From the Editors: A smooth sail to Abu Dhabi

A SMOOTH SAIL TO ABU DHABI: The EDE scans that have been introduced at the Abu Dhabi border checkpoints from today as a COVID-19 precautionary measure should be welcomed. It is hardly surprising that that the first Abu Dhabi-bound residents from other emirates who underwent the scans this morning found the process to be a breeze, as they were able to cross over in a matter of seconds. The authorities need to be lauded for ensuring that the public are not inconvenienced in any way while implementing necessary protocols and putting safety measures in place. [COMMENT BY: Sharmila Dhal, UAE Editor]

CHILDREN ARE BEARING BRUNT OF LEBANON’S MELTDOWN: The mind-numbing economic crisis in Lebanon has meant that 80 per cent of its population has been plunged into poverty. Unicef has now said that, increasingly, parents are sending their children to work and forcing daughters into early marriages. This is a new low for Lebanon. The so-called multidimensional poverty has increased two-folds for children in the past two years - from 900,000 kids in 2019 to 1.8 million today. Political leaders need to wake up at least now - they cannot allow innocent kids, who are the future of the country, to be penalised in this way. It is not their fault that they are having to face such a situation in a country that, until recently, was a middle income one. It is the fault of Lebanon’s venal politicians. And they need to fix it. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

CHRIS NOTH ACCUSATIONS GIVES FUEL TO #METOO ONCE AGAIN: Chris Noth is one of the most high profile leading men on television who stands accused of sexual assault by three separate women. The actor, who entertained us through his television roles such as NYPD Detective Mike Logan on ‘Law & Order’, Mr Big on ‘Sex and the City’, and Peter Florrick on ‘The Good Wife’, has been dropped by his talent agency as a third woman stepped forward on Friday. While Noth has denied any accusation of rape, calling the incidents “consensual”, the news puts light on the grim reality that the #MeToo movement is far from over in Hollywood. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]