From the Editors: Dubai promotes culture of walking and cycling

DUBAI PROMOTES CULTURE OF WALKING AND CYCLING: Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) has been investing heavily to have comprehensive network of mass transit in the city to make commuting easier for people. It is also earnestly promoting the culture of walking and cycling in the city by building hundreds of kilometres of cycling and walking tracks. Through the construction of cycling tracks, RTA aims to link Dubai’s hotspots with stations of various mass transit means. It also adds to the efforts of making Dubai friendlier to cyclists. Residents should ditch their cars to travel short distances and make the best use of these facilities. [COMMENT BY: Ashfaq Ahmed, Senior Assistant Editor]

NO ONE WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR MURDERING LOKMAN SLIM: Lokman Slim, a vocal critic of Hezbollah’s intimidation tactics in Lebanon, was shot dead on Thursday. Rallies and protests are being held to keep his memory alive - and send the message of ‘zero fear’. As always, an investigation has been launched to find his killers. But no one is waiting with bated breath. Lebanon has an abysmal record of solving political assassinations. Numerous presidents, prime ministers, security officials, ministers, journalists and activists have met violent ends, without anyone every being held accountable. Such is the state of affairs in Lebanon. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

UK KNIFE CRIME IS WAY OUT OF CONTROL: As is well known, knife crimes are the scourge of London’s streets. The capital suffers more stabbings than any other region in the UK and with police launching yet another murder investigation following the death of a 22-year-old man on Thursday night in Croydon (along with nine other people suffering serious injuries in five separate attacks on the same night) there seems no end sight. Most people would not dare walk through Croydon’s streets at night but things are so bad in what the locals have renamed ‘Stab City’ that many would think twice about stepping out during broad daylight too. “5 years minimum sentence for carrying a knife” said the government, but the reality is that carrying a knife is like carrying a pack of gum. Lambeth, Newham, Hackney and other areas in south and east London are plagued by knife-wielding gangs and with prisons full and 3,500 officers cut by the government, this seriously worrying problem isn’t about to go away anytime soon. [COMMENT BY: Imran Malik, Assistant Editor]

SCOTLAND’S HISTORY BOYS: Scotland managed a piece of history by defeating their ‘Auld Enemy’ England on their own turf on Saturday night. It was a moment to savour as only those of a certain age will recall the last time they achieved such a feat — 38 years ago. The 11-6 success over reigning champions England in the teams’ Six Nations opener stunned Eddie Jones’ side, who were favourites for the title once again. Scotland wing Duhan van der Merwe scored the only try of the match as the Scots won at Twickenham for the first time since 1983 and for just the fifth time in their history. Former England coach Clive Woodward said Gregor Townsend’s side can now go on to achieve “great things” after claiming the Calcutta Cup. “It’s a game-changing win for Scotland as a team and a huge moment for Townsend,” the World Cup winner said. “He is the coach who will lead Scotland to great things and this will kick-start that process,”[COMMENT BY: Matthew Smith, Sports Editor]

WHAT DO SUSAN SARANDON AND SONAKSHI SINHA HAVE IN COMMON? With a resume that includes an Oscar, a Bafta, along with titles that say humanitarian and social activist, Susan Sarandon’s foray into the farmers’ protests as a voice of solidarity to the cause comes at a time when India stands divided on its support for the grassroots movement. Sarandon threw her weight behind the protests, following similar a stance taken by singer Rihanna and climate activist Greta Thunberg. While the trio face backlash and legal threats for ‘interfering’ in matters beyond their scope, not everyone agrees with this thought process. While on one hand veteran Bollywood actors such as Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn toe the line issued by the establishment while voicing their disdain over a ‘propaganda’ against India, younger stars such as Sonakshi Sinha are choosing to go against the tide. Sinha also waded into the debate, saying: “While news and media will have you think that these are outside forces trying to control the functioning of our country, you must remember that these are not alien species but fellow humans who are speaking up for the rights of other humans.” Sinha’s tweet may cost her some plum projects in Bollywood, but it is refreshing to hear a voice of reason in times such as these. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]