From the Editors: Will Lebanon’s new government be able to deliver?

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YET ANOTHER PRAGMATIC DECISION BY UAE AUTHORITIES: In what should come as a huge relief for thousands of UAE-based expatriates who are currently stuck outside the country, federal authorities in the UAE announced on Friday that come September 12, all UAE residence visa holders who have taken two doses of any WHO-recognised vaccine against COVID-19, will be allowed to return to UAE – even if their residency permits have expired. This is an extremely pragmatic step that should make it that much easier for all those expatriates to return to the UAE, who were held back for so long – first due to the flight restrictions and then because their residency permits had expired due to continuous stay outside the UAE for more than six months. Right from the beginning of this pandemic, the UAE has taken measures that have struck a fine balance between administrative objectivity and humane considerations. The latest decision is yet another example of that. No wonder there are people of more than 200 different nationalities who call UAE home. [COMMENT BY: Sanjib Kumar Das, Assistant Editor] Image Credit: Supplied

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WILL LEBANON'S NEW GOVERNMENT BE ABLE TO DELIVER?: After 13 torturous months, Lebanon got a new government on Friday. To say that the political dispensation in the country has its task cut out for it would be an understatement. Where do they even begin? The economic and socio-political meltdown has been so extreme that rescuing Lebanon will require a super-human effort. Are PM-designate Najib Mikati and his government up to the task? The one good thing about the new government is that it could open up the door for international aid. So far, the global community has set government-formation as a condition for help. So, at least some aid can be expected to trickle in. But foreign aid is a temporary fix, at best. What Lebanon really needs is internal economic and political reform. Will the new government be able to deliver that? [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor] Image Credit: AFP

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CAN RADUCANU END BRITAIN'S 44-YEAR TROPHY DROUGHT?: In tomorrow’s US Open women’s final, teenager Emma Raducanu will seek to become the first British woman to win a Grand Slam singles title in 44 years. The last female to do it was Virginia Wade when she won Wimbledon in 1977. 18-year-old Raducanu faces 19-year-old Canadian Leylah Fernandez with the two players lighting up New York with their fearless approach. Nobody thought Raducanu, the world number 150 or Fernandez, number 73 would get this far. In fact, this is the first Grand Slam final between teenagers since the 1999 US Open when Serena Williams beat Martina Hingis. Fernandez has had a tough run but showed her metal by beating defending champion Naomi Osaka, fifth seed Elina Svitolina, world number two Aryna Sabalenka and three-time Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber. On the other hand, Raducanu was ranked too low to make the main draw and had to come through three rounds of qualifying. She has become the first qualifier to reach a major final. Regardless of who wins tomorrow, it seems they both have a very bright future in tennis. [COMMENT BY: Imran Malik, Assistant Editor] Image Credit: USA TODAY Sports

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DEEPIKA PADUKONE'S BRAVE PUBLIC CONFESSION: Watching Deepika Padukone speak of her very personal battle with depression on television, in front of a live audience, one can’t help but applaud the talented young star for her brave attempt at destigmatizing mental health issues. As one of the highest paid actresses in Bollywood today, Padukone has a lot to lose by laying bare her scars for the world to see. Yet, the with little hesitation and wearing her vulnerability on her sleeve, she shared the story of her struggles with Amitabh Bachchan while appearing on the Indian game show ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’, hoping to raise funds for her Live Love Laugh foundation to help others like her. Bachchan perhaps spoke on behalf of many of us watching the episode at home, encouraging Padukone to share her story with the world and help others like her to step out of the shadows. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor] Image Credit: Instagram.com/deepikapadukone

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From the Editors: Will Lebanon’s new government be able to deliver?

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From the Editors: Will Lebanon’s new government be able to deliver?

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