From the Editors: The Expo 2020 Dubai benchmark

THE EXPO 2020 DUBAI BENCHMARK: Expo 2020 Dubai opened its doors to visitors on Friday. And going by the kind of buzz it created and the level of enthusiasm it generated on its very first day of public viewing, one can well imagine the kind of crescendo this event is likely to reach by the time the curtain comes down on March 31, 2022. One doesn’t really have to be an event-management expert to predict that Expo 2020 Dubai is one event that will indeed leave a massive imprint on the socio-cultural and economic landscape as well as the mindscape of the global community in general and that of the region in particular. Being the first event of its kind to be staged in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, Expo 2020 Dubai in its run-up itself has far exceeded expectations and it can be said with certainty that this edition of the World Expo will set a benchmark for many, many more editions to match up to in the future. Let’s soak up the Expo experience to the full. [COMMENT BY: Sanjib Kumar Das, Assistant Editor]

MERCK'S PILL RAISES HOPE OF PREVENTING COVID-19 DEATHS: The announcement by pharmaceutical giant Merck that its experimental pill to treat COVID-19, including the deadly Delta variant, cuts risk of hospitalisation and death in half comes as wonderful news. It would mark a significant moment in the fight against COVID-19 as having multiple tools to prevent infections are essential to controlling a pandemic. The biggest impact of the pill might be in parts of the world where vaccine availability is low. However, experts cautioned that even if the pill receives a regulatory greenlight, vaccination will remain the primary tool to fight the virus by preventing illness. But they celebrated the prospect of a treatment to help transform COVID-19 from a public health crisis into a disease that can be managed if it continues to circulate long-term. [COMMENT BY: Stephen N.R., Senior Associate Editor]

GREAT ACHIEVEMENT BY INDIA'S MANDHANA: Smriti Mandhana is the name on everyone’s lips at the moment after she scored a century for India on Day 2 of the pink-ball Test against Australia. The 25-year-old opener became the first Indian female to score a ton on Australian soil in Test cricket. The classy left-hander was eventually dismissed for 127 with her innings helping her team end the day at 276/5 at stumps. Mandhana has since been trending on social media and cricket fans have been praising her for her fabulous achievement. She is clearly able to rack up the runs and therefore all eyes will be on her when she begins playing in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) this month for her new team Sydney Thunder where she’ll hope to keep her good form going. [COMMENT BY: Imran Malik, Assistant Editor]

IS IT A CASE OF SOUR GRAPES FOR KANGANA RANAUT?: Bollywood star Kanagna Ranaut has lashed out at her film industry peers once again as they make a beeline to announce their long-delayed projects. With theatres reopening in Maharashtra on October 22, Bollywood has been given the green light to roll out their movies that have been simmering on the backburner as the pandemic wreaked havoc in India. But for Ranaut, whose J Jayalalithaa biopin ‘Thalaivii’ suffered at the box office due to theatrical restrictions, this industry frenzy is the perfect excuse for her to lash out against ‘Bollywood mafias’. The actress called out big studios for striking deals with exhibitors and multiplexes, thus forcing smaller players to find a revenue stream on web. While Ranaut may have a point about the industry’s inner workings, some may call also call this rant a case of sour grapes considering her latest film was forced to generate revenue through a Netflix deal instead. Irrespective of the inside story, a working industry can only benefit all actors and film studios in the long run. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]