From the Editors: Hatta, a befitting backdrop for UAE’s Golden Jubilee celebrations

HATTA, A BEFITTING BACKDROP FOR UAE'S GOLDEN JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS: The decision to hold UAE’s official celebrations to mark its Golden Jubilee on December 2 in Dubai’s Hatta must be lauded. Marking a milestone event against a backdrop that is as pristine and picturesque as Hatta is very befitting. Full of natural wonders, Hatta, which is covered by mountains, lakes and valleys, is also equidistant from all the seven emirates. What’s more, the celebrations will be beamed lived so those who cannot be there personally can also watch the landmark event. [COMMENT By: Sharmila Dhal, UAE Editor]

PRO-IRAN MILITIAS IN IRAQ A LAW UNTO THEMSELVES: Iran-backed militias have camped outside Baghdad’s Green Zone protesting the results of the elections last month in Iraq. The scuffles on Friday left one protester dead but also highlighted the stranglehold of these parties on Iraq. After the drubbing they received in the elections, political blocs allied to Tehran, and backed by their own heavily armed militias, have never quite accepted the results. Despite the fact that the election was marred by voter apathy and the widespread feeling that nothing is going to change, Iraqi voters still made one thing clear: They reject the disproportionate role that Iran plays in their country’s internal affairs. It is a message that these parties will do well to ponder over. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

KL RAHUL NEEDS TO FIND CONSISTENCY FOR INDIA: India needed to beat Scotland to keep their T20 World Cup alive last night and Virat Kohli got the perfect start by winning the toss and electing to bat second which has proved so crucial at this tournament. The Scots were skittled out for 85 and India cruised to an 8-wicket win but questions are being asked of them; where was this intent from the team in their first two games? And why can’t KL Rahul bat like he did last night more often? He doesn’t seem to be able to turn on the style in the big games. More importantly, India cannot afford to get too excited by last night’s win because, with all due respect, Scotland aren’t the toughest nut to crack. However, it was a good move by Kohli to have three spinners in the side as the balance looked right and perhaps going forwards India will stick with this combination. [COMMENT BY: Imran Malik, Assistant Editor]

GEORGE CLOONEY HAS SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT TODAY'S PAPARAZZI CULTURE: George Clooney has penned an open letter to media houses asking them to stop publishing pictures of his twins, while stating that his wife’s line of work places them in danger. Amal Clooney is a human rights lawyer who, the actor notes in his letter, puts terrorist groups on trial. Clooney said he decided to write the letter after seeing photos of US actress Billie Lourd’s one-year-old daughter published online. Lourd is daughter to ‘Star Wars’ alum, the late Carrie Fisher. Clooney’s comments comes weeks after Blake Lively also took to social media to slam an Instagram account for posting a paparazzi picture of her three children, while calling it “disturbing”, while lashing out at people for stalking her family. Clooney and Lively may be Hollywood figures but they are also parents who deserve the right to privacy and ample protection for their children. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]