From the Editors: RTA’s mission to improve road infrastructure

RTA’s MISSION TO IMPROVE ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE: Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) continues to work to improve the road infrastructure in Dubai to cope with the increasing number of vehicles and expanding residential and commercial areas. The latest achievement is the construction of new road corridor the ‘Al Khawaneej Roads Improvement Project’, which will link major road networks, reduce travel time and make it easy for motorists to commute not only within Dubai but also between Dubai and Sharjah. The new road project will also encourage residents to rent affordable housing in the newly developed areas in the outskirts of the city. [COMMENT BY: Ashfaq Ahmed, Senior Assistant Editor]

PRINCE PHILIP LAID TO REST IN PRIVATE CEREMONY: During the funeral yesterday of Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh, his loyalty to the Queen and service to the nation was celebrated. His association with the Royal Navy and love of the sea was the focus of the Windsor Castle ceremony, which was limited to just 30 mourners at St George's Chapel due to COVID-19 restrictions. His coffin was placed on a modified Land Rover that he helped design himself and carried in a procession to the short distance to the chapel. The funeral took place entirely within the grounds of the castle where the Queen said goodbye to her beloved husband of 73 years. It was a private affair with the public asked not to gather at the castle or at other royal residences, again due to COVID-19. It may have been a stripped-back royal event but it still retained the traditions of a royal funeral. Most of all, it was in keeping with Prince Philip’s no-fuss, no-nonsense approach to life. [COMMENT BY: Imran Malik, Assistant Editor]

PEP’S QUADRUPLE HOPES ARE DASHED; COULD HE STILL GET A TREBLE? The quadruple dream is over for Pep Guardiola. The Spanish manager witnessed firsthand last week — when a 10-man Leeds beat Manchester City away with a 2-1 score — that rotating his starting line-up in order to rest his players for four different competitions isn’t always viable. While viewers might have been waiting with bated breath to see if City’s dreams would end with a Champions League elimination, it was the FA Cup semifinals that snuck up on them instead, where Chelsea beat City last evening in a 1-0 result (Hakim Ziyech scored at the 55th minute). City — who were hoping for a quadruple victory with the FA Cup, League Cup, Champions League and Premier League — will now have to adjust expectations. Perhaps a humble treble? The Chelsea clash could very well be practice for the upcoming final of the Champions League, should City and Chelsea both win their semifinal matches (against PSG and Real Madrid, respectively) to meet again during the final. Knowing Guardiola, he will play a different squad entirely on Europe’s biggest stage, despite arguing to the press that his team selection for the FA Cup semi-final wasn’t a product of “not paying enough attention” to the competition. [COMMENT BY: Marwa Hamad, Assistant Editor]

WILL THE LOSS OF PRINCE PHILIP HEAL THE RIFT BETWEEN HARRY AND WILLIAM? All eyes were tracking Prince Philip’s funeral procession yesterday, waiting for that moment when the Duke of Cambridge and the Duke of Sussex would exchange a glance. As their grandfather’s funeral ended yesterday, Prince William and Prince Harry were seen talking together while leaving St. George’s Chapel, giving hope to many who have been rooting for the brothers to heal the rift between them. The relationship between the siblings has been strained ever since Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex had their sit down with Oprah Winfrey in that bombshell interview. With the prodigal son now home again, maybe the family can now mourn and heal together.[ COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]