From the Editors: The UAE reopens to the world

THE UAE REOPENS TO THE WORLD: Three exhibitions — the International Defence Exhibition (Idex) and calligraphy exhibition in Abu Dhabi and Gulfood in Dubai — are testimony to the success of how the UAE has turned around rapidly from the challenges brought about last year with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. With on-site, in-attendance events once again opening up in the country, it is a message that we are again open to the world. The UAE’s measures to control the pandemic have borne fruit and vaccinations are quickly reaching the desired targets. It is hoped that others learn from this experience. [COMMENT BY: Somshankar Bandyopadhyay, Assistant Editor]

ALMOST ALWAYS, INVESTIGATIONS IN LEBANON LEAD NOWHERE: As expected, even the probe into something as serious as last August’s monster explosion that tore through Beirut has been derailed. Judge Fadi Sawan was accused of “demonstrating a lack of neutrality” when he set his sights on the caretaker prime minister and three former ministers, and he was dropped from the case. When it comes to investigating major security, political and economic events - there has been no shortage of those in Lebanon - the country has an abysmal record. No one knows for sure, for instance, who killed prime ministers Rashid Karami or Rafik Hariri, or presidents Bashir Gemayel or Rene Moawad. Every investigation gets bogged down in allegations of partiality or other agendas. Such is the state of affairs in this key but troubled Middle Eastern nation. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

UNEMPLOYED AMERICANS NEED EVERY PENNY RIGHT NOW: US President Joe Biden is pushing for a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill and it cannot come soon enough. The bill would provide extra money for coronavirus vaccines along with other medical equipment which the country desperately needs. At the moment, just 15% of the population has been vaccinated as it approaches 500,000 deaths – the highest in the world. There is a long way to go for everyone to get the jabs. The bill will also help to stimulate the economy which is in tatters due to the pandemic but it needs to be passed before March 14. That is when a federal unemployment supplement of $300 and other key jobless benefit programmes will expire. Unemployed Americans are in dire straits and they need every penny right now. There has also been a lot of disagreement about the size of the bill with Republicans wanting to spend less and Democrats wanting more. But this just isn’t the time to bicker when so many lives are being lost. [COMMENT BY: Imran Malik, Assistant Editor]

BARTY PUTS SAFETY FIRST AHEAD OF DUBAI BID: Ash Barty has provided no certainty if she will play regularly on the women’s tour amid the COVID-19 pandemic despite Naomi Osaka closing in on her world No. 1 ranking with a fourth Grand Slam title in Melbourne. One thing that seems certain, however, is Barty’s return to the UAE for the Dubai Duty Free next month. The Australian exited at the quarter-final stage of her home Grand Slam. The Queenslander skipped last year’s US Open and did not defend her 2019 French Open title, opting not to travel due to health concerns amid the pandemic. Barty, who is also expected to play the WTA event in Doha, is clearly prioritising safety over glory — a fairly sensible decision in these uncertain times. [COMMENT BY: Matthew Smith, Sports Editor]

RUMOUR HAS IT….Rumour mongering can be a dangerous thing in the era of the fake news phenomenon and no one knows this better than Megan Fox who was forced to slam a story that stated the Hollywood star was promoting the anti-mask movement in the midst of the deadly coronavirus pandemic. A fake tweet by the actress has gone viral on social media with a message that claims Fox has decided to forgo a mask and “trust the universe” to keep her safe at a time when the US is struggling with its rise in COVID-19 cases. While Fox has shut the story down, it is alarming to see there are some who find it perfectly acceptable to toy with people’s lives at a time when the world is in the midst of a waging a war against a virus. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]