From the Editors: Dubai parents get school fee reprieve

DUBAI PARENTS GET SCHOOL FEE REPRIEVE: In a major relief to the parent of school-going children in Dubai, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority has announced that private schools in the emirate will not increase tuition fees in the 2021-22 academic year. This is the second consecutive year that fees in Dubai schools have remained unchanged. With as many as 286,588 students enrolled across private schools in the emirate, this is a big relief to those parents who have suffered from the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. Such initiatives will continue to ensure that Dubai remains a top destination for expatriate families.[COMMENT BY: Somshankar Bandyopadhyay, Assistant Editor]

HUNGER IS THE MAIN ENEMY IN SYRIA TODAY: Ten years since the horrific war in Syria began, everything has changed. Hunger is everywhere in the country, with people standing in long queues to collect their government quota of two packets of bread per family. Filling your car up with petrol takes no less than five hours. Half a million people have been killed in this war. Hundreds of thousands have been brutally tortured. More than half the pre-war population of 23 million is internally or externally displaced. The country has lost more than $200 billion in GDP. How Syria will ever emerge from these ruins, no one can tell. Everything has changed in Syria - except the government of President Bashar Al Assad. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19 HAMPERED: New cases of the coronavirus are rising in many parts of the world, but the crisis has been compounded by the reluctance of some to use a particular vaccine. This is not only a jolt to the inoculation drive but will also result in a delay in fighting COVID-19. Despite WHO saying there is no causal link between the AstraZeneca vaccine and the cases of blood clots in some people, a few countries have taken the coordinated step to suspend its use. Experts will now evaluate the recent occurrences and arrive at a final decision. Till then, the slow vaccination drive in Europe will be hampered. Along with new restrictions in place in some countries it seems the fight against the virus will continue for some time. [COMMENT BY: Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor]

HOPE SPRINGS FOR MESSI TO STAY AT BARCA: Hope springs eternal. There may yet be another twist in the Lionel Messi saga at Barcelona after the Argentine scored two and set up another on Monday night as he achieved yet another milestone by equalling Xavi’s club record of 767 appearances for the club. Messi looked set for the exit door last summer after a major falling-out with the Barca board. But with Joan LaPorta back as president, maybe the legendary forward will be persuaded to stay, having slapped in a transfer request last year at the club where he has been part of the set-up since he was a child. Manager Ronald Koeman hailed Messi as “the most important man in the history of this club”, appearing to open the door for the diminutive playmaker to extend his stay at Camp Nou. In the coming few months, one way or another, we will get an answer. [COMMENT BY: Matthew Smith, Sports Editor]

#OSCARS SO DIVERSE: NOMINATIONS SIGNAL A SHIFT IN HOLLYWOOD: The Oscars have finally rolled out the red carpet to reveal its most diverse line-up of nominations yet. While many are applauding that nine out of the 20 acting nominees hail from ethnic minority backgrounds, this is also the first time that two women have been nominated in the Best Director category in the awards’ 93-year history. Let that sink in first. Chloe Zhao has earned the nomination for directing ‘Nomadland’, while and Britain's Emerald Fennell has also earned a nod for ‘Promising Young Woman’. Diversity was also the word of the hour with the Academy calling on Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Nick Jonas to announce the nominations. After years of criticism and hashtags that underscored #OscarsSoWhite, it is heartening to see a positive change in the line-up. Let’s hope this wave continues henceforth.[ COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]