From the Editors: UAE approves COVID-19 vaccine booster jab

UAE APPROVES COVID-19 VACCINE BOOSTER JAB: UAE always stays a step ahead when it comes to ensuring health and safety of its people. Yesterday’s announcement to offer vaccine booster dose to protect residents against COVID-19 came as a huge relief for everyone. The decision to give a booster dose is part of the country’s proactive policy to provide maximum protection to residents. Additional dose of Sinopharm vaccine will be available for residents who have already completed more than six months since their second dose. Residents must avail themselves of this opportunity and get the booster shot as it will not only help increase their immunity but also help the authorities curb the spread of pandemic in the UAE. [COMMENT BY: Ashfaq Ahmed, Senior Assistant Editor]

LEBANESE POLITCIANS DON’T SEEM TO KNOW WHY THEY WERE ELECTED: Politicians in Lebanon, especially those in thrall to an armed group that has hijacked the Lebanese state, seem to delight in making nonsensical and offensive comments against GCC nations, which have been the most consistent donors and have bailed out the country numerous times. Charbel Wehbe, a caretaker foreign minister, has now sought to resign after his comments in a TV interview strained relations further with the GCC. The fact is, as long as the dispensation in Lebanon engages in the task of giving political cover for Hezbollah instead of providing basic services to the Lebanese, relations with many Arab states will remain strained. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

COVID-19: HOPE IN FRANCE, DESPAIR IN INDIA: Cafes and outdoor restaurants in France reopened on Wednesday in another sign that in some parts of the world, there was a glimmer of life returning to normal. But not so in many other regions of the world, including India. Groups of up to six people will now be allowed to eat together at outdoor restaurant terraces in France and the nationwide curfew is also being pushed back from 7pm to 9pm. In India there were a record 4,529 deaths in 24 hours with many states in lockdown to contain the spread of the pandemic. It is another example of the fluctuating pattern of the coronavirus - causing mayhem in one part of the world, while slowly receding into the shadows in another. [COMMENT BY: Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor]

CHELSEA IN THE DRIVING SEAT UNDER TUCHEL: Having waited since last year to be allowed back into their home, 8,000 Chelsea fans saw a 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge that dislodged Leicester from third place heading into the Premier League finale. They also saw why Chelsea, ruthlessly perhaps, fired Frank Lampard in January and replaced the club legend with Thomas Tuchel. They weren’t delivering under Lampard, who left the team five points from the top four. Chelsea will be certain of finishing in one of the four Champions League spots by beating Aston Villa on Sunday. Oh, and there’s also still a Champions League final to complete the season on May 29 against Manchester City. Leicester will drop out of the top four for the first time this season if Liverpool win at Burnley on Wednesday. [COMMENT BY: Matthew Smith, Sports Editor]

LOTS TO BE HAPPY ABOUT: There’s good news all around in the world of celebrity. Singer Jason Derulo and his girlfriend have welcomed their first child together – a son. While supermodel Naomi Campbell has announced she has become a mother to a baby girl. Another celebrity, Marathi actress Sonalee Kulkarni has gotten married in Dubai in a low-profile ceremony. In the midst of the pandemic, it’s beautiful to see the joys of life still being celebrated. Humans are resilient and, despite hurdles, they will always find a way to go their own way and do their own thing. [COMMENT BY: Jennifer Barretto, Assistant Editor]