UAE's aid efforts rekindle hope, residents sign up for visa-free travel for Eid, our editors comment on the top stories of Mar 5

UAE’S LATEST AID EFFORTS REKINDLE HOPE. The UAE continues to bring relief to scores of victims of the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. Its Operation Gallant Knight/2 is pressing on with aid efforts after the conclusion of the search and rescue phase. The Emirates Red Crescent has opened the first shelter camp for communities made homeless by the disaster in Syria and will set more such facilities in the coming weeks. At the same time, the UAE is treating the injured Syrians at hospitals here, at no expense to them, under the close follow-up by the leadership. This is proof that helping the needy is always priority for the UAE. [COMMENT BY: Faisal Masudi, Assistant Editor]

VISA-FREE TRAVEL DESTINATIONS MOST POPULAR CHOICE FOR UAE RESIDENTS: UAE residents are snapping up holiday packages for visa-free destinations in anticipation of the upcoming Eid-Al-Fitr weekend. Travel agencies and airlines are already reporting higher-than-average bookings up to the month, with some steep discounts on ticket rates being an incentive to get onto an aircraft. For example, flydubai’s Eid holiday travel deal to Yerevan, Thailand, and Azerbaijan is priced at a maximum of Dh3,500 for a three-night stay, which includes economy flight tickets and a hotel stay. However, travel demand to European destinations is yet to pick up due to Schengen visa appointment delays. As airfares are set to soar closer to the date, consumers are booking well in advance to get a better bang for their buck. And from the looks of it, consumers are looking to make better, more informed decisions about their discretionary spending. [COMMENT BY: Dhanusha Gokulan, Chief Reporter]

HOPE AT LAST FOR PROTECTING THE HIGH SEAS: A treaty by more than 100 countries to protect the high seas is a long-awaited step and will help reverse biodiversity losses. The legally-binding pact that has been under discussion for 15 years was finally agreed after five rounds of negotiations at the UN. In short, what the treaty aims to do is bring 30 per cent of the earth's land and sea under protection by 2030. Countries will now have to move fast to adopt and ratify the treaty to bring it into force. [COMMENT BY: Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor]

LIVERPOOL AND MANCHESTER UNITED CLASH IS HUGE FOR BOTH CLUBS: Liverpool have had a terrible season but their recent form has improved just in time for their massive clash against Manchester United later tonight. The Reds are battling for fourth place whilst United, who are in terrific form, have cemented themselves in third. A win for either will have huge repercussions. The Red Devils can still win the title but need three points at Anfield to maintain their push while Jurgen Klopp’s men know a Champions League spot is up for grabs what with Tottenham seemingly losing their grip on fourth place. Matches between these two giants of English football tend to be very feisty and action packed and we can expect yet another thriller tonight. But who will come out on top? [COMMENT BY: Imran Malik, Assistant Sports Editor]

CHRIS ROCK DELIVERS A KNOCK-OUT PUNCH, AFTER THE INFAMOUS OSCARS SLAP BY WILL SMITH: Take a bow, Chris Rock. After being slapped publicly by actor Will Smith at the 2022 Academy Awards, Rock hit back at his celebrity aggressor with the biggest weapon he had in his arsenal: electrifying humour and sardonic wit. In a new comedy special, Rock made multiple references about the violent episode that shaped and rocked his career. His crystal clear logic for not choosing to fight back: "I got parents! … And you know what my parents taught me? Don't fight in front of white people." In just one swoop, Rock proved that he’s the bigger man and put that episode in total context. To be able to make light of one of your life and career’s most embarrassing and low moments takes a lot of courage, and Rock did it with absolute style and sass. Here’s full marks to him for not whining about it with Oprah Winfrey and punching back in a way that he knows best. A joke that lands is the ultimate slap in the face. [COMMENT BY: Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Entertainment Editor