Exploring UAE’s generous spirit, Aukus summit hogs limelight, SVB turmoil continues, and more, our editors comment on the top stories of Mar 14

AUKUS SUMMIT PROJECTION OF POWER AND COLLABORATIVE INTENT: Details of a plan to bolster influence in the Indo-Pacific region have been revealed by the US, UK, and Australia. The three nations are set to create a new fleet of nuclear-powered submarines under the Aukus pact. The US will provide Australia with at least three of these submarines. Additionally, the allies will collaborate to develop a new fleet using advanced technology, including UK-made Rolls-Royce reactors. US President Joe Biden noted that the deal was designed to bolster peace in the region and that the submarines would be nuclear-powered but not nuclear-armed. Notwithstanding the statements of reassurance, the Aukus summit does project power and collaborative intent by the allies. (By Sadiq Shaban, Opinion Editor)

UAE’S SPIRIT OF GIVING IN UNBOUND: Teachers, homemakers, students, scientists, officials – thousands of residents from all walks of life, backgrounds and nationalities joined hands in Dubai yesterday to pack relief supplies for communities impacted by the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria over a month ago. At the ‘Bridges of Giving’ volunteering event, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and his family members were also present. He praised the volunteers and said the UAE is always keen to extend a helping hand. This synergy, from the leadership to the community, is what makes the country a bridge of hope for the needy. (By Faisal Masudi, Assistant Editor)

A TIME TO GIVE CONSUMERS, BUSINESSES A RESPITE: Consumers worldwide may only be starting to get to know about the failed Silicon Valley Bank in recent days. The how and why of the bank’s failure has been detailed at depth – but consumers may have another reason to keep SVB in their thoughts. The US Federal Reserve is meeting next week, and if the crisis in the US banking sector won’t fade away by then, there is a good chance of the regulator holding the line on rates. That would immediately mean some respite for consumers here and elsewhere from not having to pay more on their loans and any other exposures they have. After a year of sharp rate increases, if the SVB turmoil forces a no-change, consumers would welcome that. Businesses too. (By Manoj Nair, Business Editor)

IT’S NOW OR NEVER FOR GUARDIOLA AND MAN CITY IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Tonight, Manchester City will be aiming to take one step closer to the Champions League title which has, so far, eluded the English Premier League giants. They host RB Leipzig in the second leg of their last 16 tie with the score level at 1-1 and this year could be the best chance for the club to win Europe’s elite competition because there does not appear to be an outstanding team. This season’s tournament is wide open and anyone can win it. Chelsea, AC Milan, Bayern Munich and Benfica have qualified for the quarter-finals and it looks like Real Madrid will join them as they hold a 5-2 advantage over Liverpool. Napoli and Inter Milan also lead after their first-leg matches and will feel confident of progressing. We are yet to see the best of City this season but perhaps they will now come to life what with a place in the last eight at stake. Coach Pep Guardiola has been at the club since 2016 and has won every tournament apart for the Champions League. It feels like now or never for him and for City. (By Imran Malik, Assistant Sports Editor)

BLOOPERS IS WHAT MAKES THE OSCARS TICK? It was a popular opinion that this year’s Oscars ceremony was devoid of drama (here’s looking at you Will Smith and his infamous Slapgate fiasco). But right now, the Oscar host Jimmy Kimmel is being schooled for describing the South Indian blockbuster ‘RRR’ as a Bollywood film. How could he get the basic wrongs, many trolls are needling him. Speaking of basics, a handful of media in Kerala mistakenly thought Naatu Naatu song winner MM Keeravani was inspired by carpenters from Kerala forests when the musician hailed The Carpenters as the band that shaped him in his childhood. A few journalists even went to the extent of claiming that Keeravani was inspired by the bangs and sounds made by the carpenters in his hood. Both Kimmel and the journalists based in Kerala made an honest mistake, but you all have to admit that there’s some innocent fun to be had here. Getting basics right isn’t easy and these snafus are a classic example of things lost in translation. But what’s an awards night without some unintentional comedy? (By Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Entertainment Editor)