From the Editors: One Billion Meals: Nothing is impossible in Dubai

ONE BILLION MEALS: NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE IN DUBAI: Dubai has once again proved that nothing is impossible in the Emirate. Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiative (MBRGI) on Thursday revealed that it has helped 91 million people in 87 countries in 2021 by its various initiatives, projects and campaigns targeting to serve the humanity. In just one year, MBRGI spent Dh1.1 billion on various humanitarian relief, development, community, knowledge, cultural, sports and empowerment initiatives across the world. Despite the COVID-19 challenges, MBRGI was able to increase the number of beneficiaries by eight million people, compared to 2020, and to expand the provision of its community initiatives to an additional 15 countries — confirming its position as the largest regional system for humanitarian relief, development and community work. This massive humanitarian work would not have been possible without the support of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. [COMMENT BY: Ashfaq Ahmed, Senior Assistant Editor]

UAE CONSUMERS MUST RISE TO THE CREDIT WORTHINESS CHALLENGE: Keep a lid on expenses – more so if you are planning to take a loan. Lending norms and the ways that residents in the UAE can access bank loans are getting tighter. The country’s credit bureau has announced that score for its rating of individuals – the ESR, which stands for earnings-to-salary ratio. Higher expenses borne by the individual as a percentage of the salary makes him less of a prime candidate to lend to. Individuals must take up the challenge, and it’s up to them to keep a strict check on their credit worthiness. They will be better off for it the next time they are thinking of a loan for a car or a home. [COMMENT BY: Manoj Nair, Business Editor]

KLOPP TO STAY WITH LIVERPOOL UNTIL 2026: Jurgen Klopp has signed a contract extension to remain Liverpool manager until 2026 and that is bad news for the other teams in the Premier League. Klopp, who has agreed a two-year deal, joined the club in 2015 and he has totally transformed their fortunes. They have become serial winners under the German. They are almost unplayable at times, they are on another level altogether and it is down to the coach who always manages to get the best out of his players. With him remaining at the club, it means the other 19 teams will have a hard time getting anything whenever they face the Reds. The timing of the new deal is a surprise as just last month the 54-year-old said he would be taking a break from the game when his original deal was to end in 2024. But the Liverpool board have acted quickly and smartly to tie down the former Borussia Dortmund boss – along with his assistant managers Pep Lijnders and Peter Krawietz – with the team on the verge of delivering an incredible quadruple for the Merseysiders. [COMMENT BY: Imran Malik, Assistant Sports Editor]

CLOSING A BIG CHAPTER: British comedian James Corden led a brilliant legacy with his ‘Late Late Show’, which he started hosting in 2015. It’s all set to come to an end soon as Corden announced that he’d be leaving the show in 2023. The series featured some of the most memorable and hilarious segments, such as the thoroughly entertaining ‘Carpool Karaoke’ that had featured celebrities such as Adele, Harry Styles, Billie Eilish and Ariana Grande. Every series has its end, but it’s no less sad to say goodbye to something that been a source of enjoyment for many years. [COMMENT BY: Jennifer Barretto Assistant Editor – Features]