From the Editors: Eid Al Adha animal sacrifice stipulations must be adhered to

STIPULATIONS FOR EID AL DHA ANIMAL SACRIFICES MUST BE ADHERED TO: Dubai Municipality has urged the public not to slaughter animals at homes and farms, ahead of Eid Al Adha. Community members have also been advised to use mobile apps to purchase livestock, get them slaughtered at the municipality’s abattoirs and even have them delivered at their doorsteps. These measures have been adopted by the municipality and the public has been advised to follow these directives in order to avoid health risks arising out of unsafe animal slaughter and also to avoid overcrowding at the abattoirs. Stiff penalties have also been put in place against all those found guilty of violating these stipulations. As responsible community members, it is our duty to abide by these rules and follow safe practices for the greater good of society.[COMMENT BY: Sanjib Kumar Das, Assistant Editor]

UAE’S PRIVATE SECTOR HAVE TARGETS TO MEET ON UAE NATIONAL JOBS: Clear targets – that’s what the UAE’s private sector has been set when it comes to helping out in creating job opportunities for UAE Nationals. Not just when it comes to absorbing graduates that the country’s universities bring out each year, but even those further into the careers and who want to switch from government jobs to roles in or associated with the private sector. The ‘Nafis’ programme launched by the government in September last year remains the touchstone for how those job creation goals can be achieved. Important milestones on the Nafis pathway are looming for private sector enterprises, and these will measure how the targets are being met. Those targets are real and will need to be achieved… [COMMENT BY: Manoj Nair, Business Editor]

TEST CRICKET IS A TREAT TO WATCH AND THE ULTIMATE CHALLENGE: After months of watching shorter formats, it is a pleasantly pleasing sight to see red-ball cricket, especially in England where there is a real contest between the ball and the bat. The seam movement and the bowlers playing on the batter’s mind and patience, trying to lure them into a false stroke with at least three or four catchers waiting to grab the chance and send the batters back to the pavilion, it’s a sight to behold. The purists will love it, and even those who love the fast-paced whiteball action will become an addict of the longer format over a period of time. New Zealander Darryl Mitchell surviving the nagging line and length from Stuart Broad and how each move by the bowler is carefully countered, like a game of chess, is a treat to watch. Tests are certainly the ultimate challenge. [COMMENT BY: A.K.S. SATISH, Sports Editor]

SEASON OF SEQUELS AND PREQUELS: Kit Harington is set to star in a ‘Game of Thrones’ spin-off about his character Jon Snow. There’s also another prequel in the works for the hit TV show — ‘House of The Dragon’. On the movie front, ‘The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes’ is a prequel for the ‘Hunger Games’, and the much-delayed ‘Avatar’ sequel is also releasing soon. It begs the question — do we need all these parallel stories? Audiences have evolved to need content immediately, and by the time these new shows and movies release people might not be interested anymore. The industry should instead focus on new, fresh work that could be the next big thing.[COMMENT BY: Jennifer Barretto, Assistant Editor – Features]