hazel are a couple and the two attended Harbhajan's wedding together.

Indian media also reported that the couple will be formally engaged by the end of November and wedding will be held in February 2016.

Facebook

The cricketer's tongue-in-cheek reply to these rumours has put all speculations to an end.

The all-rounder took to Twitter to deny reports about his 'impending wedding'. He wrote, "So now my dear media has decided the venue and month of my marriage can u also tell me the dates so I can get ready well in time!"

Yuvraj had previously dated Bollywood actress Kim Sharma and was also linked with Deepika Padukone.

Shah Rukh Khan shows his 'love bite'

Twitter

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan is back on the sets of Rohit Shetty's 'Dilwale' after his birthday celebrations and apparently the actor got into a bit of trouble.

The actor got in a 'pub brawl' which resulted in a bruise on his arm.

Shah Rukh posted a picture of his 'pretty and pink love-bite' explaining that since he is the 'romantic hero' and all that, even his injuries reflect the same.

Looks like the actor shot for a bar fight scene for 'Dilwale' and got this bruise.

He tweeted, "My love bite from a bar fight. Being a romantic hero even my injuries look…well…pretty & pink! From sets of #Dilwale."

Are Hrithik, Kangana avoiding each other?

Sanskriti

Rumours of a fling between Hrithik Roshan and Kangana Ranaut was the talk of the town till they decided to part ways.

The 'Queen' actress was rumoured to have ended the relationship as Hrithik was not ready to take it forward.

It was also speculated that perhaps they had a bitter break-up.

Sanskriti

The two actors, who worked together in 'Krrish 3', are till conscious of prying eyes. During the opening ceremony of ongoing MAMI film festival they avoided each other like the plague.

Though they had a common group of friends at the event, the two stars never mingled with them together.

Sanskriti

They did pose for a group picture and maintained a distance between them - much to their relief.

While Hrithik was seen chatting up with Alia Bhatt, Katrina Kaif and Aditya Roy Kapoor, Kangana was seated far away. However, as soon as Hrithik left the gang, Kangana joined the others and chatted away.

Deepika trying to follow Priyanka Chopra?

In this file photograph taken on April 28, 2015, Indian Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone poses during a promotional event ahead of the forthcoming Hindi film ‘Piku’ in Mumbai. AFP

Deepika Padukone is keen on doing Hollywood films and wants to explore to work in the West.

During the ongoing Jio MAMI festival the actress said that she is interested in doing Hollywood films and is ready to explore work opportunities.

Deepika was earlier offered a role in 'Furious 7' which she had to decline due to her commitment to 'Ram Leela' promotions.

Priyanka Chopra poses for a photograph during the 'Star Guild Awards 2015'. (AFP)

As she gears up for two back-to-back releases, Deepika said if something interesting comes her way she will definitely take it up.

Actors like Priyanka Chopra and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan have made appearances in Hollywood projects.

Priyanka is the first female actor from India to play lead in a US TV series. The actor is playing the role of Alex Parrish, a rookie FBI recruit with a mysterious past in 'Quantico'.

Anushka not ready to marry Virat

Last weekend, Anushka Sharma was spotted out with boyfriend Virat Kohli and her father on what was rumoured to be a house-hunting spree.

A report in mid-day quotes a source as saying, "Anushka and Virat have been open about their relationship because they are sure about taking it to the marriage altar. Their families will meet soon and decide the wedding date. In all likelihood, they will get hitched early next year."

But the actress isn't getting married any time soon, insists a statement on behalf of the 'Dil Dhadakne Do' star, seemingly impelled by reports in the press of a possible 2016 wedding to cricketer Virat Kohli.

The statement reads: "There is no truth to the stories/rumours about Anushka Sharma's impending wedding. Currently she is busy and happy with her work commitments. She has always been open about her life and would appreciate it and request everyone to wait for her to make announcements about her life instead of speculating."

Deepika, Ranbir's chemistry made Katrina insecure?

Actress Katrina Kaif has not asked filmmaker Anurag Basu to 'fire up' her chemistry with boyfriend Ranbir Kapoor in their upcoming comedy-drama film 'Jagga Jasoos', said her spokesperson.

(AFP)

Katrina is reportedly worried about Ranbir's chemistry with his former girlfriend, actress Deepika Padukone's in upcoming film 'Tamasha'.

"These rumours are clearly someone's imagination running wild. Though this makes fodder for gossip, it is categorically and entirely untrue. These stories are misleading to the audience and fans in general. Such idle gossip is really avoidable and childish," Katrina's spokesperson said in a statement.

Deepika and Ranbir are returning on the silver screen together after two years in filmmaker Imtiaz Ali's 'Tamasha', which is slated to release on November 26 in UAE.

Meanwhile, 'Jagga Jasoos', which is slated to release in June next year, will feature the couple after 2010's 'Raajneeti'.

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Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director-General of Dubai Municipality inspected the final touches that are going on at Dubai Frame, the biggest modern urban landmark in Dubai, which is getting ready for inauguration.

During his visit to the project, he witnessed all the necessary arrangements undergoing at the site and assured the Frame is fully prepared to receive local and foreign visitors and tourists, especially with the arrival of the winter and the start of the tourist season in Dubai.

Dubai Frame is an aesthetic icon and an architectural landmark that culturally connects the past with the present, and an important attraction for visitors, tourists and residents alike.

Dubai Frame or "Berwaz Dubai" consists of two transparent glass towers of 150m height that are connected by a 93m bridge at the top. The space between the towers gives a pretty clear view for the city from a high altitude. On one side, it frames the images and buildings of Sheikh Zayed Road, to symbolise the modern city of Dubai, while the other side of the Berwaz includes landmark areas of Deira, Umm Hurair and Karama, which symbolise the old Dubai.

The ground rib has been designed to include a museum that tells the story of the city's development and information about its past and present and displays the details of old Dubai in pictures and with the latest 3D technologies, and how the city evolved and how it is now.

The ground floor is designed to include a museum that tells the story of the development of the city and a presentation of everything related to Dubai, using the latest means of presentation with 3D images and amazing modern elements in detail, in a manner that contributes to the creation of a suitable urban environment for the comprehensive boom witnessed by the Emirate.

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The Roads and Transport Authority, RTA, is set to issue a lifetime electronic vehicle registration cards, instead of the existing ones. The process will be rolled out in three stages starting from January 2018, and ending in September of the same year.

The step is part of RTA’s electronic transformation drive; which is gradually being introduced to all services. It echoes the policy of the Smart City initiative as well as RTA’s third strategic goal 'People Happiness'.

Abdullah Yousef Al Ali, CEO of Licensing Agency at RTA, said, "The new electronic vehicle registration card will save customers time and efforts. Customers can avail this service through RTA-DUBAI or DUBAI DRIVE apps on smartphones. In the initial stage, the service will be available for government organisations, car rentals offices and taxis. The second stage will be launched in May 2018 for private companies, and the third stage in September for individuals."

"The project will be a valuable addition to the Smart City initiative. It also forms part of environmentally friendly products as it reduces the use of environmentally damaging materials, such as polyethene and its plastic derivatives," he added.

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Priyanka Chopra’s close friend from Hollywood Meghan Markle is getting married on May 19 to British Prince Harry at the Windsor Castle. It was initially reported that Priyanka could be the bridesmaid of honour. We asked Priyanka about it and she says she hasn’t spoken to her friend yet.

“I am very happy for Meghan. I haven’t spoken to her. But I am really happy about it. I am happy for both Megan as well as Anushka(sharma). Both of them are dear friends of mine and they have these fairytale wedding,” she says.

So, what about her wedding?

“How can one plan marriage? I need to find a guy first. That guy needs to be worth as well.  When I get one, I will get married. It is just that I still have not found anyone who is worth marrying,” she guffaws.

Priyanka is now back in Mumbai and has plunged headalong into work. “I am always happy to be back. I look for excuses to come. And as soon as I am back, I have jumped into work,” she says.

So what about the Rakesh Sharma biopic and other films? “That’s my biggest tragedy I have finalised a few things.  I will announce it very soon I just have to figure out when. I was approached with that film when Aamir was there. I hadn’t figure out my dates then. We were supposed to do it in 2019,” she says.

And on whether she is still part of the cast now that it is being rumoured that Shah Rukh Khan may now play the role, she says she is unaware of any development. “I don’t know what is the position now. I don’t have any information on it. I haven’t spoken to Sid (Siddharth Roy Kapoor) or Mahesh sir (director Mahesh Mathai).  When I do, I will know!” she signs off

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H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has announced a significant jump in salaries for the emirate's government Emirati employees, allocating AED600 million for the purpose.

This came in an extraordinary announcement on Thursday on Sharjah TV by Dr. Tariq Sultan bin Khadim, Member of Sharjah Executive Council and Chairman of Directorate of Human Resources.

As part of his continuing concern for the wellbeing of the people of Sharjah and government employees, His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah has announced an unprecedented increase in the salaries of all Sharjah government Emirati staff, significantly revising the pay structure as of January 01, 2018, said Dr Khadim.

Based on the new pay structure, the Sharjah Government will have eight grades. Under the revised structure, the new Grade 8 now has been fixed as the lowest grade with a minimum salary of AED17,500 per month for employees who do not have a secondary school certificate.

Grade 7 has been fixed for people with secondary school certificate qualification with a minimum salary of AED18,500 per month. As for university graduates, they start at Grade 4 with a minimum salary of AED25,000 per month.

Dr. Khadim said that besides focusing on boosting the standard of living of Sharjah government employees, His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah is keen that all those who could not complete their education or get a college degree are able to continue their education.

Following is the new pay structure: Grade 1 AED30,500 per month Grade 2 AED28,500 per month Grade 3 AED26,500 per month Grade 4 AED25,000 per month Grade 5 AED21,500 per month Grade 6 AED19,500 per month Grade 7 AED18,500 per month Grade 8 AED17,500 per month Dr Khadim emphasised that the new pay structure will also apply to retirees who receive their pensions from the General Pension and Social Security Authority. He consequently called on anyone who retired between 2003 and November 2017 to update their details at the Directorate of Human Resources.

Thanking His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi for his generosity and benevolence towards his people and employees of the Government of Sharjah, Dr. Khadim said that today is a historic day for the entire Emirate.

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Apple on Thursday confirmed what some conspiracy theorists suspected, that it intentionally slows performance of older iPhones as batteries weaken from age.

The admission played into concerns that Apple was stealthily nudging iPhone users to upgrade to newer models by letting them think it was the handsets that needed replacing and not just a matter of getting new batteries.

"Our goal is to deliver the best experience for customers, which includes overall performance and prolonging the life of their devices," an Apple spokesperson said in response to an AFP inquiry.

"Lithium-ion batteries become less capable of supplying peak current demands when in cold conditions, have a low battery charge or as they age over time, which can result in the device unexpectedly shutting down to protect its electronic components."

Lithium-ion batteries are commonly used in mobile devices, and charging capacity naturally wanes with use and time.

Meanwhile, smartphone operating software is perpetually improved with updates that typically increase appetites for electricity.

Last year, Apple introduced a feature to "smooth out" spikes in demand for power to prevent iPhone 6 models from shutting down due to the cold or weak batteries, according to the California-based company.

The iPhone 6 made its debut in late 2014.

The feature, which slows performance to demand less power, has been extended to iPhone 7 handsets with the latest iOS operating software and will be added to other Apple products "in the future," the spokesperson said.

Apple releases new iPhone models annually, and sales of the handsets power its money-making engine.

People worried about performance could replace batteries, which Apple does for free for iPhones covered by warranty or for $79 if that is not the case.

Apple design of handsets makes it borderline impossible for people to change batteries themselves.

Rumors have persisted for years at tech news websites devoted to Apple products and among fans of the company's products that iPhone performance was being intentionally slowed, perhaps to push users to buy newer models.

The consumer electronics industry overall has routinely been accused of designing products that wear out sooner than necessary in a strategy referred to as "planned obsolescence."

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He is still too young to talk, but a two-year-old Indian boy has become a modern-day Mowgli and a subject of local intrigue after befriending a gang of langur monkeys.

Samarth Bangari's unusual friendship was discovered when the youngster was spotted alone in his village in southern India playing with nearly two dozen grey langurs.

The infant's uncle Barama Reddy said it was "strange" for the monkeys to behave like that, and villagers feared the boy would be attacked while his parents worked in a nearby field.

But it soon became clear they were more than comfortable in his presence, with the youngster happy to share some of his food with the visiting troupe.

The monkeys kept returning, day after day, to visit their young friend in Allapur, roughly 400 kilometres (250 miles) from the city of Bangalore, his uncle said.

"Since that day, the monkeys haven't missed a day. They come to the house around the same time," Reddy told AFP.

"Even if he is sleeping, they first wake him up, and then sit with him for an hour or two."

The unusual relationship piqued local interest, and soon people began visiting the house to catch a glimpse of young Samarth tottering around the farm with 20 langurs in tow.

Thinking the monkeys must enjoy the company of children, another youngster was plonked next to Samarth but the langur pack became aggressive, Reddy said.

He said Samarth was now a local legend due to his "special bond" with the monkeys, whose sounds he mimics even though he cannot speak yet.

"Everyone thinks that he is special and they are communicating with each other, and can understand what is being said," Reddy said.

Mowgli was a character in "The Jungle Book", Rudyard Kipling's tales about a boy who grew up in the wild in India, and is often used as a shorthand for people who are able to bridge the human-animal divide.

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American Airlines Flight 2160 from Boston has just arrived in Washington, D.C., and Bette Nash, 81, helps the passengers disembark.

They embrace her, take photos, and express their thanks.

It's always like this.

After six decades crossing the skies as a flight attendant, Nash still has impeccable style, incredible energy and a constant smile.

She has lost only one thing: her anonymity.

Kendra Taylor, a passenger, beams after taking a selfie with the octogenarian, whom she had hoped to meet.

"When I saw her I was like, 'Oh my gosh.' I just saw her on TV last week!"

In a dark suit accented by a colored scarf, with her hair in a bun, Nash lends herself to accolades and plays with the compliments.

She is the undisputed star of the Airbus jet, rather than the captain, Mike Margiotta, who emerges from the flight deck.

"Very professional," he says of his model hostess.

"She's got that old-school way of doing things."

In the United States, pilots must retire at 65 but there is no such restriction on commercial flight attendants, of whom Bette Nash is probably the world's most senior.

See her gliding through the terminal concourse, pulling her suitcase, and it's hard not to be taken by the admiring words one hears about her.

"I start my day at 2:10 in the morning. I have two alarm clocks and when they go off I don't lie there, I get up," Nash says.

At her home in Virginia, bordering Washington, Nash prepares food for her only son, who is disabled, and who will be waiting for her return to solid ground.

From furs, to flip-flops

Primped, and fueled by "a couple of eggs," she arrives before sunrise at Ronald Reagan National Airport.

Nash prefers the Washington-Boston-Washington route, on which she gets priority because of her incomparable seniority.

She was 21 years young and Dwight Eisenhower was president when Eastern Air Lines recruited her as a "stewardess," a word which -- like Eastern itself -- has disappeared from use.

At that time, travel by air was the preserve of a certain elite.

"There were a lot of men because they were doing business, and women came on with their fur coats, and their finery and their hats and everything. You didn't have... the flip-flops and the sneakers and things you do today," Nash says.

Her own uniforms ranged, through the years, from conservative, to elegant, and "wild."

"When (president) John Kennedy came into office and everything, things started opening up, so we wore crazy uniforms. We even had hot pants for a brief period, and these boots," she remembers.

In those earlier times, which seem almost prehistoric, there were no plastic meal trays. Hostesses cooked lobster and duck a l'orange equally well, and carved the meat. In first class, passengers dined with silverware and porcelain.

"We had five carts: we'd start with a beverage cart, then we'd have an hors d'oeuvre cart, then we'd have the entrees cart."

Desserts followed, and then finally came "a cordial cart."

There was no mixing of classes. Flights were either all first class or "tourist" class.

A rare honor

In the less-opulent class, "we sold sandwiches and milk. Sandwiches were 50 cents and milk was 15 cents," Nash says.

"We just had coffee, tea, hot chocolate and bouillon."

Strikes, mergers, buyouts, Nash has gone through all the somersaults of the US aviation industry. She even worked for Trump Shuttle, an airline briefly owned by current President Donald Trump in the early 90s.

During one unforgettable approach to Washington, her plane was hit by turbulence so violent that part of a toilet separated, and it seemed as though a wing hit the ground.

"It was just terrible," Nash said, recalling lightning that "kept on coming in and I think we even flew over the White House that night, which was really illegal."

The plane had to return to New York.

Ten years ago, for her 50th anniversary on the job, Nash's plane was welcomed on the tarmac by sprays of water from fire engines - an honor normally reserved for veteran pilots or the baptism of a new plane.

Who imagined that Nash would still be there ?

"I am not going to work until I am 90," she says, before adding on the subject of retirement: "I don't want to think about it!"

Bette Nash will celebrate her 82nd birthday on December 31.

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A report on 'The Behaviour and Sentiment: Understanding Food & Beverages' revealed that the 92 per cent of consumers are well-informed on the Value Added Tax, VAT, in the UAE.

The report is conducted by the Food and Beverage Manufacturing Business Group, FBMG, in collaboration with global information and measurement company Nielsen.

Saleh Abdullah Lootah, Chairman of FBMG, said, "The food-and-beverage, F&B, sector is one of the largest and most important economic subdivisions in the market today, not to mention that it gathers one of the biggest community of businessmen and women of any individual sector. The sector is closely related to the economic developments taking place across the region and reacts to both expansions and recessions."

"We set out to examine the effects that the VAT will have on the sector. We selected to focus on in our Behaviour & Sentiment: Understanding Food & Beverages report given, first and foremost, the importance of the tax itself as a tool to diversify and strengthen the UAE economy, but also because we believe it is paramount that we raise awareness about the upcoming tax in society at large, and within the business sector, in particular," he added.

The report seeks to offer a solid and accurate foundation for F&B professionals and decision makers to develop ideas on where to invest and how best to serve the diverse consumer base. 

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Gold rates for Saturday, December 23, 2017

Get retail Gold and Forex rates with Emirates 24|7 

Emirates 24|7 brings you the daily Dubai gold rate (22k, 24k, 21k and 18k), as well as currency exchange rates, including the Indian rupee, Pakistani rupee, Philippine peso, Sri Lankan rupee, sterling pound, euro and may more against the UAE dirham (US dollar).

The rates for 24 carat, 22 carat, 21 carat, 18 carat and Ten Tola (TT) Bar (11.6638038 gram) will be updated four times a day to keep them fresh and relevant for buyers of gold bars and gold jewellery in the UAE.

The update times for Retail Gold Rate in Dubai will be at 9.30am, 2.30pm, 5pm and 8pm (unless there is drastic fall or rise in the international rate).

On Saturdays, the gold rates will be updated at 9.30am and this rate will stay static through Saturday and Sunday until the international market reopens on Monday.

Please note that the retailers add making charges separately to the quoted rate of gold.

The Retail Gold Rate in Dubai is being supplied by the Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group.

Foreign Exchange Rates

The Foreign Exchange Rates of major currencies will be updated twice each working day at around 8:30am and 3:30pm.

These will cover both the Remittance Rates [for sending money] and the Currency Notes Rates [for buying and selling of currency notes].

The Foreign Exchange Rates are being supplied by UAE Exchange.

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been photographed by Alex Lubomirski at Frogmore House in Windsor to mark their engagement.

The 33-year-old royal asked the former 'Suits' actress to be his wife last month, and ahead of the couple's much-anticipated wedding at Windsor Castle in May next year, the pair carried out a photoshoot with fashion photographer Alex Lubomirski at Frogmore House in the town in Berkshire, England.

A series of posts on Kensington Palace's Twitter read: "Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle have chosen to release official photographs to mark their engagement ... The photographs were taken by @alexilubo earlier this week at Frogmore House, Windsor. (sic)"

The first picture of the loved-couple sees them cuddling on the steps of the property, with the brunette beauty's engagement ring, which Harry had custom made, on display.

Alongside the photo, the royal household wrote: "Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle, December 2017."

The same caption was added to a close-up black and white image of Meghan smiling as she held onto Harry's bearded chin.

The photographer also took to Instagram to thank the couple for choosing him to capture their special "love for each other" in the stunning portraits.

Alex wrote on Instagram: "A huge thank you to His Royal Highness Prince Harry and Ms Markle, for allowing me to take their official engagement portraits. Not only was it an incredible honour, but also an immense privilege to be invited to share and be a witness to this young couple's love for each other. I cannot help but smile when I look at the photos that we took. @Kensingtonroyal (sic)"

The love birds will tie the knot on May 19 next year, at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.

The Palace previously announced the news in a statement, which read: "His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales and Ms. Meghan Markle will marry on 19th May 2018. Today's announcement follows earlier confirmation of the month of the wedding and its location at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle."

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Shares in a New York beverage company nearly tripled by midafternoon Thursday after it announced it was shifting into cryptocurrency-related investments.

Long Island Iced Tea Corp of Farmingdale, New York - which says it currently produces the soft drink with a proprietary recipe - announced Thursday it was changing its name to "Long Blockchain Corp" and would explore investments in the technology underlying cryptocurrencies like bitcoin.

Shares in the company were up 180 percent to $6.83 in afternoon trading on the tech-dominated Nasdaq.

Interest in cryptocurrencies, which are unregulated by any central bank, caught fire this year. Bitcoin's value skyrocketed well over 1,000 percent ahead of this month's debut of futures trading on a major market.

Regulators have warned that retail investors could fall victim to fraudulent or unscrupulous schemes riding the wave of public interest in the new phenomenon.

Representatives of Long Island Ice Tea Corp did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment.

Soaring shares, and warnings

But the company said in a statement it would remain in the ready-to-drink beverage industry through a subsidiary while shifting to the cryptocurrency sphere.

The company is in "the preliminary stages" of examining investment opportunities in software and technology solutions to serve financial markets and the financial services industry as well as a "new smart contract platform," it said.

A blockchain is public ledger secured using cryptography that enables digital currency transactions.

This is not the first company to make the drastic move into the digital currency world.

In October, shares in the penny-stock biotech company Bioptix Inc soared when it changed its name to Riot Blockchain Inc and announced it would focus on cryptocurrency investments.

Shares in the financial tech company LongFin Corp also surged this month after it announced it had acquired the blockchain business Ziddu.com, according to Bloomberg.

In an unrelated statement on Thursday, the US Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, a private industry body with regulatory power, warned about potential scams given the explosion of interest in bitcoin.

"But it is important to do your research. Even when legitimate companies enter a hot, new sector, con artists almost always follow suit," Gerri Walsh, FINRA's senior vice president for investor education, said in the statement.

And the Securities and Exchange Commission has recently stepped up enforcement against cryptocurrency-related frauds.

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The world's first-ever detection of two faraway neutron stars colliding, causing a massive blast that rippled through the fabric of space and time, was judged the scientific breakthrough of 2017, the journal Science said Thursday.

The smashup of the two ultra-dense stars observed on August 17 "confirmed several key astrophysical models, revealed a birthplace of many heavy elements, and tested the general theory of relativity as never before," said the report.

The blast, which occurred 130 million light-years away, is the kind of event that produces as much as half of the universe's gold, platinum, uranium and mercury, experts said.

Shockwaves ran through the scientific community when the discovery was announced in October, after being detected by gravitational wave sensors in the US and Europe, and some 70 telescopes and observatories around the world.

Bangalore Sathyaprakash from Cardiff University's School of Physics and Astronomy recalled the moment as "the most exciting of my scientific life."

The magazine's annual rundown of the top advances of the past year also included the discovery of a new kind of orangutan, Pongo tapanuliensis, with just 800 believed to live in an isolated Indonesian forest.

Another was a second look at a skull unearthed from a Moroccan cave in 1961, showing that it was actually about 300,000 years old, a full 100,000 years older than early homo sapiens were previously known to exist.

The findings have "reinvigorated the search for new fossils of our species's earliest members," said the report.

The successful gene therapy trial in children with spinal muscular atrophy 1 (SMA1), the most common genetic cause of death in infants, also made the list.

Eleven of the 12 babies who were infused with a high dose of intravenous AAV9 gene therapy -- carrying the gene for a missing protein -- "can talk, eat, and sit at least briefly on their own," it said.

A genetic advance called base-editing that may help eliminate certain diseases also made the top 10, along with the approval of pembrolizumab (Keytruda) by Merck to kill a range of cancers based on their DNA rather than their location in the body.

'Breakdowns' of 2017

The journal, which is published by the non-profit American Association for the Advancement of Science in Washington, noted several "breakdowns" in the world of science this year, too.

They included the "deeply dysfunctional" relationship the scientific community and between US President Donald Trump, who this year "renounced the 2015 Paris climate accord, rolled back many environmental rules, and called for deep budget cuts at key research agencies," it said.

"It's a breakdown of epic proportions, with no obvious fix."

Sexual harassment also roiled the scientific world, as more women were encouraged to speak out by the #MeToo movement that has swept through the worlds of entertainment and politics.

Another low point was the failure of a $5 million project to save a small porpoise, called the vaquita, off the coast of Mexico.

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A man was overheard telling his girlfriend not to accept a promotion at work because she would be on more money than him.

The unnamed couple were heard having an argument in an airport and one woman documented the whole conversation on Twitter.

She wrote: "Couple beside me at the airport is arguing over money. He just told her if she loved him she'd turn down the promotion bc everyone would know she'd be making more money than him and he'd be humiliated. Holy s**t is that really still a thing? Wtf (sic)"

The man apparently told his girlfriend that when they are married with kids she wouldn't be working so "no point focusing on her career".

After detailing the conversation, the woman ended revealing the girlfriend was applauded by onlookers when she walked away.

The Twitter user then wrote a tweet directly to the woman saying: "Dear Brave Airport Lady, if you ever see this, just know that although I'm sorry you went through this (esp during the holidays), I hope that, one day, you look back on this as a defining moment in your life. Never settle. Follow your heart. You are a goddess (sic)"

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IPhone owners from several states sued Apple for not disclosing sooner that it issued software updates deliberately slowing older-model phones so aging batteries lasted longer, saying Apple’s silence led them to wrongly conclude that their only option was to buy newer, pricier iPhones.

The allegations were in a lawsuit filed Thursday in Chicago federal court on behalf of five iPhone owners from Illinois, Ohio, Indiana and North Carolina, all of whom say they never would have bought new iPhones had Apple told them that simply replacing the batteries would have sped up their old ones. The suit alleges Apple violated consumer fraud laws.

A similar lawsuit was filed Thursday in Los Angeles. Both suits came a day after Apple confirmed what high-tech sleuths outside the company already observed: The company had deployed software to slow some phones. Apple said it was intended as a fix to deal with degraded lithium-ion batteries that could otherwise suddenly die.

“Our goal is to deliver the best experience for customers, which includes overall performance and prolonging the life of their devices,” an Apple statement said. It said it released the fix for iPhone 6, iPhone 6s and iPhone SE and later extended it to iPhone 7. Apple didn’t respond to a message Friday seeking comment.

The Chicago lawsuit suggests Apple’s motive may have been sinister, though it offers no evidence in the filing.

“Apple’s decision to purposefully … throttle down these devices,” it says, “was undertaken to fraudulently induce consumers to purchase the latest” iPhone.

Plaintiff Kirk Pedelty, of North Carolina, contacted Apple as his frustration grew. However, the lawsuit says: “Nobody from Apple customer support suggested that he replace his battery to improve the performance of his iPhone. … Frustrated by slowdowns and intermittent shutdowns of his iPhone 7, Pedelty purchased an iPhone 8.”

The lawsuit seeks class-action status to represent thousands of iPhone owners nationwide.

Creative Strategies analyst Carolina Milanesi said she believes the tech giant was seeking to help consumers extend the lives of the older phones — though it would have been better to disclose what it was doing and why right away.

“Even if you are trying to do something good for your customers, it is going to be perceived as you are sneaking around behind their backs if you don’t tell them about it first,” she said.

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An 5.2-magnitude earthquake rocked southeastern Iran on Thursday, less than 24 hours after a similar tremor killed two people in the capital Tehran.

Thursday's tremor hit the Kubandan region, 140 kilometres (90 miles) north of the provincial capital of Kerman, at 8:34 pm (1704 GMT), according to the University of Tehran's Iranian Seismological Centre.

Local media reported that the rural area faced power cuts but that no serious damage had been reported. Rescue teams were sent to the area.

The epicentre of Wednesday's quake, also measuring 5.2 magnitude, was just 40 kilometres (25 miles) west of the capital.

It killed an elderly woman and a young girl in Tehran as well as injuring around 120 people.

Iran sits atop several fault lines, and this week's quakes are the latest in a series to have hit the country in recent weeks.

On November 12, the western province of Kermanshah was hit by a 7.3-magnitude quake that killed 620 people.

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China's domestically developed AG600, the world's largest amphibious aircraft, performed its maiden flight on Sunday from an airport on the shores of the South China Sea, the latest step in a military modernisation programme.

China has stepped up research on advanced military equipment as it adopts a more muscular approach to territorial disputes in places such as the disputed South China Sea, rattling nerves in the Asia-Pacific region and the United States.

State television showed live images of the AG600 lifting off from Zhuhai airport in the southern province of Guangdong, which sits on the South China Sea coast.

Xinhua news agency said the aircraft was the "protector spirit of the sea, islands and reefs".

It had previously been scheduled to make its first flight earlier this year but it is unclear why it was delayed after ground tests took place in April.

State-owned Aviation Industry Corp of China (AVIC) has spent almost eight years developing the aircraft, which is roughly the size of a Boeing Co 737 and is designed to carry out marine rescues and battle forest fires.

However, state media has also noted its potential use in the South China Sea, where China, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Brunei all have overlapping claims.

The AG600's chief designer, Huang Lingcai, was quoted in the official China Daily earlier this month as saying it can make round trips without refuelling from the southern island province of Hainan to James Shoal, claimed by China but which is located close to Sarawak in Malaysian Borneo.

Powered by four turboprop engines, the AG600 can carry 50 people during maritime search-and-rescue missions, and can scoop up 12 metric tons of water within 20 seconds for fire fighting trips, according to state media.

The aircraft has received 17 orders so far from Chinese government departments and Chinese companies. It has a maximum flight range of 4,500 km (2,800 miles) and a maximum take-off weight of 53.5 tonnes.

It can use conventional airports and also land and take-off from the sea.

China is in the midst of a massive military modernisation programme, ranging from testing anti-satellite missiles to building stealth fighters and the country's first indigenous aircraft carrier, to add to an existing one bought from Ukraine.

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