Dubai brings unique metro music festival, fighting obesity and other top stories, our editors comment on the top stories of Mar 4

DUBAI BRINGS UNIQUE METRO MUSIC FESTIVAL: Commuters will be treated to captivating musical performances by local, regional and international musicians representing unique sparks of creative talent in a wide range of instruments, genres and styles. At least five Dubai Metro stations will be transformed into stages for live musical performances by musicians from across the world as part of the Dubai Metro Music Festival from March 6-12. The weeklong celebration of global music reflects Dubai’s cosmopolitan spirit and creative vibrancy. The festival is one of the key events highlighted in the latest #DubaiDestinations campaign, which invites residents and visitors to explore the diverse art and cultural experiences offered by the emirate during the #DubaiArtSeason. [COMMENT BY: by Ashfaq Ahmed, Senior Assistant Editor]

FIGHTING OBESITY: Today (March 4) is commemorated as World Obesity Day. It’s now common knowledge that obesity is an alarmingly increasing global public health issue. Several countries worldwide have witnessed a triple escalation in the prevalence of obesity in the last three decades due to modernisation and urbanisation, sedentary lifestyle and increased consumption of high-calorie processed food. Easy accessibility of junk foods and packaged foods has increased the risk of obesity even among the economically weaker sections of the society. Obesity is a silent killer that has a negative impact on practically every element of health, including metabolic, mechanical, reproductive, and pulmonary function, as well as memory, mood, and psychosocial well-being. We are all responsible for the rise of this menace. Let’s start the fight at home to save the future generations. [COMMENT BY: Stephen N.R., Senior Associate Editor]

ALONSO RIGHT TO PLAY DOWN BAHRAIN GP CHANCES DESPITE DOMINATING PRACTICE: Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso set the pace in Friday’s practice ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix. But the Aston Martin driver is playing down the idea that he could start on pole position for Sunday’s race. Alonso was 0.169 seconds faster than world champion Max Verstappen’s Red Bull while his teammate Sergio Perez was third quickest. But the experienced Alonso is rightfully not talking up his chances. The 41-year-old has been in this position many times before in his successful motor racing career and knows the best thing to do is to avoid the hype. He does not want to bring unnecessary pressure and attention on himself but inside he will be feeling optimistic and confident. He has also ruled out fighting for the world title in 2023 but Aston Martin know they have a top class driver behind the wheel and in Formula 1 anything is possible. [COMMENT BY: Imran Malik, Assistant Sports Editor]

TOM SIZEMORE - A CAUTIONARY TALE: The life of Hollywood actor Tom Sizemore, who died late yesterday, serves as a cautionary tale. Sizemore is best known for his role in the World War II drama 'Saving Private Ryan', but our memory also harks back to characters he portrayed in the Robert de Niro-Al Pacino-headlined thriller 'Heat' (you aren't a millennial if you don't remember this classic) and ‘Pearl Harbour’. He also lent his voice to a version of the successful video game 'Grand Theft Auto'. But alas, the troughs outweighed the peaks. His life was littered with incidents of substance abuse, sexual abuse and a maze of resultant legal problems that left him in penury — and signals wasted potential. [COMMENT BY: Rajagopalan Venkataraman, Assistant Editor-Features.]