From the Editors: This World Stroke Day, let's pledge to stay healthy

ON WORLD STROKE DAY TODAY, LET’S TAKE A PLEDGE TO STAY HEALTHY: With cases of stroke rising all over the world, medical experts in the UAE have advised people in this country to be extra-cautious. And there are some worrying statistics to justify the alarm sounded by doctors and health professionals. According to one estimate, one person suffers a stroke every hour in the UAE and on an average, there are 10,000-12,000 cases of stroke recorded annually in the country. Moreover, while the average age of people suffering a stroke is between 55 and 60 years globally, in UAE, people are known to be suffering from stroke much earlier in their lives with the average age-group being 45-50 years. As we observe World Stroke Day today, it is incumbent upon all of us, particularly those in the UAE, to maintain a healthy lifestyle, watch our diet and ensure health monitoring at regular intervals. These will help ensure that even if there is any lurking danger or symptom of a stroke, it can be detected early and all necessary remedial measures can be adopted at the slightest sign of discomfort. Let’s take a pledge to stay healthy. [COMMENT BY: Sanjib Kumar Das, Assistant Editor]

AFGHANISTAN’S MOST SERIOUS THREAT IS HUNGER: In all that has happened in Afghanistan over the past few months, one issue has not got the attention it deserves. Hunger. By next month, more than half of the country’s population will face acute hunger. There are many reasons for this - conflict, drought, and COVID-19, among others, putting 22.8 million people at risk of starvation. Unemployment has reached record levels, and the fact that Afghanistan now is not allowed to access its currency reserves held in the US has made things very difficult. Donors cannot seem to agree on how to deal with the Taliban and have only agreed to channel aid through the UN. Issues like these cannot be allowed to come in the way of aid - people’s lives are at stake. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

CHASING SEEMS TO BE THE KEY TO SUCCESS AT THE T20 WORLD CUP: Sri Lanka made a solid start against Australia at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium last night but David Warner’s smashing knock of 65 helped guide the Aussies to a seven-wicket victory. The win ensured Australia maintain their 100 per cent record at the Men’s T20 World Cup and they are looking in fine form and should advance to the last four of the tournament. Up next for them will be England who are also looking good and tomorrow’s match ought to be a fascinating battle. We may even know who will win as soon as the toss is done and which captain decides to field first because incredibly in the 10 Super 12 matches that we have had so far 9 of them have been won by the team that is chasing. It was just Afghanistan who have been able to defend their total against Scotland. Part of the reason for this remarkable statistic is because of the dew that settles in the evenings which makes the ball hard to grip and gives a slight advantage to teams who bat second. This factor will continue to play a big part as the tournament progresses which means winning the toss will become almost essential. [COMMENT BY: Imran Malik, Assistant Editor]

A GRAND HOMECOMING: The Bombay High Court has granted Bollywood star kid Aryan Khan bail in the drugs case that has captured the fascination of people around the world. His parents, superstar Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan, must be waiting with bated breath to see their oldest child leave the jail he has been in for weeks and return to them. Many opinions have been shared about this famous family’s very public crisis, but there’s one thing that is clear; most people can understand the pain of parents who’ve been separated from their child and their reunion soon is being watched closely. [COMMENT BY: Jennifer Barretto, Assistant Editor]