From the Editors: Dubai residents ‘can’ and they will

DUBAI RESIDENTS ‘CAN’ AND THEY WILL: The Dubai Can drive launched in Dubai on February 15 will greatly facilitate residents to make sustainability a way of life. Simple steps such as using refillable water bottles and installing water filters in their homes, offices and schools will go a long way in making the much-needed difference to the environment. Besides the vision, the infrastructure to take the initiative forward has been put in place. It is for residents now to do their bit, with a firm will and resolve to change things for the better. [COMMENT BY: Sharmila Dhal, UAE Editor]

WILL RUSSIA REALLY INVADE UKRAINE? Russia has said it has no intention of invading Ukraine and has accused the West of spreading 'dangerous lies'. But, in Western capitals, memories of 2014 are still fresh, when Russian troops invaded Ukraine and seized its territory. Nato's secretary general has said conflict is real possibility and Washington says an invasion is imminent. Still, there are those who believe Moscow may have overplayed its hand and is looking for a way out. They also point to the fact that some of the 130,000 Russian troops have withdrawn from the border. This dangerous standoff has become an international game of who-blinks-first. The risk of conflict, even accidental, remains high. Cooler heads need to prevail. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: KYLIAN MBAPPE HOGS THE LIMELIGHT: Kylian Mbappe’s importance to Paris Saint-Germain was too evident long before his stoppage-time strike gave them a narrow win over Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League showdown last night and left them on course for a place in the quarter-finals. The French Ligue 1 giants, meanwhile, rejected an offer worth up to 180 million euros ($204m) from Real last August for Mbappe, despite the France World Cup-winning striker being in the final year of his contract. They apparently wanted at least one more season with Mbappe knowing that, even with Lionel Messi and Neymar there too, he is the man they need if they are finally to win a first Champions League title since the Qatari takeover of 2011.[COMMENT BY: Gautam Bhattacharyya, Senior Associate Editor]

REMEMBERING BOLLYWOOD’S DISCO KING: The news of Bappi Lahiri’s death comes at a time when the Bollywood industry and fans are still mourning the loss of legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar. Lahiri formed the soundtrack to the Bollywood of ‘80s and ‘90s, reaching the pinnacle of success with film albums such as ‘Namak Halal’, ‘Disco Dancer’, ‘Saheb’, ‘Shola Aur Shabnam’, ‘Zindagi Ek Juaa’ and countless others. Such was his repertoire that portions of his track ‘Thoda Resham Lagta Hai’ even wound up in the 2002 hit ‘Addictive’ by American R&B singer Truth Hurts. His physical appearance, complete with his trademark gold necklaces, rings and bracelets, may have earned him the moniker as the King of Bling in Bollywood, but it was his ability to embrace the changing times for a fledgling music industry that will forever see him shine bright in the hall of fame as India’s bona fide Disco King. Rest in power Bappi da. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]