From the Editors: UAE lunar mission an aspirational leap

UAE LUNAR MISSION AN ASPIRATIONAL LEAP: The UAE is set for yet another date with history as the Arab world’s first lunar mission, Rashid Rover, is scheduled to shoot off for the moon between August and November, 2022. And once the rover lands on lunar surface, UAE, along with mission partner Japan, will be in an elite group of just four countries to have successfully achieved a lunar landing. The significance of UAE’s lunar mission is truly unparalleled because the Rashid Rover is not only a symbol of the hopes and aspirations of the UAE alone, but that of the entire Arab world. Much before the actual countdown begins for the rocket carrying Rashid Rover to blast off from Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, United States, next year, a mental countdown of sorts has already begun in the hearts and minds of the people of a nation for which the sky has long since ceased to be the limit! [COMMENT BY: Sanjib Kumar Das, Assistant Editor]

WILL THE PANDEMIC END SOON? When will the COVID-19 pandemic end? With the vaccination drive picking up in most countries, some say it will end in October. Others hope a year or two may be most like it. Or maybe, we will learn to continue living with it. In short, scientists are not certain about the closing day for the coronavirus. But the fact remains that the contagious Delta variant has sent cases rising in many parts of the world, and with fears of another variant raising its head, it is too early to celebrate. In fact, it is better to be cautious and continue to take precautions while savouring the freedom that we have. [COMMENT BY: Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor]

US OPEN PROVIDES ANOTHER SHOCK AS BARTY IS KNOCKED OUT: There’s been yet another shock at the US Open as world number one Ashleigh Barty was knocked out in the third round by home favourite Shelby Rogers 6-2 1-6 7-6 (7-5). Rogers, the world number 43, produced a superb comeback in front of a raucous New York crowd as she trailed in the final set 5-2 saving two match points. She came through the tie-break to stun the top seed and book her spot in the fourth round where she will face British teenager Emma Raducanu. Barty lacked rhythm and will be disappointed not to make the next round but we shouldn’t be surprised as we have already seen Carlos Alcaraz shock Stefanos Tsitsipas and Leylah Fernandez stun Naomi Osaka. It seems more upsets are on the cards in New York.[COMMENT BY: Imran Malik, Assistant Editor]

KANGANA RANAUT’S BATTLE WITH THE SYSTEM HEATS UP: It’s a rare day when Kanagna Ranaut doesn’t grab headlines for reasons that are perhaps more wrong than right. Only this time, she appears to be on the right side of a fight, taking on a system that is designed to favour the juggernauts that drive Bollywood. Less than a week before ‘Thalaivii’ is scheduled to release in cinemas around the globe, Ranaut has been forced to appeal to multiplex owners across India to allow her film to release in theatres. Her revelation: cinema owners are siding with big-ticket films and even bigger production studios that are looking for exclusivity while theatres across India run at 50 per cent capacity on account of the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether or not Ranaut paints a complete picture of the current premise, it takes a brave woman to stand up to a system that has historically been biased against the little guy. Let the best man (or woman) win. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]