From the Editors: Dubai’s highways are among the best in the world

DUBAI’S HIGHWAYS ARE AMONG ITS MOST NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS: The announcement that improvements in Dubai’s roads and transport infrastructure led to savings of about Dh210 billion in terms of cutting time and fuel wastage in traffic congestion from 2006 to 2020 is a very big deal. It is a testimony to the efforts of Dubai Road Transport Authority and other departments in building roads and bridges in a planned and systematic manner with minimal or no disruption to the flow of traffic. The high quality of the roads cannot be taken for granted either. Dubai’s infrastructure is indeed one of its most notable achievements. [COMMENT BY: Sharmila Dhal, UAE Editor]

PRO-IRAN MILITIAS IN IRAQ HAVE GONE TOO FAR THIS TIME: As suspected, it increasingly appears that up to two pro-Iran militias were responsible for the drone attack against Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi, who survived unhurt. Without a doubt, the attack is linked to the results of the October 10 elections, in which the political parties of Shiite militias linked to Iran got a proper drubbing. They’ve cried foul and made baseless allegations that the polls were rigged, and hinted that Al Kadhimi was responsible for this. Through actions like launching drone strikes on the prime minister, the militias are trying to send a message: No matter the results of the ballot, we still exercise real power in Iraq. But this time, they seem to have gone too far, by targeting the head of the Iraqi government. They could end up paying a price, both on the ground and in the court of public opinion. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

ICC T20 WORLD CUP: AN ENDURING PARTNERSHIP ENDS IN INDIAN CRICKET: India, one of the pre-tournament favourites in T20 World Cup, bowed out with their heads high with a resounding victory in a dead rubber against Namibia on Monday – but it was overshadowed by the sub-plot of Virat Kohli stepping down from T20 captaincy and the end of an enduring partnership between him and head coach Ravi Shastri. It was an alliance that took India to the heights of Test cricket with a number one ranking and back-to-back series wins in Australia, though their failings are also as conspicuous – the drought of a major ICC crown including a loss at the World Test Championship final. [COMMENT BY: Gautam Bhattacharyya, Senior Associate Editor]

TRAVIS SCOTT’S CONCERT TRAGEDY UNFOLDS: Eight people died during rapper Travis Scott’s concert in Houston on Friday in a massive crowd crush, while many others were injured. Videos and images from the event have been heartbreaking — lifeless people being carried away, audience members screaming for help. It was a nightmare at an event meant to bring joy to music fans. The rapper is also set to face multiple lawsuits in the aftermath, even as his family come out in support. Now, Scott has volunteered to pay for the funeral expenses of those who have died and has offered free counselling to others affected. This is one of the ways he can show remorse for a tragedy that should have never happened. [COMMENT BY: Jennifer Barretto, Assistant Editor – Features]