RTA safety drive continues, UAE businesses turning green, and more, our editors comment on the top stories of March 10

RTA CONTINUES TO ENSURE SAFETY OF COMMUTERS: The Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) has recently taken several new initiatives to ensure the safety of commuters in the emirate. One of them focuses on the safety of bicycle and e-scooter riders. The authority also announces to give away Dh1000 each to 20 safe riders. The idea is to encourage users of alternate transport to follow safety guidelines while commuting on roads. Such campaigns are important to raise awareness about traffic safety requirements for bike and e-scooter users, and stress the importance of fastening seat belts and pedestrian safety. Motorists should also respect bikers and e-scooter users as this will encourage more people to use alternate and cheaper transport modes for short distances. (By Ashfaq Ahmed, Senior Assistant Editor)

UAE BUSINESSES NEED TO WORK ON THEIR NET ZERO SUMS: UAE businesses have another number to deal with – Net Zero. And some of the biggest names in the corporate landscape are doing that, syncing their actions to that of the country’s ambitions on carbon emissions and contributing positively to the climate change debates. The UAE’s biggest bank FAB has joined in the conversation – and also expanding the scope of it. The Abu Dhabi headquartered entity has set clear guidelines on lending to three key sectors and aligning it to how these clients do their part in environmental governance standards. The business of finance in the UAE is turning ‘green’ – and there will be no slowing down for corporates to play catch up. The on-boarding is already happening. (By Manoj Nair, Business Editor)

LEFT-HANDER USMAN KHAWAJA IS IN RIGHT PLACE: Australian opener Usman Khawaja has been enduring some heartbreaks during the previous tours of India. The left-hander had to carry drinks for eight Test matches in his two previous tours as he was branded as someone who could not play the spin well. Pakistan-born Khawaja has proved his detractors wrong after becoming the highest scorer in this series and has spent a considerable length of time on the pitches that were spinning and bouncing. His big century in the ongoing fourth Test at Ahmedabad is a testament to his patience and his batting skills. The stylish left-hander’s century has become very special, as it not only proved his critics wrong, it also put him along with some greats who have achieved the feat in India. Class is permanent as they say. (By A.K.S. SATISH, Sports Editor)

TWO CINEMA ICONS LEAVE US IN THE SPAN OF TWO DAYS: One hails from Israel, the other from the US. One’s noted for his role in a famous stage musical that he performed for over 3,500 times on stage and on the big screen; the other was best known for a Hollywood TV series in the 1970s. Eventually, both the actors became synonymous for these roles, just like how you’d associate Sean Connery with ‘Dr No’ or ‘Goldfinger’. Both began their acting careers around the 1960s, and made a name for themselves. They were even called the finest actors of their generation. One missed out on a Golden Globe; the other won two Emmy Awards. Chaim Topol died on March 8; Robert Blake died a day later. Rest in peace, Topol and Blake. (By Rajagopalan Venkataraman, Assistant Editor-Features)