UAE: Latest digital platforms and a timeless rail journey, our editors comment on the top stories of Feb 24

UAE’S DIGITAL PLATFORMS BOOST CUSTOMER SERVICES: Residents in the UAE can now obtain birth and death certificates online, thanks to the new digital services introduced by the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP). The ministry’s digital services aim to streamline customer services, while also maintaining accurate records of births and deaths across the nation. With a focus on boosting customer access and utilisation for managing health data, the authority is also spreading awareness about the methods and mechanisms required to access these services. The new digital initiative is definitely a big relief for residents for it will save them from making multiple visits to customer service centers in order to complete all the relevant paperwork. (Ashfaq Ahmed, Senior Assistant Editor)

UAE’S GREAT RAIL JOURNEY WILL BE TRANSFORMATIVE: The tracks and the networks are slotting into place across the length and breadth of the country, part of a meticulously planned development that will bring the power, the utility and even – the romance – of the rail. Or more precisely, the travel over rail. Creating railways networks internally and across borders have been long cherished ambitions of Gulf and Arab nations, but nothing much had come out of those in the past. So, what Etihad Rail has been creating is a culmination of those ambitions in many ways – and the launch of new ones. Whether it’s moving cargo or people, the UAE’s railway network will soon make all the points connect. Seamlessly. (By Manoj Nair, Business Editor)

WINNING IS ALL ABOUT CONFIDENCE AND PATIENCE: Sport is all about twists and turns and fighting till the end, until it is not over. The Australian women cricketers are known for doing that consistently to earn the sobriquet as the world champions. The defending world champions showcased their skills at the big stage again to pull off another incredible win. That confidence comes from success, after being in that similar situation and come out trumps. They know that their rivals will give them the opportunity and wait for the right opportunity and once they get, they pounce hard. That’s the hallmark of the champions, they don’t get flustered. The Indian women’s cricket team did well to hang in, but slipped again. They sure will get their chance once they cross the line, just once. Then it becomes a habit. Winning is all about confidence and patience. (A. K. S. Sathish, Sports Editor)

The end of “Succession” is near: It's never easy to make a hugely successful TV series. It's more difficult to call it quits on one that captured the imagination of viewers worldwide. Jesse Armstrong, the creator of 'Succession' — which follows the travails of an enormous wealthy family that controls the a media conglomerate — must have thought about prolonging the series. He must have fought off intense pressure before deciding to do so – such series are money spinners. And no one likes to stop raking in the moolah. But then, even eminently entertaining shows like 'House of Cards' and 'The Blacklist' fell by the wayside in their efforts to prolong viewer interest. Which means Armstrong’s decision deserves appreciation. We'll get another season into the functioning of the fictitious Logan family, but at least we can rest assured that the show will end on a high. (By Rajagopalan Venkataraman, Assistant Editor-Features)