From the editors: Why UAE's Hope Consortium is such a big deal

HOPE CONSORTIUM WIDENS PARTNERSHIPS Abu Dhabi’s Hope Consortium, set up as part of the UAE’s efforts to become the global hub for distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, has widened its partnerships with major logistics companies around the world. These agreements are a strong way forward as the first vaccines have started being administered, with cross-border shipments due to start soon. In this endeavour, maintaining the cold chain for ensuring smooth supply of the vaccines remains the key factor in the process. These new partnerships are a major step in that direction. (COMMENT BY Somshankar Bandyopadhyay, Assistant Editor)

CHILDREN MUST BE KEPT SAFE More than 300 schoolboys abducted last week by armed men in northwest Nigeria have been released. This is good news. But what should be discussed is why children are being abducted. In previous attacks on schools by Boko Haram, boys were killed and schoolgirls were kidnapped. Why are children used as bargaining chips in a dispute between militants and the government? Children deserve a life where safety, security, food and clothing are assured. Unfortunately, in many parts of the world this is not guaranteed leaving children vulnerable. Governments must work to secure innocent lives and give them a better future. (COMMENT BY Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor)

LANGUAGE NO LONGER A BARRIER The power of online streaming isn’t just limited to telling unique stories. It also means that the boundaries of nationality and language can be erased. Today it was announced that Tamil actor Dhanush (pictured) has joined the cast of upcoming Netflix thriller ‘The Gray Man’, also starring Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans and Ana de Armas. It’s commendable that a major South Indian star is getting recognised on a global scale. Streaming sites have been at the forefront of producing shows and movies in different languages, including Arabic, and offering it to everyone to explore and learn from. (COMMENT BY Jennifer Barretto, Assistant Editor – Features)

LEWANDOWSKI ENDS THE DUOPOLY OF MESSI-RONALDO Is the duopoly of sorts of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi for Fifa’s best footballer award finally coming to an end? Few will, however, grudge Robert Lewandowski for being named Fifa’s best male footballer on Thursday night on the strength of his 55-goal haul to help Bayern Munich win the ‘treble’ last season. The Pole star claimed the quintuple with Bayern and became the second player ever to win a treble including the Uefa Champions League while top-scoring in Bundesliga, Champions League and German Cup. (COMMENT BY Gautam Bhattacharyya, Senior Associate Editor)