Dubai gets phenomenal response to ‘1 Billion Meals’ drive, Biden in Ireland, UAE tops brand finance rankings, and more, Gulf News Editors comment on the top stories on April 14

EXCEPTIONAL RESPONSE TO ‘1 BILLION MEALS ENDOWMENT’ DRIVE: Dubai’s ‘1 Billion Meals Endowment’ campaign has received exceptional response as Dh750 million has been raised in just 20 days. More than 120,000 donors including major individuals, businesses and private- and public organisations, contributed to the noble cause. The campaign, which coincided with the holy month of Ramadan, highlights the noble values deeply held in the UAE community with members of the community racing to contribute and make a difference. The launch of the largest Ramadan sustainable food aid endowment fund, which aims to provide a food safety net for underprivileged communities, represents the UAE’s long-term vision for charity and aid efforts, and its humanitarian philosophy based on sustainability, with human dignity at its core. Everyone must contribute to this noble cause to help eradicate hunger from the world. (By Ashfaq Ahmed, Senior Assistant Editor)

BIDEN’S IRELAND VISIT A CELEBRATION OF DIPLOMACY AND HIS IRISH ROOTS: The US President is currently in Ireland. The visit marks the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland and is seen a triumph of American diplomacy. Biden is also visiting his two ancestral hometowns and the Our Lady of Knock shrine. His Catholic faith and Irish heritage are closely intertwined, which he frequently references in connection to his upbringing in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The US president delivered a speech at St. Muredach's Cathedral, which his great-great-great-grandfather helped fund by selling bricks to emigrate to the US. “Every time I walk out of my Irish Catholic grandfather’s home up in Scranton, Pennsylvania – his name was Ambrose Finnegan – and he’d yell, ‘Joey, keep the faith,’” Biden said. (Sadiq Shaban, Opinion Editor)

UAE’S BRAND FINANCE RANKINGS ARE YEARS OF HARD WORK: The UAE’s ranking in the Brand Finance indices is testimony to the country’s growing economic strength as well as soft power. The UAE has retained the top spot in the Nation Brand Performance Index for the second year in a row, and has ranked 10th globally in the Nation Brand Strength index, and 16th globally and 1st in MENA in Nation Brand Value index. Many reasons stand behind the UAE achievement, including its strategic location as a destination linking Asia, Europe and Africa, its strong financial solvency, and its continued success in implementing economic diversification policies. (By Anupam Verma, Assistant Editor)

SHUBMAN GILL’S FORM A POSITIVE SIGN FOR TEAM INDIA: Shubman Gill’s opening form augurs well for Team India. In an important year where India will be hosting the 50-over World Cup, some of the top stars are yet to find their groove and that includes skipper Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav and ace all-rounder Hardik Pandya, to name a few. But the Gujarat Titans opener has been having an impressive run in international cricket since the start of the year and has managed to extend it to the Indian Premier League, scoring 183 runs from four matches. It is important for the Punjab batter to learn to finish the match after getting the start, which could turn the match completely around. The elegant right-hander has already realised his folly and has vowed to address it in the coming matches. A positive sign for a young batter. (By A.K.S. SATISH, Sports Editor)

ACTOR JAMIE FOXX IS HOSPITALISED: He made us laugh in his cameos in the ‘Horrible Bosses’ series, gave us the thrills in ‘Django Unchained’ and ‘Miami Vice’ and many more hits. It’s safe to say that there isn’t a Hollywood movie buff who hasn’t heard of Eric Marlon Bishop, known popularly by his on-screen name Jamie Foxx. You have reason to pay attention if you’re a fan of this swashbuckling actor. Foxx has been hospitalised for a medical complication, according to a Reuters report. We wish he stages a speedy recovery and is back to doing what he’s good at — giving us the laughs and thrills on the big screen. (By Rajagopalan Venkataraman, Assistant Editor-Features)