From the Editors: UAE research governance policy is a visionary step

HALLMARK OF THE UAE’S VISIONARY LEADERSHIP: The UAE Cabinet on Monday approved a research governance policy and the setting up of a research and development council. The policy was approved during a Cabinet meeting chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Sheikh Mohammed said the principles will serve as a roadmap and a strategic pathway for all work teams in the UAE. There are ten principles that will act as guidelines for all UAE institutions as the country approaches a new phase of development in the next five decades. With its proactive public policy-making and out-of-the-box thinking, the UAE leadership has always had its eyes set firmly on the future. Setting up of a research governance policy and the research and development council is yet again a sign of pragmatism and forward thinking on the part of the country’s wise leadership. [COMMENT BY: Sanjib Kumar Das, Assistant Editor]

WHERE IS TALIBAN CO-FOUNDER MULLAH BARADAR? All sorts of rumours are swirling in the corridors of power in Afghanistan. Social media is rife with unsubstantiated reports that Taliban co-founder and deputy prime minister of Afghanistan Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar had been killed or injured in an internal power tussle with other factions within the Taliban. The group has denied all such rumours Baradar blamed “fake propaganda” for reports of his death in an audio message posted by the Taliban on Twitter. That instead led to new rumours: Why didn’t he release a video message? It could well be that all is okay in the top echelons of the new Afghan leadership. But the hysteria surrounding the issue in Afghan and regional social media refuses to die down. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

MANCHESTER UNITED: DREAMING FOR EUROPE AFTER RONALDO’S RETURN: Can Manchester United end their drought in Uefa Champions League, a title which they last won in 2008? Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said the Red Devils should now dream big after securing the return of Cristiano Ronaldo as they open their European campaign away to Young Boys in Switzerland tonight. A young Ronaldo had scored in the 2008 final against Chelsea during his first spell with United. Since the football icon’s departure to Real Madrid in 2009, United have only reached the quarter finals twice as their fortunes faded following Alex Ferguson's retirement as manager.[COMMENT BY: Gautam Bhattacharyya, Senior Associate Editor]

THE SHOW MUST GO ON: Masked celebrities dazzled on the red carpet of the Met Gala this year, which presented a scaled-down version of the prestigious fashion event with only 400 or so guests on the list. COVID-19 may have curbed the flamboyance of the annual gala, but it certainly didn’t dampen the enthusiasm with which some of the biggest celeb names strutted their style in an ode to ‘American independence’. Vogue matriarch Anna Wintour presided over the fashion forward crowds, with host Billie Eilish emerging as one of the best-dressed of the night, styled in a peach Oscar de la Renta gown that was a throwback to old-world glam. Eilish not only stunned onlookers with her statement, but also drew cheers from her corresponding Instagram post where she revealed she only agreed to wear the celebrated designer provided they go fur-free moving forward. Another big names of the night was singer Lil Nas X going full on gladiator, while model Iman glowed in gold in a brocade jumpsuit paired with a tiered, feathered overskirt and a matching headpiece by British-American designer Harris Reed. Her outfit was a throwback to the American golden age. Whether it hit the mark or not depends on personal taste; but what we can at least safely say is that the annual event did signal a start of good things to come despite the pandemic raging on. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]