News

India’s Mr Bean goes viral

Published

4 years ago

March 3, 2022

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As a child, Jatin Thanvi was shy and used to stay in his shell. He was a huge fan of Rowan Atkinson, who played the much-loved 90s TV character of Mr Bean.

His family members made him aware about his uncanny resemblance with Mr Bean. This encouraged him to contest in a fancy dress competition – impersonating as Mr Bean. His act was highly appreciated.
Playing Mr Bean boosted his confidence. He made a short video on TikTok during the pandemic imitating and mimicking Mr Bean and it went viral, with 56 million views in no time.

Today, Thanvi, the 20-year-old architecture student, refers to himself as “Jr Mr Bean” on Instagram and YouTube.
“During the lockdown, my impersonations of Mr Bean went viral and that’s when I decided to start my own channel and act in my own stories. It’s heartwarming to read comments like: “You make me laugh my depression away; and that’s what I plan to do in my life – making people laugh and feel good about themselves. One day, I hope to meet my idol Rowan Atkinson and thank him for always making me laugh,” Thanvi said in an interview with Humans of Bombay.

“I always believed that ‘Mr Bean’ had a very good chance of being successful and having longevity, partly because the comedy is mainly visual and partly because Mr Bean is essentially a child in a man’s body,” Atkinson said in an interview with PTI.
His videos are set in an Indian environment. He localises his content to make it relatable for the people.
“People now stop me on the streets and ask for a selfie,” he said in an interview to Vice. “It feels good to know that I am entertaining them.”
“We are trying to create a Mr Bean for the digital era,” said Thanvi. “Currently, my focus is to flesh out the character and Indianise it so that it can be relatable for Indians everywhere and inspire them to feel comfortable being themselves, no matter what society thinks of them.”

Crime

Dubai sets up new committee to tackle misinformation and fake news

Published

6 hours ago

August 3, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Dubai is setting up a new committee to combat misinformation and fake news while strengthening clear, transparent communication about the emirate’s achievements.

The move follows a directive from Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council.

The new Dubai Media Narrative Committee will be chaired by Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Council.

The committee will shape Dubai’s official media narrative, define key communication priorities for government and private sector entities, and recommend policies and strategies to the Dubai Media Council for approval and implementation.

Sheikh Ahmed said a strong and credible media narrative has become an essential part of Dubai’s development journey, adding that the emirate’s creative and intellectual talent provides a solid foundation for telling Dubai’s story in line with the leadership’s vision.

The initiative aims to ensure accurate communication, counter false information and reinforce public confidence through a unified and transparent approach.

Food

Abu Dhabi to ban junk food from supermarket checkouts and entrances

Published

3 days ago

July 31, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Shoppers in Abu Dhabi will soon see fewer chocolates, crisps, sugary drinks and other unhealthy snacks at supermarket entrances, checkout counters and other high-visibility locations under a new policy aimed at encouraging healthier eating habits.

From January 1, 2027, supermarkets larger than 4,000 square feet and online grocery platforms will no longer be allowed to prominently display food and drinks classified as high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) under the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre’s SEHHI nutrition classification system.

The initiative, led by Healthy Living in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Registration Authority (ADRA) and supported by several government entities, is designed to make healthier choices easier without restricting what people can buy.

Under the new rules, HFSS products cannot be displayed at store entrances, end-of-aisle promotions or checkout areas. Online retailers must also remove these products from homepage promotions, search recommendations, pop-up advertisements and checkout pages.

Authorities stressed that the products are not being banned. They will remain available in their usual aisles, allowing shoppers to purchase them while reducing impulse buying driven by prominent placement.

Officials said the policy is based on behavioural science and international best practices to create shopping environments that naturally encourage healthier decisions.

Retailers across Abu Dhabi are preparing for the changes ahead of the mandatory deadline, with some stores already implementing the new placement standards across their stores in the emirate.

The initiative forms part of Abu Dhabi’s wider preventive health strategy, which focuses on reducing lifestyle-related diseases by embedding healthier choices into everyday life.

Announcements

August fuel rates announced: UAE petrol prices go up

Published

3 days ago

July 31, 2026

Michael Gomes

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UAE motorists will pay more at the pump from Saturday after the UAE Fuel Price Committee announced higher petrol and diesel prices for August 2026.

The revised rates, which take effect from August 1, are:

Super 98: Dh3.60 per litre (up from Dh3.40)
Special 95: Dh3.49 per litre (up from Dh3.29)
E-Plus 91: Dh3.41 per litre (up from Dh3.21)
Diesel: Dh3.80 per litre (up from Dh3.60)

The increase reverses July’s price reduction and comes after volatility in global oil markets during the past month.

The UAE Fuel Price Committee reviews retail fuel prices at the end of each month, with rates determined in line with movements in international oil markets.

The new prices will remain in effect throughout August 2026.