How UAE is always a step ahead of the rest, and will the job momentum extend into this year? Our editors comment on the top stories of Jan 3

WHY THE UAE IS ALWAYS ONE STEP AHEAD: The developmental trajectory for 2023 has already been set, right as we enter a new year. Five projects will catalyse progress in the space sector, education, Emiratisation, economy and national identity. The Cabinet’s meeting and announcement of these priorities so early into 2023 – just on the second day of the new year – means the wise leadership had already planned ahead. This proactive stance has always kept the UAE at the forefront of overcoming challenges and seizing opportunities. (By Faisal Masudi, Assistant Editor)

SUSTAINING UAE’S JOB CREATION MOMENTUM: 2022 closed with major sectors in the UAE having expanded the size of their workforces significantly over their 2021 headcounts. This has been the feedback from businesses – big, mid-sized, small or just starting out. Sure, much of the hiring happened within the tech and digital spaces, but retail-facing companies too went about hiring, while the service sector kept things steady. Can the job momentum extend into this year as well? Based on what consultants and businesses are saying, prospects are for a more case-to-case approach, because businesses will be hearing a lot of ‘global recession on its way’ in the coming days. This is where the first few weeks of 2023 will be critical in helping them decide what their hiring approach should be. (By Manoj Nair, Business Editor)

PELE TO BE LAID TO REST TODAY: Following the passing of Pele on 29 December thousands of mourners queued through the night to pay respects to the Brazil legend. His body has been lying in state at Urbano Caldeira stadium the ground of his former club Santos, in Sao Paulo. His coffin was placed in the centre circle of the pitch with fans lining the streets around the arena waiting to get inside the ground to pay their respects. The three-time World Cup winner died at the age of 82 after losing his battle with colon cancer. There will be a procession through the streets of Santos and then a private family burial will be held later today. Brazil’s government declared three days of national mourning after his death. (By Imran Malik, Assistant Sports Editor)

WHY ALL THIS HATE TOWARDS SAMANTHA RUTH PRABHU? Everybody loves to hate Samantha Ruth Prabhu or so you feel when you read the vicious trolls that fly in her direction every day. Something as innocuous and mildly inspiring as her tweet posted yesterday on how women are doing incredibly well in Tamil cinema was torn down by an online hater. Ruth Prabhu wrote: “Women Rising” along with a picture of a string of billboards featuring women prominently in the movie posters, while her unknown and faceless hater wrote: “Just to fall”. Her post was to underline the strides taken by female actresses in a male-dominated film industry, but her haters couldn’t leave her alone to bask in that reflected glory. But Ruth Prabhu had a wicked comeback to that spiteful observation. “Getting up makes it all the more sweeter my friend”. Now here’s a woman who combatted vitriol with grit and grace. Here’s to a women like Ruth Prabhu who obliterate spite with sense. (By Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Entertainment)