From the Editors: Dubai Fitness challenge transforms people

DUBAI FITNESS CHALLENGE TRANSFORMS PEOPLE: Curtain falls on the month long Dubai Fitness Challenge (DFC) by the end of this month. Since its inception, the DFC has helped transformed thousands of residents to be healthier and fit as Dubai has been turned into a fitness hub. The more than ever fit community members have got benefit of various sports activities across the city. Thousands of residents and even visitors are gearing up for a final weekend of fun and fitness with mega events including the Dubai Run -- the city’s biggest free-to-enter fun run on Friday morning on Sheikh Zayed Road. Residents must continue with their fitness routine even after the DFC is over to ensure happier and healthier communities. [COMMENT BY: Ashfaq Ahmed, Senior Assistant Editor]

MIGRANTS DYING IN THE HIGH SEAS HAVE BECOME JUST NUMBERS: Twenty seven migrants trying to cross into the UK from France died in the English Channel when the dingy in which they had been forced to travel by inhumane human smugglers capsized. Inquiries are being launched, investigations are being started. But who were these 27 human beings? What were their names? Where did they come from? What were the reasons that forced them to undertake such a dangerous journey? No one seems to be in a hurry to answer these questions. These 27 migrants will become statistics added to the thousands of others fleeing war, hunger and persecution who have died this way in their pursuit of a life in Europe. And this cycle will continue. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

ENGLAND’S ASHES PREPARATIONS NOT IDEAL: England’s Ashes preparations have taken a knock as the warm-up match against England Lions in Brisbane had to be abandoned due to rain. Haseeb Hameed had looked good for the tourists on the opening day as he hit an unbeaten 53 before play was halted at the Peter Burge Oval. No play was possible on the second day and not even a single ball was bowled on the final day and in total just 29 overs were bowled. Now, before the first Test against Australia begins on December 8 at the Gabba, England just have one more warm-up match - also against England Lions - to come at the Ian Healy Oval while their T20 World Cup players are still in quarantine. [COMMENT BY: Imran Malik, Assistant Editor]

BOLLYWOOD NEEDS TO ADDRESS AGE-APPROPRIATE CASTING: The love triangle in upcoming movie ‘Atrangi Re’, starring Sara Ali Khan, Akshay Kumar and Dhanush has been raising eyebrows because of the large age gap between the female lead and her male love interests. Khan is 26, while Dhanush is 38 years old and Kumar is 54. Director Aanand L Rai has defended this casting and he wants people to “wait and understand the reason behind such a cast.” However, while all three are great actors in their own right, when they’re seen together in a movie it feels off kilter and borderline inappropriate. [COMMENT BY: Jennifer Barretto, Assistant Editor – Features]