From the Editors: Unesco seat yet another feather in UAE cap

Unesco seat yet another feather in UAE cap: The UAE on Thursday won a seat at the Unesco Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, for 2021-2025. This honour was conferred upon the UAE as a just recognition for its commitment in promoting cultural diversity. The Unesco seat is yet another feather in the cap of a nation whose leadership, right from the inception of the Union and until this day, has promoted the values of peaceful coexistence amid a veritable cultural and social mosaic that has enriched the country’s legacy as a stand-bearer of the spirit of tolerance and brotherhood. It is no wonder that the UAE has people from more than 200 nationalities who have rediscovered their socio-cultural and economic bearings in a land that they consider as their second home. [COMMENT BY: Sanjib Kumar Das, Assistant Editor]

Iraq's shiite militias are out of control: In five months, Iraq will elect a new government. But, the Shiite militias paid for and trained by Iran, which are part of Iraq’s broader security apparatus, have become a law unto themselves. The latest outrage is the besieging of the heavily fortified ‘Green Zone’ in Baghdad. The militias are demanding the federal government release one of their commanders arrested on terror charges. The fact that Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi is facing immense pressure to give in shows the power they exercise. This is especially alarming considering that there’s huge public demand to bring the militias under control, after their role in suppressing anti-government protests. For its own sake, Baghdad must act against the militias - before it is too late. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

Italy turn on the style in final warm-up against Czech Republic: Roberto Mancini's Italy are looking very good indeed ahead of Euro 2020. The Azzuri put on a classy display to thrash Czech Republic 4-0 in their last warm-up match in Bologna. It was their eighth consecutive victory and that too without conceding a single goal. In fact, their last defeat came all the way back in 2018. The result was never in doubt after Ciro Immobile hammered in the opener. There was a slice of luck for their second with Nicolo Barella’s shot taking a huge deflection. Lorenzo Insigne grabbed the third before Domenico Berardi completed the rout. Scoring for fun and keeping clean sheets, Italy – in Group A with Turkey, Switzerland and Wales - will be fancying their chances of going all the way. [COMMENT BY: Imran Malik, Assistant Editor]

Nothing like a Bollywood wedding, minus the fanfare: Nothing warms the heart more than a declaration of true love, which is exactly what Bollywood star Yami Gautam and filmmaker Aditya Dhar celebrated through their hush hush wedding over the weekend. Choosing to stay away from the fanfare that comes with celebrity weddings in India, the actress and the ‘Uri: The Surgical Strike’ director kept it low key, with close family and friends to rejoice in their happy occasion. The small-scale wedding also comes across as a responsible choice considering India is still struggling its way through a deadly second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. With sense and sensibility in check, here’s wishing the couple a lifetime of happiness. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]