From the Editors: Abu Dhabi's updated green list shows clarity for travellers

Updated green list shows clarity for travellers: Abu Dhabi has updated its Green List, which allows travellers from as many as 31 countries to arrive in the emirate without the need for quarantine. This periodic guide is a boon for tourists who would like to visit the emirate, as well as a clear indication of the countries that are considered safe destinations. While the UAE's vaccination programme is progressing well, unfortunately the rest of the world has differing rates. Thus it is important that while we open up to the rest of the world we also need to keep ourselves safe from any possible spread. [COMMENT BY: Somshankar Bandyopadhyay, Assistant Editor]

Afghan government needs to get its act together: US troops are going to withdraw from Afghanistan by September 11 this year. America has decided to end its ‘longest war’ - which began after the US invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 after the attacks of 9/11. The irony is that the withdrawal declaration was preceded by peace talks with the same group the US toppled from power in 2001 - the Taliban. There are serious fears now that once the US troops withdraw, the hapless Afghan government will not last more than a few months in the fight against the Taliban. Given the sheer amount of money and training the international community has invested in Afghanistan over the past two decades, it’s only fair for the world to expect the Kabul government to stand on its own feet and confront the Taliban threat. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

Can Austria halt Italy’s hot streak in Euro last 16 tonight?: Italy’s unbeaten streak under coach Roberto Mancini has been an object of envy in Europe, as they have remained unbeaten in last 30 games. As they take on underdogs Austria in the first set of Round of 16 games in Euro 2020 on Saturday, rival coach Franco Foda hopes they would be the team to cash in on the law of averages. ‘’Sooner or later, even Mancini's team will lose,’’ he said ahead of the match at Wembley tonight. In the other knockout game tonight, Wales and Denmark clash with captain Gareth Bale happy to embrace their own underdog status. [COMMENT BY: Gautam Bhattacharyya, Senior Associate Editor]

Bollywood secret weddings are the flavour of the season: If there’s one thing the pandemic has changed for the better is doing away with the need for a big fat Bollywood wedding, especially when social distancing is the call of the hour. Which is why we are loving that actress Angira Dhar and director Anand Tiwari joined the club of the secret Bollywood weddings by getting hitched nearly two months ago without the world finding out. The couple broke the news on social media over the weekend, weeks after actress Yami Gautam and filmmaker Aditya Dhar did the same with their hush hush marriage. We reckon a few more celebrities will tie the knot in this manner before the year ends and we are all for it. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]