From the Editors: A Libyan solution for a Libyan problem

A LIBYAN SOLUTION FOR A LIBYAN PROBLEM: A major political milestone was reached in Libya on Friday, when the main opposing factions selected four leaders to pave the way for general elections in December. Since the toppling and killing of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has been in a constant state of turmoil, with the emergence of two governments. Friday’s agreement has been welcomed by virtually all Libyan power-brokers, regional states, and the international community as it is a wholly Libyan solution for a Libyan problem. With its immense natural wealth, Libya should have been a prosperous nation. Instead, it has found itself dealing with limitless problems. One hopes that this is the first step towards ending the impasse, and attaining economic progress for long-suffering Libyans. [Comment by: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

DATES MUST NOT BE SET FOR LIFTING LOCKDOWN YET: As much as we all want the current lockdown lifted in the UK, the government must avoid setting any such dates. This is not the time to be driven by the calendar because the Coronavirus does not go by it. We're still learning about the virus as it continues to mutate but what we know for sure is that, sadly, there are still many unknowns. That's why it is of paramount importance that the restrictions, which are working, are not eased yet. Prime Minister Boris Johnson should have learnt from his mistake last year when he said the virus would be under control in 12 weeks. It wasn’t and we have since lost over 100,000 lives… It is heartening to see the number of new infections are coming down and although the virus has taken a toll on everything from education to the economy we simply cannot afford any wrong moves now or we risk all the good work being undone yet again. [Comment by: Imran Malik, Assistant Editor]

AUSTRALIAN OPEN TO SERVE UP SOME COVID RELIEF: The signs look like we are all set for some much-needed Grand Slam tennis entertainment to lift the coronavirus cloud. Australia’s second-most populous state of Victoria reported no local cases on Saturday for the second straight day, cooling concerns about the Australian Open tournament due to start in Melbourne on Monday. More than 500 staff and players at the event tested negative for the novel coronavirus on Friday in re-testing required after a worker at their quarantine hotel caught the virus. One concern is the number of injuries players have picked up in warm-up events after two weeks in hotel quarantine. Naomi Osaka, Victoria Azarenka and Serena Williams withdrew from their tune-up events, before Alexander Zverev tweaked his back in an ATP Cup match against Daniil Medvedev. [Comment by: Matt Smith, Sports Editor]

GOODBYE TO A CHILDHOOD HERO: Christopher Plummer’s death comes at a time when the world needs to hold on to its heroes. The Hollywood actor, who won hearts as the widower Captain von Trapp in 1965’s blockbuster, ‘The Sound of Music’, has died at age of 91 at his home in Connecticut. Plummer’s ability to light up the screen with a mere smoldering look is the stuff of legends. Fans of Plummer would have to wait decades for the actor to get his due on screen, with a late-career renaissance that saw films such as ‘The Insider; (1999), ‘A Beautiful Mind’ (2001) and Spike Lee’s ‘Inside Man’ (2006). But it was 2012’s ‘Beginners’ that finally won him the elusive Oscar. While the world mourns an acting powerhouse, to fans who grew up on a diet of ‘The Sound of Music’, Plummer will always remain the dashing young man who defied the Nazis and reduced grown men and women to tears with a single note from ‘Edelweiss’. [Comment by: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]