Have you say in choosing UAE’s urban treasures and UN resolution should help expedite support for Pakistan, our editors comment on the top stories of October 8

HAVE YOU SAY IN CHOOSING UAE'S URBAN TREASURES: Abu Dhabi residents can now nominate their favourite social, cultural and commercial establishments to be recognised as urban treasures in the emirate. The Urban Treasures Award recognises historically and socially significant businesses, and is conferred by culture and tourism sector regulator, the Department of Culture and Tourism. More residents should participate in the progamme to ensure that their favourite places continue to prosper as part of our urban culture, while also inviting new customers to discover them. With this initiative, the government wants to ensure that the valuable establishments nominated as urban treasures are recognised as part of local culture and identity. [COMMENT BY: by Ashfaq Ahmed, Senior Assistant Editor]

UN RESOLUTION SHOULD HELP EXPEDITE SUPPORT FOR PAKISTAN: Some 33 million people affected and 1,700 or more killed since mid-June due to catastrophic floods in Pakistan; over 2 million homes damaged or destroyed; 8 million displaced, and hundreds of thousands still live in tents and makeshift homes. These are grim statistics; But what’s coming is grimmer the UN General Assembly was told on Friday: The disaster could thrust more than 15 million into poverty and the country is on the verge of a public health disaster. The UN made a fresh appeal this week for $816 million, but that sum pales in comparison to what is needed as the loss is estimated at over $30 billion. With the passing of a UN resolution calling on the international community to scale up aid, let’s hope the world would rush much-needed aid to Pakistan. [COMMENT BY: Stephen N.R., Senior Asociate Editor]

MBAPPE BEATS MESSI AND RONALDO TO TOP FORBES RICH LIST: For the first time in almost a decade Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo are not at the top of the Forbes list for highest-earning footballers. Sitting in first spot now is France international Kylian Mbappe. Forbes estimate that the 23-year-old Paris St-Germain forward will earn $128 million this season. The World Cup winner has won 11 trophies at the club, including four Ligue 1 titles, since joining from Monaco initially on loan in 2017. His PSG team-mate Messi is second on $120 million while Manchester United forward Ronaldo third on $100 million. Rounding off the top five are PSG’s Neymar ($87 million) and Liverpool’s Mo Salah ($53 million). The last player to top the list other than Ronaldo or Messi was former England captain David Beckham in 2013. [COMMENT BY: Imran Malik, Assistant Sports Editor]

DO WE NEED MORE CELEBRITY BRANDS?: The concept of a star trying to sell fans something isn’t new. Celebs such as Jennifer Lopez and Britney Spears have had perfumes under their names for decades. However, the last 2-3 years has seen an influx of unlikely stars getting involved in the beauty business — and it’s getting a bit ridiculous. Black Sabbath vocalist Ozzy Osbourne has just launched a line of make-up products, and before that there was actor Brad Pitt and drummer Travis Barker releasing skincare brands. They are entering an already oversaturated market and using their fame to make last ditch cash grabs. Surely they can pick something else they care about to support. [COMMENT BY: Jennifer Barretto, Assistant Editor - Features]