Ajman fire, UAE retail, Liverpool vs Real Madrid clash, our editors comment on the top stories of Feb 21

FIRE AFTERMATH SHOWS UAE’S EVERY-READY SUPPORT. Providing hotel stay, guarding property, fast-tracking paperwork – these are among the ways Emirates Red Crescent and Ajman Police are helping families impacted by Friday’s fire at a residential tower. From first-responders – firefighters, ambulances and police – to humanitarian workers, no effort has been spared by officials in taking care of all needs of affected residents. Dozens of families have already returned to their apartments and thanks to the UAE authorities, the lives of all impacted tenants will be back to normal soon. (By Faisal Masudi, Assistant Editor)

GOING THE EXTRA MILE WITH UAE CONSUMERS: Going by retailer feedback, consumer demand in the UAE continues to sustain itself notwithstanding the distractions of back-to-back rate hikes and what that means on their payment commitments. The one area where lending did drop was in the financing of home sales to end-user. But when buying new cars and other avenues of discretionary spending, consumers could do with some help. And retailers/dealerships are listening to what their buyers would want, ideally. More flexibility on payment schemes would come in handy, anything that eases the consumer’s mind when it comes to his or her side of the commitment. Moreover, retailers will find that extra attention will deliver better returns than informal discounts on offer strategy. Subtle changes are happening on consumer behaviors, and it pays off for retailers to be ready for that. (By Manoj Nair, Business Editor)

Liverpool vs Real Madrid clash to be tasty affair: Liverpool will need to be at their very best tonight if they are to beat Real Madrid in their Champions League last 16 first leg clash at Anfield. The teams will be meeting nine months after the Spaniards beat the Reds 1-0 in the final last year and this is a chance for Jurgen Klopp and co to gain revenge. Had this fixture been played three weeks ago most would have written off Liverpool’s chances as the team secured just one point in January and looked to be in decline. But they have regained some form with two consecutive Premier League wins and appear to have found their feet just in time for the huge clash. Real have won the Champions League a record 14 times and will be keen to add to that but know they will be facing a tough opponent. Both legs of this fixture are set to be very tasty affairs. (By Imran Malik, Assistant Sports Editor)

BAFTAS FACES THE HEAT FOR BEING ALL WHITE: Without taking anything away from the deserving winners that the British Academy of Film and Television Arts ceremony threw up, there was no ignoring that all its winners from the film awards night, held on Sunday, were white. We expected this year to be a watershed year in terms of diversity and ethnic minorities representation. According to a report in BBC, 40 per cent of the nominees from acting shortlist slots weren’t white and hailed from varied ethnic minorities. This exclusion is a sign that the changes in terms of having a more diverse jury and nomination is superficial. Here’s hoping the next year spins a different tale. (By Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Entertainment Editor)