Dubai IPOs, UAE checks on endangered species, California shooting: Our editors comment on the top stories of Jan 23

KEEP THE DUBAI IPO RUSH GOING: In 2022, Dubai opened the taps to the IPO pipeline, and the listings of DEWA, Tecom Group, Salik, Empower and Taaleem attest to a beginning done well. Now, the onus is to keep the pipeline of listings flowing smoothly and taking on a new scale as this year progresses. This can be done, despite the talk of headwinds sweeping global markets. The investor pool in the UAE and the Gulf is looking for deeper stock markets and greater transparency to the listings by local and regional champions. Dubai and Abu Dhabi can provide that — but the UAE’s private sector should also join in. (By Manoj Nair, Business Editor)

UAE WELL EQUIPPED TO HANDLE SUSPICIOUS SHIPMENTS: The recovery of a large Bengal Monitor lizard, a threatened species, from a shipping container in Fujairah exposes the audacity with which international travellers still try to smuggle such prohibited items. The UAE authorities, in this case, the biodiversity team at the Fujairah Environment Authority (FEA), can detect anything amiss and take action, thanks to advanced training and technology. That the recovered animal was handed over to Umm Al Quwain Zoo after due quarantine also speaks volumes for the protocols in place in the country. (By Sharmila Dhal, UAE Editor)

CALIFORNIA GUN ATTACK LEAVES UNANSWERED QUESTIONS: Why did a 72-year-old man gun down ten people during Lunar New Year celebrations in California? How did he get the weapon? Did he have an enmity with the people he killed? Was it a hate crime? Unfortunately, many of these questions may go unanswered as the suspect shot himself as police moved in to arrest him. Ten innocent lives were lost to another gun attack. How many more will we have to bear before stringent measures are taken? (By Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor)

IT’S A BIG WEEK FOR SHAH RUKH KHAN: In less than 48 hours, Shah Rukh Khan’s much-anticipated action adventure ‘Pathaan’ will release globally in cinemas after a gap of four years. The actor was on a self-imposed sabbatical since his 2018 debacle ‘Zero’. While we saw him for a bit in ‘Brahmastra’ last year, ‘Pathaan’ is his first film in ages in a leading role, and that’s a big deal. This is a significant release for Khan, who has survived over three decades in a world like Bollywood, where actors are often dispensable. Khan realises that he’s in desperate need of reinventing himself. Gone are the days when his fans were happy with his grand romantic roles as this ultimate husband/boyfriend material. They are clamouring for more. If ‘Pathaan’ — in which he plays a rakish spy —doesn’t work, it will be a massive setback for Khan. (By Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Entertainment Editor)

IS THE GOLDEN BOOT IN THE BAG FOR HAALAND? In just 19 Premier League games this season, Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has already scored 25 goals and bagged four hat-tricks to boot. It is an incredible achievement by the Norway international, and it appears that the Golden Boot award will be his. In comparison, it took former Manchester United star Ruud van Nistelrooy 65 games to net his fourth hat-trick. Former Liverpool man Luis Suarez took 81 games. Alan Shearer equalled the record number of goals with 31 during the season 1995-96 while at Blackburn, but Haaland has 31 in all competitions and still has half a season to grab many more. If he continues this sort of form, then City will feel they can still catch league leaders Arsenal, who they trail by five points and defend their title. (By Imran Malik, Assistant Sports Editor)