FINE WAIVER YET ANOTHER INSTANCE OF UAE’S HUMANITARIAN FACE: It was indeed heart-warming to learn that an Indian expatriate was finally able to fly back home from the UAE after 20 years – thanks to the Sharjah authorities who waived off a fine of Dh750,000 that this 56-year-old man had accumulated on account of illegally staying in the country. He was unable to make use of visa amnesties earlier owing to a misspelling in his father’s name in his official documents. With help from two social workers in UAE, that anomaly was finally addressed and then Sharjah authorities were kind enough to waive off his fines. This is yet another instance of the myriads of ways in which this country continues to make a difference to the lives of millions. [COMMENT BY: Sanjib Kumar Das, Assistant Editor]
Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News
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WITHOUT A GOVERNMENT THIS TIME, LEBANON MAY COLLAPSE: Embattled Lebanese President Michel Aoun didn’t mince any words when he told the country’s political leaders on Monday that if a new cabinet was not formed, Lebanon was heading “to hell”. Incoming PM Mustapha Adib is under immense pressure to form a cabinet in order to get the process of governance going, and institute much-needed reforms required to unlock billions of dollars in foreign aid. Surreal as it may seem, Lebanon has a history of crawling along even without a government. But this time, the country finds itself in a situation that, even by its standards, is unique. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]
Image Credit: AFP
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NEW US VIRUS FIGURES ONCE CONSIDERED UNFATHOMABLE: The US has reported 200,000 deaths due to the coronavirus. Towards the end of March, the White House’s coronavirus task force presented grim statistics: there may be between 100,000 and 200,000 deaths in the United States. When the prediction was made, there were just 3,000 deaths in the country. It seemed unfathomable then that in less than six months the US would see 200,000 deaths. The point made then by doctors and scientists was that if the US adopted strict measures, the deaths could be limited. However, with businesses opening and scant regard for safety measures, it is not surprising that the figures are still rising. Only a combined social and political will to fight the virus can help cut down the number of deaths due to the pandemic in the country. [COMMENT BY: Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor]
Image Credit: AP
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GET READY FOR MORE MARKET TURBULENCE: Stocks closed broadly lower on Wall Street on Monday as markets tumbled worldwide on worries about the resurgence of the pandemic. US indices rebounded on Tuesday, but Asia’s stocks are struggling to emulate the US rebound. Despite the reassurances from the Fed, the markets are less than convinced of the future direction. The Fed has conveyed that rates will remain on hold until 2023. The negative market reaction to cheap money points to market’s worry over risks from supply driven impact on bond yields and waning hope of further fiscal stimulus. With the volatility on the rise, short sellers are back in action, an indication that the markets are headed into choppy waters. [COMMENT BY: Babu Das Augustine, Business Editor]
Image Credit: AP
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Jofra Archer may be best known as one of the world’s most ferocious bowlers — just ask Australia’s Steve Smith, who got a thump to the head from one of his bouncers. But it was his batting that was the toast of Rajasthan Royals on Tuesday night as his whirlwind final over against Chennai Super Kings’ Lungi Ngidi helped Steve Smith’s side post a whopping target that MS Dhoni’s men could not chase down. Archer lit up Sharjah Cricket Stadium with four consecutive sixes off Ngidi’s hapless bowling to take 30 off the over and set up the Royals for a flying start to IPL 13. [COMMENT BY: Matthew Smith, Sports Editor]
Image Credit: BCCI
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It’s awards season around the world, and one of the biggest shows on the roster is the Billboard Awards. Nominations were recently announced, with rapper Post Malone coming out on top with 16 nominations. Even though these events aren’t going to be the star-studded extravaganzas they were just last year, music lovers around the world will at least feel a sense of excitement about seeing their favourite artists and their songs performed on a stage somewhere. No matter the circumstances right now, music is something that unites us all. And award shows are a reminder that there’s still lots to celebrate and find joy in. [COMMENT BY: Jennifer Barretto, Assistant Editor – Features]
Image Credit: AP
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