From the Editors: UAE resilience to the fore

UAE RESILIENCE TO THE FORE: The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) announced on Thursday that 80.29 per cent of the UAE population was fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with two doses of vaccination, while 91.32 per cent of the population had taken the first jab. The rate of vaccine distribution in the country currently stands at 194.60 doses per 100 people, which is among the highest in the world. No wonder UAE is one of the first few countries in the world to have beaten the virus and returned to normality. With Expo 2020 Dubai just about two weeks away, the vaccination figures are not just reassuring for UAE residents and visitors, but for the global community as well as the world still grapples with the ravages of a marauding virus. The resilience, forward planning, adherence to a strict health protocol and a robust vaccination drive have all paid off and yet again proved the UAE’s exemplary role in tackling a humongous crisis. [COMMENT BY: Sanjib Kumar Das, Assistant Editor]

MORE THAN 1 BILLION PEOPLE FULLY VACCINATED IN CHINA: China, the world’s most populous country, has fully vaccinated more than 1 billion people against COVID-19, or about 72% of its 1.4 billion people. China has always been a source of inspiration to the world in many areas and the milestone comes nearly 10 months after the country approved Sinopharm and kicked off the biggest immunisation campaign in history. While China is in the lead among the world’s biggest economies, just over 50% of Americans and Japanese are fully vaccinated, and the rates in the UK and Germany exceed 60%. And India is lagging behind with 20%. With festival season approaching, India must step up its vaccination push and enforce COVID-19-appropriate behaviour to avert a surge in cases. The good news, however, is the daily cases are declining, except in Kerala which on Thursday logged 68% of total cases reported in India. [COMMENT BY: Stephen N.R., Senior Asociate Editor]

KOEPKA SHOULD RELINQUISH HIS SPOT IN US RYDER CUP TEAM, SAYS AZINGER: Earlier this week, American golfer Brooks Koepka said that he felt the demands of playing in the Ryder Cup were “mentally challenging” and now former US captain Paul Azinger has hit back saying the four-time major winner should withdraw from next week’s tournament against Europe if he “does not love the event”. The 43rd staging of the biennial competition will begin on 24 September and Koepka, the world number nine, was the only player in the 12-man American team not to attend a two-day meeting at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin this week. “Not everyone embraces it. I know players who felt that way. I'm not sure he loves the Ryder Cup,” said Azinger. “He should relinquish his spot and get people there who do love the Ryder Cup,” he added. [COMMENT BY: Imran Malik, Assistant Editor]

THE CURIOUS CASE OF SHILPA SHETTY: Shilpa Shetty Kundra has reportedly claimed she was unaware of her husband Raj Kundra's involvement in the pornography racket that has grabbed news headlines for months. She further alleged that she was involved in her own work and was clueless to the adult content that was reportedly being generated and distributed through Viaan Industries, a company founded by her husband that had her listed as one of the directors until 2020. Actress Sherlyn Chopra, who is one of the witnesses in the case, has taken to Twitter to call out Shetty Kundra and her bluff. As this case gets murkier by the day, it will be interesting to see what other nuggets are unearthed in the 1,467-page chargesheet Mumbai Police filed yesterday in court. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]