From the Editors: Do not shoot video clips of accident sites in Abu Dhabi

CROWDING AROUND AN ACCIDENT SITE AND RECORDING DETAILS REVEAL INSENSITIVITY: Abu Dhabi Police have warned residents and visitors that shooting video clips of accident sites and sharing the same on social media are punishable offences under UAE law and the offender is liable to be jailed, apart from being subject to a financial penalty. This is a very timely reminder as onlookers and bystanders often crowd around accident sites, thereby impeding the work of police and civil defence personnel. It is high time we all realise that crowding around an accident site and recording details of the affected people reveal extreme insensitivity and constitute an immense disservice to those in need of urgent medical attention. Instead of crowding around an accident site or clicking pictures and videos, one should try and move on as quickly as possible, thereby ensuring easy accessibility to the area by police and civil defence teams so that those affected can be provided with specialised care and assistance at the earliest. [COMMENT BY: Sanjib Kumar Das, Assistant Editor]

NOTHING CAN BE RULED OUT IN INTERNATIONAL POLITICS: A few months ago, it would have been unthinkable. But now, it seems, many countries are accepting the ground realities in Afghanistan. A global power like China has promised to help the Taliban “rebuild” Afghanistan while calling on the US to lift sanctions against the new government in Kabul. Officials from Turkmenistan are due to visit Kabul to discuss continuing work on the TAPI pipeline linking Turkmenistan through Afghanistan to Pakistan and India. But, for the Taliban, there is still a long way to go. They must realise their policies - especially on matters of security and on rights on women - have to be aligned with that of the modern world for them to be accepted. Many countries are choosing the policy of wait-and-watch as far as their dealings with the Taliban are concerned. However, the fact that some have taken steps to deal with the controversial new rulers of Kabul tells us that nothing can be ruled out in international politics. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

ICC T20 WORLD CUP: SHARJAH A HAPPY HUNTING GROUND FOR PAKISTAN AGAIN: Sharjah proved a happy hunting ground again for Pakistan as they shrugged off New Zealand by five wickets on Tuesday night – their second straight win which brought the former champions another step closer to the semi-finals. Pakistan has registered many a memorable win on this historic venue since international cricket came to the UAE in mid ‘80s. Yesterday there was no stopping Babar Azam’s men in a low-scoring thriller though the captain failed to fire in the match. Veteran Shoaib Malik, who was included in the squad at the last minute, proved his worth as he and Asif Ali took them over the line with counter-attacking cameos. [COMMENT BY: Ashfaq Ahmed, Senior Associate Editor]

BOLLYWOOD GEARS UP FOR A BIG FAT WEDDING SEASON: News of the impending nuptials of Bollywood stars Vicky Kaushal and Katrina Kaif appears to have knocked the Aryan Khan drug bust off the top headline. And who doesn’t really like to read about celebrity weddings? Even as talk of a December marriage with the bride and groom opting for Sabyasachi designs gathers steam, there have also been whisperings that Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt will also look at December for their own wedded bliss. Finally, some good cheer all around, don’t you agree? [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]