From the editors: Pakistanis celebrate Independence Day while Trump takes the gloves off

RICH PAST, RICHER FUTURE: As the UAE reopens to visitors, some hidden gems beckon. One such attraction is Al Jazirah Al Hamra in Ras Al Khaimah, which is the last pearl diving village of its kind in the Gulf. The tiny fishing village, which was abandoned by its inhabitants in the 1960s, has undergone a massive restoration and become a favoured filming location for Hollywood movies. Now the publicly open fort area provides glimpses of precious history, even as the place prepares to transform itself into a thriving hub for arts and culture. A great getaway, even amid pandemic times. [COMMENT BY: Sharmila Dhal, UAE Editor]

The region’s airline industry keeps getting more dire warnings of what the immediate future has to offer. Job losses within the sector and those allied to it could touch 1.5 million… and that’s 300,000 more than was forecast just weeks ago by IATA, the International Air Transport Association. The pace of getting routes back into action cannot be gradual, the grouping warns. And regional governments will also have to rework some of its long-established norms on slots usage at airports. In short, anything that shorten the period of pain for the industry and the risk of staggering job losses.

US ELECTION BATTLE BEGINS IN EARNEST It is just two days since Kamala Harris has been in the limelight, and the mud has started being thrown around. The ‘birther’ controversy has been raised again, suggesting that the Democratic Vice-presidential pick is not an American citizen by birth, and conversely cannot contest the election. President Trump has lent credence to this, saying he has heard ‘rumours’ that Harris does not meet the requirements to serve the White House. With less than three months to go for the US presidential polls, claims and counter-claims on various issues can be expected from both sides. The action has just begun. [COMMENT BY Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor]

CHILDREN IN CONFLICT ZONES DESERVE BETTER Reports of eight children under five years of age dying within days in a northeastern Syria camp have once again highlighted the plight of the vulnerable. The Save the Children charity said health and nutrition services have deteriorated rapidly in the Kurdish-run Al-Hol camp, where the children died over a five-day period. The deaths were linked to heart failure, internal bleeding and severe malnutrition and the crisis has been compounded by the coronavirus pandemic in the camp. Charitable agencies must ensure that children in conflict zones are taken care of and have the basic rights to food, water, clothing, health and education. [COMMENT BY Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor]

TWO GAMES, TWO LATE WINNERS SO FAR IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUARTER-FINALS IN LISBON. RB Leipzig stunned Atletico Madrid with a 2-1 victory on Thursday evening, sending them into the competition's last four for the first time in their club's short history. With two minutes of normal time remaining, United States midfielder Tyler Adams snatched victory to set up a semi-final clash with Paris St Germain in the coronavirus-enforced, one-legged mini tournament in Portugal. PSG had stunned Atalana with an injury-time winner on Wednesday night. On Thursday, the German side had taken the lead in the 51st minute with a header from Spanish forward Dani Olmo but a disjointed Atletico were shaken into life when record signing Joao Felix came off the bench, earning and scoring a penalty to level in the 71st. Bayern Munich take on fellow heavyweights Barcelona in the other half of the draw on Friday as they look to make the semi-finals, with Manchester City facing French side Lyon on Saturday. [COMMENT BY: Mathew Smith, Sports Editor]

PAKISTAN CELEBRATES The mood is festive in Pakistan where everyone – stars included – are celebrating the country’s 73rd Independence Day on August 14. On social media, tributes are raining down – children in cheerful outfits, grown-ups in ensembles of green and white. They show a glimpse into the pride felt by their countrymen, that’s showcased on the streets, in the fireworks that lit up the bright sky, in the cheers that resound across the city. [ [COMMENT BY: Karishma H. Nandkeolyar, Assistant Online Editor]