From the Editors: Significance of the World Mental Health Day 2021

HOW ABOUT A MIND GAME TODAY? On World Mental Health Day today, each one us would do well to take stock of our general train of thoughts - and actions – to look for any signs that indicate some form of mental unrest. Being in denial of a mental health problem, however small, can prove to be very detrimental. Recognising that there is something wrong, on the other hand, can make all the difference. There are any number of avenues available in the UAE to seek help and take timely remedial steps. [COMMENT BY: Sharmila Dhal, UAE Editor]

IRAQIS WILL BE VOTING BUT THEIR HOPES FOR CHANGE ARE NOT HIGH: Iraqis are going to the polls today to elect a new parliament - the fifth time since the US invasion of 2003 that toppled the government of Saddam Hussein. The elections come two years after major anti-government protests that were met with trademark brutality of the security forces and their allied militias. About 600 people were killed and no one has been held accountable. The demands are the same today as they have been in the past: security, jobs, peace, and dignity. In a country awash with oil and other natural resources, that should not be too much to ask. But, limitless corruption, brutality of the security forces and armed militias, and mismanagement have meant that unemployment is high and basic services like electricity and healthcare absent. The same faces are expected to reemerge in positions of power after today’s polls. Naturally, people’s hopes for change are not much. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

IPL 2021 IN UAE: WHO, AMONG THE TOP FOUR, WILL HAVE A LAST LAUGH? Four more matches to go, and the IPL 2021 will eventually come to a close after an eventful journey. As the play-off stage kicks off with the first Qualifier between Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals at the Dubai International Stadium this evening, the question rages is who will have the last laugh on October 15? Can the Yellove army win their fourth title or will the rampant Kolkata Knight Riders end their title-drought since 2014? It will also be a welcome chapter in IPL history if there is a new champion in either Royal Challengers Bangalore in what would be Virat Kohli’s last year in captaincy or Delhi Capitals can cap their upward graph? We will find out on next Friday. [COMMENT BY: Gautam Bhattacharyya, Senior Associate Editor]

IT’S NOT EASY TO BE DUMPED AND BOLLYWOOD SUPERSTAR SHAH RUKH KHAN IS LIKELY TO VOUCH FOR IT: Days after his son Aryan was embroiled in a drug bust case and is now in judicial custody in Mumbai, Khan has been dropped from endorsing India’s largest ed-tech company Byju following the scandal. This is the first brand from Khan’s burgeoning endorsement kitty that seems to have distanced themselves from the actor after his son’s fall from grace. Khan has often joked that he’s a serial endorser because it pays his bills. His sea-facing mansion needs a fresh lick of paint, he just endorses a fairness cream or dances at a wedding. It will be interesting to see if this icon -- who currently commands a brand value of $51.1 million as per Duff & Phelps Celebrity Brand Valuation – will become a pariah to his army of well-heeled advertisers or not. Will brand Shah Rukh Khan take a beating or will he bounce back from this grim episode with a bang? [COMMENT BY: Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Assistant Editor Features ]