From the Editors: Abu Dhabi’s new conservation plan is future-focused

ABU DHABI’S NEW CONSERVATION PLAN IS FUTURE-FOCUSED. The UAE capital has set a strategy for environmental protection that anticipates local and global changes and prepares for the coming 50 years. The ‘Abu Dhabi Environmental Centennial 2071’ is also a landmark project because it has included feedback from society, with the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi running a public poll to capture more than 1,000 ideas for the plan. One of its key pillars is the adoption of various renewable energies to enable transformations into low carbon fleets, and the consolidation of a circular economy with no waste. This neatly fits in with the ‘UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative’, which in turn is aided by the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in Abu Dhabi, whose two out of four units are now operational. [COMMENT BY: Faisal Masudi, Assistant Editor]

TWITTER TO GAIN FORM MUSK’S FINANCIAL TORQUE: Elon Musk has purchased a 9.2 per cent share in Twitter for $2.9 billion making him the social media company’s largest shareholder. Given his $299 billion fortune, it certainly is no big deal for the Tesla boss. The investment has zoomed Twitter’s stock by 25 per cent, providing Musk with a bigger personal fortune. Clearly, going beyond money, the buy has catapulted Musk into the pantheon of global media oligarchy in the league of Jeff Bezos, who owns Washington Post. Despite the ‘love –hate’ relations Musk has with media, his financial muscle will certainly of help for Twitter’s ambitions.[COMMENT BY: Babu Das Augustine, Business Editor]

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: ATLETICO LOVE UNDERDOG TAG: Atletico Madrid’s hard-as-nails coach Diego Simeone seemed to thrive on his team’s underdogs status against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in their Uefa Champions League quarter finals tonight. The Argentine said on Monday that Chelsea’s Champions League success last year shows his team can still reach the semi-finals – starting a mental warfare as his side have history for upsetting the odds, not least when they defeated’s Bayern Munich in 2016. ‘’I have no doubt Manchester city have extraordinary players,’’ Simeone said in a press conference, adding: ‘’They have better players than us, but there are two games to play.’’[COMMENT BY: Gautam Bhattacharyya, Senior Associate Editor]

‘RRR’ S ROAR SCARES OFF COMPETITION: There is something extremely satisfying to see someone’s hard work pay off in the manner ‘RRR’ is blazing a trail worldwide with the earnings that are on track hit Rs10 billion in a matter of days. In the UAE alone, the SS Rajamouli directed drama has earned close to Dh10 million in 10 days’ worth of earnings, with the film now also screening in a 3D format in its second week in cinemas. Lauded by critics and fans, this box office juggernaut is on track to break records set by Rajamouli himself with his ‘Baahubali’ franchise. And going by the movie itself, with the shedding of blood, sweat and tears evident in every frame, the makers truly deserve to strike box office gold with this one. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]