Dubai Fitness Challenge 2022 kicks off and South Korea Halloween tragedy our editors comment on the top stories of October 30

DUBAI FITNESS CHALLENGE IS A GREAT LEVELER: The massive response to the Dubai Fitness Challenge which kicked off in Dubai on Saturday is an indicator the huge success of the annual initiative which is running in its sixth edition this year. The series of events planned over the next month not only aims at encouraging people to make exercise a part of their daily routine, it is also a great leveler as it brings together people from different backgrounds, age brackets and fitness levels. It would be no exaggeration to say that this annual initiative has changed the lives of thousands of people in the city, making them healthier and more productive. (Comment by Sharmila Dhal, UAE Editor)

TOO MANY INNOCENT LIVES LOST IN ONE ACCIDENT: Officials in South Korea fear that more people could succumb to their injuries after a huge Halloween party crowd surged into a narrow alley in Seoul. The current toll of 151 people includes those mostly in their teens and 20s. It is sad to lose so many innocent lives in an accident like this. While it is not clear what led the crowd to surge into the alley, it is believed that some people in the 100,000 crowd may have fallen, toppling one another after they were pushed by others. Our hearts go out to the families of victims and we hope a thorough probe will reveal the real cause of the stampede. . (Comment by Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor)

BOULT SURPRISES TIME AND AGAIN WITH HIS SKILLS: Trent Boult is an unsung hero in world cricket. The New Zealand pacer doesn’t get the same credit as some of those boasting express pace. But time and again the left-armer has showed that one could be a fearsome pacer without breaking your back, just play on the batters’ minds. Boult is a master at getting under the batters’ skin and forcing them to do something silly that they would regret right after committing the error. He uses his change of line, length, angle and pace to fox the batters into a false stroke. A genius in his own forthright and the go to man for his skipper Kane Williamson. Wait for more surprises from Boult. (Comment by A.K.S. Satish, Sports Editor)

ADELE WANTS TO SWAP STAGE FOR STUDIES: Today morning, I woke up to this interesting and quirky news about British Grammy-winner Adele expressing her desire to get a degree in English literature and go back to school again. She has a few concerts coming and once that’s out of the way, hiring an online tutor is on her to-do list. Here’s an accomplished, Grammy-winning singer at that, talking about upgrading her skills. The English degree may not make her better singer, but it will definitely widen her horizon as a person. She’s 34 and more power to her for wanting to graduate life or something like it with top honours. (Comment by Manjusha Radhakrishnan Entertainment Editor)