From the Editors: No ifs and buts – we must stick to speed limits

NO IFS AND BUTS - WE MUST STICK TO SPEED LIMITS: It saddens one to no end to come across reports of people losing their lives to rash driving or speeding. The unfortunate incident that occurred early on Friday morning on Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Road near Umm Al Quwain was yet another grim reminder of road safety issues not being given enough importance by some people – resulting in the loss of precious lives. Three young men in their 20s were killed in a horrific accident as the car they were travelling in rammed into a truck. According to police officials, speeding was the cause of the fatal crash. Police and prosecution all across the country have been repeatedly warning all road users to be careful and motorists to strictly adhere to speed limits and maintain safe distances between vehicles. In spite of that, untoward incidents such as the one on Friday morning keep happening. And speeding is increasingly emerging as the single biggest factor behind road deaths in UAE. We must always remember that no amount of traffic rules and regulations and penalties will be enough until and unless those behind the wheel realise that speed kills! [COMMENT BY: Sanjib Kumar Das, Assistant Editor]

GERMANY GOES TO POLLS WITHOUT MERKEL: In her 16 years as German Chancellor, Angela Merkel has seen many international counterparts come and go. She has worked with eight Japanese prime ministers, seven Italian prime ministers, five British prime ministers and four US presidents — not to mention six changes of prime minister in Australia. Indeed Merkel is one of the most significant politicians in a generation and for the first time since 2005, national elections on Sunday will be held without her. As voters gear up to select her successor, Merkel on Friday urged Germans to elect Armin Laschet for the sake of stability, in a strong pitch for her conservative Christian Democrats party. In latest polls, Laschet is trailing behind Social Democrat Olaf Scholz, putting 3 per cent gap between them well within the margin of error, making the vote one of the most unpredictable in recent years. Will voters heed Merkel’s call? [COMMENT BY: Stephen N.R., Senior Asociate Editor]

STRUGGLING MCILROY DROPPED AFTER US OPEN HUGE LEAD OVER EUROPE AT RYDER CUP: For the first time in his career, Rory McIlroy has been left out of a Ryder Cup session and the 32-year-old must be feeling pretty lousy right now as he struggles with his form. He had played in 26 consecutive matches since making his tournament debut in 2010, but after being beaten in both of his matches on the opening day yesterday at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin, he’ll be on the sidelines today. It was the first time in his Ryder Cup career that he lost twice in one day. He’s considered the heart of Team Europe but he looked out of sorts throughout. Captain Padraig Harrington said he “could not have asked more” from the Northern Irishman who lost 5&3 in his foursomes match with Ian Poulter and 4&3 with Shane Lowry. He will sit out today’s opening foursomes with the US holding a record 6-2 lead over Europe but he knows he needs to get back to form, and fast if his team have any chance of defending their title. [COMMENT BY: Imran Malik, Assistant Sports Editor]

HOW ELON MUSK AND HIS SEMI-SEPARATOIN REDEFINES 'NORMAL:' The writing was on the wall when Grimes walked the red carpet at the Met Gala earlier this month with no Elon Musk by her side. It didn’t come as a surprise to many that days later, the Tesla and SpaceX founder finally confirmed that the couple of three years are currently ‘semi-separated’. If you are left scratching your head, well, you aren’t alone. Musk has long since redefined the meaning of normal, especially where his relationships were concerned. Remember the Baby X announcement? A year since his birth, yet many of us are still struggling to pronounce the name of Grimes and Musk’s baby – it started out as X Æ A-12 that was later changed to X Æ A-Xii. According to Musk, the semi-separation currently means the Canadian singer is still his houseguest, along with Baby X, while Musk and his big boy’s toys hang out at his home in Texas. If she’s still living in your home then that’s not much of a separation, right? Perhaps, Musk knows better. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]