Biden's Middle East visit marks a pivotal moment for Gaza, UAE pension system climbs in global ranking, and more, Gulf News Editors comment on October 17 trending news

BIDEN'S MIDDLE EAST VISIT MARKS A PIVOTAL MOMENT: Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, US President Joe Biden's high-stakes visit to Israel, followed by meetings with Arab leaders in Jordan, comes at a critical juncture. Israel's military buildup on Gaza's border and mass evacuations of over a million Gazans have raised concerns of further conflict. The situation is dire, with a million Palestinians already displaced and humanitarian conditions deteriorating rapidly. President Biden's mission is to navigate a path towards de-escalation, dialogue, and diplomacy, a complex endeavour given the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict and regional rivalries. The world watches as Biden seeks to address immediate humanitarian crises while pursuing long-term peace and stability in one of the world's most volatile regions. (By Sadiq Shaban, Opinion Editor)

UAE PENSION SYSTEM CLIMBS IN GLOBAL RANKING: The pension system in the UAE has secured 23rd place in the annual ‘Global Pension Index’ put out by Mercer and the CFA Institute, signalling a respectable position among the 47 nations included. Although it may slightly lag regarding retirement benefits, the UAE has exhibited resilience, particularly in the domains of adequacy and sustainability. The system comprises obligatory contributions and extends benevolent benefits. Nonetheless, the forthcoming shift from a defined benefit structure to a defined contribution plan represents a noteworthy transformation, empowering employees to strategize for their financial well-being during retirement. This shift is in sync with the mounting retirement requirements of a burgeoning population. The UAE is advancing to augment its pension system, catering to citizens and foreign nationals, with a core objective of ensuring economic stability during retirement. (By Nivetha Dayanand, Web Editor)

POSITIVE CHANGE: The prestigious Zayed Sustainability Prize pays tribute to the legacy of UAE's Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. It has illuminated the path of hope for over a decade, honouring 106 winners who have impacted 378 million lives across the globe. These laureates exemplify innovation and sustainability, leading the way for positive change. It is about the transformations these laureates bring to the world, bettering lives, fostering sustainability, and paving the way for a more equitable future. This year's spotlight shines on the food category, where three Zayed Sustainability Prize finalists in agriculture — Gaza urban and peri-urban agricultural platform, Championing sustainable agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa, and Combating malnutrition in Guatemala with bio-fortified maize seeds — are making strides. Coinciding with COP28 UAE, the Prize brings a fresh accolade and hope for the world. Their stories inspire collective action for a better tomorrow, and a sustainable food future. (By Jay Hilotin, Senior Assistant Editor)

AFGHANISTAN WILL HAVE THE SELF-BELIEF AFTER SHOCK WIN: Afghanistan have not been able to live up to the expectations. In the last 17 games in World Cup, they had just one victory to their credit, that too against minnows Scotland. They had the talent and some of the players have plenty of experience by playing in numerous Twenty20 franchise leagues across the world. Still, they were not able to translate it to their advantage in terms of wins. When the country was down in spirits in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake, the Afghanistan players found the right time to prove that they belong to the elite league by shocking defending champions England, giving a morale boost to the beleaguered team and a huge positive news to the people, who have been affected by the disaster. After such a win, Afghans will now have the confidence and the belief that they will be able to beat the best. (By A.K.S. SATISH, Sports Editor)

MUTTIAH MURALITHARAN’S SPORTSMANSHIP WAS ON FULL DISPLAY: Being a sport is what defines most great athletes and Sri Lankan spin legend Muttiah Muralitharan, who was gearing up for the release of his biopic ‘800’ was no different. The '800' biopic's casting turmoil – in which an A-lister like Vijay Sethupathi had to bow out of the project due to boycott calls on how an Indian can play a Sri Lankan bowler on the big screen -- encapsulates the delicate interplay of art and public sentiment. Muralitharan's gracious prioritisation of Sethupathi's career over potential political backlash signifies a unique blend of sportsmanship and understanding. Apparently, Muralitharan’s political stance was perceived as anti-Tamil, and it cost him heavily. But the spin icon isn’t taking it personally. He’s happy that his eventful life has beaten all those casting controversies and lived to tell the tale. Our interview with him will shed light on his unrelenting spirit. (By Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Entertainment Editor)