From the Editors: Perfect time to be in the UAE

PERFECT TIME TO BE IN THE UAE: With cool weather here and events aplenty, this is a great time to get out there and soak in all on that’s on offer. There are any number of options for both residents and visitors when it comes to sightseeing, shopping or just chilling out. One can also draw up several outdoor plans to make the most of the pleasant climate. Of course, it goes without saying that due precautions, as stipulated by the authorities for public health and safety, must be taken. [COMMENT BY: Sharmila Dhal, UAE Editor]

LEBANON IS LOSING CLOSEST ARAB FRIENDS: On November 14, Saudi Arabia said point blank that it sees no purpose in engaging with the Lebanese government currently. This view is shared by much of the GCC. The main sticking point is the wholly disproportionate role that one armed, powerful non-state actor - Hezbollah - plays in the Lebanese political dispensation. The irresponsible comments on the Yemen war made by a Lebanese minister - whose Christian party is allied with Hezbollah - were the last straw for some Gulf states. Due to its structural flaws and unacceptable unwillingness to reform, the Lebanese government will pay a heavy price - in the form of the loss of its generous Arab friends. It is a price that Lebanon can ill afford. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

AUSTRALIA PROVED THEIR DOUBTERS WRONG IN T20 WORLD CUP: Cricket is a funny old game. Australia had lost 5 consecutive series ahead of the T20 World Cup and were also bowled out for 62 by Bangladesh. They looked woefully out of form and many didn’t even feel they would get past the group stages - but they are now the T20 world champions. They powered to an eight-wicket victory over New Zealand last night as Mitchell Marsh plundered a ferocious 77 not out from 50 balls. The Aussies easily chased down their 173 target and it was hardly even a contest. New Zealand are now beaten in three consecutive white-ball finals – the 50-over World Cup finals of 2015 and 2019 and now the T20 final – but given their Test Championship success 2021 remains a historic year for them and they can take some heart from that. [COMMENT BY: Imran Malik, Assistant Editor]

BOX OFFICE NUMBERS DON’T LIE-CINEMAS ARE BACK IN BUSINESS: Seven weeks since its global roll out and ‘No Time to Die’ has bonded with fans to garner $700 million at the worldwide box office, making the James Bond thriller the biggest Hollywood movie in 2021 and throughout the pandemic. Meanwhile, the Disney-Marvel collaboration with ‘Eternals’ has seen the superhero adventure generate $281.4m globally as well. While the film opened a week ago in the US, the movie’s first weekend in the Middle East has made it a top draw, while Bollywood action-thriller ‘Sooryavanshi’ crossed Rs1 billion at the box office in a single week. While the critics remained skeptical, the audience has spoken – cinemas are back in business and ready for a big screen comeback.[COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]