What drives Dubai real estate momentum? Social media warnings, and boost for recycling, Gulf News Editors comment on the top stories on May 24

EVEN THE DH1M HOMES COUNT IN FINAL ANALYSIS: For every Dh100 million to Dh400 million plus home sold in Dubai, if the property market keeps recording sustained demand for those new Dh1 million or Dh2 million homes being launched or delivered by developers, then this momentum can keep on going. And have a good enough buffer against any headwind thrown up by the global economy. The key driver of the Dubai real estate momentum – that’s been on for two years and some now – is because end-users have been doing much of the buying. Whether that’s a Dh200 million villa on the Palm or a Dh1 million home somewhere in the city. The focus should remain on end-users – they are the ones giving depth to this rally. And long may it continue… (By Manoj Nair, Business Editor)

WARNING ON SOCIAL MEDIA MUST BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY: Excessive social media use as a child may lead to a higher risk of poor mental health, the US Surgeon General has warned. Amid a growing mental health crisis for teens and children, Vivek H. Murthy said there isn't enough evidence to determine whether social media is "sufficiently safe" for the youth. Excessive use of social media has been associated with problems sleeping and difficulty paying attention amid many other risks. With most children on social media, and many spending a large amount of their time on it, the new warning is a wake-up call - for teenagers to step back, technology companies to do more at assessing the potential harm, and officials to regulate harmful content. (By Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor)

A BOOST FOR RECYCLING: With the introduction of higher-capacity recycling bins at strategic locations throughout Al Ain and Abu Dhabi city, and the establishment of 20 Community Recycling Centres, the emirate of Abu Dhabi show the way for people to help boost recycling. They are simple to use because to the color-coded bins. According to the Abu Dhabi Waste Management Company (Tadweer), recyclable goods should only be placed in the green recycling bins. The black trash disposal bins, on the other hand, are for all forms of non-recyclable material. Tadweer designates different vehicles to empty the green and black bins in order to ensure that waste is correctly separated and treated. Transporting recyclable material to Tadweer's recycling plant allows for additional sorting, care, and processing. This is a good opportunity for everyone, young and old, to help directly in helping the environment by redirecting recyclable materials away from landfills. (By Jay Hilotin, Senior Assistant Editor)

FOR DHONI IT IS HEAD OVER THE HEART: Mahendra Singh Dhoni is captain cool because he lives in the moment, be it on the field and off it. The Chennai Super Kings skipper’s future as player in the Indian Premier League has been a topic of debate since the start of Season 16 and after guiding the four-time champions to their 10th final, one expected him to be a bit more euphoric and reveal his plans for the future. A normal person would have done that or said something to go with the flow. But Dhoni being Dhoni, wasn’t swayed by his emotions and said that he still has another eight months to decide what he will do next year. Makes sense. Why the hurry! Just the way he plays his game, the 41-year-old is pushing his decision-making to the very end. Thala (leader) to his legion of fans is staying true to his character. (By A.K.S. SATISH, Sports Editor)

IS CANNES BEING REDUCED TO A FLAMBOYANT FASHION SHOW? Indian actress and producer Nandita Das took to social media to remind everyone that the ongoing Cannes is a “festival of films and not of clothes!” This multi-hyphenate, who premiered her film ‘Manto’ at Cannes previously, claimed the festival was a breeding ground for great conversations on films and storytelling. But the narrative around Cannes is different today as the spotlight on films has dimmed, while the focus on who-wore-what on the red carpet takes centrestage. Perhaps, it’s time to recalibrate our understanding of this prestigious film showcase and focus less on the sartorial stakes and more on the stories that emerge from filmmakers around the globe. Reducing Cannes to a creepy commercial enterprise -- where brands ranging from luxury jewellery to beverage companies allegedly pay influencers and starlets to hawk their goods – is a disservice to the street credit that this festival has built over the decades. Here’s hoping that Das’ concern is noted. (By Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Entertainment Editor)