From the Editors: Focus on Delta variant as COVID-19 cases rise

FOCUS ON DELTA VARIANT AS COVID-19 CASES RISE: The COVID-19 Delta variant is spreading around the world. New South Wales has become the third Australian state to announce lockdown rules to combat the virus strain. In other parts of Asia and Europe too there has been a spike in coronavirus cases. China has reported a surge in imported infections in southwestern Yunnan province, which shares a border with Myanmar. As fresh lockdowns are announced in some places, England is celebrating as most restrictions have been lifted. Continuous vigilance around the world coupled with a strong vaccination drive is needed to fight the virus. Stop-gap measures won’t work. [COMMENT BY: Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor]

SAFETY OF IRAQIS MUST BE GOVERNMENT'S PRIORITY: It’s a sad day for Iraq. The sleeper cells of Daesh terror group have reared their ugly head again and more than 30 lives, including women and children, were lost on the eve of Eid celebrations. The suicide blast in Baghdad suburb’s bustling market comes 6 months after a similar attack that killed 32 people — also at a crowded market in the capital. Huge bomb attacks were once an almost daily occurrence in the Iraqi capital but have dwindled since a Daesh invasion of northern and western Iraq was defeated in 2017. The US-led coalition that had been supporting Iraq’s campaign against Daesh has significantly drawn down its troop levels over the past year, citing the increased capabilities of Iraqi forces. The remnants of Daesh terror networks that have melted into urban areas or deserts and rugged areas, must be completely destroyed and the government must ensure safety for all. [COMMMENT BY: Stephen N.R., Senior Associate Editor]

AISHWARYA RAI BACHCHAN RETURNS TO SCREEN: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is one of the most gifted actors in Bollywood today, but there are only a handful of directors who have successfully managed to tap into the wealth of talent; Mani Ratnam being one of the chosen few. Which is why it is a reason to celebrate with Rai Bachchan has finally announced her comeback to films after three years with Ratnam’s next period drama, ‘Ponniyin Selvan’. While the makers have yet to reveal whether the Tamil film will also release in Hindi, it would be a shame if a wider audience wouldn’t get to see the collaboration considering the duo have made magic in the past with films such as ‘Iruvar’, ‘Guru’ and ‘Raavan’. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]

TOKYO OLYMPICS: MORE COVID-19 CASES AS OPENING CEREMONY NEARS: It’s just two days left for the opening ceremony of the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Olympics to begin, but Covid-19 cases continue to mount steadily. An American gymnast and a Czech beach volleyball player were added to the tally of people accredited for the Games who have tested positive for COVID-19 this month, taking the positive cases to 71. Positive tests for United States gymnastics alternate Kara Eaker and Czech team member Ondrej Perusic were announced Monday. [COMMENT BY: Gautam Bhattacharyya, Senior Associate Editor]

BEYOND EXPECTATIONS: It’s the first anniversary of the Hope Probe launch today. Currently orbiting the Red Planet to create a complete picture of the Martian atmosphere, the spacecraft has not only done what it set out to do, but far exceeded expectations too. The highly capable team behind the mission has been able to cut the number of trajectory correction manoeuvres, perform additional observations during its flight to Mars and add a new spectrum of study too. Well done Emirates Mars Mission - the UAE has much to be proud of, one year on. [COMMENT BY: Sharmila Dhal, UAE Editor]