From the Editors: UAE goes the distance with e-scooter safety

UAE GOES THE DISTANCE WITH E-SCOOTER SAFETY: As the world plays catch up with new micro mobility means such as e-scooters, the UAE has stayed ahead of the curve by introducing the relevant safety regulations. Ultimately it is the riders who must play their part in following the rules, put in place for their own safety and that of other road users. The latest nationwide awareness campaign for e-scooters – which a growing number of riders, especially youth, are using – will see the Ministry of Interior share guidelines on social media while traffic patrols in the field also apprise riders. We have a collective duty to abide by these rules, such as staying in dedicated lanes and wearing helmets, knee guards and reflective vests. [COMMENT BY: Faisal Masudi, Assistant Editor]

LIVERPOOL FALL SHORT FOR ONCE AS TITLE RACE TAKES BIG TWIST: The Premier League title race took a massive twist in the late night kick off at Anfield as Liverpool were held by Tottenham in a 1-1 draw. It means the Reds go top of the table on goal difference but crucially they have now played a game more than Man City. If Pep Guardiola’s team win today against Newcastle they will go three points clear of their Merseyside challengers with just 3 games remaining for both sides. Liverpool maintained their unbeaten Premier League record - which now stretches to 16 games – but time will tell how damaging this failure to beat Spurs will be as the title race reaches its climax. Reds boss Jurgen Klopp says he cannot see City slipping up now and although he has not thrown in the towel it appears the race could well be over. [COMMENT BY: Imran Malik, Assistant Sports Editor]

THERE WILL BE NO CHANGE IN SITUATION AFTER LEBANON ELECTIONS: On May 15, Lebanon will vote for the first time since widespread protests erupted in late 2019 against its venal ruling elite. Since then, the country has been living a nightmare that shows no signs of ending. Between an economic collapse that has seen the currency lose 90 per cent of its value and a horror blast that left large swathes of the city in ruins, Lebanon has seen more than its fair share of trouble. But, no one believes the upcoming elections will solve any of these problems. The same people and families who have had ruled Lebanon for the past few decades will emerge victorious, in one form or another. Although many Lebanese hope they can vote these people out, it seems unlikely as opposition candidates lack the unity and money needed to win. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

IT'S TIME TO POLICE THE CELEBRITY MORAL POLICE: Mandira Bedi is the latest celebrity who’s been forced to disable comments on her Instagram posts following a series of pictures she uploaded that just didn’t sit well with the internet’s self-appointed moral police. Her crime? She dared to spend a day in the pool with a male friend 10-odd months after she lost her husband, filmmaker Raj Kaushal, following a cardiac arrest. Some of the misogyny-laced comments, which were visible before Bedi disabled them, questioned her morality for not behaving like a widow should. Others comments were cruder still, forcing this mother of two to protect herself from the online vitriol. The truth is, it isn’t Bedi who should be forced to protect herself from this attack but rather the vicious trolls who should be running for the hills. It’s time social media platforms tighten the noose and take such accounts down while slapping a permanent ban on them. It’s the only way. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]