From the Editors: Protecting the UAE’s heritage and environment

Protecting the UAE’s heritage and environment: For centuries, the ghaf tree has been one of the cornerstones of life in the desert. It has been used in traditional medicine, its fruit and leaves used as food for those living in the desert and their herds. It also helps reduce dust in the desert. The UAE declared the ghaf tree as a national tree and has taken several steps to protect it. The Dubai Municipality has announced fines of up to Dh50,000 if anyone is found harming this national treasure. This move is sure to ensure enhanced deterrence against those with malicious intent - Somshankar Bandyopadhyay, Assistant Editor

Violence against women must stop: One in three women worldwide have experienced physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime. It is a sickening statistic. They are suffering in communities all over the world. In Pakistan, steps are being taken to better protect the fairer sex; Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s recent Domestic Violence Against Women Bill has been hailed a landmark legislation while another initiative is the launch of a new mobile app called Humqadam. It gives women a safe and secure platform to lodge complaints and reach out for help. Unveiled on February 12 - Pakistan’s National Women’s Day - the app has received financial support from the European Union. It aims to ensure safety and protection by providing step-by-step guidance to any females suffering abuse. Many countries have imposed strict lockdowns due to Covid-19 meaning women are trapped at home with their violent partners. It is a sobering thought. Apps like Humqadam may be needed more than ever right now. Imran Malik, Assistant Editor

No more room for bad behaviour in showbiz: If there’s anything the last few weeks have taught us then it’s how misogyny continues to retain its grip on the world of entertainment. Justin Timberlake, who has issued an apology to his ex-girlfriend Britney Spears and singer Janet Jackson over his past behavior, terms it correctly when he says: “The industry is flawed. It sets men, especially white men, up for success. It’s designed this way.” The pop star’s statement also rings true in the case of writer-director Joss Whedon, who has been called out by several cast members of the hit TV show ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ over his abusive behaviour. While Charisma Carpenter, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Michelle Trachtenberg took years to speak out, both these high-profile instances beg the question: is this enough to finally bring a change in Hollywood? Bindu Rai Entertainment Editor

Outlook is gloomy at Tottenham: Somebody is telling fibs at Tottenham as the division between manager and players looks to be widening. On Friday evening, manager Jose Mourinho criticised Gareth Bale after the forward’s Instagram post earlier this week in which he indicated he was fit to play against Everton. Bale posted a comment saying he had enjoyed a “good session” in training but he was not even on the bench at Goodison Park. Mourinho said Bale’s comment was misleading and “a contradiction” as the player had asked not to be included. Given recent spats at the club, poor results and public criticisms of the players by Mourinho, the outlook looks grim. I guess the only question is: who will go first, the coach or the disruptive players? Matt Smith, Sports Editor

Without a government, how can Lebanon solve its issues?: News out of Lebanon continues to defy belief. Prime minister-designate Saad Hariri said on Friday that no progress had been made in talks to form a new government. And this comes after months of political wrangling. Who is to blame? It is the entire venal Lebanese ruling class. The next question that pops in mind is: How can a country drowning in debt, unemployment, security issues, economic mismanagement, the COVID-19 pandemic, and with a currency in free-fall even hope to start fixing its problems if it doesn’t even have a functioning government? There is no answer to that. Things in Lebanon have clearly turned surreal. Omar Shariff, International Editor