From the Editors: When will we learn from our mistakes?

WHEN WILL WE LEARN FROM OUR MISTAKES?: Yet another incident of drowning. Yet more loss of life. A four-year-old boy and a maid from the same household were found dead in a hotel swimming pool in Ras Al Khaimah last Wednesday, in what is the latest incident of drowning-death in the country. While investigations are still ongoing, it is indeed surprising that the boy and the maid had reportedly accessed the pool without anyone’s knowledge. On several occasions in the past, authorities and law-enforcement agencies across the country had alerted parents and guardians about the dangers of letting minors and children enter swimming pools without the guidance and supervision of adults and guardians. Even adults have been cautioned to avoid going out swimming in the sea without proper safety measures and without the supervision of life guards. In spite of that, incidents such as the one at Ras Al Khaimah continue to leave us in shock. Nothing can compensate the loss of a life – that too at such a tender age. No matter how much the authorities caution us and no matter the strict laws that are in place to ensure we avoid such negligence in dealing with children, the onus ultimately lies with us adult community members to ensure that our children are out of harm’s way at all times – come what may. [COMMENT BY: Sanjib Kumar Das, Assistant Editor]

LEBANON - AL WEFAQ MEMBERS' EXPULSION A WELCOME STEP: Lebanon has done the right thing by ordering the expulsion of outlawed Bahraini opposition figures for their malicious allegations against the Gulf Kingdom. The group, Al Wefaq which has close links with Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, was outlawed in 2016 for inciting violence in the kingdom. Earlier this month, Lebanon’s information minister resigned in hopes of ending a stand-off with Gulf countries that erupted after he criticised the Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen. The stand-off marked a fresh blow for Lebanon, which is in the grips of a crippling economic crisis and whose government was only formed in September after a 13-month deadlock. Though these decisions are a welcome steps in the right direction, Lebanon should do more, including enacting drastic reforms, and make it a priority to mend ties with Gulf states, to get much-needed international aid. [COMMENT BY: Stephen N.R., enior Asociate Editor]

ONS JABEUR, FIRST ARAB TENNIS PLAYER TO LEAVE MARK ON MUBADALA WORLD TENNIS: The Mubadala World Tennis Championship (MWTC) saw a ‘first’ on Thursday evening when Ons Jabeur became the first Arab player to play at - and win - at the International Tennis Centre in Zayed Sports City. Jabeur faced Tokyo Olympics gold medallist Belinda Bencic in the headline women’s match where she came from a set down to claim a memorable 4-6, 6-3, (10-8) victory, to the delight of crowd. Swiss ace Bencic looked in good touch early on taking the first set 6-4 but Jabeur, who reached a career high No.7 earlier this season, showed great desire to get back in the match and fight back. A thoroughly enjoyable contest which also saw British champion Andy Murray shrugging off compatriot Dan Evans on first day. [COMMENT BY: Gautam Bhattacharyya, Senior Associate Editor]

KEEPING OUR GUARD UP: Celebrities and regular folks around the world enjoyed a period of relative calm in terms of COVID-19, with concerts and movies getting back into action. However, the virus is back to scupper best-laid plans. Whether it’s Bollywood stars such as Kareena Kapoor Khan being hit, or entertainers in the West like Charlie Puth testing positive, it’s a reminder that we have to play it safe and keep our guard up. Keep wearing those masks and being careful so that the precious holiday season can be enjoyed as much as possible. [COMMENT BY: Jennifer Barretto, Assistant Editor – Features]