From the Editors: Ajman Police initiative to encourage collective responsibility

COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILTY NEEDED ON THE ROADS: The Ajman Police’s initiative in honouring motorists who have not incurred any fines for a year is a wonderful gesture that will serve to encourage drivers in general to follow the rules. Blaming an accident on others is easy enough, but if each one of us takes care to abide by the law and not commit a violation, the ‘zero accident’ dream would become achievable. What it calls for is a state of readiness and alertness from each person who is on the roads, whether it a motorist, cyclist, bike rider or pedestrian. Collective responsibility is what will make the difference. [COMMENT BY: Sharmila Dhal, UAE Editor]

SUDAN’S OPPOSITION MUST GIVE NEW DEAL A CHANCE: Sudan's military has reinstated ousted Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, who signed a new power-sharing deal with Gen Abdel Fattah Al Burhan. The move is to be welcomed. However, political allies of Hamdok have refused to accept the deal, and protesters are still on the streets. This could prove to be a mistake for the future of the country. The opposition needs to give the new agreement a chance, if the security and economic situation in Sudan is to improve. The country has emerged from years of isolation, and needs all institutions to function in tandem for the sake of stability. Already, more than 40 people have been killed during protests. "Sudanese blood is precious, let us stop the bloodshed and direct the youth's energy into building and development," Hamdok said. This is sound advice, which his allies will do well to listen to. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

ZINEDINE ZIDANE TURNS DOWN MANCHESTER UNITED: Following the inevitable sacking of the woeful Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as Manchester United manager, the struggling club may now find getting a decent replacement a tall order. They have made an approach for Zinedine Zidane about becoming their new coach however sources close to the former Real Madrid man say he is not interested in the job right now. This is a massive blow for the Old Trafford outfit. The former France star left Madrid in May this year and has been available since. The fact he has said ‘no thanks’ shows how far the club has fallen. Many high profile managers have stepped into the hot seat following the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson and not only failed to revive the fortunes of the club but have also damaged their own reputations in the game. They have tried David Moyes, Louis Van Gaal and Jose Mourinho but none succeeded. The next man in must be the right fit and must get United playing on the front foot again or it could be a season of trouble. [COMMENT BY: Imran Malik, Assistant Editor]

AJAY DEVGN’S 30 YEARS IN BOLLYWOOD IS A TESTIMONY OF HIS ENDURANCE: It was 30 years ago today when an unconventional leading man, at least by Bollywood standards, had the world sit up and take notice when he burst on to the screen performing a daredevil stunt atop two bikes that would make his father, late action director Veeru Devgn, proud. Ajay Devgn did not have the charm of Shah Rukh Khan, the rakish looks of Salman Khan or the boyish appeal that Aamir Khan trademarked, but what he brought to the screen was a kind of intensity that few could imbibe. If there was ever an actor in the ‘90s who could take away the ‘Angry Young Man’ title from Amitabh Bachchan, than it was Devgn. With critically-acclaimed films such as ‘Zakhm’, ‘Omkara’ and ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’ to his credit, Devgn has not only garnered an army of fans thanks to his electrifying screen presence but also a certain respect from the media that wait hours for a soundbite during film promotions and are almost always greeted by his polite countenance and a headline to boot. Here’s wishing him a three decades done right.[COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]