From the Editors: UAE Space Agency signs NASA’s Artemis Accords

NEW MILESTONE IN SPACE FOR UAE: By signing NASA’s Artemis Accords at the 71st International Astronautical Congress yesterday, the UAE Space Agency has demonstrated its commitment to space exploration. The agreement is in line with the UAE’s long-term vision to explore outer space. Despite having a relatively new space programme, the UAE has made several strides already by sending the first Emirati astronaut to the International Space Station, besides launching satellites and the Hope Probe Emirates Mars Mission. This is yet another milestone which will allow the country to collaborate internationally for a better understanding of the solar system. [COMMENT BY: Sharmila Dhal, UAE Editor]

IRAQ ECONOMIC REFORM PLAN TO BE CAUTIOUSLY WELCOMED: On Tuesday, Iraq’s Cabinet okayed a long-overdue economic reforms package aimed at taking the country away from the brink of financial collapse. Economic mismanagement - along with limitless corruption, shocking state-and-militia brutality, and rampant unemployment - have been the reasons behind protests that started a year ago. Most of the demands of the protesters have not been met. But this step is to be cautiously welcomed. Iraq depends on oil exports for almost all its financial needs. And this has put the government at the mercy of fluctuating oil demand and prices on the global market. Without reforms that tackle this situation, the months and years ahead for Iraq will be dark ones. [COMMENT BY Omar Shariff, International Editor]

CLIMATE CHANGE TAKES ITS TOLL: While the world battles the coronavirus and looks for ways to return to normal, climate change has continued taking its toll on planet Earth. A new study has said that Australia's Great Barrier Reef has lost more than half its coral in the last three decades. The reef risks losing its world heritage status because of ocean warming - fuelled by climate change - damaging its health. The corals are expected to continue dying off unless nations act to keep the increase in global temperatures down. What can we do? To begin with, reduce, reuse and recycle. [COMMENT BY: Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor]

GO FORTH AND BORROW AND SPEND WISELY: Finance ministers and central bank chiefs gathered in Washington at the IMF-World Bank annual meetings are trying hard to address the dilemma over the rising debt burden versus restoring economic growth. The world's top central banks are urging governments to put concerns about debt aside for now and keep spending until the economies recover. The IMF, historically a champion of budget restraint, seems heeding to these pleas. The Fund’s Chief economist Gita Gopinath on Wednesday echoed the need for further debt funded spending that guides economies to paths of stronger, equitable, and resilient growth. Clearly, no one wants in the trade-offs between growth and debt, a burden that will be hard to service down the road. [COMMENT BY: Babu Das Augustine, Business Editor]

CHENNAI BOWLERS CARVE OUT A WIN OVER HYDERABAD: Chennai Super Kings bounced back with a 20-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Dubai International Stadium on Tuesday night. A target of 168 seemed within Hyderabad’s reach, but Chennai were in their elements to defend the total - their job being made easy with the early fall of captain David Warner. Kane Williamson (57 of 39) played a lone hand, and that wasn’t enough. [COMMENT BY: Gautam Bhattacharyya, Senior Associate Editor]

Veteran singer Stevie Wonder has released two new songs and has also revealed that he has received a kidney transplant and is doing well. The 70-year-old star said: “I feel like I’m about 40 right now and I just thank everyone for the prayers and the love.” It’s a fresh and inspiring outlook to have in life, and Wonder’s new music reflects that too. The tracks ‘Where Is Our Love Song’ and ‘Can’t Put It In the Hands of Fate’ reflect a positive outlook amid uncertain times and is just what the doctor ordered. [COMMENT BY: Jennifer Barretto, Assistant Editor – Features]