From the editors: UAE's passenger ban in national interest

UAE'S PASSENGER BAN IN NATIONAL INTEREST The UAE's ban on passengers entering from four countries is amply justified given the current situation of the Covid-19 pandemic. While the UAE, with strict implementation of safety measures and rapid vaccination programme, has been able to control the spread of the pandemic, it is unfortunately not the case in several other countries. Thus, it is imperative that this country takes measures to protect itself and its residents from external contagion. With second and third waves sweeping other parts of the world, we need to maintain vigil to protect ourselves. (COMMENT BY Somshankar Bandyopadhyay, Assistant Editor)

DEATHS OF PALESTINIAN CHILDREN AN ALARMING ESCALATION Shockingly, nine Palestinian children have been killed in Israel air strikes overnight in the Gaza strip, along with 15 others. This amounts to a serious escalation, and comes just days before Eid Al Fitr. The background to the attacks on Gaza is the days-long confrontation in Jerusalem between Israeli police and Palestinians, in which more than 700 Palestinians have been hurt. There’s another backdrop to the Gaza killings: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has failed to form a coalition government, and one of his chief rivals was asked to do so. He also happens to be Israel’s defence minister, who is overseeing the Gaza assault. (COMMENT BY Omar Shariff, International Editor)

FULHAM GUTTED TO DROP OUT OF PREMIER LEAGUE Coach Scott Parker was devastated after Fulham were relegated from the Premier League after limping to a 2-0 defeat at home by Burnley on Monday night, in a match where they once again failed to threaten in front of goal. The hosts were undone by two classy goals that sent Fulham back down to the Championship after a single season in the top flight following their promotion via the playoffs. "I'm bitterly disappointed, I'm hurt ... there's no words that I can really put together, other than I'm gutted that we've not managed to be successful this year," Parker said. Since securing an unlikely 1-0 win over Liverpool in early March, Fulham have been in freefall, scoring just three goals and picking up a single point in the seven games since. They also conceded a stoppage-time equaliser to Arsenal and lost to Wolverhampton Wanderers after a late goal. (COMMENT BY Matt Smith, Sports Editor)

HOLLYWOOD STANDS READY TO BOYCOTT GOLDEN GLOBES The writing is on the wall for the Hollywood Foreign Press Association that spearheads the Golden Globes. Either change or be shunned by the biggest names in the business. The last 24 hours has seen the organisation receive two big blows, one with NBC refusing to air next year’s ceremony of the Golden Globes, with the second being a powerhouse such as Tom Cruise returning his three awards as a mark of protest over the diversity row. It is being predicted that more Hollywood stars will follow suit if a reform is not brought about with not a single Black member serving and charges of corruption thrown into the mix. The HFPA had better sit up and take notice. (COMMENT BY Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor)