From the Editors: Keeping Alzheimer’s at bay with new treatment in Dubai

A RAY OF HOPE FOR THOSE SUFFERING FROM ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE: Alzheimer’s is a dreaded progressive disease, the prognosis of which is usually grim for most patients suffering from it. However, a leading researcher has thrown some light of hope, saying that the condition can be kept at bay, or even reversed, provided there are some preventive measures adopted at an early stage. Hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) has shown that it can reverse early indicators that lead to Alzheimer’s disease, a medical expert recently revealed in UAE. This should come as a huge relief to all those patients and their family members who are currently grappling with this debilitating condition. It is estimated that around 44 million people worldwide are currently living with Alzheimer’s or a related form of dementia. If HBOT can be a potent answer to this condition then for sure it will mark a huge leap in medical science’s quest for conquering yet another seemingly insurmountable peak.[COMMENT BY: Sanjib Kumar Das, Assistant Editor]

MERKEL’S EXIT IS GENUINELY THE END OF AN ERA: Germany goes to the polls on Sunday, and the era of Angela Merkel will finally come to an end. After 16 years at the helm of Europe’s biggest economy and one of the world’s most industrialised nations, she is finally bowing out. Most would credit her for her balanced approach to domestic and international affairs. Her economic and foreign policies made Germany a respected global power. In 2015, Merkel showed humanity and also farsightedness when she allowed hundreds of thousands of refugees, mainly from Syria, to enter Germany. Not only was that the right thing to do for moral reasons but also for economic ones. Germany’s ageing population needs rejuvenation and instead of seeing them as a burden, Merkel saw these immigrants as future contributors to Germany’s colossal economy. She goes out leaving Germany in a better position than she found it in. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

IPL 2021: DUBAI THRILLER LIVENS UP THE UAE LEG: A thrilling two-run victory for Rajasthan Royals against Punjab Kings at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday once again underlined what makes IPL so special. Young Karthik Tyagi picked up two wickets in the last over - when all Punjab had to do was get four runs - to take Royals over the line despite their sloppiness in catching. A crackling 120-run opening partnership between KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal hence proved futile for the Kings. [COMMENT BY: Gautam Bhattacharyya, Senior Associate Editor]

CAPTURING THE LEGEND OF A BOLLYWOOD SUPERSTAR: A new book chronicling the life and meteoric rise of Kareena Kapoor Khan is currently in the works. Calling her a bona fide Bollywood superstar wouldn’t be too far off the mark. The talented actress, who turned 41 on September 21, is a film industry blueblood who have ruled Bollywood across generations. While nepotism is a word that has often been associated with children and grandchildren of celebrities who have found a foothold to propel their careers in the industry, Kapoor Khan’s talent cannot be denied. Navigating a 20-year career as a leading lady in Bollywood is a feat few can match. Perhaps the late Sridevi is the only one who commanded such status in India. Kapoor Khan makes for a fascinating subject for anyone and this one is well-deserved memoir that needs to written. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]