UAE extends full cover on jobs and health, and Dubai’s crowd management gets thumbs up, our editors comment on the top stories of Jan 2

UAE EXTENDS FULL COVER – ON JOBS AND HEALTH: Full coverage – that’s what the UAE is out to provide its citizens and residents this year. There will be the expansion of the health insurance cover for residents – which until now had only been applicable to those in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. A decision on the actual launch date should be confirmed within weeks, according to insurance industry sources. The other big bang move is help those hit by a sudden job loss – the Involuntary Loss of Employment scheme provides those affected individuals funding for the first three months and can go a long way in seeing them through a most difficult phase. What UAE’s residents should be doing is to make those regular payments to their Involuntary Loss of Employment (ILOE) premiums – it’s for the greater good, and let there be no doubt to it. Especially so for those lower down on the income chain. So, make those payments – monthly, semi-annual, or annual – count. If ever a crisis hits on the job front, those payouts will help. Immensely. (By Manoj Nair, Business Editor)

RECORD PUBLIC TRANSPORT RIDERSHIP SPEAKS VOLUMES FOR DUBAI’S CROWD MANAGEMENT: That the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) carried 2,166,821 riders on its various public transport, shared mobility means and taxis on New Year’s Eve is extremely commendable. Said to be a 33 per cent rise from the previous year’s number, the huge jump in ridership was matched by the impeccable arrangements made by the authorities for a smooth and hassle-free traffic flow. Over the years, Dubai has mastered the art of crowd management, thanks to constant improvisations it makes with different departments working in tandem towards this end. It is also to the credit of the revelers who cooperated with the authorities to ensure all went well. (By Sharmila Dhal, UAE Editor).

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN BEATEN FOR FIRST IN NINE MONTHS: For the first time since March 20, Ligue 1 champions Paris St-Germain have tasted defeat. Even with France’s World Cup star Kylian Mbappe in the line-up, they were well beaten by in-form Lens 3-1. The second-placed side have lost only once in 17 league matches this season and are now just four points behind PSG. Brazil star Neymar was missing due to suspension after he was sent off on Wednesday while Argentinian World Cup winner Lionel Messi also sat out and without their two most creative players, PSG struggled. Przemyslaw Frankowski opened the scoring for Lens but Hugo Ekitike equalised only for Lois Openda to restore Lens’ lead before Alexis Claude-Maurice added a third. It was a rare defeat for Christophe Galtier's star-studded league leaders and the coach will be desperate to have Messi and Neymar back in the side if they are to defend their title. (By Imran Malik, Assistant Sports Editor)

CELEBRITIES ARE LIKE US WHO STRUGGLE TO KEEP UP WITH NY RESOLUTIONS: It’s the start of a new year and steely resolve to hit the gym, learn to play Cello, or socialise more are a part of most celebrity’s NY resolution wish-list. But there are also some who just hope they will stick to their gym routines for the first two weeks of January and we get them. Just like us mere mortals, celebrities who lead insular lives and mostly live in gilded cages also struggle with sticking to NY resolutions. And that makes them humane and a tad more accessible. Here’s hoping 2023 is a year when stars come out of their shells and embrace their flaws and strengths in equal measure. It’s OK to fall off the NY resolution wagon, but the important thing is to climb back on it and still remain on track. (By Manjusha Radhakrishnan Entertainment Editor)