From the Editors: Dubai schools in-person classes a welcome step

WELCOME SENSE OF NORMALCY: Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management’s decision to allow the gradual return to full in-person learning in private schools starting October 3 is welcome as it ushers in a sense of normalcy. Long-deprived of face-to-face interactions, students, parents and teachers will, for the first time, get a feel of the pre-pandemic times. But what they should do not forget is that the authorities have gone out of their way to come this far in the battle against COVID-19. At no cost should this effort be jeopardised. [COMMENT BY: Sharmila Dhal, UAE Editor]

DISARRAY AT KABUL AIRPORT BEGGARS BELIEF: So, the UK Defence Secretary has come out and said an extension of the deadline for US troops to fully exit from Afghanistan is ‘unlikely’. A US official has said his country will evacuate all Americans from Afghanistan by the August 31 deadline. It is unmissable that this statement follows the Taliban’s warning against an extension of the withdrawal plans. Currently, the situation is that the Taliban is standing back and allowing the enemy it fought for 20 years to leave, along with those it wants to take along. But, how many vulnerable Afghans will be left behind? As a result of the bungling of the entire withdrawal, and the shocking collapse of the so-called Afghan National Army, many ordinary Afghans have been left to their fate. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor[

NEW STUDY LINKS DEADLY EUROPE FLOODS TO CLIMATE CHANGE: Climate change made the violent and deadly floods that devastated parts of Germany and Belgium last month up to nine times more likely, an international study published said on Tuesday. The scientists found that the record rainfall that led to the flooding was a 400-year event, meaning in any given year there was a 1-in-400 chance of such a downpour occurring in the region. At least 190 people lost their lives in western Germany in mid-July, and 38 perished in Belgium. China and the US also witnessed similar devastating floods. Recently the deadly heatwave and the consequent wildfires were also linked to climate change. With continued greenhouse gas emissions and rising temperatures, the heavy rainfall that brought misery to parts of Europe will become more common. Using the growing speciality of attribution science, climate experts are increasingly able to link man-made climate change to specific extreme weather events. The world needs to take urgent steps to avert such man-made disasters.[COMMENT BY: Stephen N R, Senior Associate Editor]

TOKYO PARALYMPICS LOOK TO EMULATE THE SUMMER GAMES IN SPIRIT: Much like the Summer Olympics which fought the apprehensions over Covid-19 causing havoc, Tokyo’s Paralympic Games open later on Tuesday – looking to shatter stereotypes and world records. Altogether 4,400 athletes from 162 teams will be taking part as Japan’s Emperor Naruhito will declare the Games open, but virus rules mean most of the stadium's 68,000 seats will be empty. Germany’s world record-setting long jumper Markus Rehm, dubbed the ‘Blade Jumper’ and Japan's wheelchair tennis legend Shingo Kunieda are among some of the larger-than-life characters at the Games.[COMMENT BY: Gautam Bhattacharyya, Senior Associate Editor]

RESTAURANTS GET A BOOST FROM CELEBRITIES: Hollywood actor Tom Cruise has reportedly enjoyed a visit to singer Asha Bhosle’s restaurant in Birmingham, UK, showcasing the popularity of the cuisine with people of all backgrounds. He apparently dug into two portions of chicken tikka masala and even posed for a picture after his meal. This comes days after Bollywood star Anushka Sharma and her cricketer husband Virat Kohli visited the vegan Tendril Restaurant in London and instantly put their name on the culinary map. Celebrities, through seemingly innocuous visits, can surely help restaurants gain popularity and maybe give them boost at a time when they might be lacking patrons. [COMMENT BY: Jennifer Barretto, Assistant Editor – Features]