From the Editors: UAE’s green energy projects blaze a trail

UAE’S GREEN ENERGY PROJECTS BLAZE A TRAIL: The UAE is progressing rapidly in generating most of its energy needs by harnessing the forces of Nature. As John Kerry, former US Secretary of State and the current Special US Envoy for Climate visits the country, it is worthy to note that several of the UAE’s solar power projects are coming to fruition. The country has expanded its renewable energy portfolio by 400 per cent over the last 10 years. Several projects like the Mohammad Bin Rashid Solar Park, and the Noor Abu Dhabi and Al Dhafra Solar projects in Abu Dhabi, are set to ensure that the country cuts its dependence on fossil fuels. [COMMENY BT: Somshankar Bandyopadhyay, Assistant Editor]

JORDAN’S SECURITY IS KEY TO MIDDLE EAST STABILITY: Authorities in Jordan on Saturday arrested nearly 20 people for posing a threat to the country’s stability. Jordan has been seen for a long time as a haven of political stability in a region that has been beset by extreme upheaval in the past decade. It shares its borders with Iraq and Syria - which have been mired in terrible conflict - and with key regional states like Israel and Saudi Arabia. The Hashemite Kingdom has also been hard hit by COVID-19, and has faced economic challenges of late. Under such circumstances, King Abdullah II has managed to steer the ship, and maintain law and order. The entire region and key world powers have come out in support of measures taken by the King, and rightly so.[ COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

PARTYGOERS IN BARCELONA DEFY COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS: While we continue to fight COVID-19 with many countries enforcing harsh restrictions and lockdowns to prevent the spread of the virus, Spain has made the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Dozens of partygoers hit a popular beach near central Barcelona, they were not wearing masks and were crowded together like sardines in a can. The impromptu party took place on Barceloneta beach and police were quickly on the scene to break up the gathering and remind the youth they were flouting health regulations. Doctors and scientists agree that the risk of transmission is lower among people gathered outdoors – but there is still a risk. And if we have learned anything during this past year, it is that this virus can spread in any setting. People crowded together with no distance is dangerous whether it be indoors or outdoors and we must all make every effort to ensure we do not violate any rules if we are to beat this deadly disease. [COMMENT BY: Imran Malik, Assistant Editor]

GUARDIOLA SOFTENS STANCE ON CITY’S LEAGUE CHANCES: You know the English Premier League is done and dusted when the runaway leaders’ boss finally admits they have all but won the title. Last year, Jurgen Klopp refused to admit Liverpool had all but wrapped up the trophy despite a gargantuan lead at the top of the standings, and this time around, Pep Guardiola was adamant Manchester City had won nothing so far. Until. that was, Saturday evening, when the Spaniard conceded his men in Sky Blue had essentially secured the title with a 2-0 win over third-placed Leicester. “The champions are Liverpool, they have the crown — but we are close to taking it,” Guardiola said. “I love the Premier League more than any other competition. We are close, very close.” [COMMENT BY: Matthew Smith, Sports Editor]

CAN BOLLYWOOD SURVIVE ANOTHER LOCKDOWN? As the threat of a Maharashtra lockdown looms, Bollywood gets another blow with Akshay Kumar becoming the latest celebrity to test positive for COVID-19. For the film industry, which has sent a letter of appeal to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray asking him to allow entertainment avenues to remain open, the news of another high profile star testing positive comes as an added blow. This past week has seen several production houses stall the release of their films in cinemas once again as cases spike in India. Kumar’s own ‘Sooryavanshi’ hangs in the balance, which has already seen a one-year delay and is now facing uncertainty once again ahead of its scheduled release in cinemas on April 30. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]