From the Editors: A half-year bonanza for UAE’s blue-chips

A HALF-YEAR BONANZA FOR UAE’S BLUE-CHIPS: Billions of dirhams in net profit at the year’s halfway mark - the systemically important UAE banks delivered on these targets with relative ease, with Abu Dhabi’s FAB at Dh8 billion and Emirates NBD topping the Dh3 billion mark. And Borouge, the petrochemicals giant, said its numbers would support a dividend payout that is well north of $900 million for 2022. Most notably, these giants are fairly confident of continuing the run deep into the second half of the year despite the many headwinds that keep popping up. And plus, there's the protective cover offered by oil closer to $90 a barrel, deal or no deal. (Manoj Nair, Business Editor)

UAE’S RAIN-RELIEF MEASURES QUITE REASSURING: As unusually heavy rains lashed the northern and eastern parts of the country over the last couple of days, the UAE authorities, emergency units and volunteers came forward with a comprehensive plan and fool-proof measures to rescue affected people and transport them to safety. Until reports last came in late on Thursday night, emergency teams had evacuated 150 people and transferred them to hotels. Around 40 volunteers helped transport people in their four-wheel drive vehicles, in addition to buses and public vehicles, while another 60 volunteers took care of the evacuated families. Besides, the armed forces, police and civil defence personnel jumped into the fray to offer help and relief to those affected. This was a massive challenge, and the UAE rose to it – as of always. (By Sanjib Kumar Das, Assistant Editor)

CHESS OLYMPIAD IN THE PERFECT PLACE: The game of chess has always been ingrained in the blood, sweat and the brain of the people of Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, and it is no wonder that the first Chess Olympiad in the country is held in the south Indian metropolis. It is the state that has produced 26 of the country’s 74 Grandmasters with the game’s doyen T A Krishnamachari playing in the international tournaments since pre-Independence days. For the record, the first Madras Chess Club was formed in 1947. Such is the rich heritage of the sport in the state that Viswanathan Anand, the gem among them all, boasts five World Chess titles in his career and his roaring success only paved the way for more youth to take up the game and continue the tradition. The setting is also perfect for the game of kings and queens - the UNESCO heritage site of Mamallapuram, the port town of the Pallava kings. (By A.K.S. Satish, Sports Editor)

LIFE HAS COME FULL CIRCLE FOR SAMANTHA RUTH PRABHU? It’s no secret that South Indian actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Naga Chaitanya had a divorce that played out in the public eye with the majority demonising the wife, but it looks like she will have the last laugh. According to reports, she has now purchased a house in Hyderabad that they shared before their legal split for an obscene amount. But why is this buying spree important? It almost looks like Samantha is reclaiming a part of her life that she knew and perhaps her dignity too. The actress has openly admitted that she has been subjected to some toxic and vicious hate when she broke up with the Telugu heartthrob, but her new buy indicates her growing money might and confidence. Here’s more to women for rebuilding their lives even after their cards are down and dusted. (By Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Assistant Editor Features)