From the Editors: Indian expatriates in UAE show solidarity with flood victims back home

INDIAN EXPATRIATES IN UAE SHOW SOLIDARITY WITH FLOOD VICTIMS BACK HOME: Quite in keeping with the spirit of brotherhood and compassion that the UAE champions so fervently, Indian expatriates based in the UAE have extended a helping hand to flood victims in Maharashtra. Parts of the western Indian state experienced unusually heavy seasonal rainfall recently, leading to severe floods. While many people were rendered homeless, there was substantial material loss as the contents of many shops and establishments were washed away. Responding to the situation, many Indian expatriates and some voluntary organisations in the UAE have sent aids, both in cash and kind, to the flood-affected people of Maharashtra. [COMMENT BY: Sanjib Kumar Das, Assistant Editor]

COVID-19 - HARD DECISIONS FOR COMMON GOOD: Federal workers in the US will be required to sign forms attesting they’ve been vaccinated against the coronavirus or else comply with new rules on mandatory masking, weekly testing, distancing and more. The strict new guidelines announced by President Joe Biden come amid governments pushing people to get vaccinated as Delta variant is wreaking havoc across the world. Pakistan said it will ban air travel for anyone without a COVID-19 vaccine certificate from August 1 and will require all public sector workers to get vaccinated by August 31. Saudi Arabia banned unvaccinated citizens from travelling abroad. Kuwait will not allow unvaccinated expatriates to enter the country. These decisions may sound harsh but have a good purpose: Pushing people get vaccinated with a common goal — to defeat the coronavirus and make the world a safe place. At least now, the unvaccinated should realise the importance of getting a jab. [COMMENT by Stephen N.R., Senior Asociate Editor]

LIVERPOOL BOOSTED AS VAN DIJK AND GOMEZ FINALLY RETURN FROM INJURY: Liverpool were unable to defend their Premier League title last season when they lost defenders Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez to injury. The Reds finished third in the 2020/21 campaign having won it the year before but when Van Dijk, 30, injured his cruciate ligament in October last year, it seemed to knock the stuffing out of Jurgen Klopp’s side who went on to concede 42 goals in 38 games. The Merseysiders had also lost fellow centre back Joe Gomez, 24, after he picked up a knee injury in training with England in November - but both finally returned to action yesterday in a 4-3 pre-season friendly defeat against Hertha Berlin. With two key players back in the fold, Liverpool will hope they can challenge champions Man City when the new season begins on August 14. [COMMENT by Imran Malik, Assistant Editor]

LEGAL WOES FOR DISNEY: Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson has filed a lawsuit Walt Disney Co for the company’s release plan for ‘Black Widow’. She says their release strategy to debut the superhero movie on Disney+ and in theatres at the same time hurt her compensation. This is a point of contention in the war between streaming services and movie theatres. Production companies need to find a middle ground between them both to ensure that cinemas are still able to thrive in the pandemic and actors are still getting paid their dues. [COMMENT by Jennifer Barretto, Assistant Editor - Features]