Dubai’s master plan for next 20 years and UAE airlines on cruise control, our editors comment on the top stories of November 28

DUBAI’S VISION AND ABILITY TO MAKE THINGS HAPPEN ARE EXEMPLARY: The announcement of the Dubai Countryside and Rural Areas Development Master Plan over the next 20 years will change the face of the rural areas in the emirate. Not only will these areas become more productive, they will transform into happening tourist destinations, adding to the huge number of attractions that Dubai has to offer. It is remarkable how Dubai keeps outdoing itself with its visionary plans and its ability to make these plans a reality. Therein lies the secret of the city’s phenomenal development in a short span of time. (By Sharmila Dhal, UAE Editor).

FOR UAE AIRLINES, A TIME FOR CRUISE CONTROL: All the efforts UAE airlines put in over the first 11 months of this year is set to pay off. December forecasts are already looking more than good, with airlines and airports revising those numbers higher by the day. And the industry says there are still last moment bookings likely. This December when the UAE travel and tourism industry basks in the glow of a job well done. In less than 3 days, all that effort will show up in actual numbers – but the nature of the industry is such that the staff at airports, airlines and hotels in the UAE will enjoy their success while on the job. (By Manoj Nair, Business Editor)

GERMANY’S MUSIALA CAN BE THE NEXT MESSI: Germany teenager Jamal Musiala played a key role in driving Hansi Flick's side to a crucial point last night against Spain at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. The 19-year-old midfielder had another brilliant game where he showed all of his skills on the ball and his meandering runs which are similar in style to Argentina legend Lionel Messi. It is no wonder the Bayern Munich teen ace is being hailed as the next Messi. The performances of the four-time world champions have so far been mixed but Musiala has shone brightly for the team. The Germans many be bottom of Group E but with him in the side playing so well, they will feel confident of beating Costa Rica on Thursday and making the last 16. (By Imran Malik, Assistant Sports Editor)

‘GASLIGHTING’ HAS DEEP ROOTS IN CINEMA: When news trickled in earlier this morning that Merriam-Webster’s word of the year is ‘Gaslighting’ – which means mind manipulation and deliberate deceit – I wasn’t surprised. During various interviews with celebrities, filmmakers, and producers in the last three years , I have heard this word being bandied about with great abandon. Hit Bollywood satires like Alia Bhatt’s ‘Darlings’ and Hollywood thriller led by an in-form Emily Blunt ‘The Girl On The Train’ have tapped into various shades of ‘Gaslighting’. In the 1940s psychodrama ‘Gaslight’, we saw a husband manipulating his new bride with scary aplomb. Now, we are just glad that it’s a part of our everyday vocabulary. But you have to hand it to cinema for calling out gas-lighting spouses long before a dictionary made it an acceptable term. Here’s to cinema being ahead of the times. For those who are curious: Merriam-Webster's top definition for gaslighting is the psychological manipulation of a person, usually over an extended period of time, that "causes the victim to question the validity of their own thoughts, perception of reality, or memories and typically leads to confusion, loss of confidence and self-esteem, uncertainty of one's emotional or mental stability, and a dependency on the perpetrator." (By Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Entertainment Editor)