From the Editors: Dubai Metro Route 2020 to extend comfortable travel

DUBAI METRO ROUTE-2020 TO PROVIDE COMFORTABLE PUBLIC TRANSPORT AT AFFORDABLE PRICE: More than 11 years after the Dubai Metro was launched on 09.09.09, RTA has extended its mass transit network to the Expo-2020 Dubai site, providing the much needed affordable and comfortable public transport to densely populated new communities in the fast expanding emirate. Route 2020 is the extension of the Dubai Metro line from Jebel Ali Station to Expo 2020 station. It is a new year gift from the Roads and Transport Authority as it will start commercial operation on January 1, 2021. This new route will not only expand the mass transit network and links the Expo 2020 site but also provides a great relief for residents of new developments in the city. [COMMENT BY: Ashfaq Ahmed, Senior Assistant Editor]

NEW COVID-19 VARIANT IN UK CAUSE FOR CONCERN: Just as optimism was growing about the fight against COVID-19 with the rolling out of vaccines, news from the UK comes as a concern. A variant of COVID-19 is spreading in the country, and has forced Prime Minister Boris Johnson to impose a full lockdown on London and other parts of England. This new version of COVID-19 is said to be 70 per cent more transmissible than previous ones. The news has been greeted by despondency. But, there can be no let up in the war on coronavirus. People should continue to heed the advice of authorities on safety measures while the government should not lose steam on the vaccine production and distribution front. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

CURIOUS CASES OF INDIAN RUPEE AND PHILIPPINE PESO: The Philippines and India have witnessed negative GDP growth during the current year due to global pandemic, yet their currencies have witnessed sharp gains. While strong portfolio inflows and a decline in imports have supported the rupee, lower imports fund inflows and resilient remittances have strengthened the peso. For a while the Reserve Bank of India had been mopping up dollar to check rupee’s gain, but the recent US treasury decision to place India under the currency manipulator watchlist is seen curtailing the intervention. Clearly, the central banks know currency appreciation driven by slowing economy and hot money is a source of volatility but their options are limited when the market forces dictate. [COMMENT BY: Babu Das Augustine, Business Editor]

Liverpool put out a true statement of intent that they are back in the running and now are firmly the favourites to successfully defend their Premier League title. Jurgen Klopp’s men were clinical in their 7-0 demolition of Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, wiping out Tottenham Hotspur’s goal-difference advantage near the top of the table in the process. While title hopefuls Manchester City scraped to a 1-0 win over Southampton, it was Easy Street for the Reds, and Christmas will be looking a lot rosier now at Anfield. [COMMENT BY: Matthew Smith, Sports Editor]

SONU SOOD IS A STAR IN THE MAKING: Bollywood actor Sonu Sood’s most recent comment about getting lead roles after working tirelessly to help stranded Indian migrant workers during the Covid-19 pandemic says a lot about the inner workings of the film industry. For a talented actor such as Sood, who has proven himself in films like ‘Dabangg’ and ‘Arundhati’, the lack of industry connections or a film family to back him has seen him work his way up the ladder with small character roles to gain recognition. Despite his limited resources, the actor was one of the most vocal and hands-on during the COVID-19 migration crisis in India and stepped up to help thousands who were struggling to survive while the economy took a beating. His newfound fame has suddenly caught the eye of Bollywood, which aims to cash in on his goodwill by finally offering him lead roles in films. Better late than never, or so the adage goes, but for Sood’s sake, hopefully his talent will speak for itself. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]