Most stylish looks from IIFA Awards 2024 in Abu Dhabi, from Ananya Panday to Kriti Sanon

Indian celebrities and guests turned up in their fashionable best over the weekend for the International Indian Film Academy Awards. And the looks were as eclectic as the celebrities who wore them.

Rising Bollywood actress Ananya Panday chose a striking creation by Dubai-based Pakistani designer Faraz Manan when she walked the green carpet on Saturday night. Panday, who also performed on the night, paired her custom champagne-coloured sari with a heavily embellished blouse and cape and finished her look with diamond ear cuffs.

Actress Kriti Sanon, also a performer on Saturday, chose an off-shoulder wrap satin gown by Egyptian designer Marmar Halim, who is known for her bridal wear.

Actress Ananya Panday in a dress by Pakistani designer Faraz Manan. Photo: IIFA

Sanon performed a medley of retro hits on stage, including Mera Naam Chin Chin Choo, Koi Yahaan Naache Naache, Hawa Hawaai and Ek Do Teen. She then moved to more recent songs such as Desi Girl, ending the performance with her most recent hit Teri Baaton Main.

Meanwhile, Bollywood actress Janhvi Kapoor wore a custom gold gown by Indian designer Gaurav Gupta, who made his Paris haute couture debut last year. The draped crystal gown was finished with swan and serpent metal accents.

Janhvi Kapoor attends the IIFA Awards at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Actress Rakul Preet Singh, one of the presenters of the night, chose London brand Safiyaa for her green carpet look. The lime green floor-length column gown in crepe featured a front slit and sweetheart neckline.

Abu Dhabi-born Bollywood actor Taha Shah Badussha, who won global acclaim for the Netflix hit Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, wore a glittery tuxedo by Indian designer duo Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna. Speaking to The National on the green carpet, Badussha spoke about growing up in Abu Dhabi, and his favourite places to eat.

Singer and actress Deepti Sadhwani chose a gown by Lebanese designer Fouad Sarkis. The green dress featured puffy sleeves and a criss-cross bust cut, cinched at the waist with a belt.

The IIFA Festival, as this year's three-day event was called, began on Friday with IIFA Utsavam, a night dedicated to South Indian stars and films. It was followed by the flagship IIFA Awards on Saturday, where top Hindi or Bollywood films and talents were honoured. IIFA Rocks, a night dedicated to music, closed the event on Sunday night.

Deepthi Sadhwani in a dress by Lebanese designer Fouad Sarkis. Victor Besa / The National

While traditionally held in a different city every year, this is the third consecutive year Abu Dhabi has played host to the ceremony. Speaking to The National on the green carpet, IIFA Awards co-founder Sabbas Joseph said he's open to bringing the event to the UAE capital for the fourth year.

“I'll bring back IIFA to Abu Dhabi whenever Abu Dhabi wants IIFA,” he said.

Key findings of Jenkins report

Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."

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What sanctions would be reimposed?

Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:

An arms embargo
A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods

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UAE v United States, T20 International Series

Both matches at ICC Academy, Dubai. Admission is free.

1st match: Friday, 2pm

2nd match: Saturday, 2pm

UAE squad: Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Rameez Shahzad, Amjad Gul, CP Rizwan, Mohammed Boota, Abdul Shakoor, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Sultan Ahmed, Zahoor Khan, Amir Hayat

USA squad: Saurabh Netravalkar (captain), Jaskaran Malhotra, Elmore Hutchinson, Aaron Jones, Nosthush Kenjige, Ali Khan, Jannisar Khan, Xavier Marshall, Monank Patel, Timil Patel, Roy Silva, Jessy Singh, Steven Taylor, Hayden Walsh

Kareem Shaheen on Canada

A second lockdown will be especially tough in cold countries

Hard-hit Canada is springing back to the cliched 'new normal'

Justin Trudeau 2.0 will need to take all of Canada with him

Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas

Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa

Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong

Rating: 3/5

Pathaan

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Tips for job-seekers

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.

David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East

The specs

Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 640hp
Torque: 760nm
On sale: 2026
Price: Not announced yet

Pharaoh's curse

British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.

War 2

Director: Ayan Mukerji

Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana

Rating: 2/5

Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm

On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region

Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

Red flags

Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.

Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

On Women's Day

Dr Nawal Al-Hosany: Why more women should be on the frontlines of climate action

Shelina Janmohamed: Why shouldn't a spouse be compensated fairly for housework?

Justin Thomas: Challenge the notion that 'men are from Mars, women are from Venus'

The National Editorial: Is there much to celebrate on International Women's Day 2021?

AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street

The seven points are:

Shakhbout bin Sultan Street

Dhafeer Street

Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)

Salama bint Butti Street

Al Dhafra Street

Rabdan Street

Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)

Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?

The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.

A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.

Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.

The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.

When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.