From the Editors: UAE leads from the front in COVID-19 vaccination campaign

UAE LEADS FROM THE FRONT IN COVID-19 VACCINATION CAMPAIGN: United Arab Emirates is leading from the front to provide vaccination to people against COVID-19. In a short span of time, more than two million vaccine doses have been administered, covering a fifth of population in the country. With more vaccination centres opening across the country, authorities are set to speed up the vaccination campaign with an aim to vaccinate at least 50 per cent of the country’s population by the end of first quarter of this year. This is indeed an exceptional effort to fight against the pandemic. Those who qualify to take vaccination jabs must do it without wasting time to ensure COVID-19 free UAE. [COMMENT BY: Ashfaq Ahmed, Senior Assistant Editor]

FOR ANY NEW DEAL, IRAN FIRST NEEDS TO RETURN TO COMPLIANCE: The incoming US administration’s point man on Iran has made it clear that there’s a long way to go before a strong nuclear deal with Iran can be realised, saying that Tehran needs to return to compliance with the terms of the deal first. The bottom line is that Iran needs to reassure its neighbours and the international community that it is not pursuing nuclear weapons ambitions. Besides, for security and stability to be reestablished in the region, one of the first things that needs to happen is this: An end to Iranian meddling in the internal affairs of its Arab neighbours .[COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

DIFFERENT INAUGURATION, HIGH HOPES: It is a very different inauguration day in Washington DC today. Precautions due to COVID-19 and hyped up security due to the attack on the Capitol have turned the scene into a virtual ghost town compared to the previous occasions. But this does not take away the fact that people have high hopes of the new administration – to build bridges, to heal wounds and fix the economy. It will not be easy, but a start must be made. And it will not be possible without the full support of the people. Only a united country can work towards solving the myriad problems the US faces today. [COMMENT BY: Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor]

DRASTIC TIMES AT CHELSEA AS SLUMP GOES ON: After a fine start to the season, Chelsea have lurched from one slump to another. Just when it looks they are getting back to form, they are hit with another disappointing result. It was the same again on Tuesday night as Leicester City swept Frank Lampard’s boys aside to win 2-0 and go top of the table. Amid Chelsea’s drastic dip in form, manager Lampard said that “everything was rosy” in November but now his focus is on getting the club out of the difficult period. “I took this job knowing there will be difficult times. We just have to fight. Everything was rosy in mid-November but it’s not so rosy now.” Time is quickly running out for the Chelsea hero to get things right. [COMMENT BY: Matthew Smith, Sports Editor]

CELEBRITIES STEP UP FOR DEMOCRACY: It promises to be a memorable inauguration as US President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris are sworn into office today. Lady Gaga, who has passionately campaigned for the Biden-Harris ticket, will be singing the US national anthem, even as country singer Garth Brooks and Latino star Jennifer Lopez make their voices heard at the toned down ceremony with musical performances of their own. Hollywood star Tom Hanks, actress Eva Longoria, and ‘Hamilton’ creator Lin-Manuel Miranda will also make their presence felt at the historic event, yet this isn’t the first time that celebrities have performed at an inauguration. Who can forget the passionate Aretha Franklin singing at President Jimmy Carter's swearing in or Beyonce delivering a show-stopping national anthem at Barack Obama’s inauguration? This year will perhaps be extra special in wake of the tumultuous Trump presidency, the US Capitol riot and the pandemic that has caused devastation across the US. Yet, even as emotions run high, it will be heartwarming to witness the historic celebration of democracy. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]