From the Editors: UAE visa initiative a welcome step

WELCOME VISA MOVES: The UAE Cabinet’s approval of a residence permit for professionals working remotely from the UAE for employers abroad is very welcome as is the move to issue multiple-entry visa to tourists. That these offers will have many takers is an understatement. Dubai and the other emirates, already known to be top picks when it comes to international travel, will now attract more tourists. The ability to work from these cities with their world-class facilities will also make them a preferred work base for professionals from different parts of the world. [COMMENT BY: Sharmila Dhal, UAE Editor]

US WITHDRAWAL FROM AFGHANISTAN IS MATTER OF WHEN, NOT IF: Lloyd Austin, on his first visit to Afghanistan as US Defence Secretary, has spoken of ‘a responsible end’ to America’s longest war while talking about the need for violence to decrease for ‘fruitful’ diplomacy to have a chance. The Taliban have done nothing to reduce the violence levels, a key American demand. It increasingly looks like the US will not be able to withdraw all troops from the war-torn country before the May 1 deadline set by Joe Biden, but the president has also said the new deadline will not be too long away from that. The hapless Afghan government needs to pull up its socks and be ready for the inevitable: Contending with the Taliban when the US withdraws. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor}

CHINA SPEEDING UP COVID-19 VACCINATIONS: China has stepped up its vaccination drive against COVID-19 by administering 10 million doses in a week and in total 75 million people have received the jab. Now, in any other country, this would be seen as a pretty impressive number. But, we are talking about the world’s most populous country which has an astounding 1.44 billion citizens. It has few comparables with India being the exception with a population of 1.38 billion. That is a lot of people to inoculate. Even though China was one of the first countries to start administering injections last year, its vaccination rate has fallen behind many others due to the sheer number of people. It still has a long way to go before it has this virus under control. [COMMENT BY: Imran Malik, Assistant Editor]

UNITED’S SEASON HANGING BY A THREAD: Leicester sent Manchester United crashing out of the FA Cup as Kelechi Iheanacho’s double sealed a 3-1 win, to leave the Old Trafford club’s season hanging by a thread. Chelsea will face Manchester City in the semi-finals after beating Sheffield United on Sunday. Brendan Rodgers’ side can look forward to meeting Southampton in their first FA Cup semi-final since 1982 thanks to Iheanacho’s predatory finishing at the King Power Stadium. He put Leicester ahead in Rodgers’ 100th game in charge before Mason Greenwood equalised late in the first half. Youri Tielemans restored Leicester’s lead and Nigeria striker Iheanacho wrapped up only their second win over United in 23 years and their first since 2014. United’s limp exit ended their run of 29 away games without defeat in all domestic competitions since losing at Liverpool in January 2020. Without a trophy since the 2017 Europa League, that competition is now their last realistic chance of winning the first silverware of boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reign. [COMMENT BY: Matthew Smith, Sports Editor]

STAGE SET FOR STARS WHO WILL TAKE HOME THE OSCARS: As the 73rd annual Writers Guild of America Awards drew to a close last night, the race to the Oscars appeared to have less hurdles for key players. ‘Nomadland’ and ‘Mank’ may not have featured at the WGAs but their content has been heaped with praises and awards over previous ceremonies. ‘Borat Subsequent Moviefilm’ may seem like a wildcard for the conservative Academy, but it remains a contender to give Chloe Zhao’s ‘Nomadland’ in the Best Adapted Screenplay category after winning the WGA. Elsewhere, Emerald Fennell’s ‘Promising Young Woman’ could overthrow ‘Sound of Metal’, which has emerged as a hot favourite this year. Irrespective of what will unfold on the big night, it will be a game changers in many ways. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai , Entertainment Editor]