From the Editors: Rising number of school students show confidence in Dubai

RISING NUMBER OF SCHOOL STUDENTS SHOW CONFIDENCE IN DUBAI: In its latest report, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) in Dubai has announced that almost 10,000 new students have enrolled in the emirate’s private schools since September last year. This marks an increase of 3.9 per cent. These figures are a testimony to the confidence that the country’s residents have in Dubai’s education system, as well as the effective measures that the country has taken to combat the pandemic. Rising in-person attendance is also proof that parents are confident that their children are protected from the virus. [COMMENT BY: Somshankar Bandyopadhyay, Assistant Editor]

US-IRAN TENSIONS COULD LEAD TO DANGEROUS ESCALATION IN IRAQ: It was a matter of when, not if. On Sunday, American strikes on eastern Syria near the border with Iraq killed at least five Iran-backed militia fighters, who had been playing a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse with US forces in Iraq, lobbing grenades and other projectiles. These actions may or may not have been at the behest of their Iranian backers. But hapless Iraq has again turned into a battlefield for the global superpower and the regional power. The actions of the militias are not in the interest of Iraq. Though the armed groups claim to be fighting for Iraqi sovereignty - and yes, a majority of Iraqis want all foreign forces to leave the country - their actions are actually harming Iraq. They seem to be more concerned about upholding the interests of their eastern neighbour. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

INDIA OVERTAKES US IN VACCINE DOSES ADMINISTERED: In a significant COVID-19 vaccination milestone, India has overtaken the US in total vaccine doses administered so far. As many as 323.66 million doses have administered, while the US number stands at 323.32 million. India’s number also exceeded that of the UK, Germany, France and Italy. Daily recoveries continued to outnumber the daily new cases in India for the 46th consecutive day. Also, the data from YouGovs COVID-19 Consumer Monitor has revealed that 78% of urban Indians believe the pandemic situation is getting better. Confidence in national recovery has improved since April-end when it had fallen to 17 per cent. This is good news but the people still need to comply with the precautionary measures for India to win the battle against COVID-19. [COMMENT BY: Stephen N R, Senior Associate Editor]

TEAM SPIRIT FOR BATTERED BELGIUM: Belgium saw off the threat of Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal to book their place in the quarter-finals of Euro 2020, but their victory came at a price. Two of their star players limped off during the physical clash at the Estadio Olímpico in Seville, and both Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne look doubtful for the last-eight match against Italy on Friday in Munich. But one thing the Belgians have by the bucketload is team unity as Hazard illustrated by insisting he will stay with the squad even if a hamstring injury has ruled him out of the remainder of the tournament. “As captain, I will stay with the group because I have an important role to play,” he said. Smells like team spirit to me.[COMMENT BY: Matthew Smith, Sports Editor]

BET AWARDS TO BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN: LIVE EVENTS ARE BACK IN ACTION: If last night’s BET Awards were anything to go by, the glittering ceremony sent out a clear message that live events were back on the schedule. The star-studded awards show saw top artists from the Black music industry take to the stage, with Queen Latifah to Lil Nas X and Cardi B stealing the spotlight in the Los Angeles’ Microsoft Theater. Meanwhile, across the US, Bruce Springsteen returned to Broadway, strapping on a guitar to perform in front of a live audience. The pandemic may not be beaten as yet, but entertainment is finding its place in the new normal. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]