From the editors: UAE in the spotlight for medical tourism and the next round of IPL

MEDICAL TOURISM Dubai has once again proved its mettle in the face of COVID-19, as it has ranked top among the countries in the region in medical tourism. Even more encouraging is the fact that the emirate ranked sixth in the world in this category. The ranking once again reflects the competitive edge the emirate has maintained in this sector. The world-class facilities in the emirate are attracting travellers in this sector, with over 350,000 medical tourists visiting the emirate last year. Dubai remains one of the safest destinations in the world, and will continue to lead the way. (COMMENT BY: Somshankar Bandyopadhyay, Assistant Editor)

FOCUS ON US POLICE AFTER ANOTHER BLACK DEATH. Seven police officers involved in the suffocation death of Daniel Prude, a Black man, in New York have been suspended by the city mayor, five months after the incident. Prude died on March 30, seven days after officers put a hood over his head to stop him from spitting, then held him down for about two minutes until he stopped breathing. The incident throws light on the high-handedness of law enforcement officials who have a mandate to take care of life, not take away life. While it will definitely stay on the political radar in an election year, efforts must be taken to clean up the US policing system from within. (COMMENT BY: Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor)

IPL in UAE: ALL EYES ON VIRAT KOHLI Royal Challengers Bangalore will be looking to inspirational skipper Virat Kohli as they begin their quest to claim a first Indian Premier League title in the UAE. They have good reason to be confident of breaking their duck as Kohli looked to be in peak form as he sprang to take a sensational catch during training in Dubai. His teammates will draw such confidence from the charismatic Indian. “We are running out of things to say at this point, Skip,” said RCB. However, the Bangalore side have been here before and this could again be the highs before the lows. (COMMENT BY: Mathew Smith, Sports Editor)

DRUG BUST IN TINSEL TOWN Even as the investigation into Sushant Singh Rajput’s death leads India’s Narcotics Control Bureau to the sordid underbelly of drug trading in the film industry, another expose is taking place. In Bengaluru, home to the Kannada movie industry, the Karnataka Central Crime Branch has uncovered another alleged drug trafficking channel that runs through the homes of actors and directors alike. Actress Ragini Dwivedi’s house is being torn asunder by cops looking for the banned goods. But this focused search calls for two questions: Will these findings lead to a bigger crackdown on movie fraternities of India? And why now, if the misuse of substances was there for all to see? A coincidence or timed for publicity? (COMMENT BY: Karishma H. Nandkeolyar, Assistant Online Editor)