From the Editors: Abu Dhabi courts take a leap forward

ALLOWING APPLICATIONS IN ABU DHABI COURTS OF APPEAL IN MULTIPLS LANGUAGES A MARKER OF UAE’S PROGRESS: Introducing judicial reforms and simplifying the judicial process for the benefit of Emiratis and expatriates alike have been two of the key markers of the UAE’s march on the path of progress and unprecedented growth in terms of development and nurturing of human life and talent. In that sense, the decision by Abu Dhabi Judicial Department to allow filing of all paperwork related to court proceedings in languages other than Arabic was a major step in simplifying judicial processes for the common man. Allowing filing of applications in Abu Dhabi Courts of Appeal in both Arabic and English is in keeping with that objective of offering greater convenience to the common people in dealing with court cases, thereby instilling greater confidence among the people about the judicial proceedings in the country.[COMMENT BY: Sanjib Kumar Das, Assistant Editor]

ISRAEL COULD BE HEADING FOR FIFTH ELECTION IN TWO YEARS: Long-time Israeli prime minister and consummate politician Benjamin Netanyahu has failed to form a government by the Tuesday midnight deadline, despite trying his best to divide the opposition and garner enough seats to take his Likud-led right-wing coalition to power. The prime minister is also facing trial in three corruption cases. During the government formation process, he could have moved aside to let someone else from his Likud party head the ticket, as this would make opposition parties - who want Netanyahu out - more willing to form a coalition with Likud. But doing so is not in Netanyahu’s personal interest, as remaining in power is the only way in which he can claim immunity and derail his trial. It is quite possible that Israel might be heading for a fifth election in two years. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

BIDEN SETS NEW VACCINATION GOAL: US President Joe Biden has set a new vaccination goal - to give at least one jab to 70% of adult Americans by July 4. The move comes as demand for vaccines has dropped across the nation. This is in sharp contrast to countries like India where vaccines are in short supply and long queues of people waiting for their jabs can be seen at many hospitals. There is no easy solution to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Countries must do their best to ensure that the people are inoculated. They must also help companies produce vaccines and distribute them. Vaccine doubters must be persuaded to get their shots because unless everyone is vaccinated, everyone is at risk. [COMMENT BY: Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor]

WILL SMITH SHOWS US HOW TO GET REAL: Will Smith’s honesty is as good as it gets. The actor decided to get real about his dad-bod on social media without realising how such a move could help people be more accepting of themselves and their bodies. In a world filled with Instagram-perfect lives, the pressure of looking your best comes at a cost that can break a person mentally and emotionally. For Smith, who comes from an industry that thrives on looking your best with a million cameras pointed in your direction, the move was a brave one and gives hope to others like him who continue need a champion for the body positivity movement. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]