From the Editors: New UAE weekend to ensure happier society

NEW UAE WEEKEND TO ENSURE MORE HAPPIER SOCIETY: UAE has become the first country in the world to have four and half days working week with the announcement of two and half days weekend on Tuesday from January 1, 2022. All government departments and schools will move to the new two and half days weekend with Friday afternoon, Saturday, and Sunday forming the new weekend. The new weekend is a great move by the authorities it will also have positive impact on the mental health of employees leading to happier and more productive society. It will also strengthen familial bonds and community relations as employees will have more time for family, cultural and recreational activities during the weekend. [COMMENT BY: Ashfaq Ahmed, Senior Assistant Editor]

WHY LEBANON’S POLITICIANS ARE DERAILING BEIRUT BLAST PROBE: The Beirut blast of 2020 was one of the biggest non-nuclear explosions ever recorded. So, one would assume a full and thorough investigation would by now have been completed, and negligent officials brought to book. But, one would be wrong. This is Lebanon, and its politicians do not even answer questions from the investigating judge. Some of the people the judge wants to quiz are very powerful, including former finance minister Ali Hassan Khalil, who is the right-hand-man of Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and an ally of the Iran-backed Hezbollah, and Major General Abbas Ibrahim, head of Lebanon’s General Security. In theory, these officials could face long jail terms if found guilty. But, lucky for them, Lebanon has no record of holding powerful people to account. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

THE ASHES: DREAM START FOR PAT CUMMINS THE CAPTAIN: It was just the kind of start that Australia would have hoped for as Pat Cummins, their new Test captain, ripped through the England top order to take five for 38 and bundle them out for 147 on the stroke of tea on a rain-curtailed first day of The Ashes at the Gabba. Mitchell Starc sensationally bowled Rory Burns around his legs in the first ball of the series as Australia’s pacemen ripped through England's top order. After England captain Joe Root won the toss and chose to bat, the visitors were bundled out in just 50.1 overs. Will it set the tone of the series? We will know soon. [COMMENT BY: Gautam Bhattacharyya, Senior Associate Editor]

LET’S TUCK IN TO THE SUNDAY ROASTS: Goodbye Friday brunches and hello Sunday roasts. As the UAE announced its plan for a new weekend model in the New Year, the entertainment and leisure landscape is sure to follow with hotels already announcing a switch from its staple Friday feasts to leisurely Sunday sojourns. We can probably expect cinemas to follow suit by rolling out new movie releases on Fridays instead of the Thursday model. Albeit some Bollywood fans may be disappointed to lose out on the bragging rights of watching the latest blockbuster ahead of India, but to align with the global marketplace is definitely a step in the right direction for the UAE. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]