From the Editors: Good news for students and parents in Dubai

GOOD NEWS FOR EDUCATION SECTOR: Parents in Dubai have more reasons to smile, as ten new schools are set to open in the emirate in the 2021-22 academic year adding 14, 671 news seats for students. Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) says that parents will now have more choices for education of their children. The move will further consolidate Dubai’s growth as a global education destination. It is quite evident that Dubai now plans to promote the best innovative education system needed around the world with the new schools offering a choice of Australian, UK, US and IB curricula. The continued demand for new schools also reflects the resilience of Dubai’s private education sector despite COVID-19 pandemic. [COMMENT BY: Ashfaq Ahmed, Senior Assistant Editor]

US DECISION TO DONATE VACCINES A WELCOME MOVE: US President Joe Biden’s decision to buy 500 million doses of the vaccine to fight COVID-19 and donate them to 100 countries is a welcome move. Already 63 per cent of adult Americans have received at least one jab, and 52 per cent of Americans are fully vaccinated. But no one is safe until everyone is safe. Some countries are still waiting for vaccines under the COVAX scheme while others are struggling with high rates of coronavirus infections. Studies have shown that strict measures coupled with vaccination can bring down COVID-19 cases. Help from the US in donating vaccines will go a long way in accomplishing this. [COMMENT BY; Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor]

BATTLE FOR EUROPE BEGINS ON FRIDAY, AFTER A LONG WAIT: A year-long wait for Euro 2020, which was postponed last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, will be over when Turkey and Italy kick off late evening on Friday. In a ‘first,’ the showpiece will take place in 11 cities across the continent as Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal prepare to defend their title and world champions France seek a rare double a year after their World Cup win in 2018. Belgium, the top-ranked Fifa team, and a youthful England side will be major threats. We will know in a month as to who has the last laugh! [COMMENT BY: Gautam Bhattacharyya, Senior Associate Editor]

RESPECTING THE DEAD: Should filmmakers be prevented from making movies based on public figures who’ve died? In the case of the late Sushant Singh Rajput, The Delhi High Court has given such films the go-ahead after rejecting a plea by his father. Krishna Kishore Singh had sought to restrain anyone from using his son's name or likeness in movies. While filmmakers might still be able to make such movies, people can only hope that these projects pay respect to Rajput’s life as much as possible. It’s the least they can do to honour a man who was loved by the masses and whose loss is still felt deeply. [COMMENT BY: Jennifer Barretto, Assistant Editor – Features]