DEWA Sat-2 nanosatellite launched; 'accessible' climate finance is urged, and more: Gulf News Editors comment on the top stories on April 16

ANOTHER MOMENT OF PRIDE FOR DEWA AND DUBAI: The launch of Dubai’s Earth observation nanosatellite DEWA-SAT 2 on a SpaceX rocket from California on Saturday is indeed a matter of pride. The 6U nanosatellite which will be used for Earth observation missions, highlights DEWA’s push for space technologies in its operations, maintenance and planning of electricity and water networks. That the nanosatellite was designed and developed by Emiratis at DEWA’s Research and Development Centre is also a feather in the cap of DEWA and Dubai. (Comment by Sharmila Dhal, UAE Editor).

'ACCESSIBLE' CLIMATE FINANCE IS URGED: Sultan Al Jaber has called for “available, accessible and affordable” finance for the developing economies most vulnerable to the destructive impacts of a warming planet. This is a point that’s often overlooked in climate talks. Governments and companies speak about green investments, cutting carbon emissions and transitioning away from fossil fuel all the time, but one rarely gets to hear about how these steps will be implemented by the world’s poorest and most vulnerable economies. They are still dependent on fossil fuels and urgently need foreign investments to help them in this transition. Otherwise, we will see only a handful of financially able countries making the switch from fossil fuels, while the rest will still depend on the traditional means of sustenance, effectively neutralizing all efforts at carbon abatement. (Comment by Anupam Varma, Assistant Editor)

IT’S LIGHTS, CAMERA, AND ACTION IN ABU DHABI: When it comes to filming destinations that are ideal for shooting big-budget action spectacles, the UAE has always attracted the biggest talents and studios. This year is no different. Starting this week, Bollywood actors Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff are reportedly in Abu Dhabi to film their upcoming project ‘Bade Miyan Chote Miyan’. Last week, actor Shahid Kapoor was in the capital to shoot portions of his untitled project. According to industry sources, the demand among filmmakers to shoot in this region has been heating up and that’s a good thing. From subsidies and infrastructure to facilitate a smooth shoot, the UAE has been at the forefront of making movies happen on their soil. From Tom Cruise scaling down the Burj Khalifa to Shah Rukh Khan executing death-defying stunts in Downtown Dubai, this region has become a paradise for filmmakers to make their movies come to life. And we couldn’t be prouder. (Comment by Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Entertainment Editor)

PREMIER LEAGUE TITLE RACE REALLY HOTTING UP: Manchester City comfortably saw off Leicester City last night and they now have table-toppers Arsenal within their sights. The defending champions are trailing the Gunners by just three points and their next league match is against Mikel Arteta’s side. It will be a potential title decider at the Etihad Stadium and Pep Guardiola knows his side must win if they are to secure the title. Arsenal have had an incredible run so far this season but they dropped two massive points last weekend against Liverpool. They play West Ham later today and need to win otherwise the door will be wide open for City. They can re-establish their six-point advantage but City have a game in hand and when the sides collide on the 26th of this month it promises to be an epic battle that could decide the title race. (Comment by Imran Malik, Assistant Sports Editor)