From the Editors: Abu Dhabi’s road toll system a great step forward

ABU DHABI’S ROAD TOLL SYSTEM IS A WAY FORWARD TO TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT: Abu Dhabi is rolling out road toll at four locations in the city from January 2. This is indeed a smart move to ease traffic flow on major roads in the fast growing city. Abu Dhabi’s Darb Toll Gate system has been designed to smoothen traffic flow, encourage the use of public transport and enhance the efficiency of the capital’s road network. Residents in Abu Dhabi city should use public buses whenever it is possible as it is convenient and cheaper mode of transport. And of course it will help reduce carbon footprint in the city. [COMMENT BY: Ashfaq Ahmed, Senior Assistant Editor]

IRAN MUST COME CLEAN ON WEAPONS PROGRAMME: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on Iran to address concerns linked to its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. This is a latest in a series of demands that Tehran come clean on its various weapons programmes. It highlights the scale of the concern that the international community has as far as Iran’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles programme is concerned. But Tehran is continuing to violate the 2015 deal’s limits. The Iranian government must realise its best interests lie in reassuring the comity of nations. This will help it deal with the myriad other problems the country faces, the most urgent of which is dealing with the worst outbreak of coronavirus in the Middle East. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

INSURING THE UNINSURABLE RISKS: The economic fallout from COVID-19 has left insurers facing existential threats. The pandemic has proved that global non-life insurance industry’s $2 trillion capital won’t last in a black swan event, such as a cyber-attack or another pandemic. COVID-19 linked shutdowns have resulted in massive claims on insurers resulting a barrage of lawsuits. This is a stark reminder that risks of this nature are beyond insurance coverage in the current format. Government backstops have been discussed after every systemic risks, but are often forgotten as the event fades from memory. With more global risks on the horizon, insurers and governments need to think of ways beyond tax-payer funded bail outs. [COMMENT BY: Babu Das Augustine, Business Editor]

RONALDO OR MESSI? THIS ROUND GOES TO THE FORMER. The ‘greatest’ debate between Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi has captivated football fans for over a decade. No one can have the final word, but the Portuguese had the last laugh on Tuesday night as his Juventus swamped Barcelona 3-0 in the Champions League group-stage encounter at the latter’s backyard at Camp Nou. While both the European heavyweights moved to Round of 16, Ronaldo rubbed it in with two goals himself. [COMMENT BY: Gautam Bhattacharyya, Senior Associate Editor]

ANOTHER CELEBRITY DEATH SHOCKS FANS: As many eagerly await the sun to finally set on 2020, the year has many more blows to give. The latest tragic news to emerge is the sudden death of Indian actress and TV presenter, Chitra or VJ Chithu. While speculations are rife and police is still investigating her death in a hotel room in Chennai, the loss of life comes as a shock to many who have grappled with the calamities this year. The pandemic alone has taken many lives, with the added isolation, loss of work and economic downturn taking a toll on finances and mental health. Chitra’s death will perhaps unravel in the coming days, but her mark in cinema – with projects such as ‘Pandian Stories’ to her credit – will long be remembered as a promising career that was short-lived.[COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor, Gulf News]