From the Editors: Enjoy smooth travel through Dubai Airport

ENJOY SMOOTH TRAVEL THROUGH DUBAI AIRPORT: Passengers travelling through Dubai International Airport enjoy hassle free travel without the need to queue up at the passport control counters. Some 122 smart gates at the Dubai Airports have nearly replaced the passport control officers as more than 100 million travellers have used smart gates to travel through the airport during the last four years. The smart systems are part of GDRFA-Dubai’s efforts to develop innovative smart services to ensure smooth travel for all. More passengers should use the smart gates as the fast-track ‘biometric passenger journey’ uses facial and iris-recognition technology to let travellers complete passport control procedures in a jiffy. [COMMENT BY: Ashfaq Ahmed, Senior Assistant Editor]

FEAR STALKS GLOBAL STOCK MARKETS: Something more than a jitter seems to be at work in the US and global stock markets. This time it doesn’t look as if investors are syncing their sentiments to all that ongoing talk by the Fed about inflation and countering it with interest rate hikes. Wednesday’s sell-off in the US seems to be linked to deeper fears, with some of the latest results from blue-chips setting off full-blown alarm bells. UAE and Asian markets too have slipped into red territory, as investors seek out risk-free investments. The next 48 hours could give some clarity about the US market sentiments – but keep those hopes of a quick bounce back within limits. [COMMENT BY: Manoj Nair, Business Editor]

US SOCCER EQUAL-PAY DEAL COULD BE A GAME CHANGER: The US men’s and women’s football teams have reached a new equal-pay agreement and the move is being hailed as a game changer. US Soccer says the teams are going to pool their World Cup prize money and sponsorship revenues between them in an equal manner. In 2019 the women’s team had filed a discrimination lawsuit and a $24m settlement was paid out this year. Earlier, US Soccer said it was hard to level up prize money due to the huge difference in amounts paid by FIFA to federations between the men’s and women’s teams during tournaments. “These agreements have changed the game forever in the United States,” says US Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone. “They have the potential to change the game around the world.”[COMMENT BY: Imran Malik, Assistant Sports Editor]

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is often the toast of the Cannes red carpet (we still dream of that 2018 butterfly dressed designed by Dubai’s very own Michael Cinco), but when things go wrong, the lynch mob is often waiting at the door, pitchforks at the ready. This year, Rai Bachchan has unveiled two looks at the prestigious film festival, and while they’re not cringe-worthy like that 2018 purple lipstick, her looks have drawn polarized reviews, both for the Valentino hot pink oversized powersuit and the Dolce & Gabbana black ball gown, embellished with 3D flowers. While some have called the suit a ‘hot mess’ on social media, others have lamented the ill-fitting, crease-ridden gown that she wore on the rep carpet at the premiere of ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ last night. Through it all though, Rai Bachchan has held her head high, with make-up on point, carrying the attitude that is fit for a queen on the red carpet Just for that, she gets full marks. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]