From the Editors: Dubai’s growing eminence on the global map

DUBAI’S GROWING EMINENCE ON THE GLOBAL MAP: The choice of Dubai to play host to the 27th International Council of Museums General Conference, the largest museums conference in the world, in 2025 is yet another testimony to the city’s growing eminence on the global map. ICOM UAE had presented the bid to host the conference under theme ‘The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities, focusing on change, recovery, accessibility and transparency’. That it found acceptance speaks volumes for the country’s futuristic outlook and ability to mobilise ideas and efforts to further the role of museums in protecting culture and heritage. [COMMENT BY: Sharmila Dhal, UAE Editor]

COVID-19 SITUATION IN EUROPE IS GETTING ALARMING: Europe is in crisis. Just when the world was beginning to see the end of COVID-19 and the long-awaited resumption of normal life, cases in the continent are on the rise. European governments are increasingly resorting to lockdowns, and this has not gone down well with the public. Thousands have taken to the streets demonstrators in Austria, Croatia and Italy, and there has been alarming violence in Holland. There is a need to realise that the new curbs are necessary. No one is safe until the entire world is safe. Everything that needs to be done has to be done. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff. International Editor]

MANCHESTER UNITED MUST PUT COACH SOLSKJAER OUT OF HIS MISERY: It can now only be a matter of time before Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is sacked as the manager of Manchester United following yet another demoralizing defeat yesterday in the English Premier League. United went down 4-1 to lowly Watford and looked woeful throughout. An emergency board meeting of the club’s hierarchy was held immediately after the match but up until now the club is remaining tight-lipped around Solskjaer’s future. But, speculation is growing that he will be given the boot very soon. The performance was abject last night yet having assembled such a talented squad Solksjaer must shoulder the blame for the poor results. With the likes of De Gea, Shaw, Ronaldo, Fernandes, Sancho and Rashford at his disposal, the coach ought to be doing much better with this group of players than he is. Leicester’s Brendan Rodgers is an option if Ole is given the boot as is former Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane. [COMMENT BY: Imran Malik, Assistant Editor]

HOLLYWOOD LENDS VOICE TO RITTENHOUSE VERDICT: In the 24 hours since the Kyle Rittenhouse verdict was announced, the condemnation from Hollywood has been sharp and swift even as protests continue across major US cities. Celebrities such as Ava DuVernay, Kerry Washington, Jameela Jamil and Bette Midler have user their powerful social media voice to support the families of the victims of that fateful night and the Black Lives Matter movement. “Elections matter. The lives of Joseph Rosenbaum & Anthony Huber mattered. They should be alive today. Our 1st amendment right to free speech should not cost any of us our lives. And regardless of anybody’s verdict anywhere and at anytime, Black Lives Do Matter. Today. & always,” came the emotional message from Washington, serving as a rallying cry for many across the US who are upset by the not guilty verdict delivered down to Rittenhouse who was acquitted Friday of first-degree intentional homicide and four other felony charges. [COMMENT: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]