With the pop of a cracker and the twinkle of a fairy light, Christmas is over and New Year's Eve is nearly here. If at some point over the past few weeks – perhaps imbued with festive cheer – you agreed to host a party on December 31, but haven't really given it much thought until now, panic might be setting in. Well, worry not. Whether you're entertaining the masses, aiming for a classy, intimate affair, have budget to burn, or would like to do things on a shoestring, we've got plenty of ideas to ensure that your night goes off without a hitch.
First up, a little housekeeping. Since the focal point of the evening is the moment the clock strikes 12, consider where you want your guests to be when that happens – out in the garden, watching the fireworks on television, throwing some shapes on a makeshift dance floor – it matters not, as long as you have a vague plan and people aren’t left standing around aimlessly. With that in mind, nominate an official timekeeper and ask them to round up stragglers as midnight approaches and initiate the countdown to 2019.
In terms of pre-party prep, stock up on ice, water, toilet paper and bin bags, create a designated recycling station, and make sure you’ve got enough glasses, cutlery and crockery – if not, seek out biodegradable options or get in touch with a rental company. Give your apartment or villa a quick once-over with the vacuum cleaner by all means, but don’t go mad; no one is going to judge you if your spare room isn’t immaculate.
Just before people arrive, dim the lights, get the candles flickering and make sure there’s some background music playing. It’s well worth noting that there are a number of apps that will let your guests play DJ and contribute to the party playlist, an idea that comes into its own as the night wears on (not least because it takes the pressure off you). Do also encourage some of your more gregarious friends to turn up early and help to initiate conversation in the initial stages of the party when things can potentially feel a bit awkward.
Most importantly, though, remember, this is your New Year’s Eve, too, and you should enjoy yourself as much as anybody else. Here’s to a fabulous evening.
How to host a New Year’s Eve party at home on a budget
To keep things thrifty you’ll need to be a little bit savvy. When people inevitably ask if they can bring anything with them, instead of politely demurring, enthusiastically take them up on that offer of help. It does pay to be specific, though, otherwise you risk ending up with six desserts and very little in the way of drinks. So task your friend who makes fabulous pavlovas/cakes/home-made ice cream with providing exactly that, see if someone else will whip up a salad or two, and politely inquire if a couple of other guests can be in charge of mocktails.
For the main food element, a vegetarian dish is the way to go – good-quality meat is expensive and therefore off the menu on this particular occasion. The smoky bean chilli recipe on the right is ideal. Not only is it inexpensive and easily upscaled, it's also filling, tasty and benefits from being made a day or two in advance so the flavours can really develop. Reheat when you're ready to serve and accompany with coriander rice (at room temperature rather than piping hot to minimise stress), grated cheese, lime yogurt and piles of crusty bread to mop up the chilli sauce.
Decor-wise, if you’ve got a Christmas tree pull it out from the corner of the room and make it your centrepiece, string up all the baubles you own, dot tea lights on every available surface and call it a day.
Smoky bean chill
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 2 hours
Serves 8-10 (easily doubled)
Ingredients
2 tbsp olive oil
3 onions, peeled and sliced
2 red peppers, thinly sliced
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1 ½ tbsp smoked paprika
2 tsp cumin seeds
½ tsp ground cinnamon
3 tbsp tomato puree
2 tbsp grated dark chocolate
3 x 400g tins chopped tomatoes
2 x 400g tins kidney beans in
chilli sauce
2 x 400g tins pinto or black beans
To serve
coriander rice
lime yoghurt (yoghurt mixed with lime juice and zest, and black pepper)
grated cheddar
crusty bread
Method
Set a large saucepan with olive oil over medium heat, add the onions and peppers, and fry for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until softened. Add the garlic and cook for a further 2 minutes.
Stir in the smoked paprika, cumin seeds, ground cinnamon, tomato puree and grated chocolate, heat for a minute or so, then tip in the chopped tomatoes, kidney beans and pinto or black beans. Fill one of the empty chopped tomato tins with water and add to the pan.
Season generously with salt and black pepper, and stir well. Bring to the boil briefly, then reduce the heat and simmer for one-and-a-half hours, stirring occasionally.
Serve the chilli with coriander rice, lime yoghurt, grated cheddar and crusty bread.
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Read more:
Here's what Airbnb apartments with views of the Burj Khalifa are going for New Year's Eve
10 exciting New Year’s Eve parties in the UAE to attend this year
Where to ring in 2019 in the UAE
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How to host a New Year’s Eve party at home for a crowd
When the guest list spills over into double digits, particularly on an occasion such as New Year’s Eve, it’s best to abandon all ideas of a sit-down dinner with many courses from the get-go.
Similarly, don’t worry about trying to source chairs or create enough table space for everyone to sit down. Instead, push furniture to the edges of the room, and work on the basis that people can help themselves to food and eat standing up, which is far more sociable anyway.
For ease, take a quantity-over-variety approach to the menu; rather than faffing around preparing lots of different individual dishes, pick a theme and a couple of recipes and cook them in big batches. That could be a curry, rice and chutneys, Mexican tacos with shredded chicken and vegetables or posh mac ’n’ cheese pasta bakes, salad and garlic bread.
Alternatively, a DIY food bar where everyone can assemble their own meal from a number of options can be an inspired choice on nights like this. Not only will it minimise your workload, but the bar will also create a talking point, and means you can cater for different dietary requirements easily. If this idea appeals, you could put together a baked potato bar featuring mini jacket potatoes (smaller spuds are far chicer than large ones) alongside sour cream and smoked salmon, caramelised onions, crispy turkey bacon, vintage cheddar and tomato salsa, guacamole and nacho cheese – the list goes on.
For something else to blow the budget on, a seafood station has a properly celebratory feel to it. Present cooked prawns, smoked or roasted salmon, clams, king crab legs and even lobster on ice-filled platters and accompany with Marie Rose sauce, shallot vinaigrette, lemon wedges, capers and thin triangles of lightly buttered bread. Or apply the same idea to bruschetta: surround piles of store-bought or homemade crostini with chopped tomatoes, mozzarella and basil, pâté, pesto, cream cheese and olives, hummus, honey-drizzled figs and bresaola slices.
How to host a New Year’s Eve party at home with minimal effort
Outsourcing is the name of this particular game. It may not be the cheap option, but it’s certainly the least stressful one. If budget allows, hire cutlery, crockery and glasses to be delivered to you and enlist a cleaning company to help restore your home to its pre-party state the next day.
Food-wise, there are catering options galore, from shawarma stands in the garden to fancy dinners, food trucks that will park up outside your home and companies such as Dubai stalwart Dish (www.dish.ae), which will take care of everything from the food and drinks to the music, lighting and furniture hire.
If you do want to convey that you’ve contributed to the meal, but still aren’t keen on breaking a sweat, we recommend hopping on the social media trend that is #snackboard. What this entails is creating a beautiful, bountiful spread with a mix of catered items, pre-prepared or shop-bought food and pantry staples – think seasonal canapes or bowl food sourced from the likes of Jones The Grocer (www.jonesthegrocer.com), Dish or Les Gastronomes (www.lesgastronomes.ae), alongside cheese, crackers, crudites, dips, chutneys, pickles and delicious breads. One end of the board can also cover dessert (cookies, mini meringues, wedges of cake and piles of fresh fruit) so once everything has been laid out, you can forget it and enjoy the party.
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New Zealand 21 British & Irish Lions 24
New Zealand
Penalties: Barrett (7)
British & Irish Lions
Tries: Faletau, Murray
Penalties: Farrell (4)
Conversions: Farrell
Indoor Cricket World Cup Dubai 2017
Venue Insportz, Dubai; Admission Free
Day 1 fixtures (Saturday)
Men 1.45pm, Malaysia v Australia (Court 1); Singapore v India (Court 2); UAE v New Zealand (Court 3); South Africa v Sri Lanka (Court 4)
Women Noon, New Zealand v South Africa (Court 3); England v UAE (Court 4); 5.15pm, Australia v UAE (Court 3); England v New Zealand (Court 4)
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Uefa Nations League: How it Works
The Uefa Nations League, introduced last year, has reached its final stage, to be played over five days in northern Portugal. The format of its closing tournament is compact, spread over two semi-finals, with the first, Portugal versus Switzerland in Porto on Wednesday evening, and the second, England against the Netherlands, in Guimaraes, on Thursday.
The winners of each semi will then meet at Porto’s Dragao stadium on Sunday, with the losing semi-finalists contesting a third-place play-off in Guimaraes earlier that day.
Qualifying for the final stage was via League A of the inaugural Nations League, in which the top 12 European countries according to Uefa's co-efficient seeding system were divided into four groups, the teams playing each other twice between September and November. Portugal, who finished above Italy and Poland, successfully bid to host the finals.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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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
BRAZIL%20SQUAD
%3Cp%3EGoalkeepers%3A%20Alisson%2C%20Ederson%2C%20Weverton%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EDefenders%3A%20Dani%20Alves%2C%20Marquinhos%2C%20Thiago%20Silva%2C%20Eder%20Militao%20%2C%20Danilo%2C%20Alex%20Sandro%2C%20Alex%20Telles%2C%20Bremer.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EMidfielders%3A%20Casemiro%2C%20Fred%2C%20Fabinho%2C%20Bruno%20Guimaraes%2C%20Lucas%20Paqueta%2C%20Everton%20Ribeiro.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EForwards%3A%20Neymar%2C%20Vinicius%20Junior%2C%20Richarlison%2C%20Raphinha%2C%20Antony%2C%20Gabriel%20Jesus%2C%20Gabriel%20Martinelli%2C%20Pedro%2C%20Rodrygo%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed
THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
If you go
The flights
There are direct flights from Dubai to Sofia with FlyDubai (www.flydubai.com) and Wizz Air (www.wizzair.com), from Dh1,164 and Dh822 return including taxes, respectively.
The trip
Plovdiv is 150km from Sofia, with an hourly bus service taking around 2 hours and costing $16 (Dh58). The Rhodopes can be reached from Sofia in between 2-4hours.
The trip was organised by Bulguides (www.bulguides.com), which organises guided trips throughout Bulgaria. Guiding, accommodation, food and transfers from Plovdiv to the mountains and back costs around 170 USD for a four-day, three-night trip.
One in nine do not have enough to eat
Created in 1961, the World Food Programme is pledged to fight hunger worldwide as well as providing emergency food assistance in a crisis.
One of the organisation’s goals is the Zero Hunger Pledge, adopted by the international community in 2015 as one of the 17 Sustainable Goals for Sustainable Development, to end world hunger by 2030.
The WFP, a branch of the United Nations, is funded by voluntary donations from governments, businesses and private donations.
Almost two thirds of its operations currently take place in conflict zones, where it is calculated that people are more than three times likely to suffer from malnutrition than in peaceful countries.
It is currently estimated that one in nine people globally do not have enough to eat.
On any one day, the WFP estimates that it has 5,000 lorries, 20 ships and 70 aircraft on the move.
Outside emergencies, the WFP provides school meals to up to 25 million children in 63 countries, while working with communities to improve nutrition. Where possible, it buys supplies from developing countries to cut down transport cost and boost local economies.
Five expert hiking tips
Always check the weather forecast before setting off
Make sure you have plenty of water
Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon
Wear appropriate clothing and footwear
Take your litter home with you
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
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
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
John%20Wick%3A%20Chapter%204
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Racecard
5.25pm: Etihad Museum – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,200m
6pm: Al Shindaga Museum – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (Dirt) 1,200m
6.35pm: Poet Al Oqaili – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,400m
7.10pm: Majlis Ghurfat Al Sheif – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,600m
7.45pm: Hatta – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,400m
8.20pm: Al Fahidi – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 2,200m
8.55pm: Zabeel Trophy – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (T) 1,600m
9.30pm: Coins Museum – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,600m
10.05pm: Al Quoz Creative – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,000m
MATCH INFO
Fixture: Thailand v UAE, Tuesday, 4pm (UAE)
TV: Abu Dhabi Sports
Super heroes
Iron Man
Reduced risk of dementia
Alcohol consumption could be an issue
Hulk
Cardiac disease, stroke and dementia from high heart rate
Spider-Man
Agility reduces risk of falls
Increased risk of obesity and mental health issues
Black Panther
Vegetarian diet reduces obesity
Unknown risks of potion drinking
Black Widow
Childhood traumas increase risk of mental illnesses
Thor
He's a god
TECH%20SPECS%3A%20APPLE%20WATCH%20SERIES%208
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDisplay%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2041mm%2C%20352%20x%20430%3B%2045mm%2C%20396%20x%20484%3B%20Retina%20LTPO%20OLED%2C%20up%20to%201000%20nits%2C%20always-on%3B%20Ion-X%20glass%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProcessor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Apple%20S8%2C%20W3%20wireless%2C%20U1%20ultra-wideband%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECapacity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2032GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMemory%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPlatform%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20watchOS%209%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EHealth%20metrics%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203rd-gen%20heart%20rate%20sensor%2C%20temperature%20sensing%2C%20ECG%2C%20blood%20oxygen%2C%20workouts%2C%20fall%2Fcrash%20detection%3B%20emergency%20SOS%2C%20international%20emergency%20calling%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConnectivity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20GPS%2FGPS%20%2B%20cellular%3B%20Wi-Fi%2C%20LTE%2C%20Bluetooth%205.3%2C%20NFC%20(Apple%20Pay)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDurability%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20IP6X%2C%20water%20resistant%20up%20to%2050m%2C%20dust%20resistant%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20308mAh%20Li-ion%2C%20up%20to%2018h%2C%20wireless%20charging%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECards%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20eSIM%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFinishes%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Aluminium%20%E2%80%93%20midnight%2C%20Product%20Red%2C%20silver%2C%20starlight%3B%20stainless%20steel%20%E2%80%93%20gold%2C%20graphite%2C%20silver%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIn%20the%20box%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Watch%20Series%208%2C%20magnetic-to-USB-C%20charging%20cable%2C%20band%2Floop%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Starts%20at%20Dh1%2C599%20(41mm)%20%2F%20Dh1%2C999%20(45mm)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick
Hometown: Cologne, Germany
Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)
Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes
Favourite hobby: Football
Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Norway
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Canada
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'Joker'
Directed by: Todd Phillips
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix
Rating: Five out of five stars
Going grey? A stylist's advice
If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”
The specs: 2019 Haval H6
Price, base: Dh69,900
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 197hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 315Nm @ 2,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDate%20started%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202020%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Khaldoon%20Bushnaq%20and%20Tariq%20Seksek%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abu%20Dhabi%20Global%20Market%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20HealthTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20100%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20to%20date%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2415%20million%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Small Victories: The True Story of Faith No More by Adrian Harte
Jawbone Press
The specs: Fenyr SuperSport
Price, base: Dh5.1 million
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 800hp @ 7,100pm
Torque: 980Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 13.5L / 100km
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
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.
Source: American Paediatric Association
If you go
The flights
Etihad (etihad.com) flies from Abu Dhabi to Luang Prabang via Bangkok, with a return flight from Chiang Rai via Bangkok for about Dh3,000, including taxes. Emirates and Thai Airways cover the same route, also via Bangkok in both directions, from about Dh2,700.
The cruise
The Gypsy by Mekong Kingdoms has two cruising options: a three-night, four-day trip upstream cruise or a two-night, three-day downstream journey, from US$5,940 (Dh21,814), including meals, selected drinks, excursions and transfers.
The hotels
Accommodation is available in Luang Prabang at the Avani, from $290 (Dh1,065) per night, and at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort from $1,080 (Dh3,967) per night, including meals, an activity and transfers.
How to help or find other cats to adopt
Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
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Political flags or banners
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Bikes, skateboards or scooters
