From the editors: Saying goodbye to Dilip Kumar

DUBAI STUDENTS EXCEL IN IB EXAMS The International Baccalaureate examination results have just been declared, and Dubai students have once again showed their true colours as they surpassed the global average marks. This achievement speaks volumes of not just the hard work that the students have put in for this important milestone in their lives, but also speaks of the outstanding standards of the schools in the emirate. The strong educational infrastructure provided by the schools in the country have allowed the students to follow their dreams, and these results mark a strong first step in that direction. (COMMENT BY: Somshankar Bandyopadhyay, Assistant Editor)

A TEARFUL GOODBYE TO THE LAST OF THE BOLLYWOOD LEGENDS Dilip Kumar was the last surviving member of the golden era of Bollywood where your success was rated based on your raw talent and not your Instagram following. Few could match Dilip Kumar’s ability to slip into the skin of any character he played, making him a director’s dream through the decades he ruled Bollywood. There are numerous tales of his method acting that resulted in iconic films such as ‘Naya Daur’ and ‘Devdas’. It is said that Shah Rukh Khan took a page out of Dilip Kumar’s book when he had to revive ‘Devdas’ on screen for Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Perhaps that is the mark of a legend, when your art outlives you and finds new ways to reinvent itself through others. As Bollywood bids a tearful goodbye to Dilip Kumar, his legacy lives on in celluloid to teach generations to come. (COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor)

UK PLANS TO REOPEN TRAVEL WILL BE GOOD NEWS FOR AIRLINES Two days after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson set out plans for the final step in easing England’s COVID-19 lockdown, British media said fully vaccinated travellers arriving from countries on “amber list” will avoid quarantine from as early as July 19. This is good news for the airlines, which have kept its finances in the doldrums for over 15 months, and prospective tourists. The reports come a day after health minister Sajid Javid told the BBC that the country’s daily new caseload could nearly quadruple over the summer, potentially reaching a staggering 100,000 per day. That’s more than at the pandemic’s height. But despite fears of a resurgence, many Britons are weary of restrictions after enduring one of the world’s longest lockdowns. (COMMENT BY: Stephen N.R., Senior Asociate Editor- World & Me,)

EURO 2020: ITALY AND SPAIN INSPIRING IN SEMI-FINAL That was a semi-final to live up to all that Euro 2020 had to offer. Two top teams — Italy and Spain — slogged it out over 120 minutes before Italy triumphed on penalties, with brilliant goals and so many chances going a-begging. It really had everything we hoped it would have to put a stamp on such a thrilling tournament. One of the most amazing things in the heavyweight slugfest was the way the players all wished each other luck ahead of the shoot-out — to a man, they embraced the opposition, and you can tell they meant it. This isn’t war ... it is football at its finest. And we still have two more games to go. (COMMENT BY: Matt Smith, Sports Editor)