From the Editors: Dubai public transport system gets a boost

DUBAI PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM GETS A BOOST: In a vital boost to Dubai’s public transport system, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced the completion of the Al Jaffilya, Etisalat and Union public bus stations. The facilities add to the existing capacities of these stations, and as a result can handle a sizeable number of extra passengers along these routes. This is especially critical with the expected surge in the number of users with the Expo 2020 coming up later this year. Dubai’s public transport system was revolutionised a decade ago with the launch of the Metro, and has been improving ever since. [COMMENT BY: Somshankar Bandyopadhyay, Assistant Editor]

SYRIA’S LOST GENERATION: In the latest grim news to come out of Syria, Unicef has reported that over half of the country’s children are missing out on education. One of the reasons for this is that a third of the schools are either in ruins or are being used by armed fighters on both the rebel and government sides as bases. As if the brutal war was not enough, COVID-19 has also contributed to the catastrophe. What does this entail for Syria’s future? Immense problems, as an entire generation will grow up unprepared for the job market, leading to a rise in social and economic tensions that could lead to more instability in the future. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

PROTECTING THE WORLD IS RESPONSILITY OF ALL: As we continue the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, we must not lose sight of the toll that natural disasters linked to extreme weather events have taken. A new assessment has shown that nearly half a million people have died in the last 20 years in catastrophes linked to storms, flooding and heatwaves. The brunt of this has been borne by developing countries. Although wealthier nations are supposed to provide funds to help poorer states adapt to the changing climate, this has not always been done. The world we live in must be protected for future generations. This is the responsibility of all, and the sooner we do it the better. [COMMENT BY: Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor]

WHERE DID IT ALL GO WRONG FOR LIVERPOOL? As recently as September, Liverpool could do no wrong as they backed up their Champions League triumph in 2019 by storming to the English Premier League championship by a record 18-point margin over Manchester City, and left Manchester United trailing in third, a whopping 33 points adrift. But the tables have turned dramatically with United atop the league standings and Liverpool in crisis. On Sunday, Liverpool went down 3-2 to their old rivals at Old Trafford to crash out of the FA Cup. Reds boss Jurgen Klopp responded by saying “don’t worry about us”. But the truth is the Liverpool board will be worried and will soon start demanding answers before they are forced to make a change of their own. The Anfield club’s only victory in the past seven was over Aston Villa’s youth team in the last round of the Cup. We may not be worried Jurgen, but you should be. [COMMENT BY: Matthew Smith, Sports Editor]

CELEBRATION OF CINEMA: In a historic first, the UAE is going to host a one day film showcase, screening movies directed by Emirati and Israeli filmmakers. The Al Qattara Cinema film festival, which will be a virtual screening event on January 28, is truly a celebration of creative talent, while drawing attention to the cultural relations between the two communities and their respective arts sectors. This landmark moment is surely the first of many more such events to be held in the near future, but for the humble audience, this is truly a celebration of cinema. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]