From the Editors: Setting up of Abu Dhabi civil family court step in the right direction

STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION: The implementation of the Civil Marriage and Divorce Law in Abu Dhabi has clearly defined the rules that expats must abide by to get married – or divorced - in the emirate. The 52 articles it contains cover a wide range of issues from personal status and civil inheritance to joint custody of children and financial rights arising out of divorce. To be dealt with by the Civil Family Court, these regulations are a step in the right direction and are in line with international best practices. [COMMENT BY: Sharmila Dhal, UAE Editor]

PEACE IS NOT OUT OF REACH: French President Emmanuel Macron has raised a pertinent point. He is one of a few Western leaders to fully take into account one important aspect of the current situation on the Russia-Ukraine front: Moscow's legitimate security concerns in the face of Nato expansion on its borders. Macron says a deal to avoid war in Ukraine is possible. He says a "new balance" is required to protect European nations while upholding Russian strategic interests. This is encouraging talk, especially considering that it comes right before negotiations Macron will hold with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday. Macron said Russia's objective was "not Ukraine, but a clarification of the rules... with Nato and the EU". Let's hope his discussions with Putin will be enough to prevent military conflict. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

PUTTING OMICRON IN THE SHADE-FINALLY: The global ports operator, DP World, has come up with a solid set of 2021 numbers on its container volumes during the year. As was expected, the final three months did see a dip in movements as countries - and the supply chain industry – too evasive actions to limit the fallout from the Omicron spread. But what is heartening is that the dip is not as pronounced as during the initial months of the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020. DP World’s numbers are systemically important for the simple reason of its wide geographic reach, whether it is managing ports and terminals in China and India, or in London, Africa and the South Americas. It is a proxy for how global trade is behaving – and gives an insight into how it will fare in the coming months. Going by that measure, global trade, its supply chain operators - and DP World among them – has come to grips with the Omicron disruption. The slow rebuild of world trade can hope for a smoother ride – barring any conflicts or new variants. [COMMENT BY: Manoj bair, Business Editor]

SENEGAL HOLD NERVE IN PENALTIES TO BEAT EGYPT AND WIN AFCON: Senegal won their first ever Africa Cup of Nations title after beating Egypt in the finals on penalties. All the talk before the match was about Liverpool star Mo Salah being the potential match-winner but it was his Reds teammate Sadio Mane playing on the other side who struck the winning spot-kick to seal a 4-2 victory on penalties. The match had ended goalless after extra-time after Mane had missed a first half penalty but undeterred he went on to have the decisive word when it mattered most. Senegal suffered two defeats in the finals in the past so it is a case of third time lucky for them while Egypt miss out on a record-extending eighth continental crown.[COMMENT BY: Imran Malik, Assistant Editor]

KIM AND KANYE’S DIVORCE BATTLE GETS UGLY: As the war of words heats up between Kanye West and Kim Kardashian, the only real victims in this bitter divorce battle are their four children who appear to be caught up in the melodrama surrounding their parents. In between accusations of kidnapping, stealing, death threats and being barred from seeing the children, neither parent comes off looking innocent. Unfortunately for West and Kardashian, their high profile public dispositions simply add more fuel to the raging fire. No matter the outcome, the children should not be the ones walking away from this divorce feeling bitter and broken. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]