From the Editors: Two new Dubai Metro stations will further ease commute

TWO NEW DUBAI METRO STATIONS WILL FURTHER EASE COMMUTE: The New Year had come with a bunch of good news for public transport users in Dubai as the Metro’s Route 2020 opened the doors to four new stations – Jebel Ali (transfer station), The Gardens, Discovery Gardens and Al Furjan. The current month has started with the addition of more cheers to commuters as two more stations opened on Tuesday -- Dubai Investment Park and Expo 2020. With the addition of these two stations, Dubai Metro’s Red Line on Route 2020 now has six stations that are operational. With a journey time of just 74 minutes, all the way from Rashidiya, and with a service frequency of two minutes 38 seconds during peak time, Expo 2020 Dubai is closer than you think! [COMMENT BY: Sanjib Kumar Das, Assistant Editor]

ISRAEL SET TO GET FIREBRAND NEW LEADER: In all likelihood, Naftali Bennett is going to be Israel’s next prime minister. He is a firebrand leader of Israel’s extreme right-wing. Born in Israel to American Jewish parents, he is a tech millionaire who speaks fluent English in American accent, just like the man he is all but certain to depose, his former ally and current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Though his party Jewish Home - a pro-colonist hard right party - was far behind Netanyahu’s Likud, he has emerged as kingmaker in a political scene that seeks the departure of Netanyahu. Bennett’s ascent is being seen as rise of the next generation of Israel’s right-wing. Bennett has made annexing parts of the West Bank a key aspect of his political agenda, he is currently making the right noises. He said recently that he wants to put aside politics and issues like annexation, and focus on gaining control over COVID-19. Only time will tell. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

VACCINATION DRIVE MUST BE SPEEDED UP IN AUSTRALIA: Melbourne is extending its lockdown for another week as authorities try to grapple with the 'Kappa' variant of the coronavirus strain. On the face of it the cluster of 60 cases don't seem alarming and Australia has done well to put a lid on endemic transmission of cases. However, lockdowns themselves don't offer a permanent solution. Ultimately, the people must be vaccinated in order to curb the spread of COVID-19. Only about two per cent of Australians have been fully inoculated to date. As with most parts of the world, the vaccination drive must be speeded up along with strict restrictions in order to get a hold on the spread of the coronavirus. [COMMENT BY: Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor]

OSAKA GIVEN SUPPORT AFTER QUITTING FRENCH OPEN: World No. 1 Novak Djokovic has voiced his support for Naomi Osaka’s “brave and bold” decision to withdraw from the French Open and reveal her struggles with anxiety and depression - however, he admitted he wasn’t surprised she had been threatened with a Grand Slam ban. “I support her. I think she was very brave to do that. I’m really sorry that she is going through painful times and suffering mentally,” said Djokovic. “This was, I must say, a very bold decision from her side. If she needs to take time and reflect and just recharge that’s what she needed to do, and respect it fully. I hope that she’ll come back stronger.” Osaka, the 23-year-old world No. 2, and four-time major winner, said she will take a break from tennis, putting her participation at Wimbledon and her home Olympics at risk. She was fined $15,000 and threatened with disqualification from Roland Garros after she refused to honour mandatory media commitments. She claims they are detrimental to her mental health and likened the traditional post-match news conference to “kicking people when they’re down”. [COMMENT BY: Matthew Smith, Sports Editor]

COULD WE BE ANY MORE INSENSITIVE TOWARDS MATTHEW PERRY? ‘Friends’ aired from 1994 to 2004. That’s the image we captured in our minds when the six cast members, namely Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer, Matthew Perry and Matt LeBlanc, bowed out. Now, 17 years later, even though the cast returned for the much-hyped reunion last week, surely we could not expect time to freeze without so much as a wrinkle on their faces? The memes that have erupted over Matt LeBlanc and his ‘dad bod’ are plain mean, while Perry remains at the centre of a media storm with people accusing him of turning up drunk or calling him a victim of substance abuse. A source told the media that he appeared at the reunion following an emergency dental procedure, which caused the slurred speech. Irrespective of the truth, we can all show a little more sensitivity. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]