From the Editors: KHDA decision not to raise school fees comes as a huge relief

KHDA DECISION NOT TO RAISE SCHOOL FEES COMES AS A HUGE RELIEF: As schools across the UAE gradually resumed physical classes, in a definitive sign of return to normality, more good news came in on Tuesday with Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) announcing that there would be no increase in school fees at private schools in Dubai for the 2022-2023 academic year. According to KHDA, this decision was based on the approved Education Cost Index (ECI) issued by Dubai Statistics Center. While students have had to deal with a lot of psychological stress over the last two years in view of the pandemic, parents and guardians have had to grapple with the financial constraints of these unprecedented times. Therefore, this KHDA decision not to hike school fees for the new academic year comes as a huge relief and is in keeping with the image of Dubai and the UAE as entities that always care for the wellbeing of their citizens and residents, putting their interests before everything else. [COMMENT BY: Sanjib Kumar Das, Assistant Editor]

UKRAINE CONFLICT WILL END WHEN BOTH SIDES FEEL THEY’VE GOT WHAT THEY WANTED: It has been a week since Russia's astonishing attack on Ukraine began. Since then, political and security developments are taking place at such a rate that it is getting difficult to keep up. In a week, 700,000 people have been turned into refugees. A few thousand have also lost their lives. The scale of the attack has taken many by surprise. Amidst this, international efforts to broker peace have gathered pace. The current situation is not viable from the perspectives of Russia, Ukraine, Europe and the broader international community. A negotiated end to hostilities in which the interests of all sides are guaranteed is the only real option. Until both sides feel they have got most of what they were seeking, this conflict is not going to end. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

AUSTRALIA IN PAKISTAN: NATHAN LYON EYES SERIES WIN: An absorbing Test series is on the cards when Australia, who are in Pakistan after 24 years, face off with the hosts in the first Test at Rawalpindi from Friday. Nathan Lyon, the senior off-spinner, wants to play a key role in conditions vastly different from home – where they recently swept England 4-0 in the Ashes. ‘’My mindset is every game we go into, we will look to win, not draw or lose. My mindset is to win 3-0 in Pakistan,’’ Lyon told reporters ahead of the first Test, trying to set a competitive tone as always. Their spin counterparts like Shadab Khan may have other ideas! [COMMENT BY: Gautam Bhattacharyya, Senior Associate Editor]

RETURN OF THE BOLLYWOOD KING: No movie comeback has been as anticipated as that of Indian superstar Shah Rukh Khan. A teaser has finally been released of his much anticipated film ‘Pathaan’, alongside John Abraham and Deepika Padukone. Khan has been through a tough couple of months, after his son Aryan was arrested in October last year over drug charges. This year, Khan was slammed for his gesture while praying at Lata Mangeshkar’s funeral. Amid all the criticism, fans of Khan have steadfastly stood by their idol. The actor’s new movie would be a triumphant return and a way to prove that he’s still one of Bollywood’s most important stars.[COMMENT BY: Jennifer Barretto, Assistant Editor – Features]