From the Editors: UAE’s grant for research on diabetes treatment offers hope to mankind

UAE’S GRANT FOR RESEARCH ON DIABETES TREATMENT A BLESSING FOR ENTIRE MANKIND: As part of his global health initiative ‘Reaching the Last Mile’, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, has announced a financial grant for the Douglas Melton Laboratory at the Harvard Stem Cell Institute, to further accelerate research on gene-editing approaches to treatment of diabetes. According to the World Health Organisation, about 422 million people suffer from diabetes globally, while 1.6 million deaths are directly attributed to this debilitating condition each year. Sheikh Mohamed’s grant will go a long way in boosting beta-cell therapy, which, according to medical experts, can prove to be a game changer in helping counter Type 1 diabetes and thereby serve as a source of massive relief for millions of people around the world. The UAE has already carved out a niche for itself as a sought-after destination for medical tourism. With its cutting-edge medical infrastructure, world-class medical personnel and with initiatives and fundings as generous and as timely as the one to Douglas Melton Laboratory, the UAE’s proactive role in acting as a catalyst in the field of medical[ COMMENT BY: Sanjib Das, Assistant Editor]

INSTABILITY IN LIBYA SET TO CONTINUE: Libya finds itself in political turmoil - once again. The country's parliament is due to elect a new Prime Minister on Thursday. But this plan has been put into question with current Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah saying he is not willing to leave. So, how did we get here? The attempt to replace Dbeibah comes from Libya’s failure to hold its first presidential election on December 24 last year, under him as PM. MPs believe Dbeibah’s mandate ended on December 24, and are seeking to replace him on Thursday with either former Interior Minister Fathi Bashaga or Minister-Counsellor Khalid al-Baibas. Libya has been in a continuous state of flux since 2011, after Muammar Gaddafi was toppled in a violent revolution. The country is effectively split into two, with a government each in the east and west. In reality, it is run by heavily armed militias. Libya’s long-suffering people need a break - and only political unity can provide that. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

NEWCASTLE EDGING CLOSER TO SAFETY BUT EVERTON LOOK IN SERIOUS TROUBLE: Following a 3-1 win last night over Everton, strugglers Newcastle United have moved out of the bottom three of the Premier League table. It will be a huge relief for the club who are having a woeful season but they are beginning to pick up crucial points as they battle to survive. On the other hand, the Toffees are being dragged right into deep trouble. They have only won 2 matches from their last 16 and are dropping like a stone. They are now only three points clear of the bottom three and need to improve results fast. But with the likes of Norwich appearing to hit a bit of form and with rock bottom team Burnley with games in hand, the relegation dogfight will likely go down to the wire and is bound to get extremely messy. [COMMENT BY: Imran Malik, Assistant Editor]

SHOULD WE REALLY BE MAKING SUCH A FUSS ABOUT THE LADY GAGA OSCAR SNUB? Let’s face it, no matter how hard The Academy tries there is always going to be a fan favourite who will fail to earn a nomination every year. But the outrage that has followed Lady Gaga’s Oscar snub has taken the fury to another level. The popstar-turned-actress was a hot contender to earn a nomination for her turn as Patrizia Reggiani in ‘House of Gucci’, playing the wife of Italian fashion house heir Maurizio Gucci who ultimately dies at the hands of a hitman she hires. A lot has been written about how Gaga immersed herself in the role, speaking with an Italian accent for months, while enduring psychological trauma as she plundered the depths of darkness to get into the skin of her character. And while some of us are disappointed that her level of dedication was not good enough to make the cut, it cannot take away from the other five talented stars who worked equally hard to earn their rightful place on the nominations list. Admitted, there will never be another Patrizia Reggiani for Gaga, but there will be other roles that will give credit to her undeniable talent. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]