From the Editors: China administers a billion COVID-19 vaccine doses

SHARJAH AWARD A BOON FOR GLOBAL HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS: The Big Heart Foundation, the Sharjah-based agency, has boosted global humanitarian efforts through various initiatives. In its latest move, it has awarded Kenya-based RefuSHE, which helps orphaned and unaccompanied refugee girls, the Dh500,000 Sharjah International Award for Refugee Advocacy and Support (SIARA). The initiative is a boon for global efforts to combat the myriad crisis facing humanity, especially where the poor and marginalized millions across the world are suffering due to loss of life and livelihood due to COVID-19. Sharjah’s efforts will definitely bring a smile on their faces.[COMMENT BY: Somshankar Bandyopadhyay, Assistant Editor]

LEBANON’S FOREIGN FRIENDS HAVE HAD ENOUGH: Mincing no words, the European Union’s foreign policy chief has called out Lebanon’s leaders, blaming them for the country’s political and economic disaster. Pointedly, the EU has also threatened these politicians with personal sanctions if they continue to derail attempts to form a government. The EU also aptly noted that the crisis Lebanon is facing does not come from outside, or due to external factors. It’s a home-made crisis. But are the politicians listening? The country is falling down the abyss in front of their very eyes. The currency is worthless, savings have disappeared, people have resorted to bartering goods - yet, the politicians think it is okay to not have a government for 10 months. Such is the surreal situation Lebanon has to contend with. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

ENCOURAGING NEWS FROM CHINA: China, the world’s most populous country, has administered more than one billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines. The announcement comes after the number of shots administered globally surpassed 2.5 billion on Friday. Beijing, with four approved vaccines, has set a target of fully inoculating 40 per cent by June-end. China reported 23 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, down from 30 infections a day earlier. And the country’s vaccination campaign has been speeded up to meet the target. China has said that it is expected to produce more than three billion vaccine doses this year. This is good news for its 1.4 billion people and an inspiration to other countries to ensure their peoples are inoculated against the deadly virus and rid the world of the pandemic.[COMMENT BY: Stephen N R, Senior Associate Editor]

HOW FAR CAN WALES PROGRESS IN EURO 2020? They may have lost last night against Italy, but Wales did enough in Group A to advance to the last 16 of Euro 2020 and deserve praise for the impressive achievement. They secured second spot in the group thanks to goal difference – a remarkable accomplishment given that the Italians were all over them and could have had a hatful. It was even more impressive by Wales as they played most of the second half with only 10 men when Ethan Ampadu was sent off. It is this sort of determination that can see teams progress far in competitions. They got as far as the semi-finals in the 2016 European Championships when nobody gave them a hope, and they’ll be aiming to repeat the feat and who knows, maybe even go one step further this time. [COMMENT BY: Imran Malik, Assistant Editor]

MUSIC MARCHES ON TO ITS OWN BEAT: As we mark World Music Day, it’s funny how many of us never realised its importance in our lives, not until the pandemic struck last year. Isolated at home, music became our only connection with the world, bringing communities just that bit closer even as physical distancing kept us apart. Who can forget the man with the sax in Dubai Marina, whose soulful melodies every evening from his balcony perch gave us hope of a better tomorrow. Even as nightlife remained muted, music played on from buildings, from homes and even social media as quarantine concerts kept us entertained trapped behind four walls. With life returning to some semblance of normalcy, music continues its march of celebration for a brighter tomorrow.[COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]