Star Wars: Episode VII director JJ Abrams may be gaining something of a reputation as a curmudgeonly old party pooper over the secrecy surrounding the shoot of the latest in the franchise – particularly among journalists trying to write about it.
Oh, and fans, too – but his response to the latest leaked photographs from the Abu Dhabi set, alongside continuing internet rumours that the Millennium Falcon – Han Solo’s space ship from the original trilogy – is in the film, suggest he has a sense of humour if nothing else.
Abrams’ production company, Bad Robot, has tweeted the above picture of a handwritten note from Abrams on its official Twitter feed.
It might seem a reasonable enough sentiment all things considered, but any self-respecting Star Wars fan would immediately note that the note is placed on top of the holochess set in the Millennium Falcon, where Solo and sidekick Chewbacca enjoy their breaks from fighting imperial oppression.
So yes, it would appear that in a delightfully postmodern online flourish, Abrams has gone online to deny the presence of the Millenium Falcon in the new movie, from inside the Millenium Falcon.
In the unlikely event the directing cash flow dries up, Abrams could consider a new career trolling Star Wars fans.
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COMPANY PROFILE
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Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
Squid Game season two
Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
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Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Business Insights
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COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: SimpliFi
Started: August 2021
Founder: Ali Sattar
Based: UAE
Industry: Finance, technology
Investors: 4DX, Rally Cap, Raed, Global Founders, Sukna and individuals
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Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
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Planes grounded by coronavirus
British Airways: Cancels all direct flights to and from mainland China
Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific: Cutting capacity to/from mainland China by 50 per cent from Jan. 30
Chicago-based United Airlines: Reducing flights to Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong
Ai Seoul: Suspended all flights to China
Finnair: Suspending flights to Nanjing and Beijing Daxing until the end of March
Indonesia's Lion Air: Suspending all flights to China from February
South Korea's Asiana Airlines, Jeju Air and Jin Air: Suspend all flights
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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