From the Editors: Xposure brings the photographic world together

XPOSURE BRINGS THE PHOTOGRAPHIC WORLD TOGETHER: A picture is worth a thousand words, so it is said. This was amply proved in the annual Xposure photography exhibition that concluded last week in Sharjah. How such events touch our hearts is evident from the fact that almost 8,000 people visited the event, held at the Expo Centre Sharjah. More than 1,500 images taken by 400 photographers were displayed at the four-day event. The horrors of war, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and others were among the major issues that found focus this year. Xposure remains a valuable insight into our world.[COMMENT BY: Somshankar Bandyopadhyay, Assistant Editor]

GLIMMER OF HOPE AS LEBANON BEGINS VACCINATIONS: On Sunday, despite all odds, Lebanon began vaccinating its citizens against COVID-19. For a country that has been pummelled by non-stop political, economic, security and health crises, this was a ray of hope. Such is the economic situation in Lebanon that it had to wait for $34 million in financing from the World Bank to buy sufficient doses for about one third of its population, or about 2 million people. About 5 per cent of the population has contracted the virus, and almost 4,000 people have died. This is one battle Lebanon has to win, as too much is at stake. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

BRITAIN’S SITUATION IMPROVING, BUT STILL A LONG WAY TO GO: Having battened down the hatches for weeks in a bid to curb the spread of coronavirus, Britain is now seeing a decline in new cases. It has been – and still is – an extremely difficult time for everyone living with these strict restrictions imposed by the government. Families are yearning to see one another, businesses are desperate for their doors to be allowed to reopen and children need to be back at school - just ask parents trying to juggle both working from home and the education of their kids. But, it is still too soon to relax measures.We must ensure we are right on top of the virus and in control before life can begin to resume normality and that means we need to patient for a little longer. Britain – which has been the hardest hit in Europe – is moving to the next phase of its vaccination programme having already inoculated 15 million of the most vulnerable people. It is a massive milestone that deserves credit. But there is still important work to be done in the weeks and months ahead. The government must not take its foot off the gas too early. [COMMENT BY: Imran Malik, Assistant Editor]

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists his side have to “put up a fight” to halt Manchester City from claiming a third Premier League title in four years, but logic tells us they will need a lot more than pluck to halt their ‘Noisy Neighbours’. United limped to a timid draw against lowly West Brom on Sunday but a defiant Solskjaer insisted they will not “give away” hope of a first tile in an age as the Red Devils have finally mounted a title challenge after years in the doldrums. United are second in the table, ahead of Leicester on goal difference, but seven points behind City. Solskjaer admitted he and his boys will need help from the likes of Everton and Leicester if they are to reel in Pep Guardiola’s men, but they will need a lot more than that. Pep Guardiola’s side, who have won 15 games in a row in all competitions, also have a game in hand on both United and the Foxes. Only a massive slip can stop them, regardless of what United do.[COMMENT BY: Matthew Smith, Sports Editor]

IS HOLLYWOOD FACING A WATERSHED MOMENT? Misogyny, sexism, ageism – these are powerful words that have continued to rule Hollywood with the iron hand of the patriarchy. Yet, in recent weeks, the grip has weakened with Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan and Charisma Carpenter finally getting their moment in the spotlight. The documentary ‘Framing Britney Spears’ has been Hollywood’s watershed moment, as it draws support from celebrities and peers who have called out the misogyny the young singer faced at the height of fame and during her very public break-up with singer Justin Timberlake. Will there me more such stories grabbing headlines in the coming weeks? Perhaps. But what we can say with certainty is that Hollywood has its fair share of skeletons; now all we do is wait as they come tumbling out of their closets.[COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]