From the Editors: Vaccination drive in Dubai schools a major confidence-booster

VACCINATION DRIVE IN DUBAI SCHOOLS A MAJOR CONFIDENCE-BOOSTER: As schools in Dubai have started the vaccination drive for students in the 12-16 year age-group, it is yet another instance of how the emirate and the UAE in general have ramped up their efforts to ensure a safety-net for residents to fight COVID-19. Whether it is conducting RT-PCR tests or implementing travel restrictions or executing a nationwide vaccination drive, Dubai and the UAE have stayed ahead of the game right from the time the World Health Organisation declared COVID-19 a pandemic in March 2020. Introducing vaccination drives in schools is yet another instance of how Dubai and the UAE have made all residents feel safe even as the rest of the world grapples with a humongous crisis. [COMMENT BY: Sanjib Kumar Das, Assistant Editor]

FEWER COVID-19 CASES IN INDIA: India's daily coronavirus cases remained below 200,000 for the first time in 40 days. This is good news, but it is too early to say that India has seen the worst of COVID-19. Many states are under lockdown and restrictions are in place in others. To add to the worries, fungal infections and a lack of vaccines and oxygen have meant that the situation is still grim. The curbs in force must continue till the government is sure that the coronavirus in the country has been brought under control. [COMMENT BY: Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor]

MANCHESTER UNITED SEARCHING FOR A SILVER LINING: It is a sign of how far Manchester United have fallen that the 2020/21 season is being regarded as a success at Old Trafford, despite the possibility of another trophyless season. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will attempt to win his first piece of silverware as United manager in Wednesday’s Europa League final against Villarreal. Having helped United secure successive top-four finishes for the first time since Alex Ferguson retired after the last of the club’s Premier League titles in 2013, Solskjaer hopes to now end their four-year wait for silverware in Gdansk. “You always feel pressure to win things at Manchester United. Progress in the league shows progress. The next step is to win trophies and challenge in the Premier League as well,” he said. Should they fail against Villarreal however, the age-old questions will resurface, even if second in the Premier League and a trip to the final of Europe’s inferior competition is a reason to celebrated in the red half of Manchester these days..[COMMENT BY: Matthew Smith, Sports Editor]

THE RETURN OF LINDSAY LOHAN: Everyone cheers the underdog and Lindsay Lohan’s return to screen in a Netflix romcom is one such story that many of her fans hope will result in a happy ending. Lohan’s highs and lows in Hollywood have played out in the press much like a Greek tragedy. A gifted child artist, who grows up to be a beautiful young woman that the camera loves. However, the high life, corresponding substance abuse and family in-fighting results in the young actress being lynched by the paparazzi and several rehab stints later, finds herself licking her wounds and healing in Dubai. Now, years later, Lohan is ready to reclaim her fame and we can only wish her success. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]