New protocols as UAE students return to school and Avatar back on screen, our editors comment on the top stories of August 24

REASSURING MOVE AHEAD OF UAE STUDENTS RETURNING TO SCHOOL: With students readying to get back to school next week, the new protocols announced by the UAE authorities, allowing all of them to attend classes in person has been widely welcomed. This also includes those who are unvaccinated against COVID-19 on health grounds. Students above 12 years and administrative and teaching staff must show a negative PCR test that does not exceed 96 hours from the first day of school. With the UAE authorities being on top of things throughout the pandemic, the new rules are indeed reassuring. (By Sharmila Dhal, UAE Editor).

A DH163M PENTHOUSE DEAL EXTENDS DUBAI’S LUXURY HOME STREAK: In the waning days of Summer, another eye-catching Dubai home has gone for an eye-popping Dh163 million. A penthouse spanning upwards of 25,000 square feet at the Palm’s Royal The Atlantis Residences is what fetched the handsome sum. So, is the deal a precursor to a golden run of deals in the final four months? There’s been market talk of another Dh200 million plus deal having been arrived at. What all this signifies is that Dubai’s super-luxury home sales continue to happen in a parallel universe, where the mundane worries of an inflation or a recession do not figure in buyers’ dynamic. So, how soon will it be before the Next Big One lands? (By Manoj Nair, Business Editor)

CRAWLEY PROVIDE HUGE UPSET IN CARABAO CUP: There was a massive upset last night in the second round of the Carabao Cup as League Two minnows Crawley Town knocked Premier League club Fulham out of the competition. It turned into an unbelievable night at the Broadfield Stadium thanks to goals from Tom Nichols and James Balagizi which gave the home side a famous victory. At full time, the fans could not contain themselves and they invaded the pitch to celebrate with their heroes who had done the unthinkable. Crawley are 84 league positions below Fulham and having losing four of their first five games this season they sit in 23rd spot in their division. But they put their league woes behind them to book a spot in the third round where the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea will join the fray. The strugglers will be hoping they are drawn against one of the big boys to repeat their giant-killing act. (By Imran Malik, Assistant Sports Editor)

CAN ‘AVATAR’ GET BACK ITS APPEAL? Filmmaker James Cameron’s epic 2009 movie was a massive moment in Hollywood history. Movie lovers all over the world flocked to cinemas to witness the then-groundbreaking visual masterpiece. The movie is re-releasing in UAE theatres ahead of the launch of the movie’s sequel in December. However, it’s been a long time coming after many delays. Many people might have lost interest in the movie series, and even grown skeptical of whether it can deliver the same level of wonder as the first. All this during a time when streaming has taken over attention spans. The makers will need to up their game in order to get people interested again. (By Jennifer Barretto, Assistant Editor – Features)