From the Editors: Service to the people is hallmark of true leadership

SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE IS HALLMARK OF TRUE LEADERSHIP: As the UAE yesterday welcomed its new President, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, top officials both here and abroad highlighted his already illustrious service to the nation as well as contributions to the wider welfare of the world. On the occasion of Sheikh Mohamed’s unanimous election as president, this exemplary quality of his was best illustrated by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who wrote in a letter about the new President: “They have seen him visiting them in their homes, motivating them in their fields of work, receiving them in his Majlis (council), and launching development projects, and new industries.” Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed is a man of the people, and the people have demonstrated their love for him. [COMMENT BY: Faisal Masudi, Assistant Editor]

SYMONDS THIRD AUSTRALIAN CRICKET LEGEND TO DIE IN 2022 FOLLOWING WARNE AND MARSH: It is another tragic day for cricket. It had already been a devastating start to the year for Australia when the legendary Rod Marsh passed away. The sad news was compounded a day later when Shane Warne also suddenly passed. And now, we have woken up to the news that Andrew Symonds has tragically died after a car accident near Townsville, Queensland. The fans’ favourite was just 46. Incredibly, Warne’s last tweet was on Marsh, and Symonds’s last Instagram post was on Warne. He played 26 Tests between 2004 and 2008 as well as 198 ODIs from 1999 to 2009. The all-rounder won two World Cups as well as playing county cricket in England for Gloucestershire, Kent, Lancashire and Surrey. He also played domestic credit for Queensland - scoring 5,000 runs and taking 100 wickets - and in the Indian Premier League for the Deccan Chargers and Mumbai Indians. It has been a tragic first 5 months of 2022 for Australia – not to mention cricket as a whole. [COMMENT BY: Imran Malik, Assistant Sports Editor]

MUSIC FOLLOWS NO BOUNDARIES OR LANGUAGE: At a time when a sprinkle of cheer is hard pressed these days, last night’s Eurovision Song Contest brought out the good vibes in spades as fans around the globe celebrated a night of music, culture and uniting as one on a world stage for the event’s grand finale. Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra predictably went on to win the song contest with a landslide victory , with the UK’s Sam Ryder – who began his career as a TikTok star - and his ‘Space Man’ coming in at second place. While countries and fans sent in their votes to pick the winners of the night, the razzle dazzle of the event did not cloak the fact that music follows no boundaries or language. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]