From the Editors: Easing of Dubai entry rules brings huge relief

EASING OF ENTRY RULES BRINGS HUGE RELIEF: The update in Dubai’s travel protocols allowing UAE residents stuck in certain countries, including India, South Africa and Nigeria, to return from June 23 will surely spell relief to those who have long been stranded. With families split and jobs at stake, hundreds of healthcare workers and other expats who were overseas had been pleading to come back. That the authorities are allowing only UAE residents who have received two doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine makes sense. It will ensure that the painstaking efforts of the country to check the spread of coronavirus are not jeopardised. The returnees would do well to abide by all precautionary measures. This goes for others too as none of us can afford to let our guard down. [COMMENT BY: Sharmila Dhal, UAE Editor]

LIKE IT OR NOT, RAISI IS THE MAN WORLD MUST DEAL WITH : In the end, it was a presidential election that offered little real choice. Hard-line judiciary chief, Ebrahim Raisi is Iran’s new president. Now, the presidency in line with the militarist establishment in Iran - the Revolutionary Guard, the Guardian Council, the judiciary and, of course, the Supreme Leader himself. The world can expect a more hard-line approach from Tehran on issues ranging from the nuclear programme to regional politics. Although hopes for a US-Iran dialogue will not be high, given Raisi’s past human rights record - he has been accused of playing a role in the mass execution of political opponents in 1988 - the fact is that he is the man who has emerged on top, and he is the one the world must deal with. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

HALF A MILLION COVID-19 DEATHS IN BRAZIL: Brazil has recorded 500,000 deaths from COVID-19, the world’s highest death toll after the US. There have been protests in the country against President Jair Bolsonaro's response to the pandemic. In the early days he questioned the need for wearing masks and the government has faced criticism for moving fast on acquiring vaccines. Only 11% of Brazilians are fully vaccinated and 29% have received a first dose. As seen in other parts of the world, accelerated vaccination rates have resulted in reduced coronavirus cases. Strict curbs and increased inoculations must be promoted in all countries to bring down the incidence of COVID-19. [COMMENT BY: Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor]

FED SPOOKS EMERGING MARKETS: The hawkish stand of the Fed with hints of potential rate hikes in 2023 and an early end to its bond purchases could keep US Treasury yields elevated and weigh on emerging market currencies, bonds and equity markets. Memories of the 2013 ‘taper tantrum,’ when emerging markets asset classes slumped following the talks of Fed pulling back debt purchases are not forgotten. When cheap credit from the developed economies fled, most emerging markets that benefitted from capital inflows that in search of better returns were left high and dry. As markets eagerly wait for the Fed stand on its bond-buying rejigging emerging markets exposures is not a bad idea. [COMMENT BY: Babu Das Augustine, Business Editor]

SPAIN ARE NOT THE DOMINANT FORCE THEY USED TO BE: Since Spain won the World Cup in 2010 and European Championship in 2012, they have seriously come off the boil and are a shadow of their former selves. Their latest lackluster effort yesterday against Poland in which they were held to a draw means they need to win their last match or they face elimination from Euro 2020. They are under serious pressure to perform but can they finally put in a match winning performance against Slovakia? They’ll need to have their shooting boots on; they were held to a goalless draw against Sweden in their opener and then flattered to deceive again yesterday. They’ll need a bit of luck to turn things around otherwise their tournament will be over all too soon.[COMMENT BY: Imran Malik, Assistant Editor]

BOLLYWOOD PAYS TRIBUTE ON FATHER’S DAY: With one half of the world celebrating Father’s Day today (the rest, including the UAE, marking the day tomorrow), Bollywood appears to have pulled out all stops in paying tribute to their heroes. Heartwarming images and emotional essays are peppered across timelines today with Kareena Kapoor Khan perhaps summing it up perfectly as she called fathers ‘superheroes’, while sharing an image of her own dad, actor Randhir Kapoor, and husband Saif Ali Khan. The superhero theme resonated even with Sonam Kapoor, who called her father, actor Anil Kapoor, her very own savior. “My father is nothing less than a hero in real life — the one who strived and continues to strive for our “happily ever after.” Whether you mark the occasion today, tomorrow or every single day of the year, here’s wishing those real-life heroes a Happy Father’s Day! [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]