From the Editors: UAE celebrates its COVID-19 warriors, while Joe Biden remains buoyant and Bollywood salutes Mahendra Singh Dhoni

MOHAMMED'S WORDS A MARKER OF UAE'S RESILIENCE: The visit to the COVID-19 Command and Control Centre in Dubai by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Saturday, was a significant marker of the UAE’s role in fighting against the spread of the virus. Sheikh Mohammed’s comment that UAE had set a commendable example for the world in managing the crisis, is a huge shot in the arm for all those who call the UAE home and particularly for those front-line workers who have helped the country play an exemplary role in battling the pandemic. [COMMENT BY: Sanjib Kumar Das, Assistant Editor]

BIDEN CONTINUES TO MAKE STRIDES AS US POLLS NEAR: Thirty-three years ago, Joe Biden filed his nomination papers for the Democratic candidacy as he tried to become the youngest US president since John F. Kennedy. That didn’t work out, but in the twilight of his career, Biden’s moment could very well arrive. If he wins in November then, at 78, he would become the oldest president ever to take office. Despite being derided as ‘Sleepy Joe’ by US President Donald Trump, Biden seems to be chugging along, still leading in the polls – and promising to win the “battle for the soul of America”. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

FINDING SOLACE IN TRADE DEFICIT: India’s trade balance turned to a deficit in July after a rare surplus reported in June. This trend is likely to strengthen in the coming months, as demand for non-oil, non-gold imports starts to normalize. A trade surplus is an economic measure of a positive balance of trade, where a country's exports exceed its imports; and a trade deficit, the opposite. Under normal economic conditions, a trade surplus is what every country would aspire to achieve. However, a trade surplus resulting from domestic demand destruction caused by a pandemic is no reason for joy. On the contrary, a pick-up in deficit indicates a slow recovery in domestic demand and consumer confidence. [COMMENT BY: Babu Das Augustine, Business Editor]

Former Indian cricket captain MS Dhoni has been honoured by Bollywood celebrities following his August 15 announcement that he would be retiring from the sport. The cricket star, who has a biopic based on him starring late actor Sushant Singh Rajput, was referred to as a down-to-earth hero in various social media posts. Actor Ranveer Singh even posted old pictures with Dhoni saying he met him while working as an assistant director on an advertisement. “I was overworked and underpaid, but I didn’t care — I just wanted to be in HIS presence… When I finally met him, I was completely awestruck. He was so humble, so down-to-earth, full of grace and exuded an unmistakable aura of kindness,” Singh wrote. [COMMENT BY: Jennifer Barretto, Assistant Editor - Features]

It’s back to the drawing board for Manchester City and Pep Guardiola after the Premier League giants were dumped out of the Champions League by French side Lyon at the quarter-final stage. City went down 3-1 in Lisbon on Saturday night, and coach Guardiola vowed to come back stronger. “Now, they are disappointed, but after the break when we start again, we will recover and try to do it again,” he said. “I am not able with these guys to break the quarter-finals. Three years in a row we are out. Life is how you stand up again.” [COMMENT BY: Matthew Smith, Sports Editor]