From the Editors: UAE Golden Jubilee celebrations: Wowing the world!

UAE GOLDEN JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS - WOWING THE WORLD!: It was a show every bit befitting the occasion. As the UAE marked its Golden Jubilee on December 2, 2021, the official ceremony has held at the picturesque locale of Hatta in Dubai. From paying a solemn tribute to the formation of the Union in 1971 to looking into the next 50 years of progress, the official Golden Jubilee celebrations were as much steeped in Emirati culture and ethos as they were an invocation to the UAE’s commitment to cutting-edge technology and innovation. As the nation celebrates five decades of amazing success in every aspect of human life, we eagerly look forward to the next five decades of an even more illustrious journey — guided and led by the visionary leadership of this beloved land. [COMMENT BY: Sanjib Kumar Das, Assistant Editor]

TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE?: Finally, Lebanon’s Information Minister George Kordahi has said he will resign. The idea is to ease the severe crisis with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states his comments on the Yemen war caused. This comes weeks after his repeated refusal to step down. His irresponsible comments led to a major crack in relations - and caused serious economic harm to Lebanon, which is already in the grips of one of the worst economic meltdowns in modern world history. But, will Kordahi’s resignation be enough? Or is it coming too late? Only time will tell. But one thing is clear - the problems in Lebanon’s relations with the Gulf go far beyond the comments of any politician. The fundamental issue is that the country has been hijacked by a non-state actor that is conduit for the activities of a major regional power, with its own nefarious interests in Lebanon. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS REINTRODUCED IN GERMANY, BUNDESLIGA CROWDS TO BE REDUCED: Germany’s chancellor Angela Merkel has reintroduced COVID-19 restrictions due to a rise in cases meaning Bundesliga matches can only have an attendance of up to 50 per cent. The large majority of football stadiums in the country had been operating at near-full capacity this season but now along with the new restrictions on numbers fans will also need to wear masks. Merkel also said that sports events must be cancelled in states where infection figures are high while football matches could go ahead without fans. The state of Saxony had already gone into partial lockdown, meaning Manchester City’s Champions League group game at RB Leipzig on 7 December will take place behind closed doors. Germany reported more than 73,000 new infections and 388 deaths yesterday. [COMMENT BY: Imran Malik, Assistant Editor]

RESPECT THE VICTIMS OF THE ASTROWORLD CONCERTS: A new TV special called ‘Astroworld: Concert From Hell’ has been pulled following backlash online. The documentary series recounts the events from rapper Travis Scott’s chaotic November 5 concert that has left 10 people dead, including a nine-year-old boy. It was an investigative local news special, however it’s still too early to be releasing documentaries about a tragedy that families are still trying to cope with. People should let the legalities play out and allow the victims’ loved ones to mourn first. [COMMENT BY: Jennifer Barretto, Assistant Editor - Features]