From the Editors: Dubai’s 10 million meals campaign wins accolades

DUBAI’S 10 MILLION MEALS CAMPAIGN WINS ACCOLADE: Dubai has done it again with its unique initiative to help the people in need around the world even during the most difficult times. Dubai’s ‘10 Million Meals’ campaign, which was launched to support COVID-19-hit communities in the UAE during Ramadan this year, has won 11 international awards for driving positive impact in society. The campaign had secured 15.3 million meals to low-income families and individuals impacted by the pandemic. The campaign created a large move of solidarity across the UAE, drawing overwhelming financial and in-kind donations from citizens and residents. Countries around the world must learn lessons from this initiative to help people facing economic woes amid pandemic. [COMMENT BY: Ashfaq Ahmed, Senior Assistant Editor]

US COVID-19 RESPONSE LEAVES MUCH TO BE DESIRED: It is no secret that COVID-19 is out of control in America. Such is the state of affairs that vaccinations in the country could begin as early as Friday. Far from getting the COVID-19 infection under control, the US has seen a massive resurgence in recent weeks. Three days in a row, the country has set new daily records for infections, an average of about 230,000 a day. A whopping 2,000 plus people have been dying of the disease daily of late. It is shocking and disheartening that the world’s foremost industrial and technological power has failed so dramatically to protect its people from the insidious virus. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING: With unemployment sky-high and the recession still raging in many parts of the world it can be easy to feel fiscally blue. New research shows the happier you are, the quicker the area you call home is likely to recover. If that is right, the Middle East and the UAE are headed in the right direction. Prominent family business groups in the region are optimistic on a rebound within next 18 months, says a Deloitte survey. Over 90 per cent of UAE businesses expect to return to pre-COVID profitability by the end of 2022, according to a recent HSBC survey. Going by these studies, it may not be just the economy that affects our moods, it might actually work the other way around, too. [COMMENT BY: Babu Das Augustine, Business Editor]

ALL SIGNS POINT TO WIDE-OPEN EPL SEASON: The English Premier League began to take a familiar shape at the top after Saturday’s matches in Week 11 of the 2020-21 season. However, despite the top five spots now being occupied by the ‘Top Five’ — Chelsea, Tottenham, Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City, it looks like we are going to be in for a thrilling and wide-open campaign — unlike Liverpool’s canter last season and the two-horse race between City and the Reds the term before. Only five points separate the top 10 spots, and given the number of slip-ups we have already witnessed — including Liverpool’s 7-2 thrashing by Aston Villa — there is sure to be plenty more spills and thrills ahead. [COMMENT BY: Matthew Smith, Sports Editor]

Bollywood actress Ananya Panday has been the target of trolls for a number of reasons – partly because she’s the daughter of actor Chunky Pandey. In a recent interview, the star says that she has even been made fun of what she wears. But she’s done being bothered by the negativity. “As long as I am happy and comfortable, it is all that matters,” she says. It’s hard to imagine what online bullying does to someone’s spirit, especially at a young age, so it’s good to see her reject the trolling and decide to do things her way no matter what. [COMMENT BY: Jennifer Barretto, Assistant Editor – Features]