From the Editors: Keep a tab on your health as you fast during Ramadan

KEEP A TAB ON YOUR HEALTH AS YOU FAST DURING RAMADAN: Long hours of fasting during Ramadan, particularly with the onset of summer, demands some cautionary measures. This is especially important for those who have just come out of a COVID-19 infection and are fasting. Health experts have advised that adequate nutrition, hydration and sleep are essential once the fasting hours are over every day and some checks need to be carried out in order to ensure adequate health safeguards are maintained, particularly for those who have been long-haul COVID patients. For instance, some health experts have advised that all those who have recovered from COVID-19 and are fasting, should undergo a D-dimer test to check for inappropriate blood clots. A simple preventive measure can go a long way in ensuring safety and wellbeing.[COMMENT BY: Sanjib Kumar Das, Assistant Editor]

NEW OPPORTUNITY TO REBUILD AFGHANISTAN: US President Joe Biden’s announcement of a full withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan marks a new beginning for the country. Wracked by war and bloodshed for the past 20 years, it gives the Afghan people a change to rebuild their country. The onus of peace is now on the Taliban and the Afghanistan government. In a modern world that focuses on the economic development of its people, war and the ensuing loss of life is hardly an option. Afghanistan must make the most of this new opportunity to improve the lot of its people, educate the children and ensure that they are ready to compete with the rest of the world. [COMMENT BY: Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor]

FIFTH TIME’S A CHARM FOR CITY AND GUARDIOLA: At the fifth time of asking, Pep Guardiola guided Manchester City to a Champions League semi-final as they saw off Borussia Dortmund and the demons of previous quarter-final disappointments on Wednesday. Attention will now turn to a semi-final clash with Paris Saint-Germain, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar. Once again it was Phil Foden — who struck a vital winner in the first leg against Dortmund — who came up with the goods as nerves frayed for Guardiola’s men. Young Jude Bellingham’s first Champions League goal gave a Dortmund a 1-0 lead on the night and the advantage on away goals. City have bowed out in three successive quarter-final exits to Liverpool, Tottenham and Lyon. This time, though, City’s luck turned as Riyad Mahrez levelled from the spot, before Foden put the game beyond doubt. [COMMENT BY: Matthew Smith, Sports Editor]

Getting trolled and being slammed with toxic online hate has become an occupational hazard for Bollywood actors. But actress and cricket host Mandira Bedi isn’t willing to take it lying down. Recently, she introduced her adopted daughter Tara to her virtual world. But the young child, darker in skin tone than her foster family, was immediately panned for her appearance and called a ‘street kid’. The young child, with a mop of adorable curls, was also described as a pick-up from ‘slumdog centre’. But foster mom Bedi didn’t back down. She went on record, publicly named, shamed and hit back at those ‘appalling’ and ‘nasty’ posts. "More from the model citizen. He calls himself Rajesh Tripathi, which definitely isn't his name, because sickos like this are the biggest cowards too, who only know how to wag their tongues behind the shield of anonymity,” shot back Bedi. Thanks to her empowered and emboldened stand, accounts that trolled her daughter has been suspended by India’s cyber cell. We need more Mandira Bedi-like figures in today’s world. Here’s more power to her for fighting off vitriolic online hate. [COMMENT BY: Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Assistant Editor Features ]