UN Security Council to vote on urgent Gaza ceasefire resolution, and other trending stories, Gulf News Editors comment on December 18 top news

UN SECURITY COUNCIL TO VOTE ON URGENT GAZA CEASEFIRE RESOLUTION: The United Nations Security Council is slated to vote on a new resolution calling for an "urgent and sustainable cessation of hostilities" in Gaza on Monday. This move comes as the US expressed impatience with ally Israel. The resolution follows the US blocking a previous humanitarian ceasefire resolution, despite overwhelming support in the General Assembly. The new draft emphasises the need for a ceasefire to allow humanitarian access in Gaza, supports a two-state solution, and stresses unifying Gaza with the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority. Recent remarks from US President Joe Biden caution that Israel risks losing international support due to its "indiscriminate" bombing of Gaza. (By Sadiq Shaban, Opinion Editor)

MAKING ROADS SAFER: Speeding remains a grave concern on the roads as it poses a significant threat to public safety. In response to this issue, the Ras Al Khaimah Police have initiated a two-week awareness campaign, emphasising the severe consequences of excessive speed. Police underscore the commitment to road safety. Under the slogan “Speeding is your wrong decision”, the campaign aims to curb fatal accidents resulting from reckless driving. Police highlighted the alarming number of speeding violations captured by speed radars and urged drivers to exercise caution, particularly on busy highways. Stringent fines outlined in Ministerial Resolution No. 178 serve as a deterrent. Exceeding the speed limit by over 80km/h incurs a Dh3,000 fine, 23 traffic points, and a 60-day vehicle impoundment. These measures reflect a crucial step towards fostering a culture of responsible driving and ensuring the safety of all road users. (By Jay Hilotin, Senior Assistant Editor)

UAE CRICKET IS ON RAPID RISE TO THE TOP: The UAE Under-19 team’s dreams of winning the Asia Cup Under-19 has been dashed after losing the final to Bangladesh. However, the Young Turks need to be applauded for their stupendous effort to make it to their maiden final, defeating Sri Lanka in the group stage and Pakistan in the semi-finals. Sri Lanka and Pakistan are Test-playing nations and the foundation for the junior cricket has been laid decades ago. However, UAE have been heading in the right direction in the last couple of years and their dreams got fillip when they won the World Cup Under-19 Plate final in 2022, defeating hosts West Indies in the semi-finals and then Ireland in the final. Now these two wins make it four against Test-playing nations and could have made it five had they beaten Bangladesh, a superior team in this continental championship after maintaining an unbeaten run. However, this experience will hold these young players in good stead and will give them the confidence to perform at the peak of their capabilities when they graduate to the senior ranks. All these results go on to prove that UAE cricket is on a rapid rise to the top. (By A.K.S. Satish, Sports Editor)

THE LONG AND SHORT OF MISS FRANCE 2024 WIN: In what appears to be a triumph for beauty pageant winners, the recently crowned Miss France 2024, Eve Gilles, is reshaping the narrative around beauty standards. With her short hair, Gilles challenges conventional norms in a beauty contest often accused of sexism. As the sole contestant with a cropped hairstyle, she boldly declares, "No one should dictate who you are." Breaking away from the traditional image of a beauty queen with long hair, her message about individuality paints a portrait of progressive change. So, the long and short of it is simple: Gilles's victory seems like a significant step towards redefining established beauty norms. While many may still believe that beauty pageants are painfully reductive for women around the globe, Gilles’ victory feels like a small win. (By Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Entertainment Editor)