From the Editors: UAE marks another history day

UAE MARKS ANOTHER HISTORY DAY: United Arab Emirates marks another historic day with the announcement of the first Arab female astronaut for its space exploration programme. The Emirati engineer Nora Al Matrooshi and the pilot Mohammed Al Mulla have been selected out of 4,305 applicants for the UAE Astronaut Programme after going through rigorous testing process. UAE means serious business when it comes to its space exploration programme as its national space sector has already invested a whopping amount of Dh22 billion in just a few years since it was established in 2014. We wish Nora Al Matrooshi and Mohammed Al Mulla great success in consolidating their country’s position in the upcoming space missions. [COMMENT BY: Ashfaq Ahmed, Senior Assistant Editor]

COVID-19 SITUATION IN INDIA IS SPIRALING OUT OF CONTROL: Another day, another record. On Sunday, 152,879 COVID-19 cases were reported in India, with the country leading the world in daily average infections. It now accounts for one in every six cases in the world reported daily. While the prime minister has promised a ‘vaccination festival’, the situation on the ground suddenly seems to have gone out of control. In many ways, people in India have returned to business as usual, often without masks and social distancing. Huge political rallies have been encouraged and gatherings of millions at religious festivals have been allowed. If extreme steps are not taken, there are fears there could be an outbreak on a scale not seen in the world so far. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

BAFTAS A MUTED AFFAIR OVER PRINCE PHILIP’S DEATH: The Baftas are sure to be a subdued affair tonight following the death of Prince Philip. Prince William, who is the president of the film awards, has already pulled out of the ceremony while the royal family goes into two weeks of mourning. It is largely being speculated that the Baftas will pay tribute to Prince Philip in some capacity considering he was the first president of the awards body back in 1959. In a statement, the Bafta body credited Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth for their support through the years “to continue in difficult times and to be here today in 2021 celebrating another outstanding year of achievement in film.” As a true patron of the arts, Prince Philip leaves behind a legacy for his family to follow in his footsteps. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]