Emirati crew in Syria, UAE investors set for IPO action and spin-friendly pitches, our editors comment on the top stories of Feb 9

HEARTENING RESCUE EFFORT BY EMIRATI CREW IN QUAKE-HIT AREAS: It is indeed very heartening that Emirati crew have joined the search and rescue operations in quake-hit areas. The news that the UAE’s ‘Gallant Knight/2’ operation was able to save a Syrian mother, her son and two daughters from the ruins of their fallen home in Kahramanmaraş province in Turkey. Time is the key when it comes to saving lives and the promptness with which the Emirati crew reached these affected areas from the UAE, besides their preparedness and professionalism, needs to be saluted. (By Sharmila Dhal, UAE Editor)

UAE INVESTORS ARE GETTING NICE DIVIDEND YIELDS – BUT IT’S TIME FOR IPO ACTION: The 2022 results season is midway through, and investors in UAE stocks will be pleased with some of the returns they are going to get from the blue-chips, whether that’s DEWA, Aldar or ADNOC Distribution. But this will only serve to whet their appetite for more IPO action, to give them a chance to buy in – and stay put. So, when will the next IPO come through? Soon enough is how those in the know respond. It will be quite a different environment the next round of IPOs will be getting into, with investors – the retail investors, in particular - having to make some informed choices on how to play the markets this time. The first UAE IPO of the year with all the bells-and-whistles of dividend promises and a growth narrative can bring them on board. Now, who will be the first one? (By Manoj Nair, Business Editor)

A MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING ON SPIN-FRIENDLY PITCHES: Whenever a team visits the subcontinent, the first banter that begins is the quality and nature of the pitches. Certainly, these pitches assist the spinners more and reward the pacers, who have a better advantage of getting the leg-before decision and hit the stumps regularly due to the low bonce while the dry nature of the pitches bring the reverse-swing into play. It is absorbing, but different in a way, not the way the contest between the bat and the ball would have taken place in some other parts of the world. Nothing wrong in playing for the home advantage, that’s where the away skills come into play. As an example, Australians were always superior to their Trans-Tasman rivals in terms of team strength, but they were never able to win easily in New Zealand. Even Australia produced a green-top against South Africa. A perfect ploy if it is within the ICC stipulations. So making a big hue and cry about spin-friendly pitches in the subcontinent is much ado about nothing. Accepting the reality makes it easier to move ahead and learn new skills. (By A.K.S. Satish, Sports Editor)

ACTORS WHO TAKE CREATIVE GAMBLES SHINE IN 2023: By this time tomorrow, Bollywood actor Shahid Kapoor would have made his web series debut with crime thriller ‘Farzi’. The actor, who is known for his romantic idol roles, is shifting gears in his career with this unconventional web platform debut and we are impressed. When Gulf News caught up with him for an interview, Kapoor admitted that this projects explores his zany and whacky side. What’s not to love about a con artist who embarks on making forged currency notes to make a quick buck? While it’s too early to determine if his web series debut will rock or not, we are impressed that A-list actors like Shahid Kapoor are taking risks in their career even if it goes against the grain. (By Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Entertainment Editor)