Safe driving in the UAE fog and the need for ceasefire in Gaza: Gulf News Editors comment on top news of Dec 29

COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY: Navigating through fog demands utmost care and caution. The surge in emergency calls and road accidents during Thursday's early morning fog underscores the challenges faced by motorists. As Major General Saif Muhair Al Mazrouei, Director of the General Department of Traffic at Dubai Police, points out, the heightened risk of fog-related accidents demands proactive measures. Motorists must prioritise safety — by reducing speed, using all vehicle lights, refraining from overtaking, and staying focused on the road. It's a collective responsibility to follow these safety measures and mitigate the risks posed by foggy conditions. (By Jay Hilotin, Senior Assistant Editor)

URGENT NEED FOR GAZA TRUCE: More than 150,000 Palestinians are forced to flee central Gaza and that has placed enormous strain on the southern Gaza towns. With Israeli forces advancing on Bureij and Nuseirat camps in central Gaza, Palestinians are pouring into Deir Al Balah, which is already crowded with several hundred thousand people having taken refuge in the south Gaza town. Around 100,000 have arrived in the densely populated Rafah. How will these towns cater to so many people with the sparse resources? That calls for the cessation of hostilities and Egypt’s three-stage plan could be a starting point. (By Shyam A. Krishna, Senior Associate Editor)

INDIA’S BIG LOSS IN CENTURION: India losing the first Test against South Africa in two and half days must have come as a shock to cricket fans. Although India haven’t won a Test series in South Africa, expectations are always high, but the reality is that most teams struggle playing away from favourable home conditions. Teams from the subcontinent struggle on pacey and bouncy surfaces, while the rest find spin-friendly conditions challenging. The surfeit of white-ball cricket has an adverse impact on technique and temperament, so vital to succeed in Tests. So India’s capitulation in Centurion is no surprise; it’s just in keeping with home teams winning handily. (A.K.S. Satish, Sports Editor)