Holidays are here, let’s be responsible: With the Eid Al Adha holidays being announced in the UAE, there is much excitement in the air. But what each one of us must also keep in the mind is that we go about the festivities in a responsible manner. While the authorities are doing all they can to control the spread of COVID-19, we, on part, have a critical role to play too. By now, most of us would have been vaccinated, but following other protocols is also essential. We must follow the required protocols when it comes to hosting or attending gatherings, self-quarantine if we have come into contact with a positive case, wear masks, maintain adequate social distancing and wash our hands regularly to make sure the combat against the coronavirus is fully effective. Sharmila Dhal, UAE Editor
Image Credit: Virendra Saklani/Gulf News
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A new adventure for mankind: Since the beginning of time, man has always wanted to discover what is on the other side of the border, the sea and now space. When Richard Branson takes off on a Virgin Galactic vessel to discover for himself what is on the edge of space, he will be fulfilling a childhood dream. And along with it, he will be helping others dream about a new destination. Branson will evaluate the private astronaut experience so that the journey can be enhanced for future clients. The whole project has come at a huge cost, including an accident that caused the death of a pilot. Regular commercial operations are expected to begin in 2022 with the ultimate goal to conduct 400 flights per year. It is adventures like this that we look forward to, taking one’s mind off from the daily dose of violence, crime and the pandemic that has become so much a part of our lives. - Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor
Image Credit: AFP
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Messi finally ends long wait for title with Argentina: Lionel Messi finally ended his long wait for silverware with Argentina after they beat Brazil 1-0 in the Copa America final thanks to a delightful finish by Angel di Maria. It is Messi’s first major international title which is a somewhat surprising statistic given all of the trophies he has picked up in his illustrious career with Barcelona - but for Argentina, the 34-year-old superstar has had to bide his time. But at the full time whistle, he was mobbed by his teammates in Rio's Maracana stadium and then hurled in the air in celebration. It was his 10th major tournament and he will have been delighted to have won not just for personal reasons but also for the fact that he helped to end his countries 28-year spell since they last won the tournament. He missed a glorious chance to put some gloss on the result when he slipped with the goal at his mercy but that matters little now. "The happiness is immense," he said after the game. Imran Malik, Assistant Editor
Image Credit: AFP
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Enough with the Bollywood boycotts: It’s another week, another Bollywood boycott. This time, Farhan Akhtar’s ‘Toofan’ is at the centre of the ‘Love Jihad’ storm brewing in India. Right wing groups have objected that Akhtar’s character, a Muslim boxer, is shown falling in love and marrying a Hindu girl in the film. Let that sink in for a minute. People are objecting to a fictitious film, where a fictitious character is shown falling in love with another fictitious character. The fact that it is all make believe is completely irrelevant to those protesting away on social media, at a time when the pandemic is perhaps the only thing that should be grabbing headlines and topping Twitter trends in India. - Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor
Image Credit: YouTube
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