From the Editors: UAE-WHO tie up a massive boost for global community

UAE-WHO TIE-UP A MASSIVE BOOST FOR GLOBAL COMMUNITY: UAE and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have joined hands in support of the global health-care sector. This is as much a good news for the global community seeking medical and health-related assistance from WHO as it is a vindication of the superior health infrastructure and cutting-edge medical facilities available in the UAE. With the UAE fast emerging as a preferred destination for global health tourists, the tie-up with WHO comes as a massive boost for not just UAE residents, but the entire global community in general, as one billion people from around the world stand to benefit from universal health-care coverage without stretching their finances. [COMMENT BY: Sanjib Kumar Das, Assistant Editor]

VIOLENCE IN PALESTINIAN CAMP ADDS TO LEBANON WOES: As if the existing problems in Lebanon were not enough, now the embattled country has to deal with violence within the Palestinian mega-camps dotted across the country. Three Hamas members were killed on Sunday when shooting erupted at the funeral procession of another Hamas man who was killed earlier. By agreement, Lebanese army does not enter the camps, security inside is managed by Palestinian factions. Lebanon’s Palestinian camps are dim places and Palestinian refugees in Lebanon face extreme restrictions on what professions they can practice. Only last week, Lebanon removed some restrictions for Palestinian refugees in the local labour market. But even that was vehemently opposed, especially by Christian politicians. Life was bad for Palestinians in Lebanon even when it was a middle income country. And now, given the economic meltdown happening in Lebanon, things are likely to get worse. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

MISS UNIVERSE WINNER HARNAAZ SANDHU BRINGS GLORY TO INDIA: A young hopeful from Chandigarh, with dreams in her eyes, goes on to win the Miss Universe title – it doesn’t get better than this. Harnaaz Sandhu’s crowning glory at the 70th Miss Universe pageant in Israel ended a 21-year dry spell for India. The last time India won this title was in the year 2000 when Lara Dutta (now Bhupati) was awarded the crown, with Sushmita Sen winning it six years earlier. All eyes of the world were on this historic pageant that resiliently pushed through despite the fear of the pandemic and its new Omicron variant looming on the horizon. Sandhu’s moment in the spotlight is also a win for young hopefuls out there who dare to dream big. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]