UAE in space, return to pre-Covid times, Real Madrid trash Liverpool, our editors comment on the top stories of Feb 22

UAE POISED FOR SPACE SCIENCE BREAKTHROUGHS. With Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi set to begin his six-month space mission starting next week, a series of studies are planned onboard the International Space Station to explore and improve health and materials science. The research – such as on heart tissue beating in microgravity and how substances burn in space – will contribute to the endeavours of one day visiting another planet. Meanwhile The UAE’s Hope Probe has already sent back unprecedented images and data about Mars’ atmosphere and continues to yield surprising results. The country’s space programmes have the overarching goal to add to the crucial scientific knowledge that can improve our lives on Earth and beyond. (By Faisal Masudi, Assistant Editor)

A RETURN TO ‘PRE-COVID TIMES’: Business optimism takes on many forms, but the one vibe you get more of these days is about being back to pre-Covid times’. For businesses, it’s a milestone on their arduous return back from all the subversions and trauma created by the pandemic. And business owners make the mention of their numbers getting back to where they were before Covid in 2020 as a badge of honour. And it should be seen as one. This week, hotels in Dubai has been seeing that sort of exuberance, brought on by unprecedented demand to be part of the ongoing Gulfood event. And then there is the tennis tournament under the DDF banner. So, expect more mentions of ‘pre-Covid times’. It’s a win for UAE’s businesses… (By Manoj Nair, Business Editor)

LIVERPOOL THRASHED BY REAL MADRID IN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Liverpool have been left needing a miracle to advance to the Champions League quarterfinals after they were thrashed 5-2 by Real Madrid last night in the first leg of their round of 16 clash. The Reds were cruising 2-0 at Anfield before the Spanish giants and defending champions fired in five stunning goals to take a huge aggregate lead back to the Bernabeu next month. Jurgen Klopp’s side had enjoyed a mini revival in the Premier League having recorded back-to-back wins over Everton and Newcastle but they failed to pass the real test on the big stage against a brilliant Real side. The Reds have made incredible comebacks in Europe’s elite competition in the past but the feeling is they will need every ounce of luck if they are to do it once again and advance to the last eight. (By Imran Malik, Assistant Sports Editor)

SUBI SURESH’S SUDDEN DEATH PLUNGES MALAYALAM FILM FRATERNITY INTO GRIEF: Today, we woke up to the tragic news of South Indian comedian and TV host Subi Suresh’s death. She was just 41 and succumbed to a reported liver-related ailment. Tributes from her shocked peers have been pouring in. All of them unanimously hailed her as the portrait of winsome charm, sass, and easy humour. Her turn as a host of a children show was the highlight of her career. It’s not easy to work with kids or pets, but Suresh proved that she could win over the young hearts and her audiences of all ages in no time. Her comic and repartee timing was impeccable. Even during her college days (we both attended the same college), Suresh was a complete natural. She could light up the room with her on-point jokes and was understandably one of the most popular girls in her batch. Although she died young, she has managed to put a smile on our faces. We wish she was around for longer. (By Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Entertainment Editor)