From the Editors: True role model for governance

TRUE ROLE MODEL FOR GOVERNANCE: The initiative by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in keeping track of the functioning of government entities and naming the best and worst performers ensures that the various services are on their toes and deliver on what is expected of them. The hands-on approach to governance also sends out a strong message that there is no room for any tardiness. Little wonder then that the UAE, which consistently ranks high in global ratings on customer satisfaction, has emerged as a role model for other countries. [COMMENT by Sharmila Dhal, UAE Editor]

DELTA VARIANT CONTINUES TO WREAK HAVOC IN US: The US continued to record the most new COVID-19 infections by far, with 166,367 a day. Nationally, deaths hit a seven-day average of about 1,500 a day on Thursday, after falling to the low 200s in early July — the latest handiwork of a Delta variant — as tens of millions of Americans, many of them unvaccinated, returned to their daily activities. The daily count of new infections is rising in almost every part of the country. But only some places — mostly southern states with lower vaccination rates — are seeing a surge in deaths. The message is clear: Every time that people have underestimated the virus, and let down their guard, deaths surged. The US needs to step up vaccinations and ensure people followed COVID-19 protocols. Amid rising cases in the US and India, there’s good news from South Africa where scientists said the C.1.2 variant detected locally was not a threat. [COMMENT by Stephen N.R., Senior Associate Editor ]

OSAKA TO TAKE ANOTHER BREAK FOLLOWING US OPEN FAILURE: World number one Naomi Osaka was knocked out of the US Open in the third round and following her failure to defend her title she has announced she will take another break from tennis. She looked on course for a straight-sets win when she broke 18-year-old Leylah Fernandez’s serve for a 6-5 second set lead but was eventually beaten following a string of forehand errors 5-7 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 at Flushing Meadows. The 23-year-old had withdrawn from the French Open citing mental health issues but returned to the sport at the Tokyo Olympics to light the flame at the opening ceremony. During a tearful press conference after her defeat she said, "I honestly don't know when I'm going to play my next tennis match. I think I'm going to take a break from playing for a while.” [COMMENT by Imran Malik, Assistant Editor]

WHEN IS IT ACCEPTABLE TO TURN CELEBRITY DEATHS INTO A CIRCUS?: The media circus that set up shop following Sidharth Shukla’s death was also a lesson in the demise of basic human courtesy. Indian television channels beamed visuals from the late actor’s funeral, with reporters shoving cameras in the face of distraught friends and family members who were surrounded by a mob while attempting to pay their last respects. Shukla’s rumoured girlfriend, TV personality Shehnaz Gill was also not spared, with paparazzi surrounding her car, while cameras attempted to take images of a woman in tears. “How do you feel?” was a question yelled out, before a mob descended on a distressed Gill, as policemen were forced to intervene to allow her a safe passage to the crematorium. Shukla’s grieving mother wasn’t spared either, while the late star’s celebrity friends fought and clawed their way to bid goodbye to a dear friend. At what point is any of this acceptable? When do we start holding people accountable for such behaviour? Shukla’s death deserved the same respect the late actor commanded in his lifetime. Alas, we failed him. [COMMENT by Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]