From the Editors: We must do our bit not to fall prey to phishing scams

WE MUST DO OUR BIT NOT TO FALL PREY TO PHISHING SCAMS: The latest online scam to have surfaced in the UAE is the one circulating on WhatsApp that offers a Dh4,000 compensation to Indian workers who have been employed in the UAE from 1990 to 2021. This fake message claims that the compensation will be paid by the Ministry of Labour UAE. This is only one of the many dubious ‘offers’ that target some of the more economically vulnerable sections of societies and obviously such attempts at cheating people aren’t restricted to the UAE alone. That is why government agencies and the Telecom Regulatory Authority in the UAE have been repeatedly alerting residents and visitors not to fall prey to such fraudulent claims and offers of financial benefits coming from sources that are not authentic. It is very important for all of us to make sure that we depend on authentic and verified sources only when it comes to news and information. The onus is always on us to make sure we steer clear of phishing sites and dubious people. The government agencies are always there to ensure cyber-safety, but we as residents must also do our bit to help ourselves. [COMMENT BY: Sanjib Kumar Das, Assistant Editor]

DONOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO SYRIA LEAVE MUCH TO BE DESIRED: The UN has been unable to reach its target of $10 billion at a two-day video conference for Syria, getting pledges from donors of $6.4 billion. The multiple problems Syria faces - a brutal war that has killed half a million, and with two thirds of the population internally and externally displaced - have been compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. Aid agencies have taken a dim view of the developments, saying that the pledges confirm their fears that donors are not paying attention to the millions of Syrians in need. More than 13 million people need humanitarian assistance to survive this year, the UN says. Clearly, the situation in Syria is getting worse, despite the fact that actual fighting on the ground has reduced in intensity. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

NO PLACE FOR HATE CRIME: The attack on an Asian American woman in New York City has raised many questions – of safety, of race and of turning a blind eye to someone in need. Incidents of hate crime have been on the rise in the US but the latest one stands out for the sheer callousness and indifference with which bystanders treat such attacks. In the video of the incident, people inside a shop can be seen watching passively while the 65-year-old woman was kicked in the stomach, knocked to the ground and repeatedly stamped. The world has enough problems on its plate and has been fighting the COVID-19 pandemic for the past year. There is no place for hate crime in the US or in any other part of the world. [COMMENT BY: Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor]

RONALDO UP FOR THE CHALLENGE IN QATAR 2022: Cristiano Ronaldo, the talismanic Portuguese captain, showed he was game to lead his country’s campaign in Qatar 2022 on Tuesday night. The goal-scoring machine struck his first goal of the qualifiers and then missed one as they came from behind to beat Luxembourg 3-1 on Tuesday. Belgium and the Netherlands, meanwhile, scored 15 goals combined in big routs. Belgium crushed Belarus 8-0 to stay at the top in Group E, while the Dutch trashed Gibraltar 7-0 to go second behind Turkey in Group G. [COMMENT BY: Gautam Bhattacharyya, Senior Associate Editor]

THE WORLD NEEDS TO GIVE BRITNEY SPEARS A BREAK: Britney Spears’ life has played out in the press like a Shakespearean tragedy and it’s time we take some responsibility for her fragile mental state. The paparazzi, social media and even fans who have painted this image of Spears in their heads have only added to the pressures of fame and living every heartbreak and setback in the public eye. The singer finally broke her silence on the unauthorised documentary based on her life confessing that she cried every day for two weeks ever since ‘Framing Britney Spears’ released. Her Instagram post also addressed being “judged”, “insulted” and “embarrassed by the media” constantly. At what point do we collectively say, enough is enough? Surely, even a public figure has the right to be left alone and heal in peace. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]