From the editors: Record number of COVID-19 cases in the UAE

RECORD NUMBER OF COVID-19 CASES IN UAE: The UAE on Wednesday recorded a record number of 1,083 new COVID-19 infections. This sudden surge underlines what we have been seeing around us in recent times — that we are accepting that the fact the pandemic will be around, and as a result we are often dropping our guard. This is exactly what we should not do at this juncture. It is critically important for all our sake that we continue to maintain the safety protocols — social distancing, wearing masks, handwashing — to eliminate this scourge from our lives. [COMMENT BY: Somshankar Bandyopadhyay, Assistant Editor]

RACIAL INJUSTICE IN US BACK IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Violence is back on the streets of the US, with two police officers being shot on Wednesday in Louisville, Kentucky. The protests began after a grand jury ruling cleared three white police officers involved in a raid on Breonna Taylor’s apartment resulting in her death. Civil rights activists have called the verdict, more than six months after the incident, a miscarriage of justice. Protests against racial injustice and police brutality are not new to the US, and the latest will find echoes in the campaign for the US presidential elections. [COMMENT BY: Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor]

TIMING THE RETURN: The UAE’s opening up strategy is paying off… and the return to normalcy will only speed up with the resumption of visa issuance on Thursday (September 24). Sure, this doesn’t apply as yet to work permits, but for the UAE’s airlines and allied travel industry, these are welcome breaks. Where countries could go wrong is delaying the opening up, and that comes with dire consequences for key business sectors. And that’s something no economy can afford, even as governments mount defenses against further spreads of the COVID-19. If airlines can close out this year with a return to 60-70 per cent of passenger capacities before the pandemic, they can yet salvage something from this year. This is where a phased reopening helps. [COMMENT BY; Manoj Nair, Business Editor]

The English Premier League clubs have missed a trick by not making a bid for unwanted Barcelona star Luis Suarez. The Uruguayan was allowed to leave Barca for Atletico Madrid on a reduced salary after his move to Italian champions Juventus collapsed. Atletico paid less than 4 million euros for the 33-year-old, according to the BBC. Despite his age, the former Liverpool striker is as prolific as ever and, given his past experience in England, would have hit the ground running. Only 4 million euros for a world-class striker who agrees to take a wage cut? No wonder people say the Premier League is getting too rich for its own good when they ignore bargains like this. [COMMENT BY: Matthew Smith, Sports Editor]

Numerous Hollywood celebrities have been calling for justice in the police shooting death of Breonna Taylor. After a grand jury indicted one of the Kentucky police officers on criminal charges, but not for her death, many stars such as Queen Latifa, George Clooney and Stevie Wonder have decried the decision. People have not given up the fight for the late 26-year-old Black medical worker. So it’s important that those with a large platform, such as actors, singers and athletes, join in and boost the message that injustices should not be tolerated. [COMMENT BY: Jennifer Barretto, Assistant Editor – Features]