From the Editors: Fostering a culture of excellence in Dubai

FOSTERING A CULTURE OF EXCELLENCE IN DUBAI: The launch of the ‘Partners for Pioneering’ initiative in Dubai on Monday shows how the government strives to constantly outdo its performance. Aimed at strengthening Dubai’s position as a global leader for excellence in government services systems, the initiative seeks to make sharing experiences and exchanging knowledge between different government entities a daily practice. The objective is to maximise efficiency, productivity and team spirit to realise the ‘one government’ concept” to the fullest. Without doubt, the end beneficiaries will be the residents who have much to be thankful for. [COMMENT BY: Sharmila Dhal, UAE Editor]

DUBAI’S FEE WAIVER FOR AIRLINE AGENTS IS A ‘THANK YOU’ TOO: If Dubai’s travel industry needed a summer boost, they sure got one. The decision by Dubai to waive off fees imposed on airline agents and offices operating in the emirate does to the upbeat mood the industry is passing through. Bookings are flying high and all through the summer, airlines and airports will be running on full. By cancelling the fees, it adds up in ways big and small to the cashflow of the businesses that benefit from the decision. The waiver is also an acknowledgement of the work put in by all stakeholders to get Dubai’s travel and tourism sector back into growth mode at the earliest after the COVID-19 hiatus. [COMMENT BY: Manoj Nair, Business Editor]

WILLIAMS TO MAKE LONG-AWAITED RETURN TO SINGLES ACTION TODAY: Today at Wimbledon seven-time champion Serena Williams will be making her return to singles action after a year out through injury. The American will play against France’s Harmony Tan on Centre Court. It has been 12 months since she tore her hamstring in her first-round match at the All England Club and although the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion played in the doubles at Eastbourne last week with Ons Jabeur all eyes will be on her to see how she fares out there alone. The 40-year-old is one short of Australian player Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam singles wins and will want to try to draw level with her. Time is not on her side and so it could be a case of now or never. [COMMENT BY: Imran Malik, Assistant Sports Editor]

ALEX BALDWIN’S ‘LOVE’ FOR WOODY ALLEN DRAWS CRITICISM: Alec Baldwin’s declaration of ‘love’ for filmmaker Woody Allen, who stands accused of sexually abusing his daughter when she was seven-years-old, has triggered an avalanche of criticism from advocates of the #MeToo movement. Baldwin himself remains at the centre of an investigation into the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins last year, who died when a prop gun being held by the actor was fired on the sets of ‘Rust’. The actor drew criticism from Halyna’s husband in March when Baldwin gave his first public interview about the incident and refused to accept responsibility for the accident. This time, Baldwin has drawn the wrath of others who have supported Dylan Farrow through the years in her claims that her adoptive father abused her. The accusations leveled against the filmmaker have been fueled further since the release of the 2021 HBO documentary ‘Allen v. Farrow’ in which Dylan and her mother, actress Mia Farrow, further detailed the allegations they first went public with in 1992. Baldwin can choose whom he wants to support but to show such disregard towards a movement that has made the world a safer place for abusers, is that really unnecessary? [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Enteratinment Editor]