From the Editors: Launching E-scooters in Dubai a major milestone

LAUNCHING OF E-SCOOTERS IN DUBAI IS A MAJOR MILESTONE: The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has launched e-scooters in five busy zones across the city on Monday providing a cheap and environment friendly mode of transport to commuters. The trial run started in Dubai Internet City, 2nd of December Street, and Al Rigga Street, Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard and Jumeirah Lake Towers. E-scooters have become popular in major cities around the world with private companies launching scooter-sharing schemes. In Dubai, e-scooters will also provide ‘first and last mile’ solutions to public transport users. These e-scooters should be launched across the country to facilitate commuters travel short distances without any hassle. [COMMENT BY: Ashfaq Ahmed, Senior Assistant Editor]

MIDDLE EAST WILL BE WATCHING US ELECTIONS-CLOSELY: What happens in America impacts the entire world. So people globally, especially in the Middle East, will be watching closely to see who the Americans will impose on the rest of the world next week. America has a huge footprint in the region, with a level of involvement that has at times been welcomed - like during Kuwait’s liberation - and at times has proved controversial, like in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The question being asked is how could a second term for Donald Trump or a first Joe Biden presidency affect the Middle East. The answer may lie in the fact that the current and future challenges facing America in the region remain the same, whoever wins. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

BARRETT CONFIRMATION A BOOST FOR TRUMP OR GAME-CHANGER? Amy Coney Barrett has been elevated to the US Supreme Court giving a boost to President Donald Trump and tilting the apex body to the right. Barrett has said she would keep her personal beliefs and judicial work separate. The loud protestations from the Democrats that accompanied her nomination have given way to muted resignation. The confirmation is a happy distraction from the fight against the coronavirus, but will it be a game changer for the President who fights for re-election next week? We will have to wait and see. [COMMENT BY: Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor]

KINGS XI PUNJAB COME BACK FROM THE DEAD: The arrival of Chris Gayle in the line-up ushered in good tidings for Kings XI Punjab, who scored a eight-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders to claw their way to fourth position in the IPL standings. This was their fifth win on the trot, scripted by a breezy second wicket partnership of 100 runs between Mandeep Singh (66 not out) and Gayle (51). [COMMENT BY: Gautam Bhattacharyya, Senior Associate Editor]

Actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas has reminisced about winning the Miss Universe crown 20 years ago and how that one moment in 2000 changed her whole life. There have been countless debates about the relevance of beauty pageants at a time when women’s empowerment is still being fought for. There is no easy answer, as these events can uplift women in cultures where pageants still hold importance, and can lead to fruitful careers in the entertainment business. On the other hand, the hyper focus on traditional standards of beauty put immense pressure on women to conform. The only thing beauty pageants can do is evolve and be more socially aware. [COMMENT BY: Jennifer Barretto, Assistant Editor – Features]