From the editors: Citizens, expats to help shape UAE’s future

DESIGNING THE NEXT 50: The UAE never seems to stop blazing a trail. On Monday, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, launched his new initiative, by which he invited citizens and residents to contribute ideas about how the country can move forward in the 50 years. This initiative shows how the Rulers of this nation are constantly feeling the pulse of the populace. The move will greatly enhance the public’s sense of belonging to the nation, as well as contributing to its development. [COMMENT BY: Somshankar Bandyopadhyay, Assistant Editor]

A YEAR SINCE PROTEST BEGAN IN IRAQ, NOTHING HAS CHANGED: Leaderless protests started almost exactly a year ago in Iraq. People were demonstrating against corruption, mismanagement and a brutal militia-security set up that underpins the administration in Baghdad. True to form, the authorities cracked down hard, leaving at least 560 dead. A year on, nothing has changed. In fact, things for ordinary Iraqis have gotten worse - tensions between the US and Iran which peaked after the January 3 US drone killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad followed by the outbreak of COVID-19. PM Mustafa Al Kadhemi has vowed to “hold to account all those who shed Iraqi blood”. No one is holding their breath. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

COVID-19 CROSSES ANOTHER BLEAK MILESTONE: Over the past nine months, the world has crossed many bleak milestones in the fight against the coronavirus, the latest being one million deaths from COVID-19. It has taken just three months for virus deaths to double from half a million, with the US, Brazil and India bearing the brunt. The figures are staggering - more than 5,400 people are dying around the world every 24 hours, or one person every 16 seconds. The pandemic has devastated the global economy and changed the way we live, touching every family either in terms of loss of life or employment. As scientists work towards a vaccine, it is our responsibility to follow the rules and stay safe – protecting our lives and the lives of others. [COMMENT BY: Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor]

IPL BATSMEN MAKES A MOCKEY OF 200-PLUS TARGETS: After Rahul Tewatia in Sharjah, it was the combination of young Ishan Kishan and Kieron Pollard on Tuesday night in Dubai. The two Mumbai batsmen launched a savage counter attack against Royal Challengers Bangalore with a 119-run partnership to tie with the RCB total of 201 and take the match to the second Super Over of this edition’s IPL. Virat Kohli’s men had the last laugh alright, but there was little or nothing to separate the two teams in the end. [COMMENT BY: Gautam Bhattacharyya, Senior Associate Editor]

Actress Sienna Miller has revealed that her late co-star Chadwick Boseman reduced his own salary in order to raise her pay on the 2019 action thriller ‘21 Bridges.’ The incident has once again highlighted the generous nature of the actor, who died in August following a silent four-year battle with colon cancer. His proactive move to boost his female co-star’s pay has also put into focus the issue of gender pay gaps in Hollywood. Male stars can help change these norms in the future and promote a more equal work place for all.[COMMENT BY: Jennifer Barretto, Assistant Editor – Features]