Dubai’s ‘On-the-Go’ initiative and IAEA report on Iran: Gulf News Editors comment on top news of Dec 27

MAKING MOTORISTS’ LIVES EASIER: Dubai’s ‘On-the-Go’ initiative has proven to be a gamechanger for motorists, marking a major shift in handling minor accidents and lost belongings. It allows motorists to skip visits to a police station and reporting the crash at designated petrol stations. Recent statistics from Dubai Police underscore the initiative’s success, with an impressive 94.3 per cent customer satisfaction rate in 2023. By partnering with 138 petrol service stations, “On-the-Go” streamlines the process of reporting accidents and dealing with insurance claims. The collaboration between Dubai Police and fuel retailers has made people’s lives easier. (By Jay Hilotin, Senior Assistant Editor)

INTEREST RATES WILL REMAIN IN FOCUS: ‘When will the first interest rate cut happen?’ Whether it’s a business owner or an individual with loans to take or pay off, that will be the one question at the top of their minds when 2024 dawns. The cost of the many rate hikes of 2022 and 2023 are weighing heavily on finances. If the impending rate cut drags into the second quarter or even the second half of 2024, the pain of higher costs will intensify. Can businesses churn out higher profits to compensate? Will individuals get to see salary hikes or bonuses? As 2023 winds down, these questions will also be in focus. (By Manoj Nair, Business Editor)

WATCHDOG REPORT ON IRAN RAISES CONCERN: An IAEA report of Iran’s increased production of highly enriched uranium is a cause for concern. When the world is busy trying to stop the Gaza war, Iran, which has slowed its enrichment while informal talks for a nuclear treaty had resumed with the US, has reversed its output reduction. Iran already has enough uranium enriched to up to 60 per cent, if enriched further, to make three nuclear bombs, according to IAEA. Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons and has since rejected the IAEA report. Yet the enrichment raises red flags. (By Stephen N.R., Senior Associate Editor)

RABADA IS A CLASS APART: South African pacer Kagiso Rabada is probably the most underrated bowler in world cricket. On Tuesday, he dealt lethal blows to the famed Indian batting with pace and swing — the delivery that dismissed Virat Kohli was one of the best. Such is Rabada’s class that the 28-year-old is the backbone of South African bowling in all three formats. It is tough to be consistent in all forms, but the Proteas’ bowler is in a class of his own. (By A.K.S. Satish, Sports Editor)