From the Editors: Return of Desert Safari in the UAE

RETURN OF DESERT SAFARI BODES WELL IN FUTURE: In another signal that life in the UAE is rapidly returning to normal, the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) has resumed desert safaris as part of a wider plan to restart all tourism activities. Desert safaris are one of the most popular winter pastimes in the country and its resumption will surely bring cheer to residents and tourists alike. However, it is important to continue to keep vigil till the spectre of COVID-19 has completely passed from our lives, and maintain all precautions. [COMMENT BY: Somshankar Bandyopadhyay, Assistant Editor]

US VIOLENCE LEAVES QUESTIONS UNANSWERED: It was meant to be a historic day when the US Congress ratifies the Electoral College votes to declare Joe Biden as the next president of the country. There were concerns about the objections that would be raised and the role of the Vice-President Mike Pence. What was not expected was the violent mob taking over Capitol Hill forcing law makers to take cover. The US has been a beacon of democracy over the past 200 years, but the incidents overnight have left many questions unanswered. With the new president scheduled to be sworn in on January 20, hopefully peace will prevail soon. [COMMENT BY: Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor]

RONALDO MADE TO WAIT IN PURSUIT OF BEING THE TOP SCORER: Cristiano Ronaldo’s pursuit of touching the all-time top goalscorer’s tally of Josef Bican (759) has to wait as champions Juventus inflicted season’s first defeat on Serie A leaders AC Milan 3-1 on Wednesday – without any contribution from him. The Portuguese superstar overtook Pele on Sunday, and now on 758 goals, is poised to become the highest goalgetter in the game. Federcio Chiesa bagged his first brace for Juve, scoring on 18 and 62 minutes in the San Siro with Weston McKennie getting a third with quarter of an hour to go. Davide Calabria had pulled a goal back before the break to level for Milan who were playing without injured star Zlatan Ibrahimovic. [COMMENT BY: Gautam Bhattacharyya, Senior Associate Editor]

CELEBRITY RELATIONSHIP DRAMA: All is not well in the world of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West. The power couple are reportedly on the road to divorce, which would mark the end of an era for them and for pop culture. Now there are even rumours of infidelity. Even though Kardashian and West have spent many years in the limelight, the truth is we never know what goes on behind closed doors. This goes for new rumoured pair-ups too. Actress Olivia Wilde and singer Harry Styles are reportedly the new couple in town. While nothing is confirmed yet, with that Hollywood gets a new piece of drama to talk about. [COMMENT BY: Jennifer Barretto, Assistant Editor]