From the Editors: Dubai makes a full pitch for Metaverse

Dubai’s Metaverse pitch: Dubai has already made its stance clear about the digital economy – go all-in. This is the same approach that Dubai is taking to the Metaverse, the AR-enabled alternate universe that is drawing brands, audiences and governments to explore possibilities. And when billions of dollars are going to be channeled into this parallel universe over the decade, real-time possibilities will be created. This is what Dubai has an eye on, setting a goal of being a ‘global capital’ for advanced tech, or more specifically in AI and Web3. And in line with those ambitions, create more than 40,000 jobs by 2030 in businesses allied to all-things digital/Metaverse. As for Dubai, there’s nothing like planning well ahead. (Manoj Nair, Business Editor)

UAE President’s France visit will further strengthen decades-old ties: President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s ongoing visit to France has opened new avenues to further strengthen the decades-old ties that the UAE and France have enjoyed, built on solid foundations of mutual love and respect for each other’s culture and people. From education to culinary delights, from energy security to trade and travel, the UAE and France have always shared a very special bond, with deep people-to-people contacts and collaboration. During his visit, the UAE President and his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, discussed the important role that France has undertaken in the Middle East and the UAE’s keen interest in continuing to work together with France to promote peace, stability and security for all in the region. (Sanjib Kumar Das, Assistant Editor)

Swedish legend Ibrahimovic to stay with AC Milan: All the talk has been about Bayern Munich’s prolific striker Robert Lewandowski joining Barcelona but AC Milan may have wrapped up the signing of the summer transfer window. Zlatan Ibrahimovic has signed a one-year contract extension with the Italian giants and the new deal will commit the Swede to the club past his 41st birthday. The former Manchester United and Paris St-Germain star is still regarded as one of the most gifted attackers in the world and is loved so much by the club that even though he will be out of action for several months following knee surgery the Serie A champions were determined to keep him. He could return to action in January 2023 and although they will miss his leadership qualities on the pitch it did not deter them from offering him a new deal such is the regard that he is held. (Imran Malik, Assistant Sports Editor)

Why the ‘gold-digger’ jibe directed at Sushmita Sen should cause outrage: For Indians to call Sushmita Sen a national treasure wouldn’t be off the mark. The beloved former beauty queen continues to personify grace and dignity even as she faces a media storm over her relationship with IPL founder Lalit Modi. Might we remind the trolls who have brandished her a ‘gold-digger’ that this is the same woman who became the first Indian to win the Miss Universe title in 1994. Even as she took the plunge into Bollywood, Sen didn’t let societal rules dictate her choices, with the actress adopting her first child in 2000, when she was merely 24-years-old. Ten years after being a single mother to Renee, she chose to adopt a second girl child with Alisah. Putting her career on the backburner to be a parent to her children, Sen returned to the screen at 44, an age where most actresses in India are put out to pasture. Staging a thunderous comeback with the web series ‘Aarya’, now, two years later, Sen has found a partner in Modi. A choice she has made once again in a collective string of decisions that, frankly, few could fault. And even if someone objects to her association with Modi, there simply is no excuse to inundate a woman with misogynistic comments and hate. Instead of shaming a woman for choosing love, perhaps one needs to look within and find their humanity first. (Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor)