New app for sea-goes in Abu Dhabi, SNB stands firm amid Credit Suisse fallout, and more, Gulf News Editors comment on the top stories of March 21

SAUDI MEGA-BANK CAN TAKE CREDIT SUISSE IN ITS STRIDE – CAN OTHERS DO THAT? The Saudi National Bank has decided to look beyond the Credit Suisse fallout. Even with a SR5.5 billion commitment the Kingdom’s biggest banking entity made in the Swiss entity late last year will not amount to much now. SNB can afford to do that, given that this commitment has no material impact on its profitability. And represented only 1.7 per cent of its investment portfolio as of end 2022. Can other bondholders in the failed Credit Suisse do the same? Now that it’s been ‘rescued’ by UBS, will it only mean more business as usual for Credit Suisse? Including the chance for more bonuses and other perks of the job? (By Manoj Nair, Business Editor)

LAND OR SEA, SAFETY COMES FIRST IN ABU DHABI. To boost the safety of sea-goers, the UAE capital has launched an app, Al Nalia, which shows real-time alerts and updates on marine conditions, routes, berths and more. Marine trips for commerce and recreation are commonplace in Abu Dhabi – a large island surrounded by smaller ones, with many waterways and mangroves. It is essential for people at sea to be aware of precautions and regulations and the latest app service puts the right information at their fingertips at the touch of a button. (By Faisal Masudi, Assistant Editor)

CONTE’S TIME AS SPURS BOSS COULD BE UP THIS WEEK: It is well known that Antonio Conte is an emotional and highly demanding coach but the Italian’s extraordinary comments after his Tottenham side squandered a 3-1 lead to draw 3-3 with Southampton in the Premier League could see him out of the job. It seems very likely that he will be sacked by chairman Daniel Levy this week. Conte called his players selfish and criticised the club’s hierarchy after the match. He was being honest about his opinions but he should not have spoken out to the media like he did, he ought to have held a meeting behind closed doors. But following that post-match rant it appears time will be up for the former Chelsea boss. He is paid a considerable amount of money to be manager and to publicly undermine those paying his salary is poor form. He needs to point a finger at himself too as he is the one responsible for bringing the best out of the players, but clearly he is failing to. (By Imran Malik, Assistant Sports Editor)

FAME IS A FICKLE GAME: Hollywood is a heady cocktail of fame, money, access, and privilege, but those child stars who get inducted into this glamorous corridor very young may not be able to handle it well. Earlier this morning, news emerged that Nickelodeon sweetheart and former child actor, Amanda Bynes, was placed on psychiatric hold after she was found roaming on the streets of Los Angeles alone and without clothes. She waved a car down, but dialed 911 for help. This episode comes on the heels of the troubled actress cancelling a public appearance on Saturday where she was due to re-unite with her former cast mates from her hit children’s show. Amanda is not the only child star who has gone off the rails. Pop idols like Britney Spears and Miley Cyrus have endured their share of trauma after they courted wealth and fame young. Sometimes, not everyone can handle the public scrutiny and attention well. Here’s hoping that young talents learn to find peace with excess sometime soon. (By Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Entertainment Editor)