From the Editors: Dubai to have more Emiratis in private sector

MORE EMIRATIS IN PRIVATE SECTOR: Dubai has taken another timely initiative to incorporate Emirati cadres in the private sector jobs. Newly formed Emirati Human Resources Development Council in Dubai comprising of representatives from the government and the private sector aims at developing and employing Emirati human capital in the private sector. It will also ensure an attractive and stimulating environment to attract Emirati human resources, and to ensure that the educational outputs of Emirati students are aligned with the requirements of the labour market. The initiative will not only lure young Emiratis to take up more challenging and diverse jobs but also help change the workplace environment and improve output of companies in the private sector. [COMMENT BY: Ashfaq Ahmed, Senior Assistant Editor]

PROTESTERS IN EUROPE TAKE AIM AT GOVERNMENT: Close on the heels of anti-COVID-19 protests in Australia, demonstrators took to the streets in France and Italy, clashing with police and taking aim at the government. Protests in Europe pointed a finger at the new strategy to speed up vaccinations to keep a recent surge of coronavirus infections in check. While vaccinations are not yet mandatory in these countries, social life for those who are not inoculated can be unpleasant. In France a health pass is mandatory to attend large events in stadiums and concerts, which may be extended to cafes and gyms. A green pass will be required in Italy. For those against vaccinations, this is bad news. But countries must take strong measures to protect the people from another explosion of the coronavirus. With a rapid surge in virus cases, strict curbs along with vaccinations are the only way to fight COVID-19. [COMMENT BY: Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor]

DECHAMBEAU RULED OUT OF TOKYO OLYMPICS AFTER TESTING POSITIVE FOR COVID-19: Having tested positive for COVID-19, US golfer Bryson DeChambeau is out of the Tokyo Olympics. The world number 6 was due to make his Games debut when the golf competition starts on Thursday but now he will not travel to Japan. In the place of the 2020 US Open champion comes Patrick Reed, who will become a two-time Olympian. He will join up with Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele. "I am deeply disappointed not to be able to compete in the Olympics for Team USA," said the 27-year-old. With the virus causing chaos all over the world and with the majority of people in Japan angry that the Games are going ahead while the country battles the pandemic, we can be sure there are bound to be more cases of positive tests ruling our competitors from performing at the greatest show on earth. [COMMENT BY: Imran Malik, Assistant Editor]

‘BENNIFER’ MAKE IT OFFICIAL ON INSTAGRAM: Are you even dating if you haven’t made it official on Instagram? Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck clearly received the memo just in time for the singer’s 52nd birthday yesterday to turn up the heat on social media by sharing an intimate moment with their fans. ‘Bennifer’, as the couple is popularly known, have had their share of heartbreaks on their path to finding true love. Having been engaged to each other in the past in a very publicised romance, followed by a paparazzi-filled break-up, it warms the heart to see them find each other once again after so many years. At a time when headlines are filled with death, viruses and celebrity arrests, sometimes all we need is a story about love to make us hope again. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor, Gulf News ]