COVID CLAMPDOWN: The spurt in reports of a crackdown on restaurants, shops and individuals violating the UAE’s COVID-19-related precautionary measures should not only serve as a stern warning to us, but also shake our conscience. The authorities have clearly defined the codes of conduct and mandates. We know now that any violation will not be tolerated. As responsible residents, each one us must do what it takes to keep ourselves and others safe and healthy. The onus lies with us, nobody else. The sooner we realise this, the better it is for us – and the community. [COMMENT BY: Sharmila Dhal, UAE Editor]Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News
From the editors: Why there is a sudden spike in COVID-19 cases
UAE’s gold and jewellery trade is in a crisis situation as coronavirus woes continue
by Devadasan K P, Picture EditorRESIGNATION OF EASTERN GOVERNMENT SHOWS SCALE OF LIBYA PROBLEMS: Something had to give. Deep-seated frustrations about living conditions, electricity and water shortages and a lack of basic services throughout Libya gave vent to demonstrations that led to a heavy-handed crackdown. This resulted in the interim government in the east resigning. Prime Minister Abdallah Al Thani submitted his government’s resignation to Aguila Saleh, speaker of the eastern-based House of Representatives. The fact is, Libya faces problems at every imaginable front. Just because the rival eastern and western-based administrations announced a truce a few weeks ago, it does not mean the country’s multiple issues have been fixed. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]Image Credit: AFPWHO WARNS OF MORE DEATHS IN EUROPE: A record one-day increase in global coronavirus cases and a warning by the World Health Organisation that Europe could see a rise in daily COVID-19 deaths in October and November is another reason why people around the world should not begin to lower their guard. Add to this a report by The Global Preparedness Monitoring Board which has said that a collective failure by political leaders to heed warnings and prepare for an infectious disease pandemic has transformed "a world at risk" to a "world in disorder". While scientists around the world work hard to produce a vaccine, the onus is on the people to take precautions and stay safe. [COMMENT BY: Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor]Image Credit: AFPNOT CONTENT WITH WINNING ONE STAGE ON THE TOUR DE FRANCE: UAE Team Emirates’ Tadej Pogacar stamped his now very serious claim of going for the title as he grabbed his second stage victory on Sunday. The Slovenian powered away from General Classification leader Primoz Roglic to confirm he is a force to be reckoned with. Pogacar took the victory and valuable bonus seconds cutting the deficit to 40 seconds in the General Classification. Monday’s well-earned rest day sees Pogacar remain in the White Jersey as the UAE Team Emirates team leader now boasts a 2’35” lead over Enric Mas (Movistar). [COMMENT BY: Matthew Smith, Sports Editor]Image Credit: APUAE'S GOLD TRADE NEEDS A TOUCH UP: The UAE’s gold and jewellery trade is in a crisis situation. Demand has dropped, retailers have shut down stores rather than keep them open, and they are still trying to come to some terms with their landlords for rent slashes. A further three to six months of the current state of affairs could push many retailers to the wall. For one of the country’s systemically important business sectors, some help is needed. As long as gold prices remain this high, consumers are unlikely to come to the rescue. This is probably the best chance for landlords to share some of the burden. For a sector so bound to the country’s past and present, the landlords must do their part to ensure its future. [COMMENT BY: Manoj Nair, Business Editor]Image Credit: Virendra Saklani/Gulf NewsWOMEN STILL LIVE IN DYSTOPIAN SOCIETY: Margaret Atwood, best known for her novel ‘The Handmaid’s Tale,’ has been honoured with a lifetime achievement award that celebrates literature’s power to foster peace and social justice. Her 1985 book was about a dark and dystopian future where women are treated like property and have little to no rights. Despite the many years of progress in terms of global women’s rights, Atwood’s book still reflects the realities millions of women face in 2020. The recent gruesome gang rape of a woman in Pakistan is one such incident that makes us wonder, have we really progressed? The fight for women’s rights to live freely won’t end anytime soon. [COMMENT BY: Jennifer Barretto, Assistant Editor-Features]Image Credit: AP
