From the Editors: Tourists flocking to UAE to visit Expo 2020 Dubai

TOURISTS FLOCKING TO DUBAI TO VISIT EXPO 2020: Tourists have been flocking to Dubai in great numbers since the Expo 2020 Dubai opened its doors on October 1. It has been phenomenal turnout of visitors during the first 10 days of the Expo opening. Records show that 411,768-ticketed visitors from 175 countries have so far visited the Expo . Expo 2020’s opening week has undoubtedly been a great as the numbers of visitors demonstrate the global desire for people to reconnect with each other and to imagine a better future post COVID-19. The official numbers also revealed that as many as 477, 101 passengers have arrived in Dubai in just 10 days since the launch of the mega event. Hats off to the authorities concerned for making elaborate arrangements to facilitate all visitors at the world’s greatest show. [COMMENT BY: Ashfaq Ahmed, Senior Assistant Editor]

IRAQIS NOT EXPECTING CHANGES IN THEIR LIVES AFTER ELECTION: Initial results in Iraq’s elections have been as expected: The Shiite bloc led by nationalist cleric Moqtada Al Sadr is in the lead, and the Shiite bloc led by pro-Iran groups has emerged as the main loser. In the 2018 elections, the Sadrists did well to win 54 seats in the 329-member parliament. But this time, they’ve done even better, and are slated to win 70. What are we to read into this? The fact is, people want an independent Iraq. One that is free of interference from its neighbours. However, there is nothing more people expect from the poll results. More of the same faces will fill parliament. The election was marred by apathy, and a record-low turnout of 41 per cent. People are not expecting any real changes in their daily lives. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

IPL 2021 IN UAE: DISAPPOINTING END TO KOHLI’S CAPTAINCY OF BANGALORE: Virat Kohli was hoping to lead Royal Challengers Bangalore to their first title since 2008 after announcing he would step down as captain at the end of the Indian Premier League season. But sadly for him, Kolkata Knight Riders won the eliminator last night. Kohli, captain since 2013, started well and hit several boundaries but the slow pitch made it hard for Bangalore following his dismissal. KKR hit five sixes while RRB hit none and Kohli was visibly agitated throughout the game and remonstrated with the umpires several times. It was not the way he wanted to bow out as captain of the team whom he will continue to represent but now he will be focusing all of his attention on India and the T20 World Cup. “I've given my best to this franchise and I don't see myself playing anywhere else, loyalty matters to me more than anything else,” he said.[COMMENT BY: Imran Malik, Assistant Editor]

IS SHAH RUKH KHAN PAYING A HEFTY PRICE OF FAME? Aryan Khan will have another day in court tomorrow. His famous parents will probably wake up in hope that they will see their son return home, thus giving them a momentary respite in this never ending nightmare that has played out ever since the drug bust aboard a cruise ship on that fateful night of October 2. Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan have long understood the rules of the game, learning early on that fame came with a price. What they perhaps didn’t fathom was that the price would be the freedom of their firstborn. As Bollywood comes out in support of the famous family, it’s interesting to see political players such as Shashi Tharoor and Mehbooba Mufti also speak out in defense of the Khans. Mufti implied a bigger conspiracy at play that has resulted in an all-out assault on the Bollywood superstar. While the truth remains to unravel, it is best to remember that Shah Rukh and Gauri are much more than just public figures; they are also terrified parents who need their privacy in the face of spiraling fame. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai Entertainment Editor]