Rental wave in the UAE, International Women's Day, and more, our editors comment on the top stories of Mar 8

THIS RENTAL WAVE IS LIFTING ALL EMIRATES: The rental wave is now coursing through all of the emirates and no longer just a Dubai phenomenon. The ripples now extend into Sharjah and the other northern emirates, where newly completed apartment buildings and communities are coming in at higher than average asking rates. And there is more than ample demand going around to meet those demands, with tenants willing to do so for quality living spaces and the surroundings to match. In their own way, this also reflects the uptick in business activity in each of the emirates, with the free zones being the early beneficiaries and now extending onto mainland office buildings. Will rest of 2023 see rents growing in a similar vein? Or will tenants get some respite? No one is talking off a cool-off just yet… (By Manoj Nair, Business Editor)

WOMEN IN UAE ARE BLAZING NEW TRAILS. Engineers, ministers, entrepreneurs, CEOs – these are among many roles of women in the UAE, a country that supports their empowerment and parity in all spheres. Today, International Women’s Day, is an opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments and set new goals. The majority of Emirati graduates are women; many top government positions are also led by Emirati women. These are welcome indicators that the UAE is on the right trajectory. (By Faisal Masudi, Assistant Editor)

POTTER BUYS TIME AS CHELSEA REACH CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUARTERFINALS: Chelsea manager Graham Potter appeared relieved as his team clinched a 2-1 aggregate victory over Borussia Dortmund in the last 16 of the Champions League. After enduring a series of defeats, including some that drew boos from fans, Potter’s squad was cheered off the field following a 2-0 victory on the night which secured their place in the quarterfinals. Potter acknowledged that the victory was personally significant after receiving criticism for the team’s poor performances since October. Chelsea’s poor form had pushed them down to tenth place in the Premier League, and there was a feeling if they were knocked out of Europe’s elite tournament, Potter would have been sacked. But the coach has bought himself some time and will now hope results continue to improve otherwise the pressure will be back on him. (By Imran Malik, Assistant Sports Editor)

WOMEN IN HOLLYWOOD HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO: That women have made waves in all walks of life should surprise no one. But on the occasion of International Women’s Day, the fact that Hollywood’s glass ceiling is intact, should come as a sobering fact. A study by the Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film at San Diego State University, ‘Variety’ reports, shows women accounted for just about a third of movie protagonists in 2022—a two percentage increase from a year ago. This comes at a time when the Viola Davis-starrer ‘The Woman King’ and Michelle Yeoh’s ‘Everything Everywhere All At Once’ have stormed the awards ceremonies. Clearly, women representation and empowerment needs a long way to go even in one of the world’s most scrutinised movie industries. Let’s hope the road ahead is equitable for them. (By Rajagopalan Venkataraman, Assistant Editor-Features)