From the Editors: Dedicated elderly-only healthcare facility in the UAE widely welcomed

LONG-FELT NEED BY THE ELDERLY ADDRESSED: The need for a dedicated healthcare facility for the elderly has long been felt, and Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC)’s announcement of a 250-bed geriatric centre yesterday is being widely welcomed. Offering family medicine, geriatrics, neurology and orthopaedics care for Emiratis, expatriates and medical tourists above the age of 65, the VITA Elderly Care Complex is being projected as a first-of-its kind facility. The requirements of the elderly are quite distinct from other sections of the population and to have a seniors-only health centre would help sharpen the focus on them, while easing the pressure on general healthcare centres. [COMMENT BY: Sharmila Dhal, UAE Editor]

AFGHANISTAN IS NOW ON ITS OWN, UNDER THE TALIBAN: We are witnessing the final moments of America’s 20-year war in Afghanistan, which ended in complete chaos, with a Taliban victory and desperate scenes of Afghan civilians trying to leave. Add to this, the criminal atrocity carried out by Daesh that left more than 100 Afghans and 13 Americans dead. This was followed by multiple US drones strikes against the alleged perpetrators in which civilians have also reportedly been killed. Kabul airport - currently the most talked-about airport in the world - is now at the throes of being taken over by the Taliban, who already control three gates. Most countries have ended their evacuation flights and the US will soon be evacuating the troops who were involved in the airlift. Afghanistan is now on its own, under the Taliban. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

DJOKOVIC HAS GREAT CHANCE TO WIN HISTORIC 21ST GRAND SLAM: The US Open begins today but there will be several high profile players missing through injury including Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. This means Serbian top seed Novak Djokovic has a great chance to win a historic 21st Grand Slam at the New York event. The 34-year-old will be the focus of attention as he goes for a rare calendar sweep. If he wins the tournament he will jump ahead of both Federer and Nadal in terms of major victories but Andy Murray may also fancy his chances at Flushing Meadows as will Greek third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas. Serena Williams is missing in the women’s singles which gives Ashleigh Barty and teenage sensation Coco Gauff a great chance but defending champion Naomi Osaka will have her sights set on a third US Open title in just four years.[COMMENT BY: Imran Malik, Assistant Editor]

IS ‘DONDA’S' RELEASE A LITTLE TOO LATE FOR KANYE: After several delays and controversies to boot, Kanye West finally rolled out his much anticipated ‘Donda’ on Sunday, with the 27-track album roping in names that have been in the news for all the wrong reasons. Dababy, who has collaborated with Ye on ‘Jail’, has faced backlash over the past month for his homophobic comments. Another controversial name on the album is Marilyn Manson, who is awaiting his day in court over sexual abuse allegations. With Ye himself pushing out ‘Donda’ after two tumultuous years that saw him align with US President Donald Trump, launch his own presidency bid, accuse his wife Kim Kardashian of conspiring to lock him up and then splitting with the reality star when the going got tough, one can’t help but wonder, can the album ever rise above the headlines? We will just have to wait and see. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]