From the Editors: Children in UAE making the most of their summer break

HEARTENING TO SEE CHILDREN IN UAE MAKING THE MOST OF THEIR SUMMER BREAK: It’s that time of the year when thousands of school students across the UAE can take it a bit easy as the summer holidays mark a welcome break from the everyday routine of the alarm going off early in the morning and a mad, mad rush for the rest of the day. The annual summer holidays are something that most pupils – and their parents and even teachers – look forward to. With flight restrictions still place in many countries in view of the pandemic, travelling back to their home countries is not much of an option for most expatriate families. So it is indeed heartening to see that while they are mostly spending their summer holidays in the UAE, school students are exploring myriads of ways to stay occupied meaningfully and make the best possible use of their leisure time. From making a big splash in the swimming pool to learning to stitch to honing one’s singing skills … the list is long. [COMMENT BY: Sanjib Kumar Das, Assistant Editor]

AFGHAN PEOPLE NEED REASSURANCE OF SECURITY: Taliban assaults on major cities have gained momentum after US-led foreign troops began a final withdrawal from Afghanistan. As Afghan forces struggle to fend off the offensive, provincial capitals are now under fire after rural areas and border crossings were captured. This is bad news, especially for civilians who are caught in the cross-fire. The ordinary people of Afghanistan have paid a huge price over the past years, first living under the Taliban, then trying to get their lives back in order and now living in fear. Although the government has repeatedly dismissed the Taliban's steady gains, it must do more to reassure the people – those who just want to get on with their lives, educate their children and earn a living. [COMMENT BY: Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor]

VERSTAPPEN , HAMILTON FALL-OUT DOMINATES HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX: It has been two weeks since Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen collided at the British Grand Prix which sent the champion into the barriers in a high-speed crash. The two drivers have fallen out big time since then and it is the only topic on everyone’s lips ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix today. They start the race two places apart with Hamilton’s Mercedes on pole position and Verstappen’s Red Bull in third. The Dutchman has seen his huge 30 point lead cut down to a mere eight in the championship and tensions are running high. The atmosphere between the two teams is truly bitter as they continue to accuse each other of wrong-doing in the last race. It will just make today’s action that much more gripping and it will be interesting to see how the two drivers deal with their on-track battles. Fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to be a thrilling ride! [COMMENT BY: Imran Malik, Assistant Editor]

BOLLYWOOD DOESN’T DESERVE A TALENT LIKE TAAPSEE PANNU: There are a handful of names that come to mind in Bollywood who have mastered the craft as effortlessly as Taapsee Pannu. The actress, who turns 34 today, is a chameleon when it comes to slipping into roles that may appear too far-fetched for your quintessential Bollywood belle. Perhaps this is why maverick filmmakers such as Anurag Kashyap and Anubhav Sinha keep turning to her when casting their lead, mired in a web of complexities. Pannu excelled as the vulnerable woman staring straight in the face of misogyny in ‘Pink’. She showcased her steely reserve in ‘Thappad’ with a delicate, understated performance. Her feisty repertoire in ‘Manmarizyan’ continues to draw in fans for a repeat watch. The fact that Pannu is wielding her own axe to carve a path for herself in Bollywood simply adds to her legend that will live on in celluloid for years to come. It’s a shame Pannu’s talents haven’t taken her to some of the more seasoned industries like Hollywood, which doesn’t buckle under the pressures of promoting a ‘lead actor’. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]