From the Editors: UAE on course for full vaccination by year-end

UAE ON COURSE FOR FULL VACCINATION BY YEAR-END: Following one of the most robust vaccination campaigns in the world, the UAE announced on Monday that it expects to complete inoculation of its target population by the end of the year. This much-awaited welcome news is sure to send huge sighs of relief through the community, as this means we would have effectively removed the scourge of the pandemic from our lives. However, it is important to keep in mind that while we are well on the way, we are not there yet. Thus maintaining the safety protocols remains our primary responsibility. [COMMENT BY: Somshankar Bandyopadhyay, Assistant Editor]

FOR CHANGE IN LEBANON, EXISTING POLITICAL SYSTEM NEEDS TO GO: As Lebanon continues its downward spiral, Lebanese have understandably sought an overhaul of the political system. But the system is designed specifically not to allow any such change to happen. For instance, the authority that can hold those responsible for Lebanon’s collapse - the judiciary - is itself riddled with political interference, which has thwarted probes into the various political crimes, from corruption to assassinations. Everything comes down to Lebanon’s sectarian political posts sharing system, as judicial appointments are also subject to this system. This has made the judiciary a tool in the hands of the factions that control it, who use it to go after their opponents rather than the real people responsible for the crimes. People in Lebanon are seeking change, but this cannot happen unless the entire political power-sharing system is changed to one based on merit, rather than sect. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

INDIA MUST STAND TOGETHER TO FACE COVID-19 CHALLENGES: India's total COVID-19 cases have crossed 20 million, another grim milestone in a series of records the country has set in the fight against the pandemic. As the coronavirus has continued to wreak havoc in the country, more states are implementing restrictions or lockdowns in an attempt to bring the situation under control. Modelling by a team of government advisers shows cases could peak by Wednesday and reports have said that cases in some regions were plateauing. But there are many tough weeks ahead and the country must stand together to face the challenges. [COMMENT BY: Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor]

MAY THE FOURTH BE WITH YOU: It started as a day of pure cosplay entertainment in an underground cinema in downtown Toronto back in 2011, allowing fans to celebrate the greatest movie franchise ever made. Now, 10 years later, ‘Star Wars Day’ or ‘May the fourth’ has become a global phenomenon, with fans across the world celebrating the mantle on which filmmaker George Lucas set forth on his journey in a galaxy far, far away back in 1977. Today, the ‘Star Wars’ franchise has snowballed into a juggernaut, sparking film trilogies, one-off movie adventures, hit television shows and multi-verse gaming exploits. Whether or not you are a true-blue fan of this space opera, even you would have to agree that at a time when the world needs a bit of joy amidst a deadly pandemic, celebrations such as these continue to give us hope. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]