From the editors: UAE health-workers get COVID-19 vaccine, Royal Challengers Bangalore suffer on IPL field

NEW LEVEL OF CONFIDENCE: With frontline workers in Abu Dhabi beginning to take the COVID-19 vaccine, which has been granted emergency approval, there is a new level of confidence in the battle against the virus in the UAE. The Chinese-developed vaccine, which has been undergoing Phase 3 testing since July 16, has seen the registration of 31,000 volunteers, with antibodies being successfully generated in them during the first two phases. Top officials have also been among those who have taken the vaccine, lending further credence to what is a concerted combat against the coronavirus. (COMMENT BY: Sharmila Dhal, UAE Editor)

TRUMP RAISES EYEBROWS WITH DOUBTS ABOUT POLL OUTCOME. The US elections are followed very closely not just in the country, but all over the world. So when the US president says that he cannot commit to the peaceful transfer of power if he loses the polls on November 3, the reactions flow fast. Amid the uproar, both the Republicans and the Democrats have agreed to uphold the constitution, although Donald Trump says he is not sure if the election will be ‘honest’. In a time of racial disharmony, a pandemic ravaging the country and threats of online fraud, a commitment to follow constitutional norms will go a long way in easing the electoral process. (COMMENT BY: Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor)

A LOT MORE OF GIVING, PLEASE. UAE’s retailers are hurting… however much they have recouped in sales since June, when commercial activity was gradually re-established, they still need to account for the lost months. And the fact that gains since then have come in fits and starts than show any sustained growth trend. In these circumstances, a better understanding of their plight by landlords will serve retailers’ interests better. The more forward looking mall owners have taken the necessary steps, and are willing to do more. But this can’t just be about a handful doing good. The business of retail needs more give and take – if that means mall owners giving more for the near future, it can’t be such a bad thing either. The bigger picture mentality will help. (COMMENT BY: MANOJ NAIR, BUSINESS EDITOR)

IPL FLUB It was all too familiar for Royal Challengers Bangalore as their old failings came back to haunt them just as they were beginning to look like the real deal in this season’s Indian Premier League. Following a convincing opening victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad, RCB were back to square one against Kings XI Punjab on Thursday. KL Rahul tore their bowling apart before a dire batting display saw them lose by 97 runs. Skipper Virat Kohli can’t look at any travel excuses as both their matches have been played in Dubai. Instead RCB will need to look inside, and how they pick themselves up will be key to whether they are in for another season of misery. (COMMENT BY: Matthew Smith, Sports Editor)

NO SUCH THING AS PRIVATE CHAT As the drug probe in Mumbai continues, it skirts legal issues such as the retrieval without a warrant of private chats on WhatsApp, which offers end-to-end encryption, and the use of those chats in a court of law. Using a loophole that states any back-up of a chat on the Cloud isn’t secure or secret, officials found an incriminating exchange between actress Deepika Padukone and her manager regarding a banned narcotic. While it may have turned up information relevant to the case, should it really be permissible? Either way, this turn of events is going to cost both WhatsApp and Padukone dearly. (COMMENT BY: Karishma Nandkeolyar, Assistant Online Editor)