From the Editors: Remembering late Sheikh Rashid - Tribute to a UAE visionary

REMEMBERING LATE SHEIKH RASHID - TRIBUTE TO A UAE VISIONARY: In one of the most poignant moments so far in Expo 2020 Dubai’s journey, the dome of Al Wasl Plaza at the Expo site was resplendent with images of late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum on Thursday, October 7 – the anniversary of his passing. In a fitting display of remembrance and reverence, late Sheikh Rashid’s images projected on the Al Wasl Plaza dome and the accompanying exhibition -- involving poetry recitations, melodious renditions, photographs and a mesmerising light-and-sound show – allowed visitors from around the world to know more about the person whose vision helped transform a desert land into one of the most sought-after destinations on the planet. The Rashid Al Khair show will feature regularly on the Al Wasl dome, comprising a stunning 360-degree projection with immersive light-and-sound effects. Expo 2020 Dubai has allowed the UAE and a global audience to offer a fitting tribute to a visionary. [COMMMENT BY: Sanjib Kumar Das, Assistant Editor]

IPL IN UAE - KKR KEEP THE FAITH TO BE IN THE TOP FOUR: It was quite a turnaround story for Kolkata Knight Riders to eventually make it to the last four of the IPL 2021 – though they had to wait till the last day of the league matches on Friday to keep an eye on if Mumbai Indians can pull off the impossible. Starting the UAE leg in seventh position in the table, they looked a transformed side – and they must thank the Young Turks in the top four of their batting line-up for this. While their bowling had always been their strength, the foursome of Venkatesh Iyer, Rahul Tripathi, Nitish Rana alongwith Shubhman Gill – who took some to get into his rhythm after the injury – seemed to have the answers for all situations. The only source of worry is captain Eoin Morgan’s form as it may still hold the key in the crunch matches when they take on Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Eliminator in Sharjah on Monday. [COMMENT BY: Gautam Bhattacharyya, Senior Associate Editor]

DAESH TERROR IN AFGHANISTAN DIRECT CHALLENGE TO TALIBAN: On Friday, a horrific suicide attack inside a Shiite mosque in Kunduz, Afghanistan, killed about 50 worshippers. The blast is the latest in a string of such attacks carried out by the Daesh affiliate in Afghanistan. The Taliban have staked their claim to ruling Afghanistan on two main points: (i) no corruption; and (ii) foolproof security. This attack is a direct and blatant challenge to the second assertion. It raises serious questions about the Taliban’s ability to secure the country. Dozens of Taliban troops have also been killed by Daesh in Afghanistan since the beginning of the US withdrawal. The active presence of Daesh in Afghanistan is now no secret. It remains to be seen if the Taliban can contain this threat. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

WHY ARYAN KHAN'S ARREST COULD BECOME A POLITICAL QUAGMIRE FOR AUTHORITIES: Days into Aryan Khan’s arrest following a drug bust aboard a Mumbai cruise ship bound for Goa, several whisperings about the Narcotics Control Bureau’s (NCB) handling of the case was called into question, prompting the authority to issue a statement denying any vendetta or malice against the 23-year-old’s father, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan. However, with Aryan’s bail denied on Friday, the issue is now turning political with Maharashtra minister and NCP’s Nawab Malik questioning why 11 people were arrested on that fateful night but only eight now remain behind bars, while also hinting that the authority may have spoken to some people in power before such as decision was taken. Malik has also called on the Mumbai Police Anti-Narcotics Cell to conduct an independent investigation into this matter. With the political powerbrokers wading into the arrest of Aryan, this situation could only get uglier in the coming days. Only time will tell. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]