From the Editors: Dubai’s reduction of carbon emissions no mean feat

DUBAI’S REDUCTION OF CARBON EMISSIONS NO MEAN FEAT: Dubai Supreme Council of Energy’s announcement that Dubai reduced its carbon emissions by 33 per cent last year, exceeding the target of the Dubai Carbon Abatement Strategy 2021 by more than double, is great news. It signals a steady move by Dubai towards becoming a carbon-neutral economy by 2050. As a global hub for sustainable development, Dubai aims at providing 100 per cent of energy from clean energy sources by 2050 which will be no mean feat when it happens. The authorities have laid out the roadmap, it is for us residents to do what is expected of us to so the vision is realised. [COMMENT BY: Sharmila Dhal, UAE Editor]

THE BOOSTER VACCINE JAB TO PROTECT AGAINST COVID-19 VARIANTS IS IN THE NEWS: And along with it is the definition of ‘fully vaccinated’ – two jabs or three. Scientists are leaning heavily in favour of amending the term to include three jabs, and public health leaders are not far behind. But the fact remains that a large number of people around the world are yet to get their second vaccination shot. This must not be compromised in the rush to deliver the booster. [COMMENT BY: Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor]

F1 ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX: SPARKS WILL FLY AT THE YAS THIS EVENING: The backdrop of the season-finale for F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix couldn’t have been better with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, the challenger to seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, winning the pole with a scorching lap on Saturday. Hamilton lauded Verstappen as a ‘deserving’ winner, but the champion’s ego will ensure the Mercedes ace gives his best in the Drivers’ championship decider at the Yas Marina track this evening from 5 pm. The crowds will be back to savour the race and lend to the electric atmposhere, – so fasten your seatbelts and get ready to revv up! [COMMENT BY: Gautam Bhattacharyya, Senior Associate Editor]

PAKISTAN’S CINEMAS RETURN TO GLORY: It is indeed a moment of pride for Pakistan with the release of ‘Khel Khel Mein’ in cinemas this week, the first film from the country to have a theatrical release in nearly two years since the onset of the pandemic. The Nabeel Qureshi directorial has already received good business through word-of-mouth reviews, especially with Pakistani President Arif Alvi, First Lady Samina Alvi and a number of ministers who turned up as a show of support during the special screening in Islamabad of the Sajal Aly and Bilal Abbas Khan starrer. The movie depicts the story of Bangladesh’s independence from Pakistan’s perspective, with the country’s Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry applauding the production team for covering the historical event for generations to learn from. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]