From the Editors: UAE's safe digital community a welcome move

WELCOME MOVE: The UAE’s launch of a new policy for a safe digital community is a very welcome move, especially with the increasing usage of digital platforms in recent times. It will not only put systems in place to govern digital capacities and content but also behaviour and communication. The 10 articles of Positive Digital Citizenship Values and Behaviourial Code cover issues like digital privacy, publishing credibility, besides ethics and responsibility which is very critical.[COMMENT BY: Sharmila Dhal, UAE Editor]

LAST THING LEBANON NEEDS IS CORONAVIRUS- RELATED VIOLENCE: Protesters in Lebanon clashed with police in the northern city of Tripoli on Monday night, furious at a full lockdown the government has ordered to contain an alarming rise in COVID-19 cases. The huge increase in cases comes as the overall situation in the tiny country seems to heading down an abyss. Lebanon has been hit by a combination of economic, political and social crises - the worst since its 15-year civil war ended in 1990. But coronavirus-related violence is the last kind of trouble the country needs. People must accept the fact that beating the pandemic now takes precedence over everything else, however painful the methods. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

COMPLIANCE WITH COVID-19 PROTOCOLS NEEDED: Protests against restrictions to fight COVID-19 is not good news. Riot police clashed with protesters in the Netherlands where people smashed shop windows. In Australia, people defied coronavirus rules to protest the country’s national day. Governments around the world are doing their best to curb the pandemic. Sometimes, tough decisions have to be taken and normal freedoms may be compromised. But this is for the good of the people. Violence and protests will not solve the problem. Compliance with social distancing protocols will help. [COMMENT BY: Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor]

JOE ROOT POISED FOR A PERSONAL DUEL WITH VIRAT KOHLI: England Test captain Joe Root, who became the fourth highest run-getter for England during the Sri Lanka series, looks poised to resume the ‘greatest’ Test batsman debate with his Indian counterpart Virat Kohli in the upcoming series. The Kohli-Smith-Root-Williamson debate has got a fresh lease of life with first the New Zealand skipper and then Root being in exemplary form in recently concluded fixtures. The first of the four-Test series will be held in Chennai from February 5-9.[COMMENT BY: Gautam Bhattacharyya, Senior Associate Editor]

FANS ARE EAGER FOR A NEW POTTERVERSE: Whether it’s a spin-off, a reboot or the start of a new fan fiction franchise, but for the generation of fans who have grown up on the wonders of Harry Potter, a new story for screen is truly a moment to rejoice. While the news of this new Potterverse is sketchy at best, with Warner Bros and HBO Max refuting claims they are involved in this project, The Hollywood Reporter has quoted sources saying executives at the streamer are in discussions with potential writers for ideas. While we wait for some concrete news, one can only hope the wizarding world opens up once again for a new adventure to entice the next generation of fans. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]