Al Neyadi’s spacewalk inspires future generations in Arab world and Sudan’s warring parties must abide by truce, end hostilities: Gulf News Editors comment on top stories of April 29

AL NEYADI'S SPACEWALK INSPIRES FUTURE GENERATIONS IN ARAB WORLD: UAE astronaut Sultan AlNeyadi’s successful spacewalk mission is a huge step forward for the Arab world’s participation in space exploration. As the first-ever Emirati, first Arab and first Muslim astronaut to perform the spacewalk, AlNeyadi’s feat on Friday set a new standard for excellence in space pursuits, inspiring future generations to reach for the stars with a renewed purpose and enthusiasm. [COMMENT BY: Sharmila Dhal, UAE Editor]

SUDAN'S WARRING PARTIES MUST ABIDE BY TRUCE, END HOSTILITIES: Despite a renewed truce, bombing raids continued over Khartoum on Saturday, amid fierce fighting between Sudan’s army and paramilitaries. The battles entered a third week with each side blaming the other for breaching the truce. Nearly 5 million residents across Khartoum have largely sheltered at home despite supplies of food and water dwindling to dangerously low levels, and a lack of electricity. Some managed to sneak out only during brief lulls in fighting to buy desperately needed supplies. As battles raged on the ground, the two warring generals took aim at each other in the media. The accusations will only escalate the conflict which has seen hundreds of deaths and tens of thousands displaced. The rivals must cease hostilities and hold negotiations to end the conflict before it’s too late. [COMMENT BY: Stephen N.R., Senior Associate Editor]

JACK NICHOLSON IS IN THE NEWS AGAIN: A public appearance of an actor isn’t a big deal. In fact, actors and public appearances go hand in hand. But not so in the case of Jack Nicholson. The winner of three Oscar awards, known for spirited performances in ‘One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest’, ‘The Shining’ and ‘The Departed’, was, according to US media reports, not seen in public for over 18 months, leading to speculation over his health. So much that when a magazine published pictures of him with disheveled hair at his home early this year, fans breathed a sigh of relief. Yesterday, the actor was spotted at a basketball game in the US. Rest easy, folks. One of Hollywood’s greatest actors is alive and kicking. [COMMENT BY: Rajagopalan Venkataraman, Assistant Editor-Features]