From the editors: Ban on non-Emiratis, Australia in T20 final, Travis Scott concert deaths

BAN ON NON-EMIRATIS A WELL-THOUGHT-OUT MOVE: Al Dhaid Municipality in Sharjah, based on the directives of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has banned renting of residential units to non-Emiratis in the residential neighbourhoods of Al Dhaid. The decision has been taken in order to ensure protection of individual privacy and preservation of local traditions and culture. There are two significant aspects about this move. First of all, the decision was announced during a live programme on Sharjah Radio and Television, thereby yet again affirming how crucial a role mass media plays in our daily lives. Secondly, on the same programme, some days ago, a caller had aired concerns about lack of enough legal measures to regulate renting of accommodations in some residential areas of the emirate. The wise leadership of the UAE has always responded to the community’s concerns on a wide variety of issues, without any delay. This decision to ban renting of residential units to non-Emiratis in Al Dhaid is in keeping with that tradition. (Photo: Sharjah skyline for illustrative purposes only) [COMMENT BY: Sanjib Kumar Das, Assistant Editor]

AUSTRALIA IN FINAL AFTER THRILLING WIN OVER PAKISTAN: Pakistan’s brilliant T20 World Cup tournament came to an end last night as Australia came back from the brink to win by five wickets in the semifinal. It was yet another thrilling semi following the New Zealand and England clash the night before but Pakistan will feel bitterly disappointed having played so well and seeing a certain victory snatched from their hands. But that is the beauty of T20 cricket. They looked to be cruising to the final but when Hassan Ali dropped Matthew Wade the Aussie took full advantage of his lifeline by then hitting Shaheen Afridi for three consecutive sixes to complete a stunning pursuit of 177 and book a spot in the final on Sunday where they will meet New Zealand. It is an amazing turnaround in fortunes for Australia who came into the tournament having lost their past five T20 series and were bowled out for 62 by Bangladesh in August. It appears they are hitting form at the perfect time and will be the favourites on Sunday. [COMMENT BY: Imran Malik, Assistant Editor]

WILL GOVERNMENTS UPHOLD PLEDGE TO SLASH EMISSIONS?: Climate negotiations are set to end today at the COP26 Summit in Glasgow, Scotland. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned yesterday that a key global warming goal - to reduce the temperature - is on ‘life support’. Alas, it is highly likely that countries will not agree to uphold the carbon-slashing pledges that are required to keep Earth warming beyond the 1.5-degree threshold. This year’s summit, like summits before this, has presented the challenges that nations have faced before. Developing countries blame developed countries, like the US and European Union states, for most of the emissions since the Industrial Revolution. But the arguments and counter-arguments mean that this summit is likely to end in the same stalemate as those before it. [COMMENT BY: OMAR SHARIFF, International Editor]

TRAVIS SCOTT CONCERT DEATHS: A 22-year-old Texas college student, Bharti Shahani, is the ninth person to die in the events that took place at rapper Travis Scott’s concert on November 5. The young woman’s parents spoke at a press conference after she succumbed to her injuries, sharing that it had been Shahani’s first concert experience. The anguish of her family highlights how senseless the concert tragedy was, and why rules to manage crowds are incredibly important. Amid the lawsuits filed against Scott and the inevitable backlash, hopefully it will hit home for concert organisers that the safety of the audience is the top priority. [COMMENT BY: Jennifer Barretto, Assistant Editor – Features]