From the Editors: A boon for book lovers in the UAE

A BOON FOR BOOK LOVERS: The huge response to the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair on the very first day itself once again demonstrates the popularity of book fairs in the UAE. It is heartening indeed to see that these events have so many takers at a time when the world debates the appeal of reading amongst people, especially the younger generations. The concerted efforts made by the authorities to encourage reading must be commended too, as reading is a habit that can and must be cultivated over a period of time. That residents and visitors can attend such events amid due safety protocols is also a reassuring factor. For book lovers, it’s a golden opportunity to explore a whole new world of titles out there. [COMMENT BY: Sharmila Dhal, UAE Editor]

WITH RENT INCREASE DEMANDS, NEGOTIATE HARD: Across Dubai, landlords are starting to demand more from their tenants when the next contract lease comes around. And tenants will find that one assurance they had in the last five years – of rents dropping – is no longer there. More locations in the city are coming under the pull of the double-digit rental increase demand, even what was until now only seen as solid mid-income neighbourhoods such as Jumeirah Village and Sports City. Tenants in the city, old and new ones, will have some deft negotiations to do. When in doubt, check around, if moving to a new home means more assurance on rent hikes initially, opt for that course. Or if the landlord’s demands seem exorbitant, there is always the Rental Disputes Settlement Centre at the Dubai Land Department. [COMMENT BY: Manoj Nair, Business Editor]

NADAL AND DJOKOVIC CRUISE TO STRAIGHT-SET WINS AT FRENCH OPEN: Novak Djokovic has started his defence of his French Open title with a straight-set win over Yoshihito Nishioka. The Serbian world number one made light work of seeing off the Japanese player and dropped just 4 games on his way to a comfortable 6-3 6-1 6-0 victory on Court Philippe Chatrier. This is Djokovic’s return to Grand Slam action after he was deported over his COVID-19 vaccination status from Australia before the Australian Open in January. Also safely through to the second round is 13-time champion Rafael Nadal who beat Australia's Jordan Thompson 6-2 6-2 6-2. It was a 106th French Open victory for the Spaniard. British number one Emma Raducanu won her senior debut at Roland Garros against Czech teenager Linda Noskova but we have already had the first shocks of the tournament as sixth-seed Ons Jabeur and four-time major winner Naomi Osaka were both knocked out. [COMMENT BY: Imran Malik, Assistant Sports Editor]

DEPP AND HEARD’S TRIAL BY FIRE: The reporting on the Johnny Depp vs Amber Heard trial will one day serve as a case study in how biases subtly seep into the narration of facts. In the court of public opinion, namely social media, Depp is clearly winning the sympathy vote, while media organisations favouring a left-wing bias and the liberals are throwing their weight behind Heard. Irrespective of where opinions stand, it is undeniable that the careers of Deep and Heard have been affected by their very public divorce and the corresponding accusations that have been unearthed at the trial, a kind of damage that perhaps neither will ever be able to come back from. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]