From the Editors: RTA’s phenomenal work continues in Dubai

RTA’S COMMITMENT TO THE FORE - YET AGAIN: Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has recently undertaken several measures to ensure decongestion on Sheikh Zayed Road, carrying out improvements at seven locations. To cite just one example of the kind of impact that these changes are going to have, the widening of Exit 39 near Mall of the Emirates will cut down journey time from Sheikh Zayed Road to Umm Suqeim from the current 12 minutes to just 1.45 minutes. For the last several decades, RTA has been doing phenomenal work -- be it the construction of the world’s longest driverless Metro network or building new roads, bridges and underpasses – to ensure a smooth drive around the city around the clock. These efforts are in sync with the image of Dubai as one of the most preferred destinations for tourism and commerce in the world. [COMMENT BY: Sanjib Kumar Das, Assistant Editor]

LEBANON MUST TAKE URGENT ACTION TO PREVENT COLLAPSE: A week before French President Emmanuel Macron makes his third visit to Beirut, his foreign minister has said that Lebanon’s collapse is like the Titanic’s sinking, only without the music. While this might be an overly pessimistic assessment, the fact remains that Lebanon is facing a monumental challenge: Not taking real action at this stage could spell doom. The ballooning debt, the collapse of the currency, the scale of unemployment, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic - these are the issues the tiny country faces. The first course of action is getting the political house in order, and forming a government of technocrats that can start fixing the situation. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

TONED DOWN FESTIVITIES TO FIGHT COVID-19: Christmas has traditionally been a season to spend with family and friends, not a time to celebrate alone, cocooned at home. But this year, as with most other things, Christmas will be different. Due to the growing number of coronavirus cases, Germany is going in for a hard lockdown over the Christmas period. Non-essential shops and schools will close across the country from Wednesday as German Chancellor Angela Merkel blamed Christmas shopping for the rise in social contacts. Other countries, like the US, too have warned of Christmas related rise in COVID-19 cases. The festivities this year will have to be toned down if we need to jointly fight the pandemic. [COMMENT BY Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor]

MAX POWER SERVES UP WARMING TO HAMILTON: Max Verstappen’s dominant drive in Abu Dhabi to claim victory in the final Formula One race of the season at Yas Marina Circuit served as a warning to world champion Lewis Hamilton that he will not get everything his own way in 2021. Red Bull’s Verstappen showed maturity with a cool-headed drive to lead from start to finish as the Mercedes pair of Valtteri Bottas and Hamilton had to settle for second and third. As Red Bull seemed to now closed the gap in terms of engine power, it will be up to young Verstappen to show if he can match the coolness of veteran Hamilton and deny him a record eighth title. [COMMENT BY: Matthew Smith, Sports Editor]

SIA SPEAKS OUT AGAINST SHIA LABEOUF: With more skeletons coming out of the closet, singer Sia is the latest celebrity to level abuse allegations against Hollywood actor Shia LaBeouf, much to the shock of his fans. In a post on Twitter, the ‘Titanium’ singer shared her own experience with LaBeouf, while supporting fellow artist FKA twigs who has sued the star for alleged misconduct and knowingly infecting the singer with a sexually transmitted disease. “I too have been hurt emotionally by Shia, a pathological liar, who conned me into an adulterous relationship claiming to be single,” she tweeted. “I believe he’s very sick and have compassion for him AND his victims. Just know, if you love yourself — stay safe, stay away.” While Sia hasn’t mentioned when she dated the actor, LaBeouf had starred in the singer’s 2015 music video, ‘Elastic Heart’. With LaBeouf’s checkered history in Hollywood, along with multiple arrests, and a stint in rehab for alcohol abuse, it is heartening to celebrities and fans stepping up to support these women in this #MeToo era. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]