From the Editors: Stay hydrated, stay protected from the heat in the UAE

STAY HYDRATED, STAY PROTECTED FROM THE HEAT: Despite the heavy rain that hit parts of Sharjah on Saturday evening, there has been little respite from high temperature and heat. With more rainfall expected in the eastern parts of the country like Fujairah and its surrounding areas today, one has to contend with humidity too. Under these circumstances, it is more necessary than ever to keep ourselves adequately hydrated and take other measures to protect ourselves from the adverse effects of such weather. [COMMENT BY: Sharmila Dhal, UAE Editor]

NEW LEBANON GOVERNMENT MUST HIT THE GROUND RUNNING: To say that Lebanon’s new government has its task cut out would be the understatement of the century. Prime Minister Najib Mikati’s 24-member cabinet is dealing with an economic catastrophe that the World Bank has branded the worst economic crisis the world has seen since the 1850s. Such is the state of the country that most people now get only two hours of electricity a day. Things are not that bad even in war-torn Afghanistan. There are two immediate tasks for the Lebanese Cabinet: (1) do no harm; (2) stop the situation from getting any worse. Once these two issues are addressed, the task of actually pulling Lebanon out from the abyss should begin. The government should immediately start negotiations with the World Bank and IMF for much needed financing. But for that to happen, Lebanon has to reform its financial system, and address the issue of subsidies. A Herculean task. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

A DIP IN FRESH COVID-19 CASES IN INDIA IS GOOD NEWS FOR A COUNTRY THAT HAS BEEN BATTLING THE DELTA STRAIN: In the last 24 hours, the country has registered 28,591 cases and 338 deaths. According to the Health Ministry, Kerala has reported the most number of cases - 20,487. The positive news is a result of the COVID-19-fighting measures taken in the country and the rollout of more than 738 million vaccine jabs. There is still a long way to go to beat the disease. Some state governments have announced fresh measures for festivals, but this should not be taken as a licence to throw caution to the wind. It is better to take precautions till the country has a stranglehold on the virus. [COMMENT BY: Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor]

BRITISH TEENAGER RADUCANU WINS US OPEN: When Virginia Wade won Wimbledon in 1977 nobody thought it would take 44 years for another British woman to win a major Grand Slam. Emma Raducanu finally ended that long wait as the teenager saw off fellow teen Leylah Fernandez 6-4 6-3 to win the US Open. Raducanu, 18, has had an incredible tournament in New York. She didn’t fancy her chances at all and actually had a flight booked back to the UK two weeks ago because she didn’t think she would come through the qualifying rounds. But 17 days later, she flies home with the trophy. It is an amazing achievement for Raducanu who just two months ago, was collecting her A-Level results. [COMMENT BY: Imran Malik, Assistant Editor]

REALITY BITES, ESPECIALLY FOR PRIYANKA CHOPRA AND COMPANY: The burning question that has whipped Twitter into frenzy still remains unanswered two days after news of ‘The Activist’ had many up in arms: was there really a need for such a show in the first place? Two days, a seemingly innocuous press release announced Usher, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Julianne Hough will co-host a new reality show that, wait for it, will pit global activists against each other in a bid to make the world a better place. The grand prize? To present their ideas at the G20 summit later this year in Italy. While many of us were left scratching our heads at the idea, others on Twitter were more vocal in their criticism asking the makers, which includes Global Citizen and Live Nation, that if you have the money to burn why waste it on a show and that belongs in a dystopian nightmare? Can’t you use the funds to actually help the planet? Others questioned the stars themselves who could collectively pool in their salaries and help the six activists competing on the show rather than have them put on a dog and pony show for ratings. Chopra Jonas, Usher and Hough have wisely remained oblivious through it all, but the reality is still bitingly clear: anything works in the name of publicity. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]