From the Editors: Why International Teachers’ Day matters

DIGITAL CALLING: It’s International Teachers’ Day today, an opportunity for us to salute all our teachers, no matter where they may be. Coming as it does in the midst of the pandemic this year, the occasion underlines the fact that learning can never stop, what with distance education becoming the need of the hour. As classes go online, they make us realise that we need to constantly upgrade our skills else we can be left behind. This applies not just to students but also teachers who have no choice but to rise to the new digital calling. [COMMENT BY: Sharmila Dhal, UAE Editor]

A YEAR SINCE IRAQ PROTESTS BEGAN, NOTHING HAS CHANGED: October marks the first anniversary of protests that swept Iraq for months - until COVID-19 cast its shadow - leaving at least 600 people dead and thousands injured. On the surface, a lot has happened; Iraq also got a new Prime Minister. But in reality, little has changed. There continues to be a lack of accountability, despite efforts by PM Mustafa Al Kadhimi to bring the perpetrators of state and quasi-state violence on civilians to justice. Those who are resisting his efforts are the Iran-backed militias. As Iraq tries to recuperate, the biggest obstacle in its path will be these militias. He simply has to find a way of stopping them. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

VIRUS CONTINUES TO SWIRL AROUND THE WORLD: As the world focuses its attention on the health of US President Donald Trump, elsewhere the cases of coronavirus have kept rising, prompting governments to take strict measures. France plans to shut down bars in the Paris region, New York will close schools in nine hotspots, Sri Lanka has urged its people to avoid non-essential travel and the UK is examining plans to introduce a new three-tier lockdown system. Every country has its own story to tell and its own hurdles to surmount. Cooperation from the people and a personal will to stay safe will help countries fight the pandemic to a great extent. [COMMENT BY: Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor]

A PROBLEM OF DISCOUNTS TOO MANY AND TOO LOW: September’s PMI (purchasing managers index) for the UAE highlights one problem area for businesses and for which there won’t be an easy fix. Discounts on offer now match those seen last at the end of last year, when end-of-the-year promotions typically hold sway. That businesses are touching the same discount levels well before this year’s end will have a telling impact on how well they are likely to emerge from the pandemic crisis relatively unscathed. Will they, by the time December comes around, be forced to drop their prices even further to stand a chance of winning more buyer support? If so, is this going to be a cost they can keep on bearing? Already, cashflows are under extreme stress. Banks are reducing their exposures to key sectors, and liquidity comes with strings attached. A tricky spell looms ahead…[COMMENT BY: Manoj Nair, Business Editor]

CHENNAI SUPER KINGS END THREE-MATCH LOSING STREAK: It was left to two members of the ‘Dad’s Army,’ Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis, to produce the best first wicket partnership of IPL 2020 and script a rousing 10-wicket win for Chennai Super Kings over Kings XI Punjab on Sunday. They overhauled a challenging total of 178 by Kings XI Punjab to end a three-match losing streak to show the three-time champions are not willing to go down without a fight. In today’s match, table toppers Royal Challengers Bangalore take on Delhi Capitals.[COMMENT BY: Gautam Bhattacharyya, Senior Associate Editor)

Late actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s family has slammed a forensic report from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences that ruled out murder and said his death was due to suicide. The family, through their lawyer, has said they’re going to request a different forensic team. Some fans have said they will protest further if justice is not served. But, what does justice look like for the family? They are unable to accept the medical body’s report so it doesn’t seem likely that any verdict that contradicts their belief will condole their grief. [COMMENT BY: Jennifer Barretto, Assistant Editor – Features]